The Lady from Holsten

Book excerpt: Belthus is the fabled land of dense jungles and exotic spices. Sharpenia is home to large predators, vast forests, and frozen landscapes. Laura Mendlin dreams of visiting strange, faraway lands from her room in Holsten on the coast of Welchstad. But Laura is not supposed to attend the Yuletide Ball, let alone sail the ocean to Belthus. Her parents expect her to rescue the family from financial ruin by marrying her to her fathers new business partner. Excuses are heaped on her for why this must be. But Laura rejects them all. Laura flees her lawful marriage to hide out at Castle Redscales Yuletide Ball. She needs to marry welland fast. She has no time for love or doubts about her plan. And yet shes plagued by doubt. She meets an eligible man but finds herself drawn to another. Yet her father is sure to come after her. She cant legally refuse his demand either. Marriage is her problem and solution. Laura wants another choice. But with even her friends pushing her to marry, will Laura ever get to choose a life for herself?