MY BOOK'S ON FIRE! NO, THE LOCALE IS...

One of my favorite of my books is a time travel featuring a clairvoyant heroine from 1845 who jumps off an Irish cliff to escape an angry mob...and lands in 2010 Texas in Possum Kingdom Lake. Because she lands at the formations known locally as Hell's Gate, at first she thinks she's in Purgatory.

I love this area of Texas. It's mountains are hills compared to Colorado, the climate is hot as you-know-where in summer, and summer is about 9 months of the year. Right now, the area has a terrible range fire. At the time I'm writing this, no homes have burned. It must be frightening to those who live there to be in such danger! Last summer's fires near the same area destroyed numerous homes and cost the lives of many animals.

From the time whites entered this region in the mid 1800's. this has been the home of large ranches along the Brazos River. In the mid 1900's, the Brazos River was dammed to form Possum Kingdom Lake, Lake Granbury, and Lake Whitney. The lakes are wonderful, but they are there at a cost to those who love the river.

The Brazos River 

But that's not the point of this essay. The rights to the aforementioned book, OUT OF THE BLUE, have now reverted to me and I have republished them in print and ebook for your reading pleasure. At least, I hope reading this book will be a pleasure. It is my husband's favorite of my boosk, with THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE running a close second. Need I tell you my husband loves anything to do with Ireland or the Irish?

Here's the new cover, courtesy of my husband and iStock. My husband took the photo of the Hell's Gate cliffs and transposed the model over the photo.

I hope you agree he did a nice job. I'm very pleased with the way the cover turned out. A photo of the hero is on the back with the blurb:

Detective Brendan Hunter, the hero

The hero shown above is a clever, cynical man who doesn't believe in clairvoyant visions or time travel He thinks Deirdre is somehow involved with the men who killed his partner and injured Brendan so badly that he's still on medical leave.

Blossom Hunter and Dave Roan

Blossom Hunter is a hippie throwback who owns a health food store. She has become involved with a neighbor, Dr. Dave Roan. In spite of being a man of science, Dave is more open-minded than Brendan. Blossom is a lovely, generous woman who helps those less fortunate. The problem is that--although her son is a police detective--Blossom is not that concerned with following those tiresome parts of the laws.

Here's a blurb:

Deirdre Dougherty never cursed at anyone, much less put a curse on the potato crop of her remote Irish village. She’d rather take her chances with the Atlantic lapping at the bottom of the cliff than the mob intent on burning her as they have her cottage. Deirdre leaps . . . and plops down over 160 years later in a Texas lake. She doesn’t understand how she’s ended up with the man from her recent visions or why he has the same name as the saint to whom she prayed. She’s in danger of falling for the handsome policeman who rescued her, in spite of the fact that he thinks she’s lying to him. How can she convince him her story is true when she’s finding it difficult to believe the tale herself?

Police Detective Brendan Hunter wants answers. Who shot him and killed his partner? Why? And why does Deirdre know details of the event? Her story has to be a colossal fabrication or else she’s a beautiful psycho. Either way, he wants her gone before he becomes even more fascinated with her. But he can’t let her out of his sight until she confesses to how she learned details no one but he and his late partner knew.

And here's an excerpt from when two of the villain's henchmen try to kidnap Deirdre:

