Trifling Favors
by Heather Hiestand
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GENRE: Historical Romance
(Victorian)
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BLURB:
Greggory Redcake's
plate is full. Widowed young and left with two small children, the manager of
the Kensington location of the illustrious tea shop is besieged on all sides
between the bakery and family matters. If only his remarkably efficient shop
assistant, Betsy Popham, could manage his home life, too! But Greggory can't
linger on thoughts of Betsy's fetching smile when a dead body is discovered in
the bakery…
Betsy has no time for
romance, not even with the delectable Mr. Redcake, whose kisses are all too
unforgettable. Haunted by a specter from her family's past, Betsy is terrified
that the man blackmailing her has turned to deadly violence. Yet the only way
to save her position--and possibly her life--is to accept Greggory's help as
their delicious attraction sweetens into the tantalizing promise of true love…
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EXCERPTS (Exclusive Excerpt):
“Ladies, move into the kitchen,” Greggory ordered as one of
the cakies squealed. The three cakies dashed from the tearoom to the kitchen.
Miss Popham, on the other hand, reached for a broom that was still in the
corner, ready for a final sweeping after the room was set up, and brandished it
in her fist.
“You should go, too,” Greggory said.
“No.”
They shared a glance. He could see her resolution. “Very
well, but if it gets bad, I want you to run to the bakery and telephone the
police.”
She nodded and handed him the broom, then reached for a
couple of the vases. He wondered what she planned to do with them. Throw them
like rocks? Moving forward, he pulled open the curtain.
Outside, he saw only one man, young, blond, squat-formed.
Unfortunately, his position on the sidewalk drew Greggory’s attention to
detailed chalk drawings on the pavement outside the window that had been
unlocked the night of the murder. Someone had been busy earning a few coins
telling the story of Manfred Cross.
“Victor Carter,” Miss Popham said, with the air of someone
who’d rather spit than speak.
“Violet’s brother?” Greggory risked turning away for a
moment.
“Unbalanced and a little bit violent. Probably like his
father,” Miss Popham said.
“We really need more men on the premises,” Greggory
muttered. “Security, at least.”
Victor put his nose against the glass, then pointed at Miss
Popham and laughed. Greggory handed her the broom and decided to go outside to
confront the young man, to lead him away from the tea shop if possible.
He strode out of the tearoom, leaving Miss Popham to gape
behind him.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Heather
Hiestand was born in Illinois, but her family migrated west before she started
school. Since then she has claimed Washington State as home, except for a few
years in California. She wrote her first story at age seven and went on to
major in creative writing at the University of Washington. Her first published
fiction was a mystery short story, but since then it has been all about the
many flavors of romance. Heather’s first published romance short story was set
in the Victorian period, and she continues to return, fascinated by the rapid
changes of the nineteenth century. The author of many novels, novellas, and
short stories, she has achieved best-seller status at Amazon and Barnes and
Noble. With her husband and son, she makes her home in a small town and
supposedly works out of her tiny office, though she mostly writes in her easy
chair in the living room.
For more
information, visit Heather’s website at www.heatherhiestand.com. Heather loves
to hear from readers! Her email is heather@heatherhiestand.com.
Social media:
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/heatherhiestand/
Buy Links:
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Heather will be awarding a $25 Amazon or
B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
