Special Feature and Excerpt: Promised: A Proper Romance by Leah Garriott

This book has been popping up quite a bit in my recommendations around the web. I first saw it on Goodreads and as ‘readers who read this book liked…’ and then on my Amazon.

I was thrilled to be part of this tour and bring you guys a little sneak peak with an excerpt. Now that I have read the excerpt, I have decided that I need the book because it just sounds so sweet and fun! Plus look at that cover….just wow!

This book is perfect for fans of Jane Austen who are looking for something similar and who enjoy Regency era romances. I can’t wait to read this one, so keep reading for a little sneak peak of this upcoming sweet historical romance.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Margaret Brinton keeps her promises, and the one she is most determined to keep is the promise to protect her heart.

Warwickshire, England, 1812

Fooled by love once before, Margaret vows never to be played the fool again. To keep her vow, she attends a notorious matchmaking party intent on securing the perfect marital match: a union of convenience to someone who could never affect her heart. She discovers a man who exceeds all her hopes in the handsome and obliging rake Mr. Northam.

There’s only one problem. His meddling cousin, Lord Williams, won’t leave Margaret alone. Condescending and high-handed, Lord Williams lectures and insults her. When she refuses to give heed to his counsel, he single-handedly ruins Margaret’s chances for making a good match—to his cousin or anyone else. With no reason to remain at the party, Margaret returns home to discover her father has promised her hand in marriage—to Lord Williams

Under no condition will Margaret consent to marrying such an odious man. Yet as Lord Williams inserts himself into her everyday life, interrupting her family games and following her on morning walks, winning the good opinion of her siblings and proving himself intelligent and even kind, Margaret is forced to realize that Lord Williams is exactly the type of man she’d hoped to marry before she’d learned how much love hurt. When paths diverge and her time with Lord Williams ends, Margaret is faced with her ultimate choice: keep the promises that protect her or break free of them for one more chance at love. Either way, she fears her heart will lose.

EXCERPT

As we moved away, Lord Williams nodded to a few people before saying, “Most women would be honored by such an offer.”

I glanced behind me. A woman was speaking to Mr. Northam, but his attention remained on us. “Then it is unfortunate for us both that you chose to offer your companionship to me.”

“Miss Brinton.” His tone turned severe, and I looked at him in surprise. “I feel it my duty to warn you against any hopes of winning my cousin’s hand. He is not interested in marriage.”

He had to be. Mrs. Hickmore would not have invited him if he had not expressed at least mild interest in it. “Perhaps that is only because he has not yet met the right woman.”

Lord Williams looked at me with mockery in his eyes. “And you think you are that woman?”

This baron was proving less the gentleman now that we conversed alone. Still, I maintained a polite facade, for he might have some influence over his cousin. “From what I gathered at dinner, I think your cousin and I are well suited.”

“How so?”

“I would change nothing in his life except his marriage status and the amount of money available to him.”

Lord Williams raised his brows. “Entering into the marriage state is often considered a life-altering event, changing everything about one’s life.”

I waited until we’d maneuvered around a few stationary couples before answering. “Yes, generally. But I am seeking a marriage of convenience. Mutual respect is paramount, of course, but I wish to avoid any of the deeper connections occasionally found within the state of matrimony. If he is, as you say, a rake, I believe such a union would suit your cousin perfectly. I do come with something of a dowry; not large enough to be called a fortune, but large enough to tempt some men.” Dishonorable men like Edward. And, hopefully, indifferent men like Mr. Northam.

Lord Williams drew me closer while guiding me through the crowd at the door, though he didn’t seem to realize what he’d done. But I noticed.

I would not be drawn in by any man.

I put distance between us before glancing around the large ballroom. Portraits and landscapes of differing sizes lined one side of the room, their gilded frames fitted together like well-placed stones in a dry-stone wall. Windows covered with closed, heavy drapes lined the other, while rows of hard-backed chairs took up half the wood floor, set up facing a large pianoforte.

Lord Williams gestured to the middle aisle and we moved toward it. “You are certain my cousin would fill such a role after so short an acquaintance?”

I shrugged. “It is impossible for two people to grow in regard for each other without interaction, and if I have the measure of him, we would hardly ever meet, let alone spend time together. I shall pass my days in the country, he in town, or wherever he prefers. His habits all but guarantee our separation, and I will certainly make no demands that he adjust his lifestyle.”

“Eventually you will grow lonely and dissatisfied. What will you do then?”

Why it concerned him I did not know. “Needlepoint.”

He shook his head. “What you seek is impossible.”

“And yet it is accomplished every day, especially among your peers, is it not? You cannot convince me that my plan is not a sound one.”

“One cannot convince a person who refuses to see reason,” he muttered.

What a pompous man. Dropping his arm, I faced him. “Do you deny that most of those who meet this week and fancy themselves in love will not discover, within a year of their being wed, that those emotions that drove them to the altar have wilted and died?”

“I cannot speak for others. I would not allow such a thing.” He gestured to a chair, indicating that I should take a seat.

