Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m hosting author Virginia Barlow’s latest release Once Upon a Christmas Castle, a historical holiday romance. Be sure to read my review. And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

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Title: Once Upon a Christmas Castle
Series: N/A
Author: Virginia Barlow
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 245 pages
Release Date: November 6, 2023
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Blurb: Lady Rosalind Chatham journeys with her family to Weston Castle to wed an ancient earl on Christmas day. Yearning for true love, she falls for the duke, her stepfather’s cousin, while preparing for her nuptials.

Lady Rosalind entrances the Duke of Weston. Concerned for her future with the tempestuous earl, he can’t afford to get involved. The fines and scandal will be too great for a man of his wealth and power.

When the truth comes to light, and he almost loses her forever, he finds he cannot afford to give less than his whole heart.

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“Will you kiss me?” All true loves did so, and she longed to know the pleasure of one real kiss before her sentence of marriage was carried out. The girls she knew in London spoke of thrilling moments in the moonlight with ardent young lords desperate to steal a kiss or two, but no one attempted such a thing with her. Knowing she dreamed made the words come easier to her lips, and she trembled in anticipation as she met the intense regard of

the man holding her.

“I do not think such an act would be appropriate.”

His deep voice rumbled beneath her cheek as he held her tight, descending a set of tight spiral stairs.

What better place for a forbidden pleasure than a dream? “None of this is real, and I must find out what a real kiss is before I am doomed to a life of misery. As the hero of my dream, you must comply with my wishes because this is my dream. I shall never have this chance again. Please, kiss me, so I have something to remember in the time ahead.”

He hesitated for the barest second before his hot mouth covered her own, sliding against her lips the way the duke kissed her hand.

She could not breathe and wrapped her arms tight around her rescuer’s neck, giving her body over to the wonder filling her heart and soul.

When he lifted his head, she protested. “Do not stop.”

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I love historical romance so I was all for reading and reviewing this novel.  As stated in the blurb, the ancient earl is Lady Rosalind Chatham’s last chance for marriage, or she can look at a life of spinsterhood.  Something no woman wants during the Regency.  It can even be a little scandalous.  Nobody dares to bring scandal upon their name in this time period, so Rosland’s mother, a woman HUGE on appearances, arranges the marriage to the cruel earl.

Rosalind and her family arrive at the duke’s castle, with her little brother in hand, along with said brother’s pet frog.  Would a lady dare put a frog into her pocket and tempt more scandal?  Rosalind shows her true character from the start and does.  She isn’t as big on appearances as her mother, but she’ll do anything for her family, whom she dearly loves.

This is the key that unlocks the plot because Rosalind’s devotion to her family is her strength but also her weakness.  She’ll put aside her own happiness to keep her mother, stepfather, and little brother happy.

I enjoyed the rapport between Rosalind and her brother.  She was like an aunt to him, and even sometimes a mother, but also a best friend.  Her love for him shines in this novel.  Her love for her father also shines.  But her mother is another story.  Rosalind’s frustration over her mother’s obsession with appearances shows in her behavior when she dares to rebel now and then by daring to do things proper ladies do not do.

A reader knows Rosalind just needs a wee bit of a push to become the person she’s truly meant to be, and stand up to the wicked woman who is daring to control her happiness.

Then there’s the duke.  I enjoyed how even though sparks flew between Rosalind and the duke, he did his best to maintain decorum, but he can only do this for so long when around her.  He’s aware she’s engaged, and he also can’t afford scandal.

This novel stays true to the mindset of that era, and I kept wondering how Rosalind was going to get out of that horrible engagement and reach for true happiness.  The descriptions and setting are vivid, painting a wonderful picture of the duke’s estate.  The connection between the two is full of warmth and friendship which I enjoyed.  And the duke’s patience with Rosalind’s little brother shows what kind of man he truly is.

There is even action when the earl’s wicked manservant does his share of meddling, too.

This is a wonderful Christmas read that I recommend.  The author brings wonderful characters and villains to life as secrets are unearthed in the most shocking way.  Do yourself a favour and get a copy.  The author is an excellent writer and spins a wonderful romance.

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I have always loved reading romance novels. I used to sneak them from my mom’s room as a young girl and read them while she was gone. As I grew older, my reading and tastes expanded to sci-fi, dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy.

 I considered becoming an author in my late twenties but as a busy mother with toddlers, I didn’t have the time. Later, in my fifties, I decided to give it a try and have enjoyed every word of it since. I recently signed my thirteenth contract and am doing my happy dance as I type this. My husband of forty-one years is my greatest support as are all my kids. Most of them are grown and carving out lives for themselves. They are the beat of my heart and with every grandchild, the rhythm gets stronger. I enjoy every moment of my life.

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