Shannon here: Shirley Gould shares an excerpt from her latest Romantic Suspense, Sunset over Swaziland. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter for a print copy. Deadline: Aug 31st, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Shirley:
Excerpt from Sunset over Swaziland by Shirley Gould:
“Ellie, I’m here. Thanks for letting me crash for a few days.” Austin dropped his duffle on the gleaming hardwood floor in the foyer, his messenger bag on the duffle, and tossed his keys onto the bar in the gourmet kitchen. His sister’s condo in Kingwood, Texas had high ceilings and amazing light fixtures. “I love your place, Sis.” When she didn’t answer he knew he was alone. He eyed some applications to rent the condo stacked on the bar. When Ellie got married, Jocelyn would need someone to help with expenses. He moved the stack of forms aside as his phone beeped with a message. He pulled it out and listened to his voicemail.
Ellie.
“I’ll be there in ten. I stopped to grab dinner.”
While waiting on his sister, Austin relaxed on the white leather couch in the living room. A stone fireplace was a stunning focal point of the space and large photos of African scenes graced another wall. Comfortable in his favorite jeans and T-shirt, he reached for the remote, kicked off his Nikes, and thumbed through channels. It was good to relax after making major life changes. Leaving the military and starting his own business had required endless meetings and mounds of paperwork. Building a new life for himself would be challenging but exciting.
When a beep sounded from the office adjacent to the kitchen, he followed the sound, finding the light flashing on the answering machine on Ellie’s desk. Curiosity got the better of him, and he pushed PLAY.
“Ellie, it’s me, Jocelyn. I’m in trouble. It’s a war zone here, and all transportation out of the country has been shut off. I’m staying at the Hilton Inn here in Mbabane.” The raucous sound of a machine gun sent a surge through Austin. He waited—and heard screams. Jocelyn spoke again, “I’ll stay at my hotel and lie low until these attacks pass. Please pray! I don’t scare easily but I’m terrified. I love you and Olivia—.” Her call ended. Austin paced the floor, massaging the back of his neck.
Ellie barged through the front door, still in her flight attendant uniform carrying bags of takeout. “Honey, I’m home!” She laughed. “I’ve always wanted to say that.” After putting the food on the counter, she turned. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Well—Ellie, I listened to your message.”
With her hands perched on her hips, she glared at him “Austin—that’s like reading my diary when we were kids.”
“It’s Jocelyn, and you need to hear this.” He punched the button and rubbed the back of his neck as it played.
“What can I do?” Ellie sucked in a breath and grabbed his arm. “She’s in trouble.”
“Where is she? What country?”
“It used to be called Swaziland, but the name was changed a few years ago to Eswatini. But she calls it Swazi.”
He popped his knuckles, a nervous habit. “That’s not good. Don’t you ladies listen to the news?” Austin began to pace the kitchen.
“And when would we watch the news? We’re flight attendants, not couch potatoes.” She stood frozen, staring at their food.
He put a gentle hand on her arm. “Forget about the food for now. Change into some sweats, get out of that uniform. I’ve got this. I’m going to make a call.” After pressing a number on his phone, he strode into the living room and perched on the edge of the sofa. “Sir, yes, sir. This is Austin Bendale. Thank you for taking my call, Commander Eaves. I have a question for you of the record. What do you know about Swaziland? I have a friend there who could be in danger.” Austin listened to a lengthy briefing from his former Commanding Officer.
“Thank you for being candid. I appreciate your time.” He ended the call.
“It’s bad, isn’t it?” Ellie waited at the door wearing sweatpants and a tank top, her blonde hair in a ponytail. She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel.
“Well, it’s not good.” He stood. “Let’s eat, then we can talk.” He followed his sister to the dining room. “Why is she in Swazi? What’s she doing there?”
“Humanitarian work. She writes grants and acquires funding for projects in third-world countries.” Ellie’s hand shook as she displayed their meal. “Austin, I’m scared for her.” She took a seat at the table and began serving her brother. “This project was for orphans, wells and safe drinking water, and feeding programs.”
Taking in a breath, he blew it out in a huff. “The uprising has gotten out of hand. The oppressed people demanded the leader, the reigning king, to resign. But he refused to release his power. He’s one of the wealthiest men on the continent, and his people are starving—dying while he lives in luxury. It’s the worst time to be in Swaziland.”
“What did your friend say?” She poured sweet tea into both their glasses but didn’t pick up her fork. She’d lost her appetite.
“My contact confirmed the danger Jocelyn’s in. She must get out as soon as she can. But if planes are grounded and transportation is shut down, she’s trapped.” He took a sip of his tea. “Tell me more about her. Does she have a family?”
“Me and Olivia, we’re her family. Her home life was abusive, miserable, and still giving her nightmares. Jocelyn lived in fear until she escaped their grasp by earning an academic scholarship to the University of Houston. She’s beautiful, yet mysterious. Brave one minute, vulnerable the next. And I love her.” She reached for Austin’s hand. “Bow your head. If you’re going to take off and save her, you’ve got to eat something first. But I’m praying because you’re going to need some miracles.”
As Ellie prayed—Austin made a plan. Eat. Check a map. Book a flight. Rescue the damsel in distress. But first, say some prayers of his own. He was going to need them.
Question for Readers: Is there a place you’d like to visit on your bucket list? Where and why do you want to go there?
About Shirley: Shirley Gould is an inspirational speaker, an African missionary, and an author. She’s
the founder of Kenya’s Kids Home for Street Children, an orphanage in Kenya. Her passion for missions drives her to share her stories and adventures to inspire others toward fulfilling the Great Commission.
Shirley has written non-fiction for thirty years and is currently writing Christian Fiction novels. Her debut novel, The Sahar of Zanzibar, was released in May 2021. On July 25, 2023, Escape from Timbuktu, was released. The sequel, Sunset over Swaziland hit the shelves on March 23, 2024. She lives in the Nashville, Tennessee area enjoying her seven amazing grandchildren. Learn more & connect:
Shirley’s Website Shirley’s Facebook
About the book – Sunset over Swaziland: Grant writer Jocelyn Millender travels to Swaziland to get humanitarian aid for the devastated, disease-infested country. When war threatens, all travel is suspended. She’s trapped, scared, and in danger.
Hearing about her life-threatening situation, Austin Bendale, a decorated soldier turned security services specialist, purchases a plane ticket and comes to the rescue. But things aren’t as they seem. Hidden agendas are inciting riots, humanitarian funds are dwindling, and orphans are disappearing.
When you put one determined woman and a never-say-die hero in this life-and-death situation—using her gifts and his brawn—can they ignore the sparks between them, escape the chaos, solve the mystery, apprehend the guilty, and get across the border in time?
Because the sun is setting over Swaziland …
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Sunset over Swaziland Shirley’s Books
Come back Aug 23rd for Carrie Walker!
I am intrigued!
Rio looks fun
Two places I really want to go to someday are England and Japan.