The Royal Wedding Collection

by Rachel Hauck

  9. How about that dress, the Diamatia? Then Corina’s mama donates it for charity and turns Corina’s room into a quiet room. She is trying to keep her son alive by changing nothing of his. Do you see where she’s coming from and how she might inadvertently treat Corina like she was gone too?

  10. What does the Manor symbolize about Corina’s spiritual journey? If you could “show” your spiritual journey in the physical world, what would it look like?

  11. Stephen has a pretty dynamic encounter with the Lord at the archbishop’s house. What was the significance for him in that moment? Have you had a similar experience?

  12. After Stephen has his “come to Jesus” meeting everything changes. It’s so true of scripture that He makes all things new. And for Stephen it freed him to be who he was called to be. How can you have a moment like this in your life?

  13. In the end, Stephen and Corina have their happily ever after. Did the story end in a satisfying way for you?

  14. What was your favorite part about the book?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  from Once Upon a Prince

  When my alarm went off at 5:00 a.m. the morning Prince William married Catherine Middleton, my first thought was, “Do I really want to do this? It’s so early!” But I love watching history in the making. I love a good romantic ending to any relationship.

  Twenty-nine years earlier I’d watched Prince Charles marry Lady Diana. How could I miss the nuptials of their son?

  So I rolled out of bed, hopped online, and watched the wedding of the century. The new Duchess of Cambridge captured me, and the rest of the world, with her poise and confidence.

  She was … like me. An ordinary girl marrying the man she loved, living her dream. My imagination took hold. What if an American girl was invited to a royal wedding? Wouldn’t that be cool? What if she met a prince and fell in love? What if she didn’t know he was a prince?

  Through several iterations, brainstorming, writing, and rewriting, Susanna and Nathaniel’s story came to life. Thank you to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, for inspiring us all.

  The countries used in this story are fictional—a blend of English and German culture, rooted in the history of European royalty. The characters reflect no real persons or ruling families. They are entirely of my imagination. Terminology and setting, and the political situation, is also solely of my creation, though I relied on real historical facts to build my royal world.

  That being said, a novel is written in solitude but with the support of many. My debt of love and thanks goes to:

  Brainstorm partners Debbie Macomber, DiAnn Mills, and Karen Young.

  My agent, Chip MacGregor, for loving this idea and lending it his support. I really appreciate you!

  My editor, Sue Brower, and the Zondervan team for seeing the merit of a royal story. Sue, your phone call and honest, real conversation won my heart.

  Bob Hudson for your wise insight and skilled copy edits.

  Authors Beth K. Vogt and Lisa Jordan for reading the synopsis and giving me your input.

  My writing partner, Susan May Warren, who continually carves time out of her busy life to sound out story ideas and plot points with me. Who said without hesitation when I called with a “new” idea for a big, smashing ending, “No terrorist attacks in a prince story!” Thank you, friend. I’m so grateful to the Lord for you.

  Ellen Tarver for reading and editing at the last minute. Amy Simpson, my real-life princess model. Thanks for loaning my imagination your beauty.

  My husband and very own prince, who is a constant encouragement and intellectual resource. He makes me laugh and reminds me who I’m writing for and why. He exhorts me to chase God and the things he’s called me to do with liberty. He is my best friend. “Love you, babe!”

  All the royal watchers and biographers who blog and write about Europe’s kings, queens, and royal families, especially the folks on the Royal Forums.

  And to you, the readers, who give your precious time to my stories! You bless me way more than you can ever know.

  Jesus! Thanks be to God who leads me into triumph! What an honor to know you and write for you.

  from Princess Ever After

  I love this part of writing a book—saying thanks to everyone who encouraged, blessed, and helped me along the way.

  Hessenberg and Brighton Kingdom history, people, and dialog are entirely of my imagination.

  Big royal thanks to:

  The authors and historians who documented royalty and European history.

  My editor, Susan Brower, who took my raw manuscript and gave me wise direction on how to fix it. I love your enthusiasm for this series. Thank you!

