Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Tour: Baron by Joanna Shupe


One pragmatic industrialist is about to learn 
that a man may make his own destiny, 
but love is a matter of fortune . . .


BARON
The Knickerbocker Club #2
Joanna Shupe
Releasing Oct 25th, 2016
Kensington Zebra


New York City’s Gilded Age shines as bright as the power-wielding men of the Knickerbocker Club. And one pragmatic industrialist is about to learn that a man may make his own destiny, but love is a matter of fortune . . .

Born into one of New York’s most respected families, William Sloane is a railroad baron who has all the right friends in all the right places. But no matter how much success he achieves, he always wants more. Having secured his place atop the city’s highest echelons of society, he’s now setting his sights on a political run. Nothing can distract him from his next pursuit—except, perhaps, the enchanting con artist he never saw coming . . .

Ava Jones has eked out a living the only way she knows how. As “Madame Zolikoff,” she hoodwinks gullible audiences into believing she can communicate with the spirit world. But her carefully crafted persona is nearly destroyed when Will Sloane walks into her life—and lays bare her latest scheme. The charlatan is certain she can seduce the handsome millionaire into keeping her secret and using her skills for his campaign—unless he’s the one who’s already put a spell on her . . .

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Will dropped his arm, releasing her. “You dont seem to grasp the gravity of the situation. My job is to make you understand. By whatever means necessary.”
“Whatever means necessary? Goodness, you are determined. What if I said Id leave John alone if you agreed to play a part in my act next Monday?”
“A-a part . . in your act?” He threw his head back and laughed, the strong cords of his throat popping and shifting under rough skin. Ava suddenly experienced a sharp urge to drag her tongue over those ridges, to taste his laugh on her lips.
Sakes alive, she had to stop this. She jerked her gaze to the street, mortification burning through her veins. There could be no thoughts of that nature, especially around William Sloane. For pitys sake, he probably demanded proof of a womans pedigree before he agreed to kiss her. Besides, shed flirted with her baser nature years ago, as a young girl, and where had that gotten her? A lump formed in her throat, and the heavy weight of regret stole her breath.
You played with fire, girl. Now youve gone and gotten yourself burned.
Her mothers shrill voice rang in Avas head. Yes, she had been stupid. Not a day went by when she didnt remind herself never to be stupid again.
He finally stopped laughing, the cad. “I would not lower myself to a part in your act if it would secure me the presidency.”
“Are you certain? Because I can easily convince John he needs to see me twice a week.”
That drove the amusement from his expression. “You wouldnt dare. I swear, if you do—”
“Calm down, railroad man. I do have other clients. Even for John, Im not certain I have the time.” She shot him a glare. “But I could make the time if you dont leave me alone.”
“I cannot leave you alone until you promise to leave John alone. I have too much to lose if this gets out. Or if you decide to sell his secrets.”
“You have my word I wont,” she snapped. “Why cant you accept it and go back to passing out campaign buttons?”
“Forgive me if I have a problem accepting the word of a woman donning a blond wig and adopting a Russian accent—which is abysmal, by the way. Have you ever met a real Russian?”
Mercy, she was tired of the insults from this man. As if he had to remind everyone he met how inferior they were to his sublime greatness. “Dont you have an empire to run? How is it that a man in charge of so much has this much free time to gad about the city?”
“I do not possess any free time,” he said. “Absolutely none. In fact, I left a very important meeting when I learned you were at Bennetts. Which means my nine oclock dinner reservations will be forfeit for supper at my desk instead.”
She slid her bottom lip out in a pout. “Oh, you poor, poor millionaire. Im sure whichever half-witted innocent you were escorting tonight will understand.”
Funny, his eyes stayed on her lips. Did railroad man have an affinity for plump lips? Hers were on the large side, along with her bosom. Hed stared at that a time or two as well, shed noticed. No doubt he was used to the thin, graceful women of the upper Fifth Avenue set, pale women who remained indoors. Who never had a hair out of place. Who could afford a decent corset to flatten their breasts. Avas curves and olive skin probably fascinated him, like one of Barnums oddities.
Well, he could stare all he liked. Perhaps she could even use his fascination to her advantage. Men like Will Sloane would not care for an aggressive, modern woman. Undoubtedly, hed prefer a docile creature who stayed at home, sipping tea, until he returned from his club. Was that not what every spoiled, rich man desired?
If such was the case, a little boldness on her part should scare him off for good.
“Do you ever back down?” he asked her.
She leaned in, pleased to see his gray eyes flash and darken. He smelled faintly of expensive soap, like sandalwood and lemons, and she looked at him through her lashes. “Never,” she whispered. “I never back down, and you would do well to remember it, Mr. Sloane.”
Raising a fist, she pounded on the side of the carriage. “Here, if you please!” The driver pulled to the side of the street and slowed the horse. When they came to a stop, she opened the door. “Thank you for the ride.” Jumping down to the sidewalk, she disappeared into the crowd.







Award-winning author JOANNA SHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. While in college, Joanna read every romance she could get her hands on and soon started crafting her own racy historical novels. She now lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and dashing husband.



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1 comment:

  1. Thank you for hosting BARON today!

    Crystal, Tasty Book Tours

    ReplyDelete