Heroes of Honor: Historical Romance Collection

by Laurel O'Donnell

  Beloved in His Eyes

  As captain of the guard, Gawyn serves his brother, Lord Damien, faithfully and loyally; there is nothing he would not do for him. Justina Auber must protect her younger brother from the assassin who murdered her father. Will Gawyn betray his brother to save the woman he is falling in love with? Book 3 in the Angel's Assassin series!

  Beloved in His Eyes on Amazon

  Champion of the Heart

  Champion of the Heart is an exciting medieval romance filled with dark secrets and haunted castles, villainous betrayal and heartbreaking tragedy, honor and family loyalty—and a love that conquers all.

  “Captivating from the very first page, readers will have a hard time putting CHAMPION OF THE HEART down. The characters emotional turmoil coupled with the sensuality and delightful cast of characters adds a special, unique depth… and elevated this to another level.”

  - RT Book Reviews

  Champion of the Heart on Amazon

  Medieval Romance Novellas

  A Knight Amid Thorns

  A Knight Amid Thorns on Amazon

  When the murderer of her brother is welcomed into her castle as a friend, Lady Ella Rames vows to make his life as miserable as hers and to avenge her brother. Struggling to fulfill an oath and find the elusive blue rose, Sir Graden Dumount’s final hope rests with a woman who despises him. Can Ella and Graden overcome their animosity and let the power of the blue rose heal them and turn enemies into lovers?

  A Knight's Protection

  A Knight's Protection on Amazon

  A healer and outcast, Lia discovers a dying Templar knight who entrusts her with an important treasure and elicits her promise to protect it. Kade de Claremont returns home upon news of his mother’s death only to find his father is searching for a mythical treasure. Lia and Kade must join together to keep the treasure from his father, but secrets and trust come between them to sabotage their growing attraction.

  The Bravest of Them All

  The Bravest of Them All on Amazon

  All her life, Nessa has idolized her older sister, Melwyn, following in her footsteps, doing what she did. When Nessa falls in love with her sister’s betrothed, she is willing to sacrifice her own feelings to ensure Melwyn’s happiness. Luke of Brackley has vowed to protect the innocent, including his lord’s daughters. Betrothed to Melwyn, Luke always believed his future lay in her arms. When he discovers Nessa has been kidnapped by an enemy, he risks everything to save her. Will Nessa be able to keep her love for Luke a secret even as her heart breaks?

  Mistletoe Magic

  Mistletoe Magic on Amazon

  A confident knight arrives home to find his childhood friend grown into much more than he remembered. The lady of the castle keeps a dangerous secret that threatens all she holds dear. Will Mistletoe Magic save them? Mistletoe Magic is a medieval romance novella.

  Cherished Protector of Her Heart

  Cherished Protector of Her Heart on Amazon

  Aurora, the honored lady of Acquitaine prepares for her upcoming marriage. Damien, her betrothed, battles the unwanted visitors that have come for more than just celebration. Will his past catch up to him and ruin all he has fought so hard to protect? This novella features characters from Angel's Assassin! Part 2 of the Angel's Assassin Trilogy.

  The Bride and the Brute

  FREE - The Bride and the Brute Novella on Amazon

  Jayce Cullen has been fighting her fear of thunder and lightning ever since she was a child, but nothing could have prepared her for the fury of her new husband. Feeling deceived and betrayed into a loveless marriage, Lord Reese Harrington wants nothing to do with his new wife. Trapped in a marriage with no escape, the beautiful young bride must battle the demons of her husband’s past and hope that she can weather the storm his brutish behavior unleashes. This medieval romance novella is available for FREE for a limited time!

  Paranormal Romance

  Immortal Death on Amazon

  Jade Smith's supernaturally fast ability to heal has made her a freak. After years of fearful reactions from others, she stays hidden in the shadows of life. The one thing that keeps her sane is her writing--and her wonderful Demetrius, an imaginary character she created in her online stories. But when Demetrius suddenly appears in her apartment, her life changes forever.

