HAPPILY EVER AFTER

 By Caroline Clemmons

Each of us deserves a happily-ever-after! I’m one of the lucky souls who actually has my HEA with my husband I call Hero. Many of my friends were not so fortunate. In romantic fiction, however, we expect/demand the HEA ending, or at least happy for now. What keeps us reading is discovering how the hero and heroine overcome obstacles and reach their HEA.

When writing, I try to vary plots with each book. Yet, my books tend to have several common themes: redemption, good defeats evil, love overcomes obstacles, and personal fulfillment. But I don’t want readers to dwell on them, other than to sigh with satisfaction at the end.    

That means one or more of the following occurred: love conquered all, the broken heart healed, the hardened heart cracked and welcomed love, characters achieved fulfillment, and those obstacles blocking characters’ happiness have been defeated. What I desire is that readers fall in love with my characters and think of them as real people (as they are in my mind) and want to read my next book. Nothing makes an author happier.  

 One of my most popular historical western romances dealt with good triumphing over evil, personal fulfillment, and overcoming obstacles. Often evil doers believe themselves above the law and unconquerable. In my books, the evil are always caught or dea;t with severely...eventually. I wish that were true in real life, but it sometimes happens. Let’s go with that, shall we?

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is about a marriage of convenience that blossoms into a true love match. NOTE: My later books are sweet, but this series is slightly sensual. The idea for this book came from my grandmother once mentioning a girl in her hometown who quit school because of all the rumors and teasing she was forced to endure about her birth and her grandmother’s hateful actions. Although my sweet grandmother didn’t know what happened to her, I wanted the poor girl’s story to end well.

If you’ve ever lived in a small town, you know there are no secrets. Sometimes a person with evil in his/her heart forgets that fact and does terrible things to conceal a fact everyone already knows. 

 

Here’s the blurb from THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE:

Wanted: one completely improper bride.

Even if Drake Kincaid had placed such an advertisement in every newspaper in the country, he believes he couldn’t have found a better candidate than Pearl Parker...which is just what he wanted. After all, his parents’ will stipulates only that he marry by his thirtieth birthday, not that he marry well. And no one—including Drake’s grandfather, the man determined to hold him to the ridiculous will’s provision—could possibly think tall, bossy Pearl with her ragtag siblings and questionable “cousin” Belle will make a good wife. Until Drake realizes that in her startling violet eyes he sees a beautiful woman with a generous soul...

Their life together may not have started with hearts and flowers, but Drake and Pearl will soon learn that real love—with a breathtaking dose of passion—will make their marriage a true romance.

 THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is Book One of the Kincaids,

 https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unsuitable-Wife-Kincaids-Book-ebook/dp/B004OR1VOO/

 

Excerpt from THE MOST UNSUITABLE BRIDE:

           "What do you mean, stay here?”

          Pearl had wakened cocooned in the hazy glow following a night of intermittent lovemaking with her husband to find him dressing for the ranch. Then he dropped a bombshell on her.

          "You know it's not safe for you to be on your own. Ranch is too isolated. You'll be safer here in town.” Drake stomped his feet to settle each in the boots he wore. He retrieved a blue chambray shirt from his bag and donned it.

          "For how long?” Pearl slid from bed and grabbed her nightgown from the floor.

          "Well..."

          She whirled on her husband, confronting him, "You never intended for me to move to the ranch, did you?” She yanked her nightie on. No one could argue buck-naked.

          "Don't get riled. Women hate the seclusion. You'll be happier in town. Things to do here and people about you.” Drake shoved his shirt into his twill pants without looking at his wife.

          She stepped toward him and pointed at her chest. "What do you know about what makes this woman happy?"

          A crooked smile broke his face. "Aw, I know what makes you happy, all right. Didn't I keep you happy all night?"

          She shrugged away the comment aimed to distract her. "Did you ask me which I prefer? No.” She hoped her glare chilled his randy hide.

          His voice softened, placating. "Pearl, be reasonable. We don't know who's tried to kill you and your family. Someone might be trailing you right now, waiting somewhere and watching the house.”

          He met her gaze. That muscle twitched in his cheek, letting her know he was less than happy with this conversation. Well, that didn't bother Pearl in the least. Some things needed talked about.

          He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders, then took a deep breath and continued,  "Look, the sheriff and his deputy as well as several of the town's leading citizens will be looking out for any newcomer. I talked to the owners of the livery stable, the hotel, the mercantile, all the places I could think of that a newcomer would stand out. If any strangers come around asking questions, the sheriff will find out immediately. You and Sarah will be safer here."

          "You're taking Storm with you?” She hugged her arms, sensing a lost battle.                 

          "Yes, um, with your permission. I can't see him attending teas or shopping here in town. Besides, he's a big help to me."

          Her head came up and her hands fisted at her hips. "And I suppose Sarah and I are just so much baggage?"

          "Now, I didn't say that and you know it.” He held up a hand, palm out, as if to stay her fury. "But you have no place rounding up cattle and getting ready for a drive."

