BIRTHDAY SALE!

By Caroline Clemmons

This is my birthday weekend, or as it's known here, the Annual Celebration of My 39th Birthday.  I’m offering books on sale for you to celebrate with me. The four full-length Men of Stone Mountain (Texas) Series books are reduced to only 99 cents from September 15 – 20th. I’m biased, but I love this series. I won’t tell you which of the brothers is my favorite, but he has a scar on his face. Micah, Zach, and Joel Stone are strong, honest, and courageous brothers who are also best friends. They are the last members of their family—except for two aunts. Though not related to the Stone family, Butch Parrish served as deputy for Joel and is now the sheriff.

Each heroine is her own person and tries to solve her own problems. Hope Montoya is strong and unspoiled by her family’s wealth. She deduces she’s being poisoned by someone who lives in her home. She comes up with a plan to save her life and her ranch. Mary Alice Price has grown up isolated on a small ranch, miles from town. In fact, she had no memory of town until her mother’s illness required medical attention. Unfortunately, her mother died and now her stepfather is dying. She lives in fear of her two stepbrothers and what they’ll do when their father passes. Rosalyn Vandagriff faces hanging, accused of her husband’s murder. She receives no help or encouragement from her parents. Kendra Murdoch is determined to save her sister’s children from their father, who killed their mother. That is if they don’t starve in the meantime.

Usually, I don’t base characters on real people, but I confess the Stone brothers’ aunts are based on my mom and her sister.  Reading their part in the stories makes me happy—it brings up fond memories of my mom and aunt. Maggie Jo Gamble, slim, energetic, is patterned after my mom. Like my mom, she would do anything for her family. Plump, optimistic Lizzie Mae Fraser is similar to my Aunt Elizabeth and she, too, would do anything for her family. They both appear in the entire series, but are most present in the first three books.  

Here are the books on sale:

BRAZOS BRIDE – Who is poisoning Hope Montoya and why? She can think of only one way to save herself—if Micah Stone will agree.

https://www.amazon.com/Brazos-Bride-Stone-Mountain-Texas-ebook/dp/B007HS10SY/

 

HIGH STAKES BRIDE – Zach Stone is fed up with women when he learns his mail order bride has married someone she met on the trip. Mary Alice Price is desperate to escape her two step brothers, who have promised her to the meanest man in Texas to settle a gambling debt.

https://www.amazon.com/STAKES-BRIDE-Stone-Mountain-Texas-ebook/dp/B009F7JLTK/

 

 

BLUEBONNET BRIDE - Rosalyn Vandagriff has no hope of escaping the hangman’s noose, even though she is innocent. When a tornado sweeps through the town, she escapes with her daughter and goes west until she’s sure she’s at the end of the Earth. Married to Joel Stone, she hopes she’s safe. But someone recognizes her.

https://www.amazon.com/Bluebonnet-Bride-Stone-Mountain-Texas-ebook/dp/B00BHOC7L8

WINTER BRIDE – Kendra Murdoch has been staying with her sister and the brother in law she despises. When she learns he’s beaten her sister to death, she’s determined to protect her sister's sweet children. But how without a horse or supplies? Help comes when a wounded lawman lands—literally—on the doorstep.

https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Bride-Men-Stone-Mountain/dp/1511498730 

Stay safe and keep reading!

COOL OFF WITH A 99¢ SALE!

Scorching days are here. Are you longing for a way to cool off during this weather? I have the perfect solution. Grab MURDOCH’S BRIDE, your favorite beverage, and curl up with your e-reader to cool off from the heat. To make this easier, MURDOCH’S BRIDE is on sale for 99¢ from Saturday, July 31, through Friday, August 6. MURDOCH’S BRIDE is book 3 in my Loving a Rancher series. I loved writing this book. If you haven’t read it, this is your chance to do so at a bargain price. Of course, it’s free in KU. Here’s the link: https://amzn.com/B07G2JY77F 

Stranded in the snow… 

Nowhere to stay… 

Another blizzard threatens… 

Charity Kelso is accompanying her fussy Aunt Edwina from New York to Oregon when their train is wrecked and the passenger cars burn. Sweetwater Springs doesn’t have a hotel, so passengers are parceled out to townsfolk’s homes. No one wants anything to do with complaining Aunt Edwina. That also leaves Charity and their newly widowed friend Amelia nowhere to stay until the tracks are repaired. A new blizzard is headed their way, so what are they to do? 

Logan Murdoch and his brother came to Sweetwater Springs to restock before the next storm arrives. Against Logan’s better judgment, the sheriff convinces him to take three “innocent, stranded women” to Murdoch Ranch. Other than their housekeeper-cook, a woman hasn’t set foot in the Murdoch home in the twenty years since Logan’s mother abandoned them. He doesn’t expect his father to welcome these unwanted visitors. 

Both Charity and Logan are surprised at the events that unfold. How could this have happened? 

Enjoy an excerpt:

**This is a sweet, wholesome book. However, it does contain one curse word, as you’ll see from the excerpt. If that bothers you, please skip over that word. It is appropriate for Logan’ shock given his nature and his background.** 

The Murdoch men came inside as Charity came down the stairs from fetching a clean handkerchief for her aunt. 

Logan said, “Ornery old cow.” 

Charity gave Edwina her hanky and stomped toward him. “Mr. Murdoch, may I speak to you privately?” 

Surprise showed on his face. “Uh, sure. Guess we can go into the office.” 

He led the way to a room she hadn’t seen, obviously where the ranch records were kept. “Will this do, Miss Kelso?” 

She closed the door behind them. “Logan Murdoch, you have your nerve calling my aunt names. For your information, she’s had a horrible life and no one, not her selfish parents, not her cheating husband, not even her only son has ever loved her. And, that includes my father, who’s her younger brother.” 

He looked poleaxed. “I never said—” 

“I heard what you said.” She stabbed at his chest with her forefinger. “You called her an ‘ornery old cow’. She may be difficult sometimes, but if you knew everything about her you’d understand and be patient and forgiving. You can make fun of me all you want, emphasizing that I’m Miss and not Mrs., but you treat her with the respect someone her age deserves.” 

He moved her hand away from his chest and leaned into her face. “You might try practicing some of the charity you’re named for and at least give me a chance to defend myself. I was talking about our cow. In case you haven’t noticed, I have milk all over my legs and boots because she knocked against the pail.” 

Heat rushed to Charity’s cheeks. She stepped back. “Oh.” 

He stood with his hands on his hips. “That’s a good comeback, Miss Kelso.” 

She sensed a blush’s heat spreading across her face and neck. “Once again, I must ask your pardon.” 

“When you’re angry, sparks fly from those big blue eyes. Reckon I’m lucky I wasn’t set on fire.” He closed the short distance between them and brushed a hand gently along her cheek. 

She knew he was going to kiss her but stood frozen in place. 

He tilted her head up to meet his and pressed his lips on hers. 

She thought he would withdraw then, but his arms were around her, pulling her closer. As if they had minds of their own, her arms encircled him. 

When they broke apart, he stared at her with a horrified expression. “Damn.” 

With the realization she’d cooperated in the kiss and even enjoyed it, horror shot through her. “My stars.” She took a deep breath and left the office.