STORY OF A STRONG WOMAN'S JOURNEY

I enjoy reading about strong women heroines in fiction and in history. Sometimes the fictional women might appear over the top or unrealistic. Historically, though, women have proven themselves to rise to a challenge—especially when it means remaining with or protecting family. Recently, I was reading about heroines of the Old West in Mike Wright’s WHAT THEY DIDN’T TEACH YOU ABOUT THE WILD WEST.  This is a frightening yet empowering story appropriate as we near Hallowe’en.

Apache Women in camp

An Apache woman named Dilchthe was a middle-aged grandmother captured by Sonoran mercenaries at then Esqueda, Mexico south of present day Douglas, Arizona in the mid 1860’s.  Dilchthe and several other women watched the Apache men executed and were then herded toward the Gulf of California. There they were sold into slavery and shipped across the Gulf to a penal colony on the Baja Peninsula. Many of the women died there, but Dilchthe hung on to life. She was sold again with several women and put to work at a nearby hacienda.

She was treated fairly at the hacienda, but she wanted freedom. Wouldn’t we? She hid food and planned her escape to return to her family. I wonder if she realized how far from them she had been moved?

Desert Dilchthe traveled

Finally, she freed several other women and they escaped. They traveled only at night and Dilchthe led them north along the Gulf. The women evaded the mounted guards sent to track them down and bring them back. Even conserving supplies, they ran out of food. They ate insects and desert plants.

Colorado River

Near the mouth of the Gulf, they faced crossing the Colorado River. Imagine how forceful this river was before damning and pumping to large cities commenced almost a hundred years later. None of the women raised in the desert could swim. Dilchthe promised the women she would find a way.

Gila River

She made friends with an elderly Mexican man who told her where she could safely ford the river. The women pushed northward to the spot the man had described. This was at the confluence of the Colorado and Gila Rivers and later became the site of the Yuma Territorial Prison. Of course the women were afraid, but Dilchthe waded into the water. Her feet struck a sandbar and she waded across the river, followed by the other women.

Yuma (Mojave) Indians

Near Yuma Valley, the women met sweltering heat. She insisted they follow the river, and they persevered for she knew the mountains held powerful enemies. Three nights after they crossed the river, a band of Yuma (also called Mojaves) raiders ambushed them.  Only Dilchthe and one woman survived by fleeing into the brush.

Again they were hunted, but Dilchthe walked over the hot, mostly dry, river bottom past Gila Bend and present-day Phoenix. They skirted Puma and Papago camps and villages. Can you imagine crossing that area with no water, no food, and weary from trudging so far?  These two women were strong!

Dry Riverbed

They were too weak to travel at more than a slow walk, and almost crazed from hunger and grief. At a spot near present day Safford, they collapsed. Dilchthe managed a signal fire. Incredibly enough, the man who saw the smoke was Dilchthe’s son in law. She and her friend were saved.

She had walked more than a thousand miles to be reunited with her family. Can you imagine her welcome as a hero and how her stories were retold again and again? She had outmaneuvered pursuers, carried no map, no weapons, and almost no provisions.

I love this story! We never know what we can do until we are faced with the challenge. Would you be like Dilchthe or one of those who was killed?

Another story of trekking across the land from Central Texas’ Hill Country to North Central Texas is my book, THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP, which is part of the 10-book box set, COURTING THE WEST, now available at Amazon, Nook, 

Kobo, and iTunes for a limited time at only 99 cents.

Amazon  http://amzn.com/B015JVRIZY

Amazon CA  http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B015JVRIZY

Amazon UK  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015JVRIZY

Nook US  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/courting-the-west-kirsten-osbourne/1122789684?ean=2940150810037

Nook UK  http://www.nook.com/gb/ebooks/courting-the-west-a-boxed-set-of-ten-western-romances-by-kirsten-osbourne/2940150810037

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/courting-the-west

iTunes  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/courting-the-west/id1041249066?mt=11

Dilchte’ story source:

WHAT THEY DIDN’T TEACH YOU ABOUT THE WILD WEST, by Mike Wright, Presidio Press Inc., pp 285-286

Free photos

AND THE WINNERS ARE . . .

