Saturday Snippet: Not my money to control?

 

Today's snippet is taken from

Jocelyn's Wedding Dilemma

by Zina Abbott

The Matchmaker and the Mother-in-Law series

 

          “It will be long enough for us to catch up on all the family news, Mama. Plus, I do have some family business to see to.”

          “Yes. Jocelyn’s trust.” Esther nodded as she poured her tea and added a spoonful of sugar. “That is exactly what I was speaking about when I objected to the control of her trust not being in the hands of our family attorney. We need those funds turned over to us so I can get a bank account set up in her name on which I can sign…”

          Jocelyn turned to face Jonathan, willing him to read in her gaze the message she dared not vocalize. No!

          “…so we can see to a few business matters.” Sitting with her back and neck erect and wearing a smile, she raised her cup to her lips.

          “No, Mama. There will be no bank account with you as a signer, not with Jocelyn’s trust money. It is not your money to control. Thanks to you, Jocelyn is a capable woman, able to manage finances on her own. She does not need either you or me to take care of her bank account.” Jonathan shook his head. “It is Jocelyn’s money, for her do with as she sees—”

          “Not my money to control?” Esther blinked as she gasped. “I know it’s not my money, Jonathan. Surely, you understand, as Jocelyn’s mother, I only want what is best for her. I know what is best for her.”

          “I believe you want what is best for your children, Mama. I do not accept that you always know what is best—” Assuming an appeasing smile, Jonathan shook his head.

          “Of course, I know what is best. I’m your mother!” Esther straightened her back and sat forward.

          “And you did a wonderful job of guiding us when we were young children.” Jonathan acknowledged with a dip of his chin. “However, if it does not sound too much like boasting, I believe I have inherited my intelligence from both you and—”

          “Certainly, you have inherited my intelligence. Still—” Esther turned her head aside and lifted her chin.

          “Mama, hush! Please allow me to finish speaking.” Clapping both hands on his knees, Jonathan bent forward. The muscles in his face tight, he fixed his unblinking gaze upon her.

          A moment of silence followed.

          Esther blinked. “You sound just like your father.”

          “Thank you, Mama. I consider that a compliment.” Jonathan cleared his throat as he relaxed his torso against the back of his chair. “Now, as I was saying, Jocelyn has inherited the same intelligence from both Papa and you, too. She does not need you to make all her decisions, nor should she continue to allow you to do so.”

 

 

  Jocelyn's Wedding Dilemma, the second book in the series, The Matchmaker and the Mother-in-Law, is now available as an ebook,  is now for sale as an ebook and at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. It is also available for sale as a paperback.

For the book description and purchase options,

please CLICK HERE

 

 

Lucy,
Book 46 in the Prairie Roses Collection, is now available for sale as an ebook and at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. It is also available for sale as a paperback.

For the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

  

 

  Florence's Good Deed, Book 6 in the Rejected Mail-Order Brides series, is now for sale as an ebook and at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. It is also available for sale as a paperback.

For the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

The entire series,

Rejected Mail-Order Brides,

is now available. To find the links to all the books, 

Please CLICK HERE

 

This fun series started in February and will continue through September:

The Matchmaker and the Mother-in-Law

To find the links to all the books, 

Please CLICK HERE

 

 

If you love wagon train romances, then you will want to read all of the books in the Prairie Roses Collection,

especially those for 2024, which are found on the second page of the Amazon series page.

Please CLICK HERE

 

Fresh Friday- Newly released books within the last three months. Multiple genres and heat levels.

Please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Saturday Snippet: "I want no part of this letter-writing business"

 
Today's snippet is taken from

A Bride for Devlin

The Sheriff's Mail Order Bride, Book 6

 by Zina Abbott 

 

“Now, about the letters we received.” Jesse reached into his pocket and pulled out two envelopes. “I’ll allow, in mine, there wasn’t much said about her skills. There might be more details in yours.” He grinned as he held up the unopened envelope. “They’re sisters, Devlin. They’re not only from similar backgrounds but the same household. They’re both looking for husbands, and they want to live close by each other.” He tossed the letter on the table. “Go on. Open it.”

Devlin sucked in a breath. He stared at the envelope as if it was a coiled rattlesnake. “Jesse, I told you. I want no part of this letter-writing business.”

“Well, you got it, anyway.” Jesse nodded. “When I sent the letters, I wrote mine in cursive. Yours, I printed. I figured that way, maybe it wouldn’t look like they were written by the same person. Don’t worry, I shared all your better traits.”

“Yeah, you probably soaped this pig up right clean and dressed it in ruffles and lace.” Clenching and unclenching his fists, Devlin jumped out of his chair. He ran to the stove and opened the door to the firebox. After tossing in a stick of firewood, he slammed the door and latched it. Tightening the flesh around his eyes, he stood and turned until his gaze met Jesse’s. “What happens if she finds out about the real me?”

“Once she realizes there’s a decent man behind all your gruffness, she’ll get over it.” Jesse shrugged. “You’re hard-working and loyal. If my sisters’ opinions count for anything, that’s important to a woman. Also, based on the hometown yokels they tended to get starry-eyed over...” Jesse raised a pointer finger. “It’s safe to say, most women would consider you right handsome. Or, at least, you will be, once you shave that buffalo fur off your face and cut your hair.” A teasing glint entered his gaze.

“Winter’s here. Need my beard.” As he stroked his chin with his thumb and fingertips, Devlin stared across the room. What gruffness? “I told you to leave me out of your marriage-writing scheme. I’m the sheriff. How come you don’t listen to me?” He held out a hand, palm up.

 

A Bride for Devlin is currently on a Kindle Countdown sale (ebook version) in both the United States and the United Kingdom from now until February 9, 2024. It is also available at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription and at its usual price as a print book. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

To celebrate the total solar eclipse that will be visible from Texas to Maine on April 8, 2024, I have compiled into a boxset my first three of six books that are connected to the total solar eclipse of 1878.

Eclipsed by Love, Books 1-3,

just went on pre-order. Compiled in both chronological order, this first volume will include Mail Order Blythe, A Bride for Devlin, and Lauren.  

It is being offered for 99c on a pre-order sale basis, which will end the day after its release date of February 16, 2024. At that time, the price will be raised to its regular cost. To find the book description and purchase options, 

Please CLICK HERE

  

Eclipsed by Love, Books 4-6, will be available on preorder soon. 

 

  Jocelyn's Wedding Dilemma, the second book in the series, The Matchmaker and the Mother-in-Law, is now on pre-order. The ebook will be available March 5, 2024.

For the book description and pre-order link, 

please CLICK HERE

 

  Florence's Good Deed, Book 6 in the Rejected Mail-Order Brides series, is now on pre-order. The ebook is scheduled for release on April 15, 2024.

For the book description and pre-order link, 

please CLICK HERE

Clean and Wholesome Fiction in KU

Includes my own A WATCHMAN FOR WILLOW and A BRIDE FOR DEVLIN

Please CLICK HERE