SIDNEY IS HERE! - AND LIMITED TIME AUDIBLE SALE

By Caroline Clemmons

Great news—the e-book is here of SIDNEY AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE, Book 6 of the historical western romance series Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides. The print book will be available soon. This book is enrolled in KU.

Here’s the link at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNTP95FD

 

Here’s the description:

Sidney Garton, owner of Garton’s Mercantile in Harrigan Springs, Texas, sent for a wife:

“What I hope for is that she cooks our meals and manages the household, but also assists me in the store when needed—which would be quite a bit  of the time.”

Antoinette Fournier must evade her father’s plan to marry her to a terrible man. She’s confined to her room until she agrees to wed the rogue. Her sisters arrange with the matchmaker for her departure and help her get away immediately. Antoinette doesn’t have time to read the letter her groom-to-be sent the matchmaker until she is on the train for the first part of her trip to Texas.

Uh oh, she foresees a huge problem. She can’t cook. Her training in managing a household is directing the servants. She’s never worked in her life.

What if he sends her away?

He doesn’t, but what if he resents her forever?

When Sid is injured, she proves she is capable of managing his store and confronting a robber. But the criminal has sworn revenge against her. When he escapes from jail, can she and Sidney foil the evil thief’s plan? Is happily-ever-after together in Antoinette and Sid’s future?

 

                                LIMITED TIME SALE AT AUDIBLE

If you remember I've mentioned that two of my Pinkerton Matchmaker books are now on Audible, narrated by Chris Kemsworth. The news is that the audible version is now available for a limited time for 99 cents. Of course there’s a slight catch (isn’t there always?). See the deal  below the information about the two books.  

AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA

 

 She craves adventure, but this may be too much…

His job means the world to him…
Capturing jewel thieves will test them…

https://www.amazon.com/Agent-Magdela-Pinkerton-Matchmakers-Book/dp/B0DNRQ5P2R

                                       AN AGENT FOR LYDIA

 

When Lydia Wood is left at the altar, she believes something beyond her Pinkerton Agent groom’s control has happened. Two years with no word have hardened her heart. She has to get away from her parents’ constant urging her to choose an acceptable husband and wed. Becoming a Pinkerton agent suits her plans.
https://www.amazon.com/Agent-Lydia-Pinkerton-Matchmakers-Book-ebook/dp/B0CPQBGP7H/

                                         

LIMITED TIME OFFER FROM AUDIBLE ON THESE BOOKS

  For a limited time, join Audible for only $0.99/mo for the first 3 months, and get a bonus $20 credit for Audible.com. Bonus credit notification will be received via email.

·         1 bestseller or new release each month from our entire selection - yours to keep.

·         Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts & Audible Originals.

·         After 3 months, $14.95/mo. No commitment. Cancel online anytime.

 

Those are not bad conditions, are they? 

ROMANCE AMID OLD WEST ADVENTURE!

 By Caroline Clemmons

My three historical western romance books in the hugely popular Pinkerton Matchmaker Series are AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA, AN AGENT FOR LYDIA, and AN AGENT FOR JUDITH. I can’t thin k of another series that has sustained the interest of readers for this length of time.

Christine Sterling conceived the series parameters and wrote several of the books. Multiple other authors signed up for release dates and revealed the names of the hero and heroine their story included. Now Barr26 has acquired publishing rights for the series and is in the process of turning each book into an audio version. Although the links below are for Amazon, Barr26 has also made the series available at multiple stores. 

Each of these books features an adventure, mystery, and romance. Research for these three broadened my knowledge of the time period and locations. Writing them turned into an enjoyable experience. Including mystery and adventure in my books is something I love. I hope readers do!

Let me share the three selections I contributed to this popular series. First is AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA. 

