Saturday Snippet: I'm Not Doing It That Way

 The following snippet is from 

 Figgy Pudding by Francine 

by Zina Abbott 

Old Timey Holiday Kitchen Book 9

 

              “And then, if she’s still there, I’m going to ask her to marry me. And do you know what you two gentlemen can give me for a wedding gift?” Eli picked up the two letters and splayed them in his hand like a pair of playing cards. “Each of you, take a letter and respond to the woman who wrote it. That way, I’ll have satisfied my promise to my mother that those letters would be read and answered before I return home. You both heard me read them. Once you two respond, the women will each receive a letter from an educator who works at a renowned university. Hopefully, neither of them will feel like they’ve been pushed aside and ignored.”

              “You want us to do what?” Rand choked on his laughter as he once more sat upright. “You honestly want us to reply to a letter intended for you?”

              “Yes. Just pick a letter—either letter.” Eli held his hand holding the letters toward Rand, and then moved it toward Jason.

              Jason felt his entire body seize. The sensation of a bundle of squiggly worms attacked his stomach. He balled his fists. Write a letter to a woman who wrote to Eli because she thought he was looking for a wife?

          Jason splayed his fingers and released a breath he had not realized he was holding. “No, I’m not doing it that way.” As if to ward of his suggestion. Jason held up both palms toward Eli. Then again, Jason did understand Eli’s predicament. Through no fault of his own, Eli’s meddling mother had put him in this position. “Find the one from the teacher at the girls’ academy in Albany. I’ll answer that one.” He held out one hand. As a friend, he would help Eli out, but he would pick and choose which woman to disappoint. Or maybe...

 

 My Old Timey Holiday Kitchen romance,

Figgy Pudding by Francine

will publish on November 22, 2021. It is available for preorder.

 Please CLICK HERE 

 

My second Christmas book for the year, Mail Order Letitia, is scheduled for release on December 14, 2021. It is now available on pre-order. To find the book description and link,

 please CLICK HERE.

 

 

You may also find this preorder as part of the 

Squeaky Clean Christmas Romance

BookFunnel promotion which also includes my Figgy Pudding by Francine

Please CLICK HERE

 

I've combined three favorites into a boxset, perfect for Christmas reading. Find Train Wreck in Jubilee Springs in this Squeaky Clean Christmas Romance Boxset offer.

Please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

My second Cupids and Cowboys book, Madeline, is now available in ebook, on Kindle Unlimted, and in print.

You may find the book description and pre-order link by CLICKING HERE.

 

 

 

 A Bride for Devlin is now available in both ebook and print formats. To find the book description and purchase link, please 

CLICK HERE.

 

Discover new authors.

Christian Romance Giveaways are All I Want for Thanksgiving

Includes a free sampler of five of my Sweet Historical Western Romances, including a three-chapter sneak peek at Figgy Pudding by Francine.

If you do not already receive my newsletter, I encourage you to sign up. However, you do not need to in order to receive my 2021 Autumn Sampler.  

Please CLICK HERE.

 Clean Romance Pre-order Promotion

Includes my Figgy Pudding by Francine & Mail Order Letitia.

Please Click Here.

 

 

To find the Old Timey Holiday Kitchen series page on Amazon, please CLICK HERE.

 

 

Saturday Snippet: I Love You, but I Love Him, Too

 The following snippet is from 

 A Bride for Devlin 

by Zina Abbott 

The Sheriff's Mail Order Bride Book 6 

 

After turning in a half-circle so Carrie once again faced the bedroom, her trunk, which sat at an angle to the bed, next caught her eye. Someone wanted me to see this. Another brief check of the room revealed a folded paper on Carrie’s pillow. She crossed the room and picked it up.

I love you, Carrie, but I love him, too. I prayed about this and followed my heart. I always want you living near me, but the decision is yours. Everything you need is in your trunk. Please join me. If you hurry, we can travel together.

Dolly

Closing her eyes, Carrie threw her head back and gritted her teeth. Dolly, you little traitor. What am I going to do with you?

Carrie quickly realized the bigger question was, what was she going to do? Dolly was gone, and Carrie knew her sister was on her way to Baggs. She defied―defied―Carrie’s instructions to forget Jesse Hardin and focus on seeking a marriage offer from Mr. Cartwell in Sidney.

So, what did Dolly mean by everything Carrie needed was in her trunk? With trembling fingers, she fumbled in her reticule until she held the key securely. After unlocking the trunk, she lifted the lid.

On top, Carrie saw three tickets and what she guessed to be half of the money sent for travel expenses.

Swallowing, Carrie stood and shook her head. She still did not wish to travel to Baggs, Wyoming Territory. She certainly felt no desire to marry Devlin Anders. However, she had no intention of letting her sister travel on her own halfway across the country and deep into a wild land full of cattle rustlers.

