Welcome back to Romance Sweet Reads. Today we're going to continue our Christmas in July celebration with the next book in a brand-new, eight book, multi-author series. Christmas Bride Dilemma is sure to put you in the mood and, if you're in the middle of a hot summer, we might cool you off a bit, too!
The fourth book in the series is Trapped in Deepwater, by bestselling and award-winning author, Sarah Lamb.
Laura Ashborne is convinced she’s a walking bad luck charm. Trying to make a fresh start, she sets out on a stagecoach to become a schoolteacher. However, the coach she’s on breaks down in the middle of nowhere a few days before Christmas, and she’s forced to spend an entire week in the tiny town of Deepwater.
Reverend Gabriel Sullivan wants to help the beautiful stranded traveler, and he'd determined to show her she's not bad luck. But when his dark past catches up to him, he's put into a dangerous situation, and Laura right along with him.
Can her desperate plan help him? Or will they let their past ruin the future they'd like to have together?
Available on Kindle Unlimited
1872 Somewhere in Missouri
“Bad luck,” the driver of the stagecoach called. Laura looked up from where she’d just been contemplating a doze to make the journey pass by faster. Of course there was bad luck. It followed her everywhere she went. No matter she’d been traveling for nearly a week nonstop, it still caught up to her.
From the worm in her apple and the mold on her bread, to the hole in her shoe and now whatever this was. She’d never be able to escape the curse that wouldn’t leave her alone. Really, she shouldn’t be surprised. She’d had bad luck for as long as she could remember.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, finally finding her voice. As the only passenger on the stagecoach, it was obvious the driver was talking to her.
“Damaged axle,” he told her through the coach window. “And a lame horse. Never had this happen before.”
The driver shook his head. “Don’t think so, miss. Not today, anyway. There’s a town ahead called Deepwater, and I think if we go real slow we’ll make it there before nightfall. But I’m not sure how long it will take to get you headed to your destination.”
Taking a deep breath filled with irritation, Laura nodded. It wasn’t the driver’s fault. She shouldn’t get upset. “Do I need to walk?” she asked.
“No, since it’s just you, sit, but don’t move a lot,” came the reply as the driver vanished. She felt the coach sway slightly as he climbed into the driver’s seat. With a shout to the horses, the coach jerked forward, then settled into a crawl.
If she walked, she’d get there faster. There wasn’t really a reason to hurry, though. What would be waiting for her? More bad luck, that’s likely what.
Laura looked through the small window as the landscape creeped by. It was almost Christmas. She was glad. Not for Christmas, because there wouldn’t be anyone to celebrate it with, but because that meant the end of the year. And perhaps the start of one that wasn’t filled with so many terrible things. One could hope, anyway.
Something seemed to press in Laura’s backside and she shifted, then shifted again. The thin cushion under her slid a little. As she moved to put it back in its place, it slid off. A long crack, revealing a compartment of some sort, stared at her.
Laura ran her finger over it. What is this? Extra access to the boot? Everyone knows that anything valuable is kept with the driver at his feet.
It wasn’t difficult to pry up the wood, and overcome with curiosity, Laura raised the lid of the compartment a crack, then a little more. This was the most interesting thing she’d done in days. What could be inside?
Peering into the hidden compartment, her breath caught. Silver bars shone in a fading ray of sunshine.
Swiftly, her heart pounding in fear, she replaced the lid, returned the cushion, and sat stock still. They were carrying silver. Worse than that, it was in her seat. No wonder the driver wanted to keep going. They were a target for highwaymen!
You can find the entire Christmas Bride Dilemma series
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A special thanks to Cheryl Wright for the use of her tagline graphics to go with our excerpt posts. It was so wonderful to see everyone here today. Please come back again on Wednesday, July 19th, when we'll take a peek at Book #5 of 8.
Blessings,
Nancy
Oh what an intriguing story Sarah. I have started it and can't wait to find out what happens! Being a wife and mother already makes you busy without being an author - you certainly have a lot going on :) take care
ReplyDeleteThank you all for stopping by to read!
ReplyDeleteMystery. Suspense. Romance. This is right up my alley. Can't wait to spend a few hours alongside of these characters, as they unravel the mystery, bring her some good luck and blessings for a change, and of course, find their happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Sarah! I am reading this book right now! Loving it so far.
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