Friday, May 29, 2015

TROUBLE IN LOVELAND IS FUNNY, CLEAN, HEARTFELT ROMANCE!

Jennifer Peel is giving away a $50 gift card to one lucky person.


Trouble in Loveland peel



TROUBLE IN LOVELAND Blurb:


What teenage girl hasn't gone to great lengths to get noticed by her crush?

Charlee Jensen is no exception. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately in the end, Ryan her much older neighbor and unrequited love has no idea she exists during her teenage years, at least not the way she wants him to.

That all changes, though, when Charlee returns home, after eight years, to work for her estranged father and Ryan ... her teen crush. This time, Ryan has no problem noticing her. His only problem is that he isn't quite sure what to do with this woman who is suddenly all grown up, beautiful and annoyingly charming.

Throw in a cute three year old, and an ex-wife that's not quite ready to let go, and you have a whole lot of trouble in Loveland.

Trouble in Loveland is a clean, heartfelt romance filled with humor and tenderness.

Grab your copy now!



Praise for the Book

"Jennifer Peel's writing captures you from the start and pulls you in. Trouble in Loveland is a fantastic book and was the perfect escape that I look for when I read. It has it all! Drama, humor, and romance. Highly recommend!"

"I have a new favorite author! I am so glad that Jennifer Peel started writing because she writes exactly the kinds of books that I love and Trouble in Loveland is no exception--it's good, clean, romantic fun!"

"Funny and heartfelt! Jennifer Peel creates characters that are so relatable! This story made me both laugh and cry. A must read!"

TROUBLE IN LOVELAND Excerpt:

Ryan’s eyes seared into mine. “I was hoping I would get to dance with you tonight.”

“You were?”

“Yes, but you’ve been quite popular.” He pulled back a tad and looked down at my dress. “You look very …”

“Please don’t say grown up.”

He smiled and shook his head. “I wasn’t going to say that, I was going to say …” he tried to think of something.

“You were going to say it, weren’t you?”

He sighed. “Charlee, you really know how to make a guy feel inadequate don’t you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I find I like it.”

“You do?”

He nodded his head. “I also find you to be very …” he hesitated.

“Very what?”

“Beautiful and annoyingly charming.”

“How can somebody be annoying and charming at the same time?”

“See what I mean?” He winked.

In my heels, we were practically eye level, and our faces were mere inches apart. I could smell the sweet smell of honey on his breath; I wanted more than anything to taste it, and the way he was looking at me at that moment, I thought maybe he felt the same way. His eyes quickly turned to confusion though before he pulled me a little closer. I rested my head against his and swayed against him. It was even better than I imagined. I wanted the dance to last forever.

“By the way,” I whispered in his ear. “I find you very beautiful too.”



Jennifer Peel Headshot
Author Jennifer Peel

I'm a Colorado native who currently calls Alabama home. I'm the mother of three amazing children who have grown up way too fast. I enjoy the mountains, vacations at the beach, date night with my husband, late night talks with my kiddos, touring model homes, and pink bubblegum ice cream.

I grew up on the Western Slope in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. I learned to love the beauty of the outdoors, but not camping--unless staying overnight at the Marriott counts. I met my husband while living in Denver and then several years later we traded the beauty and majesty of the Colorado Rocky Mountains for the art and culture of Chicago, Illinois. My family and I enjoyed living near this world class city, despite the crazy cold winters, but new adventures awaited in Northern Alabama--just six hours away from Orange Beach, Alabama. These three magical places (the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Chicago, and Orange Beach) are the inspired locations used in several of my books.


Also by Jennifer Peel
Jennifer Peel



50_Amazon_Paypal

Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/21/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Wednesday, May 27, 2015

TAYLOR DEAN SHARES TOUCHING INSPIRATION FOR RELEASE, GIRL OF MINE



Taylor Dean's newest book is now available!
Look for Taylor's great giveaway below!


