ROMANCES BY MONICA KNIGHTLEY
THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION
The enigmatic, ethereally handsome, aristocratic Gabriel Augustine, professor of Nineteenth Century English Literature at St. Giles College in Oxford, England, is a man with many secrets. And it is not his vampiric nature that is his most deeply held secret. Though few know he is vampire, not human, none know the horror that has haunted him throughout his long existence. He has spent centuries attempting to atone for his greatest sin.
Claire Seymour needs to forget her past. She is ready to embark on any journey that will move her away from the pain that has been her constant companion since discovering her fiancé with her best friend. Four weeks at the University of Oxford, in a class on her favorite author, Jane Austen, seems like a good place to start.
Neither is prepared for the other. Published by Soul Mate Publishing
BUY NOW FROM AMAZON OR IF YOU ARE IN THE UK, HERE
The enigmatic, ethereally handsome, aristocratic Gabriel Augustine, professor of Nineteenth Century English Literature at St. Giles College in Oxford, England, is a man with many secrets. And it is not his vampiric nature that is his most deeply held secret. Though few know he is vampire, not human, none know the horror that has haunted him throughout his long existence. He has spent centuries attempting to atone for his greatest sin.
Claire Seymour needs to forget her past. She is ready to embark on any journey that will move her away from the pain that has been her constant companion since discovering her fiancé with her best friend. Four weeks at the University of Oxford, in a class on her favorite author, Jane Austen, seems like a good place to start.
Neither is prepared for the other. Published by Soul Mate Publishing
BUY NOW FROM AMAZON OR IF YOU ARE IN THE UK, HERE
MISS AUSTEN’S VAMPIRE
The romantic prequel to THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION. Discover more about the enigmatic Gabriel Augustine’s earliest days as a vampire, when, despite struggling with new, untamed appetites, he finds himself falling in love for the first time—a forbidden love he cannot resist.
When Jane Austen meets the handsome, intriguing Gabriel Augustine, she finds herself falling in love with this magnificent man even she could not have invented. Gabriel is entranced by the clever, celebrated author, but harbors a secret—one that could end the love affair just as it is beginning. As a newly turned vampire Gabriel finds himself struggling with new untamed appetites—appetites he knows could kill Jane, the only woman he has ever loved.
This standalone prequel to THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION gives Jane Austen a romantic, passionate last two years of her life—passion that real life never gave her.
BUY NOW FROM AMAZON OR IF YOU ARE IN THE UK, HERE Published by Soul Mate Publishing
The romantic prequel to THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION. Discover more about the enigmatic Gabriel Augustine’s earliest days as a vampire, when, despite struggling with new, untamed appetites, he finds himself falling in love for the first time—a forbidden love he cannot resist.
When Jane Austen meets the handsome, intriguing Gabriel Augustine, she finds herself falling in love with this magnificent man even she could not have invented. Gabriel is entranced by the clever, celebrated author, but harbors a secret—one that could end the love affair just as it is beginning. As a newly turned vampire Gabriel finds himself struggling with new untamed appetites—appetites he knows could kill Jane, the only woman he has ever loved.
This standalone prequel to THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION gives Jane Austen a romantic, passionate last two years of her life—passion that real life never gave her.
BUY NOW FROM AMAZON OR IF YOU ARE IN THE UK, HERE Published by Soul Mate Publishing
I have included two short excerpts from my newest release, Miss Austen's Vampire. I hope you enjoy them--I know I had a great deal of fun writing them!
This first excerpt occurs at a dinner party held by the sister of the newly-turned vampire, Gabriel Augustine. Gabriel has just made the acquaintance of an attractive young woman whom he had been admiring from across the room. A plainer, more mousy female guest has not caught his eye. Yet.
Gabriel bowed to the woman who in turn bobbed a quick curtsy.
“Mr. Augustine of Herrifield Court, brother of Her Ladyship, our hostess?” Miss Goodhaven asked, in a voice as lovely as her countenance.
