Maddy had been correct, and Alex was overwhelmed when she opened the door to her new bedroom. Her gaze traveled around the room. She took in the soft comfy bed, the beautiful comforter and masses of pillows. The shiny white dresser and the bunch of flowers. The curtains billowing gently in the breeze. She'd never had a room anything like this.
"This is so beautiful," she turned and said to Maddy, who was eagerly awaiting her approval.
"We're glad you like it!" she said. "Mom and I have put your belongings in the closet here, but you can move them where you like," Maddy said as she entered the room. "It's your room, so you do with it as you like!"
"This is so cool! I still can't believe I'm here, living in your house. It's like a dream," Alex said, bouncing on the edge of the big soft bed.
"It's kind of like we'll be sisters," Maddy said, joining her on the bed and laughing as they bounced up and down.
"Your family is amazing. Here's your mom having twins, but she's okay with having me move in. And your dad, he's amazing too. I feel very lucky."
"It sounds strange hearing you call Hank my dad. I haven't got used to calling him that, but maybe I should. Maybe it's time I changed my name too. Madeleine Wilson? How does that sound?
That night in her room, Maddy got down on her knees and thanked God for all that had happened over the past few months.
"I don't understand why some of these things have happened, God, but thank you anyway. Maybe you brought me to Smithtown just to be here for Alex, I don't know. Please help me to be a good friend to her, and to show her love, your love. I know she's still hurting, and that she doesn’t know why her dad beat her up, but please heal her inside and make her whole.
Thank you for Mom and Hank, sorry, Dad. That still sounds strange, but I guess I'll get used to it. And for Gran and Grandpa. And for all my friends. Oh, and for my new little brothers or sisters. I still think that's funny! Thank you God for loving me, and for sending Jesus. I know I don't deserve your love, but thank you anyway. Your daughter Maddy. Amen."
Note From the Author
Hi! It’s Juliette here. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading "The Madeleine Richards Series". If so, could I ask you to do me a favor? Reviews help people decide whether to buy a book or not, so could you spare a moment and go back to where you bought the book, and leave a short review? It doesn’t need to be long - just a sentence or two about what you thought of the book would be great, and very much appreciated. Here’s the link to the books on Amazon .
Thank you in advance!
Juliette
Other Books by Juliette Duncan - For the Adults:
The Prequel to "The Madeleine Richards Series", Hank and Sarah - A Love Story, is a FREE thank you gift for joining my mailing list. You will also be the first to hear about my next books and get exclusive sneak previews. (Go the end of this book to read the first chapter!)
Sarah Richards didn't believe in love at first sight until the day she met Dr Hank Wilson.
Having accepted the fact ever since her husband's death, her life now revolved around her daughter, she didn't expect to meet anyone ever again who could sweep her off her feet. But could she let go of her memories of Dave, and could she trust God to protect her and Maddy from a crazy person who was trying to stop her from seeing the ruggedly handsome doctor?
Tender Love -Book 1 in “The True Love Series”
After her long-term relationship falls apart, Tessa Scott is left questioning God’s plan for her life, and is feeling vulnerable and unsure of how to move forward. Ben Williams is struggling to keep the pieces of his life together after his wife of fourteen years walks out on him and their teenage son.
Stephanie, Tessa’s housemate, knows the pain both Tessa and Ben have suffered. When she inadvertently sets up a meeting between them, there’s no denying that they are drawn to each other, but will that mutual attraction do more harm than good?
Can Tessa and Ben let go of their leftover baggage and examine their feelings in order to follow a new path? Are they prepared for the road ahead, regardless of the challenges? Will they trust God to equip them with all they need for the journey ahead?
