Michelle Styles:

Because it will be published in February 2015, here is brief excerpt from Taming His Viking Woman:

“Sayrid, I marry a woman, not a man. Find a dress.”
Sayrid stared at Hrolf uncomprehendingly. “A dress?”
“You do own a dress…don’t you?”
She released a breath and offered a prayer up to all goddesses in the Aesir and Vanir. At last, a way to postpone the evil day with dignity. Somehow she’d discover what he truly wanted before she started believing that he wanted her. She could use this to buy time and find a solution to the mess. It wasn’t over until the ceremony was done.
“My best dress is at home. What a pity. We will have to name another day when I can be attired in the sort of clothes fit for a sea-king’s bride.”
“Borrow one.” A glint showed in his eyes as he raked her form. “Or come naked. But I marry a woman. Today."

This morning was fraught with frustration, but I have FINALLY managed to upload the excerpt for A Christmas Wedding Wager. You can read it here.

I have also discovered what it says underneath my name on the cover -- Join in the fun of a Victorian Yuletide.

So that is done and I have no excuse not to work on my wip. Yes, my deadline is looming. Yes, I am within 10k of finishing the first draft, but I need to come up with a really good satisfying ending. I had a look back over my notes and the ending is having to change slightly. This ALWAYS happens.

Tomorrow is my day for the PHS treasure hunt. My problem is how does one follow the gift from I heart Presents. Over the top but very fun. Mine is going to be more restrained, I am afraid. It might not even be pink.

The cover for Taken by the Viking is up at Amazon.co.uk. I personally think it is lovely.

The back cover blurb reads:

A Viking raid
They claimed they came in peace, but soon Lindisfarne was aflame. Annis of Birdoswald fled in fear, but she could not escape the Norse warriors.
An honourable captor
One man protected her - Haakon Haroldson. The dark, arrogant Viking swept Annis back to his homeland, taking her away from all she held dear.
A new life – as his mistress!
Now Annis must choose between the lowly work that befits a captive, or a life of sinful pleasure in the Viking's arms!
England and Norway 793 AD

Read the excerpt

It is available for pre-order. And my contest to win a signed hardback copy closes on 15 July. You simply need to email me the answer to the following question:

What are the names of the hero and heroine of Taken by the Viking?

Barnes and Noble have the July covers up and so I have finally been able to see what the North American cover is going to look like. I love the strap line -- Seduction Under the Italian Sun.


I am really thrilled with it. I know my editor went and looked for images Baiae where the story takes place.

The blurb reads:

Scandalous!
Silvana Junia knows what the gossips say about her – and doesn't care! Until a mysterious, dangerous stranger rescues her from the sea, and she's instantly drawn to him.
Notorious!
Lucius Aurelius Fortis is rich and respected. But his playboy past could come back to haunt him if he cannot resist his attraction to beautiful Silvana. And in the hot sun of Baiae their every move is watched…
Outrageous!
Tempted beyond endurance, Silvana will become his mistress. But she has one last shocking secret…which will change everything between them!
Rome, 69 B.C.

You can read an excerpt of the story here.

Anyway, I am really thrilled with it all. It is a really special moment when an author gets to look at the cover of her book.

Now All I have to do is keep writing my current wip.