BooksChatter: ☀ Trifling Favors: Redcakes [7]

Thank you for joining us on the Virtual Book Tour for Trifling Favors, a Victorian Historical Romance by Heather Hiestand (15-03-2015, Lyrical Press, 264 pages).

This is the seventh book in the Redcakes series.

PREVIEW: Check out the book's synopsis and exclusive excerpt below. Read the first two chapters with Amazon Look Inside

Author Heather Hiestand will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
Please do take part: comment on our post and follow the tour where you will be able to read other exclusive excerpts (☀), and reviews (✍).

Synopsis | Teaser | The Series | About the Author | Giveaway & Tour Stops

Synopsis

The sweetest treat is a kiss…

Greggory Redcake's plate is full. Widowed young and left with two small children, the manager of the Kensington location of the illustrious tea shop is besieged on all sides between the bakery and family matters. If only his remarkably efficient shop assistant, Betsy Popham, could manage his home life, too! But Greggory can't linger on thoughts of Betsy's fetching smile when a dead body is discovered in the bakery…

Betsy has no time for romance, not even with the delectable Mr. Redcake, whose kisses are all too unforgettable. Haunted by a specter from her family's past, Betsy is terrified that the man blackmailing her has turned to deadly violence. Yet the only way to save her position--and possibly her life--is to accept Greggory's help as their delicious attraction sweetens into the tantalizing promise of true love…

Teaser: Excerpt

.
     “I want to work with you! Learn from you. You have one of the best jobs in London, Betsy,” Violet exclaimed.
     I’ve had to be the best. I had to pay your bills all these years. “Work hard for some local family, learning all the virtues of employment such as patience, punctuality, pleasant attitude. Someday you might just find yourself in a cakie uniform.” Betsy patted Violet’s arm briskly. “I am so sorry about your mother.”
     “Do you want me to pass your condolences on to my brother?” Violet asked, blinking those absurdly long dark lashes. Did the girl coat them in soot to make them blacker?
     “Of course,” Betsy said, her smile even more forced. She’d prefer to forget Victor Carter existed. “Please do send a note when you have the funeral sorted. I’m sure my father will want to attend.”
     “I’ll come tell you in person,” Violet promised. “And talk to you about a position again. If I ask enough times, you may just give me a chance.”
     Betsy stared at the girl flashing her dimples. Unease swept over her. “Persistence can indeed be a virtue, but it can also be quite unpleasant. Use it sparingly.”
     “But—”
     Betsy inclined her head. “Come. Let’s take you into the bakery and fill up a nice big box with treats. One thing that will help you learn about working here is knowledge of the goods we carry. Someday, it might help you in an interview.”
     Twenty minutes later, Violet’s box of meringues, coconut buns, and Genoese fancies had bit into Betsy’s paycheck, but the girl had finally left, carrying two of the sparkling white Redcake’s boxes, tightly closed with gold ribbons. Betsy had probably just fed all of the funeral party, but it was worth it to persuade the girl to leave.

Trifling Favors
Available NOW!

The Series: Redcakes

[1] | [2] | [3] | [4] | [5] | [6] ||

Click on the book cover to Look Inside the book on Amazon and read an excerpt.

The Marquess of Cake [1]

Coffee. . .tea. . .or a pastry chef sweeter than any confection...

Scotch trifle fit for Queen Victoria, scones with clotted cream. . .Alys Redcake knows the way to a man's heart. Yet she is unaware that with each morsel--and flash of ankle--she is seducing the handsome marquess frequenting her father's tea shop. Unmarried at twenty-six, Alys's first love is the family business. But thoughts of the gentleman's touch are driving her to distraction. . .

With his weakness for sugar, the Marquess of Hatbrook can imagine no more desirable woman than one scented with cake and spice. Mistaking Alys for a mere waitress, he has no doubt she would make a most delicious mistress. And when he finds himself in need of an heir, he plans to make her his convenient bride. Yet as they satisfy their craving for one another, business and pleasure suddenly collide. Will Hatbrook's passion for sweets--and for Alys--be his heart's undoing?

[85,000 Words, Published 4 July 2013, 254 pages]

back to series | back to top

One Taste of Scandal [2]

A cup of sugar. . .a dash of cream. . ..and a craving for a cake decorator that won't be denied. . .

When Captain Judah Shield learns he is more bastard than noble born, he goes in search of his true lineage. Determined not to lean on his family's wealth, he accepts a job managing Redcake's Tea Shop. Despite the flurry of excitement a single soldier creates among the staff, Judah clearly has no time for a wife. Though what man doesn't have time for a delectable beauty like lovely Magdalene Cross?. . .

He has the bearing of an English gentleman and the fiery touch of a true rake. Which is precisely why Magdalene must avoid Judah if she hopes to escape her family's reputation for scandal. Surely no good can come from a man whose kiss leaves her hungry for more. Certainly not the kind of marriage that could restore her social status. Still, Magdalene cannot help imagining what an incredible wedding night it would be—and when fate steps in, she may not have to imagine after all. . .

