Shades of Honor (40 page)

Catherine turned away.

“Sit still so I can see what I’m doing,” the doctor demanded.

With his heart hammering, Kyle sat with Amelia Drake passed out in his lap, her head lolling upon his shoulder while the doctor dug in his bag for smelling salts. The seconds seemed like hours as the heat of her limp body burned into his. Her slim derrière rested on the most inappropriate part of Kyle’s anatomy, but he couldn't readjust her without knowing smirks from his brothers and those who had gathered around him.

So Kyle sat there not trusting himself to breathe. Touching Amelia was like rubbing a sore muscle; a perverse, intimately entwined feeling of pain and pleasure that his aching body craved.

For more of Kyle Grayson's story read
THE LONGING
by Wendy Lindstrom

Historical Romances:

Shades of Honor

The Longing

Lips That Touch Mine

Kissing in the Dark

SHADES OF HONOR

While researching the Civil War, I was deeply touched by a memoir written by Capt. George K. Collins entitled Memoirs of the 149th Regt N. Y. Vol.
Inft
. 3d Brig., 2dDiv., 12th and 20th A. C. War of 1861. This was a beautiful, poignant story of young boys who fought all the major battles of the war and became me under horrific circumstances.

Though this particular regiment was formed in Syracuse, New York, many courageous volunteers came from the Fredonia area where this story is set. Situation on the brim of Lake Erie in rustic country sown with grape vineyards, Fredonia is the home of the first gas well. In the nineteenth century Fredonia was also a leader at establishing The Women's Christian Temperance Union, as well as the first Grange (a national fraternal association originally made up of farmers). During the years surrounding the Civil War, the Pemberton Inn in Fredonia was reputed to have been a station for the Underground Railroad (an overland system that helped escaped slaves to freedom).

I've taken some liberty with landmarks in Fredonia to suit this story; however, I have attempted to honor the history of this quaint village built around a beautiful Common that is decorated with twin fountains and ancient maple trees that still turn glorious shades of red and gold each fall.

W. L.

"Lindstrom's powerful characterization aptly portrays the inner conflicts that all of us have experienced at one time or another. The characters are real and suffer human emotions and longings. The novel is paced at a comfortable level and the plot line is realistic; that's what makes this novel so powerful, the idea that these are things that real people experience every day."
—Escape To Romance

"Remember how
LaVyrle
Spencer's books swept you away to another place and time while you fell madly, passionately in love with her fabulous characters?
Shades of Honor
took me to that height of reading pleasure...Ms. Lindstrom has created fresh, vibrant characters, impossible situations, and genuine, heartfelt emotions and masterfully woven them into a passionate romance that will have you smiling as you shed a few tears."
—The Romance Readers Connection

"A perfect ten...will amaze readers by the depth of emotion...richly developed...will touch readers emotionally...It's easy to understand how this was selected winner of the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award.
Shades of Honor
is one story that should not be missed!"
—Romance Reviews Today

"Lindstrom has achieved success in making her story fresh and delightful. Her ability to capture the warmth and essence of her characters is a rare gift...a heartwarming and passionate tale."
—Road to Romance

"
Shades of Honor
is a Golden Heart Award-winning novel, and in this case, it was an award well-deserved...Kudos to the author for careful plotting and deft characterization...fabulous."
—All About Romance

"Much more than just a romance...all the emotions in
Shades of Honor
are on the edge, sharp and intense and strong...beautifully written and well worth anyone's time."
—Old Book Barn Gazette

"A touching, highly emotional first novel...I look forward to reading about the rest of the Grayson men."
—Interludes Newsletter

"Both characters are believable, intelligent, reasonable and highly sympathetic. The author also handles the conflicts within the Grayson family deftly...the resolution is remarkable for being true to everything the author has already established."
—Scribes World Reviews

"[E]
xcellent
character development...The author has successfully evoked the spirit of the place and the people of the time."
—MyShelf.com