Julia Templeton and Smoldering Sinjin

We’re talking to Julia Templeton today, who is launching the first of her Rakehells of Rochester series, Sinjin.

Who are your favourite authors at Ellora’s Cave?

Tracy Cooper-Posey, Patrice Michelle, Jordan Summers and Kate Pearce.

<no, I didn’t pay her to say that!>

What is your favourite novel cover (can be from anywhere)?

The Conquerer, by Brenda Joyce

What’s the best Hero Moment you’ve ever seen in film?

Darcy in Pride & Prejudice when he declares his love for Elizabeth, and Braveheart when William Wallace courts Murron.

What’s the best Hero Moment you’ve ever read in a book?

The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning when Dageus chases (literally) after Chloe.  Makes me smile just thinking about it.

What reading device do you use for reading ebooks on?

Laptop.

Your favourite romantic suspense author?

Tracy Cooper-Posey

Your favourite historical romance author?

Tie:  Brenda Joyce and Julie Garwood

Your favourite historical era?  (extra credit for telling us why)

Medieval.  Knights in shining armor and all that ;).

Your favourite contemporary romance author(s)?

Beth Ciotta, Susan Elizabeth Phillips

What are you currently reading?

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

What will you be reading next?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Tell us about your book.

Sinjin is book one in The Rakehells of Rochester series.  The trilogy is about three notorious brothers whose parents give them an ultimatum—marry or lose everything.

Sinjin is the oldest, and believes that by finding a fiancée, he can save his brothers from a similar fate.  When he sees Katelyn Davenport, a beautiful young woman betrothed to an older, lecherous earl, he stops at nothing to have her.

Playing chaperone for her sister at the soiree where the Raybornes are to meet suitable women, Katelyn is stunned when Sinjin singles her out amongst all the young, beautiful debutantes.  Though she’s engaged, she cannot bring herself to say no to his irresistible charm.  That is…until her betrothed arrives at the soiree to drag her back to his home and to a life she can no longer imagine.

____

Katelyn felt immense relief when Sinjin’s brother joined them, and not because she found Rory more appealing than his brother––but rather she found Sinjin much too appealing.

Indeed Sinjin, as were all the Rayborne brothers, handsome to be sure, but not as handsome as his youngest sibling, whose beauty was downright staggering as to be uncomfortable.  She could not imagine being married to someone so much more beautiful than herself.

In fact, she liked that Sinjin had a rugged masculinity about him that his brother lacked.  Perhaps it was the thin, white scar above his right brow that made him less intimidating than Rory’s perfect beauty, and Sinjin’s blue eyes were positively lovely, framed by thick, long lashes.  And she loved his deep, rich voice.  Not at all like Ronald’s nasally tone that grated on her nerves.

Since Sinjin had approached them, Katelyn had wondered what it would be like to marry a man like the young viscount.  A man whose bed she would love to share, to discover everything that could happen between two people…instead of dreading her wifely duties, something that haunted her since her engagement to Lord Balliford.

She envied the woman who would one day be Sinjin’s bride, and wondered who in this room would win his heart.

Taking a sip of champagne, Katelyn’s gaze fell on the eldest Rayborne brother again, glad he had turned his attention to Marilyn so she could stare without being obvious.  She liked the way his long, dark hair curled at his collar, how wide his shoulders were, and how lean and narrow his waist.  He was the opposite of Ronald in every way.  Her betrothed’s paunch extended far beyond the waistband of his pants.  She knew that on several occasions he wore a girdle, since she could make out the bulky garment beneath his waistcoat and jacket.

She shuddered at the thought of seeing her fiancé naked.  However, seeing Sinjin Rayborne naked would be an absolute delight.  Her gaze shifted from Sinjin’s hard abdomen, to the material that cupped his prominent sex.  She and Marilyn had studied a good deal of health books their Aunt Lillith had collected.  Those books had always made her feel strange and eager to discover what happened between a man and woman behind closed doors.  Indeed, she had touched herself under the covers or in the bath, amazed at the way her body responded.  What if a man touched her in such a way?  A man like Sinjin Rayborne, for instance.

Marilyn cleared her throat and Katelyn looked up with a start.  Her sister smiled at her above the rim of her champagne glass.  How did she always seem to know what Katelyn was thinking?

Good Lord, who else in the room had witnessed her bold gaze?

Katelyn noticed how the women around them watched the brothers with an almost greedy look in their eyes.  It was a bit sobering to realize that three women in this room could very well be engaged to the brothers by the end of the fortnight.  Lucky, lucky, girls.