Blossom gave Deirdre the mail. “Do you mind, dear? I hate going out in this sticky heat. It frizzes my perm, but it seems to have no effect on your gorgeous, thick hair.”
“I’ll post these and be back in a minute to straighten the front display of that new organic salsa from Austin.” Deirdre carried the letters outside and dropped them into the box on the corner across the parking lot. She turned to start back.
A huge black car apparently had been parked at the back of the lot by the Dumpster and pulled alongside her. She saw the dented fender before the door opened. Then she realized the two scary guys from the bar were inside, partially obscured from view by the tinted windows. The blond stepped out and reached for her.
She understood his intent so she screamed for help and ran away from him. People came to the store window.
Polly rushed to the door. “Blossom’s calling the police. Hold on, Deirdre, we’re coming.”
But no one rushed to her aid. What could a few ladies do against these two frightening men? She’d have to save herself, so she screamed again.
The blond caught up with her and grabbed her arm. “No use screaming, lady. You’re coming with us.” He dragged her toward the car.
She kicked him and screamed again, clawing at him with her free hand. She drew blood along his arm and scratched his face.
He jerked her and grabbed both her hands. “You’re gonna be sorry you made me mad. I have lots of ways to get even.” He told her what he planned as he yanked her toward the car’s back seat.
Strong as an ox, the man held her in an iron grasp so her feet barely touched the ground. He heaved her toward the open door. Suspended above the ground, she braced a foot against the car’s body. With her other, she kicked him between the legs, just as Ma had taught her.
He turned red and released her as he doubled over and dropped to his knees. Without him supporting her, she hit the pavement hard. Her back took the force of her fall and the air whooshed from her. She couldn’t stand but she rolled away.
The driver pointed a gun at her. “Get in or you die right here, right now.”
What had Brendan said about this situation when they watched television? Never get in the car with anyone. But how could she resist without him shooting her? She recalled the blonde’s threats. If she had to die, she’d rather it be here quickly than at the hands of these two later. She made the sign of the cross and prepared herself for death.
A horn honked and tires squealed. Brendan yelled. “Deirdre, I’m coming.”
Blossom and Polly hurried toward her, each carrying a broom and wielding it as if they intended to beat on the blond man. Several associates came with them and lobbed jars of something at the car. In the heat, the jars exploded like small bombs. After one loud crack, red oozed along the spider-webbed glass windshield.
“What the hell?” The scary man in black turned back toward the steering wheel. “Damn it, Rod, with or without her, get the hell in here.”
She struggled to her knees then stood, backing away.
Apparently unable to straighten, the guy she’d kicked hoisted himself back into the car. He yelled, “I’ll get you for this, bitch. When I do, you’re gonna beg me to kill you before I’m through.”
The black car took off with a squeal from smoking tires, dripping red salsa and leaving glass shards in its wake. The driver had his head stuck halfway out the side window, his front windshield obviously too damaged and dirty for the wipers to clear. Aromas from the salsa’s spicy contents filled the air—cilantro, tomatoes, chili peppers. Deirdre fell in love with those scents.
Then Brendan was there, lifting her and carrying her to his car. He cradled her in his lap with the door open.