This is the day I promised to announce the winners of the WESTERN ROUNDUP GIVEAWAY HOP and here they are. Congratulations to the winners!

JUDGE NOT by Jacquie Rogers
1. TY (need the email)
2. MK McClintock

KATIE AND THE IRISH TEXAN by Carra Copelin
1. Heather (need your email)
2. CBarton

GABE KINCAID by Caroline Clemmons
1. Brande Leigh
2. Mary Preston
3. Lisa Faber

THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP by Caroline Clemmons
1. Lisa
2. Liette Bougie
3. Lynda McCoy

MUCH ADO ABOUT MINERS by Jacquie Rogers
1. Mary Preston
2. Liette Bougie

Congratulations, ladies! Thanks for commenting on the blog. TY and Heather, I need your email. For the other winners, I'll be emailing your prize ebook right away.

Thanks for stopping by!

STRONG WESTERN HEROINES - WESTERN ROUNDUP GIVEAWAY HOP CONTINUES

As a reminder, I'm giving away three ebook copies of THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP to commenters during this giveaway hop. Leave your email to qualify.

As a reader and as a writer, I love heroines who match the hero for strength of will and intelligence—with a little humor tossed into the mix. While the hero may be physically more powerful, the heroine must be resourceful. Since I loved visiting Bavaria, I’ve wanted to write a heroine from there. I live in Texas, and many Germans settled the Texas Hill Country near Austin and San Antonio.

For THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP, I needed a stubborn, determined woman who could match wits with the hero, Storm Kincaid, a rancher temporarily a Federal Marshal. After deliberation, Renata “Rena” Hausmann Dmitriev appeared.

When her grandfather-like husband is murdered, Rena will no longer stand for injustice. In Bavaria, she had seen her father murdered when she was twelve. Rescued by kindly Adam Dmitriev, she had traveled with Abram as his granddaughter until she was fifteen. Due to her being Christian and him being Jewish, they fit in no community. In the hope of warding off unwanted attentions as her beauty blossomed, she and Abram married, but never consummated the marriage. Instead, Abram continued to treat her as his granddaughter.

Rena and Abram came to Texas to start over. All the while, Abram taught her English and saved for her dowry so she could marry well when he died. That day came seven years later. Rena had always been a dutiful daughter and wife-in-name-only. When four killers tortured and robbed Abram, outrage replaced Rena’s patience. While the murderers did their foul work, she had followed Abram’s instructions and hidden in the secret place he’d constructed.

But no more! This time, Rena is determined to avenge Abram’s murder. She’s donned a pair of Abram’s trousers and has the pistol he taught her to fire. When Storm Kincaid arrives and helps bury Abram, Rena tells Storm she saw the faces of the gang members. She vows to shoot at least one of the evil men.

Cover design by the fabulous Kim Killion

Storm says he is chasing the men, who are probably heading from Central Texas toward Indian Territory, a hard ride and one they might not survive when finally confronting the men. Rena is insistent that she will shoot at least one of the men who killed Abram. Rather than have her riding off on her own, Storm agrees to let her accompany him. The two ride north across the Texas ranching county.

Nothing stops Rena. She is wounded crossing the flooded Colorado River. She is almost trapped inside a burning cabin helping Storm rescue three children orphaned by the same killers, and helps Storm when one of the killers shoots him in the leg. The adults and children are caught in a choking dust storm, but make their own shelter.

When the killers try to abduct Rena, she is able to shoot one to save Storm’s life. But she doesn’t have time to revel in vengeance because Storm’s injury has become infected. The local doctor wants to amputate Storm’s leg, but Rena refuses. How could Storm ride around his ranch with only one leg? Instead, she wires his sister who is an herbalist healer.

While taking care of the three children, Rena follows instructions to treat Storm until his sister can arrive by train. When Storm’s sister and brother in law arrive, Rena thinks all will now be well. As the family travels to Storm’s home by train, they all fall asleep. But the brother of one killer is seeking his own retribution. During the night, their train cars are disconnected and the killer attacks. Rena helps Storm battle the unknown assailant.

Rena has traveled from Bavaria to Texas. She thought all she wanted was avenge Abram, recover her dowry, settle in a nice town, and enjoy meeting suitable young men. She’s learned that she wants Storm Kincaid and their three little ones, that life with him holds all she desires.