“Yes, though not to be confused with my younger brother, Francis.”
“I met your brother earlier, and do not see how one could mistake one brother for the other.” She took a sip of her champagne without taking her eyes off Gabriel.
Mr. Jones quietly slipped off to join another small group. Left alone with Gabriel, Miss Goodhaven whispered, “I was beginning to despair of ever getting to meet the most attractive man in the county.” Her face flushed as she spoke.
Gabriel smiled at her. She was just as lovely up close and his mind went places he knew it shouldn’t. Perhaps if he took her outside to show her the gardens he could . . . But no, of course that was not possible.
As he mentally shook himself, the plain woman stepped up and joined the two of them. She was taller than was common, slender, and had dull, mousy-brown hair that was having a hard time staying in its place. But he noticed her eyes were a bright hazel and looked as if they hid a spirited person behind them. Her lips turned up in a half-smile before she boldly introduced herself.
“I find the custom of waiting to be introduced quite tiresome, so please allow me to introduce myself. I am Miss Jane Austen, and you I believe are Lady Dartfourd’s brother.”
Though briefly taken aback by her forwardness, Gabriel smiled broadly at the woman. Yes, there was some fire behind those eyes. And upon closer inspection, she wasn’t entirely unattractive. There was a certain softness about her eyes and mouth that was appealing.
Miss Jane Austen. He knew of that name. Certainly from the Hampshire area. There was a reason he was familiar with the name, though he couldn’t immediately identify it.
“Yes, I am Her Ladyship’s brother, Mr. Gabriel Augustine. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Austen.”
Miss Austen! Of course. He had heard rumor—indeed, from his sister—that she had written the surprisingly amusing book that so many were talking about, and that he himself had thoroughly enjoyed. Written under the simple pseudonym, A Lady, few knew who the true writer was, though he suspected that number was growing. How his sister had learned of her identity, he did not know. In truth, he admired the writing in the book so much he had read it a second time, something he rarely ever did. The well-drawn characters, the truthful portrayal of country people, and the humor above all had enchanted him. And here the authoress herself stood before him.
Suddenly he was tongue-tied, in awe of this woman who could write so deftly. Indeed, her writing was admired throughout England. It was even rumored that the Prince Regent was an admirer.
“Oh my, Miss Austen, you must forgive me, I . . . I did not at first realize to whom I was speaking. You are, are you not, the true authoress of the book written under the pen name A Lady?”
She cast her eyes down, examining the bubbles rising to the surface of her champagne, and a blush began to rise on her cheeks.
“I am afraid you have me out, Mr. Augustine.” She raised her eyes to Gabriel’s. “I am indeed the authoress. It is quite remarkable how one’s true identity becomes known, however much one tries to hide it behind a pseudonym. When in social circumstances, I prefer simply to be Miss Austen of Hampshire, the late-vicar’s daughter. No more, no less.”
“Forgive me, I understand. So I will refrain from taking this opportunity to tell you how greatly I admired Pride and Prejudice, that I read it twice, and am now considering reading it a third time, that your portrayals of the Bennets and their friends and neighbors was highly amusing, and that you are an exceptionally talented lady. No, I will refrain from such talk.” Gabriel smiled and winked at Miss Austen.
The second excerpt occurs the day following the dinner party. As a weekend guest of Lady Daurtford, Jane Austen is taking a walk about the extensive grounds, when she runs into Gabriel Augustine. He joins her on her walk and they chat and get to know one another, while each feels a growing attraction to the other. This feeling is new for Jane, and a concern for Gabriel as he knows all too well that it could prove dangerous to the lovely Miss Austen.
…Jane and Gabriel came to the opposite side of the lake. Jane assumed they would now make their way to the house and go indoors, but instead he led her on, into a small stand of trees that grew just feet from the lake. Once inside the copse, she could see that they were sheltered from the house. Realizing she was now very much alone with Mr. Augustine, Jane could feel the familiar warmth of a blush creeping up her chest, to her neck, and finally onto her face. Were he a much more average man, in appearance as well as character and temperament, she was certain she would not now be feeling the fluttering of her heart, and the telltale warmth on her cheeks.
