For a limited time, you can get all 5 e-books in this series for only $14.69. That’s 30% off the retail value of $20.97. This deal is only available here on my author store. An enchanting royal world of breathtaking romance, unyielding loyalty, and a forbidden love so strong that it will bring a kingdom to its knees. 📣EXCERPT FROM FORGOTTEN A tremor of excitement tingled through Rushton’s veins as he caught sight of Cinderella. Even from a distance, she was a vision in her flowing blue dress and corn silk hair. All of the other maidens paled in comparison to her. He glanced at Edward, sitting tall and stately on his horse. As the Crown Prince, Edward held the most honored position in the center of the line of squires and knights, and Rushton, earning the highest rankings in the practice tournament, held the place immediately to Edward’s right. This tournament, there would be two parades of maidens—the first for the squires, and the latter for the knights. Edward would choose his maiden first and Rushton second. Provided Edward didn’t select Cinderella, all would go according to plan. A shiver of foreboding slivered down his spine, and his suit of armor suddenly felt too heavy. Surely with all of those beautiful maidens, Edward wouldn’t choose Cinderella … would he? He shrugged off the thought. Fate wouldn’t be so cruel. On several occasions since Cinderella’s arrival at the castle, it had been on the tip of Rushton’s tongue to tell Edward about her. There were times when he felt his heart would burst if he couldn’t tell someone about her, and Edward was his closest friend. But he’d promised his mother he wouldn’t tell a soul that he’d known Cinderella before. “My position in the castle is precarious,” she’d warned. “You must not tell anyone that I arranged for Cinderella to come here … especially not Edward.” Rushton was confused. “But why does it matter?” “My enemies would use it against me, Rushton, and they would use it against Cinderella. You know how strict the selection process is for Ladies in Waiting. I had to call in favors to get her here. Let’s just leave it at that, shall we?” The trumpet sounded. It was time. One by one, the maidens began their walk across the platform. Each would pause when reaching the center. Some maidens did a dainty twirl before offering a curtsy. Others simply paused with resolute chins lifted upward, allowing all to admire their poise and beauty. Rushton watched the third maiden go by, then it was Cinderella’s turn. He clutched his lance a little tighter and held his breath. She’d only been a lady in waiting a few weeks; what if she stumbled or tripped? You can do it, he urged. Her every step was tortuous at first, but it only took a moment for him to realize that his fears were futile. The maiden gliding like a dream across the platform was so graceful and perfect he could scarcely believe it was the same peasant girl who had climbed trees alongside him, had raced him through the fields, had milked the cows … had stolen his heart. She was mesmerizing—a vision. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He wondered if the other squires and knights were as taken with her as he. The thought sent a stab of jealousy shooting through him. Other maidens continued parading across the platform, but Rushton hardly noticed. He was too consumed with the cold fear overtaking him. Edward was going to choose Cinderella. He was sure of it. How could he not? Any man with eyes in his head would choose her. His heart beat furiously, and his hands were clammy inside of his gloves. If only there was time to talk to Edward, to explain how he felt, then perhaps disaster could be averted. The maidens lined up on the platform, each of them holding a colorful scarf. Edward maneuvered his horse to the far right side of the platform. He would start there and work his way left, stopping in front of the maiden he selected. He would hold out his lance to the chosen maiden, and she would then remove the scarf from his lance and replace it with her own. Cinderella was the fourth maiden from the left. Edward rode past the first group of maidens without so much as a glance. He neared the center of the platform and paused. He seemed to be considering the chestnut-haired maiden with the scarlet dress. She was a beauty in her own right with cascading curls and thick fringes of lashes fluttering against her dark eyes. She gave him a nod and a coy smile. Relief flooded through Rushton, leaving him weak. How foolish he’d been thinking that Edward would choose Cinderella. Without warning, Edward urged his horse on past the maiden. She looked surprised and then disappointed, but her recovery was quick as she fixed her smile back into place. Rushton felt like he was watching the scene in slow motion as Edward continued on down the line. When he paused in front of Cinderella, the blood left Rushton’s head, making him dizzy. Edward held out his lance to Cinderella. A hush came over the crowd as all awaited for her to respond. To refuse the Crown Prince would be unthinkable, and yet … Rushton couldn’t be sure, but he thought he saw her hesitate and look his direction. Ever so slowly, she removed the purple scarf from Edward’s lance and replaced it with her blue one. The crowd let out a deafening roar as Edward reared back his horse and raised his lance to the sky. The sound was drowned out by the sound of Rushton’s own heartbeat pounding in his ears. Anger surged in his breast, and he had the urge to rush forward and tear the scarf from Edward’s lance. Book One: Bonded Love will be tested to the limit as two brothers vie for the crown and the allegiance of one woman. “This book is written as a classic fairytale with all the components. Fair magic maiden, good prince, evil prince, magic crone, etc. The story plays out in the classic way, a test, a quest, you know the rest!” —Reviewer Book Two: Forgotten All is not as it seems on the surface. Dark forces are watching and waiting to claim what they deem to be theirs, and the fate of a kingdom rests in the hands of a girl who cannot remember who she is or where she came from. Book Three: Remembered In a dramatic showdown of light versus darkness, Elle must fight against the clock to find the key that will save them all, and in doing so, must face her most fearsome adversary of all—the girl in the mirror.
