THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE – Carla Neggers
Swan River Valley , Book 2
MIRA
ISBN-13: 978-0-7783-1420-2
February 2013
Contemporary Romance

Knights Bridge, Massachusetts – Present Day

It's just for one night.  Librarian, Phoebe O'Dunn swallows her shyness and lingers near the sidelines of the ballroom in her borrowed vintage dress and mask.  She only wants to watch the dancing, then she's out of there and back home before her friends discover her deception.

And then Phoebe sees him.  Dressed all in black, a masked swashbuckler, sword at his side, takes her breath away.  His movements are controlled and calculated.  He turns and looks her way; their eyes meet, and hold, as he walks purposefully toward her.  He reaches out his hands and sweeps her onto the dance floor.  As if in a dream, they keep dancing long past the end of the music . . . finally, and reluctantly, stepping apart.  And then, he is gone.

In his hotel room, billionaire Noah Kendrick swallows his pride as he steps out of his manly rock climbing gear and dons a pair of skimpy black tights so he can attend his friend's charity masquerade ball.  Decked out all in black, his regular mode of dress, Noah buckles the fake sword to his side and sets out to rescue any fair damsel who might be in distress.  Since he promised his best friend, Dylan McCaffrey, Noah plans to make an appearance, then disappear into the night.  So far, his plan worked like a charm.  He's on his way out of the massive ballroom when he sees a raven haired woman across the room.  She's is hugging the far wall and dressed in a splendid and sparkling Edwardian gown.  Unable to resist, Noah walks toward her; he wants to touch her, hold her.  He holds out his arms and together they move onto the dance floor as if in a dream, holding each other, unwilling to let go as the music comes to an end.  Noah stares into the most beautiful turquoise eyes he's ever seen.  But when he looks up across the room, he sees someone from his real life and the fantasy is dispelled.  Noah must step away, and he asks his princess to wait.  When he returns a few minutes later, she is gone.

THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE is a Cinderella and her prince story come to life!  Phoebe O'Dunn never planned to attend the charity ball in Boston.  She was simply the bearer of gifts when she presented the costume dresses to her sister Maggie and their best friend, Olivia Frost,  to wear to the event.  Phoebe discovered a hidden sewing room tucked inside the library attic, and it was filled to the brim with vintage dresses.  Maggie will look stunning in the blue Audrey Hepburn dress, and Grace Kelly's black gown is perfect for Olivia!  But when Phoebe made the mistake of trying on a sequined vintage gown, she impulsively jumped in her car and drove straight to Boston, wearing the dress.  And once there, instead of simply watching Phoebe, she found a real, living, breathing fantasy man.

THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE is book two in the Swift River Valley series, following SECRETS OF A LOST SUMMER (January 2012).  Standing alone on its own merits, THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE is a present day fairy tale!  Phoebe returns to her daily life as Knights Bridge's head librarian.  Noah, however, is sure that Olivia and Dylan know who his princess is, so he instead of going back to San Diego, he follows them into Knights Bridge to look for the woman who stole his heart and finds that life in this small town is slow and peaceful, and everyone knows everyone else's business.

THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE is alive with a plethora of characters.  Dylan and Olivia prepare for their upcoming wedding, and Phoebe's sister Maggie and her estranged husband Brandon tiptoe around each other as they try to work out their differences.  Most women only want Noah for his money, but, instinctively, he knows his mystery princess might be different, if he can find her.  And while Noah is searching, Phoebe dreams of the man she danced with.  She knows she won't see him again.  Dreams don't come true for her.  After having her heart broken years ago by an insensitive man, she's been content to live her quiet life in Knights Bridge.

THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE is a heartwarming romance, complete with a mystery element inside Phoebe's secret attic room.  As Phoebe and Noah discover each other's identity and drift into romance, one big obstacle is all powerful; how can they maintain a long distance romance?  Noah's life is in San Diego, and Phoebe will never leave Knights Bridge.  Is love possible?

Be sure to pick up THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE and delve into Noah and Phoebe's story of happily ever after!

Diana Risso