A Marquis To Marry by Amelia Grey

I’m absolutely in love with the hero of my latest novel, A Marquis To Marry. Don’t tell my husband! First let me show you Lord Raceworth through my heroine’s eyes when they first meet:

Susannah Brookefield, the Dowager Duchess of Blooming had met her match, and he was standing before her, his nose to hers, in all his handsomeness. He was no ordinary man. Everything about him spoke of power, privilege and wealth. The Marquis of Raceworth was just as she had imagined him, tall, self-confident, pleasing to look at, and terribly spoiled.

Not that she could really hold that against him. Titled men were used to getting their way. Her gaze slowly rose past his clean-shaven chin to lips that were so masculine and so very close to her own that her heartbeat fluttered. She held her breath for a moment before looking into the most intriguing brownish-green eyes she had ever seen.

Thick light-brown hair was cropped short over his ears but fell longer at his nape. His sky-blue waistcoat with its gold-colored buttons fit seamlessly over a flat stomach and enhanced his slim hips. And even with his fancy-tied neckcloth and impeccably tailored, fine wool coat stretched perfectly over his broad shoulders and chest, he somehow managed to look casually sophisticated.

I think it’s extremely important to show why the heroine is attracted to the hero rather than just telling the reader she is attracted to him.

There’s another thing about Race that makes him exceptionally sexy. He tempts, thrills, and woos Susannah throughout the book with short hand written notes. Here’s an example:

Susannah stepped away from her companion and willed her fingers not to tremble with expectancy as she carefully unfolded the note. It read:
I want to see you,
Race
That’s all? He was incredibly presumptuous and brazen to address her so informally, and for some reason she couldn’t fathom, it thrilled her.
“I want to see you.” Not when, not how, not where, not what for? But he wanted to see her. For some silly reason, her hopes soared.

But there is more than description of Race’s good looks and the charming notes that make this hero so sexy. During one scene in the book with Susannah, Race jumps to wrong conclusion, as most of us have been known to do at one time or another. He admits this almost immediately begins to make amends. I think it makes a man strong and especially sexy to admit it when he’s wrong.

Read this example of the way Race decides to woo Susannah and get back into her good graces.

The door was bolted from the inside, and it wasn’t going to budge.

For a moment, Race just stood there and stared at the door. He had been so sure she would unlock the door for him that it momentarily stunned him that she hadn’t.

Trying to gather his tattered wits and bruised ego, Race blew out a disappointed breath. Perhaps he had destroyed any soft feelings she had for him when he accused her of stealing the pearls. She had been furious with him, but at the time, he’d been too blinded to see the truth. He had misjudged her, barged into her house like a wild boar, and worse, he hadn’t really apologized to her for either of those things, yet. A note scribbled on a piece of foolscap didn’t constitute an apology. No wonder she kept the door bolted against him.

He raked a palm through his hair once again. All that mattered to him was that Susannah be his. But had he realized that too late? Had he lost her forever because of a foolish mistake?

Race took in a deep breath and squared his shoulders. He could win her back. He was certain about that. Obviously not tonight. Maybe not tomorrow, but he would woo her back to him. If he had to, he would move heaven and earth to do it.

And lastly one of the things that I think makes Race so sexy is his love and respect for an older gentleman in the book. Sir Randolph Gibson has gotten himself into big trouble and Race works double time to help him out. To me there’s something immensely appealing about a man who goes out of his way to defend his friends.

This time it was clear Prattle pointed to Gibby, and not to Race.

Gibby?

Race felt like a fist slammed into this stomach, and he jerked toward his elderly friend. It was one thing for the man to accuse Race of a vile act—he could easily defend himself—but accusing Gibby was a whole different matter. Race wouldn’t let Prattle get away with that. Everyone in London knew Gibby was a man of impeccable honor.

© All excerpts: Amelia Grey, Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2009

Now that I’ve given you four examples of why my hero of A Marquis to Marry is sexiest man in Regency London, why don’t you tell me what you think makes a man a sexy hero, and name a few of your favorite rogues! I’ll check in to talk about the Regency men we can’t forget!

A Marquis to Marry, Book Two in the Rogues’ Dynasty Trilogy, In Stores October 2009
Alexander Mitchell Raceworth, the dashing fourth Marquis of Raceworth, is shocked when the alluring young Duchess of Brookfield accuses him of stealing priceless pearls belonging to her family. Susannah Brookfield is the most beautiful, enchanting woman he has ever met, but despite his attraction, he's not about to hand over the pearls.

Though suspicion and mistrust drive them apart when the pearls are stolen, Race suggests they pool their resources to recover them. If they do find them, will they finally be able to give in to love, or will the truth of the elusive necklace tear them apart once and for all?

About the Author
Amelia Grey’s awards include the Booksellers Best and the Aspen Gold, and as Gloria Dale Skinner, the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the prestigious Maggie Award. Her books have been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. Happily married for twenty-five years, she lives in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Sourcebooks is giving away to 2 winners a set of Amelia’s Books so far: A Duke to Die For and A Marquis to Marry, US and Canada only! Answer Amelia's question and leave your email addy to be entered in the giveaway. Winners will be chosen at the end of the week so make sure and come to see who won.