  Line editor, Jean Bloom. Thank you.

  My brother, Danny Hayes, for classic car help and for the idea of the Duesenberg. Any and all mistakes are mine.

  Author Davis Bunn, for ideas on how to simplify Hessenberg’s independence issue, and financial planner Sarah Burnett, for help with the financial story thread. Any and ALL mistakes are mine as they relate to the real world. But as they relate to the fiction world, they are all true.

  Cheryl Hyatt Smith for once again coming through with a key contact at a key time in the book! You rock, sister!

  Moyer Fuel Tank Renu in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, for giving me tips on restoring a fuel tank!

  Susie Warren, friend and teacher, brainstormer, writing partner. I wouldn’t be where I am in my writing journey without your wisdom and inspiration. Love you, friend!

  Beth Vogt for brainstorming last-minute ideas and cheering me on. Appreciate and love you!

  My agent, Chip MacGregor, for your support and wisdom.

  My husband, my own prince, my rock, and best friend. You demonstrate amazing grace as you roll with the writer’s life.

  Thanks to the entire staff of HarperCollins Christian Fiction: Daisy Hutton, it’s an honor to work with you. Katie Bond, so thrilled we get to keep working together. Ruthie Dean, you bless me so much! Becky Monds for your hard work. Kristen Vasgaard for great cover designs and the rest of the fiction team for all you do!

  Thanks to Kimberly Buckner for lending me the line about Reggie looking like a lit match. I look forward to holding your book in my hand one day!

  Thanks to Darren Plumber for helping me keep Al Lovett real.

  And to my neighbors for lending me the cool name Beswick.

  Big thanks to all of you readers! Put your name in here: ______________________________. You make this journey worthwhile. Especially on the hardest days. Just when doubt is grabbing hold and I wonder, “Why do I do this?” one of you will post on Facebook or send e-mail with encouraging words, and I realize I’m not alone and that writing a book is about more than me! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

  Worship leaders Jeremy Riddle and Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger. Thanks for demonstrating your love for Jesus through your songs. I worshiped almost nonstop to the YouTube worship set of “Our God” while finishing this book. At times, the Lord’s abiding presence was so evident I raced toward the deadline knowing He was my inspiration and help.

  Jesus the Christ, my life, writing, everything I do is for You and Your name because it’s all meaningless without You. I’m so humbled to call You my Lord and my friend! For Your glory!

  from How to Catch a Prince

  This book, in some way, has empty spaces. I have empty spaces. Ones that only the Holy Spirit can fill.

  I found myself in a physical battle while creatively struggling with this story. Not a good combination. Yet through it all, by God’s grace, I maintained my writing goals until my deadline, climbing to my office every day after a weak night of sleep, facing the page and writing despite my feelings, despite physical weakness.

  As I prayed over this book, I felt the Lord would fill the “empty spaces” for each of you, telling you His own unique story to your heart. So ask Him. “Lord, what do you have for me as I read this book?”

  God loves story. And He loves to speak to us through every
aspect of our lives. So, see what He has in store for you as you read!

  The good news is the physical struggle I faced has subsided and I’m back to myself. Prayer and the Word do work for all areas of our lives. Sometimes it requires a bit of warfare, but God is so very willing and able.

  Special thanks to:

  My publisher, Daisy Hutton, for her graciousness and understanding. We had to push the release out three months, a first for me, but it was needed to regroup. Thank you so very much, Daisy, for your friendship and partnership. I’m honored to work with you.

  My editor, Becky Philpott, who was the first to get the call, “I’m not doing very well.” This being our first book together, I’d have chosen a different scenario, but I couldn’t control the extenuating circumstances. Becky, you graciously stood with me, cheered me, and read a very, very rough manuscript, returning to me with both praise and suggestions. You bless me, friend. Thank you so much for being all an editor can be.

  To the entire HarperCollins Christian Publishing team, thank you! What a joy! Marketing Director Katie Bond, we’re going on seven years together, friend! What a joy.