GIRLOFMINE








The book trailer:







The song that inspired me while writing GIRL OF MINE:
(Watch until the end. There's a surprise!)



A interesting tidbit about GIRL OF MINE:
My dad always worried about the cost of the electricity bill. If he walked past my bedroom and noticed that my light had been left on, he would turn it off and holler,
"That's okay, Taylor, I got your light."
It became a bit of a joke in our household. My siblings and I loved to try and catch my dad leaving on a light, just so we could say,
"That's okay, Dad, I got your light."
Now that I'm an adult with my own family, the term takes on new meaning.
The message behind it has worked its way into my new novel, Girl of Mine.
My father brought me into this world, he cared for me, and he taught me well. He gave me my "light," my life.
He nourished my "light" and helped me become the person I am today.
So, Dad, thanks for getting my light.
I'll always be grateful.



Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it's paranormal, contemporary, or suspense--you'll find all sub-genres of clean romance in her line-up.







100_Amazon_Paypal


$100 Blast Giveaway


Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash


Ends 6/15/2015


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Monday, May 25, 2015

A TRUE WOMAN OF COURAGE!

For a long time, I have been resistant about reading a serial because I like every thread in a book tied up nicely by the last page. That’s before my friend and critique partner Geri Foster decided to write a serial called WOMEN OF COURAGE: LOVE RELEASED. Geri’s serial/series hooked me on the first page! This series is so great I can’t overemphasize how wonderful it is!



Here are Geri’s words about her journey with this series:

For all the years I’ve been writing, not once did I consider writing a Historical Romantic Suspense. I’ve always leaned toward danger and suspense, but more in the contemporary world with spies, special agents and lots of action.

As I continued to write these books, in the back of my mind was a very frightened, weary young woman begging me to tell her story. I ignored her for over a year, with my critique partners, writer friends and even my editor telling me to go for it. I believed that Women of Courage simply wasn’t my kind of story and not what people had come to expect from me.

What would my readers and fans say, I asked myself. Would they cross over? Going from Action Adventure to Historical Romantic Suspense is a wide gap. It was a gamble. What if no one liked that era? Was it too soon to write a post-World War II book?

I would be stepping out of my comfort zone as a writer and I was very leery.

Another thing that frightened me was that this story would be an extremely emotional story of true love and I didn’t know if I was up to that. I would have to write raw, gritty and heartbreaking scenes. That’s so difficult for a writer to settle into. But, the story also had its rewards. There were other touching scenes of tenderness of loving a child, heartwarming reunions, true bonds, and happy ever after.

No longer able to keep the story inside, I set out on this daunting journey with the idea I’d write one book and see how it goes. I learned in the writing world it doesn’t pay to make plans. Every story has a life of its own and Women of Courage would not allow me to stop until the story was finished.

I set the story where I was familiar, my great grandmother’s hometown. My hometown is twelve miles away. So much of the story is set in a fictional place that’s a blend of both places.

My character’s name is Cora and so was my grandmother’s, and that’s just a hint of how much of the story parallels things I’m comfortable with.

I hope you will try this serial. While I’d meant it to be one, maybe two books, it’s grown much larger and even as I write this, it continues to grow.

If you like to immerse yourself into the lives of fascinating people facing the difficulties of life after the Second World War, people forgiving the past and finding true, deep, abiding love then you’ll enjoy Women of Courage.    

Thank you,
Geri Foster

Bestselling Author Geri Foster

Now here’s my review of Geri's new series:

Cora Williams is a woman each of us can admire. Unjustly sentenced to prison, she’s seen and experienced things no one should.  Though she’s been pounded down by life, she is not completely broken. Damaged, yes, but determined to make a good life for her nephew Jack. Cora comes to Gibbs City, Missouri to live in the cottage left by her late Aunt Rose, and where she hopes to make a happy home for Jack and herself. 

Disowned by her wealthy parents, Cora has no cash, no way to make repairs on the home, but she has backbone and isn’t afraid of hard work. All she needs is a chance to fit into the community—and a job. Jobs are scarce, and she has to take a position working for an odious man who owns the local dry cleaner/laundry.  

