Dear readers, you are in for a real treat today! Elizabeth Adams has just released a new contemporary romance novel, Ship to Shore, and I’m thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from the book with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! But first, the book blurb:
Dodging and weaving her mother’s attempts to get her married off and producing grandbabies as soon as possible, Maggie focuses on teaching and doing fun projects with her students—like sending a box of cards to anonymous soldiers for the holidays. She’s more than a little surprised when the receiving naval officer writes a proper thank-you letter.
The magic ensues when Maggie writes back. She sees her new pen pal as an innocent diversion—until he isn’t.
Lt. Commander F. Hawkins thinks he’s writing to a sweet little old woman. Little does he know that the woman sending him baked goods is going to capture his heart.
In a culture of online dating and hook-ups, Maggie and Hawkins find themselves transported through the old-fashioned act of letter-writing. His steadfast earnestness can’t help but appeal. Her charm and vivacity can’t fail to captivate.
They never stood a chance.
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An excerpt from Ship to Shore, courtesy of Elizabeth Adams:
Curious about what had happened but knowing she shouldn’t ask, and he wouldn’t tell her even if she did, she started a batch of cookies and sat at the kitchen table to write while they baked.
“Whatcha doin’, little sister?”
Maggie smiled at the sound of her sister’s voice. Sarah was five when Maggie was born and she’d had a bit of a misunderstanding about the new baby’s name. Everyone had constantly asked her how she liked her new little sister, and Sarah had thought that was what they were calling the baby until Margaret’s first birthday when Sarah read the cake and innocently asked who Margaret was.
It had taken her years to live it down, but she still used the nickname occasionally.
“Hey! I’m baking cookies. You can take some to the office tomorrow if you want.”
“Thank you. I brought a chicken. We can make a quick salad to go with it.” She unpacked her grocery sack on the counter and glanced at her sister. “Grading papers?”
“No, writing a letter actually.”
“Oh? To whom?”
“To this guy in the Navy. He’s the one who got the box I mailed.”
“One guy got an entire box of cards?”
“No! He is the leader of some group or something. Anyhow, his men, or sailors or whatever you call them, got the cards. He distributed them I think? Anyway, he sent me a thank you card, and we’ve decided to start writing each other.”
“Some random guy in the Navy is your pen pal?” asked Sarah incredulously.
“Don’t say it like that! It’s not like he’s in prison.” She made a face that her sister ignored. “And I asked him to pass along a correspondent for the kids. He asked this guy Davis—he’s a lieutenant—to send them a letter and the kids loved it. So I sent a letter back thanking him and asking if he’d like to correspond with me.”
“Correspond?”
“Pen pals are for children. What should I call it?” asked Maggie defensively.
“You don’t think this is a little weird?”
“They’re just letters, Sarah. Really. He’s thousands of miles away. It’s not like he’s going to show up on the doorstep and ask for a loan or something.”
Sarah rolled her eyes and smiled ruefully. “He’d better not.” She pointed her finger at Maggie and started making a salad.
Maggie just smiled. Sarah was generally a very kind person, but the one thing that could always raise her hackles was sensing danger to her younger siblings. She would say it was the typical response for the eldest female in a large family. Maggie thought it was just Sarah. After all, Harrison was the eldest male and eldest child, and he certainly didn’t seem to have any protective instincts.
February 5, 20__
Dear Hawkins,
I’m sorry you had a hard day, but I am happy my letter cheered you up. Be careful with the fudge—it sticks to your bones.
I survived my weekend with my parents unscathed, but I can’t say the same for my old room. It turns out the craft room wasn’t the only one on the chopping block. My room has been turned into a guest room. It isn’t that big of a change I suppose, but it makes it feel that much less like home to me.
I should look at the bright side. My brother’s room was turned into a home gym. I hope mom stops there and doesn’t continue to redo rooms. I have a feeling she is dealing with her empty-nest syndrome by arranging her home the way she used to arrange her children’s lives. (I can be snarky—I’m warning you now.)
To answer your question about siblings, yes, I have them—and then some. I am one of six children. I know it sounds like a lot, but five and six were surprise twins, so it’s not like they did it on purpose. First is Harrison, then Sarah, Mark, me, Rob and Annaleigh. I would tell you more, but I just saw most of my family this weekend and I’m a little family-ed out.
Since you weren’t sure what to write about, why don’t you tell me a little about yourself? What’s your favorite color? How long have you been in the Navy? Why did you join in the first place? Did you go to college? If so, where did you go and what did you major in? Do you come from a big or small family? Do you have any children? Where are you from? Dogs or cats? Bagels or English muffins?
Now that should give you plenty of material for your next letter. And you still haven’t told me your first name. Is it something horrid? Is that why you only use the F? Shall I guess? Is it… Fergus? Franklin and you don’t want people to call you Frankie? (You definitely don’t seem like a Frankie.) How about Fletcher? Am I getting warmer?
Keep a smile on—you’ll be on dry land soon.
Sincerely,
Maggie
Hawkins sat on his bed and opened the package that came with his letter. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he read the note attached to a gallon-sized bag filled with cookies.
Here are some oatmeal walnut cranberry cookies. They’re healthier than the fudge. I won’t be accused of single-handedly fattening up the Navy!
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A big thank you to Elizabeth for sharing that fantastic excerpt. Doesn’t that make you want to grab a copy of Ship to Shore and read it right now? (If you feel so inclined, you can buy it here.)
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About the Author
Elizabeth Adams
Elizabeth Adams is a book-loving, tango-dancing, Austen enthusiast. She loves old houses and thinks birthdays should be celebrated with trips—as should most occasions. She can often be found by a sunny window with a cup of hot tea and a book in her hand.
She writes romantic comedy and comedic tragedy in both historic and modern settings.
You can find more information, short stories, and outtakes at EAdamsWrites.com.
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Giveaway
Elizabeth is generously offering one lucky reader an ebook copy of Ship to Shore AND another ebook from her catalog (reader’s choice). To enter, please leave a comment with your email address. This giveaway will be open through Monday, January 13, 2020. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
Diary of an Eccentric 