🌟 BOOK BLITZ 🌟 Crossroads by Mary Ting {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

Crossroads by Mary Ting

Release Date: March 2nd 2014

Series: Crossroads Saga #1

Pages: 315

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

* * * READERS FAVORITE GOLD AWARD WINNER 2012–YOUNG ADULT * * *
Based on dreams the author had in high school-chapter 1 & 2.

Protecting her was his duty.
Falling in love was forbidden.
Loving her was all that mattered, even if it meant he would be exiled for all eternity.

Claudia Emerson’s life is about to change. It seems like a tragic coincidence when her good friend, who shares the same first and last name, dies in a car accident. Grief brings tumultuous dreams—but these are more than simple dreams. In sleep, Claudia travels to another world called Crossroads. There, she meets Michael, a Nephilim–half angel, half human. Meeting him and being there changes her forever. It marks her as special, and that may not be a good thing. Now fallen angels and demons are after her, and it is up to Michael and the other Nephilim to protect her. Her dreams become a nightmare as secrets are revealed about who she really is and the true identities of the people she loves most.

Amazon

{EXCERPT}

What did it mean to dream about the same place? While contemplating that question, I tried to find an opening through the field.

Grabbing handfuls of grass, I pushed and pulled every which way. No matter how much I yanked, the vast wall of swaying grasses remained. Feeling defeated, I thought I would try one last time.

Then he appeared.

“Don’t you ever give up?” he said in the most hypnotic voice. His lips twitched, amused by my efforts.

“Umm …” Stunned to see someone looking at me, I stared at the most perfect, glorious face, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

As his gaze continued to pierce mine, he stepped in my direction. Having no other choice, I retreated. He was intimidating, and his authority made me willingly compliant. My heart pounded mercilessly as I wondered what that guy could be doing here.

He certainly fit the description of how I had envisioned the man of my dreams: six feet tall, dark hair, and warm, inviting brown eyes. He was lean but extraordinarily muscular, and his skin appeared to be made of satin.

My face warmed as I admired his body. I wondered if he could read my unclean thoughts or hear my heart racing.

Time seemed to stop as we stared into each other’s eyes—no need for words, just alone in each other’s company.

The tension broke when he spoke. “What are you doing here? Do you want to be sent back like before?”

Hearing his velvety voice again sent pleasant tingles to my core. But send me back like before? Then it dawned on me. It was his voice I had heard in my last dream. Although I felt frustrated and angered by his comments, I tried to stay calm and see where the dream would take me.

“First of all, who are you?” I tried to sound composed. “And what are you doing in my dream?”

“Your dream? You think this is a dream? Think again.” 

AUTHOR BIO:

International Bestselling, Award-Winning Author Mary Ting writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers all over the world. Her books run a wide range of genres: science fiction, fantasy, and swoon worthy stories. Her storytelling talents have won her a devoted legion of fans and garnered critical praise.

Mary was born in Seoul Korea and resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two dogs—Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Becoming an author was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, she retired from teaching after twenty years.

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🌟 BOOK BLITZ 🌟 Cursed Beauty by Stacey O’Neale {GIVEAWAY!}

Cursed Beauty by Stacey O’Neale

Release Date: August 30th 2021

Pages: 155

Genres: Fairy Tales, Retelling, Young Adult

From USA Today bestselling author Stacey O’Neale comes a standalone, gender-reversed YA retelling of Sleeping Beauty!

The day has come for sixteen-year-old Aurora to receive her witch mark. She should be thrilled. But unlike the rest of her coven, a centuries-old family curse has already decided her fate; the cost of her new power is her life.

After the ceremony, her grandmother offers her hope: Aurora can save herself and prevent her coven from dying by awakening a sleeping prince with the power to break her curse. Unfortunately, she must travel through the forbidden Shadowlands to reach him.

The enchanted forest is filled with magical creatures—friends and foes—including the mysterious son of a powerful wolf pack leader. Can she find the prince in time, and if she succeeds, will he choose to help despite having been placed under a sleeping spell?