The heroine is from the fictional western European contry of Bayergrovenia. I also used that country in SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME. Bayergrovenia is politically neutral like the Swiss. The small country is snuggled between France, Switzerland, and Germany. Magdala and her parents recently emigrated to Washington, D.C. She craves adventure, but she might have gone too far in traveling to Denver to become a Pinkerton agent. Douglas Ryan has been nicknamed “Cloud” by his colleagues because of the startling color of his blue eyes, which some think remind them of the sky on a cloudy day. Cloud loves his job as a Pinkerton agent enough that he will tolerate (under protest) being paired with a woman. He resents his boss requiring he work with a woman—even one as beautiful as Magdala. Cloud and Magdala are sent to San Antonio, Texas, to capture jewel thieves plaguing the Menger Hotel. Can they work together well enough to protect themselves and catch the thieves?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=an+agent+for+magdala&i=stripbooks&crid=3B08JKLHVTVFP&sprefix=an+agent+for+magdala%2Cstripbooks%2C95&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

When Lydia Wood is left at the altar, she believes something beyond her groom’s control happened. Two years with no word hardens her heart. She decides to become a Pinkerton agent and discover what fascinated her lost groom. Pinkerton agent Jake Hunter has finally recovered from injuries that put him in a coma the day he planned to marry. He realizes that if Lydia had been with him, she would have been injured or killed. To protect the one person who means the world to him, he decides to keep his distance from her. As Pinkerton agents, the two are paired to find a gang of dangerous robbers on the run. Lydia and Jake must work together to survive.

 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=an+agent+for+lydia&i=stripbooks&crid=2OCQ7ODZPZQHA&sprefix=an+agent+for+lydia%2Cstripbooks%2C101&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

 

Judith McAdams is determined to rescue her brother in New Mexico. In his last letter he wrote that his neighbor wanted his ranch because of the water. She decides the best way for success is to become a Pinkerton agent. Peyton Knight values his job as a Pinkerton agent enough to enter a marriage of convenience with Judith. The woman who raised Judith and her brother insists on tagging along. The group encounters a community terrorized and filled with corruption.

 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=an+agent+for+judith&i=stripbooks&crid=1EKKFQHCYZCI&sprefix=an+agent+for+judith%2Cstripbooks%2C96&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

As you can see above, both Magdala a d Judith have thick, dark red hair. I confess that I've wish for that kind of hair most of my life. I even tried dying it once.  Sigh. It's just not the same. 

If you haven’t read these exciting book, why not choose them now? Travel with Magdala, Lydia, and Judith to the Old West where adventure awaits you.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LADY PINKERTONS

 By Caroline Clemmons

 One of the most popular historical western romance series ever is the Pinkerton Matchmaker Series, conceived by the very clever Christine Sterling. The beautiful covers were designed by the late Virginia McKevitt. We were so sad when she passed away earlier this year. Authors lost a kind and generous friend.

When the series became affiliated with Barr26 Publishing, who plan to eventually produce an audio version of each book, the covers had to be changed. I hated to lose my lovely covers designed by Virginia. However, I’m happy to say those provided by Barr26 Publishing were as lovely as the originals.

The first I wrote was AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA, book 28. 4.7 stars. Writing is always hard work, mentally and physically, but I especially loved writing this story. I was able to use two of my favorite locations for the story—Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Antonio, Texas. Each of those towns is very old and is unique. They were there before the Spanish claimed the land. Our family loves including them on a vacation. Even though they obviously have changed since the Spanish conquistadors, they are still unique. In San Antonio, the Menger Hotel is still a luxury hotel after close to 175 years, refurbished and expanded numerous times over the its reign. Our youngest daughter stayed there during an educator’s conference. The hotel is reported to be haunted, and she was disappointed that she didn’t have a ghostly encounter.

Magdala is ready to add adventure to her life when she learns the Denver Pinkerton office is accepting women as agents. She’s shocked—but not deterred—to learn she has to marry another agent to achiever her goal. She weds Cloud Ryan with the intention of getting an annulment once they’ve captured the jewel thieves plaguing the Menger Hotel. They face grave danger in solving the case.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.com/Agent-Magdala-Pinkerton-Matchmaker/dp/1088427979/

 Years ago, our family drove through the harsh and desolate and strangely beautiful area known as “the badlands.” Seeing it made it easy to understand how criminals could hide there. AN AGENT FOR LYDIA, book 43, 4.6 stars, leads the couple to these badlands, where the agents come close to losing their lives while escaping with people they’ve rescued.