Salsa from
Stock Exchange

Blossom followed them and stood beside the car. “I called the police. We couldn’t think of any weapons but brooms and one-pound jars of salsa. Pretty feeble.”
Polly hovered behind Blossom. The other associates had gone back to their duties. A dozen customers and people from nearby stores stood near the building in the shade of the overhang, talking to one another or staring.
“You were brave and clever,” Deirdre assured Blossom and Polly then looked up at Brendan. “But they’d have been unable to stop the men if you hadn’t come.”
He smiled. “It looks like you had them on the run, Mom. Salsa was a clever touch. Didn’t help the parking lot, though.”
Polly said, “Oh, those horrid men, at least they’re gone. We’ll use the brooms to get rid of the glass and hope for rain. Otherwise, maybe we can talk the fire department into hooking up a hose and spraying the lot for us.”
Deirdre nestled her head near Brendan’s ear. “The scary guy with the black hair had a gun. A broom and jars of tomato salsa are not much against a bullet. He could have killed everyone.”
She shivered, recalling her fear and her decision. “He pointed it at me and told me to get in or he’d shoot me. But I remembered what you said.”
“Don’t get in the car with a kidnapper. Thank God you didn’t, honey. I don’t have my gun with me and all I could do is chase them and phone for backup.” He closed his eyes and held her tight. “Damn, they got a good look at both of us at the bar, but I never thought they’d come after you. And another thing’s for sure, that’s the SUV that ran me off the road.”
She held onto him, grateful for his strength. “That’s what I saw first when they stopped, the cracked fender with scrapes of paint on it the same blue color as your old car. If Michelle was correct, they killed Frank.”
Polly came back out and handed them a piece of paper. “Here’s the license number of that SUV. One of our associates wrote it down while Blossom and I grabbed brooms and the other associates loaded up on jars.”
“You all did some quick thinking.” He took the paper.
Sirens blared and a police car pulled up short of the broken glass. An officer got out. “Hunter, you snatching women now? What’s going on? Heard there was a kidnapping in progress.”
“There was.” He slid Deirdre from his lap, but kept her hand in his. “Two men in a black SUV tried to abduct Miss Dougherty at gunpoint.”
Deirdre noticed he copied the license number into his own notebook before he handed it to the officer. “One of the clerks got the license.” He told them what kind of SUV and the approximate year. “Could we go inside where it’s air-conditioned to continue this?”
Half an hour later, the officers left.
Brendan still held Deirdre’s hand. “Mom, I’m taking Deirdre home. She’s been through enough for the day.”
Blossom nodded. “Yes, this was terrible, but I think I’ll stay here. Both Chrissy and Rosa are off today, and we’ll be understaffed if I leave too. Oh, won’t they be sorry they missed this excitement?”
“Are you sure you want to stay? They can get along without you for an afternoon.”
“I think I’ll worry less if I’m busy here.” Blossom, normally cheerful, looked near tears. “So many horrid things keep happening. When will it end?”
“Soon, Mom. It’ll all be settled soon.” He hugged his mother then tugged Deirdre toward the door. “Come on, honey, let’s go home.”
With as much enthusiasm as she could muster, she turned and waved. “Everyone, thank you for your help.”
They left to calls of “Goodbye” and “Take Care.” Deirdre hated to abandon Blossom, but she’d be useless at work. Her legs wobbled and she couldn’t stop shaking. Hitting the pavement had created aches across her shoulders and hips. Her stomach still fluttered but at least her heartbeat had returned to normal.
Broken glass had been cleaned away, but she and Brendan had to weave around chunky blobs and streaks of tomato salsa.
She surveyed the damage. “They must have thrown fifteen or twenty jars. Too bad. That’s wonderful salsa made from organic tomatoes and herbs. It’s very expensive.”
“Not compared to your welfare. I’ll make sure Mom gives all her employees a bonus for helping you. ”
“You’re a generous man.” Deirdre forced a smile for him but they were well on their way before she spoke again, “It’s a lovely car.”
He glanced at her and raised his eyebrows. “It’s silver.”
She nodded, pleased he’d remembered her choice. “So I see.” Then the aftermath of terror hit her anew and she reached for his hand. “Brendan, I was so very frightened. Those men said they’d come back for me. Th-They plan to do terrible things to me. They will too, I know they will.”

I hope you are so intrigued you simply have to rush over and purchase this book: ☺

Print from Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Out-Blue-Caroline-Clemmons/dp/1478327138/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344638980&sr=1-14&keywords=caroline+clemmons

E-book from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/OUT-OF-THE-BLUE-ebook/dp/B008ULBEK6/ref=sr_1_27?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344639067&sr=1-27&keywords=caroline+clemmons

E-book Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/212425?ref=CarolineClemmons

On Friday, Linda Weaver Clarke will be here to talk about her new intrigue.

Thanks for stopping by!

THINKING OF SUMMER READING?

Summer brings thoughts of boating, traveling, gardening...and reading. For my family, reading is always in season.

A popular lake near us is named Possum Kingdom Lake. Really. Would I like to you? You can't make up stuff as weird as reality.  The lake is on the Brazos River, which was a mighty river until it was dammed up in numerous places.

