Give in to Me
By Leigh Talbert Moore
One of the central themes in my new book Rouge (link) is the main character Hale’s attempts to protect Teeny, the orphan girl she rescued from the streets.
Hale has been working very hard to get Freddie, a rich Parisian, to propose and take her and Teeny with him to Paris.
When Beau is hired at the theater, her plans are thrown into a tailspin because she’s very attracted to him and she can’t seem to stop ending up in his arms.
About midway through the book, Hale discovers Teeny has been promised to a scary older man as part of the theater’s secret prostitution trade. Suddenly Hale’s plans with Freddie are thrown into hyperdrive.
Problem: Hale still loves Beau. He wants to help her, but after she has an encounter with the evil man who wants Teeny, Hale realizes their only choice is to leave.
Her telling Beau is the excerpt I’m sharing here:
It tore at my heart to let Beau go, but I steeled myself, knowing the promise I’d made. “We can’t be together. I have to stick to my plans with Freddie.”
Confusion lined his brow, and I could see all the arguments forming behind his eyes. “Why are you saying this now? What happened last night?”
“It doesn’t matter. I made a promise, and I have to keep it.”
“No, you don’t. Not if it means marrying a man you don’t love.”
I nodded, swallowing the painful knot in my throat. “You’d be right if this was just about me, but it’s never been that way. I have other people to consider. I’m not the only one at stake here.”
He caught my arms, gripping me hard at the elbows as I tried to move back. He looked directly into my eyes. “What’s this really about? Turning tricks like Evie?”
“It’s more than that. It’s something I can’t change, and neither can you.”
“Tell me what it is, and I’ll make that decision.”
I glanced up at his blue eyes, and I thought of the irises he used to give me. I thought of that week we’d spent together, holding hands, dreaming of the future, and the pain surged back more fiercely than before.
“I know you’d do what you could to help me,” I said, tears clouding my vision. “I know you would, but if I don’t keep my promise...” I shook my head. “There’s nothing we can do this time.”
Thanks for having me here today! I hope you enjoy Rouge~
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ROUGE
Trapped in the underground theater world of 1890s New Orleans, Hale Ferrer has only one goal: escape. But not without Teeny, the orphan-girl she rescued from the streets and promised to protect.
Freddie Lovel, Hale's wealthy Parisian suitor, seems to be the easy solution. If only his touch could arouse her interest like Beau's, the penniless stagehand who captures her heart.
Denying her fears, Hale is poised to choose love until an evil lurking in their cabaret-home launches a chain of events that could cost her everything.
Mature YA/light historical/theater romance
Get it at Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Smashwords
About the Author
Leigh Talbert Moore is a wife and mom by day, a writer by day, a reader by day, a freelance editor when time permits, a chocoholic, a caffeine addict, a lover of YA and new adult romance (really any great love story), a beach bum, and occasionally she sleeps.
Leigh loves hearing from readers! Stop by and say hello:
1 comment:
Thanks for having me here today, Gabrielle! Hope you enjoy reading Rouge~ :o) <3
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