GIVEAWAY,GIVEAWAY, GIVEAWAY! Wait ,did I say something about a giveaway?

I believe I did!

What is the deal? Why? What is it that I can pass on to you free of charge?

Here you go:

Best-selling author Murray Pura has a really nice series running called -“Seven Oaks”.

The categories this fits in is are many: Historical Romance, Inspirational Romance, Christian Romance, Southern Romance, Historical Fiction…I think you get the point.

I am including the first 500 or so words of “Volume One” in this post. If you like it, want to read the rest of the story, either leave a comment here on my blog with your email address or just message me and I will be happy to send it to you free of charge.

The catch?   There is none!              Mr. Pura would just like you to enjoy the story!

Here is the beginning of the story:

1852

“Sarah! Sarah Nunley!”

The nine year old girl with golden brown eyes and long brown hair crouched behind a huge oak tree and said nothing as the tall black man made his way through the ferns and undergrowth of the forest.

“Miss Sarah! Now I know you’re down here somewheres. Speak up. Don’t make it hard on Billy King.” The man peered at the numerous trees and bushes. “It’s not about schooling or your lessons. Your Uncle Thomas has come to pay you a visit. You hear me? Uncle Thomas has come up from Lexington and left his teaching work at the Institute just to see you.”

Sarah sprang out from behind the tree. “What did you say, Billy?”

The man tried to look annoyed at the slim girl in the yellow dress but gave it up and broke into a smile. “You are just like some kind of brown fox sneaking around here in the woods. You watch or some hunter is gonna snare you.”

“I’m too quick for any hunter hereabouts, Billy.” She ran up to him and took his hand. “Where is Uncle Thomas?”

“Up at the house with your father and mother. Come on.”

“Is he in his blue uniform from the school?”

“Yes, he is, Miss Sarah.”

“With a sword?”

“Yes.”

She skipped as she held Billy’s hand. “Oh, he must look so dashing.”

The man laughed. “I can’t tell you anything about that. It’s for you to say.”

“Or for his lady to say. He doesn’t have a lady yet, does he, Billy?”

“Not so far as I knows.”

“Good.”

An acorn bounced off the top of her head.

“Ouch.” She put a hand on the spot. “Who did that?”

Another acorn struck her shoulder.

“Hey!” Her face became a crisscross of lines. “It’s my brother Warren, that pest!”

Billy grinned and ducked as more acorns came their way. “I don’t expect. He’s at his Latin. Ask yourself, Miss Sarah, who’s the artilleryman in the family?”

“Why – ” She put her hands on her hips. “Thomas J. Jackson! Shame on you for firing at civilians! I thought you were a Southern gentleman!”

A head popped up from a thick bush. “I wasn’t truly firing at you, Sarah. Just sending round shot your way to get your attention.”

“Get my attention? You hit me twice!”

“Sometimes the fortunes of war blow ill.”

“If I had my own acorns I would return fire.”

“Well, it’s September and they are all around. Mind you don’t soil your dress or your hands.”

Sarah ran towards him. “You have your fancy uniform on. With your sword.”

“Fancy?” Blue eyes glittered. “There’s nothing fancy about this uniform. It’s just plain and well-tailored and comfortable.”

“And the sword is for beheading students?”

“That’s right. Any cadet who doesn’t do well on exams.”

She smiled as she tugged at one of the brass buttons sewn in a double row on the front of the blue frock coat. “You promised me one of these buttons for a souvenir.”

He scooped her up. “I did but not off my school uniform. I have to teach in this one.”

“I always forget the name for what you teach, uncle.” She put her slim arms about his neck. “It’s too long a title.”

“Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy.”

“And?”

“And Instructor of Artillery. Mind you don’t forget anymore.”

She laughed. “Such big words. How does all you do go together, Uncle Thomas?”

“It goes together very well. You must keep your thinking in proper alignment and once you do it all fits.” He smiled at Billy King. “Thank you for being my scout. You may return to the tasks your master has set for you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Sarah kissed her uncle’s cheek. “Your beard looks well.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

“Do you have a lady yet?”

“Not yet.”

“But you are quite old. Soon you’ll be passed the marrying age.”

“I’m only twenty-eight, Sarah, not fifty-eight.”

She stroked the beard with her little girl fingers. “You’re so old you might as well wait and marry me. I’ll be fifteen in six years. I can be your bride in white silk before you know it.”

“Fifteen?”

“Mom was only a little older than that.”

“I don’t think Southern gentlemen marry their nieces. Not even favorite ones.”

“Why not?” Sarah pouted. “Is there a law against it in Virginia?”

“There probably is a law. And another one in the Bible.” He continued to carry her through the woods. “Where were you hiding?”