Excerpt from THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP:

She emerged from the brush straightening her trousers and shoving her pistol back into her waistband. “Where do you think those men are going?”

“Indian Territory. They’ll steal all they can before they reach the Red River and leave no survivors to identify them. They’re selling off the stolen stock along the way, so that will slow them some.” He wondered if she knew how to use the gun.

“But I saw their faces.”

He sent her what he hoped was a frightening stare. “If they knew that, you’d be dead for sure.”

She shivered, but glared at him. “Do not think to frighten me. I will do everything I can to kill these men and reclaim my gold and my mother’s locket. It is not that I care about the jewelry that once belonged to Abram’s wife. But to him, it meant a great deal, and I want it because he gave it to me.”

Storm wanted to shake her. Not that he hadn’t lived all his life with stubborn women. At least his oldest sister Pearl made sense. He’d worried about shy Sarah, especially when she’d appeared head over heels with a con man. Now that Sarah and Nate were married, she had life figured out. Nate had surprised everyone, even himself. Storm suppressed a smile and worked up his anger again at his traveling companion.

“We can be in Llano by nightfall. We’ll get a couple of rooms there and you can rest.”

She shot him a suspicious glare. “You think to abandon me in that town. If we stay somewhere, we will be in the same room so I can watch you.”

Shocked, Storm wondered what he could do with this woman. “We wouldn’t be allowed to stay in a decent hotel. You want to sleep over a saloon? Besides that, folks will be shocked when they see you in those trousers. You want people to think you’re a fallen woman?”

With her chin raised, she placed her hands on her hips. “I am a good woman. You can tell them we are married and I wear britches to ride more easily.” She held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. “I have a wedding band, see?”

He raised his hands and backed up a step. “Oh, no. I’m not even pretending to be married. If I were ready to marry, which I’m not, I’d pick a woman who knew when to let a man do his job.”

“Ha, and when I recover my dowry, I will marry a man who knows a woman can do as much as a man.”

He swept a formal bow. “And when you marry, will you be wearing the lovely gown you now wear?”

She appeared angry enough to use that Colt on him. “You are wrong to…to talk so. I do not have the English words to tell you what I think, but do not try to leave me behind. If you do, I will go after the men alone.”

Disgusted, Storm stomped over and retrieved the horses. “Then let’s go.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Most-Unsuitable-Courtship-Kincaids-ebook/dp/B00G5YXI6I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391985297&sr=1-1&keywords=caroline+clemmons

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/361261

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-most-unsuitable-courtship-caroline-clemmons/1117264325?ean=2940045350990

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-most-unsuitable-courtship

Thanks for stopping by!

  

FINDING INSPIRATION

In only 18 days, I'll be releasing GABE KINCAID, Kincaids Book 4, at a Facebook Launch Party with author Geri Foster. We'll have prizes and fun from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm CST on April 27th. You're invited, of course! You can sign up on the Facebook Events page for Bad Boys and Cowboys at http://on.fb.me/1iusLLc  Here's the perfect cover Kim Killion designed:

In the meantime, I want to remind you of my book THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP, Kinciads Book 3. 

Readers often ask where authors receive their inspiration.  Author Bobbye Terry says she buys hers at a small factory in Ohio. ☺ Actually, it arises much closer to home—unless, of course, the author actually lives in a small town in Ohio.

I find inspiration all around me. An article in a magazine might spark an idea. A newspaper story might make me think how the tale would have been better if changes were made. Friends telling family stories might spark a “what if” moment.

One of the things that inspired the heroine of my latest release is a magazine story of Gruene, which is pronounced by its residents as if it were spelled Green. That area of the Texas Hill Country has numerous communities settled by German immigrants. Many families still speak German at home. It’s a lovely part of Texas that my family enjoys visiting over and over. 

When thinking of a heroine for Storm Kincaid, I wanted one unlike any I had written about in previous books. That’s a problem for authors who have multiple books already released. Each hero and heroine must be strong and independent, but at the same time be different from any other couple. Everything must be new and fresh, yet fit within the genre or genres and in the voice and story style the author’s readers expect. You’re correct—that is hard! In fact, for me that’s one of the hardest parts of writing.  

THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP is book three in my Kincaid series. In the first two in the series, THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE and THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND, Pearl and Sarah were the heroines. Book three centers around their half-brother, Storm, and his quest for justice.  Here is the blurb:

Storm Kincaid wants justice; Rena Dmitriev wants vengeance.

When Storm’s best friend and the friend’s wife are murdered, Storm secures a temporary appointment as Federal Marshal so he can capture the killers. He follows them to twenty one year old Rena’s home, which is in flames when he arrives. She has survived by following her elderly husband’s strict instructions and watched in hiding while the men murdered him.  Storm intends to take her to the nearest town where she will be safe. She can identify the men who killed the person who had been her husband in name only and like a grandfather to her, and she vows to kill at least one of them. Whether or not Storm allows her to accompany him, she assures him she will go after the murderers.  She is the only person alive who can identify the evil foursome whose policy has been to leave no witnesses. Storm agrees to take her with him. She’ll be safer with him to protect her than she would riding alone.

As a powerful and passionate love blossoms, they unite to rescue three orphaned children, fight the elements, and encounter the killers. Will their love be enough to protect them?

THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP Excerpt:

She emerged from the brush straightening her trousers and shoving her pistol back into her waistband. “Where do you think those men are going?”

“Indian Territory. They’ll steal all they can before they reach the Red River and leave no survivors to identify them. They’re selling off the stolen stock along the way, so that will slow them some.” He wondered if she knew how to use the gun.

“But I saw their faces.”

He sent her what he hoped was a frightening stare. “If they knew that, you’d be dead for sure.”

She shivered, but glared at him. “Do not think to frighten me. I will do everything I can to kill these men and reclaim my gold and my mother’s locket. It is not that I care about the jewellery that once belonged to Abram’s wife. But to him, it meant a great deal, and I want it because he gave it to me.”

Storm wanted to shake her. Not that he hadn’t lived all his life with stubborn women. At least his oldest sister Pearl made sense. He’d worried about shy Sarah, especially when she’d appeared head over heels with a con man. Now that Sarah and Nate were married, she had life figured out. Nate had surprised everyone, even himself. Storm suppressed a smile and worked up his anger again at his traveling companion.

“We can be in Llano by nightfall. We’ll get a couple of rooms there and you can rest.”

She shot him a suspicious glare. “You think to abandon me in that town. If we stay somewhere, we will be in the same room so I can watch you.”

Shocked, Storm wondered what he could do with this woman. “We wouldn’t be allowed to stay in a decent hotel. You want to sleep over a saloon? Besides that, folks will be shocked when they see you in those trousers. You want people to think you’re a fallen woman?”

With her chin raised, she placed her hands on her hips. “I am a good woman. You can tell them we are married and I wear britches to ride more easily.” She held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. “I have a wedding band, see?”

He raised his hands and backed up a step. “Oh, no. I’m not even pretending to be married. If I were ready to marry, which I’m not, I’d pick a woman who knew when to let a man do his job.”

“Ha, and when I recover my dowry, I will marry a man who knows a woman can do as much as a man.”

He swept a formal bow. “And when you marry, will you be wearing the lovely gown you now wear?”

She appeared angry enough to use that Colt on him. “You are wrong to…to talk so. I do not have the English words to tell you what I think, but do not try to leave me behind. If you do, I will go after the men alone.”

Disgusted, Storm stomped over and retrieved the horses. “Then let’s go.”

They rode into Llano in late afternoon. Since they arrived mid week, the town appeared peaceful and quiet. Storm spotted a hotel by the livery he remembered.

“If you’re determined to stick to me like glue, let’s stable the horses.”

At the stable, she staggered when she dismounted and he thought she might fall. He grabbed her arms. “Steady. You’re not used to riding so long.”

“Ja, my legs do not work so well. Do not worry, I will be fine in a minute.”

She remained quiet while he dealt with the hostler and insured his rifle and saddle would be safe. He threw his saddlebags over his shoulder and retrieved the two pillowcases and box he’d tied to the saddle pommel. They ambled the block toward the hotel.

