Burning Country published a feature on The Briar and the Rose and its basis on the ballad "Barbara Allen"
 

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The Briar and the Rose 2nd printing is now sold out at online booksellers.

Limited time E-Book edition only $4.99

"You will not be able to read it only once in your life... Absolutely unforgettable!" ~ Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews

"Excellent... a wonderful, interesting love story. What a joy to find a refreshing 'new' voice in the romance genre." ~ Vickie, Romance Reader at Heart

"(Laura Mills-Alcott) has crafted an amazingly intense and totally sensual tale, so complex and riveting that it will simply take your breath away..."  ~ Marilyn Rondeau, Historic Romance Writers

"I enjoyed 'The Briar and the Rose' very much." ~ Dolly Parton

Laura Mills-Alcott, author of THE BRIAR AND THE ROSE, a historical romance, based on the ballad "Barbara Allen". At this site you'll find information about Laura Mills-Alcott's books, appearances, booksignings, Laura Mills-Alcott's contests, Laura Mills-Alcott's celebrity interviews  and more. Laura Mills-Alcott, historical fiction author, romance author,

Dear Readers,

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has emailed over the last year and a half with well wishes for my mother. I'm pleased to report that, after a very aggressive chemo and radiation schedule, and then ten straight days of "whole brain radiation" as a preventative measure, my mother is now cancer free. Gradually she is regaining her strength, and gradually the side effects of her treatments are diminishing.

I truly thank everyone who said a little prayer for Mom!

My son, Jared, is now a corporal in the Marines, and has completed two tours of Iraq. He's considering volunteering for Afghanistan, so I wait on pins and needles for the government to follow the advice of the general, so our kids have all the tools and numbers they need to protect themselves and get the job there done once and for all so they can come home.

My daughter just started college (and is a majorette) and my youngest just started high school.

As everything begins to get back to normal, I'm able to focus more on work and other endeavors.

A special thanks to everyone who has read THE BRIAR AND THE ROSE. The emails and snail mail letters I've received are very much appreciated, because it lets me know that all the hours I spent writing was worth it.

Even though The Briar and the Rose sold out of both printings, I'm happy to report that it is currently available as an e-book for a limited time, and includes some of the story that didn't make it into the hardcover edition. It's just $4.99 for the e-book (hardcover was $27.95).

I hope you'll enjoy The Briar and the Rose, set in late Regency Era England and Ireland, and based on the old and tragic ballad Barbara Allen. I invite you to read the reviews and a two chapter excerpt from the book.

Lately I've received a number of letters asking about my next book - well, here's the deal: THE LOCKET is in a nightmarish rewrite (mostly in the 2nd - 6th chapters), but will hopefully be completed in early 2010.

This story begins in the slums of London, during the coldest winter most have ever known. Mare, an orphan girl, near death, is found in the alley by Aidan, a young naval officer. He plays the good Samaritan by taking her to a boarding house, where he summons a physician, and then bargains with the proprietor to care for her in return for a monthly payment brought to her by his solicitor. Believing he's gone above and beyond the call of duty, and that she's well cared for, Aidan doesn't give the girl another thought. Little does he know the hell the Mare endures for the next seven years, and when a turn of events forces her to flee London, fate steps in and reunites Mare and Aidan. He's now a captain of his own ship, and she's no longer a twelve year old child, but a breath taking beauty.

Aidan and Mare's story takes them from a battle with French assassins on the high seas, to the ballrooms of London. But a secret from the past threatens to steal any chance they may have for love.

After THE LOCKET is completed, I have two other books to finish - A ROGUE'S SEDUCTION or LORD RAKE'S BRIDE (at the time of this writing I have no notion as to which will call on me first)

 

Happy reading,

Here's some fun I put up on the website for readers:

Listen to 3 different excerpts of BARBARA ALLEN,
the ballad THE BRIAR AND THE ROSE is based on!

Read the Lyrics

 

Emmy Rossum WMA Emmylou Harris MP3 Dolly Parton MP3
     

 

THE BRIAR...

One moment Raven is alone in the world and working as a maid in the gardens of a grand estate in Ireland; the next she finds herself handed the life of a lady by the dark and handsome Marquess of Castlereagh. Devan insists his intentions are honorable and that he only wishes to help reunite her with her family. But Raven finds herself in a constant struggle to deny the smoldering attraction between them, and in her secret heart, wishes he wanted more.

THE ROSE...

Devan, Marquess of Castlereagh, is tormented by his past and determined to live out his days in quiet solitude at his Ireland estate. That is until Raven enters his life. With  the face of an angel, the body of Aphrodite and the tongue of a drunken Irishman, he's never met any woman so infuriating... so seductive... so... his match.

THE LEGEND...

From historical Ireland and its mystical legends, to the elegant ballrooms of Regency London, together Devan and Raven discover the truth of the past and a passionate love so strong it  cannot be denied.

Read the excerpt

 

 

 

 

"The emotional pull of The Briar and the Rose is astounding... One of the best historical romances that I've read in a while... definitely not to be missed.  ~ Sharyn McGinty, In the Library Reviews

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