MY RELUCTANT HERO

 By Caroline Clemmons

Most readers of sweet historical western romance love a strong hero able to stand his ground. My latest hero, Levi Iverson, is such a man. He is a friendly and dependable man who is slightly reserved. In fact, he likes most people and has a good sense of humor. In a small town, a businessman has to be congenial and friendly. Levi is pleasant, if distant, to those who have snubbed or tried to take advantage of him. We know he has a soft heart because of the kindness he shows to Charlie Gann, a slow-witted man who loves horses. Levi makes sure Charlie has a job and place to live. Levi and the sheriff and defends Charlie if bullies bother the man.

 

Levi's livery would have looked 

similar to this one

Levi was born in Norway and came to the United States at age four. As do many Norwegians, he has blond hair and blue eyes. His tall, muscular build makes him an attractive man. As blacksmith, he came to Harrigan Springs when he was 19. In addition to the smithy, Levi repairs guns and owns the livery stable where Charlie works.

Blacksmith's tools - a

hard, hot job!

 

Levi’s three businesses keep him busy, but he keeps his ears tuned for anyone with a house or building for sale, as well as for anyone who needs to rent a property. He’s not a slum lord, but quite the opposite. He remembers how difficult finding a house to rent was when his parents first arrived in Texas. His father spoke a little English, but his mother didn’t. Eventually, his parents acquired a good farm near Medina that is only two hours from Harrigan Springs. His sister and her family are not far.

Levi's sister Ingrid, her husband

Noah Larsen, with children Leah, 

Jacob and Aksel, and dog Thor

Levi is sensible and methodical, weighing his decisions carefully -- until he meets his match. He has a life plan, and marriage is a couple of years away when he's 30. You have probably heard the saying, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” What can a man do when he rescues a beautiful woman from a trio of rascals? 

Norway and the Northern Lights

Perhaps I’ve told too much. If you haven’t read LEVI AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE, come read the adventure. You’ll find it at Amazon in e-book and print. It’s free in Kindle Unlimited.

http://amzn.to/ B0BZDT6Q1J

LEVI AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE is book 4 in the Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides Series. Whew, I have no idea what came over me to choose such a long series name. The other books in order are GENTRY AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE, JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE, and QUINN AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE. Click on the title to see the book details at Amazon.

Stay safe and keep reading!

*Photos purchased from Deposit Photos

Cover by Charlene Raddon, Silver Sage  Cover Designs

LEVI'S MOM TELLS ALL!

As told to Caroline Clemmons

Thank you for inviting me to talk to you today. I want to tell you about my brilliant son, Levi Iverson. First, I’d better give you a little background on the family.

My name is Ellvita Iverson. My husband Haakon and I grew up in Norway. It’s a beautiful country and I’m sure you’d love it there.  We were happy growing up there, but we longed for an easier life with our own land and winters that were not so harsh.

 

View of Norwegian Farm 

by Johan Christian Dahl 1877

Haakon was best friends with my brother, Gustav Nilson. Haakon and Gustav decided they would come to America. In fact, Gustav’s wife Frieda and I agreed that was a good plan. We had heard about Texas and that many other Norwegians were moving there. When we booked our passage, Levi had just turned four and his sister Ingrid was two.

 You may think we were crazy to travel so far with such small children, but we could hardly wait to get to our new home. Ach, we were young and didn’t realize the dangers or hardships we’d encounter. My Haakon is so smart and strong  and such a good man, I knew I could trust him to find us a place. Gustav and Frieda had no children, and doted on Levi and Ingrid.

 Haakon and Gustav understood quite a bit of English and spoke a little. Frieda and I didn’t. The only places we could find to live at first were little more than shacks. Eventually, we were able to homestead adjoining farms. What a great day that was! Levi was able to start school. Such a smart boy he was. That’s not just a mother’s opinion. His teachers were proud of him, too.

Levi always helped Haakon whenever he could, but, but he didn’t enjoy farming. Haakon understood and Levi found a job near our farm working for a blacksmith. He worked hard, but he said he enjoyed the challenges. When he decided to continue as a blacksmith and opened his own smithy in Harrigan Springs, he was only nineteen. He also repaired guns as he learned from my brother, and soon purchased the local livery stable. Unknown to most people, he continued to buy up property—homes and businesses. I’m so proud to say that he was generous to everyone with whom he did business. He had rental property, but he remembered the terrible place we lived when we first came here. He vowed he would never take advantage of anyone. He has become a community leader in Harrigan Springs, Texas.

 That brings me up to the point where he met a lovely girl. She is perfect for Levi, though he had his doubts at first. She had come to town as the mail order bride for someone else, but she refused to marry the awful man. I’m sure you’ll agree, if you read their story. It’s available at Amazon and is free in Kindle Unlimited.

The link is https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZDT6Q1J

Stay safe and keep reading!