 He indicated a mercantile. “Just what we need. After we get our room, let’s head for that store before it closes. You probably need to replace a few things that burned.” When she glared at him. “I’ll give you the money, all right? I don’t want folks thinking my wife runs around in men’s clothes. If anyone gets nosy, tell them you lost your bag crossing a river.”

She sniffed and sashayed as if she wore a ball gown instead of ill-fitting men’s trousers. “I will keep track and repay you when I kill those men.”

THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP buy links are:

Amazon for print and e-book:

http://www.amazon.com/Most-Unsuitable-Courtship-Kincaids-ebook/dp/B00G5YXI6I/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1384191747&sr=1-4&keywords=caroline+clemmons

Barnes and Noble Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-most-unsuitable-courtship-caroline-clemmons/1117264325?ean=2940045350990

 Thanks for stopping by!

THANKS AND HAPPY ALL SAINTS DAY

Please let me take time to thank everyone who helped make the launch for THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP a success. Thanks to those who showed up for the Facebook Launch Party, and thanks to those who bought the book. I am very appreciative of my readers. Thanks for making me an Amazon Bestselling Author of Western Romance. You are the best!

I had such fun chatting with readers and other authors on Wednesday. Previously, readers helped me with a scene in my current release. Writing that dust storm scene after those suggestions was interesting. I hope it turned out as those who had input visualized.

Reader feedback is extremely helpful. Authors are mostly solitary people. We sit in our writing caves creating our books and hoping that what we write will resonate with readers. Book sales are our general indication of whether what we’ve created pleases readers. Having reader input before the book is completed was a new—and pleasing—occurrence for me. I loved it.   

Now I want to wish you Happy All Saints Day. Does that seem strange? Not only is this a saints' day in the Roman Catholic Church, it is a time in many Protestant Churches when we remember those who have died. Not true saints in the Catholic meaning, but honoring those who have passed from our lives but remain in our hearts. In many churches, this Sunday will feature a memorial time in the church service along with special music. In some Protestant Churches, the names of those from the congregation who have died in the past year will be read or listed in the bulletin.

All Saints

This past year, we have lost family and friends, as have most of you. Today and this weekend, those names are especially on our minds and in our hearts. We also honor those dear to us who have passed from our daily lives. We miss our parents, especially, but also others who mentored or befriended us and in some way shaped who we are today. Not marking their deaths in a somber way, but celebrating their lives and contributions with joy. We rejoice that they were in our lives and honor their memories.

Remembering My Mom

For me, I especially miss my mom. She lived near us the last eighteen years of her life. I saw her several times a week and spoke to her on the phone at least once a day, usually more. I was always close to her, but we became so much closer those last few years. I miss her every day. I'm sure there are people about whom you feel the same. Today and this weekend, let's give thanks that those people were with us on earth for however long and bless their memory. Rejoice that we knew them!

Thanks for stopping by!

WOOHOO! OFFICIAL RELEASE DAY FOR THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP!

WooHoo! Today is a big, big day for me. This is release day for THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP, book three of the Kincaid series. I am super excited.

Thanks to readers who loved the first two books so much they requested Storm’s book. THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, book one, is about Pearl Parker and her marriage to Drake Kincaid. She is the eldest sister who cares for her two half-siblings, Storm and Sarah. Drake needs a wife to inherit the ranch he's run since his parents death. Pearl needs to leave Piper's Hollow, Tennessee as soon as possible. But trouble follows the group to Texas.

THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND, book two, is about sweet, shy Sarah, who goes to see her dying natural mother in St. Louis and settle the estate. There she encounters Nate, a gambler and con man who believes Sarah owes him the proceeds from the saloon she sold. He vows to get that and more from her. But he doesn't count on falling in love with Sarah. And he is surprised at his reaction to the three children they rescue on the way back to Texas.

And now, the trilogy is complete. Life intervened and it’s two months late, but here it is. You might ask what delayed me? What didn’t happen? 

We’re getting a handle on the new place now, but we had a rough move coupled with other major distractions. Today, all is well. 

Don't think this is the end of books about the Kincaid family, though. It's a big family and second cousin Gabe's story is next.

https://www.facebook.com/events/680138592007079/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

In the meantime, today on Facebook, I’m hosting a Launch Party with giveaways of print and ebooks, Amazon gift cards, and swag. Come on over and join in. 

