Whena tragedy reunites two friends, proximity brings them closer together than ever. The problem is, they live in Victorian London, making their love even more illicit. The Ruination of Ramona Stone is a highly rated sapphic romance with plenty of heat to light your fire. Check out an excerpt and let the author know your thoughts or ask any questions in the comments section. Follow the tour for even more! Best of luck entering the giveaway!
The Ruination of Ramona Stone
To Victorian London, they were childhood friends reunited by tragedy. Behind closed doors, they were each other’s undoing.Ramona Stone survived the bleak years at boarding school because of bright-eyed Juliet—her childhood anchor and her dearest confidante. While Juliet marries for love, Ramona accepts the husband her father has arranged, an ambitious barrister twice her age.
When an accident leaves Juliet a penniless widow, Ramona persuades her husband to grant her friend shelter. Proximity kindles unexpected passion; sympathy turns to illicit desire. What begins as solace quickly transforms into a force that neither woman can resist or deny.
Trapped with a domineering husband, living in a society eager for scandal, Ramona understands that every touch is a gamble and every glance a betrayal. If their secret comes to light, she won't just lose her place in society—she will lose the only love that she’s ever known.
Read an excerpt:
“Oh, Ro! I don’t feel strong now.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I don’t know how I will survive. I have exactly twelve pounds to my name, plus two suitcases of personal belongings. No roof over my head. No friends aside from you, or so it seems. The people in George’s circle were all eager to attend our social functions, but now they won’t even acknowledge my letters. My brother refuses to speak to me. I’ve offered to work for him, if he’ll take me in. I don’t want to be a burden. I could serve as housekeeper on his estate. Nothing will melt his heart of stone. Harry told me I was dead to him when I chose George. Apparently he meant it.”
She buried her face in her hands, whimpering and sniffling.
“Juliet. Juliet! Don’t cry. We’ll come up with a plan.” I pulled her into my arms and held her tight. She clung to me like a shipwrecked sailor trying to stay afloat. “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll take care of you.”
I stroked her wayward locks, escaping as they always did from the pins and ribbons that held them. She clutched me around the waist, desperate sobs shaking her body. I was at least inches taller than she was. Her tears soaked the satin of my bodice. I bent my mouth to her ear and murmured soft platitudes meant to soothe her pain.
It was terrible to see her suffer. Yet despite everything a strange sort of joy sang through me as I cradled her in my arms and comforted her. She would never be alone, I vowed, as long as I was alive. I would care for her like my own flesh and blood.
Gradually her sobbing quieted and her tears dried. Still, we held each other, sinking into the warmth of our mutual embrace. Our breathing synchronised. I could not feel her heartbeat through the layers of her widow’s dress, but I would not have been surprised to discover it beat in time with mine. An odd peace stole over me. I believe Juliet felt it too. Blossoming out of the heart of that peace, I had a sense of new possibilities.
Finally I loosed my hold upon her. She tipped her face up to mine, eyes shining and lips parted. A bolt of heat swept through me, so sudden and unexpected that I gasped.
“What is it, Ro? Are you unwell?”
“No, no... I’m fine.” I pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, trying to forget the awful desire that had arced through me only moments before. “And you are better too, are you not?”
“I believe so. I suppose I needed to release some of the pain. Thank you for allowing me to fall apart.” She stepped backward, smoothing her hands over her skirts. I felt a blush warming my cheeks.
“You can trust me with your sorrow. I’m your friend, your oldest and closest friend.” And that’s all I am, I reminded myself sternly. A friend.
“My only friend.” She reached for my hand. “But perhaps you’re all I really need.”
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Lisabet Sarai writes in many genres, but F/F fiction is one of her favorites. In addition to her single-author lesbian romance and erotica titles, her Sapphic credits include contributions to Lambda Award winner Where the Girls Are, Ippie-winning Carnal Machines, Best Lesbian Romance 2012, Best Lesbian Erotica 2015, Forbidden Fruit: Stories of Unwise Lesbian Desire, and Lammy-nominated Coming Together: Girl on Girl.
Lisabet holds more degrees than anyone would ever need, from prestigious educational institutions who would no doubt be deeply embarrassed by her explicit literary endeavors. She has traveled widely and currently lives in Southeast Asia, where she pursues an alternative career that is completely unrelated to her writing.
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Beyond Romance (blog): http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lisabet-Sarai/e/B001K8PADS
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LSarai
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83387.Lisabet_Sarai
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lisabet-sarai
Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/lisabetsarai
Bluesky: https://https//bsky.app/profile/lisabetsarai.bsky.social
Medium: https://medium.com/@lisabet_63394
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