An excerpt from THE VISCOUNT’S LADY NOVELIST by ALISSA BAXTER

April 27, 2022
4 Comments

THE VISCOUNT’S LADY NOVELIST
BY ALISSA BAXTER

Publication Date: April 26, 2022
Vinspire Publishing

Genre: Historical Romance
Series: The Linfield Ladies, Book 2

Harriet Linfield is a lady novelist who has been disillusioned by love. She sets out to write more realistic tales about the emotion when she returns home to Linfield Court for the summer. Vowing to avoid any romantic entanglements along the way, she focuses instead on her writing and her plan to turn the estate she inherited from her uncle into a refuge for orphans.

Oliver, Viscount Wentford, is determined to restore his family fortunes. But his plans for the estate he inherited are in direct opposition to the wishes of Harriet, his new neighbour. Upon meeting her, Oliver is amused when, in response to his provocative comments, she informs him that she intends to make him the villain of her next book. But his amusement swiftly turns to dismay when circumstances align to show him in that exact light.

When an enemy comes back into Harriet’s life, she sees that love isn’t as clear-cut as the romantic tales she pens. But will the viscount manage to discard his villainous mantle to become Harriet’s real-life hero?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Praise

“A charming love story set in the English countryside that’s grounded in impeccable research.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

“Alissa Baxter’s writing is period perfect.” ~ Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author of The Matrimonial Advertisement

“This book is gorgeous!” ~ Rachel Burton, author of The Tearoom on the Bay

“A truly traditional Regency romance, with lots of witty banter, very reminiscent of Georgette Heyer. Recommended for anyone who likes a completely clean traditional Regency, with strongly authentic writing, historical accuracy and a satisfying romance. Baxter’s writing is excellent, and her dialogue, manners and settings are true to the era.” ~ Mary Kingswood, author of traditional Regency romances

“While immersing the reader in the mores and life of the Regency era, Alissa Baxter manages to write strong, independent heroines whom modern-day women will cheer and root for. Plus the addition of little details that wrap around the plot and the characters make reading her books all the more special because you never know when you might land on a little Easter egg morsel in the beautiful and engaging prose. Historicals with heart and engaging characters that read real—that’s what you get in Ms Baxter’s books.” ~ Zee Monodee, USA Today bestselling author

Excerpt

“You can’t still be afraid of beetles!” The boy rolled his eyes. “They’re completely harmless.”

He brandished the net under Miss Linfield’s nose again, and she twisted away. “Please don’t.” Her voice shook. “You know I don’t like insects. And you know very well why I don’t.”

“But that was years ago! You can’t still be frightened of them.”

Miss Linfield slight frame trembled, and Oliver frowned. “May I escort you inside, ma’am? You have gone quite pale.”

She closed her eyes. “It…it is foolishness on my part.” Her lids fluttered open, and she moved away from the net her brother still held out to her. “Only…” Her voice shook. “Georgiana and Stephen once locked me in the schoolroom and released a snake and a range of insects into the room.” A shudder shook her entire body. “They left me alone with them for hours. I developed an extreme fear of snakes and insects after that.”

“It was only a harmless old grass snake, Harry!”

“I didn’t know it was harmless. I sat on the schoolroom table for hours, terrified to move. But I couldn’t escape all those flying insects. The dragonflies were particularly frightening.”

“Yes…well, we wouldn’t have done it if you hadn’t been such a ninny. Always jumping at spiders… Some enforced proximity to snakes and insects should have cured you of your fears.”

Oliver positioned himself between the net and Miss Linfield. “I suggest you take those beetles away.”

Stephen shrugged. “Very well.” He darted a scornful look at his sister as he marched past her into the garden.

Miss Linfield put a hand up to her forehead. “Pray excuse me, my lord.”

Oliver led her through the Elizabethan oak-panelled front door, which stood wide open. “You need to sit down. May I ring for your maid?”

They passed through a vestibule into an airy hall, which had a number of doors leading off it. Oliver glanced at Miss Linfield, and she nodded in the direction of one particular room, where a footman stood at attention. They crossed the black-and-white-chequerboard marble floor, and the manservant opened the double doors which led into a luxuriously appointed drawing room. Oliver led Miss Linfield inside and directed her towards a chaise longue. She sank onto the welcoming sofa while he strode across to the bell pull.

“I do not require the services of anyone, my lord. I am not so feeble. I was merely taken by surprise. Indeed, I am quite well now.”

He halted and turned to meet her clear gaze. “If you are certain…”

She studied her hands. “I am aware that I need to conquer my fears. I am the despair of Georgiana and Stephen as I never wish to look at any of their discoveries. My behaviour isn’t rational, but I don’t know how to change it.”

“Fear is never rational.” His voice was gentle.

“I suppose it isn’t. Yet I seem to have more than my fair share of anxieties.”

He leaned against a side table and crossed his arms. “It is part of the human condition to be afraid.”

Jerking her head up, she met his eyes. “Men don’t show their fears.”

“That doesn’t mean we don’t have them.”

Miss Linfield kneaded the material of her muslin gown and then clasped her hands together. “I believe you are correct. Men are expected to wear bravery like a shield, while women aren’t expected to be brave at all. At least not on the surface. The knight-errant always rescues a damsel in distress—it is never the other way around.”

“Those are fairy tales, Miss Linfield.”

“So they are.” She smiled. “Although you were quite the knight errant-earlier— rescuing me from those beetles.”

“Hmmm… Your beetle-slayer, as it were.”

About the Author

Alissa Baxter was born in a small town in South Africa and grew up with her nose in a book on a poultry and cattle farm. At the age of eleven, she discovered her mother’s collection of Georgette Heyer novels. The first Heyer novel she ever read was Sylvester and she was hooked on Georgette Heyer after that. She read and reread her novels, and fell totally in love with the Regency period and Heyer’s grey-eyed heroes!

After university, where she majored in Political Science and French, she began writing her first Regency novel, before moving to England, which gave her further inspiration for her historical romances.

Alissa has lived in Durban and Cape Town but she eventually settled in Johannesburg where she lives with her husband and two sons. Alissa is the author of two chick-lit novels, Send and Receive and The Blog Affair, which have been re-released as The Truth About Series: The Truth about Clicking Send and Receive and The Truth About Cats and Bees.

Alissa’s Linfield Ladies Series features women in trend-setting roles in the Regency period who fall in love with men who embrace their trailblazing ways… at least eventually. The Viscount’s Lady Novelist is the second book in this series, following on from The Earl’s Lady Geologist.