This is release week for me, as the final book in the Legacy series, Rebecca’s Legacy launched.
Book 2, Carlotta’s Legacy, is still on sale for 99¢, so here’s an excerpt from the book, and a video created by my publisher:
4 November, 1929
Rebecca Lewis stared at the angry crowd gathered outside the bank where she’d worked as a secretary for only six weeks. It was Monday morning, almost one week after Black Tuesday.
What was she to do? Dare she cross the street, try to maneuver through that mob?
While she struggled to decide, her gaze fell on a familiar face behind the wheel of a brown Model A sedan—Robert Emerson, her best friend’s husband. She waved to gain his attention then ran toward the car when he halted.
He opened the car door from the inside. “Jump in. I think we better hit the road.”
She slid onto the seat next to him and closed the door as something hard hit the window.
Robert mashed the gas pedal and sped away.
Rebecca turned to gaze out the back window. “Thank you. I had no idea what to do.”
He checked his mirrors, then glanced at Rebecca. “I’m glad I happened along when I did. Apparently, someone recognized you as a bank employee.”
With a quick look in his direction, she braced herself with a hand to the dash as he made a hard left.
“Sorry. Another crowd up ahead.”
She laid a gloved hand at the base of her throat as her heart thumped. “Why are they doing this?”
“Panic. Everyone wants their money.” His eyes met hers. “Where’s your father?”
“He’s in New York. Trying to recover something … or other.”
“As is everyone—trying to recover something, I mean.”
She watched his profile, the hard set of his jaw. The last few weeks had been especially hard on him and his family. “What about you? Woods-Sanderson?”
“We’re all right, for now. Amelia was a smart lady. She diversified, invested worldwide.”
“This is worldwide, isn’t it?”
“Well, yes, but …” he pulled into his driveway. “I hope you don’t mind if we cool our heels here. Nancy’ll be worried. You know how she is about listening to the wireless.”
Rebecca nodded. “I suppose I could use your telephone. Call my boss and let him know I tried to get there.”
“Good idea. If you need backup, I’ll be glad to put a word in.”
She smiled at him as he exited the sedan and walked around the car. She knew to stay put. Ever the gentleman. Nancy was one lucky lady. Of course, she would call it blessed. Rebecca fiddled with the ring on her finger, hidden beneath her gloves. Had she made the right decision? Caught up in her thoughts, she jumped when Robert opened the door.
He grinned. “Sorry, did I startle you?”
She blew out a breath. “Yes, a little. I’m rather distracted.”
“Nothing to worry about, you know. It’ll all come to rights.”
Rebecca’s Legacy (Legacy #2)
Her life is in a downhill plunge.
Rebecca Lewis is a reluctant bride-to-be. Marrying Riccardo Alverá, a young Italian count, may seem like a dream come true on the surface, but churning underneath is nothing but trouble, questions, and doubt. Especially since the marriage means leaving the only home she’s ever known, possibly for the rest of her life.
The death of her globe-trotting father cements her fate, however. She and her mother have no choice but to set sail for Italy and the virtual stranger who awaits her.
The beauty and tranquility of the Alverá estate fails to ease Rebecca’s heart as political unrest shakes the core of Italian society and despair entwines itself around her heart.
Will marrying an Italian count bring Rebecca the love she’s dreamed of, or doom her to relive her past mistakes?
Available now on Kindle for only 99¢
Betty Thomason Owens 