Perfect for fans of Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin, House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig, and The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert.

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AUTHOR BIO:

USA Today Bestselling YA Fantasy Author, Stacey O'Neale, lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, podcasting, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Her career in publishing started as a senior publicist for Entangled Publishing. Stacey writes young adult fantasy and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

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🌟 BOOK BLITZ 🌟 Journey to New Salem by Mark Rosendorf {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

Journey to New Salem by Mark Rosendorf 

Release Date: March 29th 2021 by Wild Rose Press

Series: The Witches of Vegas #2

Pages: 294

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

The Witches of Vegas are back, and their lives will never be the same again.

A year has passed since The Witches of Vegas saved the city from the evil Wiccan vampire, Valeria. Since then, the show has hit an all-time high. So has the romance between teen witch Isis Rivera and teenage magician, Zack Galloway.

Things couldn’t be any better for them until Isis develops seizures that cause her power to spiral out of control. Fires and earthquakes are just the beginning of the chaos caused by the misfired witchcraft. Unable to find a cure, Isis’ family journeys to New Salem, a fabled village of witches which may or may not even exist. Meanwhile, Zack ends up face to face with the only being who may have a cure…Valeria. But does he dare pay her price?

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{EXCERPT}

Isis ran back behind the wall. She then commanded the illusion of herself behind the far left wall to step through and stare out into the audience with a hand on its hip. It received a collective gasp. To them, it was as if Isis had stepped through one wall on one side of the stage, and then come out of another wall on the opposite side of the stage. She had practiced this many times, but this was the best she had ever pulled it off. It was now time to bring it home…

Whoa!

A pain ran through Isis’ chest. It felt like a mallet slamming against her heart. She tried to take a deep breath, but it was a struggle, like sucking a watermelon down her throat. An image formed in her head. It was Valeria, the Wiccan vampire who turned their lives upside down. Isis hadn’t thought about her, or the torture she endured at her hands, in a long while. Why now all of a sudden, and while her chest screamed in pain?

Isis leaned her back against the wall. Everything circled as if she were in the eye of a tornado. She had felt this sensation before, but never with such intensity. Her hands trembled. Something was happening, but she didn’t know what. “Not again, not right now.” She blinked her eyes rapidly. It’s been over a year since Valeria was in their lives. She demanded of her brain to never think of her again. Time to refocus on the now.

AUTHOR BIO:

Mark Rosendorf 's writing is based on the personalities and experiences he has come across throughout his life, coupled with his own wild "if only I could do that" imagination. He is the author of the young adult series, The Witches of Vegas. He is also credited with The Rasner Effect series, a suspense/thriller trilogy published between 2009 and 2012.

Born November, 25th, 1974, and raised in Queens New York, Mark holds a Master's Degree from Long Island University's Human Development and Leadership program. He is a licensed Guidance Counselor for the New York City Department of Education's special education district. He began his counseling career in September, 2001. Prior to that, he worked in the hotel industry.

Mark has also moonlighted as a professional magician. Today, he teaches magic and Illusion to his students in order to teach teamwork while developing their confidence.

Having accomplished his goals of becoming an author, Mark decided on an early retirement from writing. Then, one night, at two a.m., a new and unique story shot into Mark's brain like a lightning bolt, screaming for him to write it. Mark found himself spending several nights taking notes on the characters and their stories. That is how The Witches of Vegas series was born.

The Witches of Vegas placed second in the young adult category of The International Digital Awards. It was also named one of Shelf Unbound's Notable Indy and received a five star rating from the prestigious InD'Tale Magazine.

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🌟 Freebie Tuesday (Edition #340) 🌟

📬 Happy Tuesday! Welcome back, don't forget I will be tweeting random freebies that I can find on any given day so if you're looking for more free books make sure to follow me on twitter @JackieBookWorld. :) 

📌 Note that there will be some books that will be free for limited time only, so make sure to download them as soon as you can. Also if there is any specific genre that you guys would like me to feature, let me know!  

