Reviews:

“suggests the ordinary heroism to be found in endurance, perseverance, and constancy…The epistolary sections of the book are fiercely and beautifully written” – Badass Romance

“…a charming story of love redeemed…highly recommend” – Chick Lit Reviews and News

“I really enjoyed this book. …. The story is so great.” – In Love with Romance

“The letters they exchange during the war are so sweet and loving, so full of longing. …I foresee a major glom coming.” – Mean Fat Old Bat Reads Romance

“Miss Bates…urges you to read…Let [her] say only that the sprigged hanky was soaked” – Miss Bates Reads Romance

“Miss Barry does an excellent job of showcasing the Civil War and how it affected everyone at the time.  She made me feel like I was there and a part of the war well reading Theo and Margaret’s letters.” – The Reading Cafe

“…the story and character development achieved through [the] letters was stunning… I loved this book…For a first book, too, it is particularly impressive.” – Reading with Analysis

“an out of the ordinary romance … as well as an interesting character study…especially liked [the hero]” – Romance Reviews Today

“…intelligently written…convincingly conveys all of the intensity and urgency of a wartime love affair…leaves her reader with a taste for more” – Romantic Historical Lovers

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Why should I read it? Well, I offer eight answers here. In short, I think the book has a strong historical voice, some very hot letters, and lots of angst.
• How long is it? About 41,000 words. It’s either a very long novella or a very short novel depending on your point of view.
• What’s the heat level? It’s sensual but not erotic.
• What inspired you to write the book? While researching my dissertation, I was reading newspapers from the Civil War and started daydreaming. The book’s Pinterest board is here.
• What was the writing process like? Frenzied and then a bit of a slog. I’ve been blogging since I started the book. You can read all of the posts about it here.
• Where can I buy it? Well, that’s the thing. I got the rights back from Crimson Romance and I intend to self-publish the book at some point. But as of now (April 2015), I don’t know when that might be. Watch this space for updates!
• I’d like to review the book. Awesome! I hope you love it, but if you don’t, I support your right to review it honestly however and wherever you want. Reviews are for readers not writers. While bad reviews are unpleasant, I’ll live and I won’t harass you about it. Promise.

Excerpt:

That smile! She could feel it like a caress running down her body from crown to toe. But she would not let him distract her thus. She asked, “Why did you ask me to dance?”

“Because I saw you and couldn’t put you from my mind,” he said, as if it were the most natural and uncontroversial thing in the world.

“But why now?”

“That’s two questions.”

It was as if he had cast a spell over her. She could not look away. Margaret knew they were much too close. With the heat of the crowd and the intensity of Theo’s eyes, long-dead memories came thronging back to her. She remember when he first pulled her into his arms, in a dark hallway off the Smith’s parlor, and pressed his lips to hers. It was a brief kiss. Artless, compared to some they would later share. Oh, but she had thought she might expire from happiness. Theo Ward wanted her. Loved her.

She felt a blush creep into her cheeks at the thought, mirroring the flush on his face. Was he remembering the same moment? This was madness.

Somehow her feet produced the right steps. Somehow they avoided colliding with other couples. Somehow she restrained herself from committing any more serious breach of decorum. When the dance was finished, they clapped politely and Theo offered her his arm to lead her from the floor. When they reached the edge, he took her hand and stared down at it for a long moment. He raised it to his mouth and brushed his lips over her knuckles.

Theo murmured, “Why now? Because it’s time.” He pressed her hand to his mouth firmly a second time before releasing it and then whispering, “Until next Saturday, Miss Hampton.”

The prologue/chapter 1 are here and there is another short excerpt here.

© Emma Barry, 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Emma Barry with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.