Author: Cate Masters
Genres: Historical Romance
Genres: Historical Romance
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Blurb:
Can the daughter of a well-known prostitute start a new life
where no one knows her family history? Norah Hawkins is sure going to try. When
a letter arrives deeding her property in San Francisco, she packs her bags.
Irishman Gerard MacKenzie likes his life free and easy, but
is tired of the snobbish East Coast folk. San Francisco has enough vice and
folly to suit his needs. Meeting Norah gives him the opportunity to bartend in
her saloon. Maybe he can convince her to let him play the piano. She’s a shrewd
businesswoman, and negotiating with her makes his blood boil. Damn if she
doesn’t make his blood boil in other ways, too.
The morning of April 18, 1906, a terrible earthquake buries
their dreams beneath the city’s ruins. Can Norah and Mac rebuild their lives?
Will rebuilding their dreams bond them forever, or tear them apart?
Buy Links:
Excerpt 1:
Guilt
filled her as she sealed the envelope. Her first letter should have been to her
mother. Estelle probably forgot I left. More likely, she bought a bottle and
forgot everything, period.
Downstairs
in the hotel lobby, Mac stepped around the corner into her path. “A letter to
your beau?”
She
bristled. “No.”
Leering,
he nodded. “Ah. You left him behind.”
“Certainly
not.” My, but he cleaned up nicely. The electric wall sconce gave his black
hair a sheen like raven’s feathers in the sun. His smooth-shaved skin
accentuated the whites of his eyes, rimmed with thick dark lashes. Curled in a
teasing smile, his lips appeared soft, not weather-worn like some men.
He
cocked a brow. “He’s joining you later?”
“I
don’t see how it’s any of your concern.” Unless he still hoped for employment.
His long, smooth fingers might be handy for more than cards. Still, if she
wanted music, she could buy a player piano and not have to pay it a weekly
salary. Though it wouldn’t be nearly as nice to look at as Mac.
He
shrugged. “It isn’t. Unless you run into debt playing poker. I want to be assured someone will back you up.”
“You
needn’t worry. I never get in over my head.” In anything.
He
tipped his cap. “Smart woman.”
Not
enough to fool him. Last night, Norah had imitated her drunken mother to
perfection, another skill that came in handy. Believing her vulnerable, the men
made themselves moreso. Not Mac. He’d grown more careful, as if he guessed at
her intent.
“What
are you doing here?” She wondered what sort of a racket he ran. Everyone had
one. Uppity ladies in their lace-edged gowns and mansions excelled at scamming
men into marriage, but only succeeded in trapping themselves in the bargain.
She preferred a prison with bars.
“Renting
a room,” he said, “the same as you.”
Coincidence?
Or had he followed her? “I’m curious. Do you possess other skills?”
Smiling,
he tugged at his jacket lapels. “I’m a man of many talents. Why do you ask?”
Lo,
his ego reared again. “Have you no real trade to ply?”
“Playing
the piano is a ‘real’ trade, Miss Hawkins. However, I can work at almost
anything, from carpenter to barkeep.”
Like
Dan. All her stinging retorts vanished. “Oh.”
He
grimaced. “You disapprove?”
“Not
at all. Those are honorable trades.” Why should she feel relieved?
“As
honorable as your own?”
What
was he hinting at? Did he know about Estelle? Her face flushed hot. Pointedly,
she said, “Yes, as honorable as owning a saloon.”
“Saloon,”
he repeated, as if unsure. “I thought it was a gentleman’s club.”
Did
he mean to imply she’d employ herself in some other occupation, such as her
mother’s? In defiance, she curbed her tongue, unwilling to satisfy him with an
answer.
Author Bio:
Multipublished, award-winning author Cate Masters has made
beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at
heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her
lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and
fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company.
Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.
Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.
Contact
Links
Catch up to Cate: Blog:
Author Newsletter:
Sign up through my blog!
Exclusive goodies for subscribers. http://catemasters.blogspot.com
Sign up through my blog!
Exclusive goodies for subscribers. http://catemasters.blogspot.com
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/catemasters
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CateMasters
My 5 Star Review
I received this book from the Touring Host for an honest
review.
The story started slowly and developed on its own pace as the
writer was setting the plot. The reader had a good understanding as things
happened and where it originated from.
We met Norah, a Lady who had the desire to be independent and
left the place where she grew up in the east of the country to settle in San Francisco
We met Mac, who from a distance admired Norah. They ended up
on the same train to their destiny. From there things started to move faster as
the story continued. They both had a past they wanted to forget and start anew.
Here they found that they needed each other more and soon a romance developed
between them. The rest I would leave for the reader to discover on their own.
A fast pace, short historical romance set during the time of
the great earth quake in San Francisco
A very well written book with a good storyline and strong,
believable characters.
A very enjoyable read by Cate Masters
Book Trailer:
Embed code
Giveaway:
Ebook of Betting It All
Awesome trailer, Cate!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Kathleen. Happy reading
DeleteThanks Kathleen! I love making trailers.
DeleteWhere did my comment from yesterday go? Darn Blogger!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the lovely review! And for featuring Betting It All.