Sample Saturday is here again
I think I should do Sample Saturday posts more frequently. I gave you an excerpt of Surprising Charity back on September 26, 2020, and here’s another tidbit to whet your enthusiasm for reading and enjoying the novel. Surprising Charity is in the “Shenandoah Neighbors” line, which is a part of the “Owen Family Universe.” It is what is called a “seasoned romance,” that is, a love story between characters who are older than those in the usual romance novel.
Excerpt:
New Mexico Territory, August 1867
Surprising Charity
Charity half rose, then fell back onto her seat. What was he saying? “But, but, you have a wife,” she stammered.
“I am distress to say to you, very sadly, it is no longer the case. To our great dismay, she die. Soon after you leave us, all in la hacienda take ill, but only she die.” He found a handkerchief in a pocket and, ducking his head, wiped his eyes. He muttered something inaudible, then raised his head and tried again. “I have the loneliness in abundance, señora. I fear it cannot be cure without the companionship of a good woman.”
Charity’s hand had flown to her mouth. “Oh, my lands,” she whispered around it when he had finished his extraordinary statement. “I had no idea your wife died.” She let her hand drop into her lap. “Your proposal is very sudden, sir. I don’t know what to say.”
“Sí. It take you by the surprise. We all become much sick, but only mi Luz leave us. For this, we have suffer much at mi hacienda. The months have pass in sorrow. There is no remedy but to come to you and beg for this favor.”
Charity was on her feet now, not sure how to handle this tragedy in the life of one she had met only in passing, a tragedy that threatened to sweep her up in its aftermath.
“How might I answer you, sir? I have my life here with my sons. My daughters are married, so they need me less, but this petition is quite out of the ordinary, quite remarkable, indeed.” She stood stock still with Don Pedro at her feet, a desperate look of pleading on his haggard features. Again, she marked how much he had changed from when she had seen him last.
I cannot marry him. Our lives are so different. She tried another tack in order to understand the situation. “Why have you come to me? Are there not suitable ladies to marry in your vicinity?”
He bowed his head for a long time. When he looked up at her again, he seemed harrowed by doubt. “You will not believe me, señora.”
“You must try to make me understand.” She wondered how long he could bear to kneel on the hard, uncomfortable plank flooring. At his advanced age— “This is awkward, sir. Please rise and sit.”
He hesitated, then slowly regained his feet and retreated to sink into his chair. She sat in turn. He put one hand to his brow, as though to hide his face from her gaze, but he said nothing.
When she could stand the silence no longer, Charity said, “You must speak plainly, sir. What will I not believe?”
I hope you enjoyed that excerpt. I’m leaving purchase links below so you can get the rest of the story.
But first, here’s what one reader said about Surprising Charity:
“Marsha Ward drew me into the story. I didn’t want to leave. She has gone to great lengths to ensure the history and setting are accurate. I love her older characters who face some of the same romantic problems as younger people, and many different ones only older lovers encounter. I’ll be going back to read other books by this author.” ~Angelique Conger, author of biblical historical fiction
That was very nice of her! Until next time, Happy Reading!
Links to purchase Surprising Charity: Shenandoah Neighbors
Print: Amazon
E-Books: Kindle | NOOK | Kobo | Apple | Smashwords (all formats)
You may also use this Universal Book Link to buy at your favorite digital store.
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