Whiskey Secrets
by Carrie Ann Ryan

Release Date: January 2nd 2021 by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: Whiskey and Lies #1
Pages: 298
Genres: Romance, Contemporary

Author's Links: Goodreads, Website, Twitter, Facebook

Sparks fly between a former cop-turned-bartender and his new innkeeper in the first installment of a Montgomery Ink spin-off series from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan.

Dare Collins is a man who knows his whiskey and women—or at least that’s what he tells himself. When his family decides to hire on a new innkeeper for the inn above his bar and restaurant, he’s more than reluctant. Especially when he meets the new hire. But he’ll soon find that he has no choice but to work with this city girl and accept her new ideas and the burning attraction between them.

Kenzie Owens left her old life and an abusive relationship behind her—or so she thought. She figures she’ll be safe in Whiskey, Pennsylvania but after one look at her new boss, Dare Collins, she might still be in danger, or at least her heart. And when her past catches up with her despite her attempts to avoid it, it’s more than her heart on the line. This time, it might mean her life.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

          

Speechless
by Madeline Freeman

Release Date: December 2nd 2018 by Laurealinde Publishing LLC
Series: Unfortunate Souls #1
Pages: 348
Genres: Young Adult, Retelling, Fantasy
Author's Links: Goodreads, Website, Twitter

She longs to be part of his world. He desires to be anywhere else.

In a world where uncommon powers are feared by ordinary people, seventeen-year-old Aria must hide who she is or risk being shipped off to a detention facility for people with abilities—for aberrations like her.

Enrique Martinez is tired of having every moment of his life live-streamed to eager viewers. When he learns the cameras will go dark for forty-eight hours, he vows to break the rules and have the adventure of a lifetime—if even for only a day.

When Aria’s ability to breathe underwater is discovered, her life collides with Enrique’s, entangling their fates. Swept up in a global deception, Aria must choose between her safety and her desires, between her family and the life she’s always wanted.

From USA Today-bestselling author Madeline Freeman comes a futuristic spin on The Little Mermaid, full of adventure, romance, and out-of-this-world excitement. Fans of Marissa Meyer will love this pulse-pounding retelling!

If you love twisted fairytale retellings, fast-paced action, and forbidden romance, buy now to start thrilling new series today!
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

          

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🌟 BOOK BLITZ 🌟 The Awakening by Kaylee Johnston {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

The Awakening by Kaylee Johnston

Release Date: February 19th 2021

Series: A Guardian of Spirits Novel

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Not everyone wants magic.

In a world where humans hate witches, there’s no one who hates them more than Jameson Tyler – they are the reason his mother and little sister are dead. Then one morning, he wakes to find those he’s hated for his entire life are now his only hope to understanding his new identity, his new life…as a witch.

Jameson has to get to the witch’s side of town – a place he’s never been and has loathed his entire life – and give up everything he’s ever known before the Witch Special Forces (WSF) captures him. On top of avoiding the WSF, when his new Headmistress attacks him, things get even more complicated.

He must accept his new fate and life before being killed, letting the Magical Community fall into the wrong hands. Can Jameson put his hatred aside or will he let his prejudice destroy them all?

Amazon

{EXCERPT}

“Who are you?” I stammered, trying to sound more confident than I felt. The guy was still walking toward me, weaving his way through the students and staff frozen in place.

“I’m Terin,” The guy said, as he came to stop in front of me. “What do you want?” I asked.
“You.”
I winced.

“Me? What do you want with me?”
“Wow, you really don’t know who I am, do you?”
“No...”
“I’m Terin.”
“You said that.”
“I did, but you didn’t ask the right question. So whose fault is that?”
I glanced around me, more than a little confused. I finally shrugged.
“It’s yours. Now that’s two things you’re responsible for.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I mean you didn’t ask the right question and you also froze everyone in this

school. See? One. Two.”
My mouth dropped open. I stood there staring for what felt like ages. Terin

stood there, with his hands behind his back, calmly waiting for me to get over my shock. He finally cleared his throat and I shook my head. He rocked slightly on his heels.

