A Spell for Midwinter's Heart: A Novel

A Spell for Midwinter's Heart: A Novel

In this holiday romance with an enchanting twist, a magic-averse witch returns home to save her small town’s beloved winter festival in time for the holidays with the help of her estranged coven and distractingly handsome childhood rival. Rowan Midwinter has sworn off magic after a spell gone wrong back in high school, so she’s not exactly thrilled when she’s guilted into returning to her quaint mountain hometown for the holiday season. But it’s already Yule and much-needed snow still hasn't fallen, so Rowan decides she can put up with her former coven and unwanted memories if it means saving the town’s beloved winter festival from the megacorporation threatening to buy it out. But Rowan’s plans to save the beloved tradition and make it through the holiday magic-free go awry when Gavin McCreery, prodigal son of the festival’s landlord, insists on helping, and their unwanted chemistry keeps setting off holiday lights…literally. As the end of the festive season draws closer and Rowan realizes what is truly at stake, she must reconnect with what she tried to leave behind, overcome the fear of her power, and let her heart lead the way. "Lockhart whisks the reader away into a small mountain town filled with magic. This book hits all the marks I want from a romance for the holiday season: cozy, fantastical, and filled with eclectic characters and local business owners rising up against the industrial complex.... it’ll surely have you singing a holiday classic by the end." —BookTrib "This cozy paranormal romance is full of holiday charm, featuring multiple cultures and traditions. Readers can expect a slow burn, second chances, and an endearing collection of small-town characters." — Library Journal “A magical delight of a debut. A Spell for Midwinter's Heart is brimming with cozy magic and yuletide charm. Morgan Lockhart's writing is yuletide soul food for my little witchy heart!” —Jenny Bayliss, author of A December to Remember “Sparkling with festive spirit and sizzling chemistry, A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart is an enchanting, heartfelt tale of rekindled magic and second-chance love—perfect for a snowy winter’s night.” —Auralee Wallace, national bestselling author of In the Company of Witches "A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart is a must-read for anyone who wants to snuggle up with a romance this winter. With a hint of magic and a whole lot of charm, Lockhart weaves a story that will make you want to embrace all the enchantment and possibility of the season. Best read with a cup of hot cocoa and a cozy blanket!" —Stacy Sivinski, national bestselling author of The Crescent Moon Tearoom "A Spell For Midwinter’s Heart is a romance filled with magic and vivid descriptions of spells, the town and its surroundings." —Novels Alive "Listeners will love the holiday ambiance and all-in efforts of Rowan and Gavin to save the festival. Is love in the offing, as well?" —AudioFile Morgan Lockhart hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she currently lives with her family, including her partner, two children, and a pack of fur babies. Growing up in the woods of Washington State, Morgan has always been telling and consuming stories in all shapes and sizes. She roamed her way to California, where she graduated with highest honors from the creative writing department at UC San Diego. Her path forked into video games then, as she put off her final trimester of college to work on her first video game. A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart is her first novel. 1 December 20 The Day Before Yule It had been eight years since she cast her last spell, and though Rowan Midwinter considered herself done with magic, that didn't mean magic was done with Rowan Midwinter. After all, magic was not something you could walk away from. It ran in currents through all things, binding space and time and charging those places where particles entangled. Ever there, thrumming at the edge of awareness, tempting her when things got hard. And there was no harder time of year than Yule. The makings of holiday magic were everywhere at Yuletide, harvested from tradition and turned into decor. Rowan plucked a piece of mistletoe off her fundraising booth and spun it in her fingers. Wrap the sprig in a red cloth, bind it with cords of gold and silver, say the words, and so long as she kept it in her pocket, people would feel extra generous in her presence. "Could use some of that right now," said Rowan, flipping her gaze to the empty donation jar at her side with a sigh. The thrumming she had been doing her best to ignore intensified, like waves receding over a pebbled strand. Familiar words formed in her mind's eye. A Spell to Open a Heart White-hot anxiety shot down her spine, and her stomach bucked. "No," she said, pitching the mistletoe back to the table where it belonged. The thrumming abated in a huff that left Rowan with the distinct feeling someone was disappointed in her. "What's new?" she muttered, turning her