MFT Guest: Carrie Lofty and an excerpt from Portrait of Seduction with a Giveaway!

Today Carrie Lofty is sharing with us an excerpt from her historical romance Portrait of Seduction.  This is for adults only, so please only read if you're an adult.  There's also a giveaway at the end so make sure you check that out!

Description:

Austria, 1805 
Greta Zwieg forges masterpieces. With her copies on their walls and the original paintings safely hidden, the noble families of Austria can rest assured their treasures will survive Napoleon's advances. But now Greta’s uncle is changing the rules, selling her counterfeits as originals. Greta abhors the deceit. Anxious for her family's safety in a perilous time, she is nevertheless determined to put things right.
Oliver Doerger is living a lie of his own. Acting as valet for his aristocratic half brother, Oliver thwarts an attempt on Greta's life and is overwhelmed by the forbidden passion that flares between them. Although he's not truly a servant, he is a bastard and a spy--certainly no match for a woman of such exquisite quality.
Though both fear discovery, they cannot resist each other. When the truth comes out, and the city falls into chaos, Greta and Oliver will be forced to choose: love or duty?

Excerpt:

Her eyes were wide and vivid, catching candlelight and turning it to fire. The enchanting woman he had observed from on high for hours was standing a few short paces away. Yet he remained motionless. Flirting with her and gently pushing against propriety had been a much safer prospect when she resisted.

And still he was drawn to her agitated fingers. She was none so bold as she seemed to think. A practiced seductress, perhaps one with experience in singling out a servant for special attention, would do so with far more confidence. Greta's body practically hummed with uncertainty. That mollified him somewhat. During moments of their acquaintance, he had feared that dallying with lesser sorts provided her a measure of unhealthy entertainment. He had no appetite to be used.

But wanted? Genuinely wanted? That was an altogether different consideration.

Oliver stepped away from the railing. He could send her running, this time for good, if he pressed firmly enough against her sense of propriety. Such an undertaking, if properly accomplished, would keep them both safe from temptation.

"You're here now, Greta." Rather than touch her hair or still her hands, he slid his palms along the soft curve of her hips. He squeezed, then edged her the few steps back to a small reading room. He would never be so far gone as to risk their discovery. "What do you want us to do?"

A tight swallow contorted the line of her throat.

"Because we can dance if you like." He leaned nearer and brushed his lips against the apple of one cheek. The merry music continued, but his pulse outstripped its quick rhythm. He moved in a slow, deliberate counterpoint to the demands of both. "Or perhaps you still have something else in mind?"

She smelled of rosewater and a hint of sweat. The air in the gallery was warm, almost roasting--amplified by the currents surging between their bodies.

"Another kiss, perhaps?" He squeezed her hips again. "Here?" Fair skin was hot beneath his lips as he kissed her other cheek. "Or here?"

Electricity snapped between them as their mouths met. But Oliver did not linger. He had his sights set on the destination that tempted him so relentlessly. This was no longer about teasing Greta into backing down. Perhaps it never had been. This was about claiming something special, something of his own--something no other man had yet tasted.

He trailed the tip of his tongue along her collarbone. She breathed without rhythm now, just jerking bursts of air. Those anxious hands gripped his shoulders, kneading, digging deeper.

"Has anyone else kissed you here, Greta? Or lower?"

She did not answer with words--only tipped her head back to rest on the wall, offering the most magnificent view. Just for him.

*** 

Song of Seduction description:

Austria, 1804 
Eight years ago, composer Arie De Voss claimed his late mentor's final symphony as his own and became an icon. But fame has a price: fear of discovery now poisons his attempts to compose a redemptive masterpiece. Until a new muse appears, intoxicating and inspiring him... 
Mathilda Heidel renounced her own musical gift to marry, seeking a quiet life to escape the shame surrounding her birth. Sudden widowhood finds her tempted by song once more. An unexpected introduction to her idol, Arie De Voss, renews Mathilda's passion for the violin--and ignites a passion for the man himself. 
But when lust and lies reach a crescendo, Arie will be forced to choose: love or truth?

Giveaway:
Carrie is generously giving away a copy of both Seductions: SONG OF SEDUCTION and PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION, available as an ebook from Carina Press in either PDF, epub or Kindle formats.  
Open Internationally
Must be 18 or older.
Ends July 5th, 2011


To Enter:
Leave a comment with contact info.

 

This is just one giveaway of this great event!  For the schedule of The Favorite Things event check out the schedule post.  And make sure you head over to My Bookish Ways to see what she has going on today as well!