The spooky season has arrived and so has another romantic collection of haunting love tales!
When autumn settles over the Yorkshire moors, an ancient legend awakens.
Centuries ago, two lovers attempted to elope, only to be torn apart by an angry father. The young man lost his head—and legend says he still drives his phantom carriage across the moonlit moors, searching for the woman he loved.
Once Upon a Moonlit Moor is a collection of historical romances about lovers divided by family, circumstance, distance, or time—and the enduring power of a love that refuses to die.
Authors in this collection Elizabeth RoseBrenna AshSandra SookooHildie McQueenCeleste BarclayLaura StricklandCourtney McCaskillAviva OrrAngelique ArmaeLeslie VollardArden ConroyRegina JeffersEdie CayPeri Maxwell
Elizabeth Rose is the author of medieval, paranormal, fantasy and contemporary novels. While based on romance, her novels have complex plots, action and suspense. She loves writing bad boy tortured heroes and empowered feisty heroines.
Her books have won rave reviews, and been seen on The History Channel as well as Wild Chicago. Elizabeth's books have won and been finalists in many contests. Here is a partial list:
Highland Spirit - Highland Chronicles WINNER of the Raven Award. Bedeviled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER Creme de la Cover Contest Beguiled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER - Creme de la Cover Contest
RONE Award finalists include: Doubting Thomas - Bad Boys of Sweetwater Highland Steel - Highland Chronicles Tristan - Pirate Lords Igniting Andrew - Bad Boys of Sweetwater Highland Secrets - Secrets of the Heart Seductive Secrets - Secrets of the Heart Forgotten Secrets - all Secrets of the Heart Summer's Reign - Seasons of Fortitude
Kindle Book Review Awards finalist and semi-finalist: Highland Secrets Forgotten Secrets
International Digital Award finalist: Highland Spring - Seasons of Fortitude
Golden Palm Finalist: Mary, Mary - Once Upon a Rhyme
Raven Awards Best Cover finalist: May Queen - Holiday Knights
Raven Awards Runner-Up: Lady and the Wolf - Tangled Tales
Books and Benches Reviewer's Choice: Restless Sea Lord - Legendary Bastards of the Crown
Sapphire Award Finalist: Kyros' Secret - Greek Myth Fantasy Series
Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice: Thief of Olympus - Greek Myth Fantasy Series
Seen on the History Channel: The Oracle of Delphi - Greek Myth Fantasy Series
And More!
Elizabeth is known for her many series which include:
Below the Salt Series Highland Outcasts Portals of Destiny Legacy of the Blade Daughters of the Dagger Elemental Magick Series Bad Boys of Sweetwater: Tarnished Saints Series Greek Myth Fantasy Series MadMan MacKeefe Series Legendary Bastards of the Crown Seasons of Fortitude Secrets of the Heart Second in Command Pirate Lords Highland Chronicles Barons of the Cinque Ports Tangled Tales Once Upon a Rhyme Holiday Knights Dark Encounters Cowboys of the Old West Working Man Series, and more!
Someday Elizabeth hopes to visit the castles of Scotland and England personally. However, she has been to the jungles of Peru and Machu Picchu which inspired her novels, Curse of the Condor and Bistro Bachelor.
Elizabeth Rose - It was cute little romance that used a haunted story about lovers that were kept apart and the man became a headless horseman. The MF, her father and mother were awful. When her dad felt it had gone far it enough was so far past the point of return to me. Her poor house maid.. I didn't mind this author's writing but I don't love when scotsman are given written out accents. It wasn't super extreme in the story so it didn't take me out of the story. I would check out more by this author if it is the time frame that I enjoy. 4/6 stars Brenna Ash - Skip Sandra Sookoo -Skip Hildie McQueen - first time reading something by this author the story was set in 1600's and we did have a headless horseman. It was okay to me, I didn't real the romantic pull as half of the story dealt with her father's accident and rescuing him. 3/6 stars Celeste Barclay - First time reading this author. I liked the take on the headless horseman in this story. It was inventive I thought. It has a lot of scottish accent written out and it made it really hard for me to follow. I would try this author again as the parts that had less of that were enjoyable. 4/6 stars. Laura Strickland- Personal decision here, I really don't like when derogatory terms are used just cause. The term for Romani is used in this novella several times and it didn't feel necessary to the story. I wouldn't hold this against the author if this was an older story. Otherwise, this is my favorite thus far. I like the interpretation of the prompt and I feel the love and longing between these two. 1/6 stars Courtney McCaskill - The reason why I purchased this group of stories! It did not disappoint. I enjoyed this story about childhood friends to lovers. I also enjoyed how the headless horseman was used in this story. It was romantic, steamy, and made me smile. I loved it. Aviva Orr- Skip Angelique Armae - My first story by this author and I did like it! I am not really a romfantasy type of reader but this was very enjoyable. No accent written out and I liked how the tale was used in this.. The romance was pretty good. Leslie Vollard - This is during the middle ages. It was really easy to read and it was well interwoven with the supernatural aspects. I also liked that the ML wasn't an alphahole. Arden Conroy - Skip Regina Jeffers - This author used the term Romani, I like that. So the romance part was a bit lacking but it was a psychological thriller and a bit supernatural. I really liked this I am going to have to check out other stories by this author. Edie Cay -Skip Peri Maxwell -Skip I am rating this book based on the short story that I purchased it for which was worth it.