Virgil Carter is the Gibbs City Sheriff—the kind of official every town or city needs. As a WWII veteran, war nightmares haunt him. As a lawman, Virgil is strict but fair. As a Gibbs City resident, he is a compassionate man who tries to help all those in need.
When he meets Cora, he senses her desperation and fear. His curiosity is aroused, but that soon turns to admiration, then to love. But Cora is afraid to trust a man—any man—and is evading true evil. She will protect Jack at any cost but she can’t risk harm coming to him or letting anyone close to her. All she wants is to be left alone and get on with her life. But there are those who want Cora dead because she knows their secrets.  

Truthfully, this is a continuing series more than a serial. You know how the old movie serials stopped each segment with a cliffhanger? WOMEN OF COURAGE: LOVE RELEASED does not do that. Most threads in each volume are tied up, but one or two continue through all five books before being resolved.

Geri is working on more of the LOVE RELEASED series as well as more of her Falcon Securities series. That woman is a genius and one hard-working and versatile writer. No wonder she is a NYTimes and USAToday bestselling writer.

Here’s the blurb for WOMEN OF COURAGE:LOVE RELEASED, book one.

EMOTIONAL, HONEST, ENDURING

He stands on the other side of sorrow and despair with a love so vast and strong it reaches into her soul and sparks the courage to become the woman waiting for her.

She’s running from her past and he’s duty-bound to protect her.
Cora Williams is an ex-con exiled to Gibbs City, Missouri. A small town where she hopes to remain undisturbed and unobtrusive. With her nephew Jack, her wants are simple, to hide from the horrors of her past.

Sheriff Virgil Carter is a WW2 veteran with demons of his own, but Parker County is his to protect. That includes a young, beautiful woman newly released from prison who longs to be left alone.

Love often comes like sleep, softly, quietly and unexpectedly. You just have to close your eyes. 

On a scale of 1 for bad and 5 for great, I give this series a wholehearted 5. I’m sure you’ll agree! 


The first volume is free everywhere except at Amazon, where it’s 99 cents

Here are the buy links:
Amazon=99 cents    FREE@ Apple      Nook        Kobo         Google Play                   

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, May 22, 2015

DARK SUMMONER -- FAST PACED ROMANTIC SAGA OF RELIC KEEPER SERIES


DARK SUMMONER
by D.D. Miers


D.D. Miers is awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.  


DARK SUMMONER Blurb:

"Looking at him made me desirous for things I never thought I would want."

Abby Davenport has spent the last ten years forgetting her past until a fateful night reveals her false reality. Thrust into a new world of dark sorcery and ancient magic, she's shocked to discover her destiny lies as the keeper of a powerful relic. Now everyone wants to control, own, or destroy her. No longer able to discern truth from lie, she’s torn between a charming guardian and a mysterious summoner. Abby finds herself strangely drawn to each man—one sworn to protect and one who calls to her soul. Can she survive the strange and dangerous labyrinth of the first realm, where every move, emotion, and reaction must be a calculated one?





DARK SUMMONER Excerpt:

His six-foot-plus frame leaned against the leather walls, arms crossed over his muscular chest, his demeanor casual yet controlled. To say he intimidated me would have been an understatement.

He seemed like the devil incarnate—a strange combination of wickedly handsome and utterly terrifying.

A strange black smokiness swirled around his frame, and I couldn’t tell if it was coming from him or somewhere in the club. Everything about him exuded danger. Whoever he was, that thing took one look at this man and disappeared. I couldn’t help but feel slightly grateful. The brief windows of light allowed me glimpses of his dark and brooding features. Much of him remained in shadow. But I noticed his stunning eyes. They glowed unnaturally and danced as he watched me. With abnormal speed, they flashed from crystal gray to black coal and back again. His short, jet-black hair was tousled yet perfect, and a slight stubble bordered his jawline.