  To Karli Jackson, Elizabeth Hudson, Becky Monds, Amanda Bostic, Kerri Potts, Jodi Hughes, and Kristen Vasgaard.

  And to the amazing Jason Short, Ayannah Mers, and your team for all the great work you do on behalf of the authors. Thank you!!

  Susan May Warren, my writing partner, for being on the other end of the phone so many times. Especially one Thursday evening when I called so boxed up I wasn’t sure I could write another word. Ever. You set aside your family dinner and hammered out the romantic journey with me, encouraged me, and reminded me almost daily, “You can do this. The Lord has got this!” I’ve always been honored and grateful for your friendship and partnership, but that night, you were a lighthouse on a dark, stormy sea. I’m so thankful to the Lord for you, friend!

  Beth Vogt, my other lighthouse, who got the call, “I’m on page two hundred and the hero and heroine haven’t met yet!” This is never a good thing in romance world. You brainstormed the story with me on a Saturday night, lending me your doctor husband’s medical expertise on high ankle sprains. Thank you so much, Beth and Rob.

  My agent, Chip MacGregor, for your support, wisdom, and friendship. I appreciate you so much.

  Jean Bloom, my line editor, for your suggestions and insight.

  To everyone who prayed for me in the hard season, especially my church family at Church on the Rock and Freedom Christian Center. Thank you. Prayer changes everything.

  To my husband, Tony, for being amazing, for praying over me, for reminding me of who I am in Christ, for challenging me to stand and fight, for loving me. I cannot imagine this life without you.

  To my Grandma, mom and sister, and my brothers. Love you all.

  To Cara Putman for ideas and help. Thanks, friend.

  To the readers who make it possible, and fun, for me to do my job. Thank you!

  To Jesus, who partners with me on every book, who gives me ideas, help, and well, everything I need to do what He’s given me to do. I write for You!

  To everyone who is hurting or finds themselves in a difficult place—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Know this, He loves you, He’s there for you and hears your prayers. There is nothing too big for Him to handle. Just trust. Believe.

  ALSO BY RACHEL HAUCK

  The Wedding Chapel (available November 2015)

  The Wedding Dress

  NOVELLAS FOUND IN A YEAR OF WEDDINGS

  A March Bride (e-book only)

  A Brush with Love: A January Wedding Story (e-book only)

  THE ROYAL WEDDING SERIES

  Once Upon a Prince

  Princess Ever After

  How to Catch a Prince

  LOWCOUNTRY ROMANCE NOVELS

  Love Starts with Elle

  Sweet Caroline

  Dining with Joy

  Nashville Sweetheart (e-book only)

  Nashville Dreams (e-book only)

  WITH SARA EVANS

  Sweet By and By

  Softly and Tenderly

  Love Lifted Me

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Rachel Hauck is an award winning, bestselling author. Her book, The Wedding Dress, was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times, and Once Upon A Prince was a Christy Award finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and two pets and writes from her ivory tower.

  VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.RACHELHAUCK.COM

  TWITTER: RACHELHAUCK

  FACEBOOK: RACHELHAUCK

  An Excerpt from The Wedding Dress

  Chapter 1

  Charlotte

  April 14

  It was the breeze, a change in the texture of the unseen that made her look up and walk around a stand of shading beech trees. Charlotte paused on the manicured green of the Ludlow Estate for a pure, deep breath, observing the elements of the day—blue sky, spring trees, sunlight bouncing off the parked-car windshields.

  She’d woken up this morning with the need to think, to pray, to get closer to heaven. She’d tugged on her favorite pair of shorts and driven up to the ridge.

  But instead of solitude, Charlotte found her piece of Red Mountain busy and burdened with shoppers, seekers, and bargain hunters. The annual Ludlow antiques auction to raise money for the poor was in full force on the estate’s luscious grounds.

  Charlotte raised her sunglasses to the top of her head, resenting the intrusion. This was her personal sanctuary, even if the rest of the world didn’t know it. Mama used to bring her here for picnics, parking on a gravel service road and sneaking Charlotte along the Ludlows’ perimeter, laughing and whispering, “Shh,” as if they were getting away with something fun and juicy.

