Twenty-one-year-old Neka is a bit of an introvert, she also happens to be stunningly beautiful. When she discovers her friend James is about to be dumped, she sees the perfect opportunity to escape from her quiet life. Can she summon the courage to leave it all behind? James Copley comes from a ruthless family. It’s rubbed off. Years ago, he disengaged from his brother’s smear campaign, but now his father has offered him an ultimatum, “Get married or lose your seat at the table.” Plotting to stamp his design on the family business, he proposes to a woman, even though he doesn’t love her. But his carefully laid plans start to unravel when she leaves him on the day she’s due to meet his family. Could years of planning his comeback vanish with her departure? A possible solution comes in an unexpected form: Neka. She’s not only a friend, but the daughter of his benefactor. And she’s right there, offering to support him. But will her support stretch to marriage? He attempts to win her over to his plan but collides with her powerful father who wants to leverage the situation for his own gain. In their fight for survival and love, they are forced to face some uncomfortable truths. Can they overcome thwarted dreams and missed chances to find true love, or does forcing destiny’s hand only lead to misery?
Book Excerpt:
Nikhol Lacey stepped into the
muted glow from the wall sconce above the door, grabbed her luggage from the
porch, and hurried down the stairs. The path lights cast a shining arc across
the yard. Pine scented the air, and fresh-cut grass clung to her sandals.
She sidestepped debris along
the footpath to avoid snapping any twigs. To anyone looking, the maneuverings
would have resembled a child’s game of hopscotch. It seemed like ages had
passed, but at last she reached her destination. Lips curving into a fleeting
smile, she placed her cases at the cab driver’s feet.
After shaking her hand, he
lifted the bags. His raspy voice broke the silence. “Good morning . . .”
“Call me Neka.”
She scooted into the car and
eased the door shut behind her. But she froze in place when the noisy driver
stomped every twig she had missed and slammed the trunk. Her gaze swept over the
second-floor windows. The house remained dark inside.
Good. No signs of movement.
Neka lay back on the cushion
but bolted upright when the driver sped away, crunching loose twigs scattered
across the road.
She brushed her fingers over
her neck and chest and then clung to the front of her T-shirt. Familiar landmarks silhouetted against
the dusky morning. She sighed, touching the window as her home faded into the receding darkness.
Regret surfaced. Would her
family understand her leaving home without notice? Massaging her right earlobe,
she laid her head against the seat.
James needed her. She was the
only person able to help him. Finally, someone she cared about required
assistance that only she could provide. Tears blurred her vision at the
admission that she often felt unneeded. Self-revelation came at a price.
Closing her eyes, Neka laid her face into the palms of her hand.
She was committed. It was too
late to turn back now.
Lord,
help me.
Book Trailer:
Author Bio:
E. C. Jackson
began her writing career with the full-length play Pajama Party. For three and a half years, she published the
Confidence in Life newsletter for Alpha Production Ministries, in addition to
writing tracts and devotionals. Teaching a women’s Bible study at her church
for eleven years led naturally to her current endeavor, writing inspirational
romance novels. Her mission: spiritual maturity in the body of Christ through
fiction.
You may find
her on the web at these links:
Readers, you may purchase the book at:
Or have your local library order it in for you!
E. C. Jackson is
giving away a copy of Gateway to Hope.
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)
11 comments:
Looks like a good read. kamundsen44(at)yahoo(dot)com. Kim
This sounds like a very nice story that I would enjoy reading.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
How will this relationship play out? That's the question that comes to my mind when I read the synopsis. At least they are friends, which is a big plus.
Martha
josieringer(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like an intriguing story! would love to win it. pat at ptbradley dot com
Gateway to Hope sounds great, I love it when friends find love!
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
your book sounds very interesting! Shelia Hall sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com
Lovely book cover! And it'd be nice to read about an introvert. *smiles*
nadine(dot)keels(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks so much for the interest in A Gateway to Hope. It was a true labor of love!
I enjoyed the excerpt! GATEWAY TO HOPE has ALL the elements of a great story. I can't wait to read it.
psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com
Love the cover, the excerpt and your interview. Blessings!
Connie
cps1950 at gmail dot com
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