Heaven Must Wait, Part II By Brenda B. Taylor

​The Wade Family Saga

​Listen carefully. Do you hear the sounds of a large family going about their daily tasks on a small eastern Missouri farm after the Civil War? They have no radio, television, or internet, yet they engage in happy conversation, laughing, calling to one another, and sometimes raising their voices in contention. This is Leann Frances Clark’s family. Leann is a young lady at the beginning of the Wades of Crawford County series which consists of three books and another, Heaven Must Wait, Part II, now on pre-order and coming online May 3.
Leann desires to become engaged to Ralph Wade who lives on a farm ten miles away. Her father, John Clark, objects saying she’s too young, and Ralph cannot make a good living on his farm. Missouri is devastated after the war. Some of the bloodiest battles of the struggle were fought there. Earning a living on the land is difficult with much of the livestock stolen, food crops destroyed, and homes burned or destroyed. Outlaws roam the countryside reeking havoc.
Ralph begins farming on acreage cut from his father’s holdings after the conflict, but has a difficult time making a living. However, he loves Leann and is determined to make her his wife. He will wait as long as John Clark insists. Leann wants to abide by her father’s wishes, but loves Ralph and determines to marry him with or without John’s approval.
After retirement, I became interested in family genealogy and began researching my father’s line. I found the connection to John Sevier, my fourth great-grandfather and first governor of Tennessee. John Sevier, one of the original settlers in Tennessee, is also a Revolutionary War hero who fought in the Battle of Kings’ Mountain. His grandson immigrated to Missouri during the early 1800’s, settling in the Cuba, Missouri area. The immigrant’s son, my great-grandfather and Civil War veteran, is portrayed in the character of Ralph Wade, hero of the Wade family saga. However, another side of the veteran’s personality after the war—one of emotional conflict—is captured in Sonny Wade, Ralph’s brother. Both brothers are in love with Leann. Conflict between her love for Ralph and desire for Sonny arises throughout the series.
Heaven Must Wait, Part II is a novella and extension of Heaven Must Wait, the first book in the series. The two books introduce the characters and setting of the Wade family saga. Another novel and last of the Leann stories, is planned for the near future.

​Heaven Must Wait - Part II 
Available at: 
Amazon

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Blurb:
Times are difficult in Missouri after the Civil War. Families struggle to keep their property from creditors and outlaws. The desire of Ralph Wade’s heart is to marry the girl of his dreams, beautiful Leann Clark, but many obstacles stand in their way. Ralph finds love is not enough to persuade Leann’s father to give his permission for their marriage. John Clark wishes more than love for his daughter. He wants her husband to provided a good living with a secure future. Ralph is much too hot-tempered and unreliable in John’s eyes. Leann desires the dashing Ralph and defies her father to be with him. She believes her love is strong enough to see them through the hard times. Through adverse circumstances, the young couple struggle to keep the fires of their love and faith burning.
 
Excerpt:
Leann felt she couldn't be happier. Her parents seemed to have forgiven Ralph for the altercation he had with Wesley Snipes over a saloon girl and were making friendly overtures toward him. She knew Pa expected both she and Ralph to act responsibly, and she determined not to break his trust. Her heart sang as they walked to the oak tree where Maude waited patiently.
Ralph put his hat on, then untied his mare. “I love you, Leann. I'll see you next week.”
“I love you. I can hardly wait 'til next Tuesday.” She looked toward the house, then stood on her tiptoes and lightly kissed his lips.”
He quickly glanced toward the house, bent down and planted a firmer kiss on her mouth, then mounted Maude. Without saying anything more, he turned his horse toward home. She stood watching until he rode out of sight. With a heart bursting of love for Ralph, Leann made her way back to the house.
 

About the Author:
The desire to write historical fiction has long been a passion with Brenda B. Taylor. Since elementary school, she has written stories in her spare time. Brenda earned three degrees: a BSE from Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; a MEd from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; and an EdD from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; then worked as a teacher and administrator in the Texas Public School system. Only after retirement could she fulfill the dream of publication.
Brenda and her husband make their home in beautiful East Texas where they enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and working in Bethabara Faith Ministry, Inc. She crafts stories about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people in her favorite place overlooking bird feeders, bird houses, and a variety of blooming trees and flowers. She sincerely thanks all who purchase and read her books. Her desire is that the message in each book will touch the heart of the reader as it did hers in the writing.
 
Author Contact Information:
Historical Heartbeats
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