INTERVIEW WITH A HERO - STORM KINCAID

Today, I’m inviting you to meet the hero of my upcoming release, THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP. Those who read the first two Kincaid books have already met Storm Kincaid, brother of Pearl and Sarah.  Now this half-Cherokee/half-Caucasian man has his own story.

Tell us about your childhood.

I lived in Pipers Hollow, Tennessee until I was fourteen, and my half-sister Pearl married Drake Kincaid. That was a lucky day for me. Drake took us to Kincaid Springs, Texas and eventually adopted Sarah and me. As a child, my grandfather, Tom Black Bear, taught me about tracking and hunting food. Drake took over and taught me how to get along in the white world. I’m sure lucky to have both men in my life.

What do you do for a living now?

I have a ranch near that of Drake and Pearl. Our sister Sarah and her husband live in town. Ours is a large family.

How did you meet Rena?

Killers murdered my best friend and his pregnant wife. I wanted to take off and kill them, but Drake and Grandpa Kincaid stopped me. Grandpa secured a temporary appointment as a Federal Marshal so I could round up those killers legally. Waiting was hard, but Grandpa works fast as a telegraph, and I only lost a day.

When I saw smoke, I rode in. I found the barn and house burning with all the livestock slaughtered.  An elderly man lay dead in the dirt. He’d been beaten and tortured, but I didn’t see a woman. I sensed one, though. Sure enough, she was hiding in the durndest place you ever saw.  She spoke good English but with a thick German accent. She had come from Bavaria, imagine that. And she alternated between sad and angry, and said she was going to kill at least one of the men responsible.

Is that how she came to be riding with you?

I tried to talk her out of it. Figured I’d leave her in town until I regained her valuables. Planned to give her some money and a letter to my family—you know, in case I couldn’t come back. They’d have welcomed her. But that Rena is one stubborn woman. Said she was going after those men whether I let her come with me or not. I reckoned she’d be safer with me than riding all alone.

 We had us quite a ride, let me tell you.  We battled flooded rivers, dust storms, killers, and each other. We rescued three orphans along the way. If you have kids, you know how much they change your life. Getting back to the ranch was pure relief. Ranch work is hard, but seemed like a vacation after our ride across Central and North Central Texas.

I believe you’ll enjoy our story. That is, if you enjoy western historical romance with plenty of action and adventure thrown in. 

Excerpt from THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP

She emerged from the brush straightening her trousers and shoving her pistol back into her waistband. “Where do you think those men are going?”

“Indian Territory. They’ll steal all they can before they reach the Red River and leave no survivors to identify them. They’re selling off the stolen stock along the way, so that will slow them some.” He wondered if she knew how to use the gun.

“But I saw their faces.”

He sent her what he hoped was a frightening stare. “If they knew that, you’d be dead for sure.”

She shivered, but glared at him. “Do not think to frighten me. I will do everything I can to kill these men and reclaim my gold and my mother’s locket. It is not that I care about the jewelry that once belonged to Abram’s wife. But to him, it meant a great deal, and I want it because he gave it to me.”

Storm wanted to shake her. Not that he hadn’t lived all his life with stubborn women. At least his oldest sister Pearl made sense. He’d worried about shy Sarah, especially when she’d appeared head over heels with a con man. Now that Sarah and Nate were married, she had life figured out. Nate had surprised everyone, even himself. Storm suppressed a smile and worked up his anger again at his traveling companion.

“We can be in Llano by nightfall. We’ll get a couple of rooms there and you can rest.”

She shot him a suspicious glare. “You think to abandon me in that town. If we stay somewhere, we will be in the same room so I can watch you.”

Shocked, Storm wondered what he could do with this woman. “We wouldn’t be allowed to stay in a decent hotel. You want to sleep over a saloon? Besides that, folks will be shocked when they see you in those trousers. You want people to think you’re a fallen woman?”

With her chin raised, she placed her hands on her hips. “I am a good woman. You can tell them we are married and I wear britches to ride more easily.” She held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. “I have a wedding band, see?”

