Page 1 of Soaring and Steadfast

CHAPTER ONE

Hey there, romance rebel!

So, you’re probably thinking, “Wait a sec—shouldn’t this be Chapter One?” And honestly, fair. But here’s the deal—this is myfriendlytrigger warning. Why? Because I switched to a Kindle and realized you have to scrollbackfor those, and, well… that’s a lot of effort.

I’m lazy.

And a cautious reader.

Double whammy.

Here’s the tea: This book has a Navy romance (swoon), a heart-stealing hero (double swoon), and a happily ever after (insert confetti here). But there’s also one scene that hitmehard as a writer, so if deep water makes you gonope, just a heads-up—it’s intense. I will freely admit that drowning is one of my phobias and while it’s not described in here - the scene happens off page. It was a nope for me and I wrote the darn thing.

I also touch on a few heavy themes: a past marriage with abuse (not described), a female lead healing from the loss of a child (Points at the man on the cover with heart-eyes becausewow! big, squishy hugs), and a hero with deep faith (but don’t worry, I don’t intentionally cross a line. If I do - tell me.).

Now, let’s talk about what really matters:the heartwarming mush.This book is stuffed with it. I want you to fallsooooin love with these characters that you wake up the next day with a book hangover and zero regrets. Is it fast-paced? Sometimes. Is ita lot? Oh,absolutely—because if I don’t get my dose of romance, who will?

So, now that the official “serious stuff” is out of the way… ready to meet Pasteur? Because WHOA… and I’m off to the store to get cake. You’ll see why. ??

Happy reading,

Ginny

CHAPTER TWO

PASTEUR

“Forgive me, Father – for I have sinned…”

Louis hesitated – and then chuckled nervously, waiting. He wasn’t catholic in the slightest but was fascinated with religion as a whole. Traveling the world, he’d seen many things, visited so many temples, synagogues, and other houses of worship, only to realize that the ultimate belief in something greater than yourself drove him and his faith: that and the pretty architecture of the locations where people chose to worship.

Right now, he was taking a moment for himself while the other pilots he was with were taking a much-needed restroom break. Fleet week was tough on the body –especially the kidneys,he thought and chuckled again.

“What have you done, my child?” came the voice, warm and comforting, causing Louis to pause in reverence once more as he sat there in the confessional, about to spill his guts in the worst way.

“Well, honestly, Father, I’m not catholic… and technically, I haven’t sinned yet, but I’m planning on it, hence my appearance here. I’m not exactly sure how this goes, but I saw it in a movie and could use all the help I could get.”

“That’s okay,” the man behind the screen laughed softly. “Something brought you here today, and I’m always happy to welcome a new lamb to the flock.”

“Oh, that’s good – do you mind if I use that phrase?”

“Are you a minister?”

“A pastor… on paper,” he shrugged, wishing he hadn’t drunk those three beers before coming here now. He’d like to have a genuine conversation with this person who seemed very open and giving. “I’m a pilot and in town for Fleet week. I saw the church and…”

“Did you feel a calling?”

“A curiosity,” Louis corrected, hesitating. “I guess you could call it a calling because I passed by and suddenly wanted to stop in.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“Why?”

“Why not?” the priest countered and Louis could hear the smile in his voice.

“That’s kinda what I thought,” Louis began again. “I thought if I could get a leg-up with the Big Guy, then maybe the next few hours wouldn’t stain my soul so badly, you know? I’m going out to party with the fellas and… well… I plan on imbibing quite a bit.”

“Just make sure you turn wine into water, too, my friend. It’s not all about the alcohol but rather the miracle that this life brings us.”

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