Title: A Winter Knight
Author: Barbara Bettis
Genre: Historical (medieval) Romance
Only 99 cents through the holidays
Book Blurb:
He’s running from his past; she’s running from her future. But on a snowy winter night, they find each other and the surprising gift of love.
Sir Nicholas has given up on marriage. These days he’s content to captain his friend’s troops and avoid entanglements—until one winter night when he rescues a half-frozen woman from a snowstorm. Her irrepressible spirit and kindness to others reminds him that all ladies aren’t like his former intended, who wed his brother while Nick was on crusade. But he can’t open his heart to Lady Clare. She’s bound to another, and Nick won’t forfeit his honor. Even if she were free, he has nothing to offer but love, and this lady deserves everything.
Lady Clare’s dying grandfather has arranged her betrothal, but the arrival of the man she’s to wed sends her fleeing into a snowstorm. Injured when her horse stumbles, she’s rescued by a mysterious knight. She recovers at his run-down manor, safe at last—until her betrothed tracks her down two days before Christmas. Trapped at home with the wedding imminent, she longs for the winter knight she’s come to love.
Only a miracle can bring Clare and Nick together. But at Christmas, anything is possible.
Excerpt:
Granny Bid held a bowl in one hand, a goodly chunk of rabbit in the other. Stew juice trickled down her arm.
“You stupid old sott,” the leader growled. “I said lady.”
Ralph grinned and winked at Granny. “Looks like a dandy lady t’me. And she be all we got t’entertain here.”
“Obert, search the hall.”
The second man grunted. “But Sir Fulk…”
The leader flicked his hand.
Obert swiped his sleeve beneath his nose and trotted across the floor.
Behind Sir Fulk’s back, Nick raised his eyebrows at Ralph, who gave him a wink. Nick hoped it was meant as reassurance. The lady’s empty bed had been moved back to its original spot.
Where had they hidden Clare? There was only one other chamber, and it was a rough square built across the corner of the hall, containing a filthy mattress that must have belonged to the former owner.
The narrow corridor in the back led only to the garderobe.
He stepped around and to the edge of the door no one had shut. His sword rested at the side of the door frame. Sir Fulk must have caught the movement from the corner of his eye because he turned. Nick buckled on the weapon, then grabbed the edge of the door. Before he could close it, the third soldier pushed his way in.
“No black mare,” he reported. “That’s what Sir Rollo says she took.”
Sir Fulk glowered at the news as Obert jogged back. The man stopped, his glance caught on the pallets tilted against the wall, sleeping blankets piled in front. One pallet was flat on the floor; Dolph had just sat up from it.
“If you want me to stay awake in the ballocks-freezin’ cold tonight, y’ll shut the damned talkin’ so I can sleep.”
“Sorry, Dolph,” Nick said. “These soldiers are looking for their lady. She went missing in the storm yesterday.”
“I hope I find ’er before they do,” Dolph grumbled, pulling his thin blanket around his neck and flopping down. “A lady t’keep me warm ’ud suit me fine.”
Sir Fulk swept the hall with a disgusted glance. He nodded to his two companions and stomped toward the door.
“Sir Rollo won’t be happy we can’t find ’er,” Obert muttered, following.
“Shut up.” Sir Fulk threw open the door so hard, it slammed against the wall. He glared at Nick. “If she’s not found, we’ll be back.”
Nick stood on the landing, arms folded against his chest, and watched as they rode away. The moment Sir Tragen waved that the horsemen were out of sight, he strode inside and closed the door.
“Where is she?”
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Share a holiday family tradition:
My mother’s family was small—she, her brother, and my grandmother (my grandfather died when I was very young.) As I grew up, we took turns hosting holiday meals. One year my uncle and aunt would do Thanksgiving and Mom and Daddy would do Christmas. The next year, they would reverse. New Year’s Day was reserved for my grandmother. She grew up as a farm girl in North Missouri and held with all the New Year dishes we had to eat for luck that she had when she was young—black eyed peas, hog jowl, greens, and I can’t think what else. But—in addition to that—she always had ham, sweet potatoes and all the fixings, including gelatin salads galore. (Anyone recall shredded cheese in lime gelatin? How above shredded carrots in orange gelatin? Miniature marshmallows and mandarin oranges in, yep, orange gelatin?) She made fantastic cakes, so she always had at least two different kinds—usually a fancy chocolate and a lemon. My brothers and sister and I loved being there, but we did our best to take just one bite of the ‘lucky’ food. We didn’t look forward to that part of the menu. Now, years and years later, I still get nostalgic on New Year’s Day. I’d be happy to fork up some hog jowl and black eyed peas and even jellied carrot salad if we could all be together just one more time.
Why is your featured book perfect to get readers in the holiday mood?
A Winter Knight is a great romance novella to cuddle up with on a cold afternoon. A hero who doesn’t realize how lonely he is, a heroine who’s trying to escape a nightmare betrothal, and the conflicts they must face before they find their happily ever after together. Somehow my books usually always contain a young person who is instrumental in the action and this story is no exception. Medieval Christmases may be cold, but Nicholas and Clare’s story will warm your heart.
Giveaway –
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Runs December 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on January 3, 2023.
Author Biography:
Multi-award-winning author Barbara Bettis can't recall a time she didn't love adventures of daring heroes and plucky heroines. A retired journalist and college English and journalism teacher, she lives in Missouri where she tries to keep her grandchildren supplied with cookies. When she's not editing for others, she's working on her own stories with heroines to die for-- and heroes to live for.
Social Media Links:
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