Summary
What would you do to return to the only one you have ever loved?
James Wentworth’s secret is no longer a secret, and now he and his beloved wife, Sarah, have been separated. While suffering his own internment, James is reminded of his time with Japanese-Americans in the Manzanar Relocation Camp during World War II, and he cannot allow the past to repeat itself. With the help of his friends—Chandresh, Jocelyn, Timothy, even the irreverent Geoffrey—James learns what it means to return, and he is determined to return to his Sarah no matter the challenges—or the consequences. In the end, it may be up to Olivia, the most powerful of witches, to grant James’s most fervent wish. Will James and Sarah be reunited once and for all despite the madness surrounding them?
Prologue
In seventy years so little has changed. Then, the gate was taller than the tallest person, electrified, eager to shock to the death. Looming above the fence were eight high-standing towers with armed guards with submachine guns who looked down upon the people as though they could be, should be shot for amusement’s sake. They were at one with the enemy across the Pacific Ocean, many decided. They had to be. They were traitors. They were spies. How else can we separate the good ones from the bad ones? How else can we know the loyal ones from the conspirators? We must round them up like cattle and pen them here where they’re safe from us and us from them.
Looming above the barracks, higher than the gates, beyond the guard towers, were the mountains. Always the mountains. They encompassed everything within their distance—one vast, jagged, granite wall stretching toward the heavens from the deepest valley in the Americas, cascading Vs flecked with icy snow, unmistakable even through the wintry clouds. The mountains were everything everywhere. If the gates, the guard towers, and the armed military police weren’t enough to remind you that you were a prisoner here, the mountains shouted your helplessness. You are here, the mountains said, and we will trap you here forever.
I remember when the bus stopped in Manzanar near the guard station, a lonely shack at the edge of the camp, one window on either side, misshapen rocks slapped together with mortar, a pagoda-style roof. The guards spoke to the bus driver and barked directions as though the people inside were orange-clad prisoners linked by irons, but they were only families—fathers, mothers, children, grandparents. I remember the anxiety in those inside the gate, their quick-scanning eyes wide as they drew as close to the barbed-wire fence as they dared, searching those on the other side for missing family or friends. I remember the fear in those outside as they stepped off the bus and shivered in the bitter desert cold. Their clenched hands grabbed family members while they stared without seeing the nighttime landscape of brush and tumbleweed that promised blinding dust storms, the horizon flat until the mountains. Always the mountains. The people from the buses were herded inside, shouted at, tagged and numbered. Already they were losing themselves. When the gate slammed and locked behind them they looked toward the outside as though they would never be free again.
So, yes, I have been here before. I have walked this arid wilderness. I have heard the sand blow a maddened howl in the night. I have seen the white-glow moonlight reflect the saw-toothed horizon. Through it all, the mountains have remained the same. After all, what is seventy years to a mountain range that has watched millennia pass away? Now, the gates are taller since they guess we can jump anything less. Now, the gates have silver coating, the barbs deemed no longer necessary since they guess the barbs cannot pierce our preternatural skin. Now, the military police carry guns with silver bullets, which we secretly laugh at. Now, I am the one who has been carted away, considered too unpredictable to be out among polite society. Yet the barracks, the mess halls, the natural barrier of the mountains between us and everyone else in the world…so much of it is the same. There are nights when I cannot make the distinction between then, when I was here from compassion, and now, when I am the one encaged. But do not worry for me, my love. Now, with this silver-coated gate and these imposing mountains between us, I am reminded all too strongly how I cannot be without you. Soon, Sarah. I will hold you in my arms soon. Be patient this little longer, my love, and I will return to you. I will.
Wow, what can I say. I just finished book three and I was so thrilled at the way it ended. But, now, I am left sad because it is over 🙁 You did a great job. And what a coincidence that I received this book for my 31st birthday yesterday. I know my partner is glad to see me finish because I haven’t been able to do anything since I picked it up. THANK YOU!!!! I can say I had my suspicions of Geoffrey, and while I wasn’t completely right, I was warm. I actually reread the other two books in preparation for the release of this one. I love it when I can get lost in a GREAT book. Keep up the wonderful work you do.
THANKS AGAIN!