His riveting stare petrified and aroused me at the same time. Looking at him made me desirous for things I never thought I would want. I was recovering from the silent assault when a sudden daze clouded my mind, and my eyelashes fluttered uncontrollably. There wasn’t time for me to panic as it lifted within seconds.

I was no longer in the club.

BUY Links:

Amazon AU - http://bit.ly/1dQPBlD

 
D. D. Miers, Author
  
With her debut novel DARK SUMMONER, D.D. Miers begins the Relic Keeper Series, a fast-paced romantic saga filled with danger, destiny, and magic, set in her favorite genre, Paranormal and Fantasy Romance.

Born with a wildly overactive imagination, she’s told stories of enchanted worlds, treacherous villains, and epic love for as long as she can remember. She keeps a watchful eye for the paranormal hiding around every corner and constantly checks the window or rearview mirror for a vampire or fairy.

Although she has a fondness for all things fantasy, she's an epic romance fan at heart and in everything she asks, “What would Jane Austen do?” The journey to becoming a published author has been a long but exciting one. A fervent desire for taking readers from the ordinary to the extraordinary keeps her motivated, and she believes that everything is better with a good helping of romance thrown in.

D.D. is a proud member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal Sub-Genre of RWA (FF&P). She continues to attend conferences and writers’ workshops in order to help inspire, share, and promote her love for romance.

During her downtime, she loves to spend time with her family, share her obsession of all things romance with other fans, and catch up on her never-ending TBR list. She resides in beautiful Southern California with her wonderful husband, an adorable toddler, two kitties, and the many different characters living in her head.

Website: www.ddmiers.com   




GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 


D.D. Miers is awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

Our Facebook Launch Party was tons of fun! Thanks to each of you who came by to participate.

Hugs to everyone who attended the party!

We had such fun greeting friends and making new ones.

The grand prize of a $50 Gift Card  will be awarded later today so that those in other time zones will have a chance to participate. Sara Benedict of Your Essential Solutions will choose the winner and let Callie and me know who to send the gift card.

During the party I had the dreaded server issues and had slow refresh problems, but I was able to keep up with comments and guests--even if I was a little behind a few times.

I hope Callie Hutton and I sold a ton of books due to our launch. Even if we didn't, we had a pleasant evening. As I mentioned yesterday, Callie's book is ANYPLACE BUT HERE, book 5 of her Oklahoma Lovers series. Mine is O'NEILL'S TEXAS BRIDE, book 2 in the McClintock series.




Here's an excerpt from O'NEILL'S TEXAS BRIDE to tempt you. It features schoolteacher sisters. Stella Clayton is the heroine of this book. Her sister Nettie Sue Clayton will be heroine in the next book, McCLINTOCK'S RELUCTANT BRIDE, book 3 of this series..

Stella held the green ribbon in her hands. “What sort of man spends his money on people he’s just met? Why isn’t he saving for the future?”
Her sister tied the blue ribbon around her hair. “Can’t you take pleasure in the gift instead of questioning the giver?”
“Harrumph. I suppose you’re sweet on him?”
Nettie’s eyes sparkled when she glanced at Stella. “You’re the one he couldn’t take his eyes from that night. I wonder what James Llewellyn would think of that?”
As if she cared. She supposed Mr. Llewellyn was nice enough, but she was standing firm in her beliefs. “What Mr. Llewellyn thinks is not important to me. I’m not marrying a miner, and that’s final. I’d rather be an old maid.”
Nettie examined her image in the mirror and adjusted the bow on her ribbon. “Too bad. Considering our current lack of non-miner suitors, that may be your only choice. Unless you’re interested in the reverend, and he’s over sixty if he’s a day.” She giggled.
Standing behind her sister, Stella smoothed her own dark red hair then leaned in to peer at her reflection. Oh, no. Was that another freckle on her nose? “I’m serious, Nettie. I simply have to find a better life than this.”
The other woman twirled away. “You could be starving on a dirt farm somewhere with a dull farmer and six kids.”
Stella slipped on her shoes and pretended the soles weren’t so worn. She dreaded winter when she’d feel every cold stone in spite of the cardboard she’d slid inside. “What a picture that is. But a farmer at least has a large garden and animals with plenty to eat.”
Nettie laughed from the doorway. “So you’ll be fat but barefoot and work from sunup to sundown and never finish with your chores.”
She couldn’t help grinning at her sister. “You are terrible, you know. Hurry so we won’t be late for school.” They left the house and linked arms.


