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Once Upon a Haunted Knight
Every dream job has a catch
Housekeeper Adeline Black’s new position seems too good to be true. Dusting a collection of peculiar relics? Too easy. Having a splendid house all to herself? Too lovely. Addy’s not about to question why she was told to never open the library door. Or why there’s a mysterious portrait of a medieval knight locked inside. But libraries need dusting, too. And what’s the harm in chatting with a knight over tea? It’s not as if he’s real. It’s not as if she’s falling in love.
Every portrait has a story
Sir Hugh Marshal is very real. Unfortunately, so is his curse. Trapped in an eternal prison, he’ll take whatever distraction he can get, even if she’s a bookish housekeeper with a stubborn streak and a vexing sense of whimsy. Even if he might be falling in love.
Every curse has a key
When Addy realizes Sir Hugh is more real than she imagined, she vows to help free him. But the curse will kill anyone who tries to break it—including the stubborn woman who’s captured his heart … the woman he must drive away before his curse becomes her downfall.
This story was originally published in the 2023 Dragonblade Anthology Once Upon a Haunted Romance.
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
Housekeeper Adeline Black’s new position seems too good to be true. Dusting a collection of peculiar relics? Too easy. Having a splendid house all to herself? Too lovely. Addy’s not about to question why she was told to never open the library door. Or why there’s a mysterious portrait of a medieval knight locked inside. But libraries need dusting, too. And what’s the harm in chatting with a knight over tea? It’s not as if he’s real. It’s not as if she’s falling in love.
Every portrait has a story
Sir Hugh Marshal is very real. Unfortunately, so is his curse. Trapped in an eternal prison, he’ll take whatever distraction he can get, even if she’s a bookish housekeeper with a stubborn streak and a vexing sense of whimsy. Even if he might be falling in love.
Every curse has a key
When Addy realizes Sir Hugh is more real than she imagined, she vows to help free him. But the curse will kill anyone who tries to break it—including the stubborn woman who’s captured his heart … the woman he must drive away before his curse becomes her downfall.
This story was originally published in the 2023 Dragonblade Anthology Once Upon a Haunted Romance.
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
83 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2024
93 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Elisa Braden
25 books1,739 followersReading romance novels came easily to Elisa Braden. Writing them? That took a little longer. After graduating with degrees in creative writing and history, Elisa spent too many years in “real” jobs writing T-shirt copy ... and other people’s resumes ... and articles about giftware displays. But that was before she woke up and started dreaming about the very unreal job of being a romance novelist. Better late than never.
Elisa lives in the Pacific Northwest, where you're constitutionally required to like the colors green and gray. Good thing she does. Other items on the "like" list include cute dogs, strong coffee, and epic movies. Of course, her favorite thing of all is hearing from readers who love her characters as much as she does.
If you're one of those, get in touch on Facebook (@authorelisabraden), visit her website (www.elisabraden.com), and - most importantly - be the first to hear about new releases, price specials, and awesome free bonuses by signing up for her email newsletter (bit.ly/ElisaNewsletter). It's easy, quick, and FREE.
Elisa lives in the Pacific Northwest, where you're constitutionally required to like the colors green and gray. Good thing she does. Other items on the "like" list include cute dogs, strong coffee, and epic movies. Of course, her favorite thing of all is hearing from readers who love her characters as much as she does.
If you're one of those, get in touch on Facebook (@authorelisabraden), visit her website (www.elisabraden.com), and - most importantly - be the first to hear about new releases, price specials, and awesome free bonuses by signing up for her email newsletter (bit.ly/ElisaNewsletter). It's easy, quick, and FREE.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 30, 2024
Finding a good novella can be hard and I somehow got lucky enough to have two back to back and in two of my favorite sub-genres too! I loved another of Elisa Braden’s novellas so I was excited to try this one after seeing a 5 star review. It definitely did not disappoint either.
The h is a new housekeeper for an unoccupied home except the job, the prior housekeeper, and the closest village are giving her weird vibes. She’s not supposed to go into the library and that lasts only a little bit before curiosity and the temptation of books gets to her. Once in the library, a fantastic painting of a medieval knight esp draws her attention, even when she’s away from it. At first, she imagines herself to be having made up conversations with him and it takes her a bit to realize that he’s actually real, just cursed to be trapped in this painting. A limited relationship develops, along with a desire to break the curse and that’s the plot of the book.
