EXCERPTS from THE DIVIDING STONE

This is an excerpt from chapter two where Margo, the heroine, and her friend Ashley are looking for clues to Margo's mysterious ancestor and the letter she found in her mother's jewelry box. (Pictured below is the site of the historical homes that were inspiration for the book).

A blue historical marker confirmed her research. Ashley read the embossed yellow-and-blue sign. “First stone church built in 1707. Services in French to 1753. New stone church built 1773. Dutch language used until 1800.”

She turned to Margo. “So you’re saying the town was divided soon after it began, just like today. Those townies don’t exactly like us college students.”

“Yeah, exactly.” Margo raised her voice in excitement. “Did you know the town disagreed over whether or not to allow the college here? They thought it might bring in the wrong element.” Ashley laughed. “Well, they might have been right about that if they looked at some of the students today.” She hesitated for a moment.

“But these divisions seem to go way back.”

Margo looked directly at her. “Now you’re getting the picture.” She meandered through the graveyard, weaving in and out of the well-worn paths, reading the faded names and inscriptions, looking for the graves of the Dubier family in hopes of finding Margaret’s. Leaves swept around the gravestones, and a gust lifted them up. Swirling into a funnel, they rose higher and higher in the air. Suddenly, the gust stopped, and the leaves tumbled to the ground. Margo reflected about the spiritual lesson played out before her. The wind is a perfect illustration of God’s Holy Spirit. You can’t see Him with your eyes or touch Him, but when He’s moving, you can certainly see His effects. But what did this haveto do with the letter and Margaret?

Here's a short excerpt from a later chapter:

Margo watched the spectacular sunset from her studiowindow, glad summer had come to a close and the heat dissipated. Puffy cumulus clouds painted a rich, red sunset over the hills of New Coven. Etched against the crisp black edges of the surrounding mountains, she studied the contrast of dark and light. A painter’s dream, she thought. But in a moment, the bright colors faded and the sun descended behind the dark mountains.

Evening twilight settled on the scene, and Margo retreated from the dark window. Cool air rushed into the uninsulated room, and she grabbed a warm sweater. She felt chilled to the bone and buttoned her cardigan to the neck.

Yu can read the firsts two chapters for FREE on Amazon