Zebidiah Moran, chief of staff for a new senator in Washington, is determined to uncover the lovely Jennifer’s secrets and guard her from danger. But will his sacrifices be enough to keep her safe?
“Why do you continue to be kind to me?” Jennifer asked.
“I was raised a Southern gentleman. My mother would have tanned my hide had she heard me being anything less than that,” Zeb said and smiled at her. “You have not been yourself since coming here. Although you were quiet when you first arrived, you were different when you were staying with your sister. You were happy and relaxed. You seem to me to be everything but happy and relaxed here in your own home.”
She dabbed her eyes. “You cannot understand the implications of the situation I am in. You know nothing of Boston society or our family business. I must solve these issues in my own way, on my own.”
“I do not understand Boston society, or even your or your family’s place in it, but I do understand men like Jeffrey Rothchild. His kind of intimidation happens in the cheapest saloon, the most luxurious boardroom, and in the kitchens of everyday families. You are not unique nor do you need to manage this yourself. Please don’t call yourself a coward, either. You are not a coward. You are facing an enemy alone; however, that is not necessary. Allow me to help.”
She stared into his eyes. “I am shaken to my core. What I’ve always thought I could discern about another person has been proven to be completely and utterly wrong. The stakes, the consequences of my poor judgment, threaten the Crawford family, threaten those that depend on us, threaten the fortunes and the legacy my family has built. Where Jolene expected a lifestyle of wealth as our due, and Julia naively assumed that everyone lived as we did, I knew differently. I know that the kind of wealth and prestige our family enjoys is the product of incredibly hard work, perfect timing, and considerable luck, otherwise, every other family in America would be wealthy and enjoy a home such as Willow Tree with all of its amenities. That existence hangs in the balance. I will not allow this generation to fritter it away.”
“I was raised a Southern gentleman. My mother would have tanned my hide had she heard me being anything less than that,” Zeb said and smiled at her. “You have not been yourself since coming here. Although you were quiet when you first arrived, you were different when you were staying with your sister. You were happy and relaxed. You seem to me to be everything but happy and relaxed here in your own home.”
She dabbed her eyes. “You cannot understand the implications of the situation I am in. You know nothing of Boston society or our family business. I must solve these issues in my own way, on my own.”
“I do not understand Boston society, or even your or your family’s place in it, but I do understand men like Jeffrey Rothchild. His kind of intimidation happens in the cheapest saloon, the most luxurious boardroom, and in the kitchens of everyday families. You are not unique nor do you need to manage this yourself. Please don’t call yourself a coward, either. You are not a coward. You are facing an enemy alone; however, that is not necessary. Allow me to help.”
She stared into his eyes. “I am shaken to my core. What I’ve always thought I could discern about another person has been proven to be completely and utterly wrong. The stakes, the consequences of my poor judgment, threaten the Crawford family, threaten those that depend on us, threaten the fortunes and the legacy my family has built. Where Jolene expected a lifestyle of wealth as our due, and Julia naively assumed that everyone lived as we did, I knew differently. I know that the kind of wealth and prestige our family enjoys is the product of incredibly hard work, perfect timing, and considerable luck, otherwise, every other family in America would be wealthy and enjoy a home such as Willow Tree with all of its amenities. That existence hangs in the balance. I will not allow this generation to fritter it away.”
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What are your favorite books to read?
ReplyDeleteI like biographies of historical figures, and historical non-fiction of events. My curl-up-with-book though is always historical romance, especially ones by Mary Balogh - my all time favorite romance writer! Unfortunately, I can't do that while I'm writing historical romance! I enjoy mysteries/thrillers, too, like the ones Lee Child and John Sanford write.
DeleteIf you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce?
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeletethank you for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteThanks for sharing this giveaway and good luck with your book. It sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThanks Becky! Good luck to you too!
DeleteGreat post, I loved the excerpt! Sounds like an amazing series - thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Victoria! Hope you enjoy them!
DeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rita!
DeleteThank you so much for the giveaway!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome!
DeleteAh, 1893. One of my favorite years.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing pretty good for a 123 year old! LOL!