Amazon      Amazon UK       Apple/iTunes        Nook         Kobo       Google Play

And a reminder that THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE, McClintocks book one, is FREE at all the above except in the UK. 

Did you win one of the giveaways? I hope so!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Free hug graphic from Pinterest.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

COME TO OUR FANDANGO THIS EVENING!



Don't you love a party where people are giving away things like books and gift cards? Yeah, me, too. You're invited to one of those. Here's the information you'll need:

USA Today bestselling author Callie Hutton and I are sharing a Facebook Party to celebrate our new releases. Her release is ANYPLACE BUT HERE, book five of her Oklahoma Lovers. Mine is O'NEILL'S TEXAS BRIDE, book two of McClintocks. 

Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm in Eastern Daylight Time. We'll leave the contests open a few extra hours so those in other time zones and countries  have a chance to enter.


We’ll have actual books and gift cards to give to those who attend. 

We'll be serving virtual refreshments. I'll have TexMex with nachos, salsa, queso, and a margarita or two. You can drink all of the virtual margaritas you want and never have a headache.

Among numerous other authors dropping by, these are hosting a slot:

Merry Farmer 7:00

Jacquie Rogers 7:30

Caroline Clemmons 8:00 -- but I'll be around the whole time.

Christine Warner 8:30

Cynthia Woolf 9:00

Kirsten Osbourne 9:30

Callie Hutton 10:00

Y’all please plan to drop by. Kick off your boots and stay a while. 


Monday, May 18, 2015

MAIL ORDER OUTLAW -- BRIDES OF TOMBSTONE FROM CYNTHIA WOOLF

How exciting to welcome one of my favorite authors, Cynthia Woolf. Authors are constantly trying to come up with something we haven't used before, and Cynthia has accomplished that extremely well. Her latest release is MAIL ORDER OUTLAW, the first of her Brides of Tombstone Series, and this book has many surprising characters and events. I've already purchased my copy and no doubt you'll want to do the same when you read this post. This book is so interesting that I simply won't be able to stop reading MAIL ORDER OUTLAW until the last line. Late bedtime tonight. ☺ 

Here's what Cynthia has to say:

Thanks for having me Caroline.

I want to talk a little bit about my new series, The Brides of Tombstone. I love doing mail order bride stories but for this one I wanted them to be a little different. I chose Tombstone because it was someplace that everyone has heard about, although next time I think I’ll make up my own city. I can make things exactly the way I want them then.

My husband and I did do a long weekend trip to Tombstone. Two days down, we live in Colorado. Two days back and one in Tombstone. All I can say is that the Tombstone that’s there now is very tame compared to what it was in 1882, the year my book is set. The City of Tombstone circa 2015, is little more than a tourist trap. The buildings are the same ones as were there in 1882, at the height of the silver boom, but they are filled with souvenirs and a few had tours. It was interesting enough, but not historically accurate which is what I’d hoped for.

The first book is called MAIL ORDER OUTLAW.  You can tell by the title that it's a little different than your average mail order bride story. Here's the blurb:

Ed Talbot isn't husband material. He's an outlaw, was forced into his father's gang at the age of thirteen, and is wanted Dead or Alive in more than one territory. But now his father is dead, he hates the life, the blood, and his brother's rages. When a stagecoach robbery goes awry, Ed ends up with a satchel full of charming letters from an enticing your miss. Unfortunately for Miss Lizzie Cobb, her betrothed is now dead, and Ed Talbot sees a way out. Impersonating a fine, upstanding young man shouldn't be too difficult. Despite the risks, falling in love with her proves to be all too easy.