Only a fool would believe one could retain another’s affection simply by forbidding it to waver. “You, my lord, have never been in love.”

Frowning, he took my hand to assist me in sitting. “You cannot expect a person to remain so stagnant.”

He was as well-bred and well-mannered as Mrs. Hickmore had claimed, but he was also rashly arrogant and overly interfering. He was exactly the sort of man who would insist on more in a union than I was willing to give, though it would always be more about gratifying his own conceit than the concerns of his companion.

I remained standing. “And you believe your cousin is inclined to such change? That eventually his disregard for someone such as me will transform into a true devotion?”

“You misunderstand me. I was speaking of you. Northam would never form a regard for you because he cares only for his own desires, and he would never desire something good. Yet were he to decide to woo you, to win your heart and make you love him, he would be successful. He takes what he wants.” His gaze held mine, his expression determined.

Little did he know I was just as determined. It was time to be rid of him.

 

EARLY PRAISE

 “Promising Regency-set debut. Vivid period details and the hero’s grand romantic efforts will please fans of historical romance.”—Publishers Weekly

“Debut -author Garriott’s smooth prose and character-driven story will enthrall readers looking for sweet historicals with Austenesque plots.”—Library Journal

“Garriott’s impressive debut distinguishes itself with its expertly evoked Regency setting, a cast of realistically flawed yet eminently relatable characters, and a sweetly satisfying love story. Teen fans of Austen-era love stories will fall hard for this impeccably crafted romance.”—Booklist

 “Promised is a sweet regency romance and one that I recommend to all of you romance fans, especially those of you that enjoy stories inspired by Jane Austen.”—The Book Diva’s Reads

“…a fun, entertaining, and perfect addition to the Proper Romance collection.”—The Readathon

“With an Austen-like focus on minute emotional detail and some amusing secondary characters, Garriott’s gentle novel promises a treat for Regency fans who like their characters well-bred, their interiors comfortable, and the romance no racier than the hero turning up in a wet shirt.”—Historical Novel Society 

AUTHOR BIO

Though she earned degrees in math and statistics, Leah Garriott lives for a good love story. She’s resided in Hawaii and Italy, walked the countryside of England, and owns every mainstream movie version of Pride and Prejudice. She’s currently living her own happily ever after in Utah with her husband and three kids. Leah is represented by Sharon Pelletier at Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

BLOG TOUR BLURB

Debut novelist Leah Garriott tours the blogosphere February 17 through March 15, 2020 to share her new historical romance, Promised. Forty popular book bloggers specializing in historical romance, inspirational fiction, and Austenesque fiction will feature guest blogs, interviews, exclusive excerpts, and book reviews of this acclaimed Regency romance novel 

PROMISED: A PROPER ROMANCE BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE: 

February 17                My Jane Austen Book Club (Guest Blog)

February 17                Austenprose—A Jane Austen Blog (Review)

February 18                Katie’s Clean Book Collection (Review)

February 18                Wishful Endings (Interview)

February 19                RelzReviewz (Character Spotlight)

February 20                Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen (Spotlight)

February 21                The Lit Bitch (Excerpt)

February 22                The Debutante Ball (Interview)

February 23                Adventure. Romance. Suspense (Review)

February 24                A Bookish Way of Life (Review)

February 24                Austenesque Reviews (Guest Blog)

February 24                Half Agony, Half Hope (Review)

February 25                Frolic Media (Excerpt)

February 26                Heidi Reads (Guest Blog)

February 26                The Caffeinated Bibliophile (Interview)

February 27                Wishful Endings (Review)

February 28                Lu Reviews Books (Review)

February 29                KJ’s Book Nook (Review)

March 01                     My Vices and Weaknesses (Excerpt)

March 02                     Bringing Up Books (Review)

March 02                     Christian Chick’s Thoughts (Review)

March 02                     For Where Your Treasure Is (Interview)

March 03                     Heidi Reads (Review)

March 03                     So Little Time…So Much to Read (Excerpt)

March 04                     Romance Junkies (Guest Blog)

March 04                     Gwendalyn’s Books (Review)

March 05                     Laura’s Reviews (Review)

March 06                     Scuffed Slippers Wormy Books (Spotlight)

March 07                     Fiction Aficionado (Review)

March 08                     The Christian Fiction Girl (Review)

March 09                     Austenesque Reviews (Review)

March 10                     Bookfoolery (Review)

March 10                     From Pemberley to Milton (Review)

March 11                     Faithfully Bookish (Interview)

March 12                     Impressions in Ink (Review)

March 13                     Robin Loves Reading (Review)

March 13                     The Green Mockingbird (Review)

March 14                     Inkwell Inspirations (Review)

March 15                     The Calico Critic (Excerpt)

March 15                     Bookworm Nation (Guest Blog)

• Title: Promised: A Proper Romance
• Author: Leah Garriott
• Tour Dates: February 17 – March 15, 2020
• Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction
• Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing (February 18, 2020)
• Length (368) pages
• Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1629726144
• eBook ASIN: B082VK732L
• Audiobook ASIN: B081VS45P4

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | INDIEBOUND

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