A Time of War: A Christmas Novella

By Linda L Barton

A Time of War is the heart-wrenching Novella of Nick Henderson who goes off to fight the Germans in WWII occupied France. Surviving the invasion of Normandy at Omaha beach, Nick soon learns the painful price of war, and the loss of loved ones far too many must endure.

Trapped in a world of anger and regret, Nick had cut himself off emotionally from the world. However, sometimes life has different plans for us. A week before Christmas, Nick begrudgingly meets Marie Fraser, the new Activity Director at the Extended Care Facility where he is a resident. Instructed by the facility manager to do her best to get Nick out of his dark mood, Marie worries if she will be successful in connecting with the lonely old man. However, neither Nick or Marie expected how this meeting would change their lives forever. Marie would show Nick his life truly had value by the lives he had touched during the war. Nick, however, would teach Marie a life lesson that would show her to have faith in life’s possibilities again.

Christmas is a time of miracles. We just need to open our eyes and hearts to receive the blessings of this wondrous season. A Time of War is a sweet little Novella that will have you crying tears of sadness and joy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda L Barton
• Release date: Nov 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463986097

Linda L Barton

Linda L Barton is a Multi-Genre Author. Publishing her first book in 2011, Linda started out by writing Dark Thrillers. Since then she has branched out by writing YA Fantasy, Women’s Romantic Fiction, and even Children’s Books under the name Nana Barton. One of the high points of Linda’s writing career was when Next Move, You're Dead: The Trilogy Bundle was chosen as 1 of 100 pre-loaded Kindle Fire ebooks given away in the 2013 Emmy Awards VIP Swag Bags to over 600 of those in attendance at the awards that evening. Linda is also the Founder of Deadly Reads, Deadly Reads Author Services, and Host of the Deadly Reads Radio Podcast on Youtube. Linda is also blessed to be married to a wonderful man, Bob for more than 30 years. Bob is her writing muse and has created several of the plots for her books. Together they have a daughter and son, as well as 5 beautiful grandchildren; all of whom are the joy of their lives. Linda never thought she would become a published author, but now she cannot imagine doing anything else.

Book preview

A Time of War

Fate Brought Them Together

Linda L Barton

A Christmas Novella

Copyright 2018©Linda L Barton

DeadlyReads.com

All rights reserved by the author. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written consent of the publisher, except where permitted by law.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Dedication and Acknowledgments

I dedicate this book to those brave men and women who have put on the uniform to serve this great country. I hope I’ve done your sacrifice justice in the telling of this fictional story.

Editing, formatting, and cover design by

Deadly Reads Author Services

Images courtesy of pixabay.com

Table of Contents

Title Page, Copyright,

Dedication and Acknowledgments

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3,

Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6,

Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9,

Chapter 10

A Message from the Author

Chapter 1

Usually, the sight of newly fallen snow would fill Marie’s heart with joy, but not this morning. Today was her first day as the Activities Coordinator at the Smithton’s Extended Care Facility, and to be honest, she was a nervous wreck. When she had gone for the interview, Marie was surprised when they had asked her if she could start immediately. With Christmas only a week away, she had thought they would want to wait until after the new year.

Oh, Sophie, do you think I can do this? Marie reached down and patted the fluffy calico cat on the head, causing her to purr loudly. I guess that’s a yes.

After taking the last swallow of coffee, Marie rinsed her cup, and then put it in the dishwasher.

Well, I should get going. I sure hope the roads are clear. Marie slipped on her gloves and coat. Wish me luck.

Marie glanced down at Sophie who was lazily grooming herself after her favorite breakfast of cream and canned salmon. A smile crossed Marie’s face as she thought how nice it must be to live a life where your only concern was if you would sleep on the chair by the window or perched on the back of the sofa.

Reaching for her purse, Marie inhaled deeply, trying to steady her nerves.

Meow, Sophie strolled over to Marie, rubbing up against her leg.

Thank you for your faith in me. Okay, I need to go. Enjoy your day, and I’ll see you later. Marie opened the door to the garage, squared her shoulders, and then pressed the button to open the automatic garage door. As the door opened, she was pleased to see the snow had been cleared from her driveway.

Good morning, Marie. I thought since I was here, I’d go ahead and clear your driveway. I hope you don’t mind, Chris smiled brightly, as he leaned against the handle of his snow shovel.

A year ago, Chris Martin had returned home to care for his grandparents who were both in failing health. When his parents had died in a tragic auto accident when he was only seven years old, he had come to live with them. Marie was surprised such a handsome and successful businessman would give up his life in the city to care for his elderly grandparents.

However, she had to admit she found his sacrifice admirable. She never understood why so many people today seemed to ignore the elderly and cast them aside. Chris was not that way. He had left his successful career as a computer programmer with a large corporation behind to care for his grandparents while doing Freelance programming for small companies. What was even more amazing was not once did he seem to regret his decision.

Oh, my, thank you, Chris. I’m starting my new job this morning, so the last thing I wanted to do was shovel snow. Marie reached into her purse and pulled out her billfold, Here, let me pay you…

Holding up his gloved hand, Chris playfully protested, Oh, no, put your money away. I only wanted to help. Besides, this is a good exercise for me. I haven’t been to the gym since I moved back, and I don’t want to get fat and lazy.

Marie could not help but giggle at the silly grin on his face. Well, if that’s the case I wouldn’t want to keep you from your exercise. Thank you, Chris. I really appreciate the kind gesture.

That’s what neighbors do. However, if you want to pay me back, you can join me for dinner sometime. I hear that new Italian restaurant downtown is good. Chris had asked Marie out several times already, but she always seemed to have an excuse why she could not go.

It had been nearly a year since Marie had caught her fiancé, Tadd in bed with her best friend. Nothing could have prepared her for such a betrayal.

It had been a cold, and snowy night when Marie’s father received a call that his father was in the hospital. The news was grim, so her parents had quickly booked a flight, and left two-year-old Marie with her grandmother, Katheryn.

When the news arrived of the airplane crash with no survivors, Marie had moved in with her grandparents.

Marie, Tadd will never be able to fully love anyone because he loves himself far too much, her grandmother would often say.

Now that she could look back with a clear mind, Marie