Sunday, December 2, 2012

Holiday Excerpt + Giveaway with Sabrina Jeffries [Part 1]

By the time Sabrina Jeffries was 18, she'd eaten chicken heads and jellyfish, been chased by a baby elephant, seen countless cobras and pythons, had the entire series of rabies shots, and visited rain forests and rubber plantations.
But that wasn't enough excitement for her; to escape her mundane life in Thailand, she read romance novels.

Now she writes romance novels, and her bestselling, award-winning tales of strong women and sexy, dangerous men have been translated all over the world. Although she now lives in North Carolina with her husband and son, her colorful life has taken her from Thailand to New Orleans and given her plenty of inspiration for more books.


Find Sabrina Online: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blogs on Goddess Blogs

About the Book:
Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, has been estranged from his mother for most of his life. When his mother's new companion, Mrs. Camilla Stuart, writes to tell him that his mother is seriously ill, he goes home. But when he learns that the lovely widow tricked him in order to effect a holiday reconciliation, he refuses to stay - unless she meets his 'terms.' Somewhere between trying to seduce the beautiful Camilla and struggling with the cruel memories of his childhood Christmases, Pierce discovers that not only does forgiveness go two ways, but that love can blossom even in the coldest of winters.

Get Your Copy Today:
Amazon (Hardcover) | Amazon (Kindle)
Barnes and Noble (Hardcover) | Barnes and Noble (Nook)

AND NOW....

An Excerpt from Sabrina Jeffries’ ‘Twas the Night After Christmas (Gallery Books, On sale now!)
the New York Times bestselling author’s first-ever holiday hardcover
(Part One)

Dinner was pure misery. 

Not that Pierce was surprised. How could it be anything else? He was sitting in the very chair his father had always used, staring at the lofty portrait of a grandfather he’d never known, and listening to the achingly familiar voice of his mother prattling on about nothing while Mrs. Stuart shot him furtive glances.

The damned woman didn’t understand—he couldn’t act as if the past twenty-three years hadn’t happened. Mrs. Stuart expected him to make witty conversation with his mother. Might as well ask him to give a sermon in hell.

Especially with bitter memories resurrecting themselves every moment he sat here. As a boy. he’d taken his meals in the nursery, but he’d been allowed to join his parents for dinner at Christmas and special occasions. Those nights invariably deteriorated as Father berated him for being weak and sickly, until he retorted with some bit of insolence that got him banished from the table. The memory made his stomach churn.

He forced a spoonful of soup between his lips and swallowed, barely tasting it. Mother had always tried to mediate but had rarely been successful. It was as if Father wanted to drive Pierce off, so he could have Mother all to himself.

Well, if that had been Father’s aim, he’d gotten exactly what he wanted, hadn’t he? And Mother hadn’t protested it.

Glancing over at her, he looked for signs of the heartless creature he knew her to be. But aside from her ornate gown and fine jewelry, which reminded him that what she really wanted was more of Father’s fortune, he could see nothing other than the mother he’d adored as a boy.

Except a far older one. He couldn’t get over how much she’d aged. Seeing it made something in his chest twist.

When that became too painful to endure, he turned his gaze to Mrs. Stuart. Instantly, the aching turned to annoyance. The woman was a bloody meddler, presumptuous and self-righteous, and so blindly loyal to his mother that it made him want to . . . to . . .

To respect her. He sighed. That was mad. Blind loyalty shouldn’t be an admirable quality. But somehow, in Mrs. Stuart it was. Perhaps because she was loyal for the most naive reasons. She considered it the right thing, the caring thing, to champion his mother.

It was the caring part that stymied him. How could she care about a woman who’d abandoned her own son? Of course, the young widow didn’t seem to know that, and he wasn’t ready to tell her. Not until he had a better sense of what the situation was.

“Do you not agree, my lord?” Mrs. Stuart’s pleasant voice intruded.

Damn, his long stares had made her think he had an opinion on whatever nonsense she and Mother were discussing. “I suppose,” he said noncommittally.

“You didn’t hear a word, did you?” Mrs. Stuart said.

The woman certainly liked to speak her mind. “Listening appeared unnecessary. Once the conversation turned to decorations for Christmas, I knew any points I made would be ignored.”

“Not at all,” she protested. “Why would you think so?”

Feeling Mother’s gaze on him, he shrugged. “I’m a man, and we’re generally thought incompetent to advise in that area.”

“That doesn’t mean you are,” his mother said earnestly. “Mr. Fowler says you’ve made many improvements on the estate—better roofs for the tenant cottages, a new fishery, modern additions to the dairy—”

“Those are my purview. Decorations for Christmas are not.”

“They could be.” A hopeful look crossed her face. “Perhaps this year you could even join us for the season.”

A hard knot formed in his chest. “Impossible. I’m expected at the Waverlys’.” He cast her a meaningful glance. “As usual.” When his mother flinched, it soured his temper further, which made him glare at the pretty young widow who’d brought this about in the first place. “I wouldn’t even be here, if not for the interference of certain individuals.”

