Pat Jeanne Davis – Romantic Excerpt – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Pat Jeanne Davis shares an excerpt from her debut Historical Romance, When Valley’s Bloom Again. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for an e-copy. Deadline: April 20th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Pat:

Chapter Thirteen

This had been the longest four months of Abby’s life since Jim left for boot camp. In two hours he’d be returning on furlough to see her graduate and spend ten days with her—just the two of them.

Abby turned up the music on the radio before sitting at her vanity dresser. Butterflies flitted in her stomach as she listened to the latest Frank Sinatra recording while combing her shoulder-length hair. She got into a blue silk dress with a white bow at the neck—his favorite—and completed the outfit with a blue doughnut-shaped hat, letting her hair gather around her shoulders. Lastly, she transferred her engagement ring from a chain around her neck to her finger. She hadn’t felt this ecstatic since Christmas when he’d asked her to marry him.

Mid-morning, she got into the Chevy sedan Jim had left for her to use. She picked a shortcut to the railroad station. By the time she parked, his train stood at the platform.

Taking several deep calming breaths, she hurried up the narrow metal steps in her white high heels, almost tripping, and stood there, winded. People crowded the platform and porters wearing crimson caps helped with luggage. They all melted from view when she saw Jim, one foot on his duffel bag, and cap in hand, craning his neck to catch sight of her.

When he did, he bolted across the platform as she rushed to meet him. Running with abandon, she barreled into his outstretched arms, nearly bowling him over. He swung her round and round before drawing her to his chest. She buried herself in his embrace, oblivious to everyone and lost for words. She’d been imagining herself once again in his arms. And now here she was. “It’s been such a long time,” she said, withdrawing her arms from around his neck.
Jim tilted her chin up. She closed her eyes as he leaned down to kiss her. Then he stroked her cheek. “You’re

gorgeous. I almost forgot how much.”

Under his close scrutiny, Abby felt her cheeks grow warm. She stepped back to inspect his uniform. “Turn around.” The insignia on his right shoulder was embossed with a big red numeral 1.

“Dress uniform, I’m afraid.” He chuckled. “They never let you forget you’re a soldier.”

Weeks of Florida sun showed in his heavy tan, emphasizing his white teeth and blue eyes. “More handsome than ever.” She ran her fingers through his trimmed hair and grunted. “Must your hair be so short?”
She latched on to his arm. When they reached the parking lot, she stretched up on her toes and kissed him again. “Welcome back, darling. This is the best graduation present I could have had.”

About Pat: PAT JEANNE DAVIS lives in Philadelphia, Pa with her British-born husband, John. They have two grown sons. She enjoys flower gardening, genealogy research and traveling with her husband. She is a volunteer in the nursery at the church she attends and at the local chapter of MOP’s. Pat has published essays, short stories and articles online and in print. She has a keen interest in mid-twentieth-century American and British history, particularly the period of World War II. Pat’s father-in-law served in the British Eighth Army during the war. When Valleys Bloom Again is her debut historical romance set in that era. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and the Historical Novel Society. Pat loves to hear from her readers. Subscribe to her newsletter here www.patjeannedavis.com. Learn more and connect:  

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About the book – When Valleys Bloom Again:

As war approaches in 1939 Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?

Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the U.S. Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?

Can’t wait for the drawing or worried you won’t win? Get your copy now!

When Valleys Bloom Again – Amazon                     When Valley’s Bloom Again – BarnesandNoble

Question for Readers: My heroine, Abby, enjoys listening to Sinatra and has many of his records. Do you have a favorite love song and what is it? Why that one?

And here’s another chance to win: Would you like to read my WWII inspirational romance, When Valleys Bloom Again? For a limited time, you can enter to win my book along with 20+ fantastic Inspirational Historical Romances from an amazing collection of authors, AND a brand new eReader – along with a collection of FREE reads just for entering! Giveaway began on April 8 and ends on April 17, 2019. I hope many of you will enter. 
Enter the contest by clicking here 

Come back April 16 for Jennifer Slattery!