CONSTANCE: BRIDE OF FLORIDA - Patricia Pacjac Carroll - One Free Ebook

Dear Readers, Patricia is one of my dearest writing friends. She’s been in the critique group that meets in my home for many years, and she’s helped me as much or more than I’ve helped her. Of course, all the people who are in the group—or have been in the past—have brought different strengths. As the Bible says, iron sharpens iron, and that’s what we all have done for each other.

Patricia is an Amazon bestselling author. She’s often at or near the top of the bestseller lists, and she’s very prolific. You’ll want to check out her other books as well. I love her writing style and her voice. I haven’t read this new book, because I just received it a few days ago. I’ll read it as soon as I finish the one I’m reading on my Kindle right now.

Welcome back, Patty. Tell us about your salvation experience.

I like to say I was zapped. The Lord reached down and grabbed me before I wandered too far away. Not that I was doing anything bad, but I was getting close to saying there was no God. (Can’t get much worse than that, but at least I was cold and not lukewarm) I was doing my taxes, Monday, April 16^th, and the miniseries Jesus of Nazareth was on. (maybe 1976) I’m not sure what I heard or saw, it may have been when Jesus called Lazarus from the grave, but whatever it was, I went 180 degrees from not believing to knowing that Jesus was the Son of God and the Bible was true. It was an amazing night.

Sounds amazing. I love nights like that. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why? 

Oh, they’d be my writing buddies. Jackie Castle, Marji Laine, Kellie Coates Gilbert, and Janice Olson. Of course, Lena, you would be there too.

I love all those women, too. We’d have a fun, productive time. Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

No, I write.  : )

Of course, you do, as your publishing history shows. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?

Hmm, I may be so low key that I don’t realize when I should be embarrassed. One of my Thank-You-Lord-Jesus moments was when I sent out an email to one person about another person and it went to a loop. I still thank the Lord that I didn’t put the name about the person and they thought I was talking about someone else that wasn’t on the loop. Whew! God is good. I would have hated to hurt that person. God taught me a lesson.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?

Start writing.

Tell us about the featured book.

Constance: Bride of Florida is a Sweet Historical Romance and #27 in the unprecedented 50 book American Mail-Order-Bride Series by 45 different authors.

Set in 1890 Florida.

Constance Penny has always done everything by the book. Follow the rules, be good, and hide. Can this letter to a man she doesn't know break her out of the shadows? 

Drake Ferris has dreamed of going to sea, but Father's ultimatum has him sending for a mail-order bride. When she comes, he'll take care of her, but she needs to know, he'll leave for the sea after they're married.

I like it already. Please give us the first page of the book.

Peeking from under her umbrella, Constance Penny stopped in front of the old, red-bricked apartment. She swallowed hard, skirted around a large puddle, and knocked on Roberta’s door. Constance heard nothing. Once again, she was too late. Hiding in her room, she may have well lost her chance at happiness.

Roberta opened the door and put a hand to her hip. “I bet you’re here to get a copy of the Grooms’ Gazette. Oh, come in out of the cold and rain. I tried to get you to take one at the meeting.” She pointed. “I’m busy packing. The papers are on the table by the door.”

A trickle of rain dripped down Constance’s back causing her to shudder. Words stuck in her throat, so she just stood, feeling awkward and unwelcome.

Roberta cocked her head and then rushed to give her a hug. “You’ll be fine, Constance. The Good Lord put a spark of courage in everyone. I hope you find yours.” She tapped on the Grooms’ Gazette. “Pick a man and go after him. Everyone else has scattered across the country looking for a husband and fortune. Go get yours. Now, I’ve got to get packed. I’m meeting my man in Wisconsin. Bye, dear. And good luck.”

After another brief hug, Roberta left her.

Constance stood alone in the middle of the room, wondering if the Good Lord had forgotten to deal her a portion of courage. “I have got to get on with my life. If I don’t do something now, I’ll die an unknown pauper having known nothing of life. Today is the day.”

With a shaking hand, she took a paper, opened it and scanned the ads. All of them had pencil marks through them except for one in Florida and another from Georgia. Looking around, she grabbed another copy and stuffed it inside her coat. Her distant cousin, Mollie, in Georgia might be interested.

After a quick gaze to Roberta’s room, Constance put a hand to her chest to try to stop her pounding heart. No one would know she took more than one paper. A little excited and proud that she’d stepped out and broken a rule, she held her head high.

Until Roberta, carrying a satchel, walked out of her room. “So, did you finally decide to take one of the papers?”

Constance’s heart slammed against her chest. “Yes, I did.” I took two. Her brave thought disappeared in the event Roberta read minds.

“Great. Hope you find a good man. I’ve heard that the matchmaker in Beckham is the best and only picks good men. Good luck, sweetie.”

With her throat constricted, Constance squeaked out a “thank you” and bolted for the door.

“Constance!”

She’d been caught. Fear like lightning shot through her, bringing her to a halt. Constance put her head down and turned back.

Roberta stood at the door holding her umbrella. “You might need this. It’s supposed to rain all day.”

Relief tumbled through her. “Yes, thank you.” She took her umbrella and walked down the street. She’d gotten away with taking an extra paper. Surprisingly, it felt good to have broken a rule.

Of course, Roberta had made no such rule, but even where there weren’t spoken rules, Constance made them up and restricted herself. If she constantly toed the imaginary lines, no one would notice her. She’d lived her life wanting to hide, content to live in the shadows. Yet, she always dreamed about being part of a family, but that was impossible without a husband.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

For more information, please contact:

Email  …………..pacjaccarroll@aol.com

Web site………...http://patriciapacjaccarroll.blogspot.com/

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Books by Patricia PacJac Carroll  http://www.amazon.com/Patricia-PacJac-Carroll/e/B008R9JCN2/

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Thank you, Patty, for sharing this book with me and my readers. I know they'll want it as much as I did.

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Constance: Bride of Florida (American Mail-Order Brides Series Book 27) - Kindle

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