Falcon on the Wind -- Coming soon A Prequel to the Stolen Brides Series Kidnapped on the morning of her wedding…by her betrothed’s most dangerous enemy. Betrayed by a treacherous French ally, Sir Connor of Glenshiel kidnaps the knave's betrothed, heiress Laurien d'Amboise, from the steps of Chartres Cathedral on her wedding day. She is a hostage to be bartered for the freedom of Connor's beloved Scotland – but the clever, defiant lady has plans of her own. From a besieged French castle to the Scottish Highlands, they’re swept up in dangerous passion, wild adventure – and a love to last a lifetime. An RWA Golden Heart Finalist This new digital edition has been fully revised by the author. Includes exclusive bonus content: “The Making of FALCON ON THE WIND: The Story Behind the Story.” BUY Coming soon | Read Reviews | Read Excerpt

“A compelling, memorable romance. Shelly Thacker’s FALCON ON THE WIND joins the ranks of the finest medieval captive/captor stories along with those by Elizabeth Stuart and Johanna Lindsey. A new star of medieval romance is on the rise. 4 1/2 stars (highest rating)." Romantic Times Book Reviews

“Fast-paced action, a very likeable heroine, and a story that keeps you enthralled from page one. I’m looking forward to many more great stories from the first-time historical author.” Rendezvous

“Captivating. A delightful debut from a promising new star in historical romance.” National bestselling author Victoria Thompson

“Enchanting. Shelly Thacker has woven a rich tapestry of romance, adventure and history in her fascinating first novel.” New York Times bestselling author Ruth Ryan Langan

Dear Readers,

I’m currently working on an all-new edition of my first novel, revising it from first page to last. Falcon on the Wind, a prequel to the Stolen Brides series, will be published in 2012.

Set in 1295, five years before Forever His takes place, Falcon on the Wind introduces us to a charming scoundrel named Gaston de Varennes for the first time, when he offers refuge to a friend who’s on a dangerous secret mission.

Enjoy this advanced sneak peek of the novel-in-progress, as our hero and heroine, Connor and Laurien, meet for the first time.

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The passage narrowed on the way out of the market and the wedding procession squeezed through a street of timber-framed hovels, where more onlookers leaned out of windows. The air seemed to grow thick with the smells of roast meat, spilled ale, and the refuse that lined the streets. Laurien tugged at the gold chain fastening her mantle, wanting to throw it off, trying to breathe.

The cathedral loomed before her.

They approached from a hill to the east, and the midday sun shone through the huge windows, making the luminous reds and blues and violets seem to dance. She had read much about what many said was France’s most beautiful cathedral – but at the moment, she could not recall a single fact from her history texts. Inside that church her fate would be sealed.

They were close enough now that she could see the outlines of the statues above the doors.

A sudden commotion made her glance to her right. A lone rider mounted on a tall black stallion was jostling for position on a side street, his broad shoulders nearly filling the space between buildings. He wore the brown cloak and wooden cross of a pilgrim, but something made the milling throng give way around him.

He quieted his horse, looked up – and Laurien immediately understood why the crowd had given him a wide berth.

He looked like some kind of brigand. Dangerous. The sort of man who should be brawling in an alehouse somewhere or doing violence in a dark alley. From his muscular frame to the scar that slashed along his left cheekbone, white against his tanned skin, he was almost alarmingly ... male. And menacing. A thatch of blond hair tangled over his forehead, and he had a slightly darker beard, but neither softened the hard angles of his face. Despite his garb, he did not look at all like a penitent worshipper on a holy quest.

He looked like an outlaw intent on stealing something.

And he must be the boldest of thieves, she thought, if he meant to steal jewels from any of the nobles in the wedding procession.

But then, he was not watching the procession, she realized suddenly.

He was watching her.

Every instinct urged her to glance away, her heart beating harder, but his gaze held hers fast. He studied her, his eyes the most vibrant blue she had ever seen, blue like the sheer glass of the cathedral windows—eyes that held a look of unyielding determination. And somehow, though she wore no gems of any kind, she sensed that all of his fierce determination was directed at her.

An unfamiliar and unsettling sensation flashed through her body, searing her as if she had stepped too close to a fire.

One of the guards noticed her stare and broke out of line to question the man. But when Laurien craned her neck to watch what happened, she saw that the rider had melted away into the crowd.