A HERO AND A HEROINE

By Caroline Clemmons

Have you wondered how authors choose a hero and a heroine? There’s a saying that if he’s a fireman, she has to be a firebug—accidentally of course. If he’s a lawman, she should be a criminal (unjustly accused, I’m sure). I used this last phrase for JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE; for BLUEBONNET BRIDE, from the Stone Mountain TX Series (one of my best selling books); and RACHEL, from the Bride Brigade Series. Actually, I’m sure you know there’s a lot more to building a hero and heroine than those two phrases indicate.

Lawman vs. Accused woman

Chemical attraction is important, of course, but eventually the couple has to talk to one another. Basic values, common interests, and more figure into the creation of a couple who can achieve a happily-ever-after. A good sense of humor is important in any relationship. As in real life, the hero and heroine need to “fit” one another.

KEITH

For instance, let’s look at Elliana Barrington and Keith Martin from KEITH AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE. Elliana grew up wealthy with strict social and personal values. Keith grew up in a family of criminals in which he was virtually a captive. Elliana knew all the right social responses and how to conduct herself as a lady—unless injustice aroused her anger. Yes, quiet and elegant Elliana had a temper she unleashed on bullies and scoundrels.

Keith trained himself to appear the honest businessman he was, but inside he hated his lack of knowledge of the correct social behavior. At the same time, he feared someone from his past might appear. He worked to become more gracious and learn proper social behavior. After buying the bank and later his home, Keith was strapped for cash. Elliana had unbelievable wealth, but also feared someone from her past would appear to endanger her new life.

Elliana

Although they had different upbringings, they had much in common and they had the same goal of a family and a useful, happy life among friends. Doesn’t that sound like what we all want? Certainly it fits my wishes.

Elliana had kind, loving parents who died young. Keith’s parents are still alive, but too terrible to contemplate. Elliana and Keith each has a different way of handling adversity, but the two meld as a couple. You can obtain the story of their adventures at

https://www.amazon.com/Keith-Order-Bride-Country-Brides-ebook/dp/B0CW7B2GZS/

If you haven’t yet read the Texas Hill Country Mail Order Bride Series, why are you waiting? This sweet historical western romance series is available from Amazon in e-book and print. Each of the series is also enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. The first five books of the series are GENTRY, JESSE,QUINN, LEVI, and KEITH. Currently, I am writing book six, SIDNEY. The seventh book will be ISAAC.

Stay safe and keep reading! 

WHAT ELSE HAPPENED?

 By Caroline Clemmons

Do you wonder about what was going on in the world at the time of a series you’re reading? Okay, I’m a history nut, so I do. Some of those events affect the book’s characters, even if it’s remotely.

For instance, so far the books of my current series, The Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides, is set in 1876. What a time that was! Part of the Reconstruction era after the Civil War, it was also a part of the Gilded Age and faced a national depression. Not the time that comes to my mind when I hear the words “national depression” a la Grapes of Wrath. However, my mother said that was the one in which her mother’s family supposedly suffered great financial losses.  

As you can imagine, I am especially interested in what was happening in the West. The answer is, a lot!

That was the year Wild Bill Hickock (James Butler Hickok) died in Deadwood. Dakota Territory in an altercation during a poker game. The cards he held were two pair of black aces and eights, now commonly known as the “dead man’s hand.” Modern historians agree Bill greatly “embellished” his accomplishments. Sad that he should die at about 39.

Wild Bill Hickock

Wyatt Earp started work as a deputy in Dodge City, Kansas, serving under Marshal Larry Deger.

In Northfield, Minnesota, Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang attempted to rob the town’s bank. Must have been badly planned, because they were surrounded by an angry mob and almost wiped out. You probably know that if your money was stolen from a bank back then, there was no way to replace it. The Federal Government did not begin guaranteeing deposits until after 1933.

Sitting Bull

The Indian Wars were in full force. Crazy Horse led 1500 Sioux and Cheyenne at the Battle of Rosebud on Rosebud Creek in Montana Territory to beat back General George Crooks’s forces of the Army, with Crow and Shoshone allies helping the Army. This was in early June, but in late June, General George Custer suffered over 300 casualties (including himself) when he met the same forces led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse at the Battle of Little Big Horn.