          "It's true we don't ride, but we could learn.” She could learn anything, given a chance. She suspected no chance would come.

          "There's no time to teach you. 'Sides, it makes the cowboys and vaqueros nervous to have women around the cattle. They think it's bad luck. And I can't leave the two of you at the house with only the housekeeper to help you."

          She sagged in defeat. "Okay, Drake. I'll stay here for now, and I'll try not to shame you. But this is only until we know there'll be no more meanness against my family. Don't think you can keep me waiting too long," she warned.

          His face broke into a smile of relief. "You'll see. By the time this is over and things calm down, you'll like this sweet life so much you won't be able to tear yourself away from Grandpa's house."

          "Too much sweet gives a body a belly ache."

          Ignoring that and stepping close, he kissed her on the cheek then nuzzled her neck. "I'll be sleeping tonight in a bedroll on hard ground. Give me a kiss to remember."

          Something to remember. She'd give him something to remember all right. She raised her mouth to his, let him plunder with his tongue. Her tongue did some plundering of its own as she moved her body against him. When their kiss ended, the heat of passion darkened his eyes.

          "When you're sleeping on the hard ground, all alone, you remember that, husband.” Head high, she turned and walked into the dressing room.

  

Best wishes for your HEA. Thanks for reading!

MY FIRST HILL COUNTRY BOOK

 

By Caroline Clemmons

Love a good historical family series that combines mystery and romance? I have the very book for you!

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, Book One of the Kincaids Series, offers a full-length book that includes a powerful romance, fascinating characters, and a mystery. Unlike the books I’ve written in the last few years, it is lightly sensual—with the love scenes between the hero and heroine after they marry. Available in ebook and print and in KU at Amazon, here is the link:

https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unsuitable-Wife-Kincaids-Book-ebook/dp/B004OR1VOO   

 

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is about a marriage of convenience that blossoms into a true love match. I love when that happens, don’t you? Pearl, the heroine, is one of my very favorite characters. She proves even a husband can’t dictate to a strong, feisty woman.

This is the first book I wrote set in the Texas Hill Country. However, the story with Pearl starts in a tiny town in Tennessee. The idea for Pearl came from a tiny vignette told me by my grandmother about a girl she knew as a child. Sad to say, the incident with the newborn Pearl actually took place, according to my grandmother. The taunting also took place. Grandmother didn’t know what happened to the Pearl she knew, but I thought I’d give her a happy life.

In researching train travel for this book, I visited museums and read books and wrote curators for additional information. As a result, I have a huge notebook filled with details about nineteenth century train travel. We hear about the deluxe Pulman car, but without them train travel could be pretty grim. Even at its most uncomfortable stages, riding a train beat walking beside a covered wagon.

In THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, the hero (Drake Kincaid), his cousin (Lex), heroine (Pearl Parker), and heroine’s siblings (Sarah and Storm), and “cousin” (Belle) travel from Tennessee to Central Texas by train. Personally, I love train travel, so I was happy my characters had a chance to enjoy it. Well, they enjoyed some of it. Not the part where...no, can’t give a spoiler, can I?

Here’s the blurb:

Wanted: one completely improper bride.

Even if Drake Kincaid had placed such an advertisement in every paper in the country, he couldn’t have found a better candidate than Pearl Parker...which is fine with him. After all, his parents’ will stipulates only that he marry by his thirtieth birthday, not that he marry well. And no one--including Drake’s grandfather, the man determined to hold him to the ridiculous provision--could possibly think tall, bossy Pearl with her ragtag siblings and questionable “cousin” Belle will make a good wife. Until Drake realizes that in her startling violet eyes he sees a beautiful woman with a generous soul...

Their life together may not have started with hearts and flowers, but Drake and Pearl will soon learn that real love--with a breathtaking dose of passion--will make their marriage a true romance.

Excerpt after they’ve traveled from Tennessee to Texas and are at the home of Drake’s grandfather in town. Drake announces that he’s going on a cattle drive, leaving Pearl and her family at his grandfather’s home:

                Pearl had wakened cocooned in the hazy glow following a night of intermittent lovemaking with her husband to find him dressing for the ranch. Then he dropped a bombshell on her.

                “What do you mean, stay here?”

                "You know it's not safe for you to be on your own. Ranch is too isolated. You'll be safer here in town.” Drake stomped his feet to settle each in the boots he wore. He retrieved a blue chambray shirt from his bag and donned it.

                "For how long?” Pearl slid from bed and grabbed her nightgown from the floor.

                "Well..."

                She whirled on her husband, confronting him, "You never intended for me to move to the ranch, did you?” She yanked her nightie on. No one could argue buck-naked.

                "Don't get riled. Women hate the seclusion. You'll be happier in town. Things to do here and people about you.” Drake shoved his shirt into his twill pants without looking at his wife.

                She stepped toward him and pointed at her chest. "What do you know about what makes this woman happy?"

                A crooked smile broke his face. "Aw, I know what makes you happy, all right. Didn't I keep you happy all night?"

