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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

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:

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thank you for hosting

Bernie Wallace said...

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

Victoria Alexander said...

I'm looking forward to reading this one!

James Robert said...

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

katieoscarlet said...

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

Barbara Bettis said...

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

Barbara Bettis said...

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.

Barbara Bettis said...

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

Andra Lyn said...

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?

Dale Wilken said...

I liked the excerpt it was great.

wendy Hutton said...

thanks this sounds like an amazing book

tetewa said...

New author for me, sounds good!

Sherry said...

Sounds like a very good book!

Barbara Bettis said...

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. :)

Barbara Bettis said...

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

Barbara Bettis said...

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

Barbara Bettis said...

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

Barbara Bettis said...

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

Bernie Wallace said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Bernie Wallace said...

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

Leah Cavendish said...

This sounds really interesting.

abfantom said...

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

abfantom at yahoo dot com

Mya Goss said...

The cover is seriously stunning.

Bernie Wallace said...

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

Julie Waldron said...

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

Debbi Wellenstein said...

I enjoyed the book's synopsis.

Victoria Scott said...

Sounds awesome! Love the cover too!

Bernie Wallace said...

What was the hardest part of the story to crack?

tatertot374 said...

Looks great!

tatertot374 said...

looks really good!

tatertot374 said...

Another great read for sure!

Caryl Kane said...

Barbara, What do you most enjoy about writing?

Rita Wray said...

Sounds like a good book.

tatertot374 said...

Looks great!

tatertot374 said...

This one looks so good!

tatertot374 said...

great blurb!!

tatertot374 said...

This looks great! Thank you

tatertot374 said...

I really like it for sure.

tatertot374 said...

A good one for sure

tatertot374 said...

Great one for sure

tatertot374 said...

Looks like a good one

tatertot374 said...

Looks really great.

tatertot374 said...

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

tatertot374 said...

Thank you! This would be great!

tatertot374 said...

Happy Friday! this would be great

tatertot374 said...

Have a great weekend This looks great

tatertot374 said...

Great all around! Thank you

tatertot374 said...

This is right in my tbr! looks great

tatertot374 said...

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

tatertot374 said...

Thats a good one! Happy Saturday!

Betty C said...

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

billwinsbig said...

My daughter would enjoy this book

Mya Goss said...

The cover is absolutely stunning!!

yellowlabs said...

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