She calmly continued to eat her soup, though her cheeks reddened considerably. “As I recall, I apologized for misleading you about your mother’s health, sir.”

Since Mother didn’t look shocked by her comment, Mrs. Stuart must have confessed all to her. That was a surprise. “Apparently I missed your apology during all the chiding and lecturing.”

“You just now admitted to a certain laxness in listening,” Mrs. Stuart said pertly. “Perhaps your attention wandered during my apology, too.”

Perversely, that made him want to smile. The widow’s impudent streak caught him unaware sometimes. “Then I’ll have to pay better attention in future,” he said, struggling to sound stern.

It was hard to be stern with her. He wasn’t sure why. She just had this way of bringing him out of himself when he least expected it.

Suddenly he felt his mother’s gaze on him. He looked over to see her eyes dart from him to Mrs. Stuart and back, and his bad mood returned. Best not to give her any ideas, or she’d be priming Mrs. Stuart to be even more of an ally.

He frowned at them both. “So what do you want my opinion on, anyway?”

“We have to decide whether to have a Christmas tree like those that your mother had in her youth,” Mrs. Stuart said gamely.

“And in Pierce’s youth, too.” Mother cut her roast beef. “I always made sure we had at least a small one, hung round with candles and toys and such, though Pierce’s father thought it a foolish waste of good timber.”

He tensed. Mother was still following that peculiar German custom? Great God. In his childhood, the scent of cut fir had permeated the house every Christmas. Even now, whenever he smelled firs he thought of that strange little tree with its sparkling baubles and little bags of nuts . . . and he ached with the bittersweet memory of his last Christmas at home.

Oblivious to his reaction, Mrs. Stuart generously buttered a slice of bread. “We’ll have to find one ourselves, with your supervision, my lady. The servants won’t know what sort of tree to choose. And once they cut it down and bring it in, you’ll have to show us how to decorate it and affix candles to it.”

“Excellent,” he grumbled. “Might as well show you how to set fire to the whole damned house, while you’re at it.”

~*~*~*~ Continue to Part 2 on Ramblings From This Chick ~*~*~*~


Sabrina Jeffries is giving one (1) lucky winner some festive holiday puzzle blocks and a copy of the Snowy Night with a Stranger anthology, which features short fiction stories inspired by the characters from Sabrina Jeffries’ The School for Heiresses series.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


And don't forget to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway


76 comments:

  1. I enjoyed that excerpt. I love Christmas themed Regencies.

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  2. Thank you for such a fun post!

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  3. I absolutely LOVE your books! Thank you for being an amazing writer!

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  4. With such an exciting life, it's no wonder her books are so wonderful! I can only imagine the wonders she has seen.

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  5. Loved this book! Adored Pierce :)

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  6. Such a great excerpt, I cannot wait too read the rest! I fall in love every time I read one of Miss Jefferies books!

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  7. Thanks so much Sabrina! That was an excellent excerpt and can not wait to read it.

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  8. Wow. You've certainly lead an interesting life. Thanks for the great post and excerpt.

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  9. I really enjoyed "Twas the Night After Christmas."

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  10. Enjoyed the excerpt specially Pierce's confusing thoughts of Mrs. Stuart.
    bituin76 at hotmail dot com

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  11. Hi, Sabrina! I looove your books! They were some of the first Historicals I ever read, and I've been hooked ever sense :-) Had to fan girl a little bit!

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    1. I always love hooking readers. ;-) Glad that mine were some of your first.

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  12. CONGRATS on your first-ever holiday hardcover! I haven't read any of your books, but I can't wait to start one!

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  13. Wow, Sabrina has seen more things by the time she was 18 than most people see in an entire lifetime. Being chased by a baby elephant sounds funny, but I bet at the time it wasn't. Do you write any of your books based on your experiences from when you were younger?

    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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    1. My first book (under the name Deborah Martin) was set in Thailand and contained some of my experiences, but it's long been out of print.

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  14. Forgiveness and reconciliation are perfect themes for a Christmas romance!

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  15. Love the excerpt and the interview! Looking forward to reading this book!

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  16. Love the excerpt and the interview! Looking forward to reading this book!

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  17. did what it said. wanna read it kind of sounds like my family

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  18. Love Christmas stories this time of the year!!!!

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  19. can't wait to get my copy of twas the night after Christmas. There is just something special about Christmas Romance Novels that make the Christmas Season even better :-)

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  20. What an interesting life you must have led growing up in Thailand. That is one of the places I would love to visit.

    Love your books and am looking forward to reading TWAS THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS and SNOWY NIGHT WITH A STRANGER. Thanks for the giveaway!

    kscathy@yahoo.com

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    1. If you ever get the chance, it's a wonderful country.

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  21. Thanks for the giveaway :)

    Lori P

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  22. I am a HUGE fan of Sabrina Jeffries. I recently read/reviewed The Hellion's series and became an instant addict for her novels. I am REALLY hoping to win!!


