Peggy L Henderson: Author Spotlight

In the spirit of a wonderful, old-fashioned Victorian Christmas, I'd love to share two exciting, emotional, historical romances – one set Back East, one set Out West – with readers. The first is one of 50 novels in the unprecedented, 45-author series AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES. I'm delighted to be in the company of some of today's most talented and beloved authors, including Peggy L. Henderson, Kirsten Lynn, Susan Horsnell, Jacquie Rogers, Patricia Carroll, and many more, in creating these heartfelt and engaging novels.

My book, MOLLIE: BRIDE OF GEORGIA, is fourth in the series. (By the way, the lovely young woman on the cover portraying Mollie is Jennie Gregg Farrelly (1883-1954), my husband's grandmother. I hope she'd be tickled to find herself on the cover of a 21st century novel!) Set in November and December of 1890, MOLLIE is a story of courage and hope as a young woman, answering an advertisement for a mail-order bride, confronts an unknown and very challenging future.

Years of brutal warfare have left the South with far more women than men. What, Mollie Winters worries, could be so wrong with Dr. Nicholas Avinger that he was forced to advertise for a wife?

Despite her misgivings, Mollie takes a desperate leap of faith. Arriving in Atlanta with little more than a few pieces of clothing, two pairs of shoes, and the manuscript of her wildly melodramatic, romantic adventure novel, she prepares to start a new life with the attractive but irascible Dr. Avinger.

A haunted man who prefers animals to people, Nick Avinger has driven away more than one assistant, as well as his latest fiancée. Mollie Winters might just fill both bills, if only he didn’t want her so much. And if only he didn’t fear how much he would hurt her.

Years of brutal warfare have left the South with far more women than men. What, Mollie Winters worries, could be so wrong with Dr. Nicholas Avinger that he was forced to advertise for a wife?

Will the Christmas Season bring hope to Mollie and Nick, or will the trauma of the past prove too overwhelming?

Here's an excerpt from MOLLIE: BRIDE OF GEORGIA:

Mollie woke to Nick’s muffled groans and growls. The room was dark but for the faint glow of the fireplace embers, and she turned worriedly toward her husband. His face was bathed with sweat, and suddenly he writhed, kicking wildly at the covers. Frightened that he was in the throes of a nightmare, or worse, suddenly taken ill, she reached out to calm him, trying gently to stroke his face. His eyes flew open, and he stared at her with the ferocity of a cornered animal. His eyes were feral, but opaque, blind.

“Get away, damn you!” he shouted, and Mollie gasped, shrinking back. Nick’s hand shot out and his fingers wrapped around her throat like an iron vise, tightening painfully. Abruptly, he shoved her backwards, slamming her shoulder against the brass bars of the headboard. He released his grip, and in one wild scramble, bolted from the bed. He whirled back to face her, his hands balled into fists and his chest heaving. His eyes were unfocused, staring past Mollie with crazed fury at something only he could see.

Trembling, horrified, she gasped for air, broken sobs choking her bruised throat. “Nick!”

Her cry emerged as a strangled rasp. She swallowed, tried again, desperately, “Nick! Wake up! For God’s sake, wake up!”

Also celebrating the Christmas Season is the tender Western historical short romance CHRISTMAS TREASURE:

Ex-Union Army Captain Will Blackburn has tried to put the loss of his Georgia home and the fierce alienation of his family behind him. His fresh start on a Nevada cattle ranch has given him renewed purpose, but making peace with the trauma of war is not so easily done.

When Will receives word that the only family member who never turned against him, his beloved younger sister Mattie, has died, he must deal not only with his past, but also with a starchy, stubborn young woman who has traveled more than two thousand miles to fulfill Mattie’s last wish: that her cherished CHRISTMAS TREASURE be hand-delivered to her brother. But will that unexpected gift bring Will peace or even greater pain?

CHRISTMAS TREASURE and MOLLIE: BRIDE OF GEORGIA, as well as all my novels and short stories, including multiple award winners TERMS OF SURRENDER and TIMELAPSE, are available at:

AMAZON:

AMAZON UK:

AMAZON AUSTRALIA:

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I wish everyone the comfort and joy that is so much the spirit of the Christmas Season. Happy holidays!