Wednesday, March 13, 2013

A Vow Fulfilled - And huge giveaway!

Today is Chapter 3 of our FREE serial story, A Vow Fulfilled!!  I hope you're enjoying it so far. If you missed the past two chapters, you may want to go back and read them so you'll be caught up with the story. Also, if you haven't already, you'll want to leave comments on those sections so you'll be entered in the contest for the GRAND Prize!  Which includes all these items donated by the authors of this story


  • A designer bookmark
  • Choices of the Heart by Laure Alice Eakes and Wilderness Road: Music of the Backcountry Cd
  • The Charleston Chef's Table: Extraordinary Recipes from the Heart of the Old South
  • Quill pen and ink
  • Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall
  • Civil War Ebook novella, plus a basket of goodies from Shirley Plantation: notecards, jam, etc.
  • Antique bracelet 
  • A $10 Amazon Gift Certificate


Every time you leave a comment on each of these chapters, your name is entered. The winner will be drawn on ... and will receive all of the above!  

A Vow Fulfilled Serial Schedule


3/11         Overcoming With God      MaryLu Tyndall
  3/12         Laurie Alice Eakes        Roseanna White
3/13         MaryLu Tyndall             Debbie Lynne Costello
3/14         Patty Smith Hall    Gina Welborn
3/15         Roseanna  White       Carrie Fancett Pagels
3/18         Gina Welborn                 Patty Smith Hall
3/19         Debbie Lynne Costello Laurie Alice Eakes

Click to go back and read:  Chapter 1  or Chapter 2





Chapter Three


A second shot pierced the air. Mr. Cane’s stomach muscles tightened beneath Celia’s hands. She pressed her head against his back and breathed in his woody-spice scent. Her heart raced and joined the rhythm of the horse’s feet thudding on the ground.

Lord have mercy on her. Was kidnapping and attempted murder God’s punishment for her making such a foolish vow to Him? She should have listened to her parent’s advice when Mother repeatedly told her to watch each word that left her mouth and Father urged her to honor her vow with each engagement. But she’d always put her whims above that of her parents’ counsel.

If she had listened she wouldn’t be on the back of a horse dodging bullets with her kidnapper. She shifted in the saddle. If she could walk when she got off this horse she could consider herself lucky. She pushed back and caught a glimpse of crimson. She gasped. Even in the fading light she recognized the thick liquid dripping from his arm and splotching her dress as blood.

“You’ve been shot!” Celia leaned out, attempting to get a glimpse of his face.

“It’s only a grazing so don’t get your hopes up, my dear.” He threw the words over his shoulder. “You might want to keep your head tucked in. Head wounds are usually fatal.”

Celia jerked around and peered through the dusk for the enemy. A glimpse of red against the trees told her they still followed. “Can’t you go any faster? Whoever wants to kill you hasn’t given up and I don’t want to be an innocent victim to whatever you’ve gotten yourself into.” How quickly circumstances changed. Her kidnapper went from capturer to rescuer. She snorted. But then again if he hadn’t kidnapped her she wouldn’t be in this predicament!

“What makes you so sure he’s after me?” He slammed his heels into the horse’s sides, spurring him on.

“Because I have done nothing that would make a man take aim at me.” The horse’s hooves dug into the soft ground throwing up clods of dirt as they moved across the open field picking up speed.

“I’d not be so sure of that, my dear. After all, you have brought on your own kidnapping.”

“Well, I never!” Celia put as much space between the two of them as possible. The nerve of the man, first he kidnaps her and then he accuses her of drawing the fire. Why she’d always been hospitable to people—even the men with which she’d broken the engagements.

He chuckled. She couldn’t believe her ears or rather she felt it more in her hands than heard it, but the man actually chuckled in the midst of all this danger.

“Would you like to tell me what man you spurned and made so angry that he’d rather see you dead than married to another?” Mr. Cane yelled back to her.

The idea was ludicrous. So why did it leave a seed of doubt in her mind? After all, someone had planned her kidnapping and she would have never believed that either. It couldn’t be Allen. They were much too young when she broke it off with him. He’d not hold a grudge. Besides, he had joined the Navy and gotten his sea legs and wasn’t around now.  Thomas had married Elsie and they had two lovely daughters and another child on the way—no apparent regret over losing her there.

She mentally scratched both of them off her list. Mr. Cane had never even heard the name of Gregory, so it looked like he wasn’t her culprit either. That left Jonathon and Milton. Milton’s weak personality didn’t portend to him being the mastermind behind a great kidnapping scheme. The most she’d ever heard him conspire was when his mother had discovered he’d spent an evening gambling and he’d tried to whine his way out of it. She checked him off. Jonathon must be Mr. Cane’s cousin.

