Once Upon a Prince (31 page)

W
hen 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.

RITA Finalist and Carol Award winner Rachel Hauck was recently chosen by Family Fiction readers as one of the top five romance authors in CBA. She has written more than 15 novels. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and writes from her ivory tower (her 14th-floor office painted ivory!).

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

Powerful and relevant,
Once Upon a Prince
is simply put a fun read, the pages flew by. This is classic romnace at its very best. Bravo to Rachel Hauck for creating a story that’s sure to touch hearts and souls.

D
EBBIE
M
ACOMBER, #1
N
EW

Y
ORK
T
IMES
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

The Wedding Dress
will capture you from page one with a story only Rachel Hauck could weave.

—J
ENNY
B. J
ONES, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF

S
AVE THE
D
ATE
AND
T
HERE
Y
OU’LL
F
IND
M
E

The Wedding Dress
is a seamless tale of enduring love that weaves the past and present in an intricate, wedding dress mystery. Hauck again manages to mesmerize for well over 300 pages with quirky characters, a compelling plot, and a satisfying happily-ever-after. Highly recommended!

—D
ENISE
H
UNTER, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF

T
HE
A
CCIDENTAL
B
RIDE
AND
B
AREFOOT
S
UMMER

The talented Rachel Hauck has given us a contemporary love story enmeshed in a fast-paced mystery. Juggle your reading list, y’all. Brimming with the twin themes of redemption and grace,
The Wedding Dress
deserves a spot at the top!

—S
HELLIE
R
USHING
T
OMLINSON
, B
ELLE OF

A
LL
T
HINGS
S
OUTHERN AND BEST-SELLING

AUTHOR OF
S
UE
E
LLEN’S
G
IRL
A
IN’T
F
AT
, S
HE

J
UST
W
EIGHS
H
EAVY
!

Rachel Hauck’s writing is full of wisdom and heart, and
The Wedding Dress
, as artfully and intricately designed as the most exquisite of bridal gowns, is no exception. This novel tells the story of four loveable women, miraculously bound by one gown, whose lives span a century. Their mutual search for truth and love—against the odds—will most certainly take your breath away.

—B
ETH
W
EBB
H
ART, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF

S
UNRISE ON THE
B
ATTERY
AND
L
OVE
, C
HARLESTON

From the moment I heard about this story, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. A wedding dress worn by four different women over 100 years? Yes, please! I loved the story of these women … and their one important dress. For anyone who’s ever lingered over a bridal magazine, watched a bridal reality show, or daydreamed about being a bride, Rachel Hauck has created a unique story that will captivate your heart!

—M
ARYBETH
W
HALEN
,
AUTHOR OF
T
HE
M
AILBOX
,

S
HE
M
AKES
I
T
L
OOK
E
ASY
,
AND
T
HE
G
UEST
B
OOK

A tender tale that spans generations of women, each a product of her time and ahead of her time. A beautiful story laced together with love, faith, mystery, and one amazing dress. Rachel Hauck has another winner in
The Wedding Dress!

—L
ISA
W
INGATE
,
NATIONAL
BEST-SELLING

AND
C
AROL AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF

D
ANDELION
S
UMMER
AND
B
LUE
M
OON
B
AY

The Wedding Dress

Lowcountry Romance novels
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Sweet Caroline

Diva Nashvegas
Lost in Nashvegas

With Sara Evans

Sweet By and By
Softly and Tenderly
Love Lifted Me

F
inding Lover’s Oak during my research was a bit of serendipity—a piece of the Gospel message hidden amid the story. Jesus is the Tree of Life, the “Lover’s Oak” of our hearts. The Cross is often called “the tree.” It was on a tree that Jesus died for love. For you and me. If we have Jesus, we don’t need a Lover’s Oak in Brunswick, Georgia. We have unending love in our hearts. We have the Tree of Life. Reach out for him.

Zondervan

Once Upon a Prince
Copyright © 2013 by Rachel Hayes Hauck

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EPub Edition © MARCH 2013 ISBN: 978-0-310-31548-3

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