You should definitely check out my 5-star review of this book I posted earlier in the month
for this blog tour here. Today I have an exclusive excerpt for you to read. Check it out below...
Georgana's Secret
(A Proper Romance)
By Arlem Hawks
Adult Historical Romance, Regency, Inspirational
Paperback & ebook, 320 Pages
January 12, 2021 by Shadow Mountain
Summary
1811
A Regency romance on the high seas. Two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.
As a young girl, Georgana Woodall dreamed of beautiful dresses, fancy balls, and falling in love. However, when her mother dies, she cannot face a future under the guardianship of her abusive grandmother and instead chooses to join her father on his ship disguised as his cabin boy, "George."
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty's Royal Navy claiming his full attention. While trying to adjust to a new crew, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain's cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the "boy" under his wing. After discovering a number of clues, Dominic deduces that George is really a woman. Knowing that revealing the cabin boy's secret would put her in serious danger from the rowdy crew, Dominic keeps silent and hides his growing affection for her.
Georgana is quickly losing her heart to Dominic's compassion and care but is convinced nothing can come of her affection. She cannot continue to live her life on the sea, and having already missed too many seasons in London, her chances of being welcomed back into polite society and finding a suitable husband are quickly slipping away.
Georgana's Secret is about two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.
Advanced Praise
"Hawks crafts a spellbinding tale featuring rich characters and raw emotions set against the atmospheric backdrop of sea life in all its danger and beauty. Georgana is a tough protagonist holding her own in a world dominated by men, while Peyton's charm and sensitivity marks him as a true gentleman. A hidden identity, flirtation, and treachery make for a rousing tale to captivate lovers of historical romances."— Publishers Weekly
“This tale felt sweepingly cinematic at times and was both action-packed and heart-wrenching with an immersive narrative.”— Katie Jackson, RegencyProofreading.com
Arlem Hawks wove a magnificent tale of adventure and deception and delivered a happy ever after that was as unconventional as the rest of the story. With so many stories of romance out there, it is refreshing when one comes along that is very different than the stories that I am used to. A little adventure always livens things up fabulously.”— Emily Flynn, Reading with Emily
"Fans of sweet love stories as well as readers who fondly remember those marvelous old traditional Signet Regencies will quickly succumb to the siren song of Hawk’s expertly crafted novel, which delivers the perfect blend of Jane Austen-smart romance and Patrick O’Brian flavored seafaring adventure. Teen romance readers will cheer on the plucky heroine as she finds the courage to forge her own path in life and love."— Booklist, starred review
“This tale felt sweepingly cinematic at times and was both action-packed and heart-wrenching with an immersive narrative.”— Katie Jackson, RegencyProofreading.com
Arlem Hawks wove a magnificent tale of adventure and deception and delivered a happy ever after that was as unconventional as the rest of the story. With so many stories of romance out there, it is refreshing when one comes along that is very different than the stories that I am used to. A little adventure always livens things up fabulously.”— Emily Flynn, Reading with Emily
"Fans of sweet love stories as well as readers who fondly remember those marvelous old traditional Signet Regencies will quickly succumb to the siren song of Hawk’s expertly crafted novel, which delivers the perfect blend of Jane Austen-smart romance and Patrick O’Brian flavored seafaring adventure. Teen romance readers will cheer on the plucky heroine as she finds the courage to forge her own path in life and love."— Booklist, starred review
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Excerpt
Dominic never tired of the sea breeze. The sails snapped in each gust that carried them closer to Antigua. With two weeks behind them, they still had at least a month to go. And that was if good weather held. The merchant ships moved much slower than a frigate would on its own.
Jarvis paced behind him on the forecastle, every so often scanning the horizon. Dominic hid a smirk. Their slow pace had begun to wear on Jarvis.
Dominic stood beside the boatswain, Mr. Byam, who arranged lengths of new line to replace a damaged halyard. The portly man worked nimbly while giving instructions to his son, Charlie. The young man nodded, then hurried to the shroud to climb the mast.
Dominic watched Charlie ascend to the yardarm. He was quiet like George but with more confidence. “He’s a good lad.”
The boatswain beamed. “It’s our first voyage with him as my mate.” The smile slackened. “Would have brought his mother along as well but for the captain. He forbids women from being on board, in line with the Admiralty’s order.” The man shielded his eyes from the sun as he watched his boy aloft.
Dominic had noticed the absence of women on the Deborah. Despite the Admiralty’s orders, many captains allowed carpenters’ and boatswains’ wives aboard to help with the work. But Captain Woodall was notorious in navy circles for keeping the rules.
“That would have been something, a whole family sailing together,”
Dominic said.
The boatswain sighed. “That it would have.”
And something to consider. If Dominic were captain, he could certainly bring his mother with him. And wife, even. He played with the buttons on his coat sleeve as he pondered. It was a tempting idea.
But how would a woman fare in the harsh conditions of a warship? Or in battle? She surely wouldn’t enjoy the cramped quarters and lack of privacy. Though he’d heard of several women who had braved battle and discomfort to be with their husbands, he could not see any lady of high society appreciating life on a frigate as he did.
Dominic turned his face to the wind and closed his eyes. Even if their finances were enough to make it through the waiting period to receive a command, he didn’t see his advancement improving his mother’s situation. Dominic removed his bicorn and brushed at an invisible spot on its surface. Besides, if he married, he’d have two people to leave. More, if children ever came. All those people to worry about while he was at sea living the life he was destined for.