“Jonathon!” She was quite pleased with her deducing skill.

They neared another wooded area and she found herself willing the horse into the hedge of safety. He slowed the pace and guided the horse into the woods.

“Ah-ha. So you have made a man angry enough to shoot at you. Perhaps, I should just let you off here.”

“You can’t do that. You wouldn’t get your ransom. And I was inferring that Jonathon is your cousin, not that he is the man shooting at us.” She lifted her chin.

 “You already said your father wouldn’t pay a ransom.” He handled the horse with ease through the trees not hesitating on the route to take.

“You sir, are a manipulator of words. I said I would not be so certain my father will pay for my return. He was rather angry with me last night.” Mr. Cane might be her kidnapper, but she definitely didn’t want him to drop her off in the middle of the woods with some mad man chasing them down. A shiver went up her spine. He seemed the lesser of two evils.

His hand covered hers where she held on for dear life. He patted it as if he’d felt her tremble. “Fathers get mad, but they still love their children.” His voice softened. “He’ll be grieved even more now that you are gone. I’m sure he’ll receive you with open arms just like the father and the prodigal son.”

Mr. Cane maneuvered the horse through the dense underbrush and heavily wooded area, weaving around fallen trees and limbs. She no longer had a clue in the direction they headed. If she did manage to escape, she’d not know in where to run.

“Just return me to my father. I’ll tell him you saved me from the man who is chasing us. You were even wounded as proof. I’m sure he will reward you handsomely for it. That is if you believe what you just told me.”

“Such an innocent flower.” He twisted in his seat and brushed the back of his finger over her cheek. “If only that were possible. For I begin to believe my cousin has lied to me. But my hands are tied. I must deliver you to him as much as that grieves me.”

Her stomach flipped as skin met skin. Her body betrayed her with her captor. She gritted her teeth. One didn’t give up a perfect man for someone who went around kidnapping women at the whim of his cousin. “What does Jonathon want with me?”

“Jonathon? Who in tarnation is Jonathon?”

“I thought he was your cousin.”

“No cousin with that name that I know of.” He flicked the reins, guiding the horse between two large trees and under a low branch. “Duck your head.” He bent low, flattening his body against the horse’s neck.

In shock that she still didn’t know who had her abducted, she didn’t comprehend his last words until it was too late. The force of the branch striking her forehead thrust her backwards. Had she not had a fierce grip on Mr. Cane, she would have tumbled off the horse. She sucked in her breath as a sharp pain threatened to steal her consciousness. Closing her eyes, a tear slipped out, sending a warm trail down her cheek.

“We’re here.” He pulled the horse to a stop and jumped down.

 A single bird could be heard off in the woods. Celia concentrated on its songs, trying to overcome the pain. The joyful chirping faded and she forced open her eyes, expecting to see Mr. Cane waiting on her to dismount.

Instead he gawked. She followed the direction of his gaze to her ankles peeking out from beneath her hiked up dress as she sat on the saddle. She tugged at the fabric in an attempt to lower the hem over her slippered feet. “Would you be so kind as to help me down?”

He slowly drew his eyes up to lock with hers. He lifted his arms. “By your leave.”

She couldn’t move. In the excitement of being abducted and shot at she had forgotten her promise. Now as if to cement her vow the man used the same phrase a second time. He arched a brow and she glanced at the dangling reins. Perhaps she could slide forward and kick the horse into motion, leaving behind this man and her vow.

As if he’d once again read her mind, he reached up and pulled her out of the saddle. Her feet hit the ground, but he didn’t release her. He towered over her like a great oak tree. She tipped her head back and glared. Her knees quivered.

He frowned. Then gingerly brushed his lips over her forehead. “You didn’t duck.” He wiped the tear with his thumb.

Her breath caught in her throat.

A branch snapped.

Turner Cane lowered his hand and spun around. He stepped aside revealing the truth of why she was there. “I assume you know William, my cousin.”

The man sneered. “I believe she knows me better as Gregory.”



Contributed by Debbie Lynne Costello www.debbielynnecostello.com



Leave a comment with your thoughts on this chapter to be entered into the grand prize drawing! (Don't forget to leave your email so we can contact you!)

Click HERE tomorrow to read Chapter 4 of A Vow Fulfilled!!!

69 comments:


  1. I think she's getting in hot water. This would be very scary being kidnapped, then chase by someone chasing
    you and shooting at you too! I hope her driver isn't hurt. By now, he has or will be telling her father what happened. What will he do, and, what does Gregory want. II don't think her captor will give her up. Ready for the next one. Hard to wait. Maxie

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  2. A great chapter to wake up to this morning. Thank you!
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  3. What a way to start the morning:) I can't wait to read tomorrows!

