THE
MAID'S QUARTERS
by Holly Bush 
BLURB:
1893 . . . Alice
Porterman is released from her duties as a maid and travels home to help her
mother care for her sickly brother. But her mother and brother are not in their
family home when Alice arrives and she learns the landlord, Albert Donahue, has
evicted them into the harsh Boston winter. Alice goes in search of him and is
surprised at what she finds.
Albert Donahue, an up-and-coming member
of Boston’s elite, made his fortune through hard work and shrewd business
deals. But his dreams of a family to share it with have not come true, perhaps
until an impertinent young woman enters his home and won’t leave until she
speaks to him.
EXCERPT:
Boston 1893
Chapter One
Alice Porterman looked
at Mrs. McKinnell. “What do you mean Ma and Jimmy aren’t living here anymore?
It is our house!”
“They’re living in two
rooms at the back of the church, Alice. I would have taken them in here, but I
have no room, none at all,” Alice’s mother’s closest neighbor said to her. “You
better get them, girl. Jimmy wasn’t doing well the last time I stopped by. Your
mam can hardly leave him to get victuals or go to work. I’ve been shopping for
her when I can.”
“Thank you, Mrs.
McKinnell. I’ll go right away.” Alice turned and looked at the narrow two-story
home where she’d grown up. “I’ll just put my bags in the house,” she said, and
started down the walk that separated the Porterman and McKinnell homes as she
had just arrived from the train station coming from Washington.
“Nay, you can’t, girl.
They’ve changed the locks. Your mam couldn’t even get back in to get your
brother’s medicine. Leave your cases on my porch. I’ll have one of the boys carry
them in and we’ll keep them here until you’re settled somewhere.”
“Thank you, Mrs.
McKinnell,” Alice said, red-faced. “I will get them as soon as I get this
straightened out.”
“Don’t worry, Alice.
Just get your mother and brother back home where they belong.”
Alice nodded and
kissed the plump, red-headed woman’s cheek. “Thank the Lord you were here to
help Ma.”
“It’s nothing.
Neighbors do for neighbors. Your mam would do the same for me, she would. So,
your mother had Jimmy read me the letter she got from you that those rich nobs
are paying you without you even working for them. La-de-dah! And look at them
skirts of yours! That is fine wool, is it not, with them lacy petticoats
sticking out? And a pretty little hat to boot!”
AUTHOR BIO:
Holly Bush writes
historical romance set on the American Prairie, in Victorian England, and
recently released her first Women’s Fiction title. Her books are described as
emotional, with heartfelt, sexy romance. She makes her home with her husband in
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Connect
with Holly:
GIVEAWAY:
$20 Amazon/BN GC
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better
your chances of winning.
2 comments:
Looking forward to gabbing about books with your followers! Thanks for having me!
Thanks for hosting!
Post a Comment