Emily’s
Vow
A
More Perfect Union
Book
1
Betty
Bolté
Genre:
Historical Romance
Publisher:
ePublishing Works!
Date
of Publication: October 4, 2014
Ebook:
978-1-61417-654-1
Paperback:
978-1-61417-655-8
ASIN:
B00O7601NY
Number
of pages: 247
Cover
Artist: ePublishing Works!
Book
Description:
Emily
Sullivan’s greatest fear is dying in childbirth, as did her twin
sister and their mother. Then she’s thrown in a loyalist prison for
her privateering father’s raids on the British, and her accuser--a
former beau--promises to recant if she will marry him.
Frank
Thomson always loved Emily despite her refusal to return his
affections. A patriot spy posing as a loyalist officer, when Frank
learns of Emily’s plight, he challenges her accuser to a duel.
Freed
from prison, Emily ponders returning the affections of her
rescuer--the only man she's ever loved and who married her twin to
save the Sullivan family's reputation. But Frank cannot afford to be
discovered. For the sake of young America, he must deliver his
secrets.
Excerpt;
Emily
hurried down the sandy road beside her friend, noting the waning
sunshine draping shadows across the street. The slap of the waves at
the distant convergence of the Cooper and Ashley Rivers beat a
syncopated rhythm against the array of ship hulls, large and small,
in the protected harbor. Many of the masts bobbing against the
darkening sky sported the hated British flag. The losing army had
resorted to sanctioned looting of the beautiful homes—those still
standing after two years of British occupation as well as fires and
bombardments—as booty for the officers and soldiers before they
withdrew. She hoped they would leave soon, but nobody knew exactly
when the British ships planned to depart. They'd already sent the
bells to London along with other pilfered items. In fact, the British
officers sought retaliation for the threat posed by the patriots, who
had hidden their true allegiance, against the loyalists living in the
city. The officers encouraged harassment of the American citizens,
which translated into her father, a leading merchant in town, fearing
for her safety more than ever. Until the British actually evacuated,
uncertainty and fear blanketed the town.
Dragging
in a deep breath, unease settled over Emily's frayed nerves at the
thought of Frank's return. "I cannot believe Father insists I
marry him after all that man has done. Surely Americans have matured
enough they wouldn't force a woman to marry. It's 1782, after all.
I'm not a child. Why doesn't he understand?"
A
seagull glided past, its laughing call bringing a smile to her face.
Her enjoyment didn't last long, though. The occupation of the town
created fear and disquiet throughout the citizenry. Add in the horror
of her sister Elizabeth's fiancé Jedediah dying, leaving her
pregnant and in need of a husband. Then Jedediah's brother Frank, the
man Emily had secretly cared for, married her sister to keep the
child from being a bastard. Emily survived the misery of watching
Frank marry Elizabeth only to suffer much more when Elizabeth died in
childbirth with Frank away at war. Emily had come to terms with the
prospect of raising her nephew, but being forced into marriage with
Frank, too? How could life turn and twist with such disregard for her
future goals and plans?
Frank's
imminent arrival now distressed her as much as the three hundred
British ships crowding the harbor. The rumor about town suggested the
ships stood poised to carry away the defeated enemy troops along with
any loyalists wanting to flee the town. Many slaves would likely take
the chance on freedom offered by the British, despite the American
protests. The constant motion of the water for once failed to soothe
her troubled thoughts.
"Have
you told your father how you feel?" Samantha matched Emily's
stride easily despite her slight limp and the basket she carried.
Sharing
her feelings with her father had once enjoyed an easy place in
Emily's heart. Now his demands for her to cloister within the
theoretic safety of the town house, joined with his desire that she
marry to secure her future, made confiding in him difficult. His
concern stemmed from her advancing age with few appropriate prospects
for marriage due to America's fight for its independence from an
overbearing mother country, which seemed to be winding down. She
longed for those carefree days, years before, filled with friendly
banter and heartfelt discussions with her father.