                She shrugged away the comment aimed to distract her. "Did you ask me which I prefer? No.” She hoped her glare chilled his randy hide.

                His voice softened, placating. "Pearl, be reasonable. We don't know who's tried to kill you and your family. Someone might be trailing you right now, waiting somewhere and watching the house.”

                He met her gaze. That muscle twitched in his cheek, letting her know he was less than happy with this conversation. Well, that didn't bother Pearl in the least. Some things needed talked about.

                He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders, then took a deep breath and continued,  "Look, the sheriff and his deputy as well as several of the town's leading citizens will be looking out for any newcomer. I talked to the owners of the livery stable, the hotel, the mercantile, all the places I could think of that a newcomer would stand out. If any strangers come around asking questions, the sheriff will find out immediately. You and Sarah will be safer here."

                "You're taking Storm with you?” She hugged her arms, sensing a lost battle.                        

                "Yes, um, with your permission. I can't see him attending teas or shopping here in town. Besides, he's a big help to me."

                Her head came up and her hands fisted at her hips. "And I suppose Sarah and I are just so much baggage?"

                "Now, I didn't say that and you know it.” He held up a hand, palm out, as if to stay her fury. "But you have no place rounding up cattle and getting ready for a drive."

                "It's true we don't ride, but we could learn.” She could learn anything, given a chance. She suspected no chance would come.

                "There's no time to teach you. 'Sides, it makes the cowboys and vaqueros nervous to have women around the cattle. They think it's bad luck. And I can't leave the two of you at the house with only the housekeeper to help you."

                She sagged in defeat. "Okay, Drake. I'll stay here for now, and I'll try not to shame you. But this is only until we know there'll be no more meanness against my family. Don't think you can keep me waiting too long," she warned.

                His face broke into a smile of relief. "You'll see. By the time this is over and things calm down, you'll like this sweet life so much you won't be able to tear yourself away from Grandpa's house."

                "Too much sweet gives a body a belly ache."

                Ignoring that and stepping close, he kissed her on the cheek then nuzzled her neck. "I'll be sleeping tonight in a bedroll on hard ground. Give me a kiss to remember."

                Something to remember. She'd give him something to remember all right. She raised her mouth to his, let him plunder with his tongue. Her tongue did some plundering of its own as she moved her body against him. When their kiss ended, the heat of passion darkened his eyes.

                "When you're sleeping on the hard ground, all alone, you remember that, husband.” Head high, she turned and walked into the dressing room.

 

Thanks for reading!

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!

New Story

Research can be quicksand for me. I start tracking down what I need for my book and find something else fascinating along the way. Before I know where time went, hours have passed and I’m on an entirely different subject.

I’m unlike Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes character, who didn’t want to fill his brain with unnecessary information that might limit retaining the useful. Even if what I’m reading is not on target, often a new story is triggered. At other times, the information may not be anything I’ll ever use but sets me thinking about how lucky I am to live with a loving, supportive husband in a house with modern appliances and air-conditioning!

For instance, when I wrote O’NEILL’S TEXAS BRIDE, I had to learn about coal mining in Central Texas in the latter quarter of the nineteenth century. I thought I could quickly find what I needed online. Instead, I found twentieth century information and that in England going back to the ninth century. Eventually I found photos and the descriptions I needed—but couldn’t stop reading.

At that time, I found that children and women used to mine in the tight crevices and veins where a man couldn’t fit. In a tiny space they had to crawl along with a lantern and drop coal into a bucket, the heat must have been stifling. That’s probably why women wore only a strip of cloth around the waist that covered only their privates with nothing above the waist. I don’t imagine they lived long doing that work—or that they wanted to. Shudder. What a sad life for them and for the children.

For THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, I needed information on train travel from Tennessee to Central Texas in 1878. I visited several railroad museums and wrote to others. I have a thick binder now of railroad information. Since then, that has been useful for numerous historical romances plus friends have asked me to share facts with them. When I began the research, I had no idea my data would be used so many times. That’s one time I didn’t fall into quicksand while researching.

For THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE I did a ton of research on Irish Travelers, nineteenth century Irish, traveler carts, blessings, and superstitions. My husband and I were fortunate enough to take a tour of Ireland. I admit Ireland fascinates me and I loved this research. I was able to use a bit of it in OUT OF THE BLUE so I redeemed myself from the quagmire I’d created. I’ve saved the information, of course, in case I think of a future plot what would benefit.

As you can probably discern, my intent is to be historically correct in each book without taking readers out of the story. Occasionally I may miss something that my editor and beta readers don’t catch either. Anachronisms or misinformation drives me crazy when I’m reading other authors’ books and I don’t want anyone to find them in the books I write. I may use only a line or two that has taken a lot of research, but I want those lines to be correct. Most authors share this opinion.

Do mistakes in books annoy you? Do you just skip over them and keep going?

  

MOOLA, MOOLA, MOOLA NOVEMBER 17-27

Remember on Monday when I mentioned great giveaways this week?

