BLURB
On a dark and snowy November night, ER nurse, Celina Gray, takes into her home two little girls after they land in the ER with their mother, who has been seriously injured. Little did she know by taking the girls that it would land her under the protective custody of Detective Brad Palmquist. He was there to serve and protect them, but who was going to protect her heart from him?
EXCERPT
The sound of the school bell split the air.
Celina watched as the two girls walked onto the playground. Despite the bitter weather, they were dressed in flip-flops and shorts. Long, adult hoodies covered their tiny bodies to their knees. Their hands and legs were turning red from the cold.
As they tried to get into line, Celina heard two girls that stood before them call out, “Ooh get away from us! You’ve got cooties!”
One by one, they were shoved to the back of the line. The youngest girl started to cry all over again.
The blare of a car horn had Celina looking into her rearview mirror. The light in front of her had turned green. She flicked on her left turn signal, stepped on the accelerator, and pulled into the intersection. From out of nowhere, a car burst through the intersection at a high rate of speed. Celina slammed on her brakes and fish-tailed. She gripped the steering wheel tightly, fighting for control as she cut a cookie in the middle of the icy street. Her eyes widened in fear and her heart pounded in her chest as the car careened toward her.
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Also available in large print paperback.
I am thrilled to be on Fir Star Press today! Come on, let's get this party started. You're going to love this book. I know I do. But like the rest of my fellow authors out there, our characters are like our children and we love them one and all.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great story for Christmas, Barb!!
ReplyDeleteOne that will warm folks hearts, I hope. Thank you for stopping by Kirsten.
ReplyDeleteBarb, this was a true tear-jerker of a story! I loved it. Great for Christmas, for sure!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl. The sad thing is bits and pieces of this story are true. Most of the kids I took into my home were from families with drug issues, mostly meth. One of the first placements I had was with a girl twelve and her brother who was a year younger than she. It was Christmas and my husband and I had gone all out for the kids. We watched as their eyes widened in surprise that Christmas morning. As I handed them their presents the girl said quietly thank you. She didn't act excited at all. I was surprised by her reaction so I asked her if she didn't like her gifts. and she'd answered,"Oh yes." Come to find out her mother would let them open their gifts, (things the state usually provided for them) and then she would take their gifts and sale them for drug money. That and the homes my kiddos came from were much like the one described in the book. No food, no heat, no water or electricity.
DeleteWhew! That's one exciting excerpt, Barb. It's perfect. I'm loving your story premise. This must be an extremely unusual case to have an ER nurse take kids home with her. I find that intriguing. When you added in a detective and the word "protect", well, you certainly have my curiosity going.
ReplyDeleteI know this book is going to be a big success. I wish you every success, Barb.
Thank you so much for dropping by Sarah and your well wishes. It is a bit of a stretch to let a ER nurse take them, but she is a mandatory reporter and rules are meant to be bent just a bit especially in a romance novel.
DeleteBarb--that was "The Perfect Excerpt" I blogged about some time ago. Wow, did you nail it, and the blurb was wonderful, too. I've got to read this one, too. I'll get it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information about the story. I love stories with little children.
Thank you for dropping by Celia. It is always great to hear from you. I think you will like this book. I'm sure over the years as a teacher you saw children who came from homes with abuse and drug issues. As Cheryl wrote its a tear jerker for sure.
DeleteBARB--no, I taught in a private military boarding school, very expensive, and kids from all over the world and the big cities of the US. None were abused as you are thinking, but you know as well as I do, money and privilege does not always mean happiness. Many of these US kids came from broken homes--but what do you do with an emotionally disturbed child that is privileged? Why, you ship them off to the Military Academy and let dorm directors, counselors, and yes...teachers...try to boost their morale. We've always said that's what we did best at the Academy--make a change in their lives and let them learn how worthwhile they are. Money isn't everything, unfortunately. But I do love a tear jerker!
DeleteBarb, what a great excerpt. Pulled me right in and I know I'll every minute of reading your novel. Can't wait to see more the macho Detective Brad. Oh my.. And I applaud you for taking youngsters into your home as you did. That takes a very special person with a generous heart indeed. Wishing you much success with Snowflakes and Teardrops.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beverly. I'm happy you dropped by. I enjoyed writing the story. Every story needs a great macho type guy in it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really great story, Barbara. I look forward to reading it. Best of success with it.
ReplyDeleteRobyn Echols writing as Zina Abbott
Thank you Robyn. I enjoyed writing it. I am thrilled that Cheryl and Livia published it.
ReplyDelete