Comanche Warriors

Many years ago trappers gathered possum pelts in the valley that was later flooded for the lake. Possums are mostly harmless critters, but their pelts used to be popular for men’s hats. The story goes that there were two trappers who traded with the Comanche for pelts. After many rounds of firewater, the Comanche fell asleep and the trappers made off with the pelts and everything else. Stupid, eh? The men were escaping when the Comanche wakened, probably already in a bad mood due to hangovers, and discovered they’d been hoodwinked. Comanche warriors were not men to swindle. They set out after the trappers, who refused to abandon their valuables. Instead they climbed up the hillside that is really a cliff. One said to the other that he’d see Hell’s gates before he gave anything back to the Comanche. You can imagine how that ended, can’t you? The Comanches caught and disposed of him. The cliff formation is now named Hell's Gate in his honor.

Possum Kingdom Lake

Toiday Possum Kingdom Lake (locally referred to as PK) is a popular recreation destination. It’s a beautiful lake, but periodically plagued by golden algae that causes a fish die-off. Not all fish species die, but most of the sport fish fall prey to the algae. Last summer grass fires destroyed a great deal of land surrounding the lake and many homes. Hopefully this summer will not be so dry, but forecasters are predicting are of the same. You'd think all a lake had to do was soak up the sun and rain, wouldn't you? Apparently not.

Possum Kingdom Lake and the surrounding area are the setting for a time travel romantic suspense I wrote titled OUT OF THE BLUE. This is my husband’s favorite of my books and was published in 2010. The heroine, Dierdre Dougherty, is from 1845 Ireland and travels to contemporary Texas. She plops down in the lake next to the bass boat of police detective, Brendan Hunter, on medical leave after he was wounded in the shooting that killed his partner and best friend.

Time travels are fun to write because the author is able to play with the adjustment of the time traveler to her/his new world and to show the reaction of the incredulous characters who discover the time traveler. Imagine how suspicious you’d be if someone showed up on your doorstep claiming to be from another century. Would you call the police? The mental hospital? Would you invite the person into your home?

As far as I know, there is no such thing as time travel, other than crossing a time zone or the equator. That’s not saying there is not and never will be, because we never know what’s possible. For instance, forty years ago would anyone have believed he or she could surf the internet (the what?) or watch movies on a cell phone?  Authors have to keep an open mind and give those with wild-sounding claims a chance to explain.

But I digressed. I was telling you about Possum Kingdom Lake in the Palo Pinto Mountains. Before gasoline was a million dollars a gallon, Hero and I used to go for Sunday afternoon drives to explore Palo Pinto County and others surrounding. We also went on the Palo Pinto County Historical Tours when they were offered before the volunteers suffered extreme burnout.

After all that and the research I did for OUT OF THE BLUE, I fell in love with the area and use it for the setting of my new Men of Stone Mountain trilogy. But today, I’m talking about OUT OF THE BLUE, which is available in print or ebook from www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html and other online stores like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Here’s an excerpt of OUT OF THE BLUE to (hopefully) whet your reading appetite. Blossom is the hero’s mom and Deirdre’s employer:

        Blossom gave Deirdre the mail. “Do you mind, dear? I hate going out in this sticky heat. It frizzes my perm, but it seems to have no effect on your gorgeous, thick hair.”
“I’ll post these and be back in a minute to straighten the front display of that new organic salsa from Austin.” Deirdre carried the letters outside and dropped them into the box on the corner across the parking lot. She turned to start back.
A huge black car apparently had been parked at the back of the lot by the Dumpster and pulled alongside her. She saw the dented fender before the door opened. Then she realized the two scary guys from the bar were inside, partially obscured from view by the tinted windows. The blond stepped out and reached for her.
She understood his intent so she screamed for help and ran away from him. People came to the store window.
Polly rushed to the door. “Blossom’s calling the police. Hold on, Deirdre, we’re coming.”
But no one rushed to her aid. What could a few ladies do against these two frightening men? She’d have to save herself, so she screamed again.
The blond caught up with her and grabbed her arm. “No use screaming, lady. You’re coming with us.” He dragged her toward the car.
She kicked him and screamed again, clawing at him with her free hand. She drew blood along his arm and scratched his face.
He jerked her and grabbed both her hands. “You’re gonna be sorry you made me mad. I have lots of ways to get even.” He told her what he planned as he yanked her toward the car’s back seat.
Strong as an ox, the man held her in an iron grasp so her feet barely touched the ground. He heaved her toward the open door. Suspended above the ground, she braced a foot against the car’s body. With her other, she kicked him between the legs, just as Ma had taught her.
He turned red and released her as he doubled over and dropped to his knees. Without him supporting her, she hit the pavement hard. Her back took the force of her fall and the air whooshed from her. She couldn’t stand but she rolled away.
The driver pointed a gun at her. “Get in or you die right here, right now.”

