About the Book:
Irishman Sean Flood
survived the potato famine, crossing the Atlantic, the Mexican-American War,
and wandering the Western wilderness with his mules and freight wagon. But, due
to poor diet and deprivation, his teeth did not fare well. It’s November of
1854 in Columbia, California, Queen of the Southern Mines, a city Sean is
helping to rebuild after the disastrous fire the previous summer. Intense
stabbing tooth pain drives him to see Doc Massey, the local dentist. He first stops
by the mercantile to pick up a bottle of whiskey—for medicinal purposes—and food
he’ll be able to eat when it’s all over. If only the beautiful but aggravating
woman ahead of him who keeps her face half hidden and insists she won’t accept
charity would finish up with her purchase so he can get his supplies, his tooth
pulled and return home to his mules and half-built cabin….
That night, Sean
meets the woman’s two sons, Jesse and Benjy McNair, and learns her secret. He
decides with only three teeth left in his head, he needs widow Ona McNair’s
charity—and he’s willing to pay for it. Sean won’t accept nine year-old Jesse’s
declaration his family’s poverty means the boy is too old for Christmas that
year. Sean is a full-grown man and he’s not too old for Christmas. He not only
plans to come bearing gifts to Christmas Eve dinner with the McNairs, but he
knows exactly what gift he wants for himself.
*Sweet Romance
Excerpt
#1:
As
much as he preferred the thought of pulling up a chair to warm himself by the glowing
wood stove in the Columbia Mercantile where Sean stopped first in order to buy
a bottle of whiskey, some dried beef for flavoring—for he certainly didn’t have
the teeth to chew it—and a small barrel of flour to have something to cook into
a soft gruel, he didn’t linger once he felt his clothes start to dry. He knew
he would not feel like shopping after seeing the dentist. Those supplies would
be daily his menu until his gum started to heal.
Sean
shrugged off Mr. Magendie, owner of the retail store, as the man sought to
convince him to buy the newly arrived cast iron stove he had for sale. For the
time being, Sean focused on buying the whiskey he planned to start consuming as
soon as he stepped out the door so he could face getting his tooth pulled. He
did not look forward to his visit to Dr. Massey, and he impatiently waved away
the man and his polite sales chatter.
Sean’s
annoyance over his situation increased as he stood behind the woman talking to
the clerk at the counter.
Finish
your business, woman, and move on. Me patience be wearin’ thin.
Through
his self-absorption with his pain, Sean realized that the woman asked for
credit for the three small sacks of goods on the counter in front of her.
“I
know I can’t charge to an account until the other matter is settled, but if you
can just wait until tomorrow afternoon for payment, I’ll have made my delivery
by then and collected my fee. I’m owed enough
to not only cover this, but I can put some on the other account as well. I
promise I will bring it right in.”
“I’m
sorry, Mrs. McNair, but Mr. Magendie has given me strict orders…”
“Give
over, lad, I’m in a hurry, now,” Sean interrupted him, realizing the exchange
could take longer than he felt willing to wait. “Here…” Sean sorted through the
coins he held in his hand in anticipation of paying for his items. He selected
one he felt would surely cover whatever the woman was trying to purchase and,
leaning past her, he slapped the coin on the counter. “’Twill cover the
shortfall, certain. Now, if ye don’t mind…”
The
woman rounded on Sean, her eyes flashing with anger. “I do mind. I’ll thank you
to take your money back and wait your turn. I can take care of my own business and
I don’t take charity.”
Too Old for Christmas is now available on pre-order at Amazon. You may purchase it by clicking HERE.
About the Author:
Zina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels.
The author currently lives with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” She is a member of Women Writing the West, American Night Writers Association, and Modesto Writers Meet Up. She currently lives with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” She enjoys any kind of history including family history. When she is not piecing together novel plots, she pieces together quilt blocks.
Zina Abbott Links:
What a beginning. This promises to be a fun one. Doris McCraw/Angela Raines-author
ReplyDeleteAs of today, TOO OLD FOR CHRISTMAS will release in one week! It is available for pre-order, and I did so. Meanwhile, I've had the privilege of reading an ARC (Advance Review Copy) so I might write a review to post on my own blog in conjunction with Zina's blog tour stop with me. As of this posting, I'm halfway+ through, and enjoying the story very much. There's something so very "Christmas" in recognizing a need and helping, simply because one can. Sean Flood won my heart easily and completely as he works *with* Mrs. McNair's determination to care for herself and her children, rather than against her. Sean comprehends the true meaning of Christmas. Now... I must go back to reading and finish this charming, heartwarming story.
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Kristin Holt