  Demetrius Mercer is a fighter vampire for the de Nouviant family who spends his days hunting a rival vampire family for killing his beloved Rosaline. When he learns Jade Smith knows his life story and is publishing it on the Internet for all to see, he must uncover who she is and how she knows so much about his past--before she exposes him and endangers his entire family.

  Will Jade's abilities be enough to heal Demetrius's scarred soul, or will he spend eternity alone in anguish?

  Urban Fantasy

  Lost Souls: Resurrection - Episode 1 on Amazon

  Christian Thompson is killed but refuses to pass into the afterlife because of his need to shelter his daughter from her cruel mother. He soon discovers there are others like him, other spirits trapped between the world of the living and the dead. He joins the Lost Souls in their struggle against a dark evil that threatens them all.

  Lost Souls: Imperfection – Episode 2 on Amazon

  Sam and her brother Ben, along with their new friend Christian, have just defied the leader of the Lost Souls. Outcast from their former group, the three of them battle the dark forces of the Changed on their own. With the help of their old friend, Eugene, they investigate the mysterious disappearance of one of their Lost Soul brethren. As the investigation deepens, they come to the chilling realization that their nemesis, Scala, has escaped his centuries-old prison with revenge on his twisted mind. A demonic possession leads to grave consequences and the Lost Souls must make a difficult choice between life and death for an innocent victim.

  Lost Souls: Deception - Episode 3 on Amazon

  Sam, Ben and Christian continue to battle the dark forces of the Changed, the inhuman monsters who feed on the energy of their Lost Soul brethren. After receiving surprising news about the whereabouts of Sam and Ben’s sister Cora, they arrive at a friend’s to investigate. As their search deepens, Ben becomes consumed with trying to save Cora, taking a very dangerous path that puts himself and everyone around him in jeopardy. Treachery and deception threaten their group as they discover nothing is as it seems…

  Lost Souls: Altercation - Episode 4 on Amazon

  Sam and Christian have mysteriously disappeared. An unlikely group of allies is formed as Damien, Ben and Eugene search for their missing friends. With the calming presence of Sam gone from his life, the urge to make the Jump into a human grows dangerously strong inside of Damien. To add to their anguish, a powerful new menace threatens destruction for both Souls and humans alike. Can they find Sam in time to stop Damien from making the Jump? Can they stop this new foe from gaining strength and building a deadly following? Read Lost Souls – Altercation to find out!

  Lost Souls: Suspicion - Episode 5 on Amazon

  As the Souls try to discover who their nemesis, Scala, has possessed, Sam fights inner doubts and demons. The Souls look to Sam to lead them, but can she find the courage to save her brother and her friends from their most challenging enemy or will her suspicions doom them all?

  Get Lost Souls Episodes 1-4 in a convenient boxed set on Amazon!

  Lost Souls Boxed Set on Amazon

  For more information on any of these books or other novels by Laurel O'Donnell, please visit her website at www.laurel-odonnell.com, or follow her Amazon author page.

  © Laura Landon 2012

  Chapter One

  London, England

  October 16, 1853

  The carriage slowed in front of the Earl of Etherington’s town house. Before its three occupants could disembark, Gabriel Talbot shot his arm out and braced it against the door.

  “No one move,” he demanded, preventing his best friends from exiting. “What did the two of you do to earn this command audience with
your father?”

  “I can’t imagine,” Austin Landwell, the younger of the two brothers said, sinking back against the cushions. “Everything was fine when we left the house this morning. Wasn’t it, Harrison?”

  Harrison Landwell, Viscount Rundmoor, and heir to the Etherington title, released a heavy sigh before swiping his hand through his thick dark hair. “I thought it was—well, as fine as things can be with Father’s constant concern over money issues.”

  “Do you think this is over money?”

  Harrison and Austin looked at each other. “I can’t see how discussing money would be important enough to call us home in the middle of the day. And Father commanded your presence too. So this doesn’t involve just the two of us.”

