Upon a Midnight Dreary: A Halloween Anthology

by Alexa Aston, Kathryn Le Veque

Genres: Historical Romance; Medieval Romance; Regency Romance; historical romance; Regency romance; medieval romance; Regency Historical Romance

Synopsis

When doors creak and ghostly whispers can be heard throughout the halls, this stunning collection of haunted Historical Romance novellas is sure to leave you breathless with ethereal, romantic tales...

Welcome to UPON A MIDNIGHT DREARY anthology!

Many of your favorite Historical Romance authors have come together for a collection of never-before published stories inspired by true, legendary hauntings of the British Isles. These tales will give you a chill, a thrill, and have you reading them over and over. From the moors of Devon to the ballrooms of Regency London, and far north into the Scottish Highlands, these stories will bring you wistful dreams of legendary and haunting romance. You've never before experienced a collection like this by some of the very best authors in Historical Romance.

Authors in this anthology include:

Kathryn Le Veque
Caroline Lee
Chasity Bowlin
Hildie McQueen
Maggie Andersen
Mary Lancaster
Meara Platt
Violetta Rand
Alexa Aston
Anna Markland
Aubrey Wynne
Elizabeth Ellen Carter
Elizabeth Johns
Elizabeth Keysian
Emily E K Murdoch
Emily Royal
Heather McCollum
Anna St. Claire
Lynne Connolly
Maeve Greyson
Whitney Blake

Light your candle, lock your doors, and settle down to this smashing collection of darkly-tinged romantic stories with unforgettable heroes and magnificent ladies. Romance has never been so daring... or so haunting!

And if you hear a knock on your door... don't answer it unless you are prepared to welcome a wandering wraith in a tattered wedding gown...

Release date: October 21, 2021

Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing

Sample

Without hesitation, Fulk grabbed a handful of Elric’s golden curls and yanked his head back. He swiftly drew a dagger across her beloved’s throat.

Elric’s eyes widened in surprise and pain. He made an awful gurgling sound as Fulk released Elric’s hair. As his head dropped to his chest, Castor stepped to the handrail. With Fulk’s help, the two men tossed Elric into the river.

Bickford’s hand dropped from Anne’s mouth. A primal scream came from her, one of agony and lost hope. She broke away and rushed to the rail, looking frantically into the rushing waters and seeing nothing in the darkness below.

“You can now wed me, dearest Anne,” Bickford said. “I always wanted you but you never glanced in my direction. It was always Elric.”

“And it always will be, you cowardly bastard,” she proclaimed. “Elric is my life and my only love.”

With that, Anne, flung herself from the bridge.

She hit the cold river water, being swept downstream quickly. For a moment, she fought to keep her head above water. Then she forced her instinct to survive aside and surrendered to the water. She stopped trying to paddle. She felt herself being dragged down by the weight of her cotehardie. Opening her arms wide, she gave into the water.

And drown.

For what seemed a lifetime, Anne floated dreamily in the water, thoughts of kissing Elric keeping her happy. Then she found herself somehow standing. She looked about and immediately recognized the familiar surroundings.

She stood on the Glanbury side of the Medway River, next to the oak tree. Before her was the bridge.

The bridge to Elric.

She saw him on the Windsong side, looking wistfully at her. Eager to touch him—to kiss him—Anne ran the few feet to the bridge. She stepped onto it and then suddenly stopped.

It was as if she couldn’t move. Her feet refused to lift. She took a few steps back with ease and then took a few more. Then she lifted her skirts and began to run.

Again, after only a few feet she stopped, as if some invisible barrier stood in her way. She looked at her feet, trying to understand what prevented her from continuing.

Raising her head, her gaze connected with Elric’s. He stood sadly on the other side. He shook his head in defeat.

Anne tried again and again but could not break through, no matter how she availed herself.

Why couldn’t she get to Elric?

And then she understood.

She was dead. So was Elric. And the bridge stood between them, keeping them apart.

For all time . . .