After all, what was the sense in being notorious if you couldn’t use that power for good?
And then, partially out of the confidence of her notoriety and partially because she recognized the impatient look on Will’s face, Mary stopped. She stood up on tiptoe and gave the man she loved the kiss he deserved.
Let people talk. Mary’s real confidence wasn’t in her reputation, but in a man who loved her, and a God who loved them both.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from CAPTIVE ON THE HIGH SEAS by Christina Rich.
Dear Reader,
When I began thinking about which Leadville character I should write about next, I couldn’t let go of the idea of writing about Mary Stone. I kept wondering what was so interesting about a seemingly perfect sister who’d sacrificed so much for her family. After all, perfection doesn’t make for a very interesting story. As I dug deeper, I thought about the things a young lady would have had to have given up, like love, and that’s when the rest of Mary’s story came to me.
So many times, we look at the perfect exterior of another person, not realizing the secrets they carry or the past they may have overcome. Fortunately, the Lord knows all these things, even the darkest places in our hearts, and He loves us anyway. That was a lesson Mary needed to learn—that God loved her, and she didn’t have to do anything to make up for her past sins.
I hope you find encouragement in Mary’s story. If there’s something in your past that you’re struggling with, take it to God. He already knows, and He loves you just the same. You’re precious to God, and He doesn’t want you to have to carry that load.
I love connecting with my readers, so please, stop by danicafavorite.com and say hello.
Blessings to you and yours,
Danica
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Captive on the High Seas
by Christina Rich
Chapter One
Ashkelon
668 BC
The shadow from the high mud tower loomed over Ada. Its shade broke the heat of the sun, causing her overheated skin to cool, stealing her anger. However, she knew the shivers racking her body had nothing to do with the coolness and everything to do with the fear coursing through her veins.
A young boy tugged on the lead bound around Ada’s neck and hands, causing her to stumble. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying out when her knees hit the wooden stairs. Before her bound hands hit the wood, a hand gripped ahold of her tunic and yanked her to her feet.
“You, there.” The large brute released her and jabbed a finger into the boy’s chest. “Take care with the merchandise.”
The deep Philistine accent grated along Ada’s nape. Waves from the great sea thrust against the port, filling her ears, roaring in her head. Breathing in through her mouth and out through her nose, she fought to calm the fear vibrating her limbs and risked a glare at the man through the mass of hair veiling her face.
“Come now, we don’t have all day. These men would like to go home before the wind shifts again.”
If she delayed the process, perhaps her brother would arrive and rescue her from her sisters’ folly. Their jealousy had always been contained to biting words and foolish antics. Their last, a viper in her bed, had proven vicious, but selling her to an auctioneer in exchange for a gold band was beyond Ada’s comprehension. How could her oldest sister, Dina, be so cruel? Because her sister, only half her blood, believed Ada nothing more than a daughter of a slave. All her sisters seemed to despise the way their father treated her as their equal, a daughter of a wealthy merchant. However, none treated her as poorly as Dina.
She shook the hair from her eyes and jerked her hands back. The rough rope cut into her wrists as the boy clung to the other end. The child stumbled and fell to his backside. His flushed cheeks, and beady black eyes quickly turned fearful when his master snatched him up by his tunic. The Philistine narrowed his eyes and Ada thought he’d clout the child, but he righted the boy and then patted him on the head like an obedient pet.
“See to the others.” The Philistine’s gaze settled on Ada. The corners of his mouth slid upward, revealing rotten teeth. He grabbed a handful of her hair and moved closer to sniff. The foul odor of his breath slammed against her cheek as he bent close to her ear. “If I did not need to feed the boy, I’d make you my bride just to teach you humility.” He stepped back and swung his arm wide toward the gathering before them. Ada tried to jerk away, but the man kept a fisted grip on her hair. “Well now,” he bellowed over the crowd. “Haven’t we a lioness.”
His thick arm snaked around her shoulders as he pulled her close. He made another show of smelling her with distaste. “And clean.”
Ada was thankful for the platform she stood on as men of all likes surged forward. Their hands reached toward her feet, touching her toes. She scooted closer to her captor as she searched the crowd for her brother. Almighty God, if You have mercy grant me rescue.
“One piece of silver,” a voice called