He raised his hands and backed up a step. “Oh, no. I’m not even pretending to be married. If I were ready to marry, which I’m not, I’d pick a woman who knew when to let a man do his job.”

“Ha, and when I recover my dowry, I will marry a man who knows a woman can do as much as a man.”

He swept a formal bow. “And when you marry, will you be wearing the lovely gown you now wear?”

She appeared angry enough to use that Colt on him. “You are wrong to…to talk so. I do not have the English words to tell you what I think, but do not try to leave me behind. If you do, I will go after the men alone.”

Disgusted, Storm stomped over and retrieved the horses. “Then let’s go.”

They rode into Llano in late afternoon. Since they arrived mid week, the town appeared peaceful and quiet. Storm spotted a hotel by the livery he remembered.

“If you’re determined to stick to me like glue, let’s stable the horses.”

At the stable, she staggered when she dismounted and he thought she might fall. He grabbed her arms. “Steady. You’re not used to riding so long.”

“Ja, my legs do not work so well. Do not worry, I will be fine in a minute.”

She remained quiet while he dealt with the hostler and insured his rifle and saddle would be safe. He threw his saddlebags over his shoulder and retrieved the two pillowcases and box he’d tied to the saddle pommel. They ambled the block toward the hotel.

 He indicated a mercantile. “Just what we need. After we get our room, let’s head for that store before it closes. You probably need to replace a few things that burned.” When she glared at him. “I’ll give you the money, all right? I don’t want folks thinking my wife runs around in men’s clothes. If anyone gets nosy, tell them you lost your bag crossing a river.”

She sniffed and sashayed as if she wore a ball gown instead of ill-fitting men’s trousers. “I will keep track and repay you when I kill those men.”

THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP will be released on October 30^th in print and ebook. A Facebook Launch Party will be held at https://www.facebook.com/events/680138592007079/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming from 10:00 am until at least 8:00 pm with prizes at random times all day.  You don’t have to be present to win, but winners will be drawn from those who comment during the day at some time.

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COVER REVEAL FOR THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP

The amazing Kim Killion of Hot Damn Designs has designed the cover for THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP, Book 3 of the Kincaids, due to be released October 30^th.

This story is late coming along. Books one and two of the Kincaids have been out for several years. Kim will also be designing new covers for books one and two, by the way. I can hardly wait to see the finished result.

Book one, THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, featured Pearl Parker and her hero Drake Kincaid. Drake intends to find a wife to do his bidding, but he didn’t count on Pearl being a strong, self-sufficient woman. At the end of the book, Drake adopted Pearl’s younger half-brother Storm and half sister Sarah.

The second book, THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND, starred Sarah Kincaid and hero Nate Bartholomew. Nate was a gambler and con man who surprises himself by falling for the woman he intends to fleece. Sarah and Nate adopted three children, a girl and two boys, who were orphans found near a Memphis TN train station.

THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP’s hero is Storm Kincaid and his heroine is Rena Dmitriev. They pursue killers across Central and North Central Texas. On their chase they encounter and adopt three orphans, a boy and two girls. Wait! I see a pattern here.

Yes, I love having children in a story. How the hero and heroine interact with children and pets reveals a lot about their character. Children add complications—as any parent knows. Children also add richness and reward. In the right circumstances, children bind a couple together.

Here’s the blurb for THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP:

Storm Kincaid wants justice; Rena Dmitriev wants vengeance.

When Storm’s best friend and the friend’s wife are murdered, Storm secures a temporary appointment as Federal Marshal so he can trail and capture the killers. He follows them to twenty-one year old Rena’s home, which is in flames when he arrives. She has surived by hiding while the men murdered the elderly man who was her husband in name only.  Storm intends to take her to the nearest town where she will be safe. She can identify the men who killed the person who had been like a grandfather to her and she vows to kill at least one of them. Whether or not Storm allows her to accompany him, she assures him she will go after the murderers.  She is the only person alive who can identify the evil foursome whose policy has been to leave no witnesses. Storm agrees to taker her with him. She’ll be safer with him to protect her than she would riding alone.

As a powerful and passionate love blossoms, they unite to rescue three children, fight the elements, and encounter the killers. Will their love be enough to protect them?

Join me October 30^th  here and on Facebook for a launch party.

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