She felt so cheated, so angered that she herself would not be in the running.  All her life she had hoped she could pick her own mate, fall in love, and build a family and a future together.

But those were the dreams of a young girl who fancied herself married to a man who adored her.  Not a man who preferred spending time in his study, or with his sister, and at every given opportunity told her what she was doing wrong.

Marilyn cleared her throat and Katelyn glanced up.  “I’ll be right back.”  She headed for the nearest doorway, receiving glares from the women she passed.  They were no doubt furious that two of the Rayborne brothers had approached her and Marilyn immediately.  She had never expected such attention.  Strangely she felt no excitement or anticipation…just bitter disappointment that she was already spoken for.

And that is why she must clear her thoughts, steady her nerves and return to the parlor and help her sister land a Rayborne brother for her husband.  Despite what Marilyn said, Katelyn knew it was silly to hope for something that could never be.  Her mother would never relent when it came to Katelyn marrying Lord Balliford and allow her to marry someone else.

Her sister deserved to be happy, and she would do what she must to make sure that happened.  If not, Marilyn would end up like Katelyn, married to an old man who she had nothing in common with, and facing a lifetime of loveless matrimony.

Crossing into the hallway, she heard women’s voices approaching, so she slipped into the first room to her right.

It appeared to be a study, with dark paneling and lots of tomes stuffed into tall bookcases.  The drapes had been pulled and she welcomed the darkness, the only light slipping in through a small gap in the curtains and the embers burning in the grate.  She walked toward the fireplace, stared down at the charred coals.

She had seen Sinjin’s gaze fall in the vicinity of her faded silk shoes and the short hem of her borrowed gown.  Her embarrassment had been intense, but thankfully when she looked into his eyes, she did not see pity or judgment.  Just kindness…and something else she had not expected.

Desire.

Lord help her, but Katelyn desired Sinjin Rayborne with a desperation that frightened her.  Never had she expected to experience such an immediate attraction to another person.  She felt exhilarated and horribly frustrated about her circumstance.

The door opened, and Katelyn brushed trembling hands down her face.  “Marilyn, I’ll be out in a moment.  I just need to catch my breath.”

“What is wrong, Katelyn?”

Katelyn gasped.  It was Sinjin Rayborne, and instead of leaving, he came closer.  So close, she could feel the heat of his body.  She took a quick step back, ran into the mantle and nearly knocked a picture off the ledge before righting it.  He made her so nervous!

And good lord he smelled lovely––a mixture of sandalwood, fine brandy and a masculine scent that was all his own.

“Why did you run away, Katelyn?”

“I didn’t run.”

“Yes, you did.”  He stood before her now, his presence all-consuming.  His dark suit must have cost more than her yearly allowance––the fine material in such stark contrast to her old gown.

“I run from my circumstance, not from you,” she managed, looking at him, mesmerized once again by his beauty.  He was everything a man should be––everything she had hoped her intended would be.

He reached up and lifted her chin with gentle fingers, his thumb brushing over her bottom lip.

His touch was sheer Heaven.

“Sweet Kate,” he said, a second before his lips claimed hers.

Somehow her arms encircled his neck and her breasts pressed flush against his wide chest.  She couldn’t get close enough, wanting to feel every inch of his hard body against her own––a delicious feeling she would relive every moment of every day for the rest of her life.

The kiss grew deeper, his hand holding the back of her head like she would flee.  She had no such inclination.  Indeed, nothing, or no one could pull her away from this man at this moment.

Heat flooded her veins, coursing through her body.  Now this is what it felt like to be desired and to desire in return.  A white-hot need that had her insides twisted in a tight knot.  “I want you,” she whispered against his lips.

He pulled away slightly.

Oh dear God…had she said the words aloud?  She opened her eyes to find herself looking into intense, blue eyes.  His hands bracketed her face.  “What did you say, sweet Kate?”

“Nothing,” she blurted.

The sides of his mouth curved in a knowing smile, and she wondered if he would be so cruel as to laugh at her.  She could not stand it if he did, and nearly told him as much when his lips brushed against hers again.  “Don’t ever be afraid to tell me your true feelings.”

How different he was from Ronald, who she was terrified to speak to for fear of him reprimanding her.  Always, she had to be on guard with her intended.

“I want you, too, Kate.  Most desperately.”

_____

To buy this book now, click here.

To visit Julia’s website, click here.

Thanks to Julia for sharing with us.  Leave your comments and ask your questions…Julia will be giving away a copy of Sinjin to a commentor today.

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