Please return on Friday when my friend, Celia Yeary, will be my guest.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

HOT DIGGITY DOG! A TOP PICK REVIEW!

Great reviews thrill authors, and I am so excited about my Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews for BRAZOS BRIDE. Picture me doing a Snoopy Happy Dance around the house. Ouch, I tripped over a couple of cats and a dog. Okay, instead of me dancing, picture me smiling a lot. Really a lot.

Pour your favorite beverage and let's toast to a fabulous review! I'm lifting my Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper in a happy toast to you readers and to BRAZOS BRIDE and the Men of Stone Mountain trilogy and to the reviewer Barb.

Here’s the review by Barb of Night Owl Reviews:

"I found this book to be very entertaining. I read it in one afternoon because I had to know who was trying to murder Hope, the heroine. Her interaction with Micah and their relationship was the heart of the story. I really got into the story and the characters. The mystery of just who of the many characters were the evil ones kept me reading and turning pages (so to speak) on my Kindle. I was unable to stop reading this book until I finished it. That really says something for the author's plot and cast of characters. I enjoy these types of books, but this one was exceptional. I will be patiently waiting for the stories of Micah's brothers, Zach and Joel. I see the potential for some very good stories following these brothers' lives. Good job in making me want more.
Mar 28, 2012
B007HS10SY
Top Pick 4.5 stars"

Wasn't that great? And she wants more about the Stone brothers. Oh, thank heavens! I have more stories about the Men of Stone Mountain, two more to be exact. Right now, I’m writing Zach’s story and having so much fun with his heroine, Mary Alice Price. But that’s for another time. Today, help me celebrate my Top Pick review for BRAZOS BRIDE.

And this book is only 99 cents from Kindle. What a bargain! The buy link is:
http://www.amazon.com/Brazos-Bride-Stone-Mountain-ebook/dp/B007HS10SY/ref=sr_1_11?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1333679517&sr=1-11

The book is set on the Brazos River in 1870, hence the name. The ranch is near present day Possum Kingdom Lake. The Brazos River is shown below.


Brazos River, longest river in Texas


Yep, Possum Kingdom Lake is a real place. Actally the ranch from which I modeled that in the book was huge, and part of it would now be under the lake. There's plenty still topside, though, including the historic homesite. 

Possum Kingdom Lake including the cliff
that is part of the original ranch

I changed the actual ranch's home into a haceinda because the heroine is Hispanic. (Besides, I love Spanish architecture.) But the ranch is a genuine working ranch that I was privileged to visit on a Palo Pinto County historic tour a few years back. So glad I was able to see the beautiful Belding-Gibson private ranch and it inspired me. WhooHoo!  


Thanks for stopping by!
 

MORE BOOKS FOR YOU...

Have you been shopping in the crowds the past few days? I'm waiting until this coming week to venture forth. Maybe walking into stores won't be as hectic then as on Black Friday! Of course, I do most of my gift buying online. So much easier...I can shop in my jammies anytime day or night and the items come right to my door. No fuss, no craziness. Most important for me, no impulse buys! And keeping my spending under control keeps Mr. Claus kissing Mrs. Claus, always a good thing.

