Landon rides to the rescue!

Landon

by Cheryl Pierson

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Howdy, friendly readers. Are you keeping up with the Guns For Hire Series? If you are, you know they are mighty fine reading.

Next up on July 15th is Cheryl Pierson and LANDON, Book 9 of the Guns For Hire Series. I reckon you're hankerin' to know what it's about, so here's the description:

Alissa Devine finds herself in an unthinkable situation when her father is murdered, and she’s left to raise her young brother, Zach. With $22 to her name and her no-account gambler father’s burial to pay for, Lissie has no choice but to carry on with her father’s plan to take part in the Oklahoma land run. But single women aren’t allowed on the wagon train.

Landon Wildcat’s mission for months has been to find the man who abducted his younger sister. His search ends when crooked gambler Happy Devine gets what he deserves at the end of Land’s gun. But that act of vengeance leaves Lissie and Zach alone with no man to accompany them on the wagon train.

Wagon Master Bill Castle hires Land as his scout; a devil’s bargain—for both of them. Land offers Lissie his protection, suspecting the unscrupulous Mr. Castle has indecent intentions toward her.

When one of the settlers is murdered, Land takes the outlaws on in a desperate battle to protect the only witness, and nearly pays the ultimate price. Land’s life hangs in the balance, but the wagon train moves on, callously deserting him and the teen boy he saved, along with Lissie and Zach.

Through the hardship, Lissie and Land both realize how much they love one another, and what they have come so close to losing. Though danger lurks around every curve in the road, Lissie believes with all her heart there is a place for their small band of settlers in this untamed Territory. Now that love has finally come, will Fate allow a miracle for their happiness with this new beginning?

If you could see me, you'd know I'm hanging my head in embarrassment over the corrupted file of my book Shad. I umpublished it when I realized what had happened, but still don't have all the gremlins worked out. As soon as I do, I'll republish it.

WISHING FOR A COWBOY

Are you in the holiday spirit yet? I love the holidays, but this year my enthusiasm dragged until recently. One of the things that helped inspire me is an anthology, WISHING FOR A COWBOY, by the new publishing company Prairie Rose Publications. This Christmas anthology is the first release by Prairie Rose. I loved each of the stories in WISHING FOR A COWBOY. Because most of the authors are friends and I want to save the book on my keeper shelf, I bought the print version. But the anthology is also available in e-book.

Cheryl Pierson and Livia J. Washburn launched the imprint. Each is an accomplished and prolific author of multiple genres. You might think that writing award winning books and novellas would be enough to satisfy any author. Not these two women who are always stretching to learn new things. For instance, when Livia’s elderly dog’s hip problems left the animal unable to walk, Livia built her pet a sort of wheel chair for doggies for his back two feet so he could get around. Livia also edits for her husband, James Reasoner and Western Fictioneers. She must work without sleep to accomplish all she does. Cheryl is just as busy, and must be super organized. The stories Cheryl and Livia selected for the anthology are winners.

WISHING FOR A COWBOY includes eight Christmas tales by (alphabetically) Kathleen Rice Adams, Tracy Garrett, Tanya Hanson, Sarah McNeal, Phyliss Miranda, Cheryl Pierson, Jacquie Rogers, and Livia J. Washburn. In addition, recipes at the end of the book sound delicious.

I should have read the anthology from the front to back. Those who read this blog know I love the writing of Jacquie Rogers. Readers won’t be surprised to learn I read her A GIFT FOR RHODA first, and was not disappointed. Once again, Jacquie has delivered a poignant story that includes her special subtle humor, a touch of suspense, and a happy ever after conclusion. Rhoda Johnson is a mail order bride who wants out of her situation when she learns her prospective groom is a drunken lout. Nate Harmon arrives just in time to intervene and also reconnect with his parents.

After Jacquie’s story, I did start at the beginning. Phyliss Miranda contributed A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE. This story is touching, but the ending is a bit too much at once. Still, I enjoyed the story of Mattie Jo Ashley and Dr. Grant Spencer and how they inspire the true meaning of Christmas in a small Texas town.

Cheryl Pierson is another author whose work always pleases. Her OUTLAW’S KISS is a touching tale about a special friendship between Talia Delano and supposed outlaw Jake Morgan. When he paid an outrageous sum for her box supper and then claimed a public kiss, he ruined Talia’s reputation in her straight-laced town. Now he’s back. Will he restore her standing in the community or further destroy it? Not to spoil the story for you, but it IS a Christmas story. ☺

A HUSBAND FOR CHRISTMAS is by Sarah J. McNeal. I loved the touching story of a woman and her son who survived the Titanic, but whose husband did not. What a horrific experience that must have been for them. Teekonka Red Sky wants to help assuage their grief. Can his Lakota customs help?

