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Monday, May 18, 2020

Without love, neither land nor freedom matters... For This Knight Only by Barbara Bettis

"This story captured my heart from the very first page. Set in a time period where women were property and any man with the strength and fortitude could secure lands and titles, For This Knight Only is a breath of fresh air. A strong heroine with a backbone to rival the greatest knight, a hero searching for a place to call his own. . . it’s a battle of sexes set in medieval times." N.N.Light, Goodreads

Description:

He’ll do anything for land, even marry her; she’ll do anything for her people, except marry him. If only either had a choice. It’s a marriage only love can save. 

Sir Roark will do anything to gain land, even beguile an unwilling lady into marriage. He knows she’s much better off with a man to take control of her besieged castle, to say nothing of her desirable person. But it isn’t long before he discovers that, although her eyes sparkle like sunlight on sea waves, her stubbornness alone could have defeated Saladin. 

Lady Alyss is determined to hold her family’s castle, protect her people, and preserve her freedom— until her brother’s dying wish binds her to a stranger. Still, she’ll allow no rugged, over-confident, appealing knight to usurp her authority, even if she must wed him. Especially since he thinks a lady’s duties begin and end with directing servants. Alyss has a few surprises for her new all-too-tempting lord. 

But when a common enemy threatens everything, Roark and Alyss face a startling revelation. Without love, neither land nor freedom matters. 

EXCERPT 

“Pardon?” Alyss’s voice came in a whisper, but he seemed to hear well enough.

“I said your brother wished us to wed.”

The sound of a million crickets chirruped in her ears. His lips continued to move, but she heard nothing. Of a sudden, her bottom hit stone as she collapsed onto a step, but her eyes saw only him. 

He loomed over her, hands propped on hips, dark hair brushing those broad shoulders. She raised her brows in a level gaze—and inhaled sharply. Hazel eyes, sprinkled with green and gold
chips, gleamed back. With effort, she recalled his recent words and her thoughts focused.

She shot to her feet. “You must be mad. I have no intention of wedding a stranger who appears at my gate with some imaginary story of my brother’s last commands. I remind you, sir, you are a guest. In fact, I must ask you to leave. Your behavior is intolerable.”

His big hands closed around her shoulders. They were warm. Firm but gentle. She shook them off. He leaned in.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, my lady,” he murmured.


About the author:
Award-winning author Barbara Bettis has always loved history and English. As a college freshman, she considered becoming an archeologist until she realized there likely would be bugs and snakes involved. And math. Through careers as a newspaper reporter and editor, then a college journalism and English professor, she’s retained her fascination with history. Give her a research book and a pot of tea, and she’s happy for hours. But what really makes her smile is working on a new story. Now retired, she lives in Missouri where she edits for others and spins her own tales of heroines to die for—and heroes to live for. 


Author's Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

55 comments:

  1. Are any of the characters in your book based off of characteristics or personalities of people that you know?

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  2. I'm looking forward to reading this one!

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  3. I appreciate hearing about your book, thanks and for the giveaway also. Thanks so much!

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  4. What I liked best was reading the excerpt. Sounds like a terrific read.

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  5. Thanks so much for having me here today! You have such a wonderfully energetic site!

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  6. Hi Bernie! Great question. The idea of the character is, of course, based on reports of what life must have been like for men of the warrior life (knights) who worked all their life to achieve the 'ideal' dream of land of their own. However, the setting is one inspired by the actual event of all the machinations that went on while Richard I was held prisoner and what happened right after he was ransomed. Those historical figures and events (good and bad) sound right out of a historical novel themselves! so glad you stopped by.

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  7. Hi Victoria! Thank you so much. Good to 'see' you here :) Have a great week.

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  8. Hi Barbara - hope you had a lovely weekend!

    If you could drop your lead character into the present day, how do you think they would handle a day in the life today?

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  9. I liked the excerpt it was great.

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  10. thanks this sounds like an amazing book

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  11. New author for me, sounds good!

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  12. Sounds like a very good book!

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  13. Andra, what a fascinating question. I'd like to think Roark would adapt, but being such a man of action, he'd probably have to find a challenging and a bit dangerous career. Firefighter? Maybe a Navy Seal. :)

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  14. Dale, thanks. I'm glad you liked the excerpt. I loved writing Roark!

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  15. Wendy, such a kind comment. I loved writing Roark and Alyss's story ;)

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  16. tetewa--Glad that we met up here. Hope you get a chance to read the book!!

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  17. thanks, Sherry! So glad you stopped by. Have a good week.

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  18. How many books have you written so far? Congrats on the release.

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  19. Thank you for the opportunity to win. And thanks so much for sharing.

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  20. Your book sounds like alot of fun. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. I like the cover. It has nice graphics and title font.

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

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  22. The cover is seriously stunning.

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  23. Thanks for sharing your book. Wishing you a successful release.

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  24. I like the interesting cover, sounds like a good book.

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  25. Sounds awesome! Love the cover too!

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  26. What was the hardest part of the story to crack?

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  27. Barbara, What do you most enjoy about writing?

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  28. Happy Tuesday! I hope u r having a great day. This looks good.

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  29. Happy Friday! this would be great

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  30. Have a great weekend This looks great

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  31. This is right in my tbr! looks great

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  32. Looks like a great read - Have a great 4th weekend

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  33. Thats a good one! Happy Saturday!

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  34. I enjoyed reading about the author. They all seem to have experienced a variety of occupations before becoming authors.

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  35. My daughter would enjoy this book

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  36. The cover is absolutely stunning!!

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  37. This book sounds great and I really like the book cover.

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