“Since reading the Shadows Trilogy, I've been hooked on Juliette Duncan's writing. Tender Love is another example of her talent for bringing characters to life and weaving a story with all the elements of superior storytelling. Totally clean, yet written with adult situations; the pain of breakups, broken marriages, rearing teenagers, job challenges, maintaining relationships with parents and friends. And in the center of the story, we find two people who, while recuperating from painful situations in their personal lives, find hope and love, looking forward into their future together. The scriptures and Biblical principles are so masterfully worked into the book, they complement the story, rather than pull us away, as some, less talented writers sometimes do. This is not a long read, but one which will satisfy.” Amazon Customer
“The Shadows Trilogy”
"The Shadows Trilogy" is an inspirational romance, a story of passion and love, and of God's inexplicable desire to free people from pasts that haunt them so they can live a life full of His peace, love and forgiveness, regardless of the circumstances. “Lingering Shadows” is set in England, and follows the story of Lizzy, a headstrong, impulsive young lady from a privileged background, and Daniel, a roguish Irishman who sweeps her off her feet. But can Lizzy leave the shadows of her past behind and give Daniel the love he deserves, and will Daniel find freedom and release in God?
About the Author
Juliette Duncan is passionate about writing stories that will touch her readers' hearts and make a difference in their lives. Having spent many years working alongside her husband in their own business, Juliette is now relishing the opportunity to follow her passion and write stories she would love to read. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Juliette and her husband have five adult children, seven grandchildren, and an elderly long haired dachshund.
Juliette's first published series, "The Madeleine Richards Series", was written specifically for middle grade girls as she has a real interest in that age group, and she believes the more they can be encouraged to read good, wholesome books the better.
You can connect with her at www.julietteduncan.com or www.facebook.com/JulietteDuncanAuthor
Bonus First Chapter of "Hank & Sarah"
I didn’t believe in love at first sight until the day I met Dr Hank Wilson. I wasn’t looking for love. I was just attending a training workshop at Smithtown General Hospital. That was all.
Ever since Dave, the love of my life, had died in a horrible car accident many years ago, I’d pretty much been a full time mom to my beautiful daughter Maddy, and I didn’t dare hope I’d meet anyone like him ever again. I wasn’t even looking. My life was as complete as it could be, although I do admit that most evenings I missed the company of a man. But the man I missed was Dave.
That morning, I was being picked up by Rosy Parker. Rosy worked with me at the tiny Riversleigh Hospital where I had just started work as a part-time nurse. Maddy had stayed at her best friend’s place for the night, so I didn’t have to worry about getting her ready as well. On the dot of six thirty, I heard the crunch of gravel on the lane-way. I figured it could only be Rosy at that time of the morning. I took one last look in the mirror before I raced down the stairs, grabbed my coat, and flew out the door.
The chill of the early morning air took my breath away. It was still dark, although the faint promise of dawn could be seen across the fields in the distance. Snow had fallen overnight, and I was very thankful for the efficient heater in Rosy’s nice new Subaru, and very glad we weren’t taking my old Ford Focus.
“Hi there Sarah. How you doin?” Rosy leaned over and helped me remove my jacket before throwing it onto the back seat.
“Cold! But apart from that, great.” I rubbed my arms briskly, buckled up and adjusted the back of the seat. “Thanks for picking me up, Rosy. I really appreciate it.” I turned and smiled at her.
“My pleasure, Sarah.” She looked down at her fancy reversing camera as she backed the Subaru up and pointed it back down the lane the way she’d just come. “Have you had breakfast?” She glanced over at me as she indicated to go left onto the A22.
“I grabbed a bagel, but that’s all I need at the moment.” I looked out the window as we drove through town. It was just starting to wake up. “How about you?”
“Not really. I don’t usually have breakfast, but I could kill for a coffee,” Rosy said a moment or so later. She had a reputation at work for being the coffee queen, so it wasn’t a surprise when she pulled into Joe’s diner on the edge of town. “Can I get you one too?”
“Yes, that would be lovely, thanks.” I grabbed my purse and handed her a ten dollar bill. “Here, my shout.”
She waved it off. “No, I’ll get this one.” I walked into the diner with her, and we ordered our coffees.
“So where are you two heading at this time of the morning?” The waitress was familiar, but I couldn’t recall her name.
“We’re off to a Workshop at Smithtown Hospital,” I answered as we took our steaming hot coffees from her. “It starts at 8.30, so we’re hoping the road will be clear after that heavy fall last night.” I glanced out the window, but as it wasn’t yet light, there was little to be seen.
“Just had a truck driver in. He came from that way, I think. Said it was clear, so you should be right.” We handed her the money, thanked her, and headed back out into the cold winter morning.