"One Taste of Scandal is a delicious, multi-layered Victorian treat." --Gina Robinson, author of The Last Honest Seamstress and the Agent Ex series

[89,400 Words, Published 5 December 2013, 269 pages]

back to series | back to top

His Wicked Smile [3]

Some temptations are impossible to resist, even for a bakery heir. . .

Ann Haldene is the most beautiful woman Gawain Redcake has ever seen. A gifted healer who soothes his battle-scarred body like never before, the widow's touch has a powerful effect on him. It's no wonder the rugged Redcake heir forgets his quest for a society bride during one passionate night in Ann's arms. But once he learns she is pregnant with his child, he searches for her, intent on giving her his name, if not his heart. . ..

Ann is shocked by Gawain's proposal, mostly because he has not uttered a word of love. For the sake of their baby, she accepts, even knowing that Gawain dreamed of marrying to secure a title and all she has is a severed royal Indian bloodline. Now the new bride faces her greatest challenge: showing her husband that their union is more powerful than pedigree—and love is the ultimate reward. . ..

"A delightful, sexy glimpse into Victorian life and loving with two wonderfully non-traditional lovers." --Jessa Slade, author of Dark Prince's Desire and the Steel Born series

[89,300 Words, Published 1 May 2014, 276 pages]

back to series | back to top

The Kidnapped Bride [4]

Pursuing this elusive heiress will be the ultimate temptation. . . Lady Elizabeth Shield is used to saving herself from trouble. And even if dashing private inquiry agent Dougal Alexander just rescued her from white slavers, she's definitely not returning to her stifling aristocratic life and unsuitable suitors. Not when there are other women in danger—and a secret promise to keep in Edinburgh. But outwitting Dougal's tactics to return her to London and her family will be easier than staying away from his intoxicating kisses. . .

He's a baron's second son accustomed to making his own way and uncovering the truth. Now Dougal must keep Lady Elizabeth close for her own protection, but her spirited wiles are proving scandalously irresistible. His most difficult case yet will be showing her that he's everything she truly desires—and that love is the greatest of adventures. . .

"Before I realized it, the unusually strong and well-developed characters of The Kidnapped Bride had sneaked up on me and captured my full attention. This is one of the best shorter books I have ever read." --Delle Jacobs, author of Lady Wicked

[39,700 Words, Published 15 September 2014, 115 pages]

back to series | back to top

Christmas Delights [5]

The sweetest gift is the hardest to unwrap. . .

Lady Victoria Allen-Hill never dreamed she'd be a widow at twenty-one—let alone a virgin. Her father insists that she attend a matchmaking house party in the snow-covered seaside town of Pevensey in hopes she'll find a suitable husband. But for Victoria, it's an opportunity to indulge in a passionate affair—and the handsome inventor she meets at the Christmas Eve masquerade ball may be just the man for the job. . .

Lewis Noble is the cousin of London's famed Redcake sisters, so it almost stands to reason that he's just as irresistible as one of their sugar-iced pastries. Lewis catches the eye of every woman at the party—but Victoria is the only one who catches his. He won't be tied down in her father's business, but watching other men court her amid a flurry of engagements ignites a jealousy he's never felt before. A dose of honesty may be just the thing to mend their broken hearts—for many holidays to come. . .

[90,300 Words, Published 10 November 2014, 278 pages]

back to series | back to top

Wedding Matilda [6]

Sugared violets, buttercream…but he craves her kiss most of all…

Orphaned as a boy, Ewan Hales is proud to make his living as secretary to the manager at Redcake’s Tea Shop. But the startling news that he’s heir to the Earl of Fitzwalter changes everything. While tendering his resignation to lovely Matilda Redcake, however, Ewan is struck by her spirit, the luscious bow of her lips—and a realization. Matilda might not marry a working man—but will she wed a future nobleman?

Ewan’s unruly hair and roguish kisses are tempting, but Matilda has far too many problems to consider romance. With sabotage at a cake factory threatening the family empire, she must focus her considerable willpower on keeping Redcake’s from ruin—until she learns that her young son has been kidnapped. Together, she and Ewan must uncover the truth before they can savor the sweet freedom of love…

[Published 18 August 2015, 254 pages]

back to series | back to top

About the Author

Heather Hiestand was born in Illinois, but her family migrated west before she started school. Since then she has claimed Washington State as home, except for a few years in California.

She wrote her first story at age seven and went on to major in creative writing at the University of Washington. Her first published fiction was a mystery short story, but since then it has been all about the many flavors of romance. Heather’s first published romance short story was set in the Victorian period, and she continues to return, fascinated by the rapid changes of the nineteenth century.

The author of many novels, novellas, and short stories, she has achieved best-seller status at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

With her husband and son, she makes her home in a small town and supposedly works out of her tiny office, though she mostly writes in her easy chair in the living room.

For more information, visit Heather’s website. Heather loves to hear from readers! Her email is heather@heatherhiestand.com.

Follow Heather Hiestand: