I'm a big fan of Jo Grafford. The person. The historical romance author.
Her first novel,Breaking Ties (The Lost Colony Series, Book 1) debuted just as the television series, Sleeping Hollow intrigued me with an episode on the lost colony of Roanoke.
Today, I'm sending out a big thank you to Jo Grafford for her wonderful spotlight on me and my most recent book,
Spell For Sophia (The Teen Wytche Saga, Book 4). Thank you Jo!
Novellas and short stories are perfect reads for busy people. This one from my conference buddy, Jo Grafford, looks like fun! Magic, witches, and Vikings - how can we resist?
VIKING
FOR HIRE
A novella
by Jo Grafford
Published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-0692373798 (JO GRAFFORD)
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 59
Blurb:
Branwyn O’Tyre’s estranged brother summons her for a healing ritual. Fearing he actually plans to arrest her for witchcraft, she drinks a protection potion before he arrives.
Eirik, a Viking sea captain pretending slumber in the tavern corner, witnesses Branwyn’s magic and offers her safe passage from Exeter if she will reverse a curse that plagues him. Alas, every woman who touches him falls madly but falsely in love with him.
There’s only one hitch: If she fails, Branwyn’s heart will fall prey to the same madness...forever!
“If
you wish to indulge in games, at least choose one that gives me equal pleasure.
By Thor, I’ve been long without a woman.”
VIKING
FOR HIRE by Jo Grafford
Excerpt #1:
Two of the knights separated
themselves from the group and rushed forward. Alas, the one on the left slipped
on a puddle of ale and crashed into his comrade. Their helmets collided with a
dull clanking sound that made Branwyn wince. Then they crumpled to the floor.
The Viking stranger emitted a
muffled guffaw and appraised her carefully. “Methinks I can guess the nature of
the potion now. Come, lass. ’Tis getting late. We’d best be on our way.” The
rogue actually crooked an arm at her as if preparing for a stroll in the park.
Branwyn could only gape.
With a sigh of resignation, he
reached down
to clasp her hand and drew it through his arm. She gasped as a
powerful awareness sizzled through her. ‘Twas sharp and immediate, stopping
just sort of pain. Branwyn’s shocked gaze locked with the stranger’s. When the
clarity of his blue gaze took on a slightly dazed sheen, she realized he felt
it, too.
Lord help her, but she was
instantly drawn to his scent — a mixture of smoke and salt and mystery — as
well as his strength. The pulse of his heart, the hum of blood through his
veins, the aura of power and danger surrounding him. The air around them fairly
crackled with the potency of their contact as skin brushed over skin.
Alarmed, Branwyn tried to tug
her hand free, but the stranger clamped his arm tighter to his side,
imprisoning her. She nearly cried out from the sensations flooding her. Light.
Heat. Joy.
“Pray forgive the liberties I
take with ye, lass,” he muttered in her ear. His breath on her lobe brought her
just shy of the point of collapsing. “I will explain as soon as we are clear of
this arse.” He steered her towards the door.
Excerpt #2:
“Call yourself whatever you
will, Branwyn. Your powers do not scare me. In truth, I sought you out
a-purpose in the hopes you would heal me from the effects of a spell. ‘Twas
cast on me by a most wretched sorceress.”
Fearing another trap, Branwyn
stared at the ground. “Methinks you mistake me for another. I am naught but a
lowly healer, cast off by an overzealous brother in a fit of religious fervor.
Wh-why do you ask me such things, m’lord?”
“Very well,” Eirik snapped and
dropped her wand back into the sack. “If you wish to indulge in games, at least
choose one that gives me equal pleasure. By Thor, I’ve been long without a
woman.” He closed the distance between them and hauled her into his lap.
Upcoming
Review Tour:
About Jo:
Jo writes high stakes romance. Her favorite books contain layers of intrigue with alpha heroes and strong-minded heroines who are willing to risk it all for love.
From St. Louis, Missouri, Jo is a member of Romance Writers of America, From the Heart Romance Writers RWA Chapter, and the Writers Group of Ansbach/Katterbach/Illesheim.
Astraea Press released Jo Grafford's novel, BREAKING TIES around the same time as the television show, Sleepy Hollow featured a segment on the same subject, the Lost Colonists of Roanoke Island.
Jo Grafford guest hosts today. Here's her update on her fascinating Lost Colony Series.
Welcome, Jo Grafford!
