Book trailer:

Patience by C H Admirand

Reviews:

"This Regency rocks with leading ladies who have minds of their own and male counterparts who are handsome as well as warriors of the heart. Admirand introduces a plot that goes beyond the straitlaced era to entertain the reader with sensual romance and suspense." -- 4 Stars, Faith V. Smith, RT Bookclub

"Patience is a wonderful romantic story where the main character leads with her heart at all costs. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the suspense and the characters. The author does a wonderful job of letting us see not only into Patience’s head but also into Rexley’s at the same time. Seeing their reactions to each other, and their love grow. I thoroughly recommend Patience for those who love a Historical Romance, and I seriously hope that Patience’s cousins get their own tales." -- Recommended Read, Joyfully Reviewed

"I have had the pleasure of reviewing several of C.H. Admirand’s novels, and can say without reservation that this is an author who can always be relied on for a great read! Patience is a wonderful book guaranteed to satisfy readers who love historical romances. With an appropriately reluctant heroine, a determined hero, and a cast of well-rounded supporting characters bound by an intriguing suspense plot, this is a book that will enjoy a long shelf life." - 5 Klovers, Jennifer A. Ray, CK2 Kwips & Kritques

"This is a marvelously written novel that depicts life in 1815 London; it shows the ins and outs of life in (and out) of the ton. This novel has a cast of many with varied personalities and stations in life. There are several different stories within the main plot which keep the reader both entertained and excited to see what happened next. The characters were strongly created and made a strong impact on the story. I encourage everyone to read this book; it will be loved by many." - 5 Hearts, Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio

Excerpt:

A look that could only be bewilderment darkened her brow. Her porcelain smooth skin begged to be touched, Rexley was not a man to resist temptation long. He raised a hand to her temple and swept the tips of his fingers along her cheekbone. Rose petals. Her skin was as delicate as the petals of a rose. Intrigued, he dared to touch the line of her jaw. Firm, but still petal-soft.

Fascinated, he cupped her face in his hands. She didn’t pull away. His thumbs smoothed along her supple lips. Miraculously they opened, emitting a tiny sigh of longing.

He had to sip, just once. To taste. To Plunder. His head descended until their lips were but a breath apart.

Patience stiffened and drew back, "You overestimate your welcome, my lord."

"Would you lie to yourself as you have to your good friend Higginbotham?"

Her eyes flashed with temper, "You wouldn’t let me tell him."

Proprieties be damned. He wanted to discover her taste, feel the softening of her mouth beneath his, giving…offering… But what did he really know of her? Was this a game to her? Did she flaunt her obvious charms before others, only to step back before fulfilling the unspoken promises swirling in her whiskey-colored eyes?

The lady sputtered for a moment, then spun around and stomped her way to a carved marble bench beneath a flowering Wisteria vine. The look she leveled at him told him she did not care whether he joined her or not.

Rexley narrowed his gaze, glaring at her. She glared right back. At her continued silence, he realized the pointed look was her final reply. God help him the lady was beyond difficult, "Why I’d love to join you, Lady Patience," he said, as if she’d invited him. Rexley took his time walking over to where she sat in the middle of the bench. He stood in front of her and waited to see if she would move over and make room for him.

After an awkward few moments of silence, he decided she was made of sterner stuff than his younger sister. Constance would have given way beneath his oft-practiced intimidating stare by now.

"Do not trouble yourself to move over. I’m certain that I would be quite comfortable sitting right next to you."

Before she could guess his intention, he sat down on the edge of her dress, pinning her thigh intimately against his. The blush tinting her high cheekbones reminded him of his mother’s favorite rose. Where had that thought had come from? There was no time for flowers or romantic thoughts. He had a family name to protect and a sister’s first season to finance. He could not afford to be distracted by Lady Patience or her pretty face.

Better to get it out of his system and indulge himself with a long look at the woman his father had betrothed him to. A strand of hair slipped from where it had been pinned to settle against the nape of her neck, a long creamy, slender neck. His fingers twitched, itching to touch the wisp to see if it actually felt like the silk it resembled.

"Thank you." Patience’s voice changed. It had a husky note of sensuality that had not been there before he had dared to touch her exquisite face.

"For?" Rexley knew she referred to his quick response in leading her outside, but for some reason could not keep from taunting her. He wanted her to open up to him, to speak to him. How else would he be able to get to know her? He needed to explain their dire situation. Lady Patience must be made to understand that although he was a gentleman, he could not possibly honor his father’s agreement to marry her.

"I’m sorry." Patience could not quiet the jittering in her breast. The man was simply too distracting. His penetrating gaze far too intense for her liking. And just what was he thinking anyway? Licentious thoughts, without a doubt. At least, that would be Barrett’s take on it. And just where was her brother when she needed him? Why hadn’t he followed them, hovering about her?

"I haven’t been feeling at all well since last night—"

"My dear lady, how could it to be otherwise considering what happened yesterday morning—"

"I’d rather forget that happened." she bit out.

"You may wish to forget, but I cannot in good conscience allow myself to. I had no idea you were not a young lord interfering where he was not wanted or needed."

"And for that reason you decided to shoot before the count was finished?"

Rexley’s dark eyes flashed with temper. "The mist was so thick, one couldn’t see three feet in front of them. If you recall, mine was not the first shot fired." Patience fell silent. What else could she say? It was the truth.

"If you would let me finish," he continued softly, "I wanted to tell you that although I did not realize that you were a woman—"

Patience cleared her throat as if to speak, but Rexley forged ahead.

"Would you let me apologize?" All arrogance was wiped clean from his all-toohandsome face. In its place was a look of contrition.

"Apologize?" Patience could not seem to form more than one word at a time with Rexley staring at her in that dark intensely penetrating way. She placed a hand to her breast, in an ineffectual attempt to calm her suddenly racing heart.

Taking a hold of the limp hand floundering in her lap, he raised it to his lips and brushed a swift kiss to the back of it.

All thought ceased as his gaze met hers. He lifted her hand to his lips again, this time kissing her knuckles, one at a time.

Patience tried to swallow, but her mouth had gone dry as dust. Her vow to never let a man use her emotions against her again, or let any man muddle her head with promises and sweet kisses floundered.

Rexley’s hot look and the promise in his eyes tempted her to break that vow. He turned her hand over and placed a kiss in the center of her palm. The sensitive skin tingled in response. With a look of triumph, he traced the long line criss-crossing her palm with the tip of his tongue.

And she was lost.