About the Book

Book: Love in the Castle Library (In the Castle Library Book 2)

Author: Ann Swindell

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: October 15, 2025

Predictability and efficiency have marked Delphine DuVert’s orderly life as Castle Stewardess in the small European country of Lethersby—until she is tasked by the monarchy to hire a British researcher. Lethersby needs help solving the 100-year-old mystery of their Lost Queen, a young royal who disappeared into the night during World War I.

Delphine’s split-second decision to hire Jack Worthington, a doctoral student at the University of Oxford, has long-lasting consequences when he steps in to protect her from an angry colleague determined to ruin her life. The only catch? That protection looks like Jack posing as her beau.

Jack Worthington believes that his instinct to protect Delphine was the right one, but he’s determined to stay focused on his research for Lethersby—and keep his emotional distance after reeling from a broken heart. Yet as the clues to discovering the Lost Queen’s story unravel and the Delphine’s future hangs in the balance, both Jack and Delphine must step out in faith, choosing to trust that what God has ahead for them is worth any risk.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

ANN SWINDELL writes stories that point to Christ’s presence in our day-to-day lives and the hope He brings to our hearts. She is the award-winning author of multiple books and the owner of Writing with Grace, where she teaches Christ-centered writing classes for women. Ann lives in West Michigan, and she enjoys adventuring with her family…usually with a cup of Earl Grey tea in hand.

More from Ann

Love in the Castle Library is set in two of my favorite places—one imaginary, and one real. When I started the In the Castle Library series, the main character’s journey in book one (Christmas in the Castle Library) takes her to Lethersby, a small, fictional European country full of tradition, beauty, and charm. I tried to put much of what I love about Europe into this fictional country that I wish existed. From what readers have told me, they wish it was real, too!

Book two, Love in the Castle Library, is also set in the castle in Lethersby, but I decided to make my hero and heroine take a jaunt to Oxford, England—my favorite real country outside of the USA.

I spent a summer in college studying abroad in England, and Oxford was the city that captured my heart. The “city of dreaming spires” is ancient, beautiful, and academic—a heady mix for a nineteen-year-old girl who traveled there for the first time. I even gave a nod to one of Oxford’s most well-known professors through the hero’s name, Jack.*

I had the gift of getting to go back to Oxford with my family over a decade ago, and while I’m aching to go again, including some of my favorite places in Love in the Castle Library helped me to enjoy the city vicariously through my characters. Look for some of my favorite places to eat—including Ben’s Cookies and the King’s Arms—when the characters visit. And if you ever have the opportunity to make it to Oxford, make the effort to buy one of those cookies (they’re sold by weight!) and enjoy some ice cream at G&D’s…the hero recommends chocolate of any kind (and so do I!).

I hope you love this story as much as I do, and that these tastes of beautiful places, both real and imagined, point your heart to the beauty of Christ that is at the heart of every story I write.

*Jack was C.S. Lewis’s nickname, and he taught at Magdalen College in Oxford from 1925-1954.

Interview with Ann

What is your real-life work schedule like when writing? 

It’s never the same! I’m a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mom, and those are the main roles that fill my days with joy and fullness. My writing has to fit in around these responsibilities, and so I end up doing a lot of writing at night when the rest of the house is sleeping. I’ve learned that my dependence upon the Lord to even find the time to write—along with the energy and discipline to do it—is all a gift from him. These books are written by his grace and strength, and although there are days when I wish I could sit and write for four hours at a time, He has always provided what I need to do the work ahead of me. I’m so thankful!

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

Before I started writing the In the Castle Library series, I was a nonfiction writer for a decade and a half. Out of college, I wrote articles and devotionals for various ministries and organizations, but my first published book didn’t come out until I was 33 years old. That book is my spiritual memoir, and it’s entitled Still Waiting: Hope for When God Doesn’t Give You What You Want. I’m thankful for how the Lord has used it to minister to others for the better part of a decade!

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I’m a huge fan of walking at least a couple of miles every day, and I also started weightlifting in the past two years, which has been a huge boon to my health. Our family loves adventuring together, traveling when we can, and listening to audiobooks together. We also love to sing together—nothing professional, but our home is often filled with voices singing together.

What does your family think of your writing?

They’re my biggest fans! Truly, it’s a joy to have a husband and children who are 100% behind me and cheering me on. My husband (a pastor) has been my theological editor for my work since we married, and I’m so thankful for his oversight and theological acumen.

One of my favorite moments with each book is when we all unbox the first copies together—and my kids are usually the ones cheering the loudest.

My mom and dad have encouraged me in this passion of writing since childhood, and have been incredibly supportive of this journey. Additionally, my mom is my beta reader for my novels and offers me incredible feedback and editing. The In the Castle Library series wouldn’t exist without her!

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

I love to connect with readers! With social media, I’m most active on Instagram (www.instagram.com/annswindell), and my website (www.AnnSwindell.com) is a great place to read more of my work and listen to some of the wonderful podcasts I’ve had the gift of being a guest on.

Blog Stops

To Everything There Is A Season, December 6

Mary Hake, December 6

Lily’s Corner, December 7

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 8

Where Faith and Books Meet, December 8

Leslie’s Library Escape, December 9

Inkwell Inspirations , December 10

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, December 10

Devoted Steps, December 11

Texas Book-aholic, December 12

Holly’s Book Corner, December 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 15

Devoted To Hope, December 16

Stories By Gina, December 17 (Author Interview)

Lyssa Loves Books, December 17

Simple Harvest Reads, December 18 (Guest Review from Donna)

Raining Butterfly Kisses, December 19

The Bookish Pilgrim, December 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Ann is giving away the grand prize of a $50 gift card to Amazon and a signed paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3e375/love-in-the-castle-library-celebration-tour-giveaway