Shannon here: Anne Greene shares a romantic excerpt from her latest Historical Romantic Suspense, Lacey and the Law. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated Oct 9th – 12th to enter the drawing. Two winners will receive an autographed print copy. Deadline: Oct 20th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Anne:
Excerpt from Lacey and the Law by Anne Greene:
1924 – Chicago, Illinois
So, Lacey’s new life began.
She confronted the radical change part head-on with a lifted chin. The older generation treated her as empty-headed, unthinking, and hard. But she was smart enough to realize she was naïve about life, innocent, and constantly surprised at what she discovered.
Could she trust her older sister for advice?
Evelyn laughed gaily. Lacey cut her short, tugging her older sister’s corset strings tighter. “Some nineteen lonely men returned from the war and asked Father for my hand.”
“But you declined them all.” Lacey giggled.
Evelyn gasped for breath. “Tighter sis.” She glanced over her bare shoulder. “But I won’t turn down Theodore.”
“You plan to marry that chunky, bald fellow?” Lacey staggered back against Evelyn’s bed, jerking Evelyn with her by her corset strings.
“Careful, Silly!” Evelyn pulled herself upright. “Teddy has the brightest future. His parents are the richest. And he’s really quite a lovable bear.”
“Not me! I shall wait for love. I expect to experience life, feel and learn everything I can about the world. I’ll not marry an older man for his money.”
Evelyn whirled to face her. “A lady can’t live on love. Mama needs to have a chat with you.” She flipped her long, dark curls over her shoulder.
Lacey jerked a loose corset string and tied a bow at the bottom. “We’ve had that talk.” She patted Evelyn on her round bottom. “I’ll continue to refuse all those older men Papa parades before me at our dinner table. I give them a smile and a kind word of flattery.”
“You’ll end up an old maid.”
“I don’t want to end up with an old man.” She helped Evelyn slip her organdy dress over her head. “Unlike you, I’m a modern woman.” She fastened the tiny buttons up Evelyn’s back from her waist to her slender neck. “In your social set, if a girl has a pretty face, she’s considered tiresome if she uses her brain.” Lacey punched her sister’s shoulder. “My generation is different.”
“Huh. Lacey if you rely on that superior brain of yours, and you’re determined to use it, you’ll end up with some dusty professor at the University.”
“No. Mama preaches my destiny is to fall in love, get married, and mother a dozen children. Mama says that, after all, is the whole point of being a woman.”
“Mama’s right, you know.” Evelyn flounced her long locks, pinched her cheeks, and turned to leave. “In three
months I’ll wear my hair in an upsweep. What will you do with your short bob when you reach that age?”
“Ha! With my hair style, I’ve already reached the age that people consider me an adult.”
Evelyn shrugged, and stepped toward the door.
“Wait, you said you would tell me what I need to know about men!”
“You’ll discover everything you need to know after you get married.” Evelyn scurried out the bedroom door. Her footsteps sounded light on their long, curved stairway, then across the marble foyer.
Lacey frowned and escaped to her room, to her squeaky gramophone, and to her jazz. When she played songs like Bye, Bye, Black Bird, and sang, Pack up all your cares and woe, Here I go, singing low, Bye, Bye Black Bird, she danced from the sheer joy of being alive.
She would not marry for a long time. Marriage sounded like such a dead-end. She would experience life first.
If her big sister wouldn’t explain men, she’d find out for herself.
About Anne: Anne lives in the quaint antiquing town of McKinney, Texas, a few miles north of Dallas. Her husband is a retired Colonel, Army Special Forces. Her little brown and white Shih Tzu, Lily Valentine, shares her writing space, curled at her feet.
Besides her first love, writing, Anne enjoys family, friends, travel, reading, and way too many other things to mention. Life is good. Jesus said, “I am come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly.”
Anne’s an award-winning author of twenty books. She loves writing about alpha heroes who aren’t afraid to fall on their knees in prayer, and about gutsy heroines. She hopes her stories transport you to awesome new worlds and touch your heart.
About the book – Lacey and the Law:
1924- Against impossible odds can Mitch, a poor divinity student, win the love of Lacey, a courageous flapper, seeking the most life has to offer?
It’s the height of the roaring twenties, alive with flappers and speakeasies. Lacey Fairchild is a modern daughter of the era. Rich, fun-loving, blossoming with life, Lacey witnesses the murder of her date and the kidnapping of her date’s sister while dancing at a popular speakeasy.
Mitch Ferguson’s college roommate and best friend is murdered. His roommate’s sister, Patricia, kidnapped. Risking his life, Mitch dives undercover into the Chicago Mob to rescue his roommate’s sister.
Will Lacey and Mitch succeed in shining the light of justice into the dark shadows of corruption found in the speakeasies and mobs of Chicago, or will they experience Patricia and her brother’s fate?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Get your copy now! Lacy and the Law – Amazon
Question for Readers: You’re probably not familiar with music of the 1920s. What is your favorite era of music and what was it called?
Come back Oct 12th for part 2 with Anne!
love the rocking 50s
I have not read your books, & by reading this excerpt, would love to have a copy. I am bed bound, & an avid reader. Because of medical issues, money is tight.
Would so appreciate winning a copy. Thank you for the chance to possibly get one. Wow! Sounds like quite the adventure.
I’m not familiar with music of the 20’s but enjoy listening to it.
My cousin, Pearl, was a flapper back in the day. When she was in her 90’s she showed me how she used to, “cut a rug” by doing the Charleston.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
I believe it’s called The Roaring 20’s, when i was young there was a TV show it was called “My Little Margie” i used to Love it.
I am familiar with all types of music including the 20’s. My favorite is the 60’s through the 80’s. Classic Rock.
My parents were born in the 1920’s, and my mother loved music and played several instruments…..so I always heard a variety. I love the “Big Band” era.
I like all different styles of music. I’m not sure I have a specific era favorite though. I love reading historical fiction. It’s my favorite genre to read. Anne’s book “Lacey and the Law” sounds very good! Thank you for a chance to win a copy.
I grew up with the music of the 50s & 60s but I enjoy many eras of music. I especially like the Big Band era. Not sure if it was 30s or 40s music.
Thanks for your giveaway.
I have winners! Alicia Haney & Kathryn J. Nyman won the drawing. I appreciate Anne for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.