Kindle Edition Download to your Nook (eBook) Amazon Delia Latham Category:  Romance Publisher: Pelican Book Group ISBN-10:  B009PO190W Type: Fiction Pages: 74 Copyright: Oct. 11, 2012 Price: $2.99 (eBook) Her past isn't pretty, but it can't be changed. Will it destroy any possibility of a future with the man she loves? Christy Boletti’s past could destroy her future. Thanks to her pre-Christian lifestyle, she can’t marry a believer and won’t marry a non-believer. David Myers wants to help her release the guilt and trust in God’s forgiveness…but the young minister suffers extreme self-doubt after a parishioner he counseled committed suicide. Is it possible these two hurting hearts can mend each other’s brokenness?       Excerpt Pia Peretti’s scream froze in her throat but never made it past her lips. Inside her head, however, it echoed and re-echoed as the car in front of her skidded off the road and over the edge. She had no idea as to the depth of the drop off, but it was deep enough to swallow the little sports car, which tumbled out of sight. Already praying for whoever was in the crashed vehicle, Pia veered with as much care as possible to the side of the rain-slick road. Dialing 9-1-1 even as she leapt from the car, she reported her location while she ran the hundred yards or so to the spot where the small car had disappeared. Peering through the downpour at the wreckage, she realized the gulley cut only about ten feet into the earth. Certainly no Grand Canyon, but still a dangerous fall for a speeding vehicle. She found it somehow wrong that the wheels on the overturned car continued to spin as if traveling some invisible, upside-down roadway. “God, please be with whoever’s inside.” Pia’s fervent prayer caught in her throat when the cracked passenger window bulged and fell to the ground with a thud. A pair of feet clad in what looked like spankin’ new athletic shoes kicked out a few tenacious shards of glass. Having been assured help was on the way, she tucked her phone into a pocket and gaped as two long legs extended through the opening. A muscled torso squeezed through, and finally, a head appeared, accompanied by a loud groan, and a lean figure slid onto the slick earth beside the wreckage. “Are you all right?” Pia started down the wet, slippery incline toward the man pulling his long length off the ground. He gazed around the area as if not quite sure how he came to be there. And no wonder—with a two-inch gash on his forehead. Blood gushed from the wound, liberally coating one cheek. The driving rain did a great job of washing it off enough to reveal that the unsightly red ooze came from the single gash and mercifully not from multiple cuts on that near-perfect face. The injured man raised his gaze and fixed it on her but said nothing. “Sir?” What should one say to a stranger who just survived a car accident and, even though he stood upright on wobbly long legs, looked only half conscious? “Are you OK?” He raised both hands and ran them through golden brown hair that skimmed his collar. Rain collected in the thick strands, quickly turning them a shade darker and sending watery red streaks down his face and neck. “I, uh—yeah. I think so.” Wishing she’d worn anything other than three-inch heels, Pia minced her way through the tall grass that blanketed the slope, breathing a silent prayer that every snake in East Texas had departed for a reunion on the west side of the state. She loved the lush beauty of this area at the edge of the Angelina National Forest. Varying shades of green greeted her every time she stepped outside her front door, and soothed her soul when she drove down the highway. But she had no love whatsoever for the various critters that crawled in the midst of her Eden. “Is anyone else in the car?” She forced herself to ignore the wet grass tickling her legs like the cold, slithery skin of a serpent. “I’ve already called for help.” Reaching the man’s side, she looked up and gasped. Even streaked with blood and wearing that heart-rending dazed-and-confused expression, his was the most unforgettable face Pia had ever seen—and only partially because his eyes didn’t match. One mimicked the blue of a clear afternoon sky. The other borrowed the deep, smoky green of the surrounding forest. “Thanks.” His voice broke through Pia’s reverie, and she lowered her gaze, embarrassed that she’d stared. “No one else was in the car, and I’m fine, just a little shaken up.” Frowning, she indicated the gash on his head. “I don’t think ‘fine’ is quite the right word. That’s a pretty nasty little owie you’ve got there.” His eyes widened in obvious surprise, and he lifted an unsteady hand to his forehead. He pulled it back to frown at the red stickiness on his fingers. “I’m bleeding.” “Yes, you are. You need to go to the hospital.” “I’d really rather not.” A shaky smile revealed a set of teeth straight out of a toothpaste commercial, except for a slight overlap of the front two. That little imperfection only enhanced the overall…well, perfection. “If I’d injured anything but my head, I’d agree, but I’ve got a pretty hard noggin.” She tucked her bottom lip under her teeth, considering. Finally, she lifted one shoulder. He was very much a grown man. “I guess it’s your decision.” “Thank you.” He turned to assess his vehicle and shook his head. “I should have had those tires replaced, but I really thought they’d make it.” Belatedly, Pia noticed the shredded rubber on the front wheel as the spinning tires slowed to a stop. She hadn’t heard the blowout—maybe because she’d been bellowing along with a favorite Southern Gospel CD. “I don’t suppose…” It was his turn to hesitate. “Could you possibly give me a ride? We’re not far from my uncle’s place.” She pulled in a breath and held it. She’d never picked up a hitchhiker in her life and didn’t plan to start now. But this guy wasn’t exactly wandering the highway with his thumb out. She could hardly drive off and leave him standing at the side of the road—in the rain, no less—after watching him sail his fancy little ride off the road. “I—I guess I could do that. Did you need anything out of your car?” “Yes. Just give me a minute.” He opened the rear driver’s-side door and, after a few tugs and grunts, somehow managed to rescue a suitcase from the overturned vehicle. “Got it.” Beneath a dark tan, his face had gone white and his breath came in short, hard gasps, but he offered Pia his free hand. “Let me help you out of this hole. You’re not exactly wearing climbing shoes.” She glanced down at her ridiculous high heels. “No, I’m not. In fact…” Resting a hand on his outstretched arm for balance, she slipped the shoes off and hooked them on one finger. “I’ll just carry the silly things.” She ignored his hand and slipped her arm through his. “Now I can help you up this little hill.” He hiked a heavy, dark eyebrow, but said nothing. Pia laughed. “You are the one with the hole in his head.” A wry twist of well-shaped lips made her tummy tighten. She hadn’t even noticed the cleft in his chin until now—how could she have missed that? “I guess that’s true, Ms.—” As they climbed upward, he slanted a glance her way. “May I know your name?” “It’s Pia. Pia Peretti.” She wasn’t entirely sure she should be giving that information to a total stranger, but surely a pair of peepers like those could harbor no evil. “Well, Pia Peretti, I’m certainly glad you were here. I’m David Myers.” Pia narrowed her eyes, her mind racing. Where had she heard that name? They hurried through the downpour to where she’d parked. Even as David slammed the trunk on his damp luggage, loud sirens heralded the arrival of emergency vehicles. The next half hour was a flurry of questions, answers, and a stubborn refusal of medical help by the injured man, who insisted the gash on his head was nothing to worry about. The EMTs weren’t happy but grudgingly acquiesced after obtaining David’s shaky signature on a couple of forms. Pia retreated to her vehicle after being questioned by one of the officers…and waited. It felt wrong to leave after having promised the man a ride, although the officers weren’t likely to leave him standing out here in the rain. A tow truck pulled onto the shoulder of the road nearest the wreck, and an officer waved David towards her car. As he approached, she unlatched the passenger door. He didn’t get in immediately but bent low to speak through the window. “Still willing to take me to my uncle’s place?” “Sure, I—I guess so.” But her stomach fluttered as she spoke. His smile almost made the unpleasant tension worth it. “I promise I’m not a bad guy. But if you’re uncomfortable, I’m sure one of these boys in blue will drop me somewhere…I just don’t know how long I’d have to wait for them, and to be honest, I’m feeling a little shaky.” He patted his shirt pocket and ran his hand over the ones on his hips. “I’m not sure where my cell phone is right now, or I’d call my uncle.” She took a deep breath and smiled. Something in the deepest part of her heart told her this man was no danger to her—at least, not physically. But that persistent little butterfly in her stomach made her wonder what other perils his presence might bring.