He shook his head, clearing his mind. Too much deep thinking for one afternoon.
The bell erupted in eight clear rings, signaling the end of his watch. Dominic nodded farewell to the boatswain and headed for the main hatch. Moyle enjoyed backgammon, didn’t he? Dominic needed something to take his mind off the future.
The boys from Dominic’s division circled the entrance but didn’t go down. A few yards away from them, he couldn’t hear what they said, but he saw Walter Fitz’s lips moving. A head appeared through the hatch, and Dominic groaned.
George.
Before Dominic could shout, Walter kicked George, who lost his grip and vanished down the hatch. Dominic’s stomach leaped. Every seaman slipped down the hatch at least once during his career, but he could only imagine what the force of a kick would add to such a fall.
The boys’ roaring laughter dissolved under the click of Dominic’s shoes. The group cowered back, except for Walter. Dominic wanted to slap the defiant look from the boy’s face. He settled for grabbing a fistful of shirt and pulling the boy to him.
“Are you all right, George?” he called down the hatch, holding Walter tight as he strained to free himself.
“Yes, sir.” He could hardly hear the shaking voice over the crash of waves.
The coxswain, Walter’s father, hurried over from his place at the helm. “Something the matter, Lieutenant?”
Inside, Dominic seethed, but he tried to keep his voice even. “There is, Mr. Fitz. Your son will not respect his shipmates and has earned himself another watch because of it.”
The boy squirmed. “I just finished my watch.”
Dominic shouted to Jarvis over his shoulder. “See this lad gets a hearty share of duties this watch.”
The second lieutenant shrugged and motioned for the boy to join him on the forecastle deck. Dominic let go, and Walter slunk away.
“They’re only boys, sir,” the coxswain said. “They didn’t mean to hurt anything.” Hurt anything? It wasn’t things Dominic worried about.
“Get control of your son, Mr. Fitz, or I will. Actions such as that can endanger more than just the boys he torments.” He scowled at the other boys, who backed up even farther. Then he hurried down the ladder to the gun deck.
George held on to the capstan, balancing his weight on one foot. The cylindrical capstan, waist-high to most men and riddled with notches to insert handles for hoisting and hauling, came nearly to his chest.
“Are you all right?” Dominic asked.
The boy nodded, scooting toward Captain Woodall’s quarters. He lowered his other foot but groaned the moment he put pressure on it.
Dominic took hold of his arm before he could try another step. Most likely he twisted the ankle when he landed from the fall. “Let us get you to the surgeon.”
The boy shook his head sharply. “I need to get back to the captain.” He squinted at Dominic, little droplets wetting the corners of his eyes.
“You won’t be much use to the captain if that foot doesn’t heal properly. Come, I’ll help you.”
From pages 26-29
About the Author
Arlem Hawks began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the Western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people and the stories they have to tell. With her travels came an interest in history, especially the history of her English heritage. When she isn't writing, Arlem is baking her characters' favorite foods, sewing Regency dresses, learning how to play the tin whistle, and water coloring. She lives in Arizona with her husband and two children. Having previously published four historical romance novellas, Georgana’s Secret is her debut novel.
Tour Schedule
Jan 11 My Jane Austen Book Club Excerpt
Jan 11 Austenprose — A Jane Austen Blog Review
Jan 12 Wishful Endings Review
Jan 12 Lu Reviews Books Review
Jan 13 Lady with a Quill Review
Jan 13 Timeless Novels Review
Jan 14 Reading is My Superpower Review
Jan 14 The Bibliophile Files Review
Jan 15 Randi Loves 2 Read Review
Jan 16 The Christian Fiction Girl Excerpt
Jan 17 Nurse Bookie Review
Jan 18 The Silver Petticoat Review Review
Jan 18 Heidi Reads Review
Jan 19 Bookfoolery Review
Jan 20 Captivated Reading Review
Jan 21 Greenish Bookshelf Review
Jan 21 Bookworm Lisa Review
Jan 22 Among the Reads Review
Jan 23 Gwedalyn's Books Review
Jan 24 My Bookish Bliss Review
Jan 25 Wishful Endings Excerpt
Jan 25 Christian Chick's Thoughts Review
Jan 26 Relz Reviewz Review
Jan 27 The Lit Bitch Review
Jan 28 Reading with Emily Review
Jan 29 Books, Teacups & Reviews Review
Jan 30 A Darn Good Read Review
Jan 31 From Pemberley to Milton Spotlight
Jan 31 Impressions in Ink Review
Feb 01 Austenesque Reviews Review
Feb 02 Laura's Reviews Review
Feb 03 Literary Time Out Review
Feb 04 Chicks, Rogues & Scandals Excerpt
Feb 05 The Bluestocking Review
Feb 05 Library of Clean Reads Review
Feb 06 The Caffeinated Bibliophile Spotlight
Feb 07 So Little Time… Spotlight
Feb 08 The Readathon Review
Feb 09 The Book Diva Reads Excerpt
Feb 09 Books and Socks Rock Review
Feb 10 Our Book Confessions Review
Feb 10 Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen Spotlight
Feb 11 Rosanne E. Lortz Review
Feb 11 Jorie Loves a Story Review
Feb 12 Fire & Ice Excerpt
Feb 13 Cup of Tea with that Book, Please Review
Feb 14 Book Confessions of an Ex-ballerina Review
Other Proper Romance Books
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