“What are you playing at? I didn’t freeze everyone here. Only a witch would be able to do something like this and witches aren’t allowed on these grounds,” I said. I glared at him, wanting him to leave. I didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

“Oh, Jameson. You really don’t know anything about witches, do you?” Terin said, shaking his head. I let out a bark of laughter.

“I know everything I need to - they’re vile, freaks of nature and they should be exterminated. Why would I need to know anything else?” I spat.

“Well, for one thing, it’ll help you learn how to control the power you just sent ricocheting throughout your entire school. For another, it’ll help you actually be productive in your new classes,” Terin finished.

He waved his hand around us, gesturing to everyone who stood silently and unmoving. He turned back to me, where I was silently freaking out. I didn’t want to be here anymore.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Sure you did. When you released your anger in that little temper tantrum, you sent out your power. You were able to send a shock wave through your entire school and freeze everyone here. Must have been really pissed about something to have frozen that many people with your first spell. Quite impressive really,” Terin looked around at the people standing around us, looking mildly amused.

“I don’t understand,” I shook my head, still not connecting the dots. Terin sighed and said the three words that ruined my entire life: “You’re a witch.”

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🌟 BOOK BLITZ 🌟 The Secret of Dartwood Manor by N.A. Triptow {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

The Secret of Dartwood Manor by N.A. Triptow

Release Date: January 18th 2021

Series: The Witchling Trilogy, #1

Pages: 388

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Witches. Ghosts. An ancient secret. Enter a world of myth and magic through this contemporary fantasy reimagining of Jane Austen’s beloved classic, Sense and Sensibility.

The small New England town of Tarryville, Maine is steeped in history, having been settled by the Dartwood and Farris families who fled Salem during the witch trials. The Dartwood sisters, Eden, Mariah, and Melissa, unexpectedly return home after their parents are found murdered. Upon their arrival, the girls are plagued by dreams in which dark spectral beings haunt them. When the hellish creatures seem to be more than just nightmares, another mystery begins to unravel as they discover that the circumstances around the murder of their parents may be far more menacing than they appear. Frantic for answers, they must untangle the mystery of their parents’ murders and reconstruct the pieces of an ancient secret. With the help of the young assistant curator of their family museum, Baden Correia, and an estranged friend from their past, Evan Farris, the orphaned Dartwood sisters must uncover the truth before the darkness haunting their family descends upon them as well.

Amazon

{EXCERPT}

“Have a good night, Dr. McConnell,” Baden held the door for one of their regulars as the woman exited the Dartwood Library and Museum. She was the last patron of the evening. Locking the door behind her, he turned to finish cleaning up

for the night. Returning a few stray books to their homes on the shelves and throwing scraps of paper in the trash was all he had left to do. As he made his way toward one of the tables, his attention was drawn toward a nearby bookshelf. He could hear a voice whispering something. Someone was behind that shelf.

“Hello?” Baden called out. Hearing only more whispering, he headed for the bookshelf, spotting the silhouette of a woman. Wondering how he had missed her before, he turned the corner and said, “I’m sorry but we’re closed for the eve—” His words cut short as he froze in place, staring at the suddenly empty space behind the bookshelf.

“Baden,” a woman chimed from across the room.

“Who’s there?” he called out, spinning on his heals. How had the woman crossed the room so quickly?

“Don’t you remember me, old friend?”

Baden followed the voice into the center of the room and caught the tail of a white cloak that only partially obscured what appeared to be a toga rushing behind another bookshelf. He had finished his rounds through the museum checking for patrons. No one else had been there. He was certain. Now, staring at the strange silhouette gliding behind the shelves, he couldn’t help but think of the Dartwoods. They had been murdered at night in their own home. “This isn’t funny,” he tried to speak with confidence, but it came out as little more than a whimper.

“They’ve finally come,” the voice seemed to be coming from everywhere despite the fact that he could distinctly see her gliding in front of him.

“Who’s come?” He made his way around the shelves to face the woman, but she was gone once more. When no answer came, he closed his eyes. “You’re just tired,” he said to himself, shaking his head, before opening his eyes.

