Please welcome today’s Guest Author — Brenda B. Taylor
Today I am highlighting the third book in the Wades of Crawford County series, Through The Storm. The Wade family saga continues in the novel. Love reigns in the home of Leann and Ralph Wade, although tested many times during the course of their marriage. Sonny Wade, Ralph’s brother, harbors a secret passion for Leann, and Joan Smith, a family friend, desires Ralph. Leann wishes for a large family, but Ralph contacts a disease that may leave him unable to father more children. His very manhood is threatened and his pride wounded. Leann and Ralph struggle to overcome the storms of life through faith, courage, and commitment to each other.
The first book in the series, a novella entitled Heaven Must Wait, introduces Leann Clark, Ralph Wade, Sonny Wade, and a saloon girl, Pearl. The four characters continue to play prominent rolls throughout the series. The second book, a novel entitled Follow Your Heart, tells the story of the young couple’s struggle through the early years of marriage, jealousy, grief, and illness.
Excerpt from Through the Storm
“Pa and Junior caught some nice fish in the Meramec last week,” Ralph said about halfway into the trip home. “I’m gonna take you and the kids fishing soon. Johnny and me will be through with harvesting the tobacco, and we all need a break from sickness and working hard. Nothing like a good fishing trip to make a person feel better.”
“How nice! The kids will love to go fishing. I’ll pack a lunch. We’ll have a great time.” Leann slipped an arm through his.
He looked at her sitting close on the wagon seat, and felt the warmth of her body pressing against his arm. Not being able to resist the temptation to kiss her lovely mouth, he pulled up under a large oak displaying an array of orange and red colors. He had missed her sweet love while lying sick in the bed for what seemed an eternity.
The reins slacked when Leann returned his embrace. Jed came to a complete stop while they kissed in the warm sunlight of a beautiful autumn afternoon. Ralph’s hat fell onto the floorboard. A red leaf floated softly into her hair as the sun’s rays crowned her head with a golden halo. He nibbled a pink earlobe, then kissed the white nap of her neck where strands of sweet-smelling hair lay in small curls. A folded quilt in the wagon bed came to mind. He may spread it out on the grass for them to lie on. Leann suddenly removed her arms from his neck. “We’d better go. The kids will be home soon.”
Hating to, but knowing the necessity, Ralph released her, found his hat, and took up the reins. They rode the rest of the way in silence, basking in each other’s company. The wagon pulled into the front yard at the same time Jim galloped up on Starbright
About The Author
The desire to write historical fiction has long been a passion with Brenda B. Taylor. Since elementary school, she has written stories in her spare time. Brenda earned three degrees: a BSE from Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; a MEd from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; and an EdD from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; then worked as a teacher and administrator in the Texas Public School system. Only after retirement could she fulfill the dream of publication.
Brenda and her husband make their home in beautiful East Texas where they enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and working in Bethabara Faith Ministry, Inc. She crafts stories about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people in her favorite place overlooking bird feeders, bird houses, and a variety of blooming trees and flowers. She sincerely thanks all who purchase and read her books. Her desire is that the message in each book will touch the heart of the reader as it did hers in the writing.
Thanks Brenda for sharing with us this week.
Leanne Tyler 