Season of Love
Season of Love
The Wild Rose Press
Print ISBN: 1-60154-927-X
Print ISBN 13: 9781601549273
A nasty fall and an antebellum dress changes Holly Marcum's life forever. Once she is revived, nothing is familiar.... The dress shop, her meddling aunt, and life as she knows it have all vanished. Instead a handsome stranger confronts her and accuses her of theft. One moment Jeremiah Deveraux was in his store room alone, and the next a strange woman appeared wearing a gown specially ordered for one of his wealthiest clients. Is she a vagrant or a thief, and how on earth did she get there? When Holly suddenly falls ill, Jeremiah's sister insists on taking her in and caring for her. Can he risk the beautiful stranger staying under his roof--or will he lose more than his merchandise?
Excerpt
“Who’s there?”
Oh, Lord, now what do I do? Holly considered her options. She could show herself, or hope he didn’t find her. Given the size of the storeroom, the second didn't seem very likely.
She peeked around the counter again. A definite scowl covered his otherwise handsome face. He was tall, well above her five foot eight stature. Neatly trimmed brown hair, with a slight curl, framed his face. Overall, there was nothing about him to frighten her except his icy glare.
But it was enough.
“Come out from your hiding,” he ordered. “I heard you sneeze. There’s no way out except past me.”
Taking a deep breath, Holly rose from her hiding place. Shock washed over his features for a split second when he saw her, but anger quickly replaced it. He marched to the window, jerked back the curtains, flooding the room with late morning sunlight. He turned and demanded, “Who the blazes are you?”
Grateful for the barrier of the counter, Holly said, “I’m Holly Marcum.”
“Well, Miss Marcum, what are you doing in my storeroom?” Pointing at the dress, he added. “And what do you think you’re wearing?”
Puzzled, Holly glanced down at the dress that had started all this trouble and asked, “What’s wrong with it?” Without waiting for him to respond, she stepped around the counter, fanning herself with her hand, desperately longing for fresh air. The warmth of the dusty storeroom wasn’t helping. She felt another sneeze coming on, but was successful in avoiding it. “I don’t believe I caught your name, Mister…?”
“Devereaux,” he said, his glare never leaving her face. “Jeremiah Devereaux.”
The Wild Rose Press
Print ISBN: 1-60154-927-X
Print ISBN 13: 9781601549273
A nasty fall and an antebellum dress changes Holly Marcum's life forever. Once she is revived, nothing is familiar.... The dress shop, her meddling aunt, and life as she knows it have all vanished. Instead a handsome stranger confronts her and accuses her of theft. One moment Jeremiah Deveraux was in his store room alone, and the next a strange woman appeared wearing a gown specially ordered for one of his wealthiest clients. Is she a vagrant or a thief, and how on earth did she get there? When Holly suddenly falls ill, Jeremiah's sister insists on taking her in and caring for her. Can he risk the beautiful stranger staying under his roof--or will he lose more than his merchandise?
Excerpt
“Who’s there?”
Oh, Lord, now what do I do? Holly considered her options. She could show herself, or hope he didn’t find her. Given the size of the storeroom, the second didn't seem very likely.
She peeked around the counter again. A definite scowl covered his otherwise handsome face. He was tall, well above her five foot eight stature. Neatly trimmed brown hair, with a slight curl, framed his face. Overall, there was nothing about him to frighten her except his icy glare.
But it was enough.
“Come out from your hiding,” he ordered. “I heard you sneeze. There’s no way out except past me.”
Taking a deep breath, Holly rose from her hiding place. Shock washed over his features for a split second when he saw her, but anger quickly replaced it. He marched to the window, jerked back the curtains, flooding the room with late morning sunlight. He turned and demanded, “Who the blazes are you?”
Grateful for the barrier of the counter, Holly said, “I’m Holly Marcum.”
“Well, Miss Marcum, what are you doing in my storeroom?” Pointing at the dress, he added. “And what do you think you’re wearing?”
Puzzled, Holly glanced down at the dress that had started all this trouble and asked, “What’s wrong with it?” Without waiting for him to respond, she stepped around the counter, fanning herself with her hand, desperately longing for fresh air. The warmth of the dusty storeroom wasn’t helping. She felt another sneeze coming on, but was successful in avoiding it. “I don’t believe I caught your name, Mister…?”
“Devereaux,” he said, his glare never leaving her face. “Jeremiah Devereaux.”
From the Class of '85 Reunion Series
8.10.11
It's Always Been You
The Wild Rose Press
Retired Staff Sergeant Seth Roberts returns to Summerville to begin the next chapter of his life. To do that, he needs to find out why his girlfriend married another man more than twenty years ago while he served in the Persian Gulf. Their high school reunion is the perfect place to confront Elyse Jordan.
