THE FALL BOOK BASH ~~~ THE FALL BOOK BASH ~~~ THE FALL BOOK BASH
We’ve had so many great excerpts this past month that my kindle reader is starting to bulge at the seams. But it’s not over yet! Today, author Naomi Musch is sharing an excerpt from her historical romance, THE LOVE COWARD. What a great title, right? I can’t wait to read this one. So let’s get started.
~~Naomi Musch is a multi-published, award-winning author who writes inspirational 
women’s fiction and romance, while living as epically as God allows with husband Jeff and their expanding family in the pristine north woods of Wisconsin. The Love Coward is a vintage historical from Desert Breeze Publishing.
She invites readers to say hello and find out more about her stories, passions, and other writing venues at http://www.naomimusch.com or to look her up on Facebook (Naomi Musch – Author) and Twitter (NMusch). ~~
World War II is over. Now that Burke Delgard is safely home, Tulla Johanson can finally quit the factory and become his wife. Together they can revive her family’s farm, while she cares for her aging parents. But seven years of dreams shatter when Burke backs out on their wedding day. Hiding her humiliation in the back seat of a Hudson, she is rescued by Burke’s war buddy and would-be best man Steven “Van” Vandreel.
Home isn’t the same for Van since returning from overseas. He feels displaced, and he certainly doesn’t mean to get between Burke and his jilted bride, yet he can hardly help himself. When Tulla’s friend Walt pursues her, and Burke decides he wants Tulla back, Van is forced to face his own feelings and fears. Can he commit to her any better than Burke did, or will deep scars from his past prove him to be just another love coward?
THE LOVE COWARD (excerpt) by Naomi Musch
1947
Tulla checked her Red Majesty lipstick against the bright glare of the light bulb bouncing off the mirror. She tilted her head to see past the smudges and dust streaked across the glass, hoping she’d produced the advertisement’s “petal finish” and “inviting glow” that could warm a man’s heart. She snapped the lipstick tube closed and dropped it in her purse perched on the edge of a ceramic sink then brushed a hand over her navy skirt — again.
“You can breathe, Tulla.”
Oh. Tulla closed her eyes, let calming air expand her lungs, then exhaled and opened her eyes slowly. She glanced at her best friend Joan. “Keep reminding me. It still doesn’t feel real.”
“When Burke slides that shiny ring on your finger, it’ll feel real enough.”
Tulla sighed and fanned herself with her hand. The one small window of the tiny bathroom in the basement of the church was open, but little air circulated around them. Sunlight streamed in, however, highlighting dancing dust mites. Joan shouldered close to Tulla and leaned in toward the mirror while she clipped heavy, beaded earrings to the lobes of her dainty ears.
She turned to Tulla and smiled. “You look beautiful, sweets. He won’t even think twice when he sees you.”
“Oh, he’s way past thinking twice.” She turned back to the mirror and tucked away a dark strand of hair at the nape of her neck.
“Poo. He’s over all that.”
“I hope so.”
Tap, tap, tap. Both women jumped at the three staccato raps on the door.
Tulla’s heart fluttered. “Oh, no! Is it time? Joan, hurry, I don’t even have my veil on.”
Joan leaned her cheek against the women’s room door. “Yes?”
“It’s Van — um — Steven Vandreel. I have something for Tulla.”
Joan cracked the door open an inch and blinked through the opening. “You by yourself? Burke can’t see the bride you know.”
“Uh — oh, yeah. It’s just me. Give this to Tulla, will ya?”
“Oh, sure.” Joan grinned and smacked her gum. She reached through the opening and accepted a small folded square of paper. “A love note, huh? Can’t wait? Tullie, your lover boy sent you a note.” Joan closed the door and waggled her eyebrows.
“What?” Tulla took the two-inch folded square of dull notebook paper and turned toward the light. Burke wasn’t much of a love letter kind of guy, but maybe he was just a little bit excited today too. That or he forgot his tie or something. “What’s he up to?” She forced a smile at Joan to hide a sudden case of trembling.
Tulla, I need to talk to you. I know I’m not supposed to see you before the wedding, but it can’t wait.
~~Purchase a copy of The Love Coward at these stores~~
DBP Amazon Barnes & Noble Christian Book Distributors
Hope you enjoyed this excerpt. Please leave a comment below!
Barbara
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