But Mr. Augustine was no average man.
She had been gazing at the lake as she was assessing her feelings and the situation, and could now feel his eyes on her. Keeping her chin down and head very still, she ventured to peek up at him out of the corner of her eye. When her eyes met his she quickly looked glanced away, but after a thorough admonishment of herself and her silliness she dared to look into them again. Dark, so dark she could hardly see a pupil within them, and lazily half open, his eyes appeared drunken, though she knew he had not had a drop to drink. They were now standing mere inches apart, so the only distance from his face to hers was the difference in their heights. Jane couldn’t stop staring into the liquid eyes. It was as if she had been taken prisoner by those eyes, and could only do as they commanded. Another new feeling, experience. Though nervous beyond anything she had ever known, she was also strangely comfortable. Her pounding heart may have been sending a different message however.
Jane knew what was going to happen. She knew what had to happen. And she knew she wanted it to happen. Waiting for the inevitable, she kept very still, only her eyes moving—from the seducing eyes, to the lips, soft and curved.
She felt his breath, and as it caressed her face she breathed deeply. Her breath was coming faster, and she began to feel a bit lightheaded, but willed herself to overcome it, to remain in this moment. She watched his mouth as his lips parted, and his tongue briefly touched his upper lip before retreating again. Glancing up at his eyes, she saw that they were closed, or very nearly so.
His head moved closer to hers, and his lips found her lips. Tentative, gentle, the touch was as soft as a whisper.
He pulled back for one heartbeat, and then his lips were pressing urgently against hers.
This first excerpt occurs at a dinner party held by the sister of the newly-turned vampire, Gabriel Augustine. Gabriel has just made the acquaintance of an attractive young woman whom he had been admiring from across the room. A plainer, more mousy female guest has not caught his eye. Yet.
Gabriel bowed to the woman who in turn bobbed a quick curtsy.
“Mr. Augustine of Herrifield Court, brother of Her Ladyship, our hostess?” Miss Goodhaven asked, in a voice as lovely as her countenance.
“Yes, though not to be confused with my younger brother, Francis.”
“I met your brother earlier, and do not see how one could mistake one brother for the other.” She took a sip of her champagne without taking her eyes off Gabriel.
Mr. Jones quietly slipped off to join another small group. Left alone with Gabriel, Miss Goodhaven whispered, “I was beginning to despair of ever getting to meet the most attractive man in the county.” Her face flushed as she spoke.
Gabriel smiled at her. She was just as lovely up close and his mind went places he knew it shouldn’t. Perhaps if he took her outside to show her the gardens he could . . . But no, of course that was not possible.
As he mentally shook himself, the plain woman stepped up and joined the two of them. She was taller than was common, slender, and had dull, mousy-brown hair that was having a hard time staying in its place. But he noticed her eyes were a bright hazel and looked as if they hid a spirited person behind them. Her lips turned up in a half-smile before she boldly introduced herself.
“I find the custom of waiting to be introduced quite tiresome, so please allow me to introduce myself. I am Miss Jane Austen, and you I believe are Lady Dartfourd’s brother.”
Though briefly taken aback by her forwardness, Gabriel smiled broadly at the woman. Yes, there was some fire behind those eyes. And upon closer inspection, she wasn’t entirely unattractive. There was a certain softness about her eyes and mouth that was appealing.
Miss Jane Austen. He knew of that name. Certainly from the Hampshire area. There was a reason he was familiar with the name, though he couldn’t immediately identify it.
“Yes, I am Her Ladyship’s brother, Mr. Gabriel Augustine. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Austen.”
