The Ransom Pre-Release party Week 3!

Welcome to the Pre-release party for The Ransom!!
Last week's winner, chosen by Random.org, is Allysia! Congratulations Allysia!! And thanks to all who entered. :-)
I'm giving away another copy next Friday, so don't forget to comment on today's post. 

Every Friday through March 7th, I'll be posting something about the book and characters and giving away a free copy of The Ransom (either e-book or print) to one lucky winner. All you have to do is read through the post and answer the question I pose at the end. Simple, eh?

For those of you who haven't read my Legacy of the King's Pirates series (What are you waiting for? Just kidding)  you won't be lost. Though some characters from the series are mentioned in this story, it is really a stand-alone.

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Port Royal, Jamaica 1692

Living in a city deemed the wickedest in the world is no easy task for Miss Juliana Dutton. To make matters worse, with an ailing father and a drunken fool for a brother, she is forced to take over the running of the family business in order to survive. When a meddlesome suitor threatens to discover her secret and cast them all onto the streets, she agrees to a spurious engagement with the town buffoon, Lord Munthrope. She only hopes the man is trustworthy.

The Pirate Earl, Alexander Hyde, son of the infamous Captain Edmund Merrick Hyde, is the most feared pirate in Port Royal. Disillusioned with the religion of his parents and the pleasures of the world, Alex staves off his emptiness by leading a dual life to hide his deepest secrets.

A long-time enemy is out to destroy Alex and take Juliana for his own. Struggling to maintain her faith in the Divine, Juliana faces her problems bravely, but the harder she tries, the more it seems everything is working against her. Unwittingly, she and her weak fiancé become entangled in the hostility between  the Pirate Earl and his enemy, while even more dangerous forces are rising up to destroy them all.

Today we play: Guess what the characters will say next!!   Based on what you know about Juliana and Alex from the prior two weeks, now you have a chance to predict what each of them will say to each other in the following mini-scenes. 

Setup Scene 1: This is from Chapter 1. Alex and Juliana have just met. He saved her from some rather nefarious pirates and is now following her home.:

What was she to do? Oh foolish girl! Why did she never think of the consequences before running off on some errand of mercy? She’d put her entire family at risk: her shipping business, her father’s health, her brother’s future.

The Pirate Earl appeared beside her.

And her own virtue.

“Ah, at last we know what has kept your footman.” He chuckled.

“We don’t know anything, sir,” she snapped, staring at the besotted servant. She would have to move him in order to drive the carriage. And since her strength forbade the act—and she refused to ask a pirate for help—she gathered her cloak about her and started down the street.

He clutched her arm. “Where are you going?”

“Home.” She tugged from his grip, her ire rising. “I have no money if that’s what you want.”

He grinned. “I have more than enough wealth, milady.”

She stopped and glared at him. “If you intend to ravish or murder me, please be about it. Otherwise I grow weary of our exchange.”

Was that a spark of surprise, mayhap even admiration in his eyes?

Without saying a word, he retraced his steps to the carriage, hoisted poor Mr. Pell over his shoulder, and laid him across the passenger seat in the back. Then leaping onto the driver’s box, he grabbed the reins with one hand and lowered his other to her.

“Are you now to steal my carriage?” she asked.

“I intend to take you home.”

“So you can rob me?”

“Again with the money, milady?” He grinned. “You cut me to the quick.”

“By your own admission, sir, you are a pirate. Why should I trust you?”

Now it's your turn. How does Alex respond??

A. "Because, milady, I have already saved your life once tonight."
B. “You shouldn’t.” He shrugged. “But either way, I intend to escort you home."
C.  He grinned. "I neither ask for your trust, nor expect it." 
D. "Because appearances can be deceiving." 




SetUp Scene 2:
Juliana insists on visiting a sick friend in the worst part of town and Alex insists on protecting her. This is one such night when he caught up to her.

“’Twould seem you have great power in Port Royal, Mr. Pirate. Perchance you could use it for less nefarious purposes.”

“Milord Pirate, if you please, and alas, I believe I am. In protecting you.”

She halted beneath a street lamp and studied him in its light. Coal-black hair stretched behind him in a tie, save one strand dangling over his forehead. Strong, shadowed jaw, aquiline nose, and lips that seemed stuck in a perpetual smirk. “I refer to halting your pillaging and plundering, sir.”

His eyes twinkled. “One must start small on the road to redemption.”

“And does bludgeoning a fellow pirate to near death suffice as a great start on this journey of light?” She tapped the tip of her parasol in the dirt.

For a moment he seemed perplexed. “Ah, you speak of Riley.”

“Yes, Riley.” She planted a hand at her waist. “You nearly killed him.”

“Nearly being the operative word. And ’twas not me but my men who, dare I say, embellished a bit on my instructions.” With finger and thumb he eased down the sides of his mouth, shooting a spark of familiarity through her.

And befuddling her mind. Still, hadn’t Riley gotten what he deserved? She sighed. “It is unclear whether I should chastise you or thank you.”. . .

 “I much prefer your thanks.” His grin disarmed her.

Clutching her skirts, she started walking again. Not because she wished to leave this man but because of the way he was looking at her.

As if she were a rare treasure he’d forfeit his life to protect.

“However, I do believe the weasel got the message,” he said, keeping her pace. ”I won’t allow women to be thus treated in my town.”

“Is it your town now?” She chuckled.

“Parts of it. The parts that you insist on visiting after dark.”

She frowned. “I was visiting Miss Abilene, if you must know. She looks well.”

“I am pleased to hear it.”

Stopping, she faced him. “’Tis due to your kindness, Mr. Pirate, though I have no idea why you would care for the well-being of a tavern wench.”

“That kindness, milady, as foreign as it may seem for pirates, I owe to you.” He rested his hand on the hilt of the cutlass hanging at his side. “I fear you bring out what little good remains in my dark soul.” His tone lacked its usual taunt. 

Now it's your turn! How does Juliana reply?

A. "Or is that good just a pretense for attaining my affections?"

B.  "A soul that is dark harbors no good." She hurried on her way.

C.  "Then will you repent of all your crimes here and now, Mr. Pirate?"

D. “Have a care, Mr. Pirate, I may reform you yet.” She dared to smile.

Leave a comment with your answers and your email to enter to win a free copy of The Ransom. The winner will be drawn next Friday, March 7th where you will have one more chance to win!  (Print copy to US addresses only)

Have a great weekend!