    Dbookwhore(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. I've been recovering from surgery and have been on a Christmas theme reading kick lately! I bought Twas the Night After Christmas on my kindle and would love to read Snow Night with a Stranger!!!

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  24. The holidays are a magical time.

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  25. Can't wait to read this!

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  26. Today was a clear New England day. perfect for reading a Christmas themed romance novel.

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  27. I really enjoyed Pierce's book. I couldn't put it down. In truth once I start reading any of your books, I have a hard time putting them down. I absolutely love your books.

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  28. Great way to start the season!

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  29. enjoyed the excerpt -- watching those 2 banter & fight the inevitable is going to be fun :)

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  30. You sure have lead an interesting and exciting life Sabrina.. I am so looking forward to reading this book...

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  31. I always enjoy your books and share them with friends who end up loving them also. Thanks for such great stories!!!

    josiehink122026(at)gmail(dot)com

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  32. Hey, Sabrina! Your books are wonderful and I can't wait to read the next one. I own all of yours and devour them in hours. Please keep 'em coming!

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  33. I loved the excerpt and there's something about Mrs. Pierce that definately made me pause and wonder what is her first name? I love how she stands up to Pierce and wonder how she will break thru his frosty reserve!

    I love Sabrina's books and the way she developes her characters and always make you want to know more about them! I already need to find out more about both Pierce and "Mrs Pierce" and just know there has to be more behind her tryig to help Pierce' mother.

    I love to read anthologies before Christmas and with stories including not only Sabrina but Jane and Julia as well this Snowy Night with a Stranger is definately one not to be missed!

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  34. I have loved every single one of your books that I have read and I cannot wait to read your new book! Can you tell us if the next book you write will include any characters from the previous books you have written?

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  35. Please bring back your out-of-print books as ebooks.

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    1. We're doing the old Deborah Martins that way! And in print, too. The first one comes out Feb. 26th.

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  36. I haven't read any of your books yet i think but this one is tempting when i read the excerpt

    Are you already translated in french and by which house of edition?

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    1. Right now I only have a few books in French translation--the company is J'Ai Lu.

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    2. thank you a lot i will go check at the library

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  37. Love, love Sabrina's books. I also love Holiday themed Romance stories. Thanks for this opportunity.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  38. I would love to win, thank you so much and Happy Holidays to you! lsscarchuk@att.net

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  39. I own and love all of your books, except this new one, which came out in Hardcover first. Having to wait so long for the paperback is killing me, but I do read holiday stories all year long.
    Thanks for the chance to win.
    auriansbooks at gmail dot com

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  40. It really is a fabulous excerpt thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  41. Huge fan of Sabrina's books. Love the Hellions series, and loved this book, Twas the Night After Christmas. Loved Pierce from previous books. He was a great secondary character, and made an even better main character. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  42. I loved Twas the Night After Christmas! beautiful story of forgiveness. I am hooked to your books. The only ones I don't have are The School for Heiresses series. You are sincerely one of my favorites authors.

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  43. I've read Sabrina's books before, but just heard about this one. I'll need to purchase immediately. :)

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  44. I have never heard of this author before now but having read the exerpt I want to get hold of it and will do when money permits.

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  45. Putting this one on my Christmas list!

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  46. I shall be reading that book soon :D thank you for the little excerpt now I am really looking forward to it

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  47. I've already got this one on my wishlist...hope Santa's rooting for me!
    ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  48. I loved Sabrina's Hellions from Halstead Hall series!
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  49. I've been looking forward to reading Snowy Night with a Stranger for some time, thank you for the opportunity!

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  50. The excepert sounds intriguing. I love tortured heroes, physically or mentally :))

    Thanks for the chance to win the copy of Snowy Night with a Stranger, Sabrina!

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  51. I love me some Jeffries!! This one sounds as good as her previous books, which I LOVE!

    Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  52. What a great excerpt

    Thanks so much for sharing!

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  53. Looking forward to read this. I couldn't help myself not to smiling while reading the excerpt. :)
    Thank you for the excerpt and the giveaway.

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  54. Love your books. They are part of my collection. Gotten behind in my reading but hope to read these newer soon.
    Happy Holidays,
    Lori
    lorih824(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  55. Thanks so much for the great excerpt. I can not wait to read it. Happy Holidays!!!!

    readingdiva@ymail.com

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  56. I love Jeffries' books. I keep them all :) However I have gotten behind with my TBR pile. I hope to add these books as well and read them soon. I know they will be good.
    Happy Holidays.

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  57. I already read Twas the Night After Christmas, It was fab. Thanks for contest

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  58. I loved the excerpt, I can't wait to read more of your work! I love your style of writing! Thank you so much, and have a Merry Christmas!
    smoofrog @gmail dot com

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  59. I have not read any of your books but I have put you on my Christmas list. So if Santa is willing I am able.

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