Romance Novel Giveaways - Freebies and Giveaways of All Things Romance Romance Novel Giveaways: The Mistress of Pennington's by Rachel Brimble 💕 Behind the Scenes, Book Tour & Gift Card Giveaway 💕 (Historical Romance)

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

The Mistress of Pennington's by Rachel Brimble 💕 Behind the Scenes, Book Tour & Gift Card Giveaway 💕 (Historical Romance)



Elizabeth Pennington should be the rightful heir of Bath's premier department store through her enterprising schemes and dogged hard work. Her father, Edward Pennington, believes his daughter lacks the business acumen to run his empire and is resolute a man will succeed him.

Determined to break from her father's iron-clad hold and prove she is worthy of inheriting the store, Elizabeth forms an unlikely alliance with ambitious and charismatic master glove-maker Joseph Carter. United they forge forward to bring Pennington's into a new decade, embracing woman's equality and progression whilst trying not to mix business and pleasure.

Can this dream team thwart Edward Pennington's plans for the store? Or will Edward prove himself an unshakeable force who will ultimately ruin both Elizabeth and Joseph?


When I was asked to write a ‘Behind The Scenes’ post for Romance Novel Giveaways, I was overwhelmed with which scene to choose! I enjoyed writing this book so much that each scene has come to be important to me and, of course, my characters.

From the beginning, I knew The Mistress of Pennington’s would be the first in an ongoing series and when Aria Fiction offered me a four-book deal based on the first book, I was thrilled that a publisher believed a ‘female empowerment’ theme could easily run to four books.

So, which of the many scenes that make up The Mistress of Pennington’s have a story behind them? There are so many, but I decided to go with this one. Enjoy!

Elizabeth continued her sure-footed journey to her father’s closed office door. Tonight, he would listen to her. Tonight, he would not provoke her self-doubt. She was worth more than her singular role as head of the ladies’ department. She wanted to shake up the men’s department, too and inject a renewed energy into the toy department. To her mind, both current department heads had become stuck in their ways, in much the same vein as her father. If Pennington’s had any chance of remaining the consumers’ number one choice of where to shop, the store had to move with the times and the demands of the people,
Inhaling a strengthening breath, she lifted her hand and knocked on the door.
‘Come.’
Gripping the handle, Elizabeth entered the monster’s lair.
Her father sat behind his huge walnut desk, his silver-haired head bowed over some papers, his usual early evening whisky within hand’s reach.
Elizabeth crossed the plush sapphire-blue carpet and sat in one of the two chairs in front of his desk. ‘Good evening, Papa.’
He raised his steely gaze to hers. ‘Elizabeth. Did we not agree to meet at six thirty? I’m still finishing off a few things.’
‘We did, but I was hoping…’ She briefly closed her eyes and straightened her spine. ‘I want to speak to you about some new id—’
‘Not again.’ Her father slapped his pen to his desk and glared. ‘My decision still stands. You made the trip to London and Selfridges against my wishes. Now you return with a plethora of new-fangled ideas. I will not stand for you—’
‘Using my imagination?’ Elizabeth glared, frustration sparking her rare interruption. ‘Wanting to make more of myself than just being your daughter?’
He leaned back, the anger in his eyes cooling to malice. ‘You are my daughter, Elizabeth. Lord knows, I wish you were my son, but there we have it. I have a daughter. A single daughter.’
‘As you so often like to remind me.’ Elizabeth ignored the tell-tale increase of her pulse. She would not falter. ‘I want to push forward in the world. Prove to you and myself that I wasn’t destined to spend my days overseeing the ladies’ department while waiting for a rich gentleman to whisk me off my feet. I want—’
‘More than I’m prepared to give you.’
‘America is leading the way in retail and department stores. Their success is well ahead of Britain. We’d be foolish to stand by and allow that to continue without challenge.’
He huffed a laugh. ‘And what would you know of America? You barely move from the house to the store. You refuse invitations to balls and soirees. You turn your back on potential suitors as though each of them is beneath you.’
‘I do no such thing.’
‘No?’ He arched an eyebrow and put his forearms on the desk. ‘Then when did you last attend any kind of social event? What is it you are so afraid of, my dear? Do you think a man might advance on you? Make you think about more than how you wish you could bury your father and take everything he’s built. Is that it?’
Heat rose in Elizabeth’s cheeks as her father’s glare bore into her soul, making her tremble. Damn him and how inferior he could make her feel with a single look. Damn him for how he continually made her aware of her female status.

This is part of the opening scene of The Mistress of Pennington’s and it was the first scene that came to me fully formed and ready to be written. Now only does it encompass Elizabeth’s frustration, but shows a lot about her character and the character of her father, Edward Pennington. Edward is an integral part of the entire story and his life and development are equally as important as those of his daughter and the hero, Joseph Carter.

The scene kick starts Elizabeth’s determination and desire to make changes at the store and push herself forward as the rightful heiress of Bath’s premier department store. Little does she know, that her answer to making her desires possible come with the arrival of another man in her life…a man like no other.

I hope you enjoyed the scene and it’s tempted you to buy the book! Happy reading ☺

Rachel x



He moved to walk away, and she reached for his arm before she could think just how dangerous such contact could be. He halted, and even when he looked at her fingers clutched on his forearm, she did not remove them. It suddenly felt important she touch him; that he understood she had care for what he said or asked her.

Even though the physical contact set her heart racing, she held her grasp. ‘Why do you ask me about your family?’

He closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest.

Disquiet whispered through her. What had caused such uncharacteristic hesitation in him?

‘Joseph…’ She slid her hand from his arm, ignoring the pang of loss that the break of contact brought. ‘If there’s something bothering you, please, share it with me.’

He slowly raised his head, his blue eyes full of irritation once more. ‘I will, but not here. Not on the street. I’d prefer to come to your office tomorrow.’

How was she supposed to wait until tomorrow? Her curiosity was rife. It was clear something had changed between them. Something, it seemed, of which she was the cause.

She nodded. ‘I’ll send a message to you first thing in the morning.’

‘Thank you. Until then, I bid you good day.’

He walked away, leaving Elizabeth with questions and words flailing on her tongue. She stared after him, fearful of the pull deep in her chest that Joseph’s concerns had somehow become hers. No good could come of such caring. Her only goal should be proving her worth and capability in Pennington’s and beyond. She could not allow one man, any man, to have such an effect on her.

She inhaled a long breath and walked towards Pennington’s doors.


    




Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. Since 2007, she has had several novels published by small US presses, eight books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical.

In January 2018, she signed a four-book deal with Aria Fiction for a brand new Edwardian series set in Bath’s finest department store. The first book, The Mistress of Pennington’s, will release in July 2018.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!


     


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14 comments :

  1. I appreciate getting to read about another great book since I have so many big readers in my family. Thank you and also I appreciate the giveaway and opportunity to win.

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  2. thanks for the giveaway!

    mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net

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  3. I enjoyed getting to know your book and thanks for the chance to win :)

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  4. This sounds awesome, thanks for sharing :)

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  5. Beautiful girl, love the hair, on the cover.

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  6. The Mistress of Pennington's sounds lie a good read. Thank you

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  7. Looks like a good read. I look forward to reading this.

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  8. Great excerpt!! Shared on all my socials!!

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  9. Great excerpt. Thanks for hosting.

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  10. Love the cover! sould like a great read.hope your book does well.

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