Romantic Reads: When Valleys Bloom Again (book) by Pat Jeanne Davis

Welcome Pat Jeanne Davis to the blog today! 

She's here to share an excerpt from her story, When Valleys Bloom Again.

Happy reading!

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Story excerpt from When Valleys Bloom Again by Pat Jeanne Davis

 

Chapter 13 

Spring 1942

            

            The train station teemed with soldiers and their sweethearts by the time Jim and Abby arrived. Her heart sank like lead under the weight of all the other goodbyes on the platform.

            Jim drew her near. “I can see your aunt’s ballroom full of soldiers for one of her events. I’m jealous already.”

            Abby tightened her grip around his waist. “Can’t foresee any competition.”

            He stroked her cheek. “Just don’t let them hear you sing, and don’t smile too much.”

            They went over the footbridge to the quieter side of the platform, keeping an ear out for the announcement of departure. She reached into her purse and handed him a small tinted photograph of them on her graduation day.

            Jim broke the silence. “This is more painful than in January when I left for training.”

            She nodded, the specter of separation hovering over them threatened to drain away the joy of the past ten days.

            The train whistle blew and she jumped, legs trembling. She’d hoped to be prepared for their parting. But she wasn’t. She hated the Japanese for taking Jim away from her.

            He snatched up his duffel bag and with his free arm grasped her hand. As they clattered up the metal steps and along the steel-walled gangway over the tracks, their footsteps echoed. Abby shrank from the cold, hard noise. A cloud of steam rose up and engulfed Jim. She tried to drag him back. He pressed on, pulling her behind him, his head turned away, as if heedless of the silent shriek inside her—please don’t go!

            They stood together beside the train. “I wish you didn’t ha-ha-have to go,” she said, clasping his hand to the side of her face. Setting his cap straight, she stepped back and flashed a mock salute, determined to be strong for the sake of others here, all brought together by the sorrow of parting—but especially for Jim.

            A tight, desperate embrace and a last kiss before Jim hopped onto the bottom rung. The conductor made an inspection of the platform before giving the “All Aboard.” Abby gripped Jim’s arm. Clutching his hand, she ran alongside the rolling train—taking him hundreds of miles away—until she fell behind and had to let go.

            The train wiggled out and away from the platform. Long after it had shrunk to a pale silver dot on the blank horizon, Abby stared down the track, hollow inside and unable to will herself away. The crowd dissolved into its melancholy components, and she flowed out with them to the exit.

            On her return home, she pulled the drapes across the window before dusk set in, then curled up in a chair, arms wrapped tight around the cushion. Had they made the right decision to wait until after the war to get married? Many of her former classmates were making wedding plans even now. Long after the first owl announced its presence and the chill of night settled in her body, Abby sat there. Not until the egg-yellow light of a new dawn filtered through the window shutters did she fall asleep.

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Author Bio:

Pat Jeanne Davis has a keen interest in 20th Century United States and British history, particularly the period of World War II. Her longtime interest in that era goes back to the real-life stories she heard about family members who served during the war. 

When Valleys Bloom Again is a debut inspirational romance set in WWII. 

She enjoys flower gardening, genealogy research and traveling with her British-born husband.

She writes from her home n Philadelphia, PA. Pat has published essays, short stories and articles online and in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. 

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Book Blurb for When Valleys Bloom Again:

As war approaches in 1939 Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. 

Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Then Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?

Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the U.S.Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home?

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Review of When Valleys Bloom Again (posted to Amazon.com):

Erin S

4.0 out of 5 stars Great WWII novel

What a story!

First, the cover captured me. It is wonderfully done and really made me want to read the book. Once I started the book I couldn’t put it down as it was just as wonderful as the cover. Jim and Abby are wonderful characters who really draw you into them and make you think you’ve always known them. While Henri makes you love to hate him. That’s the best way to have a villain type character.

WWII is one of my favorite time periods to read about. It intrigues me and I can’t help but read everything I can get my hands on about this time period. This book really piqued my interest because of that but also because I liked the unique storyline. It’s not often you get characters being sent from England to the United States because of the war. I enjoyed this part and seeing what the years right before the US took to war were like here. I thought the inclusion of doubt and questioning God was a good touch as so often I do find myself in those same thoughts over life. It’s good to see that even fictional characters have those doubts.

