The Green Veil (Empire in Pine series) by Naomi Musch

Historical Inspirational Romance:

Colette Palmer is a young girl in 1841 when her father follows land speculator Harris Eastman from Michigan to Wisconsin Territory where lumber barons are taking land and timber by right, by force, and by theft. Separated from her childhood love by miles and years, she tries to forget her childish longings for Manason Kade until the day compassion and circumstances compel her to marry another.

But Manason does come and plants his own stake in the Wisconsin lumbering trade. It isn't long before he uncovers illegal practices in the industry and by one company in particular. Now Colette's husband will stop at nothing to crush him.

Then one unsuspecting night, Manason and Colette meet again. As memories revive, and truth is set free, Colette is forced to choose between her first love and her commitment to her marriage vows. But how can she, with her faith and an empire in pine hanging in the balance?


Excerpt:

"Nase is a friend!"
            

             His hand moved so quickly that she didn't see it coming. He struck her across the face with such force that she fell across the bed. Then, bending over her, he grabbed her jaw and thrust her head to the side in a second half-slap before standing up.

"Don't you think I know who he is to you?"

Colette hardly heard him. Stunned by the ferocity of his assault, tears came instantly. Some muscle was pulled in her neck, and even her shoulders ached from the jolt of his blow.

"Why did you want his picture so badly, Lettie? Did you hope he would come to you someday?"

"I didn't want it," she cried softly.

"You did. I know you did. You have it now, somewhere, don't you?"

She buried her face into her pillow.

"Don't think you can lie to me, Lettie. Don't think you can turn my mind with your tears. I've seen enough tears to last me a lifetime."

             Helen's tears? She tried to stop, but only succeeded in coughing.

She heard him hurl something across the room. She heard glass breaking in the fireplace.

"What does it matter?" The words moaned out of her.

"What? What's that you said?" He came over and dropped heavily onto the bed.

             "I'll never even see him again."

             He grabbed her by the shoulders, picking her up and clutching her. The smell of liquor was heavy on his breath and his eyes were wild. "You think so? Well, that's where you're wrong, my dear," he hissed. Then, leaving the white imprints of his hands on her shoulders, he rose and stormed out of the room, slamming the door as fresh sobs tore out of her.

Reviews/Notices/Awards:

"The Green Veil is one of those books where you have absolutely no idea how the book is going to end, but you MUST know." - April Gardner, author of Wounded Spirits

"Her characters were so captivating right from the opening scene, which is a preview from the middle of the story, that I couldn't stop reading." - Lisa J. Lickel, co-author of A Summer in Oakville

"Empire in Pine Book One: The Green Veil by Naomi Musch is forty chapters of a layered Christian Fiction novel published January 1, 2011, by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. and all I can say to begin with is--what a book! I absolutely loved it."- Barbara Robinson, author¸ author of Last Resort

Awarded COTT Champion for Best Hook and current contender in the COTT Tournament of Champions.



Why Did Naomi Write The Green Veil?

The lore of the Great Lakes early logging era combined in my imagination with the story of a young girl who might come to the wilderness, leaving behind life-long friends and an unrequited love. What would happen to her, so many miles from all she'd once known and dreamed of?

I was also thinking heavily about the idea of following one's heart. Scripture tells us that "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?" The reality is that we do often become deceived by our hearts' wishes. We're gullible. It might not always be best to follow our hearts. Thus, a theme was born.

Finally, not since the early 1990s have I seen any inspirational fiction set in the historical framework of the Great Lakes early logging days. It spurred in me a desire to explore the history of my own home town in central Wisconsin where the story is set.

Purchase Links:

Amazon (including Kindle). http://tinyurl.com/3c6cv67

Barnes & Noble (including Nook). http://tinyurl.com/3s46xe4

Desert Breeze Publishing. http://tinyurl.com/3ktb54j



Author Bio:

Naomi loves stories rich in American history, but writes in several other genres as well. Naomi's aim is to surprise and entertain readers while telling stories about imperfect people who are finding hope and faith to overcome their struggles, whether the setting is past, contemporary, or even fantastic.

She and husband Jeff enjoy epic adventures around their home in the Wisconsin north woods with their five young adults. She invites readers to say hello and find out more about her stories, passions, and other writing venues at http://www.naomimusch.com or look her up on Facebook: Naomi Musch - Author, and Twitter: NMusch

 Naomi would like to let everyone know The Red Fury, Empire in Pine series Book 2 will be released on October 15, 2011 from Desert Breeze Publishing.