Shannon here: Linda Shenton Matchett shares an excerpt from her World War II Romance, Shetland Sunset. Comment or answer the question in any post dated March 3rd – 17th to enter the drawing for an e-book copy plus 3 other titles. Deadline: March 21st, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Linda:
Photo credits:
Lerwick, Shetland: Pixabay/Peggychoucair
Excerpt from Shetland Sunset by Linda Shenton Matchett:
Askel strolled from the docks toward Bergen’s shopping district. He’d needed a part for one of the boat engines he’d been repairing, and Gustav offered to keep him company. His cousin talked the entire trip into town, but now whistled quietly and seemed lost in thought. No matter. They didn’t need to converse for Askel to feel the camaraderie that was almost instantaneous after he’d arrived from America. His cousin could be a chatterbox, but at other times, like now, he was meditative and quiet.
A slight breeze, smelling of the ever-present sea, ran its fingers through Askel’s hair. Since arriving in Norway, he’d stopped wearing his bank-required crew cut. Living in landlocked Minnesota, he hadn’t experienced the ocean, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever return to a state that didn’t have access to the wide expanse of water. He’d been immediately drawn to the crashing waves and varied shades of blue and gray that colored the crystal-clear water, depending on the season and weather. Combined with mountains, Norway was evidence of God’s majesty, and Askel never tired of the reminder.
“Oof.” He hadn’t looked before heading into the bakery, and he managed to run into someone. Not just someone. Her. He stammered, “Unnskyld meg.”
Crystal-green eyes pierced his as the woman recoiled. “You’re amerikansk.”
Gustav smirked. The woman had driven his point home about Askel’s non-native accent. Askel glared at him before returning his gaze to the woman and her friend, who was pretty but not nearly as beautiful as the blonde, whose lithe figure had just made contact with him. He blinked. How long since he’d noticed a woman’s looks? “Ja. I’m from Minnesota. Here to help my cousin with his fishing. I’m Askel, and this is Gustav.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Tonje, and this is my friend, Carina.”
“You are either very brave or very foolish to take on those soldiers.”
Her expression hardened. “Someone had to rescue that woman, and no one else seemed interested. Unless the soldiers want to annoy us, they take little heed of women. I could say the same about you. An amerikansk on the streets of occupied Norway. Not wise.”
“You would be hard to ignore.”
Her eyebrow shot up. “Have you been taking lessons from James Cagney? Save your compliments and leave Norway if you can.” She tugged on her friend’s arm, and the pair marched down the street.
Askel watched them walk away. Tonje looked back for a second and seemed startled. Her pace quickened, and they were soon enveloped in the crowd.
His cousin snickered and shook his head. “You’d be hard to ignore. Smooth, Askel, real smooth. And what did I say about your—”
“Yes. My accent sticks out. Let’s go. I’ve got a boat to finish repairing.” Before Gustav could retort, Askel strode forward, his legs eating up the distance and leaving the shopping district behind. However, try as he might, the vision of the lovely Tonje wouldn’t disappear as easily.
Reader Question What’s your favorite “meet-cute” from a book or movie?
March Book Bundle #1
Hill Country Redemption by Shannon Taylor Vannatter, Contemporary Romance, print
A Worthy Love, Novella Collection includes Aubrey Reiss Taylor’s Schneewittchen, Historical Romance print
Shetland Sunset by Linda Shenton Matchett, World War II Romance, digital
Second Chances and Second Cups by Donna Schlachter, Short Story Collection, digital
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, immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors, and drinks copious amounts of tea. Learn more and connect:
Linda’s Website Linda’s Facebook Readers Page
Linda’s Pinterest Linda’s Youtube Linda’s Bookbub
About Shetland Sunset (The Resistance Chronicles, Book 1) Christian Historical
Romance:
Bonded by a cause but an ocean apart, will their love survive a world war?
After months in Norway helping his cousins with their fishing business, American Askel Westgard seems trapped when the Germans invade until he has a chance to get back at the Occupiers as part of the Shetlandsgjengen, or Shetland gang, a group of fishermen who transport weapons and equipment from Shetland to Norway under cover of darkness. Unfortunately, the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s just met refuses to join him in safety. Will he ever see her again?
Distraught when the Germans overrun her beloved Norway, Tonje Bondevik refuses to take the occupation sitting down. She joins the fledgling resistance movement, deriving great satisfaction distributing the underground newspaper and performing acts of sabotage…until the day the Nazis come looking for her, and she must flee for her life. Perhaps she should have listened to the handsome Norwegian American when he offered to take her to Shetland.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Linda’s other titles?
Need extra books for gifts? Get your copy/copies now!
Come back March 14th for Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup!
Thanks for hosting me!
One of my favorite meet-cutes is probably Joe and Kathleen at the bookstore in You’ve Got Mail.
Thank you for sharing! I think I have a favorite in every story I read lol
I have a winner! Karen Bergt won the drawing. I appreciate Linda for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.