This is a wonderful debut novel by an author that I am definitely going to be following for more. I highly recommend you give the book a read.

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Connect with Pat Jeanne:
Website: https://www.patjeannedavis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.j.davis.7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patjeannedavis/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18797403.Pat_Jeanne_Davis
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/patjeannedavis
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-jeanne-davis-34290422/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/patjeannedavis/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/when-valleys-bloom-again-by-pat-jeanne-davis

Words of Faith: God's Faithfulness

God’s Faithfulness
A Words of Faith story written by Pat Jeanne Davis

My husband had a long commute five days a week to our church. His work there was mentally exhausting, but Joseph was happy. Then circumstances changed—he lost his job. His disappointment was keen and his spirit crushed. Joseph felt that God was displeased with him. This became a nagging and recurring thought.

Friends and co-workers from our church called to express their disappointment. He assisted them with their questions as they learned their new responsibilities in a changed environment.

Joseph needed encouragement. My husband’s emotional and spiritual well-being were of more concern than how we were going to manage financially, especially when he asked questions like, “What did I do wrong?” or “Now What?”

To get us through this crisis, I knew I needed God’s help. In my heart I believed that, "all things work together for good to those who love the Lord" (Romans 8:28). Again, I would experience the reality of this promise in these circumstances.

“Have you talked to God about it?” I asked him.

“I can’t,” he replied.

I prayed for him and myself as I waited on the Lord for His direction. Then I began to see the hand of God in our experience.

We discovered that under the pension plan Joseph was enrolled in with a former employer, he could apply for early retirement benefits. This was our first indication that God was working on our behalf.

I’ve been a full-time homemaker since our sons were born fifteen years ago. I decided to claim Social Security benefits this year when I reached age sixty-two. I learned at the time I applied that our boys were eligible for children’s benefits as well. The Lord is faithful. He was providing for us.

A major concern was our children’s education. It was re-enrollment time once again at their school. Would we be able to continue to provide them with the Christ-centered schooling we had committed to giving them? After applying for financial assistance, we were given a 40% reduction on the following year’s tuition. We were overjoyed!

And then there was the matter of health insurance coverage for us all.

After some inquiries and searching the Internet, I learned that my husband and I were eligible for low cost health insurance coverage. Our boys have free coverage under our state’s children health insurance program. God continued to meet our needs.

During these hard times, we learned how to live more frugally on a lower, fixed income. Fortunately, our home is mortgage free. But the high cost of utilities was another concern. I applied for financial help with those costs and received discounts on our electric and heating bills. We experienced God’s goodness once more.

Since my husband’s unemployment, the blessings have been many. Johnny and Tim only got to see their dad a short time each day when he worked full time at our church. Now he sees them off to school in the morning and picks them up later. He is free to go on field trips and youth group outings. But most important, my husband has the time to sit and talk with our boys. This is a witness to God’s faithfulness to our family during a time of crisis.

Until his employment ended, I was concerned about Joseph’s long hours and how they were affecting his health. Now we spend time together during the day, and he seems more relaxed. I’ve seen my husband’s disappointment gradually vanish. Joseph has more time also for personal Bible study. Only this morning he was singing a favorite hymn.

“Maybe I could help at the school. Do they still need volunteers for grounds work?” Joseph asked our son recently. Many projects left unfinished at home are getting completed as well.

We walk by faith and not by sight. It's during times of uncertainty that God reveals Himself. You too can experience God's faithfulness. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). 

Look to Him in changed situations and see new mercies.

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Author bio:

Pat’s short stories appeared in Harpstring Magazine, Splickety Love, Splickety Prime, Horizon Magazine, TWJ Magazine and Take-A-Break (UK). Her articles and inspirational pieces appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Guideposts,The Lookout, GRIT Magazine, Bible Advocate and Woman Alive (UK). 

She writes Christian historical novels set in the early 20th century. She loves to hear from other writers and readers. Visit her at www.patjeannedavis.com.