Publication date: November 12th, 2024
Synopsis:
Reynette is desperate to escape the servitude of her step family at Laudermann Manor and the lustful desires of the loathsome, Sir Bjorn.
Lord Ehrhart seeks to please his father and their subjects by securing a future wife and future Duchess of Badenberg.
Will a chance meeting in the woods lead them to find their hope and future within each other's arms?
The people of Badenberg are preparing to celebrate the anticipated, Midsummer Festival.
In the worn hallways of Laudermann Manor, a young servant girl longs for freedom and love. Bound by duty to her cruel step family, she yearns to attend the festival and meet a kind, brave suitor who will seek her floral wreath and therefore, declare his intent to pursue her.
Her hope takes a turn when her wreath is sought by a mysterious, yet somehow familiar man.
Meanwhile, Lord Ehrhart, son of the Duke, is under growing pressure to find a bride. Trusting his future to the Duke's advisor, Ehrhart agrees to a series of balls to seek the next Duchess of Badenberg.
But, behind the festivities and beautiful floral decor, a dangerous scheme unfolds--the Duke's brother and his ruthless son, Sir Bjorn, conspire to seize the Duke's position, putting love, power and loyalty to the ultimate test.
Help arrives through an unexpected ally as Reynette and Ehrhart seek to unravel the web of deceit and hidden motives.
Extravagant balls are thrown, secrets are revealed, and murderous plots are uncovered in this reimagining of the Cinderella story.
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Excerpt
Ehrhart wanted to beg her to explain, but he could see she was safeguarding herself, from what, he couldn't tell.
"Will you at least tell me your name?" He asked.
She smiled wide, as if she'd anticipated the question all night. "Yes, my name R..."
"Fire! Fire! Up at the castle! Look! In the bailey!" Someone yelled nearby.
Ehrhart jerked his head towards the castle, searching for the flames. His eyes found them rising from the inner bailey.
The girls! Father.
He looked to the maiden, unbothered by the fear he knew his face was conveying. "Forgive me. I have to go," he said, suddenly out of breath.
He spotted Gregor running towards him. "We have to go," the knight yelled as he passed. "I'll fetch the horses."
He returned his attention to the maiden, "Will you be alright? I must help up at the castle," he told her. His eyes roamed the scene before him. People stood staring and pointing at the flames shooting up from the castle grounds. Others, too intoxicated to know anything was askew, continued to dance about the square.
The young maiden beside him removed her hand from his grip, drawing his attention. His eyes caught sight of the floral wreath upon her head. His palms went sweaty, for he knew he had but a moment before Gregor returned with the horses.
"Would you allow me to carry your crown home with me?" He asked her. He'd never felt more concerned of rejection than in that moment.
He watched as she reached up and retrieved the beautifully crafted circlet. "Thank you for a lovely evening," she whispered.
He heard horses approach as he declared, "I hope our paths cross again soon."
The warmth of her smile let him know she felt the same. "Be careful," she told him.
"Let's go!" Gregor shouted as he handed him Storm's reins. Ehrhart carefully tucked the wreath into the saddle bag and grabbed the reins. He quickly climbed into his saddle as Storm began a fast trot through the crowd. As he looked behind him and returned his gaze to the girl, she stood wide-eyed, looking back and forth between himself and Storm.
In that moment, he realized she knew he was the man from the woods.
TRACY ZUMWALT abandoned her dream of writing a novel over fifteen years ago.
But, through her daughter's newfound love of fairytale romance. Tracy has revisited her once discarded bucket list item and entered into the world of fairytale retelling.
When Tracy is not crafting new stories, she is either on the move, staying active, or in the kitchen, cooking up plant-based meals to share with family and friends.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children. Together, they've created a life committed to love, adventure and finding the joy in both the simple and complex moments of life.
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