There are many small time jumps as the h goes about her time in the home and talking with the H. Their talks could be pretty entertaining. She also has the adorablest cat companion and some male admirers (who the H is not pleased with). But the focus of the story is on the h and H’s interactions. The backstory of both the h and H were interesting. The curse and how it reacted to attempts to help the H was well done. I really liked both the h and H and felt like they truly connected despite their forced distance. Also, the h’s persistence, even to her own detriment, was great. Determined heroines are my jam.
Of course that distance gets overcome and there is one spicy scene. I also felt kind of emotional about one part of the book when I had a theory how the curse would be resolved but wasn’t certain. The H is also able to support the h in getting her own resolution to a situation from her background, leading to the HEA ending. It was sweet and I would recommend this as a fast and different kind of historical novella due to the paranormal element. It’s a little pat in how some of it comes together but 🤷♀️, I liked it and smiled a lot.
Written in third person, dual POV. No ow drama, no om drama but interest from om that bothers the H (even as he encourages her to marry someone for protection). H was experienced and h was not (their first time does have some references to the ending of her virginity that I know some friends won’t like due to the descriptors used but these didn’t bother me).
The h is a new housekeeper for an unoccupied home except the job, the prior housekeeper, and the closest village are giving her weird vibes. She’s not supposed to go into the library and that lasts only a little bit before curiosity and the temptation of books gets to her. Once in the library, a fantastic painting of a medieval knight esp draws her attention, even when she’s away from it. At first, she imagines herself to be having made up conversations with him and it takes her a bit to realize that he’s actually real, just cursed to be trapped in this painting. A limited relationship develops, along with a desire to break the curse and that’s the plot of the book.
There are many small time jumps as the h goes about her time in the home and talking with the H. Their talks could be pretty entertaining. She also has the adorablest cat companion and some male admirers (who the H is not pleased with). But the focus of the story is on the h and H’s interactions. The backstory of both the h and H were interesting. The curse and how it reacted to attempts to help the H was well done. I really liked both the h and H and felt like they truly connected despite their forced distance. Also, the h’s persistence, even to her own detriment, was great. Determined heroines are my jam.
Of course that distance gets overcome and there is one spicy scene. I also felt kind of emotional about one part of the book when I had a theory how the curse would be resolved but wasn’t certain. The H is also able to support the h in getting her own resolution to a situation from her background, leading to the HEA ending. It was sweet and I would recommend this as a fast and different kind of historical novella due to the paranormal element. It’s a little pat in how some of it comes together but 🤷♀️, I liked it and smiled a lot.
Written in third person, dual POV. No ow drama, no om drama but interest from om that bothers the H (even as he encourages her to marry someone for protection). H was experienced and h was not (their first time does have some references to the ending of her virginity that I know some friends won’t like due to the descriptors used but these didn’t bother me).
October 29, 2024
A sexy haunted painting was not on my 2024 Hallowbingo card but thank god honestly
December 4, 2024
⭐⭐💫
2½ stars
➕ What I liked :
The beginning of the story was kind of interesting and somewhat unique
with the gothic vibes and the curse etc.
The cat.
Some little moments between the heroine and the cat were cute and there was also some small parts between the main characters that were a little funny.
➖ What I disliked:
Rather annoying and unlikable hero.
(Is insulting and rude towards the heroine among other things.)
A little too formulaic and too predictable in some parts of the story.
Believability/plausibility issues.
(The quick turn around/switch in the hero … he goes from a rude/insulting jerk to a total doting and devoted man in a very very quick way towards the end of the story and it felt forced and unconvincing and rushed.
The way the heroine and the hero and the heroines fathers business partners just solved everything in a very easy way… and that the heroine and those business partners did not do that much earlier.)
Rushed.
(Even for a novella.)
Very rushed ending.
The main characters were underwhelming and bland.
Too much of the relationship and attraction between the main characters was based on the physical and there was way too little emotional development….. Even for a novella.
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice of both main characters.
(Hero= Very tall, big and muscular, handsome…. Heroine= dainty, slender etc.)
October 28, 2024
Once Upon a Haunted Knight was a fun little historical romance novella with a bit of a “stuck in time” twist.
Addy had been a maid since she was a teenager and finds a portrait of Sir Hugh Marshal in the library of the current residence she’s the housekeeper for. She always feels like the painting is talking to her and asking her questions, and soon she realizes it actually is and Hugh is actually trapped in the painting. She’s determined to help discover his identity, how and why he got stuck, and how to help him escape.
A curse, a medieval knight, an eternal prison, a key, a library, a cat. Really quick KU read!
Addy had been a maid since she was a teenager and finds a portrait of Sir Hugh Marshal in the library of the current residence she’s the housekeeper for. She always feels like the painting is talking to her and asking her questions, and soon she realizes it actually is and Hugh is actually trapped in the painting. She’s determined to help discover his identity, how and why he got stuck, and how to help him escape.