Isolated on her mother's ranch just outside Tombstone, Miss Lizzie Cobb doesn't have the time or the means to find a respectable husband. As a half Apache woman in the Arizona Territory, being a mail order bride seems like the only solution to her problem until she realizes that San Francisco is too far away, and she'll have to leave her vulnerable mother and baby brother behind. Her solution? Call off the wedding.

When her groom shows up on her doorstep, she's shocked. He's handsome, strong, and has traveled hundreds of miles to claim her. His kisses inflame her body and his presence soothes her soul. Falling for the rugged man is beyond her control. But the past has a way of catching up to outlaws, and facing the truth is going to be hard...for both of them.

Does that sound enticing to you? I certainly hope so.



Here is a short excerpt from MAIL ORDER OUTLAW that I hope you'll enjoy.

Outside Tucson, Arizona Territory, May 12, 1882

Ed Talbot adjusted his bandana to cover the lower half of his face. The stagecoach his father had targeted for his latest robbery was about to crest the hill. When it did Ed and his half-brother, Harvey, would be waiting. His father, Josiah Talbot, would fall in behind the vehicle until it came to a halt.
Josiah rode with Harry and Joe, closing in behind.

Ed and his brother waited and the coach was slowing as it was supposed to. Suddenly the shotgun rider started firing his rifle at the men closing in behind.

Ed and Harvey rode toward the coach. Harvey fired his pistol and killed the shotgun rider, but not before they saw Josiah fall. The stage came to a halt and Ed kept his gun on the driver, while Harvey rode past the coach to where their father lay on the ground.

“Nooo.” A howl like Ed had never heard came out of Harvey. Ed knew then that their father was dead, but he didn’t grieve. The man Ed had hated for most of his life was dead. He rejoiced.

Harvey walked forward, reloading his gun as he came. As soon as he got had a full cylinder, he aimed at the driver and shot him dead.

Ed saw what was going to happen and jumped off his horse and ran toward his brother. He grabbed his brother’s arm. “Harvey. What the hell do you think you’re doin’?”

“He killed Pa. He deserved to die. The driver and this man are a witnesses and have to die…” Harvey’s eyebrows came together and he narrowed his eyes. “Or you do and then he dies anyway. Now you got a problem with that?”

That was no choice and Ed was about to say so, when Harvey raised his pistol and fired. The man who’d done nothing but be a passenger on the wrong stage, was dead.

“Couldn’t let you say something you might regret, little brother.” Harvey holstered his gun. “Gather up all the stuff including the luggage and then search all three men,” he instructed Harry and Joe.

Ed noticed a valise in the coach that he assumed belonged to the man. He took it and tied it to his saddle bags.

“Let’s go,” said Harvey. “Take the coach horses, we’ll sell them in town and set the coach on fire.”

Joe gathered up sage brush, so prevalent in this part of the desert near Tucson and piled it inside the coach. Then he took a stick match out of his pocket, struck it against a rock and started the kindling on fire. Within minutes the stagecoach was burning and black smoke billowed into the sky. If they hung around, they’d be found by the sheriff’s posse.

“All right let’s get out of here.” Harvey turned and rode his horse the way they’d come, back to their hideout in the Mule Mountains.

Not having any choice, Ed followed his brother. Harvey would kill him in a heartbeat rather than let him go. Their father had been the same way. Fifteen years ago, when Ed’s mother died, Josiah had taken him into the gang. Ed was thirteen. He learned how to rob stages, trains and banks. He learned how to kill people but he never actually killed anyone. He’d managed to avoid that particular deed. His father and brother thought him a coward, but Ed had no taste for killing a living soul or the outlaw life in general.