Miss Austen! Of course. He had heard rumor—indeed, from his sister—that she had written the surprisingly amusing book that so many were talking about, and that he himself had thoroughly enjoyed. Written under the simple pseudonym, A Lady, few knew who the true writer was, though he suspected that number was growing. How his sister had learned of her identity, he did not know. In truth, he admired the writing in the book so much he had read it a second time, something he rarely ever did. The well-drawn characters, the truthful portrayal of country people, and the humor above all had enchanted him. And here the authoress herself stood before him.
Suddenly he was tongue-tied, in awe of this woman who could write so deftly. Indeed, her writing was admired throughout England. It was even rumored that the Prince Regent was an admirer.
“Oh my, Miss Austen, you must forgive me, I . . . I did not at first realize to whom I was speaking. You are, are you not, the true authoress of the book written under the pen name A Lady?”
She cast her eyes down, examining the bubbles rising to the surface of her champagne, and a blush began to rise on her cheeks.
“I am afraid you have me out, Mr. Augustine.” She raised her eyes to Gabriel’s. “I am indeed the authoress. It is quite remarkable how one’s true identity becomes known, however much one tries to hide it behind a pseudonym. When in social circumstances, I prefer simply to be Miss Austen of Hampshire, the late-vicar’s daughter. No more, no less.”
“Forgive me, I understand. So I will refrain from taking this opportunity to tell you how greatly I admired Pride and Prejudice, that I read it twice, and am now considering reading it a third time, that your portrayals of the Bennets and their friends and neighbors was highly amusing, and that you are an exceptionally talented lady. No, I will refrain from such talk.” Gabriel smiled and winked at Miss Austen.
The second excerpt occurs the day following the dinner party. As a weekend guest of Lady Daurtford, Jane Austen is taking a walk about the extensive grounds, when she runs into Gabriel Augustine. He joins her on her walk and they chat and get to know one another, while each feels a growing attraction to the other. This feeling is new for Jane, and a concern for Gabriel as he knows all too well that it could prove dangerous to the lovely Miss Austen.
…Jane and Gabriel came to the opposite side of the lake. Jane assumed they would now make their way to the house and go indoors, but instead he led her on, into a small stand of trees that grew just feet from the lake. Once inside the copse, she could see that they were sheltered from the house. Realizing she was now very much alone with Mr. Augustine, Jane could feel the familiar warmth of a blush creeping up her chest, to her neck, and finally onto her face. Were he a much more average man, in appearance as well as character and temperament, she was certain she would not now be feeling the fluttering of her heart, and the telltale warmth on her cheeks.
But Mr. Augustine was no average man.
She had been gazing at the lake as she was assessing her feelings and the situation, and could now feel his eyes on her. Keeping her chin down and head very still, she ventured to peek up at him out of the corner of her eye. When her eyes met his she quickly looked glanced away, but after a thorough admonishment of herself and her silliness she dared to look into them again. Dark, so dark she could hardly see a pupil within them, and lazily half open, his eyes appeared drunken, though she knew he had not had a drop to drink. They were now standing mere inches apart, so the only distance from his face to hers was the difference in their heights. Jane couldn’t stop staring into the liquid eyes. It was as if she had been taken prisoner by those eyes, and could only do as they commanded. Another new feeling, experience. Though nervous beyond anything she had ever known, she was also strangely comfortable. Her pounding heart may have been sending a different message however.
Jane knew what was going to happen. She knew what had to happen. And she knew she wanted it to happen. Waiting for the inevitable, she kept very still, only her eyes moving—from the seducing eyes, to the lips, soft and curved.
She felt his breath, and as it caressed her face she breathed deeply. Her breath was coming faster, and she began to feel a bit lightheaded, but willed herself to overcome it, to remain in this moment. She watched his mouth as his lips parted, and his tongue briefly touched his upper lip before retreating again. Glancing up at his eyes, she saw that they were closed, or very nearly so.
His head moved closer to hers, and his lips found her lips. Tentative, gentle, the touch was as soft as a whisper.
He pulled back for one heartbeat, and then his lips were pressing urgently against hers.
