A Heartwarming Historical Romance: Read an Extract from A Change of Pace by J.A. Stevens

A Heartwarming Historical Romance: Read an Extract from A Change of Pace by J.A. Stevens

1.

WITH TEARS OF laughter cascading down her cheeks, Miss Georgina Pace ran down the cobbled street, grateful that she had pulled her breeches on before climbing out of the first-floor window of her lover’s town house. She clutched her other garments to her naked breasts, concealing them from the curious eyes of the late-night London revellers.

What a disappointing end to an otherwise delightful evening. She lamented having to leave the soft warmth of the lady’s embrace, yet the inopportune arrival of a husband had made her presence rather awkward.

Panting for breath, Georgina slowed down as a rather prim lady—­ a large black plume curling from her elaborate coiffure—came around the corner. From her raiment, the lady may have just stepped out of Almack’s, one of London’s finest theaters. She gasped in astonishment, and on impulse, Georgina exposed one rounded nipple at her and winked.

The lady shrieked and hurried away, leaving Georgina chuckling. Her sides hurt from laughing at the absurdity of her own behaviour. She had only been back in London for a few short hours, and already she courted a scandal. Her friends would think it most typical of her to be making mischief already; Sarah would lament her want of conduct, while Coulthurst would likely encourage her efforts, spurring her on to greater nonsense.

Georgina slipped into the shadows of a dark alley and shrugged into her shirt. She had scrunched her coat and shoved her cravat into one of her boots; now she unwrapped her makeshift bundle and dressed herself.

She tied her cravat loosely, wishing she had a mirror to make it more respectable. Never mind. Her next destination would not be fastidious about her attire. For now, she needed to track down her groom, Buckby, and have a word with him about his failure to keep watch for returning husbands and wives. This kind of mad dash from peril would not do at all. A proper dressing-down…

Continue reading the extract here.

Buy a copy of A Change of Pace here.

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    Publisher details

    A Change of Pace
    Author
    J.A. Stevens
    Publisher
    Echo Publishing
    Genre
    Fiction
    Released
    31 March, 2026
    ISBN
    9781786588104

    Synopsis

    Strikingly beautiful, ferociously strongminded and famously rakish, London socialite Miss Georgina 'George' Pace has seduced many beautiful women in her time. Her days are not quiet: when she isn't running half-naked through the streets of London, she's attending masques and balls, or seeking pleasure – and occasionally oblivion – in decadent dens of iniquity.

    But while she is cavalier in her attitude to romance, Georgina is deeply protective of her friends and family. When she learns that her dear acquaintance, the innocent and vulnerable Mr Arthur Coombes, has been swindled by a corrupt gaming house, she will stop at nothing to restore his fortune and bring his tormentors to account. Georgina's quest for justice forces her to navigate a complex world of villains and secrets, and confront long-suppressed memories of a family tragedy. It also leads her to the enigmatic, intriguing and potentially dangerous Lady Elizabeth Mortimer, who offers assistance while keeping her cards close to her chest and remaining impervious to Georgina's charms.

    In attempting to save Mr Coombes, Georgina not only puts herself and those she loves in the path of danger, she also risks losing her heart. Will she keep herself safe – or surrender to her feelings?

    J.A. Stevens
    About the author

    J.A. Stevens

    J. A. Stevens is dedicated to reshaping historical narratives through a lens of inclusion. As a mother of a daughter with Down Syndrome and partner to a transgender woman, J.A. draws from a well of personal experience. Her own journey with Autism (ASD) coupled with her love for historical romance fuels her work to craft novels where visibility, equality, and love flourish. Her writing weaves together themes of sexual orientation, gender, race and disability and invites all to see themselves on the page. A Change of Pace is her debut.

    Books by J.A. Stevens

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    1. debrafrey says:

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    2. james says:

      This passage has a playful, mischievous tone, blending humor with a touch of scandal. Georgina’s bold personality stands out, especially in how she reacts to a risky situation with laughter rather than fear. The writing vividly captures both the chaos of the moment and her carefree attitude, making her an engaging and unconventional character. unfreeze credit experian