The Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl (29 page)

“Oh, and there was one more matter,” he said, reaching over the edge of the bed again. She barely looked over at him, so enamored was she of the enormous ruby he’d put on her finger.

“This device does not work anymore.” He held her smartphone out to her, tapping the dark screen with a petulant expression on his face. “How am I to play with the Angry Birds?”

Jamie laughed so hard; then she kissed him. Her earl, her Mike, her love.

Perfect for her no matter when.

The thanks I feel is almost as hard to put into words as the whole book was, but here goes!

Thanks to my wonderful husband, Scotty, who’s never left my side. You are my superhero.

Thanks to Dawn Evans, my very first beta reader and one of my best friends. Your faith in me and encouragement kept me going through some of my darkest hours.

Thanks to Heather Mosley-Beers, my partner in romance-novel-pilfering-from-Mom. Without our shared love for love stories, none of this would have happened.

To my mom, for having those books, and to my dad, who didn’t complain too much when we read them.

To my BFF Stephanie Brna, who still wants to run through the woods. Love you a lot.

To my lovely coworkers, who continually yell at me to “write faster!”

To the girls of the long-lost CRITS crew, Carissa Elg, Kara Malinczak, and most especially Kendall Grey. Our paths diverged, but without your support, I might have laid down the pen and not tried again. Much love to you all.

To Carrie Jackson, who’s helped me grow tremendously as a writer.

To the fabulous ladies of the Heart of Carolina chapter of the RWA. Your support, friendship, and knowledge has been such a help and comfort.

To my sister-from-a-past-life Denise Tompkins. I love you like WHOA, and your genius continues to astound me. To the careers, baby!

To my wonderful agents Fran Black and Jennifer Mishler of Literary Counsel. You took a chance on me, and I am forever grateful. Here’s to you!

To Leah Hultenschmidt, my incredible, encouraging editor, and her fantastic crew. You helped me take this book from the rough and turn it into something I’m incredibly proud of. My eternal gratitude goes to you!

Gina Lamm, a wisecracking, marshmallow-addicted, dancing geek, loves nothing more than penning funny, emotional tales of love, lust, and entertaining mishaps. Married to a real-life superhero, she lives with her beloved family in rural North Carolina, surrounded by tobacco farms, possums, and the occasional hurricane. When not writing, you can usually find her fishing or playing World of Warcraft. Badly. Visit her online at
www.ginalamm.net
anytime.

Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes

by Gina Lamm

She’s aiming to catch a duke.

Leah Ramsey has always loved histo
rical romance novels and dressing in period costumes. So when she has a chance to experience the history for herself, she jumps at it—figuring it can’t be too hard to catch the eye of a duke. After all, it happens all the time in her novels.

But sometimes a girl can do even better…

Avery Russell, valet and prize pugilist, reluctantly helps Leah gain a position in the Duke of Granville’s household… as a maid. Domestic servitude wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, but she’s determined to win her happily ever after. Even if the hero isn’t exactly who she’s expecting…

For more Gina Lamm, visit:

www.sourcebooks.com

Waltz with a Stranger

by Pamela Sherwood

One dance would change her life forever…

Aurelia wasn’t hiding exactly. She just needed to get out of the crush of the ballroom—away from the people staring at her scar, pitying her limp. She was still quite enjoying the music from the conservatory. And then a complete stranger—dashing, debonair, kind—asked her to waltz. In the strength of his arms, she felt she could do anything. But both would be leaving London soon…

When they meet again a year later, everything has changed. She’s no longer a timid mouse. And he’s now a titled gentleman—with a fiancée. Is the magic of one stolen moment, one undeniable connection enough to overcome a scandal that would set Society ablaze and tear their families apart?

For more Pamela Sherwood, visit:

www.sourcebooks.com

Waking Up with a Rake

by Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe

The fate of England’s monarchy is in the hands of three notorious rakes.

To prevent three royal dukes from marrying their way onto the throne, heroic, selfless agents for the crown will be dispatched…to seduce the dukes’ intended brides. These wickedly debauched rakes will rumple sheets and cause a scandal. But they just might fall into their own trap…

After he’s blamed for a botched assignment during the war, former cavalry officer Rhys Warrick turns his back on “honor.” He spends his nights in brothels doing his best to live down to the expectations of his disapproving family. But one last mission could restore the reputation he’s so thoroughly sullied. All he has to do is seduce and ruin Miss Olivia Symon and his military record will be cleared. For a man with Rhys’s reputation, ravishing the delectably innocent miss should be easy. But Olivia’s honesty and bold curiosity stir more than Rhys’s desire. Suddenly the heart he thought he left on the battlefield is about to surrender…

For more Connie Mason and Mia Marlow, visit

www.sourcebooks.com

The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne

by Jayne Fresina

When a notorious bachelor seduces a scandalous lady, it can only end in a wicked wedding.

By night Ellie Vyne fleeces unsuspecting aristocrats as the dashing Count de Bonneville. By day she avoids her sisters’ matchmaking attempts and dreams up inventive insults to hurl at her childhood nemesis, the arrogant, far-too-handsome-for-his-own-good James Hartley.

James finally has a lead on the villainous, thieving count, tracking him to a shady inn. He bursts in on none other than “that Vyne woman”...in a shocking state of dishabille. Convinced she is the count’s mistress, James decides it’s best to keep his enemies close. Very close. Seducing Ellie will be the perfect bait...

Praise for
The Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine
:

“Ms. Fresina delivers a scintillating debut! Her sharply drawn characters and witty prose are as addictive as chocolate!”
—Mia Marlowe, author of
Touch of a Rogue

For more Jayne Fresina, visit:

www.sourcebooks.com