Title: Seeking Charity
Author: Josie Riviera
Genre: Regency Inspirational Romance
Book Blurb:
Will the truth set her free…or keep her forever a prisoner of the past?
When Charity ran away with the Romany Gypsies, she left everything behind. Her name. A way of life constrained by English rules. The punishments her cruel father meted out in the name of God. And the young man who made it all bearable.
Certain things she can’t hide, even in wild, remote Wales. A secret longing for the ease of English life. The wisps of faith that still linger. And her reaction to a handsome face she thought she’d never see again.
Daniel Hayward would recognize that voice anywhere. That unruly, copper-colored hair. Those piercing blue eyes. But what is Charity Weston doing wearing Gypsy garb in Wales…when she died years ago?
For a moment, the grief that never quite left him is transformed into joy. But the walls between them now are built from bricks of culture clashes, bitter memories, and fear. To find his way, Daniel will have to trust as never before that God will guide their hearts home at last.
Does he love the girl she was…or the woman she has become?
This poignant Regency Inspirational romance will fill your heart with love and hope.
Excerpt:
Wales, 1812
“Let’s drink to a long and happy life for the bride and groom!”
Charity Weston stood at the edge of a smoky campfire with her Romany Gypsy tribe and raised her tankard of ale. Luca, the leader of their tribe, offered the toast in celebration for a pliashka, a betrothal agreement.
Miriah, the attractive bride-to-be, smiled radiantly at her intended groom, who grinned proudly at her. Both sets of future in-laws stood beside them. Miriah’s dark brows and eyes dominated her features, accentuated by glossy ebony hair tied back with a vivid red headdress.
So unlike her own copper-colored hair, Charity thought, fingering her unmanageable ringlets.
As the tribesmen hooted and cheered, Charity joined in the chants of sastimos, good health, even as her cheeks flushed at the bawdy remarks laughingly called out to the couple.
In the glow of the firelight, she studied the Gypsy men and women assembled in a circle around the couple—the laugh lines etched in the corners of their mouths and the granite determination in their jaws, announcing their decision to live unrestrained from the constraints of ‘civilized life’.
Several men with greying beards loudly shared opinions about where they should travel next and that they should leave within a fortnight. They’d stayed in one place long enough. In the meantime, Luca didn’t respond as he bent to retrieve a bottle of brandy for the groom’s father. The father then wrapped a handkerchief around the bottle as part of the pliashka.
These were the people Charity had grown to love. Their kindness, their traditions, their joy for life. They brought nothing with them when they traveled and simply adopted the traditions of wherever they made camp.
A clap of thunder reverberated, and the heavy wooden wagons, packed with garments and jewelries, creaked in response.
However, weather changes didn’t deter the revelers. Besnik, one of the elders, took up a pipe whistle and began playing, whilst another grabbed his fiddle. Kezia, an elderly woman who was considered the phuri dai, someone who resolved conflicts with honor, clapped to the music and sang off-key. The melody was spirited yet emotional. Since the tribe had settled in Wales, their music had taken on a decidedly Welsh, Celtic quality.
Charity finished her ale. Intrigued, she watched as Miriah’s future father-in-law secured a necklace around Miriah’s throat. Made of a satin ribbon with gold coins, the necklace was a symbol of the matrimony bond.
“Remember.” Kezia stepped forward and focused on Miriah, “Ajsi bori lachi: xal bilondo, phenel londo.”
Charity grinned as she silently translated: “Such a daughter-in-law is good who eats unsalted food and says ’tis salted.”
Buy Links:
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MBV443C
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07MBV443C
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MBV443C
Giveaway:
I’m one of the authors participating in the Resolve to Read More Books Giveaway and you can win an e-copy of I Love You More .
Runs January 3 - 31 and is open internationally.
Winner will be drawn February 1, 2019.
Author Biography:
Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations. Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE ebook on her website: http://josieriviera.com/ Email her at josieriviera1@gmail.com
Social Media Links:
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