Shannon here: Linda Shenton Matchett shares a romantic excerpt from her Historical Romance, A Lesson in Love. Comment or answer the question on any post dated Aug 19th – 30th to enter the drawing for an e-book copy along with 5 other titles in my August Book Bundle #2. Deadline: Sept 6th, 11:59 pm central. Here’s Linda:
Excerpt: A Lesson in Love by Linda Shenton Matchett:
Gavin Emerson pushed open the front door and stepped outside. A light breeze caressed his cheeks, and he raised his face toward the sun. He was glad for the solitude, but the men were missing out on Britain’s beauty by remaining inside. Strolling along the lane that encircled the house, he ruminated about what he’d say at the meeting on Thursday to garner excitement from the teachers about their responsibilities.
Gravel crunched, and the hum of an engine sounded behind him. He turned as the horn blared. A black lorry bucked and swerved toward him. Pulse thundering, he leapt onto the grass. His feet tangled, and he fell to the ground in a heap, landing on his bad arm.
The vehicle stalled with a pop, and the door opened. A slender woman with blonde hair pulled into a ponytail, jumped out of the vehicle and rushed toward him. “Gracious, are you all right? I didn’t mean to scare you or make you fall.” Her cornflower-blue eyes clouded with concern as she leaned over him. Her face pinked. “I’m a bit rusty at driving, I’m afraid.”
“A bit? You almost killed me. You obviously have no business being behind the wheel.” He looked past her at the lorry. “Who are you and why are you here? This is private property. You have no business being here.”
Her eyes narrowed and darkened to sapphire. “There’s no call to be nasty. I’ve apologized, and I was not driving fast enough to kill you. You’re certainly one for dramatics, aren’t you?” She put her hands on her hips. “And as for your declaration that I don’t belong here, you’re wrong. I’m Isobel Turvine, and I’ve been assigned to this estate by the Ministry of Agriculture.”
“You’re one of the land girls?” He cringed at the sarcasm in his tone. “I mean—”
“I know exactly what you mean, and if you’re through insulting me, it appears you’ll live, so I’ll be on my way.”
“I—”
“Save your breath.” She turned on her heel and stomped to the lorry. She climbed inside, and seconds later, the engine roared to life. The vehicle lurched, then the woman gained control, and with gravel popping, the lorry shot past.
“Well, that went well, Emerson. First, two of my teachers, and now one of the Land Girls. Is there anyone you’re not going to anger today?” Arm throbbing, He climbed to his feet and brushed dirt and grass from his suit. The earl had informed him about the WLA, yet he’d forgotten all about the women. Hopefully, that would be the last interaction he’d have with them.
The woman’s face floated into his head. What was her name? Isobel. Exotic. A bit like her with snapping blue eyes and shining black hair in a complexion not as pale as most women. Not as young as he’d thought a land girl would be. Near his age? No, but definitely not in her twenties. “Get a grip, old man. She’s here to do a job, and so are you.”
Question for Readers: Tell us about a time you had to work or volunteer with someone you didn’t want to. What happened?
August Book Bundle #2 Giveaway:
Frayed Promises by Lynn U. Watson print U.S. only, Historical Romance
Awakening (Lewis Legacy Series, Book 1) by JoAnn Durgin, ebook U.S. only, Contemporary Romance
Only A Heartbeat Away (written under my pen name, Julianna Desmond) by JoAnn Durgin, ebook U.S. only, Contemporary Romance
Love Upon a Midnight Clear (Snowcrest Christmas Series, Book 1) by JoAnn Durgin, ebook U.S. only, Contemporary Romance
Gazing into Darkness by Heidi Glick e-book, Romantic Suspense
A Lesson in Love by Linda Shenton Matchett e-book, Historical Romance
About Linda:
Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors. Learn more & connect:
Linda’s Website and Blog Linda’s Newsletter Signup Linda’s Facebook
Linda’s Pinterest Linda’s Youtube Linda’s Bookbub Linda’s Goodreads
About A Lesson in Love:
He thinks he’s too old. She thinks she’s too young. Can these teachers learn that love defies all boundaries?
Born and raised in London, Isobel Turvine knows nothing about farming, but after the students in her school evacuate during Operation Pied Piper, she’s left with little to do. Her friend talks her into joining the Women’s Land Army, and she finds herself working the land at a manor home in Yorkshire that’s been converted to a boys’ school. A teacher at heart, she is drawn to the lads, but the handsome yet stiff-necked headmaster wants her to stick to farming.
Left with an arm that barely works from the last “war to end all wars,” Gavin Emerson agrees to take on the job of headmaster when his school moves from London to Yorkshire, but he’s saddled with the quirky manor owner, bickering among his teachers, and a gaggle of Land Army girls who have turned the grounds into a farm. When the group’s blue-eyed, blonde leader nearly runs him down in a car, he admonishes her to stay in the fields, but they are thrown together at every turn. Can he trust her not to break his heart?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Linda’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now!
A Lesson in Love Linda’s Books
Come back Aug 30th for Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup!
Thanks for hosting me!
Hi!
Hm…it’s not about the person, it’s more about the place. I volunteered at the animal shelter – it was emotionally hard but also very rewarding!
I as a teacher, so thankfully, working with someone I wasn’t a “match” with didn’t matter much. Most of my day was just spent with my own students!
Thankfully I’ve enjoyed working with most of the people I’ve worked with.
I have a winner! Leela won the drawing. I appreciate Linda for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.