Please help me celebrate the release of ANGELINE, Bride Brigade book two, on
Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited at http://amzn.com/B01CEK3W0S.
Creating this town in which the only women are widows or part of older
couples—except for the young widow, Lydia Jane Harrison, was fun. Many bachelors are
threatening to move to Fort Worth or another city so they can meet a wife and
start a family. Who can blame them? Lydia loathes the fact there are no women
her age and no children.
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| Palo Pinto Mountains State Park near Mineral Wells, Texas |
The site of this fictional town is near the base of the
Palo Pinto Mountains in North Central Texas. Those of you who read my books know this is an area I love. To people from
other locales, the Palo Pinto Mountains look like hills, but by geological standards, they are
mountains. There is something about that area that calls to me. I never tire of
driving through the mountains and the little towns like Strawn and Santo. This is the area in which the Stone Mountain Tx books are set.
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| Brazos River in Palo Pinto County, Texas |
This was one of the hardest books I’ve written. I
have said that before, but this really was the most difficult. Not because of
research, but because the hero is a minister of the tiny town of Tarnation,
Texas. Writing a minister hero without being too “churchy” was a challenge. Not
that I have anything against inspirational romances. I read them, but that’s
not what I write. My goal is to have the same tone for each of the Bride
Brigade books. I’m sure my family is happy I’ve completed and published
ANGELINE so I’d quit fretting about it (yes, that’s a nice way of saying
complaining).
I have to admit I love the heroine, Angeline
Chandler, and the hero, Grady McIntyre. In my opinion, they make the perfect
couple. Lydia Harrison gave Angeline a second chance and secretly knew she was
right for Grady. This makes a marriage for two of the seven women Lydia brought
to Tarnation.
Here's the blurb for ANGELINE:
A desperate
young woman
A second chance
A
life-changing decision.
Angeline Chandler didn’t invite the attack that
created her condition but she’s suffering the result. Disowned by her family
and left alone and destitute, she gets a second chance when a kind woman
rescues her and invites her to travel to Tarnation, Texas with six other young
women for the purpose of marriage with a local bachelor. The prospect of
marrying one man while carrying another’s child worries Angeline. Who would
want her with another man’s baby?
Grady McIntyre is a minister whose wife died soon
after their son was born. The woman who has been helping with his toddler has
told him she’s too old to continue. When Angeline’s name is suggested as a
part-time nanny, he seizes the chance to hire her. Their attraction is
instantaneous but Angeline resists. A minister needs a virtuous woman, not a
fallen one. Soon they marry and both are happy.
Trouble rears its ugly head until matters come to a
crisis. Angeline and Grady must be strong to protect their love and preserve
Grady’s ministry.
Here’s
an excerpt from ANGELINE:
The vigor which
had been with her on her walk had completely disappeared. In its place a
clammy, smothering sensation overwhelmed her. If only she could reach Lydia’s
she’d be safe. She hardly remembered taking her fabric and going out the door.
The world spun
and she reached out her hand to steady herself but found only air. She gasped
for breath, unable to breathe. Her knees turned to rubber and she felt herself
sinking.
Firm hands
clasped her upper arms. “Miss, may I help you?”
She looked into
the kindest hazel eyes she’d ever seen. His blond hair barely showed under his
hat. “I don’t know what came over me. I suppose I’m still tired from my
journey.”
He looped her
arm onto his. “I’m the local pastor, Grady McIntyre. Please allow me to escort
you to the Harrison home.”
“Thank you, I’m
Angeline Chandler. Frankly, I can use a solid arm to lean on for the walk.” She
clasped his forearm as she would a stair banister. For a minister, he was
muscular and appeared strong.
“You must be one
of the young women who came with Lydia. I couldn’t get away to greet your
arrival but I understand there was quite a reception committee.”
She forced a
smile. After all, he was gallant enough to help her and deserved a friendly
response. “I was awfully tired. I hardly remember anyone except the mercantile
owner and the sheriff. Lydia made a point of greeting them.”
“I remember that
trip and imagine by then you only wanted a bath and a bed. That’s a tiring
ride.”
“Deadly. I’m
surprised my teeth didn’t fall out with all the bumps and rattles.”
“Don’t
understand how anyone’s brave enough to leave town. Once I arrived, I vowed
never to leave.”
She grinned at
his attempt to cheer her. “Me, too…
I hope you’ll read ANGELINE. If you haven’t read the first Bride Brigade book, JOSEPHINE, won’t you try it, too? There
are five more of the Bride Brigade books to come. So far, reviews have been
good for both books. I hope you agree. If you do, please post a review.
Today through Saturday, my book BLUEBONNET BRIDE is free on Amazon. That book is also set mostly in the Palo Pinto Mountains.
Thanks for stopping by!
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