PEACHES is by Kathleen Rice Adams. Kathleen has a special type humor that I find irresistible. Ruth Avery is the new school teacher who feels she can do very well, thank you, without the interference of rancher Whit McCandless. Whit would love to avoid his three meddlesome aunts. He figures the new teacher needs educating in western ways. Reading about their interaction is fun and satisfying.

HER CHRISTMAS WISH is by Tracy Garrett. Kathryn McConnell is a widow who is quite capable of living on her own. Being able doesn’t mean the situation is ideal. She runs a remote stagecoach station. Will O’Brien is the man who intended to marry Kathryn thirteen years ago, but fate intervened. When he lands at the stage station, he is determined to win back his one true love.

COVENANT is by Tanya Hanson and is a touching tale of misunderstood love. Ella Green was a mail order bride who came to Nebraska from Pennsylvania to wed Carsten Green and care for his young daughter. The child’s death sent both adults mourning in different ways and apart. A blizzard ignites love gone cold.

CHARLIE’S PIE is by Livia J. Washburn. Lauralee Brannam bakes what had been her son’s favorite pecan pie on Christmas Eve. Burke Lavery, a wounded Texas Ranger, seeks her help at her ranch in Parker County, Texas. Lauralee’s reaction when outlaws steal the pie creates havoc and gets amazing results. I loved this story.

In fact, I loved this anthology! I highly recommend WISHING FOR A COWBOY. Readers are sure to enjoy each story. The collection would put even the Grinch in the holiday spirit.

Amazon buy link:

http://www.amazon.com/Wishing-Cowboy-Phyliss-Miranda-ebook/dp/B00G9GTWVC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1385384474&sr=1-1&keywords=wishing+for+a+cowboy 

Thanks for stopping by!   

BOOK REVIEW - KANE'S REDEMPTION

My friend and fellow Sweethearts of the West author, Cheryl Pierson, has a release that is a departure for her in that KANE’S REDEMPTION is told in first person by a ten-year-old boy. This novella is charming on many levels. I intended just to read a bit in support of Cheryl, who is a nice person and a great writer. Immediately, I was engaged and unable to stop reading until the story’s very satisfactory conclusion.

In KANE’S REDEMPTION, Will Green is the boy who has been captured by a band of raiding Apaches after watching his family killed. Will fights for his life when he is taken prisoner. He’s lost count of how many days the Apaches have traveled, but he knows the band’s leader Red Eagle toys with him and will soon torture him. Steeling himself for death, Will vows he will not cry or let the Apache know how frightened his is. He's shocked when a lone man walks into the Apache camp to rescue him several days later.

Driven by the secret he carries, Jacobi Kane has followed the Indians for days and needs to make his move to save the boy. With the odds stacked eight against one, his chances for success look pretty slim. But even if he's able to rescue the boy and they get out alive, what then?

But Jacobi Kane does rescue Will. In turn, Will rescues him. I’d tell you how, but you owe it to yourself to experience firsthand this story's pleasure.

Here’s the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Kanes-Redemption-Cheryl-Pierson/dp/1469971895/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_11

Cheryl Pierson, Author

KANE'S REDEMPTION author, Cheryl Pierson, is a romance author who loves to read and also teaches novel writing classes and is co-owner of West Winds Media, an editing/teaching business for writers. She writes short stories that have been published by Adams Media, novel manuscripts, and has written a screenplay. Her novel, FIRE EYES, was an Epic Award Finalist and Cheryl received the PNR PEARL Awards Honorable Mention as Best New Author of 2009. She also placed third in the San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA) Merritt Contest with her newest novel, GABRIEL’S LAW. Cheryl's Western/Time-Travel/Romance, TIME PLAINS DRIFTER, is available from Western Trail Blazer in both Ebook and print. To learn more about Cheryl and her exciting books, visit her at www.cherylpierson.com/

Here’s what Cheryl says about KANE’S REDEMPTION:

Rule #1 - I never write in first person.


Rule #2 - I never write from a child's point of view.


Rule #3 - I always have romance somewhere in my stories.


Well...one out of three ain't bad.


I threw Rule #1 out the window when I picked up my pen and started this book. I did write KANE’S REDEMPTION in first person. It's the first work of fiction I've ever written from this perspective, and after I wrote it, I knew there would be two more of these novellas to follow. There was no better way to tell this story of young Will Green and Jacobi Kane - and the secret that stands between them.