Thursday is the start of the Kindle Book Review’s Black Friday $500 Giveaway and the contest will continue through November 27. If you’d like a chance to win, enter the giveaway at The Kindle Book Review. This site gives away thousands of dollars in Amazon gift cards and Kindle products all year long.

Click here to enter: http://wp.me/P2H01p-7F2   

You’ll find two of my books on the site, THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE and THE RANCHER AND THE SHEPHERDESS from Debra Holland's Montana Sky Series Kindle World. Each of the books is on sale for only 99 cents. On December 1, THE RANCHER AND THE SHEPHERDESS goes back to $1.99.  

I'm proud of both of these books and each has been very well received. Just in case you don't have both of these books on your Kindle or other e-reader, here are the links:

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE http://a.co/7gU7ncW

THE RANCHER AND THE SHEPHERDESS  http://a.co/hD3f1hX

This is the first time I’ve been a part of the Kindle Book Review giveaway and I’m eager to know how readers enjoy it. Of course the big winner will love the contest, but do those who don’t win at least enjoy having a chance? 

I hope so.

RESEARCH IS MY FRIEND!

As a certified nerd, I have always loved research. After my parents bought me a set of encyclopedias for my tenth birthday (before Google, folks), I was one of the kids who read the volumes for fun. I probably still would, but that old, 26-volume set was donated to charity a decade ago to free up bookshelf space. Now I rely on my personal Texas research books and good old Google and Wikipedia.  

While investigating one subject, I find numerous related ideas for other writings. In addition, I love reading interesting stories about people and places associated with my books. I don’t mind taking road trips for research trips, either.

Last year when writing O’NEILL’S TEXAS BRIDE, I delved into coal mining in Texas in the mid-nineteenth century. Until I lived in North Central Texas, I associated the Appalachian states with coal. I was surprised to learn that there have been numerous coal mines in Texas. There was even a town named Coal.

As is a hazard of research, I was caught up in the manner in which coal was mined centuries ago—the parts of which involving women and children were positively gross. Going off on a tandem as I often do is a distinct possibility and can be a serious time sink.

Lost Maples State Natural Area

Another time I got carried away is researching Irish Travelers for the book THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE. Anything Irish fascinates me. I was fortunate enough to see Travelers in Ireland and their restored wagons in museums. In addition, I learned there was a large settlement of Travelers in a Fort Worth suburb.

For the same book, I wanted to know more about Lost Maples State Natural Area. On a trip back from San Antonio, my youngest daughter and I detoured by Lost Maples. No, it’s not on the way from San Antonio to Fort Worth, but we pretended it was and had a lovely time.

For my contemporary, GRANT ME THE MOON in COME LOVE A COWBOY, I researched Garza and Clovis archeological sites. The fictional hero found a site on his ranch that rivaled a Garza site in—wait for it—Garza County near Post. I learned new facts about prehistoric settlements. A few tidbits even made it into the book.

When researching railroad travel for THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, I really went overboard and visited several railroad museums and corresponded with museums in other parts of the country. Fascinating stuff, especially the MKT in Denison. Unfortunately, that museum was the victim of a squeeze by business interests and was closed. What a shame! My research yielded a two-inch binder filled with information on all aspects of nineteenth-century travel plus several books on the subject. Not wasted, since I’ve used the information in other books plus shared information with several friends.

The ranches I use for my Stone Mountain Texas/Men of Stone Mountain series were discovered on an historical tour of Palo Pinto County years ago. Barbara Belding Gibson had just released her book titled PAINTED POLE. She and her husband allowed visitors to tour their gorgeous, historic ranch, which was the perfect setting for my series. They preserved the original cabin and incorporated it into the current home. I've since toured her home two more times and have visited other historic ranches such as Johnson's League Ranch on a similar tour. Sadly, Mrs. Gibson passed away a few years ago at a moderately young age.

Masterson Ranch Line Shack at
the National Ranching Heritage Center

For ranch buildings, I love visiting the National Ranching Heritage Center on the campus of Texas Tech in Lubbock. Homes and outbuildings from all over West Texas have been located and restored in this living outdoor museum that is adjacent to the university museum. Everything from a dugout to a luxurious nineteenth century home to the barn from the 6666 Ranch can be seen. 

I wish I could be the type researcher who goes directly to a fact, determines that’s all he/she needs, and gets back to writing. Nope. Probably never going to happen. ☺

Do you enjoy research? Do you insist books you read portray historic facts correctly or do you allow the author leeway?

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. 

SNEAKING IN A THEME FOR READERS

Me, very embarrassed

I am supposed to have a blog today on "The Next Big Thing," but I must postpone. Most sincere apologies to my friend, author Susan Macatee, who tagged me with this opportunity.

Once again, life interfered in a big way. I’ll share "The Next Big Thing" on December 3rd.

In the meantime, you can find Susan at her excellent blog, http://susanmacatee.blogspot.com.