Jo Grafford:
So
many exciting things happened in March – not the least of which was receiving
that magical “call,” or email in this case when Astraea Press offered a
contract last week for book two TRAIL OF CROSSES in the epic Lost Colony
Series.
Book
one BREAKING TIES is based on real people and events. Narrated by Rose Payne
the ship clerk who was simply trying to outrun a broken heart, it traces the last
known whereabouts of a gutsy band of English pioneers – ninety-one men,
seventeen women, and nine boys - who would soon become known as the Lost
Colonists of Roanoke Island.
Book
two TRAIL OF CROSSES tracks a remnant of these English colonists inland where
they embark on a dangerous game of survival amidst warring tribes. In a region
on the brink of explosive change, Jane Mannering and her ragtag outfit of brick
masons and blacksmiths ride a mighty upheaval of centuries-old cultures. Will a
newer, better nation arise from all the breaking, or will they descend into
utter chaos?
For
a quick and dirty summary of the latest Lost Colony archeological finds, click
on this news article: http://dailym.ai/1cyaeOy.
For
regular updates on the Lost Colony Series and the ongoing search for the Lost
Colonists, please visit www.JoGrafford.com.
BIO:
Jo is a mega reader of all genres and loves to indulge in marathon
showings of Big Bang Theory, CSI, NCIS, and Castle. Her favorite books are full
of rich history, Native Americans, and an occasional creature from the
otherworld – dragons, vampires, and time travelers.
From St. Louis, Missouri, Jo moves a lot with her soldier husband. She
has lived in the Midwest, the deep South, and now resides in Bavaria. Jo holds
an M.B.A. and has served as a banker, college finance instructor, and high
school business teacher. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and From
the Heart Romance Writers RWA Chapter.
Jo writes historical and paranormal romance. She is currently writing a
series published by Astraea Press, which is based on the Lost Colonists of
Roanoke Island – one of the world’s most intriguing unsolved mysteries.
BLURB – BREAKING TIES,
first book in the Lost Colony Series:
An
intelligent woman ahead of her time, ROSE PAYNE'S world is shattered after a
secret betrothal to the duke’s son costs her job as a clerk in his father's
household. Without a letter of recommendation, Rose becomes an easy target for
recruiters to the Colonies. Desperate for work, she signs up for a risky
overseas venture and sails for the New World, vowing never again fall for a
wealthy gentleman.
Returning
from a diplomatic tour in London, CHIEF MANTEO is bewitched by the elusive,
fiery-haired ship clerk and determined to overcome her distrust. He contrives a
daring plan to win her heart – a plan he prays will protect her from a chilling
conspiracy involving murder, blood money, and a betrayal of their fledgling
colony so terrifying it can only be revealed in BREAKING TIES.
A cursed island – all who enter will be lost.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Based
on real people and real events, Breaking Ties is the "rest of the
story" of the Lost Colonists from Roanoke Island.
BLURB – TRAIL OF CROSSES,
second book in the Lost Colony Series:
JANE MANNERING can shoot a rifle, throw a knife,
and handle a sword as well as any Englishman. However, she is no match for the
red-painted warriors who ambush her section of the Colonial caravan the moment
they beach their rafts on the shores of Virginia.
During
a forced march inland, Jane plots their escape, sketching hasty maltese crosses
along the trail – the pre-agreed upon signal of distress should they become
separated from the main party. All the while, she fumes over what interest
their captors could possibly have in a spinster like herself and her rugged
band of brick masons, sawyers, blacksmiths, saddlers, and cutlers.
When
CHIEF WANCHESE intercepts them at the crossroads of the Great Trading Path,
Jane’s worst fears are realized. It’s a pity the handsome devil happens to be
the most ruthless and feared tribal chief in the region. Engaging his
attentions was certainly never a part of her escape plan.
Hostile territory. Thirty-one English colonists. No witnesses.
EXCERPT – BREAKING TIES:
PREFACE
Sometimes murder isn’t as messy, up-close, and personal as many people
imagine it to be. Sometimes it is distant and impersonal – as simple as
crossing a line through a name on a sheet of paper. Or one hundred and fifteen
names in our case.
CHAPTER ONE
Portsmouth, England, April
26, 1587
“Yer bum’s hanging out the window!” My brother banged his empty
mug on the inn table. He ran both hands through his hair, as red as my own,
standing each flaming lock on end.