Will is a child when the story begins, but a young man by the conclusion. So, I guess you could say I broke my own "Rule #2" as well.


Growing up in the 1800's on the prairie of the southwest would make an adult of you quickly; even quicker if you watched your entire family murdered in the space of five minutes. This story is not just about Will, though - it's also about Jacobi Kane, who has some secrets of his own. Although he rescues Will, he wrestles with demons that can't be fought alone - but how can Will help? In the end, who is the true rescuer - Will, or Jacobi Kane?


Romance? Well, there's a bit of that. But it's the romance that comes with new beginnings and the kiss of forgiveness. Come to think of it, the romance in KANE’S REDEMPTION is different from anything else I've ever written, too.


This story came from somewhere deep; a place I didn't know existed. It's a gift I hope you will take as much pleasure in reading as I did in writing.


Look for Book 2 in the Kane trilogy, KANE’S PROMISE, in the fall of 2012.

I am supposed to disclose that I purchased KANE'S REDEMPTION and the opinion expressed is my own. In fact, I will be ordering the next two of the Kane trilogy the first day each is available!

Thanks for stopping by!

CHERYL PIERSON SHARES HER SHORT STORIES

Cheryl Pierson

I couldn’t let another day go by as we rush into fall without showing off my new “stand alone” short stories. Let me tell you why I’m so excited about these stories.


First of all, I love to read and write short stories as well as novels. In today’s world, short stories are growing increasingly popular because they can be finished in one sitting, usually. Publishing by Rebecca J. Vickery, and her imprints, Western Trail Blazer and Victory Tales Press, have been a fantastic source of anthologies and “stand alone” short stories in today’s growing market.

The anthologies are themed anthologies, based upon a season or holiday. The stories that are contracted for those anthologies cannot be reprinted anywhere else for six months. But, when their “time” is up, a contract may be put in place to continue to sell them in the anthologies and to also offer them as “single sell” .99 offerings, as well.


I just had three of my stories come up for that option this past month: ALWAYS AND FOREVER, which first appeared in A HALLOWEEN COLLECTION last year; THE LAST OF HER KIND, which came out in A MYSTERY/SUSPENSE COLLECTION; and A HEART FOR A HEART, which was first offered in A VALENTINE COLLECTION.


This growing short story market has been a great way for readers to sample different authors in sub-genres they love, or take a chance on an author that maybe they’ve never read before in a sub-genre they wouldn’t normally read—because the price is right. At just .99 a story, you really can’t go wrong.


All of my short stories are available on Nook, through Barnes and Noble, and on Kindle, through Amazon. Here are some covers and blurbs for the latest short stories of mine that have come out this past month as single sell offerings. I hope you enjoy!

THE LAST OF HER KIND (paranormal suspense):


An old Victrola is the cherished possession of Cassie’s grandmother. Her father also seems oddly attached to the antique phonograph, but her new stepmother detests it and wants it gone. Grandmother is sick, probably dying, and Cassie will be the only one left in the house who sees through Trish as Cassie’s brothers no longer live with them.


Then Cassie discovers a wonderful, yet frightening secret. Will her new knowledge save her family or destroy it?

ALWAYS AND FOREVER (contemporary “2nd chance at love”):

At a children’s Halloween carnival, a Gypsy fortuneteller predicts a new love for both Cindy and Gage. When the two meet over a poorly carved pumpkin, love flickers to life and the stars begin to align.


But the odds of finding a new love later in life seem insurmountable and the prophecy seems too good to be true. After all, Gage has been burned before and Cindy doesn’t believe in fortunes or second chances.


Will doubt overshadow their attraction or has love already been set in motion? Can the star-crossed pair put their faith in the love that was foretold? Can they believe in each other?

A HEART FOR A HEART (sweet romance):

Kiera is all set to welcome Cory into her home as a foster child. Orphaned and with a learning disability, Cory is looking forward to living with his tutor. Until his uncle shows up…

Sam Tiger returns from military duty to find his deceased brother’s son being taken in by a stranger. The boy needs his family and Sam is it. He never expects the tutor to stand up to him and want to keep Cory. Then the worst happens—he finds himself attracted to Kiera.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL CHERYL’S WORK, CLICK HERE:
Cheryl's Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002JV8GUE


Thanks to Cheryl for sharing her amazing stories with us today. Please return on Wednesday for a visit from Kellie Kamryn.

Thanks for stopping by!