New Release! Christmas Deadline

Three people, three different destinies, a common deadline. Will Christmas of 1855 prove to be their downfall or the way forward to a new union and everlasting happiness?

Count Mathew de la Roche feels trapped. To keep La Belle Dame, the sugar plantation in Martinique he inherited at his uncle’s death, he must enter into a stable relationship and provide for a viable heir of his own by Christmas of 1855. Problem is—he likes variety in his bed and doesn’t want to be tied down to a single person.

Amandine Duvalier is the Creole daughter of a slave and a marquis, the master of the now-abandoned Cantrell plantation. Impossible for her to inherit her father’s estate, she’s about to be kicked out of the place where she was born, and she has only until Christmas of 1855 to find new accommodation. Problem is—she’s a certified witch, so no one’s going to offer her a roof over her head.

Kabir Sayed is an Indian prince from one of those obscure reigns tolerated by the British. He stands to inherit the throne, but he’s not sure he wants it. His brother would be better suited for this job, and Kabir has left home to learn more of the world surrounding him. Now, he’s working as an indentured laborer on La Belle Dame, cutting up sugar canes by the hundreds, and he has until Christmas 1855 to make up his mind about the succession. Problem is—Johannes Van Dyke has it in for him, and he might’ve just killed him after that severe beating.

As their paths cross in unexpected ways, the Christmas deadline looms on the horizon. What hasn’t entered the equation so far is the magnetic attraction they feel for one another. Will it be enough to overcome their prejudices and lead them to true union and everlasting happiness?

“Welcome, Count de la Roche.” Octave Rimbau rose from his chair to greet the young man entering his office. “Please, take a seat.” He gestured to a leather armchair in front of his desk. “I’m glad you could see me on such short notice.” On sitting down, he studied his guest intently.

The twenty-seven-year-old Count Mathew de la Roche was a fine specimen of a man. Tall and slender, his broad shoulders and chest tapered to a slim waist and long, elegant legs. His large, smoky green eyes shone from a deeply tanned, intensely masculine face. A connoisseur of male beauty, no one better than Octave could appreciate the aquiline nose, high forehead, full lips, square jaw with the adorable cleft in the middle, not to mention the prominent and bushy eyebrows. Thick, auburn hair to the shoulder completed the look of a French aristocrat who has settled in the West Indies with a certain degree of success.

“You didn’t leave me much choice,” Mathew teased lightly. “When the baron’s lawyer summons, one must comply.”

“Especially if one’s future is at stake,” Octave agreed in an equally bantering tone.

Mathew gave off the first sign of impatience. “I thought mine was settled.”

Not by a long shot. “Not exactly.” Octave twisted one side of his long mustache of which he was inordinately proud.

“What do you mean?” On the offensive, Mathew threw back his shoulders as though getting ready for a fight. “I thought you called me here to finalize the transfer of all property rights to my name after the six months’ probation.”

“Please, don’t get mad. I’ll explain everything.” Soothing the young man might prove difficult, given the complexities involved. “As you know, your uncle, Baron Nestore du Chartreuse, left a very complicated will when he died last year.”

A pause was in order if only to quell the furious throbbing of his heart. The Baron hadn’t been an ordinary client. Nestore had been his lover, not something they could’ve disclosed to their families back in 1820, the reason neither of them had never married.

The reason this damn will is such a torment. Octave sighed.

Being Nestore’s lawyer had proved worthwhile in many ways. Not in all, alas.

Suppressing the memories rushing to the fore, he composed his face in the impenetrable mask he always wore whenever dealing with his dead lover’s relatives. “La Belle Dame, his sugar plantation situated here in Martinique–in Cul de Sac Marine to be precise–has always been your uncle’s pride and joy.” Not to mention the most convenient place where we could be ourselves.

When in 1821, Nestore had suggested investing part of his immense capital on a rundown plantation in the remotest part of the world, Octave had thought he’d taken leave of his senses. Or maybe Napoleon’s death in May of that year had something to do with it, given how much Nestore had admired the man. Either way, it had seemed an absurdity until Nestore had pointed out its undoubted advantages. For one thing, the price had never been lower due to the British occupation and the neglect that followed. The prospect of significant profits was another sure bet given the increased demand for sugar following the Napoleonic wars’ end and their disastrous repercussions on international trade. The abundance of cheap labor was an added bonus, thanks to the restoration of slavery after the brutal repressions of the abolitionist movement the damnable French Revolution had stirred up in the West Indies.

These were all excuses, of course.

10 thoughts on “New Release! Christmas Deadline”

Lisabet Sarai December 30, 2020 at 7:23 am

็Have you ever been to Martinique, Laura?
This sounds complicated but very satisfying!

Laura Tolomei December 30, 2020 at 1:55 pm

Unfortunately not! When I wanted to go, about 3-4 years ago, a storm had destroyed the village resort I’d set my sight on, so I ended up not going. Then, one thing led to another, and I lost my chance. With Covid, of course, it’s next to impossible to go anywhere, so I have to bide my time and wait for better days ahead. Not being able to go hasn’t stopped my imagination from creating the setting I thought most likely based on my research and my knowledge of colonial times. Just proves first-hand knowledge isn’t always a prerequisite when writing fiction 🙂

@LallaGatta #LauraTolomei #LallaGatta #Historical

Janet December 30, 2020 at 11:43 am

Very intriguing bit here. Sounds like there are lots of complications ahead

Laura Tolomei December 30, 2020 at 2:08 pm

Yeah, Jan, you got that right. It’s not going to be smooth sailing all the way, but the rewards will be utterly satisfying if they can just manage to hold on.
@LallaGatta #LauraTolomei #LallaGatta #Historical