Emily
wrinkled her nose. "I haven't spoken with him, not that I think
he'll care. He's more concerned with my supposed need for a protector
while he's away." What a pickle. Did he have to choose Frank to
serve as both bodyguard and suitor?
The
thought created ripples of fear along her spine. Marrying a man, any
man, meant losing her individuality, a fate she dreaded. The vows
included obeying and honoring him, which translated into having his
children. She shivered, recalling her twin sister on her deathbed
mere days after delivering her son. Emily held her hand as
Elizabeth's life departed, her fingers falling limp within Emily's
clutching grasp. Just like their mother before her.
So
many young women across the country feared pregnancy and being
brought to bed for that very reason. Elizabeth, like many of those
women, had written out her will when she discovered she carried a
child. At least the document detailed her wishes for her son. And her
surrogate husband, Frank Thomson. Elizabeth was to wed Jedediah, the
betrothal announced and celebrated, before Elizabeth revealed she was
with child. The banns had been read twice when his militia duty arose
and he'd left to fight. If Jedediah hadn't been killed, Frank would
not have felt obligated to do his duty as Jedediah's brother to wed
Elizabeth and give the unborn child a father and thus avoid bastardy.
Emily
used to think of him as her Frank, until he told her his decision to
wed Elizabeth. Her heart had hurt for months as she struggled to
understand and accept the reality that she could never have him. But
once Elizabeth died in similar circumstances as their mother, Emily's
fear of dying as a result of childbirth eclipsed any naive desire to
marry.
No,
better to pursue her dreams of opening her ladies' accessories shop.
She squared her shoulders, ready to face the astonishment of the
ladies in town as well as plan a strategy for the battle when her
father voiced his objections.
Amy’s
Choice
A
More Perfect Union
Book
2
Betty
Bolté
Genre:
Historical Romance
Publisher:
ePublishing Works!
Date
of Publication: October 5, 2014
Ebook:
978-1-61417-659-6
Paperback:
978-1-61417-660-2
ASIN:
B00O7984P8
Number
of pages: 231
ASIN:
B00O7984P8
Number
of pages: 231
Book
Description:
Without
a goodbye, Amy Abernathy's childhood sweetheart, Benjamin Hanson,
leaves to fight in the American War for Independence.
Amy
chooses to pick up the pieces of her heart and leave Charles Town to
help her sister who is with child.
Benjamin
knows he hurt Amy, but he plans to make it up to her after his
mission is completed. Then he learns that Amy has been captured by
renegade soldiers. Now Benjamin faces his own choice: free the sassy
yet obstinate woman he's never stopped loving or protect Charles Town
from vengeful British occupation.
Excerpt:
"Benjamin,
what brings you out here so early this morning?" Walter
slathered yellow butter on yet another slice of bread.
Amy
kept her eyes on her plate, but her movements slowed, indicating she
listened intently.
"Colonel
Scarsdale made an important announcement last week, one that
increases the chance of violent retaliation and looting by the
British troops as they prepare to evacuate the city." Benjamin
kept his eyes on Walter but watched Amy's actions at the side of his
vision.
"Is
the war finally over then?" Walter laid down his knife, eyes
intent on Benjamin.
"It
appears to be, all but the acts of signing the peace treaty and
evacuating His Majesty's troops."
"When
might that happen?" Emily fisted her napkin and gazed at him
with hopeful eyes.
"As
soon as conditions allow them to leave the harbor. But between now
and then they will scavenge for any items of value they can lay their
hands upon." He willed Amy to look at him, and finally she
rewarded him by lifting her eyes to meet his. The force of her gaze
sent a shock racing through him, stirring a reaction below his belt.
Shifting to be more comfortable, he held her stare for a moment.
"But
how does that impact us out here?" Amy regarded him, one hand
poised above her plate, a bite of ham waiting. "Surely the
Britons will not harm us so far from town. They'll be busy preparing
to evacuate."