Buy links:






Cynthia Woolf, Author
Cynthia Woolf was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends. Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian who brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She write her first story at the age of ten...a romance about a little boy she liked at the time.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she's made at Colorado Romance Writers for saving her sanity and encouraging her to explore her creativity.


Friday, May 15, 2015

#RELEASE DAY! YEEHAW! #series #Texas1885 @CarolinClemmons

How exciting to announce that my latest release, O’NEILL’S TEXAS BRIDE, McClintocks book 2, is now available. I hope you love this book as much as I loved writing this one!  

Finn O’Neill is an honorable man who has spent his life trapped by circumstances beyond his control. Through his sister’s marriage to Dallas McClintock in THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, Finn and his family finally experience good fortune.  Finn dreams of a life in partnership with Dallas raising horses. To achieve the dream, he must purchase land. Problem is, he has no money other than the generous salary paid him by his brother-in-law.

Stella Grace Clayton is a loving daughter and school teacher also trapped in a life she hates. No, she doesn’t hate teaching, just that her family lives in a coal town. Knowing her father won’t live a full life as a coal miner, she dreams of a better life for her and for her family. What’s more, she’s determined her younger brother will not be forced into that life. Nor does she want her sister or herself faced with only miners from which to choose a husband—but so far mine workers are the only men they meet.

How do two people from two diverse backgrounds meet? Thank you for asking.

Here’s the blurb for this romantic mystery:

Finn O’Neill longs for his own ranch, his own horses, his own home and family but thought the lofty dream beyond him. Now the opportunity has arisen but to achieve his dream, he bargains with Grandpa McClintock and his nephew to pose as a miner and seek out the person or persons causing disasters at the Farland Coal Mine.

Stella Clayton has witnessed the heartbreak and tragedy of a coal miner’s life. Her family came from England to the promise of a better life only to find the same hardships. She is determined that her young brother will never follow in their father’s footsteps. And she vows she will never marry a man who engaged in that work. She fights to resist charms of the handsome Irishman who’s recently come to work in Lignite, Texas.

When Finn arrives in Lignite, he immediately falls for the beautiful schoolteacher, Stella Clayton. But her father is one of the men suspected of causing destruction. What Finn discovers soon puts him and members of the Clayton family in peril. Can he salvage his dream, fulfill his promise, and protect the woman he loves and her family?

Stella Grace Clayton represented on the cover
(I always wanted hair like that)
And here’s an excerpt as Finn and the men on his team or leaving the mine:

Aleski clapped Finn on the back. “You still unwilling to play cards with me?”
“Right you are. Mining is the only stupid thing I do.”
Aleski laughed, as did the other three.
Jose Garza said, “You’re a smart man, O’Neill. The Pole, he will take your money if you let him.”
Aleski said, “Aw, it’s only the scrip. Worthless anyway.”
Ulys Young nudged Aleski. “Not as much as you have. Most of us have lost a part of our pay to you at one time or another.”
Aleski frowned. “You saying I cheat?”
Ulys held out a hand to signal protest. “As good a player as you has no need.”
The Pole’s frown disappeared. “This is what I always say. Everyone is good at something. I’m good at cards. They speak to me.”
“Talking cards? What do they say?” Finn asked with a smile.
“You know that is not what I meant, but they do say ‘there is the ace’ or ‘that man has the king.’ Then I know how to manage my cards.”
“Sure and I’ve known others with that ability, but I don’t have it meself.” Finn wasn’t convinced Aleski didn’t cheat. He won too often for the odds. Still, he might really be smart enough to keep track of the cards played and figure out who had what left in his hand. Was he also clever enough to stage “accidents” without detection?  
Council, Ivan, and Ulys [the married men] split off and walked toward the houses while Jose, Aleski, and Finn [single men] headed for the longhouse.
“I play the Solitaire,” Jose said. “Then even when I lose, I keep my pay.”
“Smart.” Finn said. “By now I’m so tired my brain is mush. Think I’ll take a walk after supper and then turn in.”
They reached the metal tubs and pump for washing up before they went inside to dine.
“Sí, tonight I am especially tired. I tried to keep up with you and Señor Clayton. You two will kill me, but we are sure to win the bonus this month.”
“More scrip to waste at the store.” Finn filled his plate with watery stew and took a chunk of thick bread.
Jose stayed beside him. “No, didn’t you know the bonus is real money? If we win, I will give a part of my salary to the boy who fell and broke his leg. He will be far behind by the time he can work again.”
Finn couldn’t hide his surprise. “Surely Farland will pay for all his care since he works and lives here.”
Aleski laughed as they found seats at the long table. “Are you crazy? Farland will charge him for his stay at the hospital, the doctor’s fees, nursing fee, and every meal he eats. He’ll never get it all repaid.”
Anger shot through Finn. “That’s downright underhanded and makes me plenty mad. I’ll donate some o’ my pay also. And we will win the bonus.”
The Pole nodded and forked up a bite of potato. “I believe so. I’ll keep any cash but I’ll donate my other winnings. After all, some belonged to the boy before he fell.”
“That’s good o’ you both. Mayhap I’ll take up a collection among the single men. Those who are married need every piece o’ worthless pay they can get.”