Hi, James! Don’t worry–all named James are welcome here. I’m so glad you liked the ending. I admit I was a little worried because I wanted readers to be happy with it and feel it was a fitting conclusion. And a belated happy birthday! It’s comments like yours that have made me so grateful for the experience of writing the Loving Husband Trilogy. Thank you. 🙂
It was awesome! Loved it! I won’t say anything since I know others are still reading, but I am now off to go read all 3 sequentially. Thank you, Meredith, for sharing your talent and your story with us.
Thank you for your kind words, Val. You’re doing exactly what I’m hoping others will do–read all three in order. I think people will then see that the clues to the ending have been there since the beginning.
I just finished HLHR and I loved it. It is however bitter/sweet because I never wanted the journey with James and Sarah to end as with any characters that you feel totally vested in. I love this historical fiction genre and I hope you continue to write more. Looking forward to you next series. Thanks
I understand what you mean about bittersweet because that’s how I feel too. I’m sitting here now with nothing to do! I’m so glad you liked the ending.
Omg,ok,
So I’m done reading the 3rd book, don’t want to give anything away for those still reading.
Absolutely great, Geoffrey, really?
Loved it!!!!
I was hoping people would guess there was something more going on with Geoffrey. I’m so glad you liked it, April. Thanks for telling me!
Same here 🙁 I wonder what time it will upload
Val, the countdown clock is still going, guess we have to wait 3 more hours.
But honestly, I’m surprised Amazon didn’t have it to pre-order
Thanks for the reply, I never noticed a countdown clock haha
When I first logged on it said 3 hours to go, I waited awhile and then hit refresh and it now says 4 hours to go. Ugh! This wait is killing me!!!!
Dawn, omg,
You’re right, I did it to me too
April, I know. I was so sad when it did that. I’ve been waiting for book 3 for what seems like forever!! 🙁
It’s there on Amazon guys, so if you have a Kindle, enjoy! I hope you like it.
I just bought the book. I can’t wait to start reading it tonight. 🙂
Yeay! Happy reading!
Here in Indianapolis, it is 8:00am.
I cannot find the book on my kindle!
Feeling a little sad
It’s there, April! 🙂
I’m on chapter 5……
Gonna be a long night
You read fast! You may have it done soon!
TWO More days!!!! CAN’T Wait Meredith !! SO Excited to read about James & how to get back to his beloved Sarah…… Hope you are well& happy it’s finished! Maria x
Hi Maria! Just a few more hours! I hope you like Book Three too. Let me know!
Hello Meredith. I am super excited with up coming release of The Loving Husband Trilogy. I wanted to ask you if you will know when this books available in amazon for the kindle fire?
Hi Edith! Just two more days until Her Loving Husband’s Return is available on Friday, 4/19 for all e-book formats, including Kindle. I hope you like Book Three. Thanks for asking!
Oh Meredith! Hope you are well. The Prolouge reads Fantastically well!! Can’t Wait for3rd book!! Cover is Mysterious – SO Can’t wait to read it! When is it due for publication ? X
Hi, Maria! I agree that the cover is mysterious. That’s why I like it so much. The publication date is 4/19/13–just a few weeks away! I’m so glad you like the Prologue.
I’ve been telling Everyone in in Ireland(that’ll listen,& some who won’t !) how Anazing your first two books are! Even got my husband converted! He thought it was “to romantic”@ the start, but is looking forward to the Trilogy as are Loads of us!! Wishing you continued good health. Maria
Thank you so much for all your support, Maria. It means the world to me. I’m so glad your husband liked the books. I think he’s one of the few men I’ve heard of who read them! I apologize for the delay in responding, but I just got back from a week in London. It’s very cold there for someone living in the desert, but I had a lot of fun anyway. I hope you’re keeping warm in Ireland!
Oh Meredith! Hope you are well. The Prolouge reads Fantastically well!! Can’t Wait for3rd book!!
I love the cover. It looks mysterious. If I wasn’t already looking forward to the book, it would definitely grab my attention.
I think that’s why I liked the new cover so much–it leaves a lot to the imagination! I’m so glad you like it, Debbie!
cover looks great but when is the book coming out cant wait
The book will be out on 4/19/13. Thanks for asking, Lori.
Great cover. The prologue already has me wandering what type of atrocities will be inflicted upon the prisoners.
There’s definitely a lot to talk about when dealing with the Japanese-American internments during World War II, Natalie. I’m so glad you like the cover.
Fantastic prologue, Stunning Cover.
Thanks, David! I’m lucky enough to have a great cover designer who has really caught onto the mysterious aspects of the stories.