Excellent Novella
Jewels for the Kingdom by Delia Latham is book one of four novellas. I have read several of Delia's other books, specifically The Solomon's Gate Series, and loved them.

In writing Jewels for the Kingdom, Delia lives up to her reputation of writing wonderful, yet real, God-inspired stories. I love, love, love how she incorporates angels in her novels. We didn't "see" them this time, but they were there and they were felt.

It's so amazing to me how she described the hug that Pia Peretti received. Quite a few years ago I was going through a rough patch and needed a touch from God. I NEEDED to know He was still who He said He was. As I rested on my knees in my room, crying out to Him, I physically felt arms wrapping around me. It was so very real and this one scene in Jewels for the Kingdom brought that moment back to my mind. A simple reminder that God is real and alive and loves us SO very much.

Thank you, Delia, for reminding me.

Reviewed by R. Solomon

***This book was provided to me free by the author/publisher for the purpose of review. The above is my honest opinion.***

Romance in the Making
Did I ever root for Pia and David! To begin with, I love their names. David is a strong, Biblical name, and the name Pia sings with it's beauty. These two deeply flawed people represent human nature. Oh sure, we don't share the same sins, but we all live with regrets. David believes he failed as a minister, and Pia knows her unchaste past has caught up with her. This impure past would never allow her to marry a minister, would it? And how will David react when he learns of it? Must be hopeless, right? With God all things are possible. Ms. Latham has beautifully woven together a story of love, romance and God's great forgiveness. Excellent read. I look forward to the others in the series, especially since angels are involved.

Reviewed by Lewis

Enchanting!
Pia Peretti meets David Myers quite by accident..... his, when his sports car skids off the road and down an embankment. As rain pours down Pia carefully pulls her car to the side of the road and calls 9-1-1 for assistance. She leaves her car to check on the occupants of the overturned car, and as she observes the wheels of the car still spinning, the driver's side window bursts open. Pia watches as David slowly exits the car through the window, and pulls himself to a shaky standing position as blood gushes from a head wound. David refuses medical treatment and asks Pia for a ride to his uncle's house, only a short distance away. David points the way to Heart's Haven, a community of cottages his uncle owns and rents out. Pia explains that David's uncle is her landlord, and after dropping David in front of his uncle's mansion and resuming the short drive to her cottage, Pia can't stop thinking about the intriging, handsome young man.

A visit to Heart's Haven is a must! Jewels of the Kingdom is an enchanting short story about a community where angels dwell and love blooms. Delia Latham has a gift for creating engaging, magnetic characters and a charming setting where heavenly encounters unfold. Endearing relationships and a journey to forgiveness are strong elements in this God-inspired short story written with refreshing creativity.

Reviewed by Nancee