A Civil War Love Story--THIS TIME FOREVER--LASR Five Star Book of the Week-by Linda Swift

 If you haven't met Linda Swift, now is your chance. I consider her one of the best "classic romance authors" in the business. She has a long history of publication when Kensington was her publisher. Now, she's discovered small presses and is enjoying a resurgence of creativity. Meet her in her own words.

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A four-year commemoration of the American Civil War Sesquicentennial has begun. And with an existing plethora of Civil War books, both fact and fiction, why should I feel compelled to write another one? Hasn't Margaret Mitchell said it all? Since reading Gone With The Wind, I have been fascinated with this period in our nation's history. The magnificent plantations, southern belles in their exquisite gowns, not to mention Rhett Butler, are the stuff dreams are made of.

SOUTHERN PLANTATION HOME, PERHAPS LIKE WHITEHAVEN 

I was born in the border state of Kentucky. I attended university in South Alabama. And I lived for a few years in Chattanooga, Tennessee with its hallowed battlegrounds at Chickamauga Creek, Missionary Ridge, and Lookout Mountain. Swept up in the tragic history of this location, I wanted to tell a story of my own. Although the setting of the book is mainly Chattanooga, I have also included Oswego, New York and a family loyal to the Union.

I usually dedicate my books to  my husband but I have dedicated This Time Forever to three other people. First, my deceased mother, who loved all things related to the "old South." Then to my late cousin, a professional educator, who was terribly worried about my "wasted mind" when I began writing romance books. I think the research required for this story proves that my brain cells are still intact. And last, to a dear friend's son, a Chattanooga newspaper photographer who died from a staph infection following elective surgery. It saddens me to know that these three who would have enjoyed this story best of all I've written, will not have that opportunity.

My dedication is: "I wish you could have read this book."

AUTHOR LINDA SWIFT

And now I extend the invitation to you. If you only read one new book about the Civil War this year, I hope you will read this one. I will take you behind the battles into the hearts of both Yankees and Rebels as they live and die for the cause they believe in.

THIS TIME FOREVER is available from:

http://www.champagnebooks.com

and  

http://www.amazon.com/This-Time-Forever-ebook/dp/B005A90G1E/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310999208&sr=1-6 

  Or you may find out more about it from my website at

www.lindaswift.net

Blurb:

The Civil War brought casualties beyond the bloody battlefields as North fought South. Philip Burke, against his family's wishes, volunteered to defend the Union and became a prisoner of war who bartered his medical expertise to remain out of prison. When the Union Army invaded Tennessee, Clarissa Wakefield's antebellum mansion became a Confederate hospital.  Philip was placed in charge and against propriety she volunteered to stay on and help nurse the wounded. Clarissa's husband was a Confederate soldier and Philip's fiancée waited for him in Oswego but the fire between them soon raged out of control. As the opposing armies fought for possession of Chattanooga, Clarissa and Philip faced their own battle. Caught in the passions of war and love, with hurt inevitable either way, would they be faithful to their vows or listen to their hearts?

Excerpt:

Tip-toeing past the snoring guard, Clarissa stepped onto the moonlit veranda and made her way toward a wicker chair facing the river. It was only as she sat down that she saw the glow of Philip Burke’s pipe.

“Oh, excuse me, I thought—”

“That you would be alone? I was just finishing my pipe.”

 He made a move to stand but she said quickly, “Please don’t go. It is I who have intruded.”

“I scarcely think so. This is your home after all, Mrs. Wakefield.” He settled back in his chair and took another puff.

“Let’s not belabor such a trivial matter, Captain Burke. I’m glad of someone to talk to.”

“Then I’ll stay for a while longer with your permission.”

“Yes, do. The quiet seems eerie. As if we’re suspended in motion,

waiting for something to happen.”

“Waiting for all hell to break loose.” He didn’t appear to notice his offensive language and she forgot it with his next words. “I’ve experienced this before. It’s the lull before the battle.”

“Do you really think so?”

“It’s inevitable, with the Army of the Tennessee on the march and the Army of the Cumberland right on their heels.”

“Perhaps General Bragg will just go on to Atlanta.”

“With thousands of battle-ready troops at his command?” Philip asked drily. “Not likely.”

“When do you think it will begin?” Clarissa asked with dread.

“Perhaps tomorrow. If not tomorrow, soon.”

Clarissa shivered. “I wish my son was back at Fleur-de-Lis. What if the Union…?”

“Have you forgotten I am a Union officer? You and yours will be safe as long as I’m here.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

Clarissa silently regarded the man who sat near her, his features highlighted each time he drew on the coals of his pipe. It was difficult for her to remember that he was a prisoner but that must have been the thought

uppermost in his mind all these months.

The night sounds of early autumn filled the silence—dry flies and tree frogs and raucous insects too numerous to be identified. Clarissa became aware of Philip’s eyes on her and a warm sensation began in the pit of her

stomach and spread to her breasts and thighs. She watched his slender hand as he knocked the ashes from his pipe and imagined the hand touching her.

She felt her heart flutter and said with a catch in her voice, “I should go in now. It’s getting quite late.”

He stood at the same time she did and they were only inches apart.

Clarissa felt his warm breath on her face and dared not look up.

Her hair was luminescent silver flowing about her shoulders in the moon glow. Philip reached out to touch it and willed himself to stop. But his hands with a will of their own moved to her shoulders and she raised her

head and met his eyes.

In a dream-like motion they closed the space between them as their mouths slowly met and with a long-repressed hunger they sated themselves. Their bodies melded, soft against hard, silk against wool, and a fire blazed between them that blotted out all else except their awareness of each other.

He brought his hand to the back of her head and wove his slender fingers into her silken tresses; the kiss deepened as his tongue became a licking flame in her mouth. When the kiss finally ended, the flame licked the hollow of her throat and the rise of her breast as he pushed aside the fabric of her gown. Fire burned against her flesh in every place his tongue touched and she arched against him, eager to be consumed by it.

“Clarissa, my beautiful Clarissa,” he whispered. “No matter how hard I fight this, I can’t stop wanting you. There’s never an hour that you’re not in my thoughts. I am obsessed by you.”

She moved her hands from his chest to caress the sides of his face and he groaned with pleasure. “And I you.”

He cupped her against him and she linked her arms at the back of his neck as he bent his head to take her mouth again with greater intensity. “I tell myself that you are married but it doesn’t matter in what I feel. And I think you feel it, too.”

“Yes, oh yes,” she whispered.

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Thank you, Linda. Guests—please leave a message to be eligible to WIN a pdf copy of THIS TIME FOREVER.

Celia