The whispering began again, this time closer. It was right on the other side of the bookshelf he was standing next to. Slowly he turned and saw the silhouette behind the shelf. Inhaling, he placed a weak hand on the spine of the massive text that obstructed his view of her. The whispering was still a constant hum, but he’d have to be quick if he wanted to avoid her disappearing again. Rapidly, he pulled the book out of its place and was met with the weary expression of a frail old woman, her milky eyes boring into him, though he doubted they could see much of anything. “Que susto!” he all but screamed, leaping back. He recognized her. She’d been in his nightmare the night of the murder. Somehow, though, her visage felt more familiar than the simple memory of a dream. He knew her, but he did not know how.

“They are in danger,” the crone hissed in warning, and then she was gone. She hadn’t run away or moved to the side. She had merely vanished.

Placing the book back on the shelf, he buried his face in his hands. There was no way he had seen a woman just disappear in front of him. It was impossible.

Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, he jumped. Sighing a laugh, he tried to clear his thoughts. It must have been a hallucination brought on by grief and stress. There was no other explanation. Stilling himself, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and went to finish cleaning up.

AUTHOR BIO:

N. A. Triptow graduated from The University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts in English Teaching with minors in History Teaching, Theatre, and British Studies. She teaches high school English and Film Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Strategic Communication and Advertising from Purdue University. In her free time, you can find her reading, watching and analyzing movies and television shows, attending the theatre, going on walks or hikes, and playing board or video games with family and friends. She lives in Utah.

For more from Nicole, including character artwork, playlists, swag, excerpts, trailers, and more, visit her website!

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🌟 BOOK BLITZ 🌟 The Winter Heals by Marie McGrath {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

The Winter Heals by Marie McGrath

Release Date: January 12th 2021 by Creative James Media

Series: Honey Cove #2

Pages: 250

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

It was almost impossible to heal when everyone was out to get you.

Shelby Rowe was stuck between two worlds—the one she wanted and the one everyone else wanted for her. As the daughter of a prominent family in Honey Cove, Shelby’s life was out of her control. Her friends, interests, and even her love life was controlled by others.

When a new girl moves to town, Shelby’s life was turned upside down as she gets a glimpse of what life could be like—no obligations, no pressure. As the Christmas break begins, Shelby is left stuck between what is expected and what she feels is right. Split in half, Shelby has to make decisions to correct her life and heal her spirit.

Will she allow others to control who she is? Or will she finally go out on her own?

Amazon

{EXCERPT}

Luke watched me as I eyed Priscilla and Tabitha from across the room. “Don’t panic, Shelby. You’re by far the most beautiful one in this ballroom tonight.”

“Thanks, Luke, but I’m not worried about what anyone else looks like.”

He nodded and smiled, but it didn’t quite make it to his eyes.

I probably wouldn’t have believed me either. I wasn’t fully lying, just wasn’t the entire truth. Priscilla had a chance to outdo me; it was just her insecurities that came back for her. If she had more confidence, people wouldn’t hate her as much for the nasty things she always inflicted on others. Although, I supposed someone else could say similar things to me. I certainly hadn’t always been the nicest one around. I had done plenty of cruel things, things I still was ashamed of, but I tried to change. That had to account for something, right?

Priscilla and Tabitha spotted me and strutted my way.

Luke tightened his grip around my arm and into his chest. Did he think I needed protecting?

Tabitha leaned forward to air-kiss my cheek. “Shelby, darling. You look fabulous.”

I reciprocated the gesture. “As do you. This color is stunning on you.”

She smiled and swished her dress against her ankles.

Priscilla’s eyebrow arched as she came closer for a hug. “Beautiful accessories, Shelby. It all really makes your eyes pop.”

I strained to smile, knowing anything they uttered about my appearance was merely a nod to social etiquette. It wasn’t genuine, at least not in the way I longed for a true compliment.

“Your mother outdid herself this year, Shelby,” Tabitha said.

“I’ll let her know you think so.”

Luke cleared his throat and nudged my side with his elbow.

“Sorry, ladies, how rude of me. You know Luke, obviously, but he’s my date.”