THEMES AND UNIVERSAL TRUTHS

Writers use universal truths to create stories that entertain. True, most of our stories hold moral lessons. We champion the good in men and women, and punish the shallow and senseless.  Not that the lessons can be obvious. Nope, we hope to sneak them in when readers are concentrating on the plot. ☺

While I try to vary plots with each book, my books tend to have several common themes: redemption, good defeats evil, love overcomes obstacles, and characters achieve personal fulfillment. But I don’t want readers to dwell on them, other than to sigh with relief when love conquers all, the broken heart is healed, the hardened heart cracks and welcomes love, characters achieve fulfillment, and those obstacles blocking characters’ happiness have been defeated. What I desire is that readers fall in love with my characters and think of them as real people, as they are in my mind, and want to read my next book. Nothing makes an author happier.

One of my most popular books, THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, dealt with good triumphing over evil. Often evil doers believe themselves above the law and unconquerable. In my books, those people are always caught...eventually. I wish that were always true in life, but it sometimes happens. Let’s go with that, shall we?

THE IDEA SOURCE

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is about a marriage of convenience that blossoms into a true love match. The idea for the book came from a tiny kernel in the form of a story my grandmother once told me about a girl in her hometown who quit school because of all the rumors and teasing she was forced to endure. Although my grandmother didn’t know what happened to the girl, I wanted the poor girl’s story to end well. Each of us deserves happily ever after, right?

If you’ve ever lived in a small town, you know there are no secrets. Sometimes a person with evil in his heart forgets that fact and does terrible things to conceal a fact everyone already knows.

Texas Rancher Drake Kincaid
back from his cattle drive

BLURB FROM THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE

Wanted: one completely improper bride.

Even if Drake Kincaid had placed such an advertisement in every paper in the country, he couldn’t have found a better candidate than Pearl Parker...which is fine with him. His parents’ will stipulates only that he marry by his thirtieth birthday to retain his Texas ranch, not that he marry well. He vows that on his trip east to buy horses, he will find the most unsuitable woman possible, marry her, and leave her in town with his grandfather. And no one--including Drake’s grandfather, the man determined to hold him to the ridiculous provision--could possibly think tall, bossy Pearl with her ragtag siblings and questionable “cousin” Belle will make a good wife. He's angry when he sees how beautiful she is without her shabby disguise. And then he realizes a generous soul shines from her startling eyes.

Pearl Parker

Pearl Parker has raised her two half-siblings, Sarah and Storm. She conceals her beauty with a drab disguise as she sells her baked goods in town and uses her herbal healing skills to call on the ailing. Until recently, Pearl was able to protect and care for her family. Now vandalism and rumor threaten and have her eager to escape from their tiny Tennessee village and she's not certain how long the declining sheriff can protect her family. When Drake Kincaid proposes and agrees to take her siblings with them to Texas, she accepts. She falls in love with the handsome rancher, but refuses to let anyone push her around or aside.

Their life together may not have started with hearts and flowers, but Drake and Pearl will soon learn that real love--with a breathtaking dose of passion--will make their marriage a true romance.

EXCERPT FROM THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE

Set up: Drake and Storm have returned from a cattle drive where they sold Drake's cattle as well as the herds of several elderly ranchers. When he arrives at the home of his grandfather, her learns that Pearl isn't there and that she moved to the ranch. He didn't stop to hear the rest of his aunt's explanation before he bolted for his ranch:

On the road, he slowed his horse and tried to think. Storm had been right, Pearl apparently got fed up with Lily. Why hadn't he seen it?

Maybe he should have made different arrangements for her before the cattle drive. Damn, it looked like a man could depend on his wife waiting for him. All she had to do was just bide her time. How hard could that be?

When the ranch house came into view, he slowed even more. It looked different.

Storm saw it too. "Things been fixed up some."

Drake noted the gate now hung straight, bright flowers bordered the walk and porch. A bushy fern stood on the porch near the rocker he liked to use of a summer evening. He dropped the reins over the hitching post and bounded up the steps. The door opened before he could reach it.

"Señor Drake, how wonderful you are home.” Maria beamed her cheerful smile at him. "Señora Pearl will be so happy."

Inside the front door, Drake stopped in his tracks. Three people sat on a bench in the foyer, a bench that hadn't been there when he left. As he entered, they stood and nodded their heads in respect.

The eldest, a man he recognized as Vicente's father, spoke. "Welcome home, Señor Jefe, Chief. Your trip went well?"

"Yes, very well. Vicente brings our remuda and men back. He and the rest of the men will be home soon.” Feeling as if he overlooked an important factor here, he asked, "Is there something I can do for you?"

The three shook their heads in unison. "No, Señor Jefe. We wait for La Curandera."

Maria hastened forward. "Señora Pearl has helped so many with her medicines. People come from all over the county to see her. She lets them wait here until she can see them."

Storm said, "She likes to help people. Pearl's real good with her healing."

Close to snapping, Drake spoke slowly and clearly, "Maria, where is my wife?"

Surprise showed on the housekeeper's face. "Why, she is still in town at her restaurant, of course."

Hoping he hid his own surprise, he said, "I see.” But he certainly did not see. Not at all. What restaurant?