"Clearly
you do not fathom the reality of the matter." When Amy merely
stared at him, realization dawned as to the extent of the situation
before him. He nearly let out a loud breath in annoyance. He checked
the reflex. He needed to address the fact that Amy wasn't the only
one in danger. Ideas popped into his head and he dismissed several
before nodding. A simple solution. "I have come to take the
girls back to town where I can keep them safe."
A
startled silence followed his pronouncement.
"We
are safe here." Samantha strode into the room and made straight
for the sideboard.
Benjamin
rose to greet her, and she waved him back into his seat. As he
resettled himself, he noted Walter had not moved from where he sat
crunching on a slice of apple.
"Yes,
more so than we'd be in town at any rate." Emily looked from one
person to another. "So many soldiers still roam the streets,
after all."
"Besides,
we cannot move Evelyn." Amy held knife and fork poised to slice
through the ham. "I won't leave her here alone. She needs help
until the baby arrives, and for a span after."
"She
has me." Walter laid his hands flat on the table at either side
of his plate. "I can take care of her."
Why
did Walter brace himself as he spoke about his wife? Benjamin
recognized the defensive nature, an insecurity, exemplified in
Walter's behavior.
Amy
darted a glance at Walter, then returned her gaze to Benjamin.
"That's my fear."
Her
mouth formed a stubborn pout as her eyes reflected her concern. What
had occurred here to provoke such a statement? Amy glanced at Walter
with unease plain in her expression, her distrust of the man evident.
Despite himself, Benjamin tensed at the idea of Amy living under the
same roof as Walter.
"I
know how to defend myself, so I'll stay." Samantha placed her
napkin in her lap. "More to the point, Evelyn will deliver any
day now, and she'll need me."
Walter
looked like he wanted to say something but held his thoughts in
check. His brow lowered as he dipped his bread into his coffee.
Walter did not act as refined in character as his appearance first
suggested. More pieces to the puzzle fell into place, but still some
holes remained before Benjamin formed an opinion of him.
"You'll
need help with running this place." Emily laid her napkin on the
table, her eyes steady on Samantha. "I'm accomplished at that,
so I will stay to assist."
Seeing
where this was leading, Benjamin made an effort to change the
conversation's course. "In the event, Miss Amy stays with me."
He spoke with less conviction than earlier as his resolve wilted
under the arguments put forth by the women surrounding him. "I
can't stay away from town long, not only because Captain Sullivan
expects me to ensure the museum collection is not touched, but also
because Amy's father requested I bring my fiancée back posthaste."
A
feminine gasp drew his eyes to Amy's startled expression. Damnation.
Too late, he realized his error as, in rhythm with three blinks, her
stubborn expression shifted to surprise, then anger.
"Pardon
me?" Her eyebrows arched over wide eyes. "You are engaged?
To whom, pray tell?"
The
set of her jaw dared him to say what he must in order to tell the
truth of the matter. An attack of cotton mouth forced him to try to
swallow as he searched for the proper response. How crass could he
be, blurting out his bald intent? His carefully prepared speech blown
apart by his own foolish words. Again, words had tripped him up and
left him floundering. Yet, his mother would be proud of him for
sticking to the facts,
even
if they created an awkward moment. He heaved a sigh. Nothing for it
but the bare truth. "I spoke with your parents a few days ago,
and they agreed..."
"Stop."
Amy, face red, held up a hand as though warding off a blow. "Pray,
don't tell me my parents actually negotiated with you for my hand?"
About
the Author:
Betty
Bolté writes both historical and contemporary stories featuring
strong, loving women and brave, compassionate men. No matter whether
the stories are set in the past or the present, she loves to include
a touch of the paranormal. In addition to her romantic fiction, she’s
the author of several nonfiction books and earned a Master’s in
English in 2008. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the
Historical Novel Society, the Women’s Fiction Writers Association,
and the Authors Guild. Get to know her at www.bettybolte.com.
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I appreciate you having me visit to share about my American Revolution romances. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
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