Determined to be a strong role model for her daughters, Professor of Feminist Theory Elyse Jordan never talks about the loss of her only love twenty years ago. Caring for her mother during cancer treatment brings Elyse back to Summerville, the one place she avoided after Seth’s death. When an invitation to her twenty-fifth reunion arrives, she decides to go and reconnect with lost friends. She never imagines she’ll come face-to-face with Seth instead.
Can Seth and Elyse find the thread of love that bound them together or will past tragedies and misunderstandings keep them apart?
Excerpt
“Hello, Elyse.” Seth waited until she finally raised her head at him. She didn’t look well. “Is it okay if we join you?”
She bit her lower lip, took several deep breaths, and slowly nodded. “I-I don’t understand. Wh-what are you doing here? I thought—”
“You thought what?” He kept his voice low as he took the empty chair beside her. Despite her pallor he found it difficult to take his eyes off of her. She looked amazing, better than he could have imagined after all these years.
“I was told ...” She took another deep breath, continued to toy with her napkin. “This doesn’t make sense ...” Her hand trembled when she covered her mouth; her green eyes went glossy with unshed tears.
“What doesn’t make sense?” He could tell she was pained by his presence and was determined to find out why. Her reaction to seeing him wasn’t what he’d anticipated. He’d been prepared for indifference, not distress.
She reached for her glass of water and took a long drink. “You’re supposed to be dead.”
“Can you say that again? The noise in here—”
Raising her voice several octaves, she enunciated each word for clarity. “Dead. You’re supposed to be dead.” People at nearby tables turned around to look at them.
“I can assure you I’m not.”
The Wild Rose Press
Retired Staff Sergeant Seth Roberts returns to Summerville to begin the next chapter of his life. To do that, he needs to find out why his girlfriend married another man more than twenty years ago while he served in the Persian Gulf. Their high school reunion is the perfect place to confront Elyse Jordan.
Determined to be a strong role model for her daughters, Professor of Feminist Theory Elyse Jordan never talks about the loss of her only love twenty years ago. Caring for her mother during cancer treatment brings Elyse back to Summerville, the one place she avoided after Seth’s death. When an invitation to her twenty-fifth reunion arrives, she decides to go and reconnect with lost friends. She never imagines she’ll come face-to-face with Seth instead.
Can Seth and Elyse find the thread of love that bound them together or will past tragedies and misunderstandings keep them apart?
Excerpt
“Hello, Elyse.” Seth waited until she finally raised her head at him. She didn’t look well. “Is it okay if we join you?”
She bit her lower lip, took several deep breaths, and slowly nodded. “I-I don’t understand. Wh-what are you doing here? I thought—”
“You thought what?” He kept his voice low as he took the empty chair beside her. Despite her pallor he found it difficult to take his eyes off of her. She looked amazing, better than he could have imagined after all these years.
“I was told ...” She took another deep breath, continued to toy with her napkin. “This doesn’t make sense ...” Her hand trembled when she covered her mouth; her green eyes went glossy with unshed tears.
“What doesn’t make sense?” He could tell she was pained by his presence and was determined to find out why. Her reaction to seeing him wasn’t what he’d anticipated. He’d been prepared for indifference, not distress.
She reached for her glass of water and took a long drink. “You’re supposed to be dead.”
“Can you say that again? The noise in here—”
Raising her voice several octaves, she enunciated each word for clarity. “Dead. You’re supposed to be dead.” People at nearby tables turned around to look at them.
“I can assure you I’m not.”
Through The Garden Gate Anthology
Featuring Victory's Gate, American Rose winner of the TTGG Contest
To Order Click on the bookcover
Through the Garden Gate Anthology
The Wild Rose Press
December 2009
Print ISBN: 1601545754
Print ISBN 13: 978-1601545756
In desperation, Maddie Elliott makes a wish under the magic of the blue moon's light. Incomprehension and confusion fill her heart when she meets the Earl of Ruglen. The laws of attraction can't possibly be wrong… can they?
Summoned by an Apache shaman two hundred years in the past, professor Isabelle Landers is transported smack dab into Arizona's outlaw territory…and a hanging gone bad
Jilted bride Victoria Hamill is transported to war-torn antebellum Charleston, SC. Defying convention and family wishes, she nurtures a wounded Union officer back to health—and finds her heart nurtured as well.
Amber Schulman stepped into a lush English garden in 2007, only to arrive in breathtaking Sorrento, Italy—in 1958. The only person who understands her confusion is fellow time traveler Mark Lacey, a New Yorker from the land of cassette tapes and Reaganomics.