Still beaming at him, Maria continued, "At this time she's serving lunch to her customers. You can find her there, but she usually comes home about four with Señorita Sarah. Shall I find lunch for you and Señor Storm?"

"Yes, please.” Storm said.

"No.” Gesturing to his brother-in-law, he said, "You go ahead, Storm."

"Señor Storm, my Carlotta will find food for you if you will go into the kitchen. Or, you could come with us to see the changes in your home. Come, let me show you the many things Señora Pearl has done for you.”

Maria tugged at his arm, leading him on a tour of his own home with Storm trailing along. "You see how she has used the pieces stored by your family to make this place welcome you. She has worked very hard.”

He took in the rugs on the floor, the additions to the furnishings. He noticed little things like the placement of serving pieces on the buffet that used to sit in his mother's dining room--until she hired that fancy decorator.
Drake had always liked that old furniture better than the ornate stuff the decorator ordered from all over the world. He wandered through the house taking in the changes as Maria chattered on and on reciting Pearl's virtues.

In the door way of his study, he stopped dead in his tracks. The old rocking chair made from cattle horns stood waiting beside his desk. Though wood comprised the rockers and supported the thickly padded seat and back, a craftsman had used matched pairs of horns to form the legs, arms, splats, and a decorative fan across the top.

Maria smiled and patted his arm. "Ah, I knew that would please you."

"I thought Mother had it burned.” Although he and his father loved that chair and laughed about the eccentricity of it, his mother had called it an abomination and refused to have it in her house.

Maria adopted her inscrutable mask. "It is possible Miguel misunderstood her. He stored it in a barn with other old furniture and covered it with heavy cloth to protect it." She shook her head. "Then, it seems, he forgot about it. But Señora Pearl found it. Oh, she laughed and laughed when she saw it."

"She--she laughed?"

"Oh, sí, yes. She said it was perfect for a rancher's home. I told her how you used to sit in it when your feet were barely long enough to touch the floor, how you would laugh at your longhorn chair.”

Damn. Who would have figured her laughing? Just like he and his father had. Who could understand the woman?

Storm sat in the chair and gave a push to start it rocking. The boy had a silly grin on his face. With a shake of his head to clear his brain, Drake turned and left the room.

BUY LINKS

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is Book One of the Kincaids, and is available in Print or e-book from Amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/MOST-UNSUITABLE-WIFE-Kincaids-ebook/dp/B004OR1VOO/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338514599&sr=1-7

Smashwords in e-book at
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/37683?ref=CarolineClemmons.

Nook at
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/most-unsuitable-wife-caroline-clemmons/1101709833?ean=2940011212437

Thanks for stopping by!

ART IMITATES LIFE, MOSTLY

Kevin Costner as Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield

Like many history fans, I watched the recent mini-series on the Hatfields and McCoys. The acting was phenomenal, the costumes and sets were remarkable. I could hardly wait for the next episode. Even though I knew the story, I kept hoping both sides would make peace and quit killing one another. Once again I was reminded how foolish pride and petty hatred can distort and destroy lives and cause inconceivable pain. Why isn't common sense the least bit common?

Hatfields

As a writer, I use universal truths like those in the Hatfield and McCoy mini-series to create stories that I hope entertain and encourage. That most of my stories hold moral lessons is also true. As an author, I champion the good in men and women, ridicule and punish the shallow and senseless.

Not that the lessons can be obvious. Nope, I hope to sneak them in when readers are concentrating on the plot. ;-D  Often evil doers believe themselves above the law and unconquerable. In my books, those people are always caught...eventually. I wish that were always true in life, but it sometimes happens. Let’s go with that, shall we?

While I try to vary plots with each book, my books tend to have several common themes: redemption, good defeats evil, love overcomes obstacles, and personal fulfillment. But I don’t want readers to dwell on them, other than to sigh with relief when love conquers all, the broken heart is healed, the hardened heart cracks and welcomes love, characters achieve fulfillment, and those obstacles blocking characters’ happiness have been defeated. What I desire is that readers fall in love with my characters and think of them as real people (as they are in my mind) and want to read my next book. Nothing makes this author happier.  

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is about a marriage of convenience that blossoms into a true love match. The idea for the book came from a tiny kernel in the form of a story my grandmother once told me about a girl in her hometown who quit school because of all the rumors and teasing she was forced to endure. Although my grandmother didn’t know what happened to the girl, I wanted the poor girl’s story to end well. Each of us deserves happily ever after, right?

If you’ve ever lived in a small town, you know there are no secrets. A person with evil in his heart frequently forgets that fact and does terrible things to conceal what everyone already knows. Most of the book takes place in Texas, but a part is set in Tennessee in a small village like that in which my grandmother lived as a child.

Here’s the blurb from THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE:

Wanted: one completely improper bride.

