Miri Brayden teeters on a razor’s edge between placating and enraging her brother, whom she depends upon for support. Yet if his anger is unleashed, so is his madness. Miri must keep his descent into lunacy a secret, or he’ll be committed to an asylum—and she’ll be sent to the poorhouse.
Ethan Goodwin has been on the run all of his life—from family, from the law … from God. After a heart-changing encounter with the gritty Reverend John Newton, Ethan would like nothing more than to become a man of integrity—an impossible feat for an opium addict charged with murder.
When Ethan shows up on Miri’s doorstep, her balancing act falls to pieces. Both Ethan and Miri are caught in a web of lies and deceit—fallacies that land Ethan in prison and Miri in the asylum with her brother. Only the truth will set them free.
Oh my! Sounds like a great book. Here’s a short excerpt from the book
Miri stood tiptoe, looking past the beggar’s shoulder, desperate for a glimpse of Will. Twilight painted the yard with a monotone brush, making it hard to see much past the woodpile. She squinted, yet clearly no one else accompanied the beggar. Ignoring the unwashed odor of the man, she leaned closer, giving him no chance to misunderstand her words. “Where is Will?”
He averted his gaze. “I—”
“Miriall!”
Roland’s footsteps entered the kitchen, slapping the flagstone floor with determination. The last time he’d caught her helping a vagrant, she’d suffered a lecture on how poverty was a judgment of God, not something to be interfered with. Her knees yet recalled those enforced hours of repentance.
Stepping back, she pelted the beggar with directions. “Go to the church. The key is atop a grey stone set out farther than the rest.” Hopefully he heard that last bit over the sound of her slamming the door.
“What are you doing?” Though the words were innocently phrased, Roland’s tone bludgeoned.
She turned and flattened her back against the oak. Evening shadows twisted her brother’s features into a severity that made her glad for the support. Though her mouth dried, she forced lightness to her words. “I heard you at the front door, which reminded me that with Mrs. Makin gone for the night, I’d promised to lock up the back.” For an added touch, she smiled.
He frowned and folded his arms, not buying the explanation she sold.
Bolstering her resolve for the horrid words she’d say next, she lifted her chin. “I am free of duty now and for the rest of the evening.”
Free? Hardly. Not if Roland and Witherskim had their way. She bit the inside of her cheek lest the thought fly out her mouth.
Roland stepped closer and grabbed hold of her upper arm, yanking her from the door and out of the kitchen. “Good. Master Witherskim is waiting.”
Before she could catch her breath, Roland pulled her down the corridor and into the sitting room, where Clive Witherskim advanced.
Wonder what will happen next? Better buy the book and find out!
Until next time…God Bless & Good Reading!
Tiaras & Tennis Shoes 