Breaking Ties by Jo Grafford Giveaway, Excerpt & Interview

Breaking Ties
Lost Colony Series
Book One
Jo Grafford

Genre: historical romance
Publisher: Astraea Press
Date of Publication: October 16, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-62135-219-8
ASIN: B00FYIYM7A
Number of pages: 404
Word Count: 121,390
Cover Artist: Mande Matthews

Book Description:

Intelligent and well ahead of her times, 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, she 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.

Special Note: BREAKING TIES is the never-before-told rest of the story of the Lost Colony.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/nBB8_qcG-9I

Available at Amazon  BN  Smashwords  Kobo  Astraea Press  iTunes

Excerpt:

"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.

     "And send for Anthony. I have need of him."

     I glared at his back. Faith, should I press my face to the floor as well? "Aye, master." I bit the words out and fled.

Trail of Crosses
Lost Colony Series
Book Two
Jo Grafford

Genre: historical romance
Publisher: Astraea Press
Date of publication: September 9, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-62135-337-9
ASIN: B00NF6AE1Q
Number of pages: 392
Word Count: 112,300
Cover Artist: Mande Matthews

Book Description:

Jane Mannering can shoot a rifle and handle a knife as well as any Englishman. However, she is no match for the red-painted warriors who ambush her section of a Colonial caravan the moment she and her comrades reach the shores of Virginia.

Jane plots their escape during a forced march inland, leaving a trail of maltese crosses carved on the trees – their pre-agreed upon signal of distress. All the while, she fumes over what interest their captors could possibly have in a twenty-three-year-old spinster and a rugged band of brick masons, sawyers, and farmers.
When the ruthless Chief Wanchese intercepts them at the crossroads of the Great Trading Path, Jane is shaken to discover their greatest enemy plans to keep her for himself. It’s a pity he’s the only man on two continents who’s ever stirred her heart. Alas, she has an entire colony to save, and capturing his attentions is not part of their escape plan.

Special Note: The Lost Colony Series is the never-before-told rest of the story of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/XTkQBFMrk3c

Available at  Amazon   BN   Smashwords   iTunes   Kobo

Excerpts

EXCERPT
PREFACE
July 26, 1587 - Roanoke Island
If it had not been for the barking of the dogs and chattering of the lads who scampered at my side, I might have heard the shot - the low vibration of the string as the thin, wooden shaft released, the faint whistle of the arrow as it sliced an invisible yet deadly path through the air, the scattering of wildlife as the forest itself braced before the world's most fearsome predator. Instead, I merely felt the gentle lifting of my late father's top hat as the arrowhead sank into the aged leather and pinned it to the heart of the oak behind me.
The men assigned to guard me fired their muskets wildly into the perimeter of trees. My ears rang with their gunfire and frenzied oaths. Then the slow burn of anger took over.
I pivoted to yank the arrow, top hat and all, from the trunk. Separating the two, I jammed the damaged hat back on my head and tapped the lone arrow against my gloved hand. The miss was deliberate, meant as a taunt. Had the shadowy creature intended to kill me, I would already be dead.
I glared over my shoulder as the gunfire ceased. He remained out there, I was certain. Watching. This was a reminder that he is the hunter. I am the hunted.


About the Author:

Jo is a mega reader of all genres and loves to indulge in marathon showings of Big Bang Theory, NCIS, and Castle. Her favorite books are rich in Colonial and Elizabethan history, romance, strong women, alpha males, Native Americans, and creatures from the paranormal - an occasional dragon, vampire, or time traveler.

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, From the Heart Romance Writers RWA Chapter, and the Writers Group of Ansbach/Katterbach/Illesheim.

Interview:

Where are you from?

A small town south of St. Louis, MO called House Springs. Married a soldier and travel the world now. We currently live in Bavaria.

Tell us your latest news?

My publisher just released TRAIL OF CROSSES, book two in the Lost Colony Series! Also, I my short story called VIKING FOR HIRE will release October 15 as part of a romance anthology called AUTUMN’S KISS. Watch www.JoGrafford.com for deets. J

When and why did you begin writing?

I wrote for short story contests as early as elementary school, edited my high school newspaper, and wrote all sorts of training materials for each corporation I ever worked for as an adult. It finally hit me – all roads lead to writing.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

As a teen when I penned my first mystery novel in a spiral bound notebook.

What inspired you to write your first book?

The haunting story of the Lost Colonists of Roanoke Island, which remains one of the world’s most intriguing unsolved mysteries to date.

Do you have a specific writing style?

Yup! I like to start off pretending that I’m organized with detailed character sketches and outlines. Inevitably, however, the story takes on a life of its own, and the outline sort of goes out the window. In a good way…

How did you come up with the title?

The Lost Colonists agreed to carve Maltese crosses on the trees in the event something went wrong so that Governor White would be able to trace their whereabouts when he returned from his emergency supply trip back to England.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes. Just like book one BREAKING TIES, book two TRAIL OF CROSSES unravels the hero or heroine buried deep inside each one of us. I hope every one of my readers ponders just how far they would go to protect those they love and how hard they would fight to survive if the odds were stacked completely and utterly against them.

How much of the book is realistic?

Book one is based on real people, real events, and follows an accurate historical timeline. Much of the detail is derived from actual sailing journals, ship manifests, and church registries. Book two TRAIL OF CROSSES begins where the last recorded history of this group ends. However, it is still based on real people as well as recent archeological and sonar findings.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

No.

What books have most influenced your life?

A Tale of Two Cities, Les Miserables, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, and – more recently –  The Twilight Series, the 50 Shades Series, and anything Nora Roberts are among my favs.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Definitely Nora.

What book are you reading now?

Just finished reading Own the Wind by Kristen Ashley last weekend and Purity in Death by J.D. Robb today

What are your current projects?

My goals are to write the third book in the Lost Colony Series PLUS expande my VIKING FOR HIRE short story into a full novel by year end.

What would you like my readers to know?

Most of my writing includes fantasy and paranormal elements. However, the Lost Colony Series is a very special one-of-a-kind story that is super close to my heart. I wrote it to spotlight a group of real historical heroes and heroines that I feel deserve far more credit than they’ve ever received. Till now.

Website: www.JoGrafford.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/JoGraffordAuthor

Twitter: @jografford

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7360736.Jo_Grafford

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JoGrafford

Highlighted Author: www.HighlightedAuthor.com

Amazon.com Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/jografford

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/JoGrafford/

Tour giveaway

2 dropcard gift cards with six free eBooks on each card (including Breaking Ties)

1 grand prize – a reader’s tote bag with a Lost Colony t-shirt, signed paperback of Breaking Ties, and signed bookmark


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