18 February 2010

Excerpt Thursday: Sandra Hill

This week on Excerpt Thursday we're happy to welcome Sandra Hill! Sandra is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including more than fifteen that take place in tenth century Britain and the Norselands, involving both Saxon knights and Viking warriors. And, in the case of her current release, VIKING IN LOVE...a Viking princess and a Saxon lord. The blurb and an excerpt are below.

Join us Sunday when Sandra will be answering questions and giving away a copy of its prequel, MY FAIR VIKING.

She said...

Caedmon of Larkspur is the most loathsome lout I have ever encountered! When my sisters and I arrived at his castle, we were greeted by servants and children running wild, while Caedmon lied abed after a night of ale. No doubt there will be another child soon, because I must admit he's as handsome as he is virile. And I must endure him, for we are in desperate need of protection, though I can only imagine what this knight will demand of me in return.

He said...

After nine long months in the king's service all I wanted was peace...not five Viking princesses running my keep. And the fiery redhead who burst into my chamber that first morning is the worst of all. Why, I should kick her out...but I have a much more wickedly delightful plan for Breanne of Stoneheim, one that will leave her a Viking in lust....Ten nights with a knight!
***

Northumbria, A.D. 965

"Your keep is filthy, pigs broke through the sty fence and are all over the bailey, I saw dozens of mice scampering in your great hall, thatch needs replacing on the cotters' huts, you beget children like an acorn tree gone wild, your servants take their ease like high nobility, there are several blubbering servants arguing over who will bury the priest who is laid out in your chapel, and you...you slothful sluggard, you lie abed, sleeping off a drukkin night, no doubt."

Whoa! One thing was for certain. This would not be yet another woman trying to crawl into his bed furs. "Stop shrieking. You will make my ears bleed." Caedmon, Lord of Larkspur, rolled over on his side, tugging the bed linen up to cover his lower half, then sat up.

"Bestir thyself!"

"Nay!"

"Have you no shame?"

"Not much."

"Are you lackbrained?"

"No more than you for barging into my bedchamber."

"Even if you have no coin, there is no excuse for the neglect."

"Not even the fact that I have been gone nine long months in service to a king undeserving of service?"

"Where is the lady of this estate?"

'Tis just like a woman to think a woman is the answer to everything! "There is no lady."

"Hmpfh! Why am I not surprised?"

Now he was getting annoyed. "Sarcasm ill-suits you, m'lady. Have you ne'er been told that?"

"The blade goes both ways, knave."

His eyes went wide at her foolhardy insults. "Who in bloody hell are you?"

"Princess Breanne of Stoneheim."

A Viking? Bloody hell!