Backing up, Lydia Wood was left at the altar by Pinkerton agent Jake Hunter. She had no idea he was attacked and severely beaten and his identification stolen. In fact, he lies in a coma in the hospital. When he recovers consciousness, he realizes that if Lydia had been with him she might have been killed. She’s the most important person in his life. To protect her, he goes back to Denver without contacting her. Lydia is not willing to give up easily and determines to see what it is about being a Pinkerton agent that is so all-consuming.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.com/Agent-Lydia-Pinkerton-Matchmakers-Book-ebook/dp/B0CPQBGP7H/

 

By now, you know I love the Southwest. The state of New Mexico has desert and gorgeous mountains. The state motto of “Land of Enchantment” is easy to understand—especially if you watch the sunsets. Fortunately for Judith McAdams, AN AGENT FOR JUDITH, book 58, 4.6 stars, the search for her brother takes place in one of the loveliest areas. Having Pinkerton agent Peyton Knight and his men accompany her is reassuring, even though she had to enter a marriage of convenience with Peyton. The woman who raised Judith and her brother insists on coming along on the trip, too. The group is in for danger even before they contend with a vicious rancher holding her brother prisoner.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.com/Agent-Judith-Pinkerton-Matchmakers-Book-ebook/dp/B0CQ5M96ZY/

 

I hope if you haven’t read these books, you will. Relax and take an exciting trip back to the Old West. I believe you will enjoy these books as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe and keep reading!

 

TAKE A TRIP WITH ME!

Come for a visit with me… One of my favorite places to visit is San Antonio, Texas. But, let’s go to San Antonio in 1871. Many things about the city are similar to today. Others are dramatically different.

San Antonio is famous as the home of the Alamo. I’ve visited it and the other four missions on the Mission Trail several times. The Alamo today is very different than it was in 1836 when it fell to Santa Ana’s troops after thirteen days of fighting.

1839 sketch of the Alamo

What we call the Alamo (which means “cottonwood” in Spanish) is only the chapel. Originally, the Mission San Antonio de Valero was at the corner of a large settlement created in 1718 to Christianize and educate the natives.   The mission later became a fortress and was the scene of many conflicts prior to the siege of 1836. 

Alamo Mission was almost demolished by the city fathers until the Daughters of the Republic of Texas stepped in. They bought the chapel and had it restored. That’s when it acquired its arched roofline. The other grounds of the Alamo had become downtown San Antonio.

After we visit Alamo chapel, let’s continue along Mission Trail to see the other four missions (underlined is what they're called popularly): Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción, San Juan Capistrano, San José y San Miguel de Aguayo (Queen of the Missions), and San Francisco de la Estrada. Each is a traditional Spanish mission yet has something unique about it. My favorite is San José and the beautiful Rose Window. We don’t know if the legend is true but it is romantic.

The famous Rose Window.

Supposedly Don Pedro Huizar within oral tradition is the sculptor of the façade and Rose Window of San José Church. The window was added sometime after 1777 and the mission records identified Huizar as “El Maestro” or master craftsman for his specialized trade. Local legend contends that Huizar trained as a sculptor as a youth in Spain and traveled to the New World to seek his fortune. He is documented as living in the San José community with his wife Maria and two children Josefina and Joseph. Huizar reportedly named the window at church after his lost love Rosa, but Spanish archival documents do not corroborate all (most) aspects of the legend. We never let facts get in the way of a good legend, do we?

Water taxi in front of the
Casa Rio, where we
always eat TexMex. Also
where you can board the taxi.

The headwaters of the San Antonio River begin in… where else, San Antonio. This has now been channelized through the tourist area and is a lovely place to walk or take a water taxi. We stayed in a very nice hotel on the River Walk one year but usually go for some place cheaper. I hope one day to stay in the Menger. Our youngest daughter has stayed there but didn’t see one of the ghosts who supposedly haunt the hotel.

Menger in 1870

The Menger Hotel was built in 1859. William Menger came to San Antonio in the 1840s and he and a partner operated a brewery on Alamo Plaza. He spent two years living at the boarding house run by Clara Maria Baumschluder. After two years, they were married. In 1857, they decided to change to a hotel. They opened the Menger Hotel next door to the brewery on January 31, 1859. It was such a success they immediately added forty more rooms. After the railroad came to San Antonio, the Menger Hotel became the most famous hotel in the Southwest. It’s now operated by the National Historic Trust. This is where the fictional characters in AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA stayed to help capture fictional thieves for the real Maria Menger and her son Louis William after the death of William Menger earlier in the year.

The plaza was the scene of dozens of stalls, carts, and wagons of goods. Browsing through these would have been such fun. They offered everything from food to clothing and home furnishings.

The plaza vendors

Of course, now there is much more to see in San Antonio. The King William historic district of beautiful homes is partially on land formerly owned by Pedro Huizar. Several theme parks offer children and families an exciting time if that’s your thing. Numerous museums attract those who are interested in history and multi-cultural exhibits. There's a lovely downtown shopping mall, a Mercado, and other shops to entice those who love shopping. The trolley takes visitors many places. 

If I sound like an advertisement for tourism, forgive me. I love travel and especially enjoy San Antonio. Even writing this blog post resurrected fond memories of past trips—and a couple of not so fond ones.

For instance, the time Hero was stung on the foot by a red wasp the morning we left on vacation. He is so allergic that by the time we reached San Antonio he had to visit the ER for treatment. He spent most of the trip in the motel room in pain while our daughters and I went touring. Not a fun time for him.

Also, there was the time we stayed in that expensive hotel on the River Walk and there was torrential rain the entire three days we were there. We spent most of the trip in our rooms watching the rain. Worse, we had talked about how nice the place was and had my mother and my younger brother with us. You can imagine their disappointment—and my mom did not suffer quietly. When we left we were the next to last car across the bridge before the National Guard closed the highway due to flooding. Poor Mom never did get to visit San Antonio again. I don't think she wanted to return.

We have been back several times but it’s been years and I’d love to visit again. Anyone up for a trip?

By the way, if you haven’t yet purchased AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA, the Pinkerton Matchmaker Series book 37, you’re missing a fun read. (in my opinion, but supported by excellent 5 star reviews). 

The book is free in KU or $2.99 in Kindle and is also available in paperback. 

The Amazon buy link is https://www.amazon.com/Agent-Magdala-Pinkerton-Matchmaker-Book-ebook/dp/B07V3G4QHY  

The Universal Amazon link is http://mybook.to/Magdala

MY NEW WRITING VENTURE

Being invited to write in the Pinkerton Matchmaker Series was a thrill for me. I’ve enjoyed reading this series and am honored to participate. Since AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA released last week, I wanted to share some of my research with you.

In writing this book the first problem I encountered was that there were NO rail lines where I needed them. So, my hero and heroine had to travel by stage from Denver to San Antonio. That required a long trip, but I only included a portion. Otherwise, most of the book would have been about their journey. They couldn't travel in a logical straight route due to lack of roads, availability of water, and Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache.

Red lines are railways
in 1870 map

The hotel in the book, The Menger Hotel, is a real place built in 1859 and remains a luxury hotel today. Over the years many renovations and additions have been made and ownership has changed. At the time of the story, William Menger had died and his wife and son were in charge.

Menger Hotel as it was in 1871
(it's much larger now)

Mary Menger’s meals were locally famous. She planned menus, shopped for excellent produce, and cooked. The menu included wild game as well as the usual meats. Mango trees grew in the courtyard which has since been enclosed. She used the fruit to make mango ice cream. That surprised me. I didn’t realize the trees would grow in San Antonio, even in a protected courtyard. I grew up in Texas but hadn’t tasted a mango until I’d been married several years. 

No, you didn’t miss it in geography class—there is no country called Bayergrovenia, the place from which Magdala and her parents immigrated. After all, this is fiction. I patterned it after Luxembourg and tucked the small country in beside France, Switzerland, and Bavaria. Like Switzerland and Luxembourg, Bayergrovenia is neutral. I first used this country several years ago in SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME. In case you haven't read this novella, the link is http://mybook.to/Matt 

1838 Alamo sketch by Mary Ann Maverick

As a died-in-the-wool Texan, I was embarrassed to learn the Alamo was not as I had imagined or how I found it in visits. At the time of AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA, the Alamo had not been rescued and was in ruins. There was talk of leveling the chapel as had been done with the plaza. Fortunately, saner heads prevailed. Now the Alamo and her sister chapels--Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan, and Estrada plus the remains of the aquaduct are protected as UNESCO world heritage sites.

Talented Virginia McKevitt designed the cover for each of the Pinkerton Matchmaker Series books. She also did the covers for the Proxy Bride Series. I really love the covers she created for my books, don’t you? Her design business is Black Widow designs. I've not met her in person but I don't think she actually is a black widow spider. 

I enjoy reading and writing marriages of convenience stories. They add a new dimension to the developing romance. Of course, we know there will be a happy ending but learning how the couple develop their romance is fun.

I hope by now you’ve read AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA, book 37 of the Pinkerton Matchmaker Series. If not, the Universal Amazon link is http://mybook.to/Magdala and it’s available in e-book and print and is enrolled in KU.

NEW PINKERTON MATCHMAKER RELEASE AND GIVEAWAY!

Celebrate with me—I have a new release! I’m excited to announce that AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA, book 37 of the popular Pinkerton Matchmaker Series, is now available from Amazon in e-book, print, and in KU. This book was both fun to write and a challenge.

Most of this sweet romance and adventure takes place in one of my favorite cities, San Antonio, Texas. Even though I've been to San Antonio numerous times, I did a lot of research to discover what the city was like at the time of this story set in fall of 1871. I was surprised at how many things were the same or similar. The Menger Hotel is still in operation and is a well-known and excellent hotel that has been expanded and updated over its 160 years.

The Menger Hotel at the time
of this book in 1871

One surprise for me was that the Alamo originally had a flat roof instead of the arched one from the restoration. I’m a native Texan and didn’t know that. The famous Rose Window at the San Jose Mission has a poignant story—perhaps a myth—which I included in the book. 

The Alamo Mission after the 1836 battle
as sketched by E. Everett

My daughters and I have always enjoyed the Mercado, where we enjoy browsing and snacking. At the time of AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA, shopping was spread out but not that different, as you can see from the photo below, which was taken in 1880.

Vendors on the plaza
as it was at the time of
AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA

So much happens in AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA. The heroine poses as Princess Magdala of Bayergrovenia and the hero poses as her husband, the Duke of Montpelier. The princess' jewels are bait for the thieves. Well, you just need to read the book, so here’s the summary:

She craves adventure, but this may be too much…

His job means the world to him…

Capturing jewel thieves will test them…

Magdala leaps at the opportunity to become a Pinkerton agent. Learning the position requires a paper marriage shocks but doesn’t deter her. Maggie plans to get an annulment before her unusual family learns of the situation. She’s determined to prove she has the grit to be an excellent investigator. But, why does she have to be partnered with the one man who has been rude to her?

Douglas “Cloud” Ryan loves being a Pinkerton agent. Otherwise, he’d never go along with his boss’ crazy plan to marry him to a female agent. He’s certain women have no business dealing with criminals. After barely surviving the stagecoach trip from Denver to San Antonio Maggie needs to stay in the background and let him solve the case. He has reasons to distrust women, especially women like Maggie.

Can Maggie and Cloud catch the jewel thieves plaguing an historic San Antonio hotel without becoming victims? Will they take a chance on the love growing between them?

The Universal Amazon link is http://mybook.to/Magdala

Cover by Virginia McKevitt

To tempt you, here’s an excerpt from their departure in Denver when Cloud is still angry because he has been paired with a woman he thinks will be a hindrance:

At the depot, the stage driver and his second loaded the luggage on top of the stage.

The driver sent them a sour look. “Brought everything you own, did you? Other passengers need space for their things, too.”

Maggie touched the driver’s arm. “Thank you for your help when I know this must be trying for you.”

She gestured to her skirt showing when her unbuttoned coat flapped open. “You understand how much room is required for all the skirts and petticoats and fripperies required of a woman. Such a trial that society demands we change clothes so often. I can’t imagine what I’d do if you weren’t so accommodating.”

Cloud was certain the middle-aged driver blushed under his tan. “Don’t you worry none, ma’am. We’ll find places for everything. You just get inside and settle as comfortably as you can. Won’t be pleasant for a lady like you. Road’s bumpy and twisty and dangerous. We’ll be going straight through until we get to Trinidad. ‘Course you can stretch your legs when we change horses.”

She smiled at the man. “I’m confident you’ll get us to our destination safely.” She climbed up into the coach with assistance from the driver.

Cloud followed, awed at the change in the driver’s attitude. Maybe having Princess Snobby along wouldn’t be as bad as he’d imagined.

I hope you’ll read and love this romance!

GIVEAWAY

For an Amazon gift card, in the comments tell me your favorite of my books. If you don't remember them, you can find them at my Amazon Author Page. While you're there, why not click on the Follow button? 

Be sure and leave your email in the comment so I can contact you if you win.