 

 Enjoy Old West lawmen romances? This is the last week for this offer:

Squeaky Clean Historical Lawmen Romance: includes my A Bride for Devlin.

Please CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

My Old Timey Holiday Kitchen romance,

Figgy Pudding by Francine

will publish on November 22, 2021. It is available for preorder. Please CLICK HERE 

 

To find the Old Timey Holiday Kitchen series page on Amazon, please CLICK HERE.

 

My second Christmas book for the year, Mail Order Letitia, is scheduled for release on December 7, 2021. It is now available on pre-order. To find the book description and link, please

CLICK HERE.

 

 

I've combined three favorites into a boxset, perfect for Christmas reading. Find Train Wreck in Jubilee Springs in this Squeaky Clean Christmas Romance Boxset offer.

Please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

You might also enjoy finding the preorder links to both of my Christmas books plus links to other Christmas books on the following offer:

Squeaky Clean Christmas Romance

Includes my Figgy Pudding by Francine & Mail Order Letitia

Please CLICK HERE

  

 

  Lighthouse Escape is now available for sale or for no additional cost with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. 

It is also available in print format. 

You may find the book description by CLICKING HERE. 

 

The final book in the third round of the Keepers of the Light series just published. To find all the books in this series, 

please CLICK HERE. 

 

Discover new authors.

Christian Romance Giveaways are All I Want for Thanksgiving

Includes a free sampler of five of my Sweet Historical Western Romances, including a three-chapter sneak peek at Figgy Pudding by Francine.

If you do not already receive my newsletter, I encourage you to sign up. However, you do not need to in order to receive my 2021 Autumn Sampler.  

Please CLICK HERE.

 Clean Romance Pre-order Promotion

Includes my Figgy Pudding by Francine & Mail Order Letitia.

Please Click Here.

 

 

 

 

Saturday Snippet: This Is Not a Man's Handwriting

The following snippet is a sneak peek taken from 

Figgy Pudding by Francine

Old Timey Holiday Kitchen

by Zina Abbott

       

            Pushing a strand of her honey-blonde hair behind her ear, Francine heaved a deep sigh as she picked up the first page. Before reading beyond the salutation, her analytical mind prompted her to wrinkle her brow and hold the letter a few inches from her gaze to study the page as a whole. This is not a man’s handwriting.

            Although she was not a handwriting expert, she did have a father and two brothers who corresponded occasionally, plus she had seen a multitude of invoices and other correspondence written by men. She had also seen the script of her female students, not to mention, that of her mother and great aunt. With very few exceptions, she was able to determine the gender of the person who penned a document by the handwriting style. In spite of emphasis on proper penmanship at many academies, most men wrote with bolder strokes for uppercase letters mixed with sharp lowercase letters often not always fully formed or that seemed to have been written in a rush. On the other hand, most correspondence by women had more of a flow of rounded letters. She picked up the other two pages and turned to the ending. “Sincerely, Eli Morgan.” She knew her conclusions were subjective―not based on scientific fact―but she felt confident this letter from a man was not written by a man. His mother? His sister?

            Francine shifted so the light fully illuminated the page and began reading. Her sense of unease continued until she reached the statement in the third paragraph. “I think you will find he is I am fairly intelligent.” She smiled. No, Eli Morgan did not write this letter. Someone else did―someone who took pride in his academic achievements. Whether a woman close to him―possibly Mrs. Young’s “dear, dear friend"―wrote it on his behalf or at his request, she intended to challenge him. She would respond, but insist that, if he wished to continue the correspondence, he must find the time to write in person. She refused to correspond through a third party.

 

 My Old Timey Holiday Kitchen romance,Figgy Pudding by Francine will publish on November 22, 2021. It is available for preorder. 

Please CLICK HERE

 If you would enjoy reading more of a sneak peek for Figgy Pudding by Francine (first three chapters), please download my 2021 Autumn Sampler currently available on the following BookFunnel promotion:

Christian Romance Giveaways are All I Want for Thanksgiving

Includes a free sampler of five of my Sweet Historical Western Romances.

If you do not already receive my newsletter, I encourage you to sign up. However, you do not need to in order to receive my 2021 Autumn Sampler.  

Please CLICK HERE.

 

 

My second Christmas book for the year, Mail Order Letitia, is scheduled for release on December 7, 2021. It is now available on pre-order. To find the book description and link, please

CLICK HERE.

 

My second Cupids and Cowboys book, Madeline, is now available for both purchase, free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription, and in print.

You may find the book description and purchase link by CLICKING HERE.

 

 

 

A Bride for Devlin is now available in both ebook and print formats. To find the book description and purchase link, please 

CLICK HERE. 

Enjoy Old West lawmen romances? You may find more here:

Squeaky Clean Historical Lawmen Romance: includes my A Bride for Devlin.

Please CLICK HERE.

 

 Clean Romance Pre-order Promotion

Includes my Figgy Pudding by Francine & Mail Order Letitia.

Please Click Here.