Even if Drake Kincaid had placed such an advertisement in every paper in the country, he couldn’t have found a better candidate than Pearl Parker...which is fine with him. After all, his parents’ will stipulates only that he marry by his thirtieth birthday, not that he marry well. And no one--including Drake’s grandfather, the man determined to hold him to the ridiculous provision--could possibly think tall, bossy Pearl with her ragtag siblings and questionable “cousin” Belle will make a good wife. Until Drake realizes that in her startling violet eyes he sees a beautiful woman with a generous soul...

Their life together may not have started with hearts and flowers, but Drake and Pearl will soon learn that real love--with a breathtaking dose of passion--will make their marriage a true romance.

Excerpt from THE MOST UNSUITABLE BRIDE:

"What do you mean, stay here?”
Pearl had wakened cocooned in the hazy glow following a night of intermittent lovemaking with her husband to find him dressing for the ranch. Then he dropped a bombshell on her.
"You know it's not safe for you to be on your own. Ranch is too isolated. You'll be safer here in town.” Drake stomped his feet to settle each in the boots he wore. He retrieved a blue chambray shirt from his bag and donned it.
"For how long?” Pearl slid from bed and grabbed her nightgown from the floor.
"Well..."
She whirled on her husband, confronting him, "You never intended for me to move to the ranch, did you?” She yanked her nightie on. No one could argue buck-naked.
"Don't get riled. Women hate the seclusion. You'll be happier in town. Things to do here and people about you.” Drake shoved his shirt into his twill pants without looking at his wife.
She stepped toward him and pointed at her chest. "What do you know about what makes this woman happy?"
A crooked smile broke his face. "Aw, I know what makes you happy, all right. Didn't I keep you happy all night?"
She shrugged away the comment aimed to distract her. "Did you ask me which I prefer? No.” She hoped her glare chilled his randy hide.
His voice softened, placating. "Pearl, be reasonable. We don't know who's tried to kill you and your family. Someone might be trailing you right now, waiting somewhere and watching the house.”
He met her gaze. That muscle twitched in his cheek, letting her know he was less than happy with this conversation. Well, that didn't bother Pearl in the least. Some things needed talked about.
He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders, then took a deep breath and continued,  "Look, the sheriff and his deputy as well as several of the town's leading citizens will be looking out for any newcomer. I talked to the owners of the livery stable, the hotel, the mercantile, all the places I could think of that a newcomer would stand out. If any strangers come around asking questions, the sheriff will find out immediately. You and Sarah will be safer here."
"You're taking Storm with you?” She hugged her arms, sensing a lost battle.
"Yes, um, with your permission. I can't see him attending teas or shopping here in town. Besides, he's a big help to me."
Her head came up and her hands fisted at her hips. "And I suppose Sarah and I are just so much baggage?"
"Now, I didn't say that and you know it.” He held up a hand, palm out, as if to stay her fury. "But you have no place rounding up cattle and getting ready for a drive."
"It's true we don't ride, but we could learn.” She could learn anything, given a chance. She suspected no chance would come.
"There's no time to teach you. 'Sides, it makes the cowboys and vaqueros nervous to have women around the cattle. They think it's bad luck. And I can't leave the two of you at the house with only the housekeeper to help you."
She sagged in defeat. "Okay, Drake. I'll stay here for now, and I'll try not to shame you. But this is only until we know there'll be no more meanness against my family. Don't think you can keep me waiting too long," she warned.
His face broke into a smile of relief. "You'll see. By the time this is over and things calm down, you'll like this sweet life so much you won't be able to tear yourself away from Grandpa's house."
"Too much sweet gives a body a belly ache."
Ignoring that and stepping close, he kissed her on the cheek then nuzzled her neck. "I'll be sleeping tonight in a bedroll on hard ground. Give me a kiss to remember."
Something to remember. She'd give him something to remember all right. She raised her mouth to his, let him plunder with his tongue. Her tongue did some plundering of its own as she moved her body against him. When their kiss ended, the heat of passion darkened his eyes.
"When you're sleeping on the hard ground, all alone, you remember that, husband.” Head high, she turned and walked into the dressing room.

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is Book One of the Kincaids, and is available for only 99 cents from Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/MOST-UNSUITABLE-WIFE-Kincaids-ebook/dp/B004OR1VOO/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338514599&sr=1-7 and from
Smashwords at
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/37683?ref=CarolineClemmons.

Book Two of the Kincaids is THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND, and is also available for 99 cents. Book Three is not yet written but is tentatively titled TEXAS STORM. I hope to release it in 2013.


Thanks for reading!

LET'S TAKE A TRAIN RIDE

Have you ever ridden a train? Do you like books in which the characters travel? Do you love a good historical family series that combines mystery and romance? I have the very book for you!

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is Book One of the Kincaids, and is available for only 99 cents from

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/MOST-UNSUITABLE-WIFE-Kincaids-ebook/dp/B004OR1VOO/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1336959959&sr=1-7 

Smashwords at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/37683?ref=CarolineClemmons.

Both this book and THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND, Book Two of the Kincaids, involve train travel to Texas.

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is about a marriage of convenience that blossoms into a true love match. I love when that happens, don’t you?

