Enter to win a print copy of The Last Chance Christmas Ball
The Last Chance Christmas Ball
Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverly, Joanna Bourne,
Patricia Rice, Nicola Cornick, Cara Elliot,
Anne Grace & Susan King
Released Sept 29, 2015
Zebra
Christmas 1815.
Upstairs and downstairs, Holbourne Abbey is abuzz with preparations for a grand ball to celebrate the year’s most festive—and romantic—holiday. For at the top of each guest’s wish list is a last chance to find true love before the New Year…
Upstairs and downstairs, Holbourne Abbey is abuzz with preparations for a grand ball to celebrate the year’s most festive—and romantic—holiday. For at the top of each guest’s wish list is a last chance to find true love before the New Year…
A chance
meeting beneath the mistletoe, a stolen glance across the dance floor—amid the
sumptuous delicacies, glittering decorations, and swell of the orchestra, every
duchess and debutante, lord and lackey has a hopeful heart. There’s the
headstrong heiress who must win back her beloved by midnight—or be wed to
another….the spinster whose fateful choice to relinquish love may hold one more
surprise for her…a widow yearning to glimpse her long-lost love for even one
sweet, fleeting interlude …a charming rake who finds far more than he bargained
for. And many other dazzling, romantic tales in this star-studded collection
that will fill your heart and spice up your holidays…
From IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER by Mary Jo Putney
December
26, two days before the ball
Captain the Honorable Kimball
Stretton gazed out the window of the stone tower, his heart as gray and cold as
the Northumberland hills. He’d grown up here at Holbourne Abbey, and once he’d
loved the drama of the changing seasons, from vibrant spring through lush
summer, dazzling autumn, to the subtle shades and warm fires of winter.
The locals called this remnant of an
ancient Norman castle the Lucky Tower, and their vehement protests had
prevented one of his ancestors from tearing the structure down when the new
house was built. The tower had been repaired so it wasn’t a public menace, and now
a drafty passage connected it to the back of the new house.
As children, Kim and his brother had
loved playing up here. Usually Edward was King Arthur while Kim took the part
of Lancelot. After Roxie arrived, they’d tried to persuade her to be their Guinevere,
but she’d scornfully refused. She preferred playing Morgan le Fay, who had
beauty, power, and danger.
Kim’s lips curved involuntarily as
he remembered the first time he’d met Roxie. The April day had been clear and
sunny, with the cool blue sky of the north country. Kim and Edward had been
preparing to ride out into the hills when a small female figure with blazing
red hair had appeared.
Their mother had told them of the
poor little Hayward girl who had lost her parents in a carriage accident and had
come to live with her grandparents on the neighboring estate. Her grandmother
was going to bring the girl to Holbourne to visit Caro in the nursery. The new
little orphan had nothing to do with the sons of the house.
Then a redheaded sprite with a pale
face and dark circles under her eyes had marched into the stable yard. Looking
from one boy to the other, she asked, “Can I go riding with you?”
Edward said gravely, “You must be
our new neighbor. I’m Edward, Lord Brentford. I’m pleased to meet you.”
She bobbed a curtsey. “The pleasure
is mutual. I am Miss Roxanne Hayward.”
Wanting that intense little-girl
gaze on him, Kim said, “I’m Kimball Stretton, but everyone calls me Kim. I’m
very sorry about the loss of your parents.”
Her lips quivered before she gave a
short little nod of acknowledgment, then asked again, “Can I ride with you,
please?”
Edward was not immune to the appeal
in those great gray eyes, but he shook his head regretfully. “Not without your
grandmother’s permission. Besides, we don’t have a pony your size. You might
get hurt. You can play with our sister, Caroline.”
“She’s just a baby.“ Roxie tilted
her chin up, miserable but refusing to ask again. She was so small, so gallant.
Unable to resist her any more than he could resist a forlorn puppy or a kitten,
Kim said, “You can ride with me.”
Edward frowned. “You really
shouldn’t.”
“I’ll keep her safe.” Kim leaned
over and extended his hand. “Come on, Red, I’ll show you the hills of your new
home.” Her small face blazing with delight, Roxie caught his hand and he lifted
her up and settled her astride in front of him. Kim suspected that his mother
and Roxie’s grandmother would not approve, but he was used to disapproval. If
he got a scolding, it would still be worth it to see Miss Roxanne Hayward’s
radiant smile.
He’d been a slave to her smile ever since. But he no
longer belonged at Holbourne Abbey.
Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Nicola Cornick, Cara Elliott, Anne Gracie, Susan King are the ladies otherwise known as the Word Wenches. These eight authors have written a combined 231 novels and 74 novellas. They’ve won awards such as the RITAS, RT Lifetime Achievement award, RT Living Legend, and RT Reviewers Choice award. Several of them are regulars on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
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