This is the last day of our Black Friday Weekend Mini-Blog Hop. Although some group members are not putting up a new post today, the giveaways continue. A free book, yay!

Saturday’s winners of a pdf of THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE are Mitzi, Mary, and Calisa. Congratulations, ladies. I’ll email you with your free download.

Today, I’m giving away two copies of OUT OF THE BLUE, my paranormal (time travel and clairvoyance) romantic suspense. Just comment to be entered in the drawing. This is my husband’s favorite of my books. The heroine in OUT OF THE BLUE is an Irish woman from 1845 who’s accused of cursing the potato crops of her rural community, a place too isolated for the residents to realize the potato blight is nationwide. A troublemaker with a grudge against her family leads a mob who burn her cottage and try to capture her. She escapes, but there’s nowhere to run except for the cliff. As she leaps off, she prays to Saints Brigid and Brendan to deliver her...and they do...into our time.

In addition to suspense, the displacement of time travel, murder, and corruption, there's also humor. One of my favorite characters is the hero's mom, Blossom Hunter. She's sort of a throw-back to the hippies and met Brendan's father at a commune turned cooperative farm. Although the one Blossom lived on was in California, they're still around here in Texas. Another favorite character is Mildred, who helps Deirdre. Well, just read the book.

Possum Kingdom Lake
with a view of
Hell's Gate cliffs

OUT OF THE BLUE is set not far from where I live in North Central Texas. The lake--yes, Possum Kingdom Lake is a real place--is in a low mountain range known as the Palo Pinto Mountains. To anyone from Colorado, for example, they probably look like hills. To someone like me who grew up on the West Texas plains, they look like mountains. And they are a genuine mountain range, named by the Comanche for the brilliant colors of the small oak trees in fall. I love driving through these mountains/hills any time, but especially in spring and fall.


Possum


The lake was named because trappers used to catch possums for the fur trade. Apparently there were even more around then--and there are still plenty now. They are pretty pesky creatures but harmless. They can squeeze through the tiniest openings--like around our the seal at the bottom of our garage door. Woodcutters  cut cedar from the cedar brakes for fence posts and firewood, and still do. Some pioneers even built homes from the cedar.

Smokehouse left and cabin (room)
right. Photo from PAINTED POLE:
THE BELDINGS AND THEIR RANCHES
IN PALO PINTO COUNTY by
Barbara Belding Gibson

On a local history tour, my family visited the Belding-Gibson Ranch where, when Henry Belding settled on the land in 1859, he did so in an abandoned one-room cabin. The owners included the original cedar log cabin in their home. Yes, they incorporated the cabin of about eight by ten feet and made it into a bathroom. The smokehouse and cool room are also part of the home and the former dog run between them and the log cabin is now a rear entry. Very ingenious people are the Beldings and Gibsons.

Texas grassfire

I’m so glad they preserved the buildings and still use them. They were almost lost this spring and summer in the grassfires that swept through the area.

Comanche Indians

Possum Kingdom Lake is beautiful and is a popular sports area as well as being ringed with homes, condos, and rental units such as the imaginary one in which the hero's mom lives. Across the lake from the Boy Scout Camp is Hell’s Gate, a large cliff so called because trappers who stole from the Comanche were killed there. The trappers had taken the Comanches’ furs, then got the Comanche drunk and sneaked away with the furs and the payment for them. The head thief said “the Indians would see him at Hell’s gates before they got their furs back.” Famous last words--literally. Who would be stupid enough to cheat the Comanche in their own territory? Talk about too stupid to live!

But on to OUT OF THE BLUE.

Blurb:

Deirdre Dougherty after
she's adjusted to modern
life in Texas

A desperate flight from a dangerous man plunges Deirdre Dougherty off a cliff---and into the future. Swept through a time portal 165 years beyond the life she knew in rural 1845 Ireland, Deirdre plops into a lake in North Central Texas. The brooding man from her precognizant visions rescues her but demands answers she cannot supply. Deirdre knows only that he is in danger, and the source has a familiar vibe.