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  4. Debbie Lynne! Another exciting chapter! oh this has been so much fun. I love the twists you've added and can't wait for more.

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  5. Debbie Lynne, that was such a great section and then with that twist at the end! So exciting! All of you were such a hard act to follow.

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  6. Thank you everyone! What a nice surprise to open up and see all the comments! I'm glad everyone is enjoying it. This was so much fun to do!

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  7. Awesome!! Just keeps you wanting for more! Thanks! :)

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  8. Wow! I'm going to have to go back and read chapters one and two, but this looks excellent! Thanks for sharing!
    Callie
    genuinegagirl(at) gmail (dot) com

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  9. Wed March 13th,
    Oh my goodness .... Chapter 3 is great too !!! Story is flowing as a beautiful continuance from one chapter to the next. Amazing to know that each chapter is written by a different author !!! Wonderfully woven together. Can't wait for chapter 4 !
    Great work, ladies .... great work !!! Take care, and, God Bless.
    brennie7@hotmail.com

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  10. Ah, I love Turner! I can't wait till tomorrow!!!

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  11. How exciting!! I can't wait for tomorrow. Glad I stopped to read the other two chapters!! :)
    sarpenner(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. Love the twist at the end!!!! I remember receiving the first three chapters and thinking, "Ack! What do I write next?!?!"

    Fun fun fun!

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  13. Gregory is shady!! Ready for the next chapter!

    booksandbeverages (at) gmail.com

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  14. Okay, now the coat tails are off, I had to return promptly to Chapter 1 to see what if I had overlooked something, and alas! I had! It must've been Turner + Gregory speaking in hushed tones and scoffing her! I must confess, that its one thing to be scorned, but its quite another to entertain vegenance merely because a woman changed her mind!

    I saw that there is an internal shifting in Turner's character structure,... methinks he might not have the ability to resolve that his errand for his cousin was in the best of taste! I wonder, does he rescue her away from his ill fated Cousin Gregory/William!?

    Ms. Debbie Lynne, it was such a sweet pleasure seeing a slice of your writing!! You had me on edge wondering if the shooting would cease, but even though the horse is standing still, what of the people who were shooting to begin with!?!?

    Bless all of you for such an intriquing serial read!! :)

    inkand-blogaways(at)usa.net
    //Florida

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  15. Didn't see that coming! Can't wait for part 4!

    amberthereader@juno.com

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  16. Awesome! :)

    Can't wait to read more! Love that you all are doing this.

    brpchristiangirl@charter.net

    Bianca

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  17. Having to wait to see what happens next is torture! :)

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  18. Why does each chapter have to leave you hanging to know what is going to happen next!?!? I seriously can't wait to read more!! Oh the pain of waiting to know what is going to happen next! Well I will just have to wait away until tomorrow!

    In Christ,
    Tracy

    Blog: http://poetics-of-life.blogspot.com/

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  19. Great job! I love it so far and can't wait for tomorrow :)
    hannahpeasha@gmail.com

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  20. This chapter was exciting and somewhat dangerous! I'll be here tomorrow for sure! Blessings, Darlene
    spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

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  21. Brava, everyone! Loved this, Debbie Lynne. What a fun project. And a delight to read. I shared this on fb, twitter and google, because I want the whole world to enjoy this as much as I did. LOL No need to enter me in the prizes--to me the prize was reading. <3

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  22. Thanks for all your comments, everyone!!! Debbie Lynne, this is a WONDERFUL Chapter!! What a great job all the authors are doing of keeping us on the edge of our seats... or horses, I should say!

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  23. How exciting! Why would Turner's cousin need an alias?!

    homesteading at charter dot net

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  24. I am excited to begin reading and immediately be caught up in the intrigue and excitement of the story.

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  25. can't wait to read more!

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  26. Wow, Debbie Lynne what another good chapter & to leave us hanging till tomorrow..Well hope Celia will be ok . Can't wait Till tomorrow.

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  27. This serial story is different. We are all on pins and needles waiting for each chapter. Fun!

    Gpk1946@gmail.com

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  28. Debbie, wonderful continuation of the story! Gregory! Hah! You know, I am hoping more and more that Celia's kidnapper is a pirate....mayhaps he can whisk her away onto his ship!

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  29. Ha ha what is happening to Celia is funny but at tje same time its scary...so excited toread chapter 4

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  30. Thank you everyone! How exciting to see all these comments. Jorie to answer your question about the men chasing them, you'll just have to keep reading to find out! LOL! I have to say this was just a ball writing. I'm so glad you all are enjoying the story so much. So much more fun to come!