My lips turned up despite the heaviness in my chest. It felt good
to hear him lapse into the Gaelic brogue of our childhood. “Och, Donnen!” I
reached across the table to clasp his large hands and grimaced at the stench of
salmon and sweat hanging in the air. “I dinna bring ye here to quarrel. ‘Tis my
first job offer in weeks.”
I dared not share my other reason for leaving.
“Nay, ye can stay with me till ye find a different job. Crossing
the Atlantic unwed is bad enough, but these—” He shook my upraised palms, “are
ink stains. Blast it all! Ye’re a clerk, not a sailor.”
“Indeed?” Saints alive, he acted as if I was still twelve instead
of nineteen. “Well, good news. I shall be accompanied by other women – whole
families of people, for that matter – and ‘tis a clerk they need.”
“Only because—“ Donnen glanced around the room and lowered his
voice. “The last one left in a frightful hurry along with half the crew
all in the same night.” His glare was fierce. “Rumor has it the entire
fleet is bound straight for Jonah’s watery vault. I don’t suppose that
came up during the bloomin’ interview?”
A peek at
the middle...
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
"You
want my help." 'Twas an accusation.
"Aye."
His eyes darkened. "I save your life. I give gifts. I offer
marriage." He closed the remaining distance between us, his eyes burning
into mine.
I stumbled back.
"You give nothing in return," he snarled. "You only
ask for more."
"I would had I something to offer," I whispered. "But
I have nothing. I am nothing."
"Then what use are you to me?" He wheeled away.
I sagged against the door, eyes stinging. I blinked rapidly and
pressed a hand to my stomach. Nausea rolled at the thought of informing the
others of my failure.
Manteo circled the cabin like a hawk stalking its prey. 'Twas a
fine room with ornately carved shelves lining one wall. Bunks were built into
the next wall. A generous desk jutted from the third, overflowing with maps and
navigational devices. I recognized the compass and hourglass but could not
identify the other instruments. I jerked in surprise when Manteo swooped down
upon me.
"I know our location." His arms shot out and slapped the
wall on either side of me, hemming me to the door. "I could swim ashore
from here."
"Then why do ye stay if ye can leave and save yourself?"
"Governor White gave his word to deliver me home."
"We are going to starve, Manteo. 'Tis only a matter of days
now."
"Nay. You alone starve. The others eat."
"I have no appetite."
"You act as one already dead."
I straightened my back. "I accept what I cannot change."
"And I change what I cannot accept." He shifted his
weight to the wall, one arm propped over my head. He drew his fingertips down
the side of my face in a feather-light caress.
I closed my eyes against the rush of unbearable sweetness. He made
me long for things forbidden. "'Tis within your power to help us. I am
begging you."
"Very well."
My eyes flew open. "Ye will do this for us."
"For you." His voice was silken, his features as hard as
granite.
I smiled tremulously. "I thank thee, Manteo. Chief Manteo,
that is." The new title felt strange on my lips. I beheld him with a
mixture of awe and pride.
"I have yet to name my price."
I stared, confused.
He grunted in disgust. "You refuse me as both husband and
lover, so you are left with the hiring of my services."
I worried my lower lip between my teeth. At least he was willing
to negotiate. His eyes flashed with lust as he followed my movements.
"I will entreat the Dares for payment."
"Nay. You are the one in my debt."
I raised and dropped my hands helplessly.
"You serve this company, no? You can serve my people,
too."
"Ye would hire me as clerk?" Hope leaped in my chest at
the possibilities. I would not have to part from him so soon.
"My people have no clerks." His eyes narrowed. "We
have slaves."
My breath hitched. "Ye wish to punish me, humiliate me?"
"Nay, I only wish to marry you."
I briefly closed my eyes against the pain. He already knew the
reason for my refusal.
"Rose."
"Say no more. I will do it. 'Twill be punishment enough to
see you so often and—“ I clamped my lips.
Exultation flickered briefly across his face. "You would give
up your freedom to save your friends?"
"Without question."
"Swear it," he said grimly.
"I swear it."
His eyes flared with emotion. He bent slowly 'til his breath
stirred my lips. My eyelids fluttered closed. Heaven help me, for I had no will
left to resist him.
"Now you will eat," Manteo commanded hoarsely. He
stepped back, surveying me from head to feet.
"Eat?"
"I have no slaves so thin and weak. Go. Collect your
rations." He turned from me and bent to pore over a map on the table.
I reached for the door handle, disbelieving at the curt dismissal.