Long before we reached the outskirts of Smithtown, I was almost wishing I’d taken my own car. Not that I didn’t like Rosy. It was just that she didn’t stop chatting the whole way. By the time we’d arrived, there wasn’t much I didn’t know about her. The main thing I discovered was that she was on the hunt for a man. She’d recently separated from her partner of several years, and was desperately seeking another. She couldn’t understand why I wasn’t.
As well as chatting non stop the whole way, she also had the radio turned up, and my head was spinning. As we climbed the long winding road to the hospital, I looked out the window and saw the sun shining on the snow covered mountains in the distance, and I silently thanked God for such a beautiful morning, and also prayed for Maddy. Below, the city was waking up. The drone of the early morning traffic could just be heard over the radio. I tried to block the noise out, and wondered how people ever managed to live in the city. Noise and bustle everywhere. Not like the peace and quiet of my little country town.
Rosy turned the radio off as we entered the car park. I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thanks for the ride, Rosy.” I reached into the back and grabbed my coat, and quickly put it on as I climbed out of the car. “Do you know where we have to go?” I knew she’d been here before, whereas it was all new to me.
“Yes. See that building over there?” She pointed to a fairly new three story building sitting at the side of the main hospital. “That’s the new training wing, and I think we’re on the second floor.” She pulled her long blond hair over her shoulder to stop it flying in the wind before lighting up a cigarette. She offered me one but I shook my head and said thanks, but no thanks.
We both pulled our jackets tighter as we hurried across the car park to the entrance of the training center. The first thing I noticed was how warm it was inside. And then I noticed the number of people waiting for the elevator. I suggested we take the stairs rather than waiting, but kicked myself immediately. I’d forgotten that one of the things Rosy had told me in the car was that she hated exercise.
“It’s okay,” I said. “We can wait for the elevator.” She looked relieved, but when I started to look more closely at the other people waiting, a sudden wave of anxiety hit me. Not only was I a country girl, dressed in what I thought was appropriate clothing for the occasion - my basic uniform of navy slacks and white striped shirt, but this was also my very first training session as a qualified nurse. Those around me looked way more sophisticated and experienced, and I felt inadequate before we’d even set foot in the room.
Rosy seemed oblivious of my anxiety and continued chatting. I just nodded my head and hoped I gave the right response. We followed the crowd into the elevator for the twenty second ride to the second floor, and then spilled out into the grandest foyer I’ve ever seen, which just goes to show how rarely I leave Riversleigh. I’m sure the foyer of a hospital training center would be nowhere near as impressive as a foyer in a fancy hotel in the city, but as I’d never been in one, I could only surmise.
“Would you like coffee?” I heard Rosy asking me as I stood there, gaping at my surroundings. She must have wondered what I was doing.
I quickly pulled myself together. “Yes, that would be lovely, thanks Rosy.” I watched how skilfully she handled the coffee machine. Lots of practice, I laughed to myself.
We took our coffees into the training room and took a seat towards the front. I would much rather have sat at the back, but Rosy led the way and I didn’t want to make a fuss. There were three rows with six chairs in each, and it seemed they would be filled with the number of people still mingling around outside.
Moments later, a severe looking woman walked in along with a good looking male doctor. He immediately caught my attention.
“Good morning to you all, and thank you for coming.” The woman gazed around the room as she spoke. “I’m Dr Andrews, Head of Emergency, and this is Dr Wilson, Deputy Head of Emergency.” He smiled and nodded his head. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
“Dr Wilson will be your trainer today. I hope you’ll give him your fullest attention as he initially explains the changes that have been recently introduced here in the Emergency Department at Smithtown General Hospital. After that, the practical session will begin.” She turned and looked at Dr Wilson. “I’ll now hand over to you,” she said, before looking back at the attendees. “You’ll be in good hands. Have a good day, and thank you once again for attending.” We clapped as she left, and turned our attention to the handsome Dr Wilson.
To continue reading “Hank and Sarah - A Love Story”, simply click here and the book will be delivered to you for free.
The Madeleine Richards Box Set (The Madeleine Richards Series Book 4) Page 22