  Gabriel considered what Austin said. “I’d like at least a little warning about what to expect before we have to face your father. I was going to request a meeting with him tomorrow to offer for Lydia’s hand.”

  Smiles broke out across both brothers’ faces and before he could protect himself, Austin and Harrison’s arms shot out and punched him on opposite shoulders.

  “About time,” Harrison said on a laugh. “I wasn’t sure how much longer Austin and I were going to survive competing with your near-perfection. When Lydia isn’t walking around with that syrupy moonstruck look in her eyes, she’s extolling your godly virtues to everyone within earshot. I swear, sometimes I feel like I should bow when you walk into a room.”

  “It’s disgusting,” Austin teased. “Just the other morning I was foolish enough to mention the trouble cropping up in the Crimea and heard a ten minute dissertation on the reasons you think we’ll end up in a war over it. I thought women only cared about shopping and balls and the latest fashions. Look what you’ve turned our Liddy into—a woman with a mind.”

  Gabriel smiled. He’d hoped he’d concealed how much Lydia meant to him, at least until he could ask for her hand. Austin’s next statement told him that ship had already sailed.

  “Bloody hell, Gabe. You’ve got it as bad as Liddy. You should see the look on your face. You’d better not wait until tomorrow to speak with Father. You’d better offer for our sister today.”

  Gabriel moved to the edge of the seat. “Maybe I will. After we find out what’s so important your father has commanded our presence.”

  Gabriel jumped out of the carriage and strode up the slate walk a short distance behind Harrison and Austin.

  Ruskins, the Etherington butler, held open the door, then took their hats and gloves when they entered.

  “Lord Etherington is in the library, my lord. Mr. Landwell. Sir,” he said with a moving glance that included each of them in turn. “He asked that the three of you join him as soon as you arrived.”

  “Are there clouds on the horizon?” Harrison asked the austere butler. If anyone was privy to the prevailing mood of his employer, Ruskins was the perfect judge.

  “Lord Etherington asked not to be disturbed after you joined him,” Ruskins answered and Gabriel felt a hitch in his breathing.

  Harrison and Austin must have felt the same foreboding, because a worried glance passed from one to the other.

  “Well, then, we’d best face the lion and see what we can do to calm the beast,” Harrison said, taking the lead across the foyer’s parquet-tiled floor. A footman scrambled to open the door and Gabriel followed the two brothers into the room.

  “Good afternoon, Father,” Harrison and Austin both acknowledged somberly.

  “My lord,” Gabriel said with wary apprehension.

  “So, what’s so terribly important that you called the three of us away from the sale at Tattersall’s?” Austin jumped right into obviously troubled waters.

  No one could coax a smile from someone in a foul mood better than Austin. No one was better company when you needed a friend to cheer you. But on the opposite side of the coin, no one needed a friend to watch over him more than Austin did. Although Gabriel was fond of both of Liddy’s brothers, he felt a special kinship toward Austin. He always had.

  “There was a beautiful stallion just going up for bid that Cummings and Rothman were both determined to own. Harrison and Gabe put their money on Rothman, but I thought Cummings looked more determined to—”

  “Austin,” the Earl of Etherington interrupted. “Perhaps you could cease your chatter long enough to greet our guest.”

  They turned in unison to where Etherington’s gaze was focused at the back of the room. A man Gabe didn’t recognize stood in the shadows. He didn’t step out when they looked at him, but only lifted his shoulders and faced them with a pompous air that seemed to come naturally. For no reason he could explain, Gabe felt an instant stabbing of dislike.

  “Chisolmwood, you remember my eldest son, Harrison, Viscount Rundmoor. Harrison, the Duke of Chisolmwood.”

  “Your Grace.”

  Chisolmwood nodded slightly.

  “And my second son, Mr. Austin Landwell.”

  “Your Grace.”

  Chisolmwood barely greeted Austin. His attention was already focused on Gabriel.

