"The Tenth Suitor," by Laura Strickland, is the feature for the 10th Day of Christmas!

We're almost at the end of our Twelve Brides of Christmas series! Today's holiday story is by the talented Laura Strickland, and is called "The Tenth Suitor." The cover, with its castle background, captured me immediately, and then with the blurb and excerpt--I was hooked! I've already purchased my Kindle copy, and am looking forward to digging in. Welcome, Laura! Tell us a little bit about your book, and I understand you're offering a GIVEAWAY of a Christmas novella, as well?

Buy this book HERE

I’m so pleased to be here today as part of the “12 Brides of Christmas” Author Spotlight! For a chance to win an electronic copy of my other Christmas novella released this year, MRS. CLAUS AND THE VIKING SHIP, just comment with your answer to this question: 

As the heroine of THE TENTH SUITOR discovers, Christmas is the perfect time for romance, so what’s the most romantic Christmas gift you ever received? (We’ll need to keep it PG, please!) I’ll bet you have some beautiful stories to share!

I will be choosing one random comment by noon tomorrow for the free e-copy of my magical story, so be sure to comment below!

I think it’s such a lovely idea to have twelve wonderful Christmas tales about brides and true love. Here’s a little bit about my book, THE TENTH SUITOR, including an excerpt and some buy links for you! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope everyone has a warm and wonderful holiday season!

THE TENTH SUITOR Blurb:

When Edwina Armstrong’s father invites ten titled lords to spend Christmas at his estate so Edwina may choose one for a husband, she finds the idea romantic. She dreams of gazing into the eyes of one of her suitors and falling deep in love. But it soon becomes apparent the lords in question are far more interested in gaining her father’s estate than Edwina’s hand.

Thorstan’s in attendance but he hasn’t been invited and he’s no lord. A former mercenary, he’s come disguised as a fool to get near Edwina, long adored from afar.  Edwina quickly falls for his charm and quirky humor even though she fears her father will never approve of a commoner for her husband.  But when Edwina is abducted, only Thorstan—a skilled swordsman— has hope of rescuing her in time for the promised Christmas wedding.

 THE TENTH SUITOR excerpt:

Edwina quickened her steps, and the fool drew her arm more closely against his side.  Oh, highly improper, but at the moment she did not care. 

                A guard stood at the gate.  Edwina nodded to him, and they passed into the chill of the evening, and a wash of moonlight.

                A stone wall lay to the left; Edwina urged her escort there and drew a deep draught of air.  “You are right, Lord Fool.  Much better.”

                “’Lord Fool’?” he questioned, his mouth beside her ear.

                “If you can call me ‘lady,’, I can call you ‘lord.’.”  She turned her head and found her face very near his.  Aye, most improper – but it was such a luxury to be with a man taller than she.

                Too bad he was just a fool.

                He leaned on the wall beside her.  “My fool’s wisdom tells me you are not enjoying this great pageant staged for your benefit.”

                “That I am not.”

                “Yet I hear there is much gaiety and frolic yet to come–a play, and even a masked dance.”

                “Aye.  Perhaps you can attend as a fool.”

                “Perhaps I will.  If I do, will you dance with me?”  He caught both her hands and, in true fool’s fashion, whirled her about in the cold air until her breath came fast and she laughed aloud.  Edwina could no longer hear the music from inside, but the fool hummed a tune in a deep, velvety voice.  The moonlight flickered around them, striping his face in brightness and then shadow until all she could see was the laughter in his eyes.  When they came to rest at last, she leaned against him.

                “You should laugh more often,” he said.  “It makes you even more beautiful.”

                Suddenly Edwina felt breathless from more than the whirling dance. 

Buy Links for THE TENTH SUITOR:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Tenth-Suitor-Twelve-Brides-Christmas-ebook/dp/B00OFAM3JW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414942086&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Tenth+Suitor

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=242_176_138&products_id=5912

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tenth-suitor-laura-strickland/1120674789?ean=2940150723146

KOBO: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-tenth-suitor

Author Bio:

Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Though her imagination frequently takes her to far off places, she is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario with her husband and her "fur" child, a rescue dog. Author of Scottish romance Devil Black as well as The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy consisting of Daughter of Sherwood, Champion of Sherwood and Lord of Sherwood, she is currently working on the second book of a new Steampunk romance series and has two Christmas novellas releasing this season: The Tenth Suitor and Mrs. Claus and the Viking Ship. 

Author Web Page: www.laurastricklandbooks.com