What Matters Most Excerpt and Giveaway

WHAT MATTERS MOST
(TEXAS GOLD COLLECTION BOOK #4)
by
Kellie Coates Gilbert

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance / Christian
Publisher: Revell
Date of Publication: July 5, 2016
Number of Pages: 320

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Synopsis

Love and Politics Collide in This Emotion-Packed

Fourth Texas Gold Novel

Kellie Coates Gilbert strikes gold once again in the latest book in the Texas Gold Collection. Readers will be drawn into the story through Gilbert’s deeply emotional writing that highlights the complexities of human relationships.

Out of her desire to care for her mother who is suffering from dementia, Leta Breckenridge drops out of college. Her next step means leaving her comfort zone. After learning that a delinquent account may force her mother into a less desirable facility, Leta takes a leap and lands a high-paying job at an Austin public relations firm. But her dream job soon turns into a nightmare when she learns that the firm she is working for is a front for a political opposition organization—and that the research she has been collecting will be used against Nathan Emerson, the handsome senator she’s swiftly falling in love with.

Nathan is a rising political star being pressured to run a bid to unseat the current governor of Texas. He’s already in a relationship with a woman much better suited to be a politician’s wife, but he’s never met anyone like Leta. Could this feisty woman hold the key to his heart—and his future?

Praise for the Texas Gold Collection

“This tale of family and faith brings to light what truly matters in life.”—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars

“Kellie Coates Gilbert delivers emotionally gripping plots and authentic characters.”—LifeIsStory.com

“Well-drawn, sympathetic characters and graceful language make this an engaging choice for readers.”—Library Journal

PURCHASE FROM:
AMAZON | CHRISTIANBOOK.COM
BARNES & NOBLE | BAKER RETAIL

Excerpt

Chapter 1

I’m sorry. We really need someone a bit more qualified. All of the positions we currently have available require a college degree—at a minimum.”

Leta Breckenridge fixed her eyes on the woman standing behind the table lined with job application forms. “Oh—okay. Well, thank you for your time anyway.” She placed the glossy brochure back in its spot on the table, taking special care to line up the edges with dozens just like it. Her fingers lingered for just a moment before she gave the lady in the suit a weak smile and moved on.

With a sigh, Leta pulled a pen and a notebook from her bag and marked off another company name from the list.

Taking time off work to attend the job fair this afternoon was turning out to be a waste of time. She couldn’t even get her foot in the door at most of the companies she was interested in, even at an entry-level position. Not without having finished her degree.

Same story as always.

Determined not to let the situation get her down, Leta quickly glanced at her watch. She’d stay another half hour before getting ready to head back to the store. Maybe she could talk Mike into letting her make up the hours—and the lost earnings.

“Leta?”

She turned in the direction of a vaguely familiar voice just as Cassie Manning broke through the crowd, a wide smile planted on her face. “Leta, I thought that was you. Long time no see.”

She quickly tucked the notebook back in her bag before letting herself get drawn into an embrace. “Hey, how are you?” Cassie smelled . . . expensive. Like the little samples Leta had collected from the Macy’s counter last week while in the mall with Katie.

Her former classmate gave her a puzzled look. “What are you doing at the job fair?”

“I’m . . . uh . . . I’m here with a friend.” She couldn’t believe how easily the lie slipped from her tongue.

“Oh? What is your friend looking for? Maybe I can help.” Cassie pulled a small gold case engraved with her initials from the pocket of her suit jacket. “I’m the human resources director for Greater Austin Enterprises. Have your friend stop by our booth. We’re looking for candidates for our new division in Dallas, if she’s willing to relocate.”

Leta took the business card. “Uh, thanks. I’ll let her know.”

Her stylish former classmate, dressed in an impeccable plum-colored suit with matching heels, slipped the case back into her pocket. “What about you? Where did you land after graduating?”

Leta rubbed her sweaty palms against the fabric of her own skirt, one she’d been lucky to find in her generous roommate’s closet. How was she supposed to explain she’d relinquished her dream of becoming a landscape architect and instead settled for working in the floral department at Central Market? Or that she’d taken on a second job at a dive bar just to make ends meet? Yeah, let’s tell her that.

In a stroke of pure luck, her classmate’s phone rang. “Sorry, I have to get this.” Cassie turned and buried herself in a conversation, leaving Leta to ponder the best way to extricate herself before being put on the spot again.

In a quick move, Leta pulled her own phone up and pointed to the screen as if she’d just received a text. She whispered, “Gotta go. Catch you later.”

Cassie nodded. “Hold on,” she said into her phone. She smiled in Leta’s direction. “You’ve got my card. Call me for lunch sometime—okay?”

Leta nodded a little too enthusiastically. “Sure thing.” She blew a kiss and scurried off down the aisle, past all the well-dressed job seekers pitching their hard-won credentials to waiting personnel directors like Cassie.

———————————-Click here to read the rest of the chapter———————————-

about the author

Gilbert Author Pic

Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal, as well as the author of A Woman of Fortune, Where Rivers Part, and A Reason to Stay. Gilbert crafts her emotionally charged stories about women in life-changing circumstances in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband.

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