The Penny Bangle (40 page)

‘Come on, Granny, please don’t look so gloomy,’ whispered Cassie, as Lily leaned on her walking stick and held on tight to Robert, whose soul she still hoped one day to save, and whom she’d come to love. ‘This is a special day for all of us.’

‘You’re right, our Cass.’ Lily Taylor nodded, and she smiled with satisfaction as Father Riley christened Lily Rose.

About the Author

Margaret James
was born and brought up in Hereford. She studied English at London University, and has written many short stories, articles and serials for magazines. She is the author of fifteen published novels.

Margaret is a long-standing contributor to
Writing Magazine
for which she writes the Fiction Focus column and an author interview for each issue. She’s also a creative writing tutor for the London School of Journalism.

An active member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, she contributed to the 50th anniversary anthology
Loves Me, Loves Me Not
. Margaret’s short story is
The Service of My Lady
.

For more information on Margaret visit:
www.margaretjames.com
www.twitter.com/majanovelist

More Choc Lit

From Margaret James

The Silver Locket

Winner of CataNetwork Reviewers’ Choice Award for Single Titles 2010

If life is cheap, how much is love worth?

It’s 1914 and young Rose Courtenay has a decision to make. Please her wealthy parents by marrying the man of their choice – or play her part in the war effort?

The chance to escape proves irresistible and Rose becomes a nurse. Working in France, she meets Lieutenant Alex Denham, a dark figure from her past. He’s the last man in the world she’d get involved with – especially now he’s married.

But in wartime nothing is as it seems. Alex’s marriage is a sham and Rose is the only woman he’s ever wanted. As he recovers from his wounds, he sets out to win her trust. His gift of a silver locket is a far cry from the luxuries she’s left behind.

What value will she put on his love?

First novel in the trilogy

Visit
www.choc-lit.com
for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B004D4ZYTQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310468725&sr=1-6
)

The Golden Chain

Can first love last forever?

1931 is the year that changes everything for Daisy Denham. Her family has not long swapped life in India for Dorset, England when she uncovers an old secret.

At the same time, she meets Ewan Fraser – a handsome dreamer who wants nothing more than to entertain the world and for Daisy to play his leading lady.

Ewan offers love and a chance to escape with a touring theatre company. As they grow closer, he gives her a golden chain and Daisy gives him a promise – that she will always keep him in her heart.

But life on tour is not as they’d hoped. Ewan is tempted away by his career and Daisy is dazzled by the older, charismatic figure of Jesse Trent. She breaks Ewan’s heart and sets off for a life in London with Jesse.

Only time will tell whether some promises are easier to make than keep …

Second novel in the trilogy

Visit
www.choc-lit.com
for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Golden-Chain-ebook/dp/B004YTJ6US/ref=sr_1_12?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310468725&sr=1-12
)

Why not try something else from the Choc Lit selection? Here’s a sample:

Trade Winds

Christina Courtenay

Short-listed for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Pure Passion Award for Best Historical Fiction 2011

Marriage of convenience – or a love for life?

It’s 1732 in Gothenburg, Sweden, and strong-willed Jess van Sandt knows only too well that it’s a man’s world. She believes she’s being swindled out of her inheritance by her stepfather – and she’s determined to stop it.

When help appears in the unlikely form of handsome Scotsman Killian Kinross, himself disinherited by his grandfather, Jess finds herself both intrigued and infuriated by him. In an attempt to recover her fortune, she proposes a marriage of convenience. Then Killian is offered the chance of a lifetime with the Swedish East India Company’s Expedition and he’s determined that nothing will stand in his way, not even his new bride.

He sets sail on a daring voyage to the Far East, believing he’s put his feelings and past behind him. But the journey doesn’t quite work out as he expects …

Prequel to Highland Storms

Visit
www.choc-lit.com
for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trade-Winds-ebook/dp/B00457XELG/ref=sr_1_8?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310468725&sr=1-8
)

Highland Storms

Christina Courtenay

Winner of the 2012 RoNA Best Historical Romantic Novel Category Award

Who can you trust?

Betrayed by his brother and his childhood love, Brice Kinross needs a fresh start. So he welcomes the opportunity to leave Sweden for the Scottish Highlands to take over the family estate.

But there’s trouble afoot at Rosyth in 1754 and Brice finds himself unwelcome. The estate’s in ruin and money is disappearing. He discovers an ally in Marsaili Buchanan, the beautiful redheaded housekeeper, but can he trust her?

Marsaili is determined to build a good life. She works hard at being a housekeeper and harder still at avoiding men who want to take advantage of her. But she’s irresistibly drawn to the new clan chief, even though he’s made it plain he doesn’t want to be shackled to anyone.

And the young laird has more than romance on his mind. His investigations are stirring up an enemy. Someone who will stop at nothing to get what he wants – including Marsaili – even if that means destroying Brice’s life forever …