Enduringly Yours

England, 1192 Kingdoms throughout history have been won or lost upon a lady’s virtue. Men kill to have it. Men die for stealing it. Zipporah wished someone had warned her ahead of time… With her father ill, and the powerful Sir Gilburn now holding a claim on her family’s land through Prince John, Lady Zipporah’s fate hangs in the balance. Sir Peter, the knight she lost her greatest asset to three years ago, is the last person she should be relying on. If anyone knew the truth about their past, she could lose everything. Including Peter. Peter has seen her several times since returning from his tour in the Holy Land. Zipporah does her best to avoid him. He doesn't blame her. They have a past as long as the sea voyage he took from Antioch and back again. But Sir Gilburn has proven himself a dangerous rival, and Peter has to stop him—whether Zipporah will admit to needing him or not. Gilburn is sniffing around Zipporah like a hungry wolf. And Peter will do anything to save her…

Praise for Olivia Stocum’s novels:

The research was impeccable and the story is lovely and compelling. I found the relationships well thought out and believable. This type of writing deserves to go on for longer than a single book. I’m looking forward to her next novel. ~Ionia Martin, book reviewer for Readful Things

Olivia has crafted an adventurous love story with two unforgettable characters. Her vivid descriptions paint an epic journey of boundless love between two souls who must become one. Her tender and poetic prose reminded me of the book, Cold Mountain. ~Stan Bednarz, award winning author of Miracle on Snowbird Lake.

What do you get when you add the beautiful 1600s Scottish countryside, men in kilts, and the women who love them to a story that features a virile, cloaked defender known only as Blackhawk? An exciting, captivating page-turner by Olivia Stocum, that's what! DAWNING has a home on my 'keepers' shelf! ~ Loree Lough, bestselling author of 100 award-winning books.

…“Kiss her already!” Sir Mark yelled.

Peter ducked his head to Zipporah. “I really thought it would be John here right now, not me.” He shifted closer, her scent of juniper and warmth and woman surrounding him. The heat radiating off her skin clouded his judgment. He couldn’t take his eyes off her mouth as her lips parted. The other knights, the people in the stands, faded from his senses. Peter tipped her face into his. She was trembling, and her pulse was beating against the soft skin of her neck.

Zipporah kissed him first.

Peter meant to back away but he couldn’t. Her hands came to his face, holding him to her. He pulled her flush into him, his hunger defying self-control.

Someone stop me . . .

There are people watching, you idiot! Let go of her.

Zipporah came to her senses before he did. She pulled back. Men were shouting and whistling at them.

“I am so sorry,” she said. Her eyes searched his for . . . something.

“Don’t apologize. Not for this.”

“I have to go.” She took her skirts in hand and ran off. He didn’t know where Gilburn was and feared for her safety. Peter didn’t dare follow her himself. They had already revealed too much with their kiss, to follow her would put the final nail in their communal coffin. He looked for John. His brother nodded and jogged off after her…