  “And may I present Gabriel Talbot. Talbot is—”

  “I’m well aware of Talbot’s lineage. You are Baron Talbot’s son—his…third son.”

  Gabriel tried to ignore the condemnation in the duke’s voice and raised his chin. “Yes, Your Grace. I am my father’s…third son. Are you acquainted with my father?”

  The duke’s expression hinted that Gabriel’s question was a blatant affront to his elevated station.

  “No, Talbot, I’ve never met your father.”

  Since Gabriel couldn’t remember the last time his father had come to London, he knew it was highly unlikely Chisolmwood and his father were acquainted. And since his two older brothers were content to stay in the country with their wives and children, he doubted Chisolmwood was acquainted with them, either. If it weren’t for Harrison and Austin—and of course, Lydia—Gabriel doubted he would have spent the last several months in London or met half the people to whom he’d gained introduction.

  “I’m sure you didn’t call us away from Tattersall’s because His Grace came to call,” Harrison said to his father, his voice carrying a note of wariness that matched the unease sifting through Gabriel. “Has something happened?”

  “Yes,” Etherington said, slowly rising from behind his desk. He paced four steps toward the open window then stopped and turned. “I called you here because His Grace has come with an offer. An offer that affects all of you.”

  Gabriel stood rooted where he was, unable to move. The fact that he’d been summoned was warning enough. The worried frown on Etherington’s forehead reinforced the concern eating at him. That the Duke of Chisolmwood was at the center of the issue tripled the danger.

  Etherington clasped his hands behind his back and looked at Gabriel.

  “His Grace has come with an offer of marriage.”

  The earth shifted beneath Gabe’s feet. He clenched each hand in a grip that sent waves of pain up and down his arms and he forced himself to take one breath after another.

  “An offer of marriage?” Austin sputtered. “For whom? Lydia?”

  Harrison took a step forward. “You can’t be serious. For God’s sake, Father. Surely you aren’t considering His Grace as a husband for Liddy?”

  Etherington slammed his fist against the corner of the desk. “Enough. Both of you. His Grace isn’t offering for himself. He’s offering for his son, the Marquess of Culbertson.”

  Gabriel felt the air freeze in his lungs, yet he somehow kept breathing as if Lydia’s father hadn’t just spoken words that had the power to destroy his future. He knew he had to do something to stop this from going further or he’d lose her.

  “Lord Etherington,” he said, stepping deeper into the room. “Lydia and I have already come to an understanding concerning our future together. I do not claim to have His Grace’s wealth or influence, but I’m not without means. Nor am I without a future. Lydia will never lack for anything. On that yo
u have my promise.”

  Etherington looked uncomfortable. And defeated.

  “That isn’t the issue, Talbot. Surely you can’t expect me to consider any proposal you might make when I am presented with the chance for my daughter to become a duchess?”

  Gabriel’s jaw clenched. “Have you asked Lydia her wishes? Perhaps she doesn’t wish to become a duchess.”

  “That doesn’t matter. You and I both know she’s too young and too impressionable to know her mind.”

  Gabe couldn’t stop the smile that lifted the corners of his mouth. “You don’t know your daughter nearly as well as you think, my lord.” He paused. “Or perhaps you don’t care nearly so much for her happiness as you do for how her marriage to a duke’s son can benefit you.”

  The color drained from the Earl of Etherington’s face and the earl staggered back a step before he caught himself against the chair behind his desk.

  “I want what is best for all my children,” the earl said, and Gabriel heard something in the earl’s voice he hadn’t recognized before—an absence of hope.

  “Then you will at least consider my offer for your daughter’s hand.”

  “No, he will not,” the Duke of Chisolmwood said from behind them.

  Except for their frosty meeting, Chisolmwood had been ominously silent. Gabriel recognized the challenge in the duke’s words but refused to let him dominate. He turned to where the duke stood and faced him.

  “For months now, neither Lydia nor I have made a secret of our feelings for each other. Out of all the eligible women to consider for your son’s bride, why have you chosen someone whose heart is already taken?”