Cheryl Broussard made
two vows: She'd never fall for an abusive man, and she'd never return to her
Louisiana hometown. But she's learned all too well the lesson of
never-say-never.
Now, back in Bijou Bayou after fleeing from an abusive
boyfriend, Cheryl finds work as a Hospice nurse. While reading a dying
patient's Korean War love letters, family secrets shatter Cheryl's beliefs
about her family and herself and shed light on the reason she fled her
hometown. When the Broussard family secrets are revealed, can Cheryl deal with
the truth and accept the blessing of a second chance for relationships with her
family, old friends, and with the God she never really knew?
Book excerpt
I crossed the drawbridge, which carried me over Bijou Bayou and
into the small community which I now called home again. The purple flowers of
the full bloom hyacinths floating on the water danced with the cattails at the
water’s edge. All the things that made Bijou Bayou unique brought rushing
memories of both the good and the bad of my childhood. Guess I couldn’t embrace
one and escape the other.
While I zipped into the parking lot of Marvin’s IGA, I made a
mental list of the items I needed for dinner.
Leaning on the grocery cart for support, I scanned the aisles.
The day’s events had sucked the last vestiges of my energy, more so than I’d
realized. Seemed encroaching death had a way of doing that. I craved nothing
more than to hurry home to a hot bath.
I picked up a bag of salad and examined the leaves for
freshness.
“Cheryl? Is that you?”
That voice. The one that filled my heart during my younger years
tickled my ears.
He stood amidst a
backdrop of fresh pineapples and mandarins, wearing navy slacks with a light
blue oxford shirt, his paisley tie loosened and the first button opened.
A little paunchier than I remembered with his dark hair, shorter
and thinner, but the dark electrifying eyes remained. And now, they beamed on
me and zapped a hole right through me. Just like before. Just like I
remembered. Just like I’d once loved.
“Beau...hello.” I kept my hands firmly planted on the plastic
bag and prayed he wouldn’t extend his. I couldn’t touch his skin. Not with my
clammy hands. Not ever. Heaven only knew what would happen to me if we touched.
“How are you?”
He hesitated as though measuring his words before he spoke.
“I-I-I’m good.”
Beau, the man I decided at seventeen was the love of my life
stood before me, and now thirteen years later, I couldn’t think of anything to
say to him. He’d stayed in Bijou Bayou, married my friend, Annie Melancon, and
last I’d heard, had a son.
“How’s your family?” I reverted to the typical Louisiana
questions.
He fingered the plastic flap of the cart’s seat. “We’re
managing. You know Mama passed away last year. She and Daddy are finally
together. Got a son, Steven, he’s ten and growing up into a fine young man. And
Annie...is still holding on.”
Holding on? What kind of response was that?
I paused. I’m sure
confusion painted my face.
“You haven’t heard?” He leaned onto the handle of the shopping
cart.
“I don’t think so.”
“Annie
was in a car accident two years ago. She’s in a long term care facility in
Lafayette.” He squeezed
his lips together and blinked a few times. “In a coma.”
About Marian
Marian
Pellegrin Merritt writes stories that blend her love of the mountains with her
deep Southern roots. Her tagline, Where
the Bayous Meets the Mountains, grew from both loves. She is the author of,
Deep Freeze Christmas, A Cajun Christmas
Miracle, and Southern Fried
Christmas.
Marian is a
member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Women's Fiction Writers
Association.
She holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy and an accounting certificate
from the University of South Alabama. This Louisiana
native writes from the Northwest Colorado home
she shares with her husband and a very spoiled Labradoodle.
To purchase Marian's book:
Marian Pelligrin Merritt is
giving away a copy of The Vigil. The giveaway is only available to U.S.
addresses.
To be entered in the book
giveaway, leave a comment along with your email address. You may enter the book
giveaway twice -- once on each spotlight post. (It's not too late to go back
and leave a comment on yesterday's post.)
Off
to read another great book!
Sandra
M. Hart
8 comments:
Please enter my name for a copy of The Vigil. cjajsmommy (at) gmail (dot) com
Deb R.
Thanks for shining the spotlight on Marian's THE VIGIL. The cover tugs on you to read it. I am looking forward to this one!
psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com
I agree with Caryl above! That cover just draws you in and the blurb as well. Thx so much for the opportunity to win this intriguing book!
dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks, ladies of the Barn Door Book loft for hosting me and THE VIGIL. I'm excited about meeting your readers and giving away a copy!
Deb, Caryl, and Diana thanks for stopping by--best wishes in the drawing!
New author for me. Sounds interesting.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Hi Sandra, Good review of Marian's new book. Sounds like some broken hearts in this book. How said it would be to have a loved one in a prolonged coma. Please put my name in for a chance to win.
Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
This looks really good!
mandn(at)wisper(dash)wireless.com
I am really looking forward to reading this book. Marian's writing really resonates with me.
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