When Rhianna McLeod's dying boss JT Lance sends her on a dream holiday to the Bahamas, she has no idea that her 'holiday' will include being stranded on a private island with Jonathan, an angry but handsome recluse. Or that she'll fall head over heels for the man
To live fully in the present, Rhianna must resolve her own murky past, unravel the secret that haunts JT and help Jonathan find his muse. Only then can Rhianna find the love she's been searching for, and finally become...Lancelot's Lady*.
Check out the exciting book trailer, then read an excerpt below. You can then follow the link to read more of Lancelot's Lady.
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Pacing in the expansive foyer of Lance Manor, Rhianna McLeod tried to calm her nerves as she waited for her life to change. One man’s decision would determine her fate. Would she have a new job and a place to call home? Or would she be sent packing?
A tall, thin man in a dark suit approached her.
“Are you Mr. Lance?” she asked, holding her breath.
The man smiled and shook his head. “I’m Higginson, Mr. Lance’s butler. He’s resting at the moment. Perhaps you can leave your name.”
Rhianna blinked back tears. She couldn’t be turned away. The trip to Florida had taken most of her savings and she didn’t have enough money to fly back to Maine. Besides, if it weren’t for Mr. Lance’s letter, she wouldn’t even be in this predicament.
“But Mr. Lance is expecting me. I’m Rhianna McLeod, the palliative nurse he contacted. In his letter he said I’d have the job if I came here.”
“Oh, I’m dreadfully sorry, miss, but Mr. Lance already has a nurse.” The butler shook his head. “You must have been mistaken.”
“But I don’t have anywhere else―”
Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the hallway. Something shattered, and she heard a muffled curse. Then a terrible wailing, like an injured animal, reverberated through the stately mansion.
The butler groaned. “Oh, no. Not again.”
He rushed off in the direction of the noise. Rhianna had no choice but to follow him. When they passed through a doorway, she saw an elderly man dressed only in a bathrobe. It gaped open in the front, threatening to reveal more than just a hairy chest. Beside him, a plump woman in white scrubs was trying her best to calm him down, even though she was dripping wet and very upset.
“Mr. Lance’s nurse,” the butler said.
As they approached the dueling pair, Rhianna tried to remember everything she could about her employer-to-be. In the past year, the tabloids had been filled with stories of billionaire JT Lance and his fight against an aggressive disease, a cancerous tumor that made him an unruly and difficult patient. From what she could see, the rumors were true. Once exuding strength, confidence and perhaps a touch of arrogance, JT now looked frail and helpless as he leaned against the wall for support.
“JT?” the butler called out.
The older man smiled. “Higginson, please get this woman a towel. She spilled my water.” Totally unaware of the broken glass, water and pill bottles on the floor, he staggered toward them.
“Sir!” the butler said with some force.
“I did not spill it,” the nurse snapped. Turning to the butler, she said, “Mr. Lance refuses to take his meds. Now he’s having a temper tantrum. Look! He threw a water pitcher at me.”
JT’s eyes flared. “That’s because you keep trying to poison me, you old bat!”
“I am not trying to poison you,” the nurse sputtered. “The medication will help―”
“How the hell do you know what will help me? You keep me so drugged that I don’t even know who I am when I look in the mirror.”
The old man turned to leave, then whipped around and gaped at Rhianna...
~*~
This romantic suspense, written under my romance pen name Cherish D'Angelo, is a Semi-Finalist in the Dorchester Next Best Celler contest, hosted by Textnovel.com.
Please note: the *cover is a mock cover created by me for inspiration only.
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Professional Reviews Emily Ross, aka Pauline Holyoak, author
"Another brilliantly crafted novel by Cheryl Tardif. This is a beautiful love story rippling with suspense and just the right amount of sensuality. Its great dialogue will sweep you along and its well stocked cast of colorful characters will draw you in and make you feel what they feel."
Kelly Komm, fantasy author
"I can't believe I'm so hooked on this story! I NEVER read this genre, but it's so wonderfully written-I can't help but LOVE this story!"
Susan McLeod, author
"Another winner, Cheryl!Your work is riveting.It holds on and won't let you go!Your descriptive powers are amazing.You summon up scenes like genies from bottles!"
