Christy Gissendaner 

Haley Whitehall is visiting today and bringing a snippet of Midnight Kiss. As a lover of historical romance, I'm always excited when she visits. (Check out my Robin Danner page for her last guest spot.) Today Haley is talking widowers and giving us a special sneak peek of her latest work. Enjoy!

A Determined Widower

Recently I had a blog comment that my new historical romance release Midnight Kiss sounded like a good read. She liked steamy widower stories. I’ve come across many romances with a young widow woman. In fact, I wrote one myself, Midnight Caller, the first book in the Moonlight Romance series. I agreed that I liked to read widower romances too. That got me thinking was it a trope?

I searched http://tvtropes.org/ and found very little about widowers. It was rather disappointing. However, I believe the determined widow trope could easily be tweaked to accommodate a widower. What do you think?

Due to more life experience, the Determined Widow Widower is usually more assertive and less passive in combating her his foes. She He might even tell The Hero The Heroine that she he doesn’t need his her help, even though she he often has children dependent on her him and therefore also in danger need of a woman’s care.

Yes, that just about sums up Matt Seever’s predicament in Midnight Kiss. All of that is true except for the part about telling the heroine he didn’t need her. He needs her from day one and he knows it. He needs the heroine to help him care for his two mulatto children and to help set his life back in order after the death of his wife.

Blurb:

Unjustly accused of stealing, nanny April Windmire is turned out on the streets without pay. With no place to go and no friends, she stows away on a Mississippi River steamboat. Her hopes to hide through the journey to St. Louis are dashed when a handsome white officer finds her. But instead of turning her in, he takes her to his private quarters where she fights her growing attraction to a man she cannot have.

Matt Seever’s wife died four year ago, leaving him alone with two small mulatto children. But his job as an officer on the Queen Bee isn’t family friendly. He knows he needs a new wife, but no southern white woman will marry him. When April lands in his lap, his prayers are answered. Or are they? April’s not the trusting type and racial prejudice runs deep in post-Civil War Missouri. Just when Matt convinces April he loves her, his new family becomes a target and there’s no backing down from this fight. 

Together, April and Matt must brave heinous race prejudice crimes to find an enduring love.

Excerpt:

Matt barely held back tears seeing the children sleeping on either side of April. In the dim light April reminded him of Caroline in so many ways. She had the same molasses colored skin, the same sleepy smile.

He rubbed the back of his neck. April was not Caroline. She could not replace his beloved. Still, the children looked perfect nestled in her arms. Like they belonged there. Would he be able to convince her she made his family whole again? Could make him whole again?

He gently shook April’s shoulder and her eyes parted, still glazed with sleep.

“We took a nap.”

“I see that. I finished my work. We can go home.”

He picked up Hannah and the little girl hugged his neck. “Papa, is Miss April going to live with us?”

“Yes.” He smiled at April. “I see you left an impression on them.”

As quickly as you left an impression on me.

Buy Links:

Liquid Silver Books | Amazon | Amazon UK | ARe

Author Bio:

Haley Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historical fiction and historical romance set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy. Visit Haley’s website at http://haleywhitehall.com.

Where to find Haley Whitehall:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/HaleyWhitehall

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LightonHistory

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752677.Haley_Whitehall

Blog: http://haleywhitehall.com/blog/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Haley-Whitehall/e/B0078EO6CE/

Newsletter: https://tinyletter.com/HaleyWhitehall

Previous Books:                              

Midnight Caller –Moonlight Romance Book 1

Midnight Heat – Moonlight Romance Book 2

Soldier in Her Lap

Love, Valentine Style