You know the old sayings, “Life is what happens while you’re making
plans,” and “When man plans, the gods laugh”? Do I ever know those are true!
After life interfering with my writing, I am extremely pleased to
announce that my latest western historical romance in the Stone Mountain Texas
series, WINTER BRIDE, has recently been released. This is a stand-alone novel, but I'd love if you read the entire series. ☺
Here’s the WINTER BRIDE blurb:
When
Kendra Murdoch’s brother in law murders her sister, she takes charge of her
nephew and two nieces. Fearing the man plans the same fate for her, she seeks
shelter in Radford Crossing where she opens a café to support her small family.
Determined
to be self-sufficient, Kendra shuns all advances from the handsome sheriff as
danger hangs heavily over her head.
Butch Parrish battled a snowstorm and a killer to rescue Kendra and the children. He’ll do whatever is necessary to protect the independent young woman who rekindles sensations he thought were long dead. Protecting her, dealing with the town gossips, and investigating a stagecoach robbery, Butch has a battle on his hands.
Let me
share an excerpt from WINTER BRIDE:
“Her nephew came to stand beside her and she
ruffled his hair. “I peeled the potatoes and they’re in the big bowl of water.”
Thanks
for your help.” She was glad Saturday had arrived, for she looked forward to
being closed tomorrow. Although she loved operating the café, tensions of the
week weighed heavily on her shoulders. She was proud of Caleb for wanting to
help her today.
“What
should I do next?”
She
looked around. Terence was cutting up chickens for frying later. Dora was busy
with dishes from meal preparation and their customers’ breakfasts. She wanted
to make Caleb feel a part of their venture.
“Mr.
Koenig’s helper will be by soon to pick up the slop cans. Can you make sure all
the scraps are in pails?”
“Sure.
I don’t see how pork can be good for us when the hogs eat old leftovers.” Caleb
wrinkled his nose.1
Terence
laughed. “I haven’t noticed you turning down the meat.”
Caleb
dumped the potato peelings into one of the two large pails.
At
the worktable, Kendra rolled out another batch of biscuits. “Thank goodness Mr.
Koenig takes all our scraps. Without him, we’d have to pay someone to haul all
that off.”
“I
can put the cans outside for you, Aunt Kendra.”
Terence
glanced over his shoulder. “Caleb, are you sure? They’re heavy.”
“See?”
He hefted one of the pails.
Although
Caleb struggled to manage the heavy can, Kendra supposed he wanted to prove he
was a big help. Watching him, she struggled not to rush to his aid. He was
growing so quickly and she knew she had to treat him less like a baby and more
like an almost-nine-year-old boy.
He
opened the door and stepped outside then returned for the other pail. As he
disappeared from view to set the second can outside, he screamed. “Aunt Kendra,
help me!”
Gus.
Kendra ran as she reached a doughy hand into her pocket for her revolver. When
she stepped out of the café, she saw Gus dragging Caleb toward a horse.
“Stop
right now.” She aimed the pistol as Butch had shown her.
When
Gus continued toward his mount, Kendra prayed she wouldn’t hit Caleb. She fired
but her shot hit the dirt near Gus’ feet. He shoved his son to the ground and
rushed toward his horse.
Kendra
fired again, hoping to hit Gus now that Caleb wasn’t in the man’s grasp. Gus
yelped and jumped as her shot went into his leg. He managed to climb onto his
horse and gallop away.
Walking
toward Gus, Kendra fired after him until he’d disappeared from view and there
were no more bullets in her gun. Her hands shook and her knees threatened to
give way. She staggered over to Caleb and hugged him to her for several
seconds.
She
checked his appearance and searched his face. “You’re going to have a bad
bruise on your cheek. Are you all right otherwise? Did he hurt you?”
Gingerly,
he touched the injury on his face. “I’m okay. I sure was scared, though.”
Terence,
meat cleaver in hand, stood nearby. “You hit him. I was right behind you and
saw him jump.”
Gun
drawn, Butch ran around the building’s corner. “I heard shots. What’s going
on?”
Kendra
still clasped Caleb to her. “Gus tried to take Caleb. I was so afraid I’d hit
Caleb, but Terence agrees I shot Gus in the leg.”
Butch
holstered his gun and laid an arm across her shoulders. “Go back into the
kitchen and sit down. I’ll go after Tucker.”
She
waved away his comforting arm. “We’re fine. Go get that devil.”
WINTER
BRIDE is part of the Stone Mountain Texas series set in North Central Texas
near the site of present day Possum Kingdom Lake. Long before the lake was
constructed on the Brazos River, settlers came to establish ranches and farms
in the fertile lands along the river. Many remain today in towns like Strawn,
Palo Pinto, Mineral Wells, and Graham.
What
look like hills, but are really the Palo Pinto Mountains, are not as fertile, but
furnish enough brush for cattle. Small valleys dotted over this range offer
picturesque vistas. Needless to say, I love the area and always enjoy driving
there. I hope you will find it equally fascinating in this series and hope you
will read WINTER BRIDE.
Dear Readers, here's a plea you'll hear from every author--PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW WHEREVER YOU BOUGHT THE BOOK AND PERHAPS ON GOODREADS! You'll help authors so much and other readers too. So many of the places authors use to promote their work won't accept books with less than certain numbers of reviews. I already love you for buying my books. Please help me out by also leaving a review.
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| Edge of the Palo Pintos in the distance. |
Dear Readers, here's a plea you'll hear from every author--PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW WHEREVER YOU BOUGHT THE BOOK AND PERHAPS ON GOODREADS! You'll help authors so much and other readers too. So many of the places authors use to promote their work won't accept books with less than certain numbers of reviews. I already love you for buying my books. Please help me out by also leaving a review.
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