SNEAK PEEK MONDAY: More Than Charming by JoMarie DeGioia (Regency Historical Romance)

Today's sneak peek is from the Regency historical romance More Than Charming by JoMarie DeGioia. Book 4 in the Dashing Nobles series. Get it now at 50% off (Lachesis Publishing 9th Anniversary Sale)

What it's about:
James Bradford, Viscount Roberts, will never be a fool for love—falling in love only has disastrous results. James should know, since he almost lost his best friend Geoffrey Kane when he fell for Kane’s bride Rebecca. Looking back now, he can see clearly that it was just an infatuation but he vows he will never lose control of his emotions ever again. He’s quite satisfied charming all the ladies of London and sleeping with buxom barmaids.
Lady Catherine Talbot has always dreamed of having a loving marriage just like the one her dear brother Paul and his beautiful wife Michelle have, but she wonders if her chance at happiness may have passed her by. After all, she was jilted by her fiancé Lord Waltham, who left her and ran off with an heiress. A year has passed since that disaster. Catherine is older and wiser now, but a part of her still dreams.

When James sees Catherine at a society ball he is stunned by her beauty. Paul’s sweet little sister has become a breathtakingly beautiful woman. And Catherine is just as taken with the most charming bachelor in London.

But can a charming rogue and an innocent lady find their own loving truth in the face of jealousy and scandal-mongers threatening to tear them apart? And will it be too late when their very future is threatened by unspeakable danger?

EXCERPT:
James heard only half of what Elizabeth said to him, for over her shoulder he spied the most beautiful young woman he’d ever seen. Her glossy brown curls were upswept, several tendrils left free to fall about her shoulders and frame her face. She was dressed in a gown of deep blue, the color complementing her striking eyes. The cut of the gown accentuated her lovely figure; her full breasts and slender waist drew his appreciative glance. My God. Surely this beautiful creature couldn’t be Catherine Talbot!
James watched her approach, noting that she carried herself regally, her hips swaying gently. She no longer flitted about the room like her sister. He’d always thought her pretty, but the past year had matured her looks. She’d lost her girlish countenance, but it was replaced with breathtaking beauty. If Waltham’s betrayal had this effect on her, perhaps he should thank the man before he throttled him.
He glanced at Elizabeth, then back at Catherine. They were no longer twins.
Catherine came to a stop in front of him, a small smile on her face. “Lord Roberts,” she said softly, curtsying.
James blinked. Even her voice held a sultry note he’d never heard in it before.
He bowed to her. “Lady Catherine,” he said, using her formal address for the first time.
She cocked her head to the side and smiled widely, the effect startling him. The dimple in her cheek only added to her appeal.
James recovered himself and took her gloved hand in his. “You look very much the lady this evening, Catherine.”
She stared up at him for a moment, and when her pupils dilated, he felt it like a caress.
“Oh, Catherine,” Elizabeth gushed. “There you are.”
Catherine turned her head and smiled at her sister, and James released her hand with regret. Geoffrey and Becca soon joined them, and talk became quite animated. James returned his friends’ comments absently, his eyes continually settling on Catherine. What was the matter with him? She was his friend’s little sister, and he’d never thought of her in any other way. But she was a woman now. As desirable as any he’d ever known.
As they all took themselves into the supper room, he vowed to put her, and his troubling reaction to her, out of his mind.

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JoMarie DeGioia is the author of the Dashing Nobles Series, which follows the love stories of four dashing gentlemen of the ton in Regency England.

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