As we get closer to the holiday season readers will find themselves scanning bookshelves for books to make the holidays better and brighter. This historical holiday read is just the kind of book readers will be drawn to with its tale of a love meant to be and the emotional war waged for that love to come to fruition. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Once Upon a Christmas Castle by Virginia Barlow then learn even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. In honor of this latest addition to the Christmas In the Castle series, make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a copy of Ms. Barlow's Gamble of Hearts too!
Lady Rosalind Chatham journeys with her family to Weston Castle to wed an ancient earl on Christmas day. Yearning for true love, she falls for the duke, her stepfather’s cousin, while preparing for her nuptials.
Lady Rosalind entrances the Duke of Weston. Concerned for her future with the tempestuous earl, he can’t afford to get involved. The fines and scandal will be too great for a man of his wealth and power.When the truth comes to light, and he almost loses her forever, he finds he cannot afford to give less than his whole heart.
EXCERPT:
“Will you kiss me?” All true loves did so, and she longed to know the pleasure of one real kiss before her sentence of marriage was carried out. The girls she knew in London spoke of thrilling moments in the moonlight with ardent young lords desperate to steal a kiss or two, but no one attempted such a thing with her. Knowing she dreamed made the words come easier to her lips, and she trembled in anticipation as she met the intense regard of the man holding her.
“I do not think such an act would be appropriate.”
His deep voice rumbled beneath her cheek as he held her tight, descending a set of tight spiral stairs.
What better place for a forbidden pleasure than a dream? “None of this is real, and I must find out what a real kiss is before I am doomed to a life of misery. As the hero of my dream, you must comply with my wishes because this is my dream. I shall never have this chance again. Please, kiss me, so I have something to remember in the time ahead.”
He hesitated for the barest second before his hot mouth covered her own, sliding against her lips the way the duke kissed her hand.
She could not breathe and wrapped her arms tight around her rescuer’s neck, giving her body over to the wonder filling her heart and soul.
When he lifted his head, she protested. “Do not stop.”
“I do not think such an act would be appropriate.”
His deep voice rumbled beneath her cheek as he held her tight, descending a set of tight spiral stairs.
What better place for a forbidden pleasure than a dream? “None of this is real, and I must find out what a real kiss is before I am doomed to a life of misery. As the hero of my dream, you must comply with my wishes because this is my dream. I shall never have this chance again. Please, kiss me, so I have something to remember in the time ahead.”
He hesitated for the barest second before his hot mouth covered her own, sliding against her lips the way the duke kissed her hand.
She could not breathe and wrapped her arms tight around her rescuer’s neck, giving her body over to the wonder filling her heart and soul.
When he lifted his head, she protested. “Do not stop.”
AUTHOR INFO:
I have always loved reading romance novels. I used to sneak into my mom’s room as a young girl and read them while she was gone. As I grew older, my reading and tastes expanded to sci-fi, dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy.
I considered becoming an author in my late twenties but as a busy mother with toddlers, I didn’t have the time nor the energy.
Later, in my fifties, I decided to give it a try and have enjoyed every moment of it since. I recently signed my fourteenth contract and am doing my happy dance as I type this. My husband of forty-one years is my greatest support as are all my kids. Most of them are grown and carving out lives for themselves. They are the beat of my heart and with every grandchild, the rhythm gets stronger. I enjoy every moment of my life.
I considered becoming an author in my late twenties but as a busy mother with toddlers, I didn’t have the time nor the energy.
Later, in my fifties, I decided to give it a try and have enjoyed every moment of it since. I recently signed my fourteenth contract and am doing my happy dance as I type this. My husband of forty-one years is my greatest support as are all my kids. Most of them are grown and carving out lives for themselves. They are the beat of my heart and with every grandchild, the rhythm gets stronger. I enjoy every moment of my life.
**********GIVEAWAY**********
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