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  31. It is never a good idea to bargain with God! I do believe she has gotten herself into VERY hot water. Will be most fascinated to see how she tries to talk her way out of this one!

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  32. Abosolutely love it!!! Wish it was in book form!!!

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  33. Great chapter! I was wondering who it was...ahh, Gregory!

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  34. Oh my goodness! I am loving this!!!! I can't wait to find out what is going to happen next!!!! Ahhhh, I am can't wait!!!!! :-D

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  35. lol! Thanks ladies. You make me smile. Tomorrow is going to be another fun chapter for Celia.

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  36. It keeps getting better! Can't wait to read tomorrow's chapter! Celia is quite a girl with all the exfiance's.

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  37. Serial stories are great. It's fun to see how each writer follows up with the previous one.
    rttl@mosquitonet.com

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  38. I have waited all day to get back to internet! The forest of Nicaragua wasn't cooperating. Have enjoyed this so much!

    missionwife@hotmail.com

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  39. Now we know who the dastardly cousin is. What plans does he now have for Celia? I'm looking forward to tomorrow's chapter!

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  40. Hmmmm what could be in store for Celia tomorrow? It'll be fun to see what Gina has in store for her!

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  41. Getting more exciting by the chapter! Thanks for the opportunity to win a giveaway.

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

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  42. This story has gotten to the point where it is difficult to leave it for the night. I am very impressed that the characters stay consistant through each writer and chapter. Waiting for chapter 4 now...
    Helen
    hmmbailey@live.ca

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  43. So much fun to read & such great melding from each author! I can't wait to read the next chapter!

    And thanks for all the opportunities to win--makes it even more fun.

    Vicki OWG
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  44. I agree with all the comments. This is just fabulous.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  45. Again WOW!! Love it!!

    Lani

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  46. OH, I love this...but I am horrible at waiting to find out what happens next!!
    truckredford (at) gmail dot (Com)

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  47. Great Chapter. Still think this is one of the best ideas I have seen. So enjoying it.

    Sonya
    escurtis@charter.net

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  48. What a wonderful chapter!! Now why has her former suitor been using a false name?? Very well written Debbie Lynne. Can't believe I was so sick yesterday I forgot to read this. Going to read the next chapter now. :)

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  49. Oops left off my email avonmathews@yahoo.com THANKS!!

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  50. What a delightful read! I simply am going back to #1 and #2 and read them. Somehow I missed seeing this had started.

    Debbie Lynn C. I love the flow of conversation and descriptions. Very enjoyable, entertaining reading.

    More fun to come, I am sure. And I (though not a betting woman) bet the kidnapper gets the girl in the end. ;)

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  51. Every time Turner says, By your leave, I can't help thinking of Buttercup and Farmboy's "As you wish..." Looking forward to tomorrow!
    dsks88(at)gmail(dot)com

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  52. Really enjoying this! I missed a day, so I need to find chapter 4 so I am all caught up.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  53. Oh No, Gregory?! What comes next! Quick!
    Jasmine A.
    montanamade(at)gmail(dot)com

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  54. In all the excitement of the getaway, I have quite forgotten Gregory ~ William ~ and I am sure Celia has too! ...by your leave, he is the one... he will rescue her!
    Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  55. Loving this story. What a fantastic read. Can't wait to read the next chapter.

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  56. I'm trying to catch up with this fun story, Debbie Lynn. Now on to the next segment.

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  57. Chapter 3 was also great. Each chapter has a good twist to it can't wait for the next one.

    Mary Duff
    missniceguy@hotmail.com

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  58. I am loving this story! It is great :)
    Lisa
    deiselbuffs@yahoo.ca

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  59. Amazing... I love reading your stories sooo much!!!
    -Michelle michums14@gmail.com

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  60. Ah, the plot thickens. Gregory/William sounds nasty...

    (mylab1122) at (gmail) dot (com)

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  61. WOW!! Did NOT see that coming... I didn't like Gregory from the very beginning but the fact that he's been lying about his identity... not a good sign lol.

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  62. The plot thickens! Good thing I'm a bit behind --I don't have to wait for the next chapter!

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  63. Great writing and wonderful plot. Excited to read the next chapter!

    aizess@christianbookreviewblog.com

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  64. i love how each author has written a chapter. So fun seeing each author's characteristic writing meld with each other!

    mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

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  65. Thanks for taking the time to set this up!

    mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

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  66. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  67. The plot thickens! Enjoying it!

    mochawithlinda at gmail dot com

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