Marquess of Mistletoe

by Grace Burrowes

He left her standing in the cold…
As a girl of seventeen, Marielle Redford waited and waited for Leopold Drake, her first love, to meet her at their trysting place so they could elope. She got a bad case of lung fever and a broken heart for her troubles.

She sent him off to war…
Leo Drake was all set to share his future with the lady of his dreams, when he was told Marielle had changed her mind. Bewildered and heartbroken, he joined the army and sailed for Spain. It’s ten years later, and fate has thrown Leo and Marielle together on Christmas night. Will they say farewell for all time, or let the magic of the holidays rejoin their hearts?

Genres: Historical Romance, Christmas, Novella, Romance, Fiction, Holiday, Short Stories

ebook

First published December 16, 2016

About the author

Grace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.

It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.

While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")

Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)

To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.

Reviews

[Georgie-who-is-Sarah-Drew · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK - so it's GB, it's Christmas, it's the seasonal of universal benevolence. Get that, honest. But nowhere in the gospels does it mention that the wise men brought holidays novellas festooned with absurd co-incidences, and the near miraculous survival of teenage love for ten long years. Of course this is probably worth reading (once, anyway): GB can write and this story is no worse than anyone else's Xmas offering, and it's sweet.

But over the years, I have lost my taste for milk chocolate, Christmas pudding (which is no more than a means of conveying rum butter to the mouth), and sweet stories.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story about two people who fell in love when young but due to outside forces went their seperate ways in life until years later they reunite by accident.

This is a quick second chance romance which was very enjoyable as the long overdue HEA for Leo and Marielle was orchestrated with a unique twist.

[Ewa ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it very much .

[Linda J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this as part of a multi author bundle called DUKE THE HALLS. This was one of the best in the bundle.

Old friends get a chance at love after 10 years apart. Talk about lies, the h's father told lies to the H/h. What I appreciated in this story is when they ran into each other after years apart, they got right to the chase. They each demanded to know why they did what they did. It's discovered then and there that another wanted them apart. Always makes me sad that they lost those years.

My only regret, I wanted a tiny epilogue stating if they had children and if their friends got together. I enjoyed the banter between the H and his valet/friend.

Bedroom door almost completely shut. Only a little foreplay explained - heat level 1 out of 5.

No cheating, cute twist, romance rekindled and almost clean. (ljb)

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a second chance romance - in this one Marielle waited for Leopold Drake in the stables of an inn so they could elope, and he never showed. He was told she changed her mind and so he accepted a commission to join the army. Marielle married another and now she’s a well-to-do widow, visiting that same inn on the anniversary of her disappointment, contemplating an arranged marriage to a nobleman. Leo has left the army and inherited a title, he’s now a Marquess. He also is thinking about an arranged marriage. When they run into each other at the same inn, they have a chance to resolve misunderstandings and see if all the same feelings are still there. What a lovely couple they made and it was a great holiday story.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance romance wherein the father of the heroine broke them up to start, sending him to war and her off to a more 'suitable' marriage, then they meet each other again at Christmas. Sweet but a little silly.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short but complete.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming christmas tale with miscommunication

[Christina K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ευτυχως ήταν λίγες οι σελίδες.Αδιαφορη η πλοκή του.

[Juli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable little Christmas romance. A tad more spicy than I first thought, but still, I found it amusing and sweet.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet treat to read.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read but great novella. Free gift from Grace.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but sweet. A very quick read, but enjoyable.

[Monique Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute!

[Arlene Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute short story.

Parental intervention led to years apart. They meet by chance and rekindle their relationship.

Love this author.