  She’d find a spot on the back side of a knoll, spread a blanket, open a bucket of chicken or a McDonald’s bag, and exhale as she looked out over the valley toward the Magic City. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

  “Yep,” Charlotte always said, but her eyes were on Mama, not Birmingham’s lights. She was the most beautiful woman Charlotte had ever seen. And almost eighteen years after her death, she still was the most beautiful woman Charlotte had ever seen. Mama had a way of just being, but she died before she imparted that gift to Charlotte.

  Shouts invaded Charlotte’s memorial moment with Mama. Bidders and buyers moved in and out from under the auction tent spread across the side lawn.

  Shading her eyes from the angled sunlight, Charlotte stood in the breeze, watching, deciding what to do. Go back home or walk the grounds? She didn’t need or want anything that might be under that tent. Didn’t have the money to buy even if she did.

  What she needed was to think through—pray about—her recent tensions with Tim’s family. His sister-in-law Katherine specifically. The whole mess challenged her to reconsider the leap she was about to make.

  As Charlotte turned toward her car, the wind bumped her again and she glanced back. Through the trees and beyond the tent, the second-floor windows of the Ludlow stone-and-glass mansion shone with the golden morning light and appeared to be watching over the proceedings on the ground.

  Then the wind shifted the light, a shadow passed over the window, and the house seemed to wink at her. Come and see . . .

  “Hey there.” A lofty woman’s voice caused Charlotte to turn around. “You’re not leaving already, are you?” She lugged up the slope of the lawn with a box in her hands.

  Charlotte recognized her. Not by name or face, but by aura. One of the classic Southern women that populated Birmingham. Ones with dewy skin, pressed slacks, cotton tops, and a modest string of pearls. She stopped by Charlotte, breathless.

  “You’ve not even gone up to the auction tent. I saw you pull in, sweetie. Now, come on, we’ve beautiful items for auction. Is this your first time here?” She dipped into the box and pulled out a catalog. “Had to run to my car to get more. We’re busy, busy this year. Well, you can see that by the cars. Remember now, all the proceeds go to the
Ludlow Foundation. We give millions in grants and scholarships around the city.”

  “I’ve admired the foundation for quite a while.” Charlotte flipped through the catalog.

  “I’m Cleo Favorite, president of the Ludlow Foundation.” She offered Charlotte her hand. “You’re Charlotte Malone.”

  Charlotte regarded Cleo for a moment, slowly shaking the woman’s hand. “Should I be impressed you know me or run screaming back to my car?”

  Cleo smiled. Her teeth matched her pearls. “My niece was married last year.”

  “I see. She bought her dress from my shop?”

  “She did, and for a while, I believed she was more excited about working with you than marrying her fiancé. Quite a business you have there.”

  “I’ve been very fortunate.” More than any poor, orphaned girl dreamed. “Who is your niece?”

  “Elizabeth Gunter. She married Dylan Huntington.” Cleo started toward the tent. Charlotte followed so as not to be rude.

  “Of course, I remember Elizabeth. She was a beautiful bride.”

  “And she wanted the whole wide world to know it.” Cleo laughed with a pop of her hand against the breeze. “She darn near sent my brother to the poorhouse. But you only get married once, right?”

  “I hear that’s the idea.” Charlotte touched her thumb to the shank of her engagement ring—the reason she’d driven up here today. She paused at the edge of the tent.

  “So, Charlotte, are you looking for any particular item? Something for your shop?” Cleo dropped the box of catalogs on a table and started down the main aisle as if she expected Charlotte would follow. “We have some beautiful wardrobes for sale. The catalog tells you the lot number, when and where to bid. The auctioneer just moves to the piece. We found that to be easier than—well, what does any of that matter? It’s a great auction and it runs smoothly. Tell me, what are you looking for?” Cleo tipped her head to one side and clasped her hands together at her waist.