BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND GIVEAWAYS CONTINUE!

Did you venture out yesterday among the Black Friday shoppers? Most of my shopping is done online. Still, I went a little nuts and, instead of one name, I  chose four readers to receive SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME: Ann, Sue, Desi, and Patsy. I’ll email you ladies with your download of this book and hope you enjoy reading it. Thanks for commenting!

THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is my giveaway for today’s post in our Black Friday Blog Mini-Hop. This is my all-time favorite book cover. Isn’t it gorgeous? The artist was able to duplicate the Irish Traveler’s wagon in the lower right corner that the heroine's family would have used. She also found a fabulous model with green eyes and a red scarf. The fact that the red scarf in the story does not have coins is not relevant when you consider the striking cover. THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is available in print and e-download from The Wild Rose Press and other online stores.

Mayan Ranch Trail Ride

I love driving through the Texas Hill Country where this THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE is set. Years ago, my family and I stayed at the Hicks family’s Mayan Guest Ranch near Bandera. Our daughters and I loved our visit and found the experience unforgettable. My husband...mmm, not so much. As usual, he was a good sport. After all, we’d already been fishing, his favorite portion of the vacation. That's when I fell in love with the area, and why I chose this setting for my western historical romance set in 1885.

Each time I’ve driven through Central Texas, I’ve loved the scenery. (Even though my sinuses hate the cedar. Ahhhchooo!) Often referred to as the "Swiss Alps of Texas," this is primarily ranching country, but with some great apple orchards. Bandera calls itself the "Cowboy Capital of the World." Works for me, but I imagine there are similar claims all over the West.

Lost Maples in spring

An especially pretty area is the Lost Maples State Natural Area. Maple trees aren’t native to Texas except in this one area--hence the term “Lost Maples.” It's as if the trees wandered away from New England and dug in their roots to stay. I’m so grateful this area is protected for visitors and wildlife.

Lost Maples in fall

Years ago, Lost Maples was a bandit’s trail, a route for thieves to drive their rustled horses down to South Texas and Mexico, and a trail well known by Native Americans. Now, an almost cathedral-like aura hovers over the valley. The little streams hurry along the rocky creek beds.

Golden-cheeked warbler
found in Lost Maples

Birds chatter from the trees, but there is little other sound. With high cliff walls on each side, the result is almost mystical. Imagine traveling through there in the 1800's, when you wouldn't know whether good or bad lay around the bend. That’s why I had rustlers drive my hero’s horses to Lost Maples with dire results.

How about a blurb:


Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas, but she agrees to wed the handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the bully Tom Williams. A fine settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom Williams.

Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s wagon to be tended. He is trapped into marrying Cenora, but he is not a man who goes back on his word. His wife has a silly superstition for everything, but passion-filled nights with her make up for everything—even when her wild, eccentric family drives crazy.


How about an excerpt:


Here’s an excerpt during the celebration for Dallas’ forced wedding as he sits with his new mother-in-law, Aoiffe O’Neill, while his new wife dances with other young women.

Dallas raised his gaze where Aoife directed. Four girls danced, but only one drew his attention. Shoulders straight and feet flying, Cenora met his glance, then broke away from the other dancers to perform only a few yards from him.


Catcalls sounded nearby. She ignored them but gave a toss of her head. Her hair had come unbound, and her act sent her fiery hair awhirl. Light from the blazing campfire cast an aura-like radiance around her. Lantern glow overhead reflected her eyes sparked with merriment, challenge, and something mysterious he couldn’t name.


No longer the delicate china doll, her wild beauty called to him, mesmerized him. He visualized her brilliant tresses spread across a pillow, her milky skin bared only for him. His body responded, and savage desire shot through him. Surprised at the depth of his reaction, he wondered if her performance in bed would parallel the unbridled nature of her dance.


Good Lord, could this glorious woman truly be his wife? And if so, heaven help him, what on earth was he to do with her?


Any reviews?


Reviews for THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE have been great. Here’s an excerpt from Night Owl Reviews, a Top Pick review:

Dialogs are fantastic as the O’Neill family still speaks as if they are still in Ireland. The wording is such that you can hear the brogue. Even better are the blessings and toasts that are shared as well as customs and superstitions. What starts as a clash of cultures becomes a fantastic story. Just when you thought a happily ever after was just around the corner, another corner appears. What should have been a simple, sweet love story developed into a complex family affair...I want more! Fantastic historical set in cowboy country.

The buy link for THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is
www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html If you haven't read this book, I hope you'll give it a try.

 Our Black Friday Mini-blog Hop continues through Sunday evening, so please visit the other three authors participating--Isabel Roman, Nicole McCaffery, and Susan Macatee--and return here tomorrow. Click on each name below to be taken to that author's website:

Isabel Roman


Nicole McCaffery


Susan Macatee

If you haven’t already discovered them yourself, each of these authors is a wonderful multi- published writer worthy of your reading time.  Yes, they're my friends, but I am being honest when I recommend their books to you.

Thanks for stopping by!