JoAnn Smith Ainsworth

Epic eRevolution Welcomes Author JoAnn Smith Ainsworth: www.joannsmithainsworth.com

Bio:
When JoAnn carried wood as a pre-teen so her Great Aunt Martha could stoke up the iron stove to prepare dinner, she wasn't thinking, "I could use this in a novel someday." Yet, the skills she learned from her horse-and-buggy ancestors translate into backdrops for her historical romance and paranormal suspense novels.
Believing it's never too late to create your dream, she resurrected a life-long desire to write as she started retirement. She made her first sale to Samhain, published and is now proud to call herself a Samhain author.
When she's not writing, JoAnn is a volunteer for various community nonprofits—maintaining websites, writing press releases, and holding volunteer offices.


MATILDA'S SONG
At the time, pretending marriage to her middle-aged widower cousin seemed like the best way to escape a politically motivated betrothal to a brutal knight. Now, her journey toward a new life has landed her in hot water—she's been waylaid by a local Norman baron who's mistaken her for a real bride. And he demands First Night rights.

Hot water turns to steam in a scalding night of passion…passion she has never known. And now must live without.

Lord Geoffrey is entranced at first sight of the Anglo-Saxon beauty and finds that one night in her arms is not nearly enough. But all he can offer the low-born Matilda is a life in the shadows—as his mistress.

Her head warring with her heart, Matilda resigns herself to her duty in a masquerade of a marriage. It's a choice that could cost her life.

For the knight who first sought her hand is back with murder on his mind. Now it's Geoff who's faced with the ultimate choice: which is more precious…his estates or the love of the one woman who can heal his soul?
Link to excerpt: http://samhainpublishing.com/excerpt/matildas-song

Review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=29221

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This book follows MATILDA'S SONG in story timeline, although it sold first:

OUT OF THE DARK
As a blind woman seen as a flawed commodity, Lady Lynett is used to the idea that she's unlovable. But her parents' plan to force her into a loveless marriage is too much. Wandering, upset and lost in the cellars of the King's castle, the darkness doesn't frighten her, but the murder plot she overhears chills her to the bone. Worse, no one believes her, and the only one she can turn to is a Norman sheriff whose voice sounds disturbingly like one of the conspirators.

Basil, Sheriff of Ipswitch, is battle-hardened, fiercely loyal—and torn apart. He's falling in love with the Saxon beauty, and he longs to show her she is worthy of love despite her physical limitation.

But the very corruption she is helping him root out may implicate his own half brother. How can he turn his back on family—for an Anglo-Saxon woman?


Link to excerpt: http://samhainpublishing.com/excerpt/out-of-the-dark

Reviews: http://www.joannsmithainsworth.com/reviews.shtml