A storied castle. A band of rebels. A nation
chasing
a centuries-old dream of freedom. And three women who rise
above it all . . .
When Laine Forrester travels overseas to attend her best
friendβs vineyard wedding, she expects to find the bride on
the brink of a fairy tale life. But after a series of
unforeseen setbacks, it seems the storybook lives theyβd
imagined are suddenly ripping apart.
With hopes of resurrecting a happy ending, Laine agrees to
accompany the newlyweds to the groomβs home in Irelandβ
never
expecting sheβd be the one drawn in by its wide-open moors,
backroads bordering the Irish Sea, and a mysterious castle
that dares to keep its secrets hidden.
From the storied streets of Dublin to the shores of the
Emerald Isle, Laine is drawn in to the land and its rich
history. The castle ruins whisper stories of Issyβa
photojournalist battling through the 1916 Easter Rising,
and
Maeveβthe castleβs lady of legend, fighting for survival
through the 1798 rebellion that started it all.
Spanning more than two centuries, Castle on the Rise
unites the legacy of three women who must risk mending
the broken places withinβfor life, love, and the belief
that
even through the depths of our pain, a masterpiece of a
story can emerge.
Excerpt Laine accepted a wedding in France, though beautiful, for
what it was: an escape from the life crumbling back home.
Now was not the time to share her brand of advice. Or
brutal honesty. The story of a broken marriage and
uncertain future would have to wait its turn. Maybe she
could come clean when Ellie and Quinn returned from their
honeymoon. Or in the spring, when life had settled down. By
then, Laine and Cassie would be back homeβin a new home.
She could face the truth when it felt safe to pick up the
pieces and start again.
It was a battle, but Laine shoved the ache away. She held
on to her smile with everything she possessed and stood
back, marveling as Ellie dropped her trainβsatin and lace
absorbing the glow of light from the chapel door. They
paused together, the snow drifting in a dance around them.
βLive every moment,β Laine whispered into the twilight.
βThatβs what you said to me when I walked down the aisle,
remember? I gift it back to you. Fix every second of this
night in your heart. Protect it, and visit it often.β
βLive every moment. Yes.β Ellie half laughed, then paused
and cast her gaze off in the distance. She creased her
brow. Deep. Like she was lost somewhere else for a breath.
Funny, she always did that just before she . . .
βOhβno tears!β
Laine rushed forward a step and dotted impending tears with
her gloved pinkie before Ellie could ruin her wedding
photos with mascara tracks. βIβm so sorry. What did I say?β
βNothing!β Ellie blinked, turning her face up to the night
air as Laine continued patting and fanning. βItβs nothing.
Iβm just so glad youβre here, thatβs all. With everything
moving so fast and getting married without Grandma Vi . . .
Itβs a lot to manage on my own.β
βWell, youβre not on your own. You have Quinn. You have me
and Cassieβthat little flower girl in there who loves her
honorary Auntie Ellie more than anything. And thereβs a
chapel full of guests who are probably wondering where in
the world we are. All that love makes me sure Grandma Viβs
watching over you right this minute. So no tears, darling.
At least not until after Quinn sees you, heels and mascara
intact.β
βYouβre right. No tears now. Not even the happy ones.β
Ellie inhaled deep, then let it out in a fog of frozen
breath.
Being a head taller and a shade older, Laine couldnβt help
it; she had everything necessary to give her friend an
effective maternal glare. And she did. Staring down her
nose with just enough pertness to warrant her concern. βAre
you sure youβre okay? I want this to be perfect for you.β
βIt already is perfect. His family is here and so is mine.
And I get to become his wife. What else could I need?β
Ellie bit the corner of her bottom lip, alerting Laine that
a sweet little request from her best friend was likely to
follow. βExcept maybe to get on your good side so I can
convince you and Cassie to stay a bit longer?β
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