Cover Reveal for upcoming release

Lady Overton’s Perilous Journey by Vikki Vaught

Good morning and welcome to my site today. I’m very excited about my upcoming release. I received the cover art yesterday and I am so pleased. The couple on the front looks just as I imagined my characters, Anissa and Alex. The background art is perfect for their love story.

Publisher & Release Date: Secret Cravings Publishing, July 2015

Time and setting: 1803 England/America  

Genre: Historical Georginan/Regency Romance

Length: Word count, 98,700

Heat Level: 2 Scorching Hot Flames

Book Description:

When her son’s life is threatened, Anissa, Marchioness of Overton, seeks refuge by sailing to America. Before the ship reaches the high seas, sparks fly between her and Captain Alex Hawks. Although the young widow may be lonely, and afraid, she cannot risk the diversion a romantic entanglement could bring, no matter how much she wants to lose herself in the captain’s embrace.  

The Captain vows to protect the young Lord Overton, but can offer no assurance that the marchioness will leave his ship with her virtue intact. Alex is drawn to Anissa’s beauty and courage, as a hummingbird is to the nectar of a flower. How long he can fight a losing battle before he surrenders and makes her his own? 

Will Alex be able to keep this remarkable woman and her child safe? Will his passion for Anissa be enough or will their differences keep them apart?

Excerpt:

She spied an inn and pulled into the yard. A groom ran forward and helped her dismount. She lifted her sleeping son down and cradled his head against her, shielding him from the light streaming out of the open door to the stable. Making sure her cloak covered her masculine attire, Anissa turned to the young groom. “Do you know if any ships are bound for America?”

“The Renegade, ma’am,” he replied. “Captain Hawks is inside the tavern, and his ship leaves at dawn.”

Anissa adjusted Harry to a more comfortable position. He had grown much heavier in the last few months. “Could you describe Captain Hawks, so I have an idea what he looks like?”

“He’s th’ biggest man in there with massive shoulders and dark hair,” he replied. “You can’t miss ‘im, ma’am.”

Taking her valise from the groom, not daring to leave it unattended with all her jewels inside, she entered the tavern and looked around. She spied a huge man with deep chestnut brown hair, and immense shoulders. He had to be the man the groom told her about. As he raised a glass to his mouth, the sleeves of his deep blue jacket pulled taut across his muscular arms. Anissa felt a pull in her lower belly when she took in the sight of this attractive man. This would never do. With ruthless determination, she pushed those thoughts from her mind. She had no time for such foolishness.

Her insides churned as she wove her way through the crowded tables, the chairs filled with dirty, unsavory looking men. The strong smell of sweat mingled with ale threatened to turn her stomach and had her breathing through her mouth. Anissa went over to the man. “Sir, are you Captain Hawks?”

The man turned around, and in a drawling voice, he answered, “Well, darlin’ that’s my name.” He swept his tri-corn hat from his head, stood and bowed. “Captain Alex Hawks, at your service. Now what can I do for you?”

Anissa gazed up into the blackest eyes she had ever seen and wanted to fall into them. Mesmerized, she blinked as a shiver ran across her shoulders. This was not the time to notice this man’s eyes, no matter how compelling they were. Now was the time to use her charms to convince him to take her on his ship.

“My name is—” she quickly searched for a name, not wanting to give him her identity, “—Mrs. Carlson. I would like to pay for passage on your ship. I understand you are leaving for America this morning.” Then, thinking of a city she had heard of in America, she added, “I need to go to Boston, where some of my family lives. Would you be able to help me?”

Captain Hawks gave her an appraising stare, which unnerved her. This man was intimidating, to say the least. “I’m not going to Boston. And, I don’t normally take on passengers. I’m headed to Baltimore, and it’s a far piece from Boston, darlin’.”

“Please take me. I have to leave for America as soon as possible.” Anissa had to convince him to allow her passage. “And as far as your destination is concerned, I’m sure once I am in America, I shall be able to travel to Boston from there.”

“Darlin’, do you even know where Baltimore is and how far it is from Boston?”

Anissa wished he would quit calling her darling. It was quite presumptuous of him, and she did not appreciate it at all. Of course, she did not want to anger him, so she kept her feelings to herself. “Well, no, not really. How far is it?”

“It’s over four hundred miles,” Captain Hawks explained, as if he were speaking to a child, which further irritated her, tugging at her frazzled nerves. “You would be better served if you found a passenger ship going there, instead of Baltimore. I have an associate who should be arriving in a few days, and his ship is going to Boston. He also takes passengers. I’m sure he would be happy to take you on board.”

Oh, dear, why did I say Boston? Please, Lord, let me convince him to take me.

Every hour brought her closer to the chance of discovery. She could not afford to wait for another ship. She needed to get as far away from Lord Howard as possible, immediately.

“Captain, I do not have a few days to wait. My uncle is dreadfully ill. He may only have a few months to live. I need to leave as soon as possible. Please allow me to travel on your ship.” She looked up at him, willing a few tears into her eyes, praying to gain his sympathy.

Captain Hawks sighed and rolled his obsidian eyes toward the ceiling. “I know I’m going to regret this. All right, darlin’, if it’s that important, I’ll take you. I hope you realize how uncomfortable this voyage will be for you and the child. The cabin you will be in is minuscule and barely has room to turn around in. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

“We shall be fine, regardless of the conditions.”

He shook his head, sending her heart to the floor.

Oh Lord, please don’t let him change his mind.

What shall I do, if he has?