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
I love Dragonblade Halloween-related collections! I especially enjoyed the theme here setting up a legend of a headless horseman and then having each author put their own spin on it. Some authors absolutely knocked it out of the park with their versions, while others I felt could have done more to include the horseman. There were only a few I felt did not even really try that hard to fit the theme. I was also so impressed that, although many stories had a similar plot, each was completely different.
My favorites were: Madman of the Moors by Elizabeth Rose - a forbidden romance, the heroine promised to a horrible man, a daring escape, and use of a legend to scare the bad guys away.
Bragg's Redemption by Brenna Ash - a second chance after being unknowingly kept apart by others, a heroine willing to go after what she wants, and breaking a curse
On a Duke and Stormy Night by Courtney McCaskill - Beatrice was probably the best of the leading ladies and despite the fact our hero was pretending to be the horseman this had a pretty amusing meet-cute
Gray Ghosts and Silver Foxes by Arden Conroy - ghost hunting for amateurs turns into an actual ghost encounter
The Night We Fell by Peri Maxwell - an enterprising young woman, a man who loves her for who she is, both afraid to reveal their feelings, and a ghost who provides guidance when it was needed most
All of these novellas have a Halloweeen-ish theme, with the backdrop of Scotland and a ghostly couple supposedly haunting the moors. The steam level and spookiness vary. My faves:
--Forever, My Love (Laura Strickland): Good storyline and more romantic than spooky. Steam level is low. 4 stars. --Death on the Moor (Aviva Orr): Atmospheric and emotional. No steam. 3.75 stars. --Grey Ghosts and Silver Foxes (Arden Conroy): Fun, spooky atmosphere. A touch of steam but I do wish the character development had been better. 3.5 stars. --Scot On the Moors (Edie Cay): I really like this author's writing style, infused with wry humor, and I liked the MC's. I just wish there had been a prologue and an epilogue to give the MC's more background and closure. 4.25 stars. --The Night We Fell (Peri Maxwell): This is the most down-to-earth, least spooky entry in this anthology, but it has a solid plot. I loved the MC's together; they were probably my favorite couple of the anthology. I did feel as if maybe they had been introduced in an earlier book, with the history between them. This is one I wish had been longer. Level 3 steam. 4.25 stars.
This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this collection. Thanks to the authors, Net Galley, and Dragonblade.
Wow, this is a great collection of gothic stories perfect for getting ready for the Halloween season. There are fifteen books in this collection so something for everyone. A lot of my favorite authors have their stories here so how could I not buy it. Anthologies are a great way to find stories not published on their own and to find new authors also. I read all the stories, and each was wonderful. Here are my favorites and am sure you will find some you like more than others. This collection has the perfect amount of scary, passion, alone with the legends too. Grab a copy and your favorite drink and get started. There was a bad storm while I was reading this book, lots of lightning, thunder, wind, and rain. It was perfect! Too bad one can’t order the weather. The following list shows the stories in book order.
2. Madman of the moors by Elizebeth Rose
4. Devilishly Devoted by Sandra Sookoo
7. Forever my Love by Laura Stickland
13. The Shard of Silence by Regina Jeffers
I know I will be going back and rereading this book again
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I looooooooove anthologies — they’re perfect when I need a quick read and a chance to discover new authors.Once Upon a Moonlit Moor delivered exactly what I wanted for spooky season. The mix of historical romance, haunting folklore, and moonlit‑moors atmosphere was such a vibe. Each story is short enough to devour in one sitting, but rich enough to make me immediately look up the author to see what else they’ve written.The legend of the phantom carriage ties the whole collection together beautifully, giving the anthology that eerie‑romantic thread I crave this time of year. It got me right into the autumn mood — misty nights, tragic lovers, and just a touch of ghostly magic.If you love discovering new favorites and want something atmospheric without being too scary, this anthology is perfect.
Another collection of historical romances about lovers divided by family, circumstance, distance, or time—and the enduring power of a love that refuses to die. Fourteen novellas from different authors, some are connected to series. I’m gradually working my way through them but so far the star of the collection is Celeste Barclay’s Highland Love warms the Heart, closely followed by Kathryn Le Veque’s The Legend of the Moonlit Moor. Over seven hundred pages. Each novella is ideal for whiling away an hour or two I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
This review is for - On A Duke and Stormy Night by Courtney McCaskill
A fun second chance romance that has a tomboy making a match that would please her father. It has elements of Halloween with a headless horseman. It has fierce love for family members, clandestine affairs, and a chance at love without knowing who it is you're falling in love with. Kind of like Love is Blind for the Regency period.
An enjoyable anthology. I liked the moonlit moor theme. Some great authors provided stories to tie into the theme. My favorite was by Edie Cay. I liked the ghostly theme if this story best. I like that each of the stories are shorter so it is easy to read in a short sitting.
This collection of moonlight historical romances is filled with all things Halloween.. and spice.. my favorites of the collection were from Sandra Sookoo, Celeste Barclay and Courtney McCaskill.
Overall I enjoyed each and everyone of these stories though.. I laughed and I stayed on the edge of my seat for the next book in this collection.. I can't say enough about this entire anthology because it was sooo good.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.