Luke grinned from ear to ear. “Ladies, you both look radiant this evening.”

They both curtsied.

“Well, we would love to stay and chat all night, but we must socialize with the guests. I’ll see you two later.”

I pulled Luke to stand at the second Christmas tree halfway between both exits.

Luke’s eyebrow rose. “Why did we walk away from them? We should be mingling with everyone.”

I snorted. “Please, Luke. I will mingle with the people who matter. Those two don’t matter. They will just gossip about anything they hear anyway, not worth our time.”

“Then who should we talk to, in your opinion? I think they matter to everyone else. If you aren’t flaunting me to your friends, what will people say?”

“They will have plenty to say, and we can discuss things with them when we are stuck at a table for dinner.”

“I suppose.” Luke moved his arm around me and hovered his right hand on the small of my back.

I bit the corner of my lip to avoid from shivering—or worse, cringing at his touch. It wasn’t awful, but it was more than I wish I had to endure.

“You know, you never told me if I looked dashing or not,” Luke said with a devilish grin.

I smiled. “You and I both know you do, especially with all of your matchy-matchy to my dress color.”

Luke feigned shock. “Is that a compliment from Shelby Rowe. Oh man. Alert Santa we’ll have a blizzard.”

I rolled my eyes. “Dramatic much?”

“Not at all. I only seem to get snarkiness from you.”

I shrugged. “Not always.”

“I apologize. You’re correct. I get snarky Shelby unless we’re pretending to be together. In which case, I get hushed-tone snarky Shelby.”

I giggled. “Is that so? How does one emanate snark in a hushed-tone kind of way?”

“I think you know how.”

I smiled and looked into his hazel eyes. Okay, so he could be charming when he wanted to.

“There it is.”

“There’s what?”

“A genuine smile.”

My father, with my mother in tow, strutted toward us. “Shelby and Luke, how splendid. You both look exquisite,” my father said. “Are you ready to meet a few people, Shelby?”

I followed my parents as Luke accompanied me. I straightened my frame and plastered a smile on my face. It was showtime.

An older couple stood to the side of the ballroom.

My father shook the older man’s hand and clapped his back. “Mr. Wyatt, this is my daughter Shelby and her date, Luke Warrington. Shelby, Mr. Wyatt is the head of sales at Rowe Industries.”

I curtsied as Luke shook the man’s hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Wyatt,” I said.

“Hello again, sir,” Luke added.

My mother looked between us all but stayed silent. Her voice echoed in my head, “A true Rowe woman is seen but not heard. She makes her presence known but never overshadows the man she is with.”

AUTHOR BIO:

Marie McGrath lives in a small rural town in Maryland. She hopes to inspire others with her stories. Her favorite genres to read are YA Romance and Contemporary Fiction. She loves the color turquoise, tigers, and listening to music.

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🌟 BLOG TOUR 🌟 A Royal Christmas Quandary by Samantha Hastings {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

A Royal Christmas Quandary by Samantha Hastings

Release Date: October 6th 2020 by Swoon Reads

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Readers looking for a light, fun read full of holiday mischief will be delighted by Samantha Hastings’ A Royal Christmas Quandary, perfect for fans of A Christmas Prince.

When you spend Christmas in a castle, anything is possible.

1860. Lady Alexandrina Gailey is looking forward to a cozy holiday at Windsor Castle with her best friend, Princess Alice, and her long-time crush, Lord George Worthington. But Drina’s plans are all but dashed when Alice’s parents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, declare that Alice must choose one of two royal princes to become engaged to before Christmas.

There’s just one problem: George, a junior member of the Foreign Office, has accidentally misplaced one of the princes.

Together, Drina and George scour the town of Windsor for the missing prince, desperately hoping to deliver him to the royal dinner party with the queen none the wiser. They might just need a royal Christmas miracle to pull it off.

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{EXCERPT}

“Fräulein Alexandrina, you are even more beautiful than I remembered,” he said in perfectly cadenced German, with a strong Hoburg accent.