Dee Carver Owens December 30, 2020 at 2:35 pm

And I learned a little more about you! 🙂
“When I wanted to go, about 3-4 years ago, a storm had destroyed the village resort I’d set my sight on, so I ended up not going. ”

Today’s #MFRWhooks have been shared on #PMInc’s Facebook Excerpts & Promotions Page. https://www.facebook.com/Excerpts.and.Promotions

Dee

Laura Tolomei December 31, 2020 at 7:42 am

You’re always the best, Dee! Thank you for all your great work and support!
@LallaGatta #LauraTolomei #LallaGatta #Historical
1. Dee Carver December 31, 2020 at 11:24 am
  
  Hi Laura,
  It has and continues to be my pleasure working with you. 🙂
  Happy New Year!
  1. Laura Tolomei December 31, 2020 at 4:46 pm
    
    💙

Ed Hoornaert December 30, 2020 at 6:49 pm

Congratulations on the release. I how it does great for you.
As for Martinique, though . . . as a teenager, I read a vivid description of the volcanic eruption that destroyed a town on the island. As I recall one of the very few who survived was trapped in an underground jail cell, or something like that. Yikes. Sorry, I have zero desire to ever visit Martinique.

Laura Tolomei December 31, 2020 at 7:27 am

Yep, you’re right. That volcanic eruption took place in 1902 and wiped Saint Pierre, which was the capital back then. The only 2 survivors were a shoemaker and a convict who was sitting in jail. This was another pitfall I had to avoid when setting my story because I couldn’t see any good effects of this tragedy on a love triangle. As for wanting to visit Martinique, the fact that a volcano struck 119 years ago doesn’t affect me all that much. Maybe being Italian and living next to 3 of the largest and still active volcanoes of the world has something to do with it. Rome is only about 3 hours distance from Pompei, and that’s a tragedy everybody remembers despite having happened almost 2000 years ago. I’m so not afraid I went atop Stromvoli and Etna gust to get the feel what it was like. Imagine that! Thanks for sharing, Ed!
@LallaGatta #LauraTolomei #LallaGatta #Historical

Lisabet Sarai December 30, 2020 at 7:23 am

็Have you ever been to Martinique, Laura?
This sounds complicated but very satisfying!
1. Laura Tolomei December 30, 2020 at 1:55 pm
  
  Unfortunately not! When I wanted to go, about 3-4 years ago, a storm had destroyed the village resort I’d set my sight on, so I ended up not going. Then, one thing led to another, and I lost my chance. With Covid, of course, it’s next to impossible to go anywhere, so I have to bide my time and wait for better days ahead. Not being able to go hasn’t stopped my imagination from creating the setting I thought most likely based on my research and my knowledge of colonial times. Just proves first-hand knowledge isn’t always a prerequisite when writing fiction 🙂
  
  @LallaGatta #LauraTolomei #LallaGatta #Historical
Janet December 30, 2020 at 11:43 am

Very intriguing bit here. Sounds like there are lots of complications ahead
1. Laura Tolomei December 30, 2020 at 2:08 pm
  
  Yeah, Jan, you got that right. It’s not going to be smooth sailing all the way, but the rewards will be utterly satisfying if they can just manage to hold on.
  @LallaGatta #LauraTolomei #LallaGatta #Historical
Dee Carver Owens December 30, 2020 at 2:35 pm

And I learned a little more about you! 🙂
“When I wanted to go, about 3-4 years ago, a storm had destroyed the village resort I’d set my sight on, so I ended up not going. ”

Today’s #MFRWhooks have been shared on #PMInc’s Facebook Excerpts & Promotions Page. https://www.facebook.com/Excerpts.and.Promotions

Dee
1. Laura Tolomei December 31, 2020 at 7:42 am
  
  You’re always the best, Dee! Thank you for all your great work and support!
  @LallaGatta #LauraTolomei #LallaGatta #Historical
  1. Dee Carver December 31, 2020 at 11:24 am
    
    Hi Laura,
    It has and continues to be my pleasure working with you. 🙂
    Happy New Year!
    1. Laura Tolomei December 31, 2020 at 4:46 pm
      
      💙
Ed Hoornaert December 30, 2020 at 6:49 pm

Congratulations on the release. I how it does great for you.
As for Martinique, though . . . as a teenager, I read a vivid description of the volcanic eruption that destroyed a town on the island. As I recall one of the very few who survived was trapped in an underground jail cell, or something like that. Yikes. Sorry, I have zero desire to ever visit Martinique.
1. Laura Tolomei December 31, 2020 at 7:27 am
  
  Yep, you’re right. That volcanic eruption took place in 1902 and wiped Saint Pierre, which was the capital back then. The only 2 survivors were a shoemaker and a convict who was sitting in jail. This was another pitfall I had to avoid when setting my story because I couldn’t see any good effects of this tragedy on a love triangle. As for wanting to visit Martinique, the fact that a volcano struck 119 years ago doesn’t affect me all that much. Maybe being Italian and living next to 3 of the largest and still active volcanoes of the world has something to do with it. Rome is only about 3 hours distance from Pompei, and that’s a tragedy everybody remembers despite having happened almost 2000 years ago. I’m so not afraid I went atop Stromvoli and Etna gust to get the feel what it was like. Imagine that! Thanks for sharing, Ed!
  @LallaGatta #LauraTolomei #LallaGatta #Historical