A curse, a medieval knight, an eternal prison, a key, a library, a cat. Really quick KU read!
November 2, 2024
A talented author can write a short but touching story and this book is a perfect example of it!
December 8, 2024
This was a fun little novella! Always love Braden’s writing.
October 27, 2024
Ah. To live in a castle alone with my cat and a haunted sexy painting.
January 15, 2025
This was a super adorable, short read!
Hugh is cursed centuries ago to be trapped in a painting. For him, it’s like being trapped in a castle where no one exists.
Adeline becomes a maid at the house his portrait is in, and can hear him talking. They forge a relationship and she’s determined to save him even though the curse makes her fall ill, or have obstacles at every turn to break it.
Because it’s a novella, it’s not hugely drawn out and the end is predictable, but it really hit the spot for me for a cute, olden time read!
Hugh is cursed centuries ago to be trapped in a painting. For him, it’s like being trapped in a castle where no one exists.
Adeline becomes a maid at the house his portrait is in, and can hear him talking. They forge a relationship and she’s determined to save him even though the curse makes her fall ill, or have obstacles at every turn to break it.
Because it’s a novella, it’s not hugely drawn out and the end is predictable, but it really hit the spot for me for a cute, olden time read!
November 1, 2024
Sweet novella from the very underrated historical romance writer Elisa Braden. 1830s. New, young housekeeper in desolate old house falls in love with medieval knight who had been trapped inside his portrait for centuries. So, only a very mild haunting, really.
April 19, 2025
This was a nice little bite-sized treat. For a novella, it had all the components and nothing was missing, including a (albeit too repetitive with the “he wasn’t going to make it” refrain) sex scene and a thorough epilogue. Everything was tied up neatly.
If only it weren’t that repetitive in the sex scene! Could have been 5 stars.
If only it weren’t that repetitive in the sex scene! Could have been 5 stars.
December 18, 2024
The storytelling was a little bit scattered and the romance was somewhat rushed, but I ended up enjoying this book. I really liked the uniqueness of the plot. And the characters were likeable, even though they were a bit vague. The cat was cute, too.
November 12, 2024
A blast from the past
We have Adeline Black and Sir Hugh Marshal. This story is for flights of imagination and a lot of whimsy!
Addy is hired as a housekeeper and instructed never to go into the library but of course she does!
She can “hear” Sir Hugh although he has been trapped by a coursed painting for literally hundreds of years! Anyone who tried to help him has died a horrible death!
Addy has secrets of how a person can be taken advantage of my grief! Hugh for underestimating how evil a person can be!
Together they are a formidable pair but can love truly conquer all? Can a person love a painting and literally fall into it and discover the love of their life? What if Addy decides this is not enough and must risk it all with no guarantees?
This was such a page turner with a larger than life hero who just may get the girl after hundreds of years of waiting! Bravo
We have Adeline Black and Sir Hugh Marshal. This story is for flights of imagination and a lot of whimsy!
Addy is hired as a housekeeper and instructed never to go into the library but of course she does!
She can “hear” Sir Hugh although he has been trapped by a coursed painting for literally hundreds of years! Anyone who tried to help him has died a horrible death!
Addy has secrets of how a person can be taken advantage of my grief! Hugh for underestimating how evil a person can be!
Together they are a formidable pair but can love truly conquer all? Can a person love a painting and literally fall into it and discover the love of their life? What if Addy decides this is not enough and must risk it all with no guarantees?
This was such a page turner with a larger than life hero who just may get the girl after hundreds of years of waiting! Bravo
October 31, 2024
So it's been awhile since I've read any book by Elisa Braden. I read 2 books from Rescued from Ruin in 2015 and 3 in 2018 but wrote I didn’t like them and sex not super detailed. Picked up book 4 in the series in Sept, 2020 and loved it so finished up the series. Her other series are Scottish and I'm not a fan. This book looked interesting and it was KU so thought I'd give a try.
Super short read but great little story. I found the concept very interesting. I liked Adeline and Hugh and their personalities. Overall cute book.
Super short read but great little story. I found the concept very interesting. I liked Adeline and Hugh and their personalities. Overall cute book.
January 26, 2025
3 stars | enjoyable little novella with an interesting premise—MMC imprisoned in a painting. Definitely worth the read but too short to have much depth.
October 31, 2024
Overall: 2.5 stars.
Eh, this was fine. The premise was very cool, and I enjoyed the gothic vibes of the initial chapters setting up the scenario of Addy working as a housekeeper all alone in the spooky house, but after that, my interest just waned.