Brendan Hunter in
front of his townhouse
before the explosion.
Oh, but I shouldn't give
away the entire book.

Police Detective Brendan Hunter wants answers. Who shot him and killed his partner? Why? And why does Deirdre know details only he and his late partner knew? The beautiful psycho’s story has to be a colossal fabrication. He wants her gone before he becomes even more fascinated with her. Together they must solve the riddle of Deirdre’s displacement, battle a drug scandal, murders, and stay one step ahead of the enemy—without knowing friend from foe.

And here’s an excerpt:
The set up is that Deirdre warned Brendan not to be out after dark and he pooh-poohed her warning.

 Clouds scudded across the sliver of moon and created an inky night. A radio newscaster warned of a severe storm’s approach. The only downside about staying at the lake was the drive home. He had to admit he wouldn’t mind living at the lake permanently though. The peace it offered made the trip worthwhile.


Nights like this reminded him of the disadvantages. Winding roads, no center stripe, no streetlights. A stiff breeze tugged at the car. Brendan swerved around a fallen tree limb.


Thank goodness for halogen headlights.


As he passed a side road, a dark SUV the size of a small tank turned in behind him. He hadn’t known anyone lived up that road, but lots of new folks were moving in. Perhaps someone had built up on that hill. The other vehicle’s headlights grew closer.


He glanced in the rear view mirror again. “Damned fool. Get off my tail and go around.”


Finally, the SUV drew alongside him to pass. Instead of pulling ahead, it swerved into his front fender.


“What the hell?” Brendan blasted his car’s horn.


In answer, the SUV bumped him again, harder this time.


Thunder boomed overhead. Rain began to fall and the pavement turned slick as ice. He recalled Deirdre’s warning and Frank’s. This was it then, whoever drove the SUV intended to drive him off the road.


They approached a sharp curve. Brendan fought to defend his car against the larger vehicle’s attack. His mid-size sedan had no chance against the huge SUV. Metal screeched against metal. He lost control and his car plunged down the embankment and rolled.


When the car stopped, he hung suspended upside down. Deflated airbags dangled like spent balloons. Unfastening the seat belt, Brendan dropped to his overturned car’s headliner.


He touched the lump on his head and found sticky moisture. Blood. His head ached like a sonofabitch and he needed to sit down, but he didn’t dare delay inside the car. The strong odor of gasoline surrounded him and he feared an explosion.


He had to get out, and fast!


It hadn’t been road rage that sent the other vehicle into his. Was this wreck another warning or had someone intended his death? Either way, he had to escape.


All the doors were too damaged to open. Using his jacket as a buffer against the few shards remaining in the passenger door’s window, he slithered out the side away from the road in case anyone above watched. Keeping low, he raced behind a group of cedars.


While he looked toward the road, he crouched motionless and listened. After what must have been only seconds, a flash of lightning illuminated a shadowy figure standing where Brendan’s car had barreled off the pavement.


Someone checking to see I don’t make it out.


No sooner had the idea occurred to him than he heard the soft pop of a silenced gun. The ping of a bullet struck his car mere nanoseconds before the car exploded in flames. Above the roar of his burning sedan, a car door slammed and the SUV drove away.


Damn good thing he couldn’t get the door open in case the interior lights had still worked. He’d have been a spotlighted target. Easy pickings.


He’d faced down armed men. Taken hundreds of risks in the line of duty. But he’d never before been the objective of an unknown assassin—not unless he could prove the drive-by shooting of him and Larry was an assassination.


Sparks from the fire showered the area, igniting smaller fires in the undergrowth. With any luck, the storm would prevent the fire’s spread. Moving further away from the roaring blaze, he grabbed his cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. Then, he waited in the rain.

For another excerpt, scroll down to my November 18th blog post.