Drina hadn’t realized until this moment how much she’d missed Hoburg, her home for the first ten years of her life. The memories were so vivid that she could almost feel the breeze on her face and the leaves in her hair. She remembered countless adventures following Friedrich as they ran through the thick forest escaping from a fiery dragon, an evil drude, or eine böse Hexe, who was about to cast a dark spell on them.

She blinked back the tears that wanted to rush to her eyes. This wasn’t the time to get sentimental.

“You look quite different, too,” she replied in German.

“I’m honored that you would remember me.”

Drina blinked in confusion. It had only been eight years; how could she have forgotten her cousin? Friedrich had been her dearest friend and fellow dragon slayer. They had conquered enemy knights, saved castles with only wooden swords, and then eaten a great many Black Forest cakes together. She could almost taste the bitter cherries with the sweet chocolate on her tongue.

George touched her arm and she tried to ignore the jolt of excitement that she felt. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “What is the dashed fellow saying? Why won’t he speak to me in English?”

He didn’t release his hold on her arm, and Drina attempted to concentrate with his hand touching her. She nodded to George and then said in German, “Lord Worthington would like to ask how you are enjoying your stay here in England.”

The tall prince grinned again with his thick lips. He replied in German, “I like it here very much, ja? They treat servants like kings. I think I might not return to Hoburg with His Serene Highness, ja?”

She felt as if she’d been stabbed in the stomach by one of Friedrich’s wooden swords. Drina’s civil smile faded and she turned to George to say in a whisper, “That isn’t my cousin, Prince Friedrich.”

George made a sort of exasperated grunting noise. “Then who the devil is he?”

“Should I ask?”

“Yes,” he said impatiently.

Drina replaced her civil smile. “This man, Lord Worthington, would like to know your name.”

The giant man touched his chest with his hand and said in a loud voice, “Herr Dietrich Bauer.”

Bauer. She did recognize that name. Her nanny in Hoburg was a Bauer, and this tall fellow was probably her younger brother who had worked in the castle. “Herr Bauer, how long have you been Prince Friedrich’s valet?”

He gave her another face splitting grin and said in the same overly loud, slow voice as he spoke in German, “Three years, Fräulein Alexandrina and Herr Vorthington.”

George leaned in again, his lips brushed her ear. She felt strangely weak. “What is the man saying? I can’t understand him even if he speaks louder and slower.”

“He’s been Prince Friedrich’s valet for the last three years,” she explained with a laugh. “You put a valet in the Crown Prince’s rooms.”

George swore under his breath and raked his hands through his already messy hair until it stood on end. “Ask him where the Crown Prince is.”

Drina smiled at the valet, and asked in German, “Where might I find His Royal Highness? I understand he didn’t accompany you to Windsor Castle?”

Herr Bauer shook his head. “Prince Friedrich is very fond of English beer. Me, I like a good German beer.”

“And?” she prompted with a hand gesture.

“He got out of the carriage in town and said he would meet me at the castle later today, ja,” Herr Bauer said.

This sounded exactly like her cousin—he was never one to follow royal protocol. Drina translated for George. “Prince Friedrich’s in the village getting drunk and will come to the castle later today.”

George released his breath. “Well as long as the fellow is here before the state dinner, everything should be fine.”

“Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Bauer,” Drina said, and acknowledged him with a bow of her head.

Herr Bauer gave her another sweeping bow. “Auf Wiedersehen, Fräulein Alexandrina.”

Drina gently removed George’s hand from her arm—inwardly sighing at the loss of contact—and began to walk back the way she came.

“Where are you going?” George asked.

“To my rooms.”

“But who is going to explain to this fellow that he’s not in the servant’s quarters?!”

“I daresay a future foreign diplomat, like yourself, can figure that out,” Drina said primly, and resolutely didn’t respond to the sad look on his face.

AUTHOR BIO:

Samantha Hastings has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Reading (Berkshire, England), and the University of North Texas. She met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, and chasing her kids. She is the author of THE LAST WORD, THE INVENTION OF SOPHIE CARTER, and A ROYAL CHRISTMAS QUANDARY. 

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