What’s romantic about war? Violence, deprivations, and misery aside, wars are dramatic. Couples often must live apart and learn new roles. The stakes are high — life and death. People are brave and push their character to new heights. What’s not to love about that? Unfortunately, war can push love too hard and crush it. Lovers can die or get injured so badly they’ll never be the same. In my story, injuries take all forms, and the hidden ones are hardest of all.

Letty’s Ever After by Afton Locke – Book #6 Oyster Harbor Series

Her past peppered with losses, showgirl Letty St. Claire only wants to finish her sentence so she can reunite with her newfound family. When Jean-Luc O’Neill, the fun-loving chef from her hometown, faithfully visits her every week, friendship grows into love.

With WW II raging, Jean-Luc’s first priority is bravery. Upon his enlistment, he and Letty plan their happily ever after, but the war has other plans. While the British Channel confronts him with the terrors of death, Letty wrestles with her own demons on Oyster Harbor’s tumultuous home front.

Then, when the Pacific destroys his mind and soul, Letty and his family struggle to pick up the pieces. Jean-Luc has become a stranger. Their happily ever after, shattered. Can they build something new from the losses, or will their love be another casualty of war?

Excerpt

Letty’s first impulse was to rush into her lover’s arms and plaster him with kisses. But, something stopped her. Instead, she stood as still as a statue as she stared at the man lying in the bed. Emotions flew through her, making her heart pound and her hands tremble.

How she’d waited for this moment. Night after night. Fearing she’d never see him again.
“Jean-Luc?”

He turned his head and gazed at her, but his blue eyes were…vacant. No love. Not even recognition. It was as if she’d accidentally stepped into a stranger’s room.

She took a step closer, drinking him in. Swallowing one change after the next. His hair was longer, and the skin on his face mottled from sun exposure. Scars peppered his arms. And, how did he get so thin? She could see his collarbones and ribs through the thin hospital gown.

When he sat up, she caught his unique scent. Her knees gave out. If she didn’t feel his arms around her soon, she was going to die right here. She sat on the edge of his bed and held out a hand, but instead of taking it, he eyed it with suspicion.

She folded her arms instead. “How are you feeling?”

“All right, I guess.”

“Oh, Jean-Luc. I’ve missed you so,” she whispered. “Thank God you’re home.”

Unable to stop herself, she reached out and touched his cheek. Just to prove this wasn’t some dream. An inky wave of sadness rolled through her when he flinched.

He cocked his head. “Do I know you?”

Letty crumpled into herself. The man she loved most in the world didn’t know who she was anymore? How could it even be possible?

“I-I’m Letty, your wife.” The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them. “Sort of. I mean, we aren’t allowed to marry. Officially, that is.”

Cali had tried to warn her, but nothing could prepare her for the void he’d become.

“You don’t remember me at all?” she asked.

When he shook his head, something inside her died. She rose and turned back to gaze at him. He looked and sounded like Jean-Luc, but he wasn’t anymore. Although she hated herself for thinking it, she almost wished he’d died instead.

Because the man in that bed wasn’t hers. Not anymore.

And, by the time she flung the door open, she was sobbing. Loud enough for the entire hospital to hear.

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLWLNDSF/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lettys-Ever-After-Oyster-Harbor-ebook/dp/B0FLWLNDSF/
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/lettys-ever-after/id6749859080
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/letty-s-ever-after
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lettys-ever-after-afton-locke/1148024049
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/4XMPrv

Meet the Author

Afton Locke is a USA Today Bestselling Author who prefers romantic fantasies to everyday reality. Fantasies take her to different times, races, places, and beyond. She lives with her husband, several unnamed dust bunnies, and a black cat that can be scary or cuddly, depending on the current book. When she’s not writing, Afton enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and watching retro T.V.

Where to find Afton