The Wild Rose Press
December 2009
Print ISBN: 1601545754
Print ISBN 13: 978-1601545756
In desperation, Maddie Elliott makes a wish under the magic of the blue moon's light. Incomprehension and confusion fill her heart when she meets the Earl of Ruglen. The laws of attraction can't possibly be wrong… can they?
Summoned by an Apache shaman two hundred years in the past, professor Isabelle Landers is transported smack dab into Arizona's outlaw territory…and a hanging gone bad
Jilted bride Victoria Hamill is transported to war-torn antebellum Charleston, SC. Defying convention and family wishes, she nurtures a wounded Union officer back to health—and finds her heart nurtured as well.
Amber Schulman stepped into a lush English garden in 2007, only to arrive in breathtaking Sorrento, Italy—in 1958. The only person who understands her confusion is fellow time traveler Mark Lacey, a New Yorker from the land of cassette tapes and Reaganomics.
Victory's Gate
Victory's Gate
The Wild Rose Press
Left standing at the altar, Victoria Hamill decides to spend her honeymoon trip in Bury, Lancashire alone. However, when she finds a hidden gateway in the garden she’s transported in time to war torn Charleston, SC. Going against convention and her assumed families wishes, Tori nurses an injured Union Captain back to health and finds her heart nurtured as well. Unsure of how she’d gotten there or when she’d return to present day, Tori decides to live for the moment and follow her heart on this path to new love.
Excerpt:
"How do you find the view?"
Tori jumped at the captain's voice, but the surprise faded and warmth flowed through her. She turned and smiled, glad for the distraction. "The Union flag is flying high over Fort Sumter."
"You don't sound devastated by it."
"Why should I? I can't stop it." She joined him at the bedside. "How are you feeling now?"
"I ache, but I'm not complaining. I'm glad to be alive."
"Do you think you could eat?"
"I'm not hungry."
"Maybe some broth later?"
He nodded.
A brief silence fell between them and Tori straightened the covers. She felt his intense gaze follow her as she moved around the bed.
"What's your name?" His voice sounded soft, yet rugged. Perhaps that is what made her feel at ease around him. It didn't matter in the least that he was a Union soldier instead of Confederate. For her the war had been over for more than a century. He wasn't the enemy, but a virile man that made her heart beat a little faster every time he looked at her.
"Victoria."
His gaze wandered down to her breasts. He touched her arm and the flash of heat took her breath away. She straightened and their eyes met.
"I never expected to find kindness at the hands of the enemy."
"The enemy?" Tori backed away from his words. Is that how he really saw her? Of course he did. He was a Union Captain after all. To him, she was no better than the swine. How could she so fool-heartedly romanticized the situation?
"What did you expect? That I'd bash your head in at the first opportunity, or let you die? There may be a war going on, Captain, and we might be on opposing sides, but that doesn't mean we are different. We're both humans. We both have feelings, needs. You're no better than me."
The Wild Rose Press
Left standing at the altar, Victoria Hamill decides to spend her honeymoon trip in Bury, Lancashire alone. However, when she finds a hidden gateway in the garden she’s transported in time to war torn Charleston, SC. Going against convention and her assumed families wishes, Tori nurses an injured Union Captain back to health and finds her heart nurtured as well. Unsure of how she’d gotten there or when she’d return to present day, Tori decides to live for the moment and follow her heart on this path to new love.
Excerpt:
"How do you find the view?"
Tori jumped at the captain's voice, but the surprise faded and warmth flowed through her. She turned and smiled, glad for the distraction. "The Union flag is flying high over Fort Sumter."
"You don't sound devastated by it."
"Why should I? I can't stop it." She joined him at the bedside. "How are you feeling now?"
"I ache, but I'm not complaining. I'm glad to be alive."
"Do you think you could eat?"
"I'm not hungry."
"Maybe some broth later?"
He nodded.
A brief silence fell between them and Tori straightened the covers. She felt his intense gaze follow her as she moved around the bed.
"What's your name?" His voice sounded soft, yet rugged. Perhaps that is what made her feel at ease around him. It didn't matter in the least that he was a Union soldier instead of Confederate. For her the war had been over for more than a century. He wasn't the enemy, but a virile man that made her heart beat a little faster every time he looked at her.
"Victoria."
His gaze wandered down to her breasts. He touched her arm and the flash of heat took her breath away. She straightened and their eyes met.
"I never expected to find kindness at the hands of the enemy."
"The enemy?" Tori backed away from his words. Is that how he really saw her? Of course he did. He was a Union Captain after all. To him, she was no better than the swine. How could she so fool-heartedly romanticized the situation?
"What did you expect? That I'd bash your head in at the first opportunity, or let you die? There may be a war going on, Captain, and we might be on opposing sides, but that doesn't mean we are different. We're both humans. We both have feelings, needs. You're no better than me."