Hugh, the knight in the portrait, is honestly just a dick. He's rude and insulting, and when he softens up towards the end and showers Addy with lovey-dovey language, I just ain't feeling it. I honestly preferred the solicitous courtship of the delivery man, who Addy spurs to go be with her portrait man.
Maybe it's because this was a fairly short novella; maybe a little more space to develop the characters' relationship would have helped sell the story, but maybe not.
Eh, this was fine. The premise was very cool, and I enjoyed the gothic vibes of the initial chapters setting up the scenario of Addy working as a housekeeper all alone in the spooky house, but after that, my interest just waned.
Hugh, the knight in the portrait, is honestly just a dick. He's rude and insulting, and when he softens up towards the end and showers Addy with lovey-dovey language, I just ain't feeling it. I honestly preferred the solicitous courtship of the delivery man, who Addy spurs to go be with her portrait man.
Maybe it's because this was a fairly short novella; maybe a little more space to develop the characters' relationship would have helped sell the story, but maybe not.
November 1, 2025
Elisa Braden in a witch, because I kept feeling like this novella shouldn’t for me but it DID.
Adeline Black finds herself employed as a housekeeper at an empty gothic mansion with access to every room other than the library. Of course this lady loves to read so after she sneaks in, she finds herself having conversations with a painting?? Which ought to be impossible? I was thoroughly engrossed!
Adeline Black finds herself employed as a housekeeper at an empty gothic mansion with access to every room other than the library. Of course this lady loves to read so after she sneaks in, she finds herself having conversations with a painting?? Which ought to be impossible? I was thoroughly engrossed!
October 28, 2024
honestly everything by elisa braden is a 10/10!!! one of my new favourite novellas!
November 17, 2024
Wonderful Read
Loved this story♥️
Great writing and captivating characters.
This author never disappoints. I highly recommend all of her books.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved this story♥️
Great writing and captivating characters.
This author never disappoints. I highly recommend all of her books.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 17, 2024
A quick read, wasn’t anything different but a much needed light read in between all my darker books.
November 1, 2024
gonna go to the Met & try to seduce the portraits ❤️
November 4, 2024
Sweet Novella
Elisa Braden has a way with words. This cute, funny short is about a knight imprisoned for centuries and the orphan girl who loves him.
Elisa Braden has a way with words. This cute, funny short is about a knight imprisoned for centuries and the orphan girl who loves him.
October 28, 2025
Our heroine falls for a Knight, cursed within a painting. A well written, slow burn historical romance novella, set in England.
May 25, 2025
delightful
Such a lovely gothic romance! It was a little longer than a novella, but it was fun and spooky and swoony!
I absolutely LOOOVED that the hero has been celibate for 5 centuries! Sooo tired of diseased manwhores in romance. A syphilitic dick isnt sexy! And the heroine’s determination and pluck was the perfect match for a growly, brooding hero!
Safe. Hero has been celibate since cursed, no details on his past. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. No ow/om, no cheating or sharing. Hea with epilogue
Such a lovely gothic romance! It was a little longer than a novella, but it was fun and spooky and swoony!
I absolutely LOOOVED that the hero has been celibate for 5 centuries! Sooo tired of diseased manwhores in romance. A syphilitic dick isnt sexy! And the heroine’s determination and pluck was the perfect match for a growly, brooding hero!
Safe. Hero has been celibate since cursed, no details on his past. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. No ow/om, no cheating or sharing. Hea with epilogue
November 25, 2024
(I have read this story as a part of the Once Upon a Haunted Romance anthology, but as the novella had a standalone release recently, I'm adding my thoughts here too.)
Ahhh, what a wonderful quick read!
I loved the chemistry between the main couple. So much wonderful and sexy banter.
The connection between Addy and her Knight was palpable and lovely to experience. He was so sweet and caring about her, even when they were still in their “enemies” phase 🤭 And Addy handled her Knight’s grumpiness with such grace.
This novella has so much charm to it, and good humor (love LOVE the cat and the plot twist about the animal). It was simply a pleasure to read.
One of my absolutely favourite scenes was the Christmas dinner, where Hugh was slowly losing his mind lusting over how Addy ate the Christmas goose. The scene was so simple, yet it beautifully portrayed the dynamic between the hero and the heroine.
Once Upon a Haunted Knight was a perfect mix of a clever ghost story with charming and swoony romance.
Easily 5/5 stars!
