Louise grew up in country Victoria, Australia, before moving to England, where for sixteen years she soaked up the vibrancy of London and the medieval history of England. She has since returned to Australia and now lives in Melbourne.
In 2013, Louise won first prize in the historical romance category of the Crested Butte Sandy Writing Contest for her story, The Promise, which has since been retitled and is now known as, Of Love & Vengeance.
When not writing, Louise can be found covered in mud, crawling under barbed wire and hoisting herself over twelve foot walls!
Of Love and Betrayal
Historical Romance
The Wild Rose Press
Aveline de Bondeville is on the run. Determined to keep out of the hands of the cruel Raimbaut de Blois she will do whatever it takes to stay alive. And so when she finds herself in the company of Troy de Gysborne she must quickly decide if she can trust him. But can she confess to murder knowing it would mean her certain death?
Troy de Gysborne did the unthinkable; he tore the bonds of brotherhood and left a path of destruction in his wake. And now Troy must face those he betrayed, including the father who long ago renounced him. But to confess to the crime he committed will cost him everything. Including Aveline. But can he remain silent if it means losing the woman he loves?
Buy link: Amazon.com
13 Short paragraphs from Of Love and Betrayal
1. The fine hairs on her arms stood on end. Her knees shook. Her belly tightened. And when a twig snapped from somewhere behind, she shoved a fist into her mouth to keep from crying out.
2. Conversation ceased as he entered the darkened, smoke-filled room. He ignored the curious looks as he stood in the center of the room with an unconscious woman in his arms. “Does this girl belong to anyone?”
3. Aveline’s eyes flickered open, and she quickly closed them again as the harsh bright firelight burned her eyes. There was a foul taste in her dry mouth, and her head ached. It felt as if someone had whacked the side of her skull with a rock.
4. The yells of men and the high-pitched squeal of a woman echoed through the inn. And when Aveline heard the loud, booming bellow, “Tear the place down!” she erupted into full body tremors. She fought down a primal scream and clutched her throat.
5. They stood toe to toe. Their breath, white on the frosty air, plumed around them like puffs of smoke. But Aveline would not back away. She would not let yet another man intimidate or control her.
6. The fine hairs at the nape of her neck stood on end as Troy’s beard rasped against the tender spot just beneath her ear. She leaned forward in the saddle in an attempt to put some distance between them. She did not like how she reacted to him.
7, Aveline rubbed the heel of her palm across her chest. Was she attempting to wipe away her guilt? For she was on the crag of betraying the very man who, despite knowing the risks, was prepared to help her when no one else would.
8. He did not take his eyes from her as she dipped a corner of the cloth into the water. His eyes narrowed and darkened as she came forward and stood between his legs. She faltered, unnerved by the way he looked at her.
9, The bond of brotherhood had long been broken and could not be mended. At least, not completely. Too much had happened. And what had happened could never be forgotten. Or forgiven.
10. Aveline’s hand shook as she placed it over her heart. She was suddenly breathless. Her limbs light. Was the fluttering in her belly that of happiness? When was the last time she’d allowed herself to feel such a thing? When was the last time she had reason to?
11. Troy took the rest of the stairs three at a time. Without ceremony he pushed open the door and Aveline shot to her feet. Father Alfonse stood in the center of the room, his Book clasped firmly against his chest. Aveline’s face was as red as the embers in the hearth.
12. His voice trailed off as she took his large hand in hers. She turned it over and used the pad of her finger to lightly trace the deep grooves of the palm of his hand. When his fingers entwined with hers, she looked up. A slight flush stained his freshly shaved cheeks. His eyes darkened and narrowed.
13. Without taking her eyes from him, Aveline eased herself from the bed and tiptoed across the room. He glanced over his shoulder, and her breath caught in the back of her throat. Her lips parted, her hands moistened. A mild pain spread across her heart.
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