New Cover

The Wager will have a new cover. It seems the powers above and beyond my control don't like the cover. So, after accepting the cover you have seen they have decided it just isn't good enough. I will post the new cover as soon as it is availabel.

4 cups for Allura

Matilda at Coffee Time Romance gives Allura 4 cups:

Check out the entire review: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Allura.html

I really enjoyed this book by Christine Young. It has mystery, humor and, whew, steamy love scenes! An awesome group of characters make this read very entertaining, from the tough as nails Allura to her meddlesome younger sister, Aiden. There is never a dull moment throughout this book and you will surely not be disappointed. I can only hope that some of my favorites get a story of their own. Well done Ms. Young.
MatildaReviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Guest Book

I'm celebrating the release of The Wager in November as an ebook. Sign the guest book and win a ecopy of The Wager.

The Wager

Finally finished the edits for The Wager--sequel to Allura. This is Amorica's story. She is the second oldest of 12 young women. Amorica falls in love with a dashing, irresitable rogue. A second son he has earned his fortune on his own terms. Meet Damian and Amorica. This novel is set in 1816. The tale begins in England and ends in America. The Wager goes on sale at Awe-struck the end of November. Stay tuned for contests.

Edits for The Wager

This weekend I'm working on the final edits for The Wager. Hope to get them finished by Saturday night and move on to other things. I've covers to do and other work to read through and edit. The Wager will be published by Awe-struck the end of November. It is Amorica's story and the second in a series of 12 cousins. I probably won't finish these for another few years. Crazy but I started these when my youngest daughter was in junior high. And she is graduating this year from college. Work and projects such as starting my own publishing house got in the way. Sometimes I wonder why I don't have enough energy to do everything I want to do. I guess, like Abby on NCIS, I just need more caffene. The third book in the series is Ravyn's. It is half way finished--maybe this summer.

Excerpt: The Wager -- coming in November 2009

"You cannot mean to go with Damian--without a chaperone?" Ravyn spoke as she paced the confines of Amorica’s room.

"It has been two weeks since I saw him." Amorica protested while she leaned on the windowsill, peering down at the gardens below, then farther to the rose garden where she was sure she had lost her heart to the rogue.

"And that is a better reason not to go. You cannot mean to fall right into his plans whenever he crooks a little finger. Your reputation will be ruined," Christel said.

"I do not care a fig for my reputation. He is the perfect gentleman, too perfect at times. He would never-" she stopped, remembering the greenhouse--his kisses--the way he touched her and the way her heart had raced.

Ravyn stood, feet apart, hands on hips. "All the more reason to stay away from him. What of the wager? You will not win if you give into him so easily. What would your father say?"

"He would not be pleased. No respecting lady would ride off for an afternoon picnic with a man--alone."

"It is morning." Ravyn reminded Amorica. "And if I read your mind correctly, it is for the entire day, this outing of yours."

"What is the difference? A day or half a day?"

"Probably nothing. It is just--I fear for your heart."

"The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and I don’t believe there is a cloud in the sky. I will have a fine ride and a nice picnic, and I will be home before dark."

"You cannot be sure he does not have some nefarious motive in mind."

"And I was afraid to say anything of this to Christel. I knew she would object but I didn’t think you would. Damian is neither dangerous or nefarious."

"Well." Ravyn blew a strand of loose hair from her face. "I didn’t think you would lose all common sense where that man came into play. What are you thinking?"

"I am thinking that I might never see him again. I am thinking that I deserve to have a ride on a fine day. I am thinking he is up to something, and I mean to find out what it is. He is secretive."

Excerpt from The Wager: Coming November 2009

"It’s a godsend, I say," Aric Lakeland told Damian. "I am heartily glad the girl’s servant showed her hand. We must know who is loyal. Who we can trust."

"There is no proof," Damian cautioned. "I would know more before I condemn the old woman. She seemed sincere."

"She must have had a bone to pick with someone. We do not know her history or what harm has been done her family by the English."

"Perhaps it is not the English she seeks to harm. Perhaps she means to implicate the girls in her scheme and discredit them," Aric tossed out.

A shudder ran down Damian’s spine. He had thought along those lines more than once. The girls would have to be protected.

How would he protect Amorica from himself? He had stayed away from her, tried to put her from his mind. But now he was about to return to court.

They would meet.

He would have to see her. If he did not appear smitten, Dicky and Richy would question his motives.

His choices were limited.

A costume ball...

The Duchess would guard her charges. Did she have their best interest at heart? He prayed she did.

If Maddie was loyal to the girls, could she be trusted to keep his secrets too? She offered her loyalty, pretended to understand his cause. Maddie had inferred that she might have a new asylum for the political refugees. A safe haven.

Damian’s heart sped. Different scenarios to this raced through his mind.

"Do not trust her and do not let down your guard. We cannot know her mind," Aric cautioned.

"I will heed your warning."

"You must do more than that. You must watch your back," Aric said.