Lady Alanna McNabb is bound by duty to her family, who insist she must marry a gentleman of wealth and title. When she meets the man of her dreams, she knows it’s much too late, but her heart is no longer hers.
Laird Iain MacGillivray is on his way to propose to another woman when he discovers Alanna half-frozen in the snow and barely alive. She isn’t his to love, yet she’s everything he’s ever wanted.
As Christmas comes closer, the snow thickens, and the magic grows stronger. Alanna and Iain must choose between desire and duty, love and obligation.
But it’s Christmas in the Highlands, and there are bound to be a few surprises.
She trudged on. Safety was just over the next hill—or was she in a glen? It was impossible to tell. Her cloak was crusted with ice, the hem stiff and scratchy against her legs, snagging her stockings, shredding them. Fear rose, more menacing now, and she fought the urge to panic. She gulped a deep breath and tasted snow, felt the chill invade her lungs, form a cold ball in her belly. She could barely open her eye against the force of the driving snow stinging her face.
The world was as opaque as linen, or new milk.
Or a shroud.
“Hello!” she called out. The wind snatched the word and flung it away. “Please,” she begged. The gale took that word too. She bent forward, forced her way, step after step, the snow creaking and whining under her feet, the wind tearing at her clothes.
Alanna didn’t see the gully. It was as white as everything else—but suddenly she was tipping sideways, sliding, unable to stop herself from falling down the frozen slope. She screamed as she hit something sharp and hard and came to a jarring stop. Pain shot through her knee, filled her body with agony, made her pant as her heart hammered against her ribs. There were sharp rocks lurking under the fresh snow. They peered up like jagged teeth from where her fall had uncovered them. It could have been much worse than a bruised knee. “Lucky,” she whispered.
She lay still, staring up at the sky, as white and heartless as the earth, lost in shock and pain. She reached her hand down to where pain radiated from her left knee, but her frozen fingers were useless. She raised her hand and stared at the blood on her glove. She swallowed hard.
Cut then, at least. Or was her leg broken? She tried to move it, felt the instant stab of pain, and cried out. The world dissolved from snow to white-hot fire. She felt a bubble of hysterical laughter fill her chest. Surely this would delay the wedding. Or would it simply make her bruised and battered and ugly on her wedding night? Her mirth died. She tried now, as she had for days, to imagine Merridew above her, in her bed, his body against hers. She felt only dread.
Up—she must get up, keep going. She gritted her teeth and tried to rise. White hot agony forced the breath from her lungs, and she fell back. Perhaps the injury was worse than she’d thought, or maybe she was simply mired in a deep drift of snow. She would have to dig herself out, force herself to her feet, and continue on. She looked around, trying to get her bearings, but there was nothing, no one. The world had disappeared. She bit her lip, fought tears, and set a hand over her heart to still the terror that threatened to choke her. She was so cold, and so tired.
She lay back. She just needed a moment to rest, and then she would get up and find her way home. Above her, the snowflakes rushed toward her, silver on white, hypnotic. They tickled as they settled on her skin, a gentle caress. Alanna shut her eyes.
Just for a moment, she’d rest. Then she’d get up and find her way home.
About the Author:
Lecia Cornwall lives and writes in Calgary, Canada, amid the beautiful foothills of the Canadian Rockies, with four cats, two teenagers, a crazy chocolate Lab, and one very patient husband. She is hard at work on her next book.
Jennifer’s Review of Once Upon a Highland Christmas
Review (4.75 Stars): I found a new favorite author after reading Once Upon a Highland Christmas and I want to find a guy exactly like Iain. He was sweet, charming and so gentle with Alanna after she was injured out in the snow. He was definitely an alpha male who had so much responsibility on his shoulders and planned to propose to another woman because it was expected of him after receiving his new title. The chance meeting with Alanna that night wasn’t what either of them had planned but once they saw each other, you could feel the sexual chemistry and heat between these two characters.
Alanna was used to fulfilling obligations as well and didn’t want to disappoint her family even though she was set to marry a man that she didn’t love. Iain saved her life out in the snow that night and because of her injuries, she had to recuperate in his home. I loved the interactions between the two and you could just see their relationship growing stronger as time went on. They were an adorable couple and I was hoping that a little Highland magic could keep this couple together for Christmas.
This is the third novel in the Once Upon a Highland series and I loved every minute of this story. Ms. Cornwall has created a perfect holiday romance that is sure to keep readers warm on those cold winter nights. Once Upon a Highland Christmas was a beautifully written story with the right amount of Highland magic and charm that makes it one of my favorite books of the holiday season.
Giveaway
Lecia would like to also giveaway an Ebook Copy of ONCE UPON A HIGHLAND AUTUMN to One Commenter. (US and Int)
Leave a comment for Lecia below:
Thank you for hosting today! Great Review!
Great review. I think Alanna’s injury makes an exciting way for them to get together.
Thanks for the great review! I love the description of the blizzard:
“The world was as opaque as linen, or new milk.
Or a shroud”
haven’t heard of this series before