BookQW = DRIVEN

BLOOD TIES

(A Historical Time-Travel)

In the shadow of the Civil War, love became immortal.

 

Rage, sadness, and understanding mixed into one emotion that Royal could not single out. Would it have been better to have gone mad than to disappear into the unknown? To be with the one who loved you, maybe. But then again, Uncle Henry had always been driven to look for more than what Kate could have given him, children being one. Her love was not enough for him to win the war raging inside him.

Through the years, Royal had formed a bond, a pact, with Kate to sacrifice the Kinsman clan and destroy the curse slowly and naturally. The only way to accomplish the promise was to stay as far away from emotional and sexual involvements as possible.

Money not being an overwhelming concern, Royal found traveling to be his only mistress, the numerous hotels the only dwellings he would call home. He never had to worry about the sometimes tragic Kinsman history.

At least not until this afternoon and his overwhelming desire to bond with a certain long-haired angel.

All he could ever remember was the horrible tales he had heard while growing up. The Kinsman men hardly ever had happy stories to tell about the legacy, while the women would not even mention it.

Why is it that horror always seems to become embedded in a child’s mind? What had echoed through the library walls during those brandy after-dinner drinks were enough to give any youngster nightmares. The accounts he heard during those times were only impacted by what he had seen happen to Uncle Henry.

The only thing Royal understood at the time of the pact was that he would be the last to bear a resemblance to either Josie or Samuel, come hell or high water. Maybe the stories were exaggerated in a young boy’s mind; it did not matter. Seeing was believing, and Royal had seen all he needed to.

~ ~ ~ ~

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPMN249

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KPMN249

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/472xMg

Add to Wish/Want to Read List: Goodreads / BookBub

BookQW = NEVER

BLOOD TIES

(A Historical Time-Travel)

In the shadow of the Civil War, love became immortal.

 

“You have a sister named Manda?” Emma’s heart flipped with regret that her mother had kept such a secret from her. “What happened to her, Mom?”

“The Kinsman house is what happened to her, and the family who lived there. She was in love with one of the Kinsman boys―Henry. He had this look about him like he was looking for something he knew in his heart he’d never find. Then one day word came he’d disappeared without a trace, leaving all his things behind. Manda was frantic with grief and loneliness when she came home that night, but Father turned her away.”

Emma waited in silence as a tear slid down her mother’s softly wrinkled cheek. She tried to remember the last time she’d seen her mother cry, but couldn’t.

“Father warned her to stay away from Henry, but her heart defied any sense of our family pride.”

“Manda actually went against Granddad’s word?” Emma tried to picture anyone strong willed enough to defy him.

“Yes. Our Manda had never done anything against Father before. Not until she met Henry and his crazy family, anyway,” Mabel said, settling down slightly.

“Crazy, as in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest? Or just different from everyone else?” Emma asked, handing her mother yet another tissue.

“Just different, I suppose. Anyway, she seemed to always be with Henry’s family for everything. Father told her since she liked the Kinsmans so well, she’d best go live with them because as far as he was concerned, she was dead. So, she left. The need to be with Henry cost her quite a lot, but she loved him regardless.

“Manda’s been gone ever since, up until this journal, a word has never been spoken or written about her. Father wouldn’t allow it.”

~~~~~

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPMN249

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KPMN249

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/472xMg

Add to Wish/Want to Read List: Goodreads / BookBub  

BookQW = GROUP

BLOOD TIES

(A Historical Time-Travel)

In the shadow of the Civil War, love became immortal.

 A horseman came up along beside them and saluted. “Sir, we are to make camp and take food until further orders.” The soldier then trotted up the line, repeating the order he’d just told Samuel to the rest of the men.

Samuel reined in his horse, as did the private driving the wagon.

“Samuel,” Emma said.

“What is it, Emma? You look a little worried, scared even,” he said.

“What about Royal and Henry? Will they be all right?” she asked.

“We’ll find them and then take our supper. I’ve got a lot of questions to ask those two men, as I do you, young lady,” he said.

Emma watched Samuel dismount and give instructions as to where he wanted his tent and belongings set up along the fence line. The moment she dreaded most fast approached and she shivered at the thought of how to tell Samuel about a future United States that he could never imagine.

How does one explain airplanes, walking on the moon or even trips to Mars? Very carefully and only if the conversation got that far.

Emma hopped down from the wagon and ran after Samuel. She wanted to reach him before he got too far into the ranks, but her progress was slowed by a group of soldiers who milled around what would soon be their campfire.

Their words of the war reached her ears and filled her heart with sadness. She heard them talk of being tired of the fighting and wanting to go back to their homes and loved ones. There were expressed feelings of dread that so many lives were lost for nothing. These men seemed to have lost all hope of an end to the bloodshed and death any time soon.

~ ~ ~ ~

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPMN249

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KPMN249

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/472xMg

Add to Wish/Want to Read List: Goodreads / BookBub 

BookQW = SEVERAL

BLOOD TIES

(A Historical Time-Travel)

In the shadow of the Civil War, love became immortal.

 

Was that a hint of melancholy in her voice? Emma turned just in time to see the touch of a smile leave Kate’s softened face. Does she know something?

“Did you know the family well, Kate?” Emma stood in front of the hearth of a red brick fireplace. The evidence of objects once set upon the mantel was still faintly there, and the hearth held the ashes from past fires.

“Romance fills this room, can you feel it? A room full of books, firelight, loves…I must admit, Ms. Sorenson, I was quite surprised by your advertisement.” Kate stood next to Emma, no more relaxed then she seemed to be several moments ago. “Your description of a house to rent was very detailed.”

“Please, call me Emma.” Circling the room, she absorbed everything she could. Mentally, she painted a picture of every crook and cranny. “Yes, it was. I knew exactly what I was looking for in a home. Thankfully you answered my ad.”

Emma paused at the window seat, then sat on a cushion that looked as worn as the carpet on the library floor. The grimy bay window around the seat played host to the same pattern of tattered lace curtains hanging in the entryway.

“As for the Kinsmans, I knew of them. Everyone in town did. The family was well known for their festivities, and all in the neighborhood were always welcome. I don’t recall any stories of a Kinsman turning someone out. That is, not until Royal Kinsman decided to move on and rent out the family homestead,” Kate mentioned.

“How long has the house stood empty then?” Emma traced the delicate lace threads, hoping they didn’t crumble beneath her touch.

“Honestly, too long. It’s far too expensive to heat during the winter, and then there’s the rumors.” Kate’s voice held an edge of uncertainty as she made her way out of the room.

“Rumors? What kinds of rumors?” Emma circled the library for one last look, then joined Kate in the hallway.

“It’s an old house, Ms. Sorenson…ah, Emma. Rumors always accompany an old home like this.” Kate led Emma through the rest of the main floor. “Stories trumped up by the local kids about ghosts.”

 ~~~ Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPMN249 ~~~

~~~ Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KPMN249 ~~~ 

~~~ Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/472xMg ~~~