
Part of Series
Hannah Bell has spent over ten years of her life running a finishing school for girls where she has prepared several Seasons’ worth of successful ladies for their debuts in the ton. While a worthy cause, at times it could be a very lonely one, especially as she is now facing the festive season by herself. Oliver, Lord Wolford, subjected to an arranged marriage when he was a young man, is now a widower and quite content to remain so. He detests the social whirl of London, preferring the country and his animals. However, his sister Jane, Lady Dunsmore, invites him to her home for Christmas, to lure him away from his comfortable, single state. When Oliver is surprised by his sister’s matchmaking efforts, will he resist or allow the magic of Christmas to soften his heart? When Hannah’s closest friend Jane invites her to Dunsmore Castle for Christmas, will Hannah accept the invitation, or will she continue to let life pass her by?
Author

Like many writers, Elizabeth Johns was first an avid reader, though she was a reluctant convert. It was Jane Austen's clever wit and unique turn of phrase that hooked Johns when she was "forced" to read Pride and Prejudice for a school assignment. She began writing when she ran out of her favorite author’s books and decided to try her hand at crafting a Regency romance novel. Her journey into publishing began with the release of Surrender the Past, book one of the Loring-Abbott Series. Johns makes no pretensions to Austen’s wit but hopes readers will perhaps laugh and find some enjoyment in her writing. Johns attributes much of her inspiration to her mother, a retired English teacher. During their last summer together, Johns would sit on the porch swing and read her stories to her mother, who encouraged her to continue writing. Busy with multiple careers, including a professional job in the medical field, author and mother of small children, Johns squeezes in time for reading whenever possible.