DeleteJennifer's life must have been really difficult living in such a mess of a family along with having mathematical intelligence at a time when women weren't to be involved in such things. Then her personal life gets worse! I've got to read this book to find out how she makes out.
ReplyDeleteJennifer was emotionally a product of her family dysfunction but that had little to do with her intelligence. And yes, you're correct, I think her life was very difficult, as was any woman's in that period. She was fortunate to be wealthy, with plenty to eat and a roof over her head. Many weren't. Thank you for stopping by to gab!
DeleteThank you for the excerpt and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Beth!
DeleteLoved the excerpt. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon! Glad to be here!
DeleteThanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Sonya!
DeleteReally enjoyed reading the excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kirsten!
DeleteI love the Victorian era. I especially love that the main character is a strong woman who is struggling to find her way beyond what is expected of women during this time period.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Jeanna! There was so much change going on in the US - so dramatic. Suffrage, advancements in medicine, huge strides in industry, and really only one generation away from the Civil War sets the stage for quite a bit of conflict. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWhat is the best joke that you heard recently? Thanks for the giveaway. I hope that I win. Bernie W BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteHow many books do you write a year.
ReplyDeleteMorning Julie! I write about one and a half books a year. When I first began publishing my books in 2011, I had several books written in a drawer so I was able to release two or more books a year. I still work full-time, 4 days a week, and do my writing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and then of course life gets in the way sometimes too! I'll be releasing the novella that begins my next series in the fall, and then hopefully will release the first book in the series in January. Thanks for asking and good luck with the contest!
Deletewhy this period in time?
ReplyDeleteThings were starting to change quickly during that period, in medicine, new inventions like the sewing machine, transportation, farming, and we were still not that far removed from the Civil War. The time was full of conflict which often sets up a good story!
DeleteHistorical stories whether be romance or not are my favorite stories. I wish the author much success.
ReplyDeleteMe, too! I'm a sucker for historical stories. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe book covers are all so lovely and elegant - I like that!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Birgit! My cover designer is Jenny Q at Historical Editorial. She does a fabulous job!
Delete"Train Station Bride" has me the most interested. As a food historian, I have researched the foods most commonly eaten during this era- weddings, especially. The wedding cake was probably closer to what is referred to as fruitcake today.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to be a food historian! And you're right about the cake. I wouldn't have liked fruit cake any more then than I do now!
DeleteI would love to read this book, thank you for the sweepstakes
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Chistina!
DeleteThank you for this lovely giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
DeleteHer safe harbor sounds great ♡ I love the cover! Thank you
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda! I like it too!
DeleteWhere did you get the inspiration to write this book?
ReplyDeleteJennifer is the youngest Crawford daughter and has been seen in the two previous books, Train Station Bride and Contract to Wed. I've been asked by many readers when Jennifer's book was coming out and that was part of the inspiration for this book but I've also wanted to 'wrap up' the family. Jennifer's story was yet to be told and it was important to bring the family full circle.
DeleteWhere do you like to go for inspiration?
ReplyDeleteI love to read history books and biographies and think about how the events I read about, changed or had an effect upon regular people. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteNice to have an intelligent heroine in a historical novel . Thank you
ReplyDeleteI agree. Sometimes the young, innocent, nieve heroines are just TSTL. LOL!
Deletesounds like a great read thanks
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Wendy!
Deletelooking forward to reading your novel, loving the cover illustration.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Juanita!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Corey!
DeletePretty Cover
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth!
Deletethanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAs a food Historian, I MUST ask,are there any details within the book related to food, specifically for that time era?
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway chance!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover. It makes me wonder what she's thinking about, or who she's thinking about.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Ellen
great giveaway
ReplyDeleteI love the covers of the books in this series!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a lovely book. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletesounds like a fun one!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book, and all the books in the series.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting historical time period. I'm excited to read about Jennifer and Zebidiah's romance.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing. Blessings
ReplyDeleteHave you ever started writing a book and then re-read it and scrapped the whole thing?
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this series. The book covers are lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do when you need inspiration?
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of this book and can't wait to read more. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy all time favorite novel is Gone with the Wind. I am definitely a fan of historical novels. Thanks for the giveaway. Much success with your book!
ReplyDelete