OUT OF THE BLUE received a 5 Siren Stone review from Nikki at Siren Reviews

“I always enjoy a good time travel story, and Out of the Blue is a beautifully written story.


The extraordinary characters, descriptive setting and fast paced action/suspense made this a delightful, enjoyable read. The in-depth POV from the hero and heroine gave me a great insight on their emotions. This is the type of book that pulls you in and you just don't want to end, but leaves you with satisfied smile after the last page is read. A perfect mixture of witty dialogue, sensual love scenes, and the happily-ever-after ending, Caroline Clemmons pens a timeless tale that I could re-read over and over again and never tire of it!”

And speaking of Christmas shopping, (hint, hint)OUT OF THE BLUE is available in print and e-download from The Wild Rose Press at www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html and from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Digi-Books, and other online stores.

Our Black Friday Mini-Blog Hop participants are Isabel Roman, Nicole McCaffery, and Susan Macatee. Their links are below, and even though the links are hard to read, they do work. Nothing I've tried makes the links show up, so bear with me. Please visit each one of these remarkable authors and leave a comment for them. They have giveaways too. And check out the team blog of http://slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com for tidbits of history and new releases from the members, with an occasional guest author. Yes, we write the Victorian era, but mostly in American settings.



Isabel Roman



Nicole McCaffrey

Susan Macatee

Thanks for stopping by!

Research Can Be Fun or Hazardous

Eve is the winner of my Saturday giveaway drawing. Eve, you have 48 hours to contact me.

Now on to research. I'm one of those people who can lose myself in research. When I'm online, I go from one link to another and can easily get off topic if I don't focus. Sometimes, though, I need to see a setting first hand. For my June release, OUT OF THE BLUE, I needed to go back to Possum Kingdom Lake to see the cliff formation known as Hell's Gate, and to pick out a likely spot for the home in which my heroine Deirdre Dougherty stays after her rescue. I remarked in a blog for someone else that Hero and I set out to search for the best place to photograph Hell's Gate. We decided the most likely spot was the Boy Scout Camp at Johnson Bend on the lake. The problem arose when we overlooked the sign telling us to sign in at the first cabin. Oops. Apparently we look harmless, because we weren't arrested. We were escorted as I quickly took photos and we left. Whew! Getting arrested would have been embarrassing.

I think the name of the lake is funny. Yes, I have a warped sense of humor. You can see how the name Possum Kingdom Lake would confuse a time traveler from 1845 Ireland, right? The thing is, there are, or at least there were, a lot of possums in the area. Trappers used to kill the little varmints for their fur. Ugh. Having seen possums up close, I can't imagine wanting the fur, which is scraggly. There is no accounting for taste, is there? Which brings me to another observation. People who've eaten possum say they definitely do NOT taste like chicken. The animals are reported to be chewy and very greasy. One friend who grew up in a private orphanage during the Depression said if you're hungry enough, you'll eat what's served, but she didn't like the taste.  Thank goodness I've never been that hungry. The point is, though, that this lake was named because of the abundance of possums in the area.

I live an hour from Possum Kingdom Lake, which is in a lovely area of the hill-like Palo Pinto Mountains. In the fall, the post oaks of that area turn brilliant colors. Some say the Comanche Indians named the area for the colorful trees. Others say the Comanche used to paint colors on the trees at some festival or other. I suspect the former, because the fall colors are lovely for this part of the world. Hero and I like to drive through the hills--like a little mini-trip--for a change of scenery.

The Comanche were formidable fighters in this part of Texas. Occasionally a band of even more fierce Kiowa came through. Very near my home is the site of the kidnapping of three children by the Comanche, who then traded them to the Kiowa. Those children were rescued a year later by a trader, and they were returned to their families. But that's beside the point of today's post. Or, is it? Each part of research opens up another avenue. Avoiding detours are difficult to those of us who love research. We store up these tidbits to use another time on another story.