Steam locomotive

In researching train travel for this book, I visited museums and read books and wrote curators for additional information. As a result, I have a huge notebook filled with details about nineteenth century train travel. We hear about the deluxe Pulman car, but without them train travel could be pretty grim. I suppose even at its most uncomfortable, riding a train beat walking beside a covered wagon.

Interior of an early Pulman Car.

In THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, the hero (Drake Kincaid), his cousin (Lex), heroine (Pearl Parker), and heroine’s siblings (Sarah and Storm), and “cousin” (Belle) travel from Tennessee to Central Texas by train. Personally, I love train travel, so I was happy my characters had a chance to enjoy it. Well, they enjoyed some of it. Not the part where...no, can’t give a spoiler, can I?

Here’s the blurb:

Wanted: one completely improper bride.

Even if Drake Kincaid had placed such an advertisement in every paper in the country, he couldn’t have found a better candidate than Pearl Parker...which is fine with him. After all, his parents’ will stipulates only that he marry by his thirtieth birthday, not that he marry well. And no one--including Drake’s grandfather, the man determined to hold him to the ridiculous provision--could possibly think tall, bossy Pearl with her ragtag siblings and questionable “cousin” Belle will make a good wife. Until Drake realizes that in her startling violet eyes he sees a beautiful woman with a generous soul...

Their life together may not have started with hearts and flowers, but Drake and Pearl will soon learn that real love--with a breathtaking dose of passion--will make their marriage a true romance.

Excerpt after they’re in Texas and Drake announces that he’s going on a cattle drive, leaving Pearl and her family at his grandfather’s home in town:

"What do you mean, stay here?”
Pearl had wakened cocooned in the hazy glow following a night of intermittent lovemaking with her husband to find him dressing for the ranch. Then he dropped a bombshell on her.
"You know it's not safe for you to be on your own. Ranch is too isolated. You'll be safer here in town.” Drake stomped his feet to settle each in the boots he wore. He retrieved a blue chambray shirt from his bag and donned it.
"For how long?” Pearl slid from bed and grabbed her nightgown from the floor.
"Well..."
She whirled on her husband, confronting him, "You never intended for me to move to the ranch, did you?” She yanked her nightie on. No one could argue buck-naked.
"Don't get riled. Women hate the seclusion. You'll be happier in town. Things to do here and people about you.” Drake shoved his shirt into his twill pants without looking at his wife.
She stepped toward him and pointed at her chest. "What do you know about what makes this woman happy?"
A crooked smile broke his face. "Aw, I know what makes you happy, all right. Didn't I keep you happy all night?"
She shrugged away the comment aimed to distract her. "Did you ask me which I prefer? No.” She hoped her glare chilled his randy hide.
His voice softened, placating. "Pearl, be reasonable. We don't know who's tried to kill you and your family. Someone might be trailing you right now, waiting somewhere and watching the house.”
He met her gaze. That muscle twitched in his cheek, letting her know he was less than happy with this conversation. Well, that didn't bother Pearl in the least. Some things needed talked about.
He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders, then took a deep breath and continued,  "Look, the sheriff and his deputy as well as several of the town's leading citizens will be looking out for any newcomer. I talked to the owners of the livery stable, the hotel, the mercantile, all the places I could think of that a newcomer would stand out. If any strangers come around asking questions, the sheriff will find out immediately. You and Sarah will be safer here."
"You're taking Storm with you?” She hugged her arms, sensing a lost battle.
"Yes, um, with your permission. I can't see him attending teas or shopping here in town. Besides, he's a big help to me."
Her head came up and her hands fisted at her hips. "And I suppose Sarah and I are just so much baggage?"
"Now, I didn't say that and you know it.” He held up a hand, palm out, as if to stay her fury. "But you have no place rounding up cattle and getting ready for a drive."
"It's true we don't ride, but we could learn.” She could learn anything, given a chance. She suspected no chance would come.
"There's no time to teach you. 'Sides, it makes the cowboys and vaqueros nervous to have women around the cattle. They think it's bad luck. And I can't leave the two of you at the house with only the housekeeper to help you."
She sagged in defeat. "Okay, Drake. I'll stay here for now, and I'll try not to shame you. But this is only until we know there'll be no more meanness against my family. Don't think you can keep me waiting too long," she warned.
His face broke into a smile of relief. "You'll see. By the time this is over and things calm down, you'll like this sweet life so much you won't be able to tear yourself away from Grandpa's house."
"Too much sweet gives a body a belly ache."
Ignoring that and stepping close, he kissed her on the cheek then nuzzled her neck. "I'll be sleeping tonight in a bedroll on hard ground. Give me a kiss to remember."
Something to remember. She'd give him something to remember all right. She raised her mouth to his, let him plunder with his tongue. Her tongue did some plundering of its own as she moved her body against him. When their kiss ended, the heat of passion darkened his eyes.
"When you're sleeping on the hard ground, all alone, you remember that, husband.” Head high, she turned and walked into the dressing room.

Thanks for reading!