O’NEILL’S TEXAS BRIDE Available at these sites:

Amazon      AmazonUK     Apple     Nook           Kobo           Google Play

On May 28th on Facebook, I’ll host an official Launch Party for O’NEILL’S TEXAS BRIDE. In the meantime, I hope you’ll buy this book and read it. There will be books and other prizes by the authors participating in the launch party. More on that later this month.

Right now, to celebrate the release of book two, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, McClintocks book one, is FREE in the USA. 



Here are the links:

Amazon      Apple                   Nook          Kobo          Google Play

I’m already at work on Nettie Sue Clayton’s story. She’s the younger sister of Stella Clayton by two years. Where Stella is a redhead with a fiery temper, Nettie Sue is a blonde with a sweet, mischievous nature. Well, sweet until she tangles with Josh McClintock.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

Where have I been? Yes, I missed blog days. All my fault because I was completing edits on O'NEILL'S TEXAS BRIDE, which will be released on May 16th. The book is edited, polished, and ready for release now. Then I went to lunch with friends and came home with stomach upset which knocked me sideways.

This book required so much research! I keep a lot of research books handy and have memorized tons of nineteenth century Texas history. In this book, Finn O'Neill goes undercover to capture the person or persons causing catastrophes at a coal mine southwest of San Antonio. As the saying goes, what I knew about coal mining you could put in your eye and it wouldn't hurt.

That has changed in a big way. Mining research is not that easy because all the documents talk about twentieth century mining. Not a help for my book. Excuse the pun, but I had to dig deeper and deeper to determine mining in 1886 Texas.

First of all, much of the work currently done by machines was done by men and horses. What the men did was what I needed to learn. Let me tell you, they worked hard and in appalling conditions. As hard as it was for my hero Finn O'Neill to work in those conditions, it was almost as hard for this claustrophobic writer to describe. I get shivers thinking about a mine.



If you read THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE, you'll remember that Finn O'Neill is the older brother of that books heroine, Cenora Rose O'Neill. She married Dallas McClintock, and O'NEILL'S TEXAS BRIDE is book two in the McClintocks.

You may also figure out that I've always wanted red hair just like that on the cover above. So many of my mom's family had red hair--except for her and for me. We have the brown hair of her father's German ancestry. That's why many of my heroines have lustrous, thick, red hair. Or blonde hair like many of my nieces and cousins. Sigh. I have thin, brown hair. Mother Nature is so unfair.

I hope you'll forgive me for missing my post date and check out the book when it's released. There is a lot of action and danger and romance waiting for you if you do.

The next book, McCLINTOCK'S RELUCTANT BRIDE will be released at the end of June. I love the McClintock family, as you may have guessed.

Thanks for stopping by!