In the below extract, Ruaidhri has just set foot on Irish soil for the first time in many years and is hoping to avoid seeing Sorcha, the woman who he once loved and who broke his heart. He is aware that someone has been watching his return and he stops, ostensibly to rest, but in reality waiting for the person to make their first move.
Extract from Her Warrior’s Surprise Return
Ruaidhri leaned against a tree, pretending to catch his breath while taking a more leisurely look about him, not wanting to be caught unawares. A soft snap of a twig sounded behind him. He held himself still as whoever it was approached. There was no all-out attack and so he waited, listening, his muscles tensed ready for action, tucking his blade into the folds of his sleeve.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as the person drew nearer. All he could hear was the soft breathing of the person approaching him, but he would know that sound anywhere: Sorcha was here. He slowly sheathed his blade; it did not matter what she had done to him, he could never hurt her. It seemed he could not bring himself to turn around either. His whole body was frozen, as if the idea of seeing her once more had turned him to stone.
A blade pressed against his back and his lips twisted in a bitter smile; she might as well put a knife through what was left of his heart, she’d already done much worse. But, no, whatever their differences, Sorcha would not kill him. On that he could trust her.
Slowly, he turned. The blade stayed steady, running along his ribs as he moved until it rested above his heart, not pressing any deeper, but not moving away either.
For a long moment, he stared at the blade, its intricately carved handle as familiar as its owner, before lifting his eyes and coming face to face with Sorcha for the first time in eight years.
Her Warrior’s Surprise Return
A dramatic, intense medieval romance
A surprise reunion
With the warrior from her past…
It’s been years since Ruaidhri abandoned Sorcha, and she’s no longer the woman she once was. Now leader of the Suibhne clan, she must unite her people against invading forces. When rumours of Ruaidhri’s return to Ireland prove true, she’s unsettled at seeing him again. He offers to help her, but his past betrayal still burns—even if desire is as strong as ever. Should Sorcha trust her head…or her heart?
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Ella Matthews writes sweeping historical novels with a dash of danger, steamy scenes and full of romantic heart. She writes for Mills & Boon / Harlequin but is also planning some self-published novels, so watch this space for those.
She writes in beautiful South Wales, where you can’t go for a walk without tripping over the remains of a castle. She lives with her husband, who’s very technical and who’s set up her website but still doesn’t seem to know how to use a washing machine, her two children and an exceptionally timid rescue guinea pig. When she’s not writing, she’s working with teenagers on their literacy skills (she’s discovered there’s nothing a thirteen year old loves more than discussing commas!).
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Website – Twitter @ellamattauthor – Instagram @ellamatthewsauthor – Facebook
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