9 Historical Romances Where First Loves are Rekindled
by Susanne Dietze, Cynthia Hickey,
Marcia Gruver, Carrie Fancett
Pagels, Martha Rogers, Lorna Seilstad,
Connie Stevens, Jennifer Uhlarik,
and Erica Vetsch
About the Book:
A first love is never easily forgotten...and coming face to face with that person again can be awkward when the heartstrings are still holding on to the “what ifs.”
In settings from 1865 to 1910, nine couples are thrown back on the same path by life’s changes and challenges. A neighbor returns from law school. An heiress seeks a quick marriage. A soldier’s homecoming is painful. A family needs help. A prodigal son returns. A rogue aeronaut drops from the sky. A runaway bridegroom comes home. A letter for aid is sent. A doctor needs a nurse. Can love rekindle despite the separation of time and space?
Author Spotlight:
You can visit her on her website, www.susannedietze.com,
and sign up for her newsletter for an occasional cheery hello: http://eepurl.com/bieza5
First Things First
by Susanne Dietze
1877 – South Texas: Texas rancher’s daughter Georgie Bridge mourned when her first love, Ward Harper, left town to study the law, but now he’s back — as opposing counsel in a case against her father.
Susanne Dietze
began writing love stories in high school, casting her
friends in the starring roles. Today,
she's the award-winning author of a dozen new and upcom
ing historical romances. A pastor's wife and
mom of two, she loves fancy-schmancy tea parties, the b
each, and curling up on the couch with a
costume drama and a plate of nachos. You can visit her on
her website,
, and
sign up for her newsletter for an occasional cheery hello:
First Things First
by Susanne Dietze
1877
–
South Texas: Texas rancher
’
s daughter Georgie Bridge mourned when her first love, Ward
Harper,
left town to study the law, but now he
’
s back
—
as opposing counsel in a case against her father.
Excerpt:
First Things First by Susanne Dietze
Wildrye, South Texas
Spring, 1977
For the first time in her twenty-three years of life, Georgia Bridge was rendered speechless.
“Georgie?”Pa removed his Stetson now they’d moved inside the courthouse vestibule.
He smoothed his gray-streaked brown curls and peered down at her, his brows furrowed. “The ledgers show missing cattle?”
She blinked in case her vision was somehow affected by the change in light, or because of the headache she’d had since studying Pa’s ledgers earlier—
Oh. Yes. The ledgers. Missing cattle.
The matter lost its urgency at the sight of a man across the whitewashed vestibule. She blinked again. It was really him, all grown up, carrying a worn satchel and wearing a dark gray suit. Looking quite handsome in it too.
Pa's gentle touch on her shoulder drew her gaze back and jostled her tongue loose. “Ward.”
“Who?”
“Ward. Harper.”
Her childhood friend. One of her favorite school companions who, when she was fifteen or so, became her favorite companion, ever. He was at the house all the time until that day five years past. A day full of expectations and hope, until he walked out the door.
Ward Harper had broken her heart, and while it had healed, she wasn’t sure it worked properly anymore. Even now, it thumped in her throat instead of her chest, pumping jitters through her veins and making it hard to breathe.
A low whistle escaped Pa’s lips.
“I’ll be. He’s changed a fair piece.”
He had and he hadn’t. His sandy-blond hair was shorter now, neater than it had ever been when
he was younger. His shoulders had broadened and stubble darkened his cheeks more than when
he was nineteen, last time she saw him.
But those blue eyes were the same. And they widened when they met her stare across the crowded
vestibule.
Ward’s gaze fixed on her longer than it should have, considering he
spoke with two gentlemen. She might have stared at him, too, had the mayor not blocked her view to greet Pa.
After offering a brief hello to the mayor, she shifted position, the better to view Ward while
he talked to the fellows she didn’t recognize.
he talked to the fellows she didn’t recognize.
He was back in Wildrye. For how long? When had he arrived?
Regardless, it was no wonder he found himself at the courthouse today. He’d probably viewed hundreds of trials since he went to study law at Baylor and then found an apprenticeship position
in Fort Worth. He’d enjoy today’s events, and not just because he studied law. No, he’d get a good laugh out of this ludicrous, so-called trial.
in Fort Worth. He’d enjoy today’s events, and not just because he studied law. No, he’d get a good laugh out of this ludicrous, so-called trial.
To think, someone was suing Pa.
Sure to be dropped immediately, this frivolous lawsuit was brought by a neighbor who hadn’t
fared as well as Pa in the financial panic of’73. Pa’s cattle ranch was thriving and his horse-breeding
business was ever growing, so more than one person thought he could try to squeeze something out of Pa, while assuming Pa wouldn’t even feel the pinch.
Well, Pa did. Every loss hurt, not just her family, but the families who relied on Pa for employment. When Georgie found that discrepancy in the ledgers today, it looked as if the loss of stock would cost Bridge Ranch a few hundred dollars.
But folks like their neighbor Mr. Odell Norwood, who thought to make money off Pa today by quibbling over well-established water rights, clearly didn’t care about honesty or integrity.
As the mayor moved off, Georgie bit back a harrumph. Pa’s business had grown the right way: legitimately, over time, with a great deal of hard work, patience, and care. He and Ma had been a team, building their home, family, and business together. They did not cheat their neighbors out of water, land, stock, or anything else.
Ward should know that as well as anyone.
Her heart plummeted from her throat to her stomach when he pulled away from his conversation and strode toward her.
But folks like their neighbor Mr. Odell Norwood, who thought to
make money off Pa
today by quibbling over well-established water rights, clearly d
idn
’
t care about honesty or
integrity.
As the mayor moved off, Georgie bit back a harrumph. Pa
’
s business had grown the right
way: legitimately, over time, with a great deal of hard wo
rk, patience, and care. He and Ma had
been a team, building their home, family, and business toge
ther. They did not cheat their
neighbors out of water, land, stock, or anything else.
Ward should know that as well as anyone.
GIVEAWAY
(1) Winner will win a prize pack consisting of:
(1) one print copy of First Love Forever Romance Collection,
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(or any other one of her released titles),
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(**style subject to change from what is pictured),
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