April 4, 2025
Age: 18+
Love Scenes: Moderate, not fully descriptive, but not close door either
Language: A few curse words, not explicit
Violence: Mentions of others' deaths, but not graphic
Recommended: Yes
Rating: A
This romance was heartwarming and sad at the same time. I felt everything Addy was going through with her love for Sir Hugh (or Sir Rude as she calls him). Their interactions are fun, and their banter brings a smile to my face. I love how their love blossomed and the heartache that came with it. Hugh's insistence that Addy leave warmed my heart, as he was trying to protect her. I loved their commitment to each other and the lengths Addy went through to save Hugh.
I highly recommend this quick read to anyone who enjoys historical romance with a bit of mysticism and mystery.
Love Scenes: Moderate, not fully descriptive, but not close door either
Language: A few curse words, not explicit
Violence: Mentions of others' deaths, but not graphic
Recommended: Yes
Rating: A
This romance was heartwarming and sad at the same time. I felt everything Addy was going through with her love for Sir Hugh (or Sir Rude as she calls him). Their interactions are fun, and their banter brings a smile to my face. I love how their love blossomed and the heartache that came with it. Hugh's insistence that Addy leave warmed my heart, as he was trying to protect her. I loved their commitment to each other and the lengths Addy went through to save Hugh.
I highly recommend this quick read to anyone who enjoys historical romance with a bit of mysticism and mystery.
October 27, 2024
Hauntingly beautiful
I first read this story when it was originally published in the Once Upon a Haunted Romance anthology. I loved it then and now. It has a very original premise that is perfect for the season without being overly scary or macabre like some Halloween themed books. The following was one of my favorite excerpts from the book:
Thirteen days later, after biblical-scale flooding, a grassfire set by lightning, three fallen oaks, several urgent digestive complaints, two blizzards, one maddened bull, and five broken wagon wheels, Addy had to admit Hugh might have had a point.
I first read this story when it was originally published in the Once Upon a Haunted Romance anthology. I loved it then and now. It has a very original premise that is perfect for the season without being overly scary or macabre like some Halloween themed books. The following was one of my favorite excerpts from the book:
Thirteen days later, after biblical-scale flooding, a grassfire set by lightning, three fallen oaks, several urgent digestive complaints, two blizzards, one maddened bull, and five broken wagon wheels, Addy had to admit Hugh might have had a point.
October 28, 2024
Another fantastic story by Elisa Braden!
I absolutely adored Hugh and Addy, I loved their banter, the endless cat names, and the name calling between them.
Braden has a way of pulling you into her stories, where you are thoroughly entertained, engaged, and invested in the outcome of her stories. You find yourself rooting for the characters until the very end. I simply love her writing style and creativity.
I absolutely adored Hugh and Addy, I loved their banter, the endless cat names, and the name calling between them.
Braden has a way of pulling you into her stories, where you are thoroughly entertained, engaged, and invested in the outcome of her stories. You find yourself rooting for the characters until the very end. I simply love her writing style and creativity.
December 27, 2024
started up nicely, premise was interesting but even if the mmc was from the 1300s or whatever, he was rude 🙄 and also, idc how long it's been since you last had sexy times, don't be pervy 😭 i mean i don't like the "youre mine, your body is mine" bit at all. in any book. in any time period. and it finished way too quick and neatly. also very structural slash predictable in it's trajectory even if it's a novella 🤷🏻
January 22, 2025
An enjoyable novella by Elisa Braden.
As far as the writing goes, it's Elisa Braden, so it's good, as expected. A fantasy story about a cursed knight and his "princess in shining armor". I like the hero and the heroines. Their chemistry is great!
However, I feel that this story needs more pages. It seems like the arduous journey to break the curse is crammed so tight in the last 20% of the book. Things were so rushed.
As far as the writing goes, it's Elisa Braden, so it's good, as expected. A fantasy story about a cursed knight and his "princess in shining armor". I like the hero and the heroines. Their chemistry is great!
However, I feel that this story needs more pages. It seems like the arduous journey to break the curse is crammed so tight in the last 20% of the book. Things were so rushed.
February 8, 2025
Fun and whimsical
Taking into consideration that this story was once part of a larger anthology and so is a lot shorter than those I usually read, this book was a full feeling, fun, and whimsical read, perfect for an evening's light binge-reading session. I very much enjoyed the unique concept and the comedy elements scattered throughout and giggled three times before I was even a page into chapter two, which is always a good sign!!
Taking into consideration that this story was once part of a larger anthology and so is a lot shorter than those I usually read, this book was a full feeling, fun, and whimsical read, perfect for an evening's light binge-reading session. I very much enjoyed the unique concept and the comedy elements scattered throughout and giggled three times before I was even a page into chapter two, which is always a good sign!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews