Friday, April 04, 2025

DUSTIN BY MARGARET TANNER

By Caroline Clemmons

 Last week I revealed the new sweet historical western romance series, Guns for Hire. Charlene Raddon conceived the series, and also created the covers via her Silver Sage Cover Designs. This past Sunday, March 28th, Margaret Tanner released DUSTIN, Book 2 in the series.



Margaret’s western historical romances are very well-written. Learning she lives in Australia surprised me, because her westerns read as if she grew up in the Southwestern United States. She certainly is faithful to the history and landscape while she creates a great read.

Here’s the blurb for DUSTIN:

Dustin is a gun for hire, living in the shadows of black deeds from his past. He has long harbored feelings for Honey yet feels unworthy.

Honey knows Dustin is redeemable. Can she make him believe this so they can live their happily ever after?

https://www.amazon.com/Dustin-Hire-Sweet-Western-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DT87MCJL/



 
Don’t forget my latest release, SIDNEY AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE, Book 6 of my Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides series. By the way, Charlene Raddon designed the book covers for this series. You’ll find it on Amazon in e-book and paperback at:

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

It's also enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.

 Please continue reading my books! I love to write romances with adventure in them. I also love to get the royalties to make up for the time I sit at the computer creating the books. Royalties are the only way I know you like my writing. (Plus, I need the money.)

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wednesday, April 02, 2025

Cowboy Watch by Petie McCarty

 

 


Someone—or something—wants Kellen out of town . . .


Kellen Brand’s inheritance comes as a monumental shock—

a rundown farm she doesn’t want and one paroled Watcher all her own.


Cowboy Watch

The Watchers Book 1

by Petie McCarty

Genre: Paranormal Small-Town Romantic Suspense



The Watchers Series—

Fallen angels cast out of heaven by the archangel Michael for coercing with Satan to gain control. Some of these turncoats—duped late in the game by Satan's lies—doubled back to seek redemption for their unwitting betrayal.  Offered parole in exchange for penance, these Watchers are given the toughest bodyguard missions with little leeway for success.
One last chance.
These are their stories . . .
 
  


Someone—or something—wants Kellen out of town . . .
 
 Kellen Brand's inheritance comes as a monumental shock—a rundown farm she doesn't want and one paroled Watcher all her own. Kellen's eccentric mother believed Watchers to be fallen angels seeking penance by guarding individuals who had lost their way. Seriously? A Watcher?
Only her mother  . . . 
 
Since Kellen vows no sane woman would choose to live in Riverside, she's on a mission to dump the old farm fast and to the first buyer who comes along. Unfortunately for her, the only buyer is a resort developer, spurned by a townful of objectors and one handsome cowboy—her neighbor, Luke Thornton. Luke must block Kellen's farm sale or risk exposure of his own family's secrets. He can ill afford his immediate and compelling attraction to his new neighbor.
 
Someone is watching Kellen, but not who she thinks. Someone deadly and intent on scaring her out of town. Or worse. Luke has a hellish choice to make—step in and rescue Kellen from her threats, or to protect his family, stand by and watch . . .

 

**On Sale for Only $1.99 for a limited time!**

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“Vera tells me she told you about the haunted cemetery,” Gerald called to her, as the front door jingled again. “She did,” Kellen called back and placed a few candles in her basket. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you,” said a familiar voice from behind her. If it was possible for a voice to leer, this one did. She slowly turned. “I don’t need any protection, Sheriff.” Reilly maneuvered way too close for her liking and cornered her between the last two rows of shelves. “You never know what to expect here in West Virginia, right?” His voice dripped with sarcasm, and his rat eyes glittered like two black aggies. A wave of apprehension chilled her skin. The evil eyes of the mean boy who threw dirt clods had changed to the leering eyes of a much larger and quite fearsome man. The mean boy was now the sheriff. If he threw dirt clods, who would she call? He edged closer. She stepped back and bumped into the last row of shelves. She felt just like the jackrabbit her dog once cornered in the barn. “I can look out for you while you’re here, Kellen. Special-like.” The way he said her name sent a shiver down her spine. She could feel the lower shelf jabbing into the back of her calves. He took one more step. His sour breath invaded her space and she wanted to gag. Like David, she let this man get to her. “Real special.” She could hear Gerald talking to a customer. No help there. Reilly reached a hand toward her face, and a fist snagged the sheriff’s wrist. “She doesn’t need any protection,” a deep voice growled. “She has plenty.” Luke Thornton had an iron grip on Reilly’s wrist, his knuckles white with the effort. Reilly tried to glare him into submission, but the steel-like glint in Thornton’s eyes forced the sheriff to blink. Thornton tossed off the wrist but stood his ground, edging a shoulder between Kellen and her assailant. For a brief instant, Kellen forgot how maddening Thornton was. She wanted to grab him and kiss him for saving her from the foul-breathed sheriff. “Watch yourself, Thornton,” Reilly growled. “I run this county.” “Not all of it, you don’t.” Kellen took deep breaths to slow her racing heart. She blinked, and the sheriff was gone. Luke stood so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body, and that certainly didn’t quiet her pulse. She stared into his dark-chocolate eyes and held on to the breath she’d been so desperate to suck down only moments before. “Are you all right?” Was that worry in his eyes? For her? Oh, good heavens—she was still staring. He was asking her something. What was it? Oh yeah, was she all right? She nodded. Words were too much at the moment. Too many emotions. Panic at Reilly accosting her again after all these years and then discovering her knight in shining armor. Luke’s focused gaze had her heart fluttering and from more than fear. She couldn’t manage to release the air in her lungs.



Petie spent a large part of her career working at Walt Disney World—"The  Most Magical Place on Earth"—where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her new series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said good-bye to her "day" job to write her stories full-time. 

These days Petie spends her time writing new Cinderella series tales, her new The Watchers series, sequels to her regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and more contemporary romance standalones to go along with her two previous releases—Any Fin For Love and Ambush in the Everglades.

Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband and an opinionated Nanday conure named Sassy who will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming Book 2 of The Watchers series, Christmas Watch

 

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Monday, March 31, 2025

Their Mended Hearts by Angie Cole

 

 


A second chance at love… if they’re brave enough to take it.


Their Mended Hearts

Cardinal Creek Book 2

by Angie Cole

Genre: Sweet Small-Town Contemporary Second-Chance Romance



He’s a firefighter haunted by tragedy; she’s a nurse who never stopped loving him. Jon and Katie find themselves drawn back together, bound by shared history and the promise of healing and hope.

Jon Clemmons, a devoted firefighter, carries the heavy burden of guilt from losing his sister in a tragic accident. His pain runs deep, and he’s learned to keep others at a distance, afraid to let anyone see his scars.

Katie Deluca, a compassionate nurse, and Jon’s first love, has her own wounds, but she’s never stopped caring for him. When they’re reunited at a family wedding, old sparks reignite, and with them, old hurts that need mending.

As Jon and Katie draw closer, Jon’s troubled past, family secrets, and a volatile temper threaten to unravel the bond between them. Katie’s unwavering love gives him hope, but fears of reliving their painful past linger.

Will they find strength in each other to break free from the grip of old grief, or will their love slip away once more?

 

**Get it FREE March 28th – 30th!**

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🔥 Jon Clemmons stepped out of the ambulance. The blaze roared, but his heart pounded louder. 

Every fire brought back the memories. Every scream echoed in his mind. His sister’s desperate cries for help from the wrecked SUV haunted him, playing on an endless loop in his nightmares. 

Tonight, he had a chance to save someone else. A little girl was trapped inside the burning house, and Jon wouldn’t fail her the way he’d failed Shelly. Ignoring the Chief’s orders, he rushed inside, his lungs burning with smoke, his resolve stronger than his fear. 

Would this fire be the one that finally broke him? 

📖 Preorder Their Mended Hearts now! ➡️ https://a.co/d/5JP89bq 

#TheirMendedHearts #CardinalCreekSeries #FirefighterRomance #WesternRomance #LoveAfterLoss #HealingThroughLove 


Their Shattered Hearts

Cardinal Creek Book 1



He’s a firefighter with a broken heart. She is a nurse with a hidden secret and a heart that has been broken. Can love give them the strength to heal?

Will Deluca, a firefighter and ranch owner, hides his pain behind a rugged exterior. After the tragic loss of his wife, his days on the Rockin' D Ranch are filled with hard work, caring for his two children, and carrying the heavy burden of unfulfilled promises. In the quiet hills of Texas, his world feels as empty as the vast plains.

When Anna Samuels, a compassionate nurse with a heart for healing, arrives in Cardinal Creek, she’s seeking a fresh start. Leaving behind heartbreak, Anna’s journey brings her to the ranch, where Will’s piercing blue eyes and quiet strength draw her in. Together, they find a spark of hope—something neither thought they’d feel again.

As their connection deepens, Will dreams of honoring his late wife’s wish to create a sanctuary for children with autism, blending his cowboy roots with a mission of healing. But his lingering guilt threatens to pull him back into darkness, jeopardizing their fragile bond.

Anna sees Will’s strength and kindness, but her secret—casts doubt over their growing love. Will her secret be the ultimate test of their love?

Set in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Their Shattered Hearts is a heartfelt story of second chances, featuring relatable characters, small-town charm, and the unyielding spirit of love. This western ranch romance will captivate readers who adore cowboy romance books with emotional depth and a loving MMC.

Will they find the courage to confront their demons and embrace the love they both deserve or will the ghosts of their pasts keep their hearts shattered forever?

 

**Get it for Only .99cents March 28th – 30th!**

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My journey as a romance author is deeply rooted in my personal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. The profound impact of the losses I have endured, including the passing of my grandparents and my parents, has shaped my perspective on life and love.

My own love story is one of healing and finding joy after heartache, and it mirrors the themes I explore in my novels.

As a survivor of grief and a believer in the power of love, I channel my experiences into crafting stories that resonate with the complexities and triumphs of the human heart. My writing is a testament to the idea that love can emerge from the most unexpected places, offering hope and healing. The one thing that can be learned from grief is that it's a very personal experience and isn't the same for every person.

 

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Friday, March 28, 2025

GREAT NEW SERIES -- GUNS FOR HIRE

 By Caroline Clemmons


Great news – a new sweet western historical series has launched called Guns For Hire. The heroes in this series are each involved with their gun for their livelihood. Mine, SHAD, Book 7, is a bounty hunter, but there are also lawmen and lawbreakers. It takes a special woman to teach a hardened hero about love.

The books stands alone, but you’ll love each of them. They’re releasing twice a month, on the first and the 15th.. In fact, you’re already behind if you haven’t read Linda Broday’s CREEK, which released on March 15th (My apologies. I was involved with a family crisis and am late announcing her book.) Linda is one of my favorite writers and I know you’ll love her book.

You can find CREEK at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Creek-Hire-Sweet-Western-Romance/dp/B0DWSM5B5Y

Each of the books is up for pre-order. We’ve had a bit of trouble getting all ten books on one series page, but we are still urging Amazon to cooperate.

Books in the Guns For HireSeries

Creek

Book 1  ~  Linda Broday  ~  March 15

Dustin

Book 2  ~  Margaret Tanner  ~  March 30

Kirk

Book 3  ~  Charlene Raddon  ~  April 15

Lance

Book 4  ~  Heather Blanton  ~  April 30

Devon

Book 5  ~  Carra Copelin  ~  May 15

Ash

Book 6  ~  Jo-Ann Roberts  ~  May 30

Shad

Book 7  ~  Caroline Clemmons  ~  June 15

Clint

Book 8  ~  Tracy Garrett  ~  June 30

Landon

Book 9  ~  Cheryl Pierson  ~  July 15

Luke

Book 10  ~  Winnie Griggs  ~  July 30

 

You’ll enjoy each of the books in the series. Why not pre-order them now so you won’t miss one? Try Amazon. It’s not complete, but as I mentioned, we’re working with Amazon to get all ten books listed together.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=guns+for+hire+series&i=stripbooks&crid=21UTTHIP6G8MV&sprefix=guns+for+hire+series%2Cstripbooks%2C112&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Thanks for stopping by!


Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Vengeful Conspiracies by Nicole Leiren

 

 


Sadie encounters a nemesis from her past. 

Is it coincidence or is it something more sinister? 

Book 2 reveals the truth!


Vengeful CONspiracies

A Sadie Sabatini Mystery Book 2

by Nicole Leiren

Genre: Cozy Mystery



Sadie is settling into her new life in Wilson, Texas. She’s making friends and her business, Tesoro, is starting to thrive. But the past is never far behind. When two former team members come for a visit, they bring trouble in the form of a mutual enemy set on revenge threatening to disrupt Sadie’s fresh start.

 

She can’t turn her back on her team, though. They’ve been through too much together. The more Sadie tries to help, the more she suspects she might be the target of the con this time. With forces conspiring against her, the outcome of her decisions, both past and present, weigh heavily and make her question the choices she made leading to this point.

 

When their mutual enemy is found dead, alliances are tested, and wits are matched as the race to the truth reveals who can be trusted and who is running their final con. 

 

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I grabbed my laptop and returned to the counter. Since Kelsey didn’t want to talk about the election now, I wouldn’t bother her. I was curious, though, about the candidates. The seats being voted on were currently occupied by Jim Bob (JB) Nester, Alan Knightly, and Ted Birmingham. Ted was the only one not running for re-election. I was a little surprised by this. When it came to the Birminghams and their legacy, both influence and power were important. Since Ted typically did what his father wanted, I had no doubt it was Robert’s idea. 

Next, I wanted to take a look at the candidates running to occupy those seats. “Hey, Tessa is running.” 

Kelsey looked my way and grinned. “I knew you’d do some research before Sunday.” 

I shrugged. “The Boy Scouts and I have that in common–always be prepared. I’ve visited her shop, Tessa’s Treats, many times.” 

“She will be a great asset to the board, for sure. One vote down, two to go.” She winked. 

Next up was Karen Bizzy, the “Karen” to beat out all other “Karens.” She had definitive plans for the town of Wilson, very few of which I supported. Denise McDowell and Jackie Price were also vying for a seat. I wasn’t sure either was truly qualified, but out of the two, I knew Denise better. Her motivations, at least, were easier to understand. Jackie, on the other hand, was still a mystery. 

Since I was familiar with them, I hadn’t selected the hyperlink under their name to see the bio and picture. The new guy, Miles Gentry, needed additional research. I hovered over the blue letters that contained his name and hit enter. 

As his picture appeared on a new page, my heart stopped beating for a moment. His hair might no longer be black, and contacts had replaced his glasses, but the face struck a familiar chord from my past. This man was not Miles Gentry. No, I’d recognize the smug look on his narrow face anywhere. This was none other than Miles Grant, a former pharmaceutical executive my team brought down about a year ago due to his use of experimental pesticides which poisoned the workers in the field. He had also skimmed money from the company to fund other experimental programs. In sum, he was a bad actor who had either learned his lesson and was starting a new life, or he had moved from California to Texas to start a new venture where no one knew him or his reputation. At least, he would think no one knew him. 

Either way, I didn’t trust him. My gut was rarely, if ever, wrong. Right now, it was screaming at me that his presence in Wilson spelled bad news for the unsuspecting people of this town. Deep down, I also knew it wouldn’t be long before our paths crossed, which undoubtedly would mean nothing but trouble for me. 


Murderous CONsequences

A Sadie Sabatini Mystery Book 1


Sadie Sabatini thinks of herself as a modern-day Robin Hood who uses her gift as a skilled con artist to help those who have nowhere else to turn. Leading this life is rewarding, but the number of enemies are piling up. Sadie decides to lay low and start over with a new (and legitimate business) in the small town of Wilson, Texas, situated on a small peninsula in beautiful Lake Amore.

 

Trouble is never far behind though and her past catches up to her in a big way when a friend of a former mark threatens blackmail for his silence. When he turns up dead and Sadie is the prime suspect, she realizes this time she must protect herself. Her skills prove helpful as she digs deeper into the web of revenge, blackmail, and secrets to discover she’s not the only one with a past to hide.

 

As the threats mount, Sadie knows she’s closing in on the truth. She now worries that the few new friends she’s made in town are in danger because of her. With time running out, can she protect those around her and find the real killer before this new chapter in her life is conned out of a happy ending?

 

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Described by those who know her best as perky, quirky and effervescent, USA Today Best-Selling author Nicole Leiren likes to have fun -- in life, with her characters and, of course, her readers. She admits to being sassy (just ask her mother!) and inspiration for her characters are drawn from the real-world heroes and heroines she meets while traversing the country.

Nicole enjoys sharing the love, laughter, mystery, and occasionally a touch of the mayhem she forces her characters to endure—all for the reader’s pleasure! Her real-world heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages until you reach the whodunit or happily ever after (usually both!)

 

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Monday, March 24, 2025

Stone of Doubt by Margaret Izard

 

 


In the absence of doubt, only faith is found.


Stone of Doubt

Stones of Iona Book 5

by Margaret Izard

Genre: Time Travel, Paranormal Romance



A human with Fae powers living like an oddball has its ups and downs until Evie MacDougall’s dream Fae boy pops back into her life after she thought another was “the one.” One dark and devilish, the other her long-lost love. Evil forces trap her for a magic Fae stone, but which man can she trust?

As a teen prophesied to be Fae king, Aodhán viewed the girl of his dreams through an Eye of Ra. Once, he risked all to help Evie MacDougall find a magic Fae stone, only to end up imprisoned. Kept from his true love for years, he finds her at risk from an evil Fae hunting a magic stone.

Is a single vow strong enough to save true love, to save the human and Fae realms?

 

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Evie threw open Kat’s door, allowing it to bang against the wall.  

Kat rolled over. “Kind of early, even for ye, Evie.” 

Evie strode to Kat’s closet, flipping through each item. She didn’t say a word, fearful she’d give away something, anything that told her best friend she’d visited the Fae realm. 

Kat sat up. “What are ye wearing? Yer hair’s lighter. I like it!” 

Evie glanced down, forgetting the Fae gown, and shrugged. “Something for a play.” She cringed inside at lying to her friend but couldn’t tell anyone she was the one the Fae fable referred to. Not yet, at least.  

Evie flipped back and forth between a crop top and a skirt. Kat’s chest was like her ma’s, larger than Evie’s, but Evie’s hips were bigger. Her clothes had to fit. Evie didn’t have time to go shopping. She wasn’t ready for the idea of selecting new clothing that she’d never bothered to glance at, let alone try on. 

Grabbing the pink crop top and gray pencil skirt, Evie felt comfortable with it being long enough to cover her knees. She had to start somewhere. If she wore a miniskirt to work, ha! Evie envisioned falling, carrying ale, and flashing her personals to all of Maggie’s Bar. That’d be a hoot. 

As Kat called after her, she strode from the room. “Sure, ye can borrow some of my clothes. Thanks for asking!” 

In her room, Evie stripped the Fae gown and hung it, carefully placing it in the back of her closet. She slipped on a bra and undies and donned the crop top lifting her arms to ensure her boobs stayed covered. With the skirt on, she examined herself in the mirror. 

“Nice. Not yer usual colors.” Kat leaned on the frame, yawning. “The form-fitting cotton looks good.”  

Evie turned right, then left, checking her reflection. It needed something more. She moved to her closet, examining her belts. The skinny suspenders, that’s what it needed. Attaching those, she turned before the mirror and nodded.  

As she sat to put on her black boots, Kat collapsed on her bed. “Why the change?” She rolled over. “Not that I’m complaining, but pink with light gray and form-fitting cotton isn’t yer norm.” 

Kat sat up. “Manix! It has to be. Ye have the hots for Manix!” 

Evie shrugged as she brushed her long hair out. This was good. If they thought she spent her time with Manix, they wouldn’t figure out she’d spent most of the evening in the Fae realm with Aodhán. 

She placed her hair in pigtails and began braiding each one. She had to keep her hair up for her waitressing, but after work, when she went out with Manix, the braids would make her hair wavy when she let it out. Perfect. 

Speaking of Fae realms, “Where’s Ewan and Doug?” 

Kat stood and went to the door. “In bed as usual. They come back later and later each trip.” She sighed. “They should be careful.” 

Evie checked the clock. Dash, it’s almost eleven am. Her shift started at noon, and Manix said he’d pick her up at nine when her shift ended.  

She grabbed her leather jacket and went past Kat, who held her arm. “Do ye know what ye are doing with Manix? Ewan mentioned that some say he has a temper he can’t control.” 

Evie pulled her arm away. “It’s nothing. I’m sure exaggeration.” 

Evie ran to the door as Kat called after her, “Sure, don’t mind me, yer BFF. I only just arrived, and ye are off every evening with a man.” She sighed dramatically. “I’ll stay in with a movie again.” 

Evie stopped at the opened door. “Soon, ye and I will go bar hopping. Introduce ye around.” 

Kat chuckled, “Hold ye to it.” 

Evie wasn’t certain what this day held. She’d not dated many men as none seemed to appeal to her. Ewan said it was because she compared them all to her Fae boy, and maybe she had. A human could never beat out the attraction a Fae held. It wasn’t a mere myth but the total truth. 


**Don’t miss the other books in the series!**


Previous books in the series, Stone of Love, book 1, Brielle and Colin’s 18th century Scottish story. Stone of Fear, Book 2, Marie and John’s 13th century Scottish story. Stone of Lust, Book 3, Ainslie and Rannick’s Viking tale. Thistle in the Mistletoe featuring a couple in the past from Stone of Love.

Next in the series:  Holly and Ivy, a Christmas companion book. Stone of Faith, book 6. Stone of Destiny, book 7. Evergreen Evermore, a Christmas companion book.

This series leads into another connected series, Dragons of Tantallon, a dragon-shapeshifter series revolving around the magic Iona Stones.

 

 Find them HERE!  


Margaret Izard is a multi-award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance, theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance novels in middle school, which combined her passion for romance, drama, and fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and adult triplets and loves to hear from readers.

 

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!



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- 1 winner each!


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Saturday, March 22, 2025

Romance, Poison, Murder--a Love Story

By Caroline Clemmons

 For years I believed that westerns were written mainly for a male audience. Then I discovered Lorraine Heath’s western historical romances. I was home! From Lorraine’s books, I learned of other writers who wrote similar stories. Two of my favorites are Julie Garwood’s PRINCE CHARMING (yes, I know it starts out in England) and FOR THE ROSES (yes, it begins in New York City).  Maggie Osborne’s PROMISE OF JENNY JONES is another keeper. Have you ever read a more clever book than MUCH ADO ABOUT MARSHALS by Jacquie Rogers?

 I could go on, but now I have to conduct a little business. You knew I’d get around to it, didn’t you?

one of the covers used

 

My western historical is both a mystery and a romance. I love mysteries, you see, and just can’t help myself when it comes to murder, kidnapping, poison, and other nasty incidents. I am a sweet and gentle soul in person (yeah, right), but I am mean to my characters when I write. After all, survival in the Old West was difficult. Authors have to present obstacles for the hero and heroine to overcome. Otherwise, a book would be about a page long and boring.

In BRAZOS BRIDE, Hope Montoya knows she’s being poisoned but has no idea who wants her dead. Weakened, she knows she can’t fight alone, and she enlists Micah Stone to assist her. How? Through a marriage of convenience, which gives her control of her estate that’s held in trust by her guardian. That doesn’t stop the killer, who relentlessly persists in trying to eliminate both Hope and adds Micah as a target. I love a determined villain, don’t you? I mean, of course, that I love to hate the villain.

Besides being close to Hope, the woman he secretly loves. by marrying her Micah receives land on the Brazos River and cash, and both are needed badly. The time is August 1870 and there’s a severe drought that has dried up springs, creeks, and waterholes on Micah’s land. Without access to the river, his cattle are dying of thirst. His two brothers are on hand to help him haul water from Zach’s place in the west. Even with their best efforts, they’re losing the battle.

 Here’s an excerpt of Hope and Micah’s wedding night from near the first of the book:

She looked at her hands. Perhaps she was unreasonable. Or maybe insane for sympathizing with a man who'd had to work harder because of her family.

"I know it is an odd situation. If—if you wear your shirt and britches, I guess it would be all right if you slept on top of the cover here." She patted the bed beside her.

He froze. Not a muscle moved, and he only stared at her. Had she misunderstood? Did he think her offer too forward?

She babbled, "That is, if you want to. You said I should trust you. Well, maybe you would be more comfortable where you are." Why didn't he say something? Would he prefer sleeping in a chair to sharing the bed?

From the street below, she heard raucous laughter and someone called to a man named Ben. Music from a piano, she supposed in the saloon, drifted in through the open windows. A gust of breeze moved the curtains and slid across her skin. In this room, though, there was no sound.

Slowly, he rose and extinguished the lamp as he moved across the room. She slid one of the pillows beside hers then scooted down. What had possessed her to offer him half her bed? Would he think she invited more?

Too late to take it back now, for the mattress dipped as he stretched out. Quaking inside at the thought of him so near, she turned her back to him. She heard his weary sigh, as if he relaxed for the first time in a long while.

"Good night," she offered, and hoped he understood the finality of the phrase.

"Yep. Good night, Mrs. Stone." The mattress shook as he turned his back to her. She felt the soles of his feet press against her ankles. He must be several inches too long for the bed and she guessed he had to bend his legs to fit. She didn't dare turn to see firsthand.

She lay perfectly still, afraid to take a deep breath. Soon his breathing changed and she knew he slept. Outside the open window the town quieted and the distant tinkling of the piano was the only sound. Light from the full moon illuminated the room and slanted across the bed. A soft breeze drifted across her, lulling her in its caress.

With a sigh, she fought to relax, but abdominal pain kept her awake no matter how her body cried for rest. Perhaps if she planned, she’d forget the pain and chills that racked her frame.

Plan, yes. She needed a plan for food preparation when she returned to her home. No, Micah said he had a plan. Oh, dear, once more he took charge when it was her life, her home.

Maybe Aunt Sofia and Uncle Jorge would have left by then and things would be fine. Already she felt more secure. She sensed her eyelids drifting closed and the sleep’s blessed relief approaching.

A gunshot ripped apart the night.

The blast startled her and she screamed as something thudded near her head, showering her hair and face with splinters. Panic immobilized her. What had happened?

Micah dragged her onto the floor as a bullet ripped into the mattress.

 

Did that excerpt entice you to buy the book?

 I hope so because everyone in my family needs an operation. Okay, no one actually needs surgery, but I will appreciate your buying the book. I believe you will enjoy the series which includes Brazos Bride, High Stakes Bride, Bluebonnet Bride, and others. .

Here’s the buy link for BRAZOS BRIDE:

https://www.amazon.com/Brazos-Bride-Stone-Mountain-Micah/dp/1478172517/

 Thanks for stopping by!