In November, the Army retaliated. General Ranald McKenzie led Army troops to sack the camp of Chief Dull Knife, at the headwaters of the Powder River. The soldiers attacked the sleeping Cheyenne’s winter camp. Soldiers destroyed Cheyenne’s winter clothing and food supply. Some sources say the soldiers slit the throats of their ponies. Others say they drove 200 horses over the edge of the cliff. I can understand how he came by the name of Black Hand.

General Ranald McKenzie

I have to admit I hate what Ranald McKenzie did, but I try to remember that (1) he was given the job of ending the Indian Wars, and (2) we cannot assign modern principles and points-of-view to the past! I’m still not fond of the idea that my hometown of Lubbock, Texas named their lovely city park after the man. 

Transcontinental Express

Railroad travel was finally becoming coast to coast. In June, while Indians were gathering to defeat the Army, the Transcontinental Express arrived in San Francisco, California, only 83 hours and 39 minutes after leaving New York City. Currently, the 2563 miles takes about 77 to 81 hours. I love train travel, but have never ridden the express train. From Lubbock, we went to join the San Francisco Chief at Clovis, New Mexico. There, we would always be told it would be 30 minutes before our car joined the Chief, but it was always 5 hours. I haven’t ridden in decades, so I’m sure travel has improved. I hope so. Somewhere, our railcar was changed to send us toward Los Angeles, with us debarking at Long Beach, California, where my oldest brother and sister-in-law lived. I miss train travel, even with the delays.

Santa Fe Chief

So much happened in 1876 alone, to say nothing of the decade, that covering it all in one blog would go on ad nauseum. I hope you’ve enjoyed the reminder of our past. Don’t forget to read The Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides: GENTRY, JESSE, QUINN, LEVI, and KEITH.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Texas+Hill+Country+Mail+Order+Brides+series&i=stripbooks&crid=235D0CTO4WN5Y&sprefix=texas+hill+country+mail+order+brides+series%2Cstripbooks%2C107&ref=nb_sb_noss

Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe and keep reading!

SHARING A SERIES

By Caroline Clemmons

My husband, Hero, once asked me what I stared at when I Iooked out the window each day after meals. I was startled, because I wasn’t looking AT anything. I was thinking of my current work in progress. Perhaps you’ve heard, “The insane sit and stare at nothing for hours. Authors do pretty much the same thing.”

When I planned the historical western romance series, Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides, many of the characters were alive in my mind. The layout of the town of Harrigan Springs was as clear to me as if I’d visited friends there in person. I love sharing these imaginary friends with reader friends.

The series began with a rancher, Gentry McRae. He was furious when he learned he’d inherited a bride, Heidi Roth. Heidi was willed to Gentry by his partner who died a few days before she arrived from Bavaria. Events kept Gentry and those on his ranch dealing with one obstacle after another.

https://www.amazon.com/Gentry-Texas-Country-Order-Brides-ebook/dp/B0B6YN6QHK

 

Book 2 introduced Scotsman now Sheriff Jesse Cameron and his mail order bride, Rosalin Arnold. Accompanying Rosalin was Maybell Singer, the mail order bride for Chief Deputy Zan Crain, and an eight year old orphan, Henry Bertram. The two brides brought trouble with them, but Jesse was up to the challenge. https://www.amazon.com/Jesse-Order-Bride-Country-Brides-ebook/dp/B0BD64JC1D/

 

Book 3 began with another rancher, charming womanizer and gambler, Quinn McRae. He received a mail order bride sent for by his sisters-in-law. They hoped a good woman would help Quinn settle down and stick to ranching. Priscilla Bradford is exceedingly proper, and is a descendant of William Bradford, who came to America on the Mayflower. Quinn has a terrible secret that haunts him constantly.

https://www.amazon.com/Quinn-Order-Bride-Country-Brides-ebook/dp/B0BSTMWV5X

 

Book 4 is about Levi Iverson, blacksmith and entrepreneur, and the woman he rescues, Maeve Kelly. Maeve, an Irish immigrant, arrived in Harrigan Springs and discovered the man who sent for her planned to share her with his two brothers.

https://www.amazon.com/Order-Bride-Texas-Country-Brides-ebook/dp/B0BZDT6Q1J

 

Book 5 related the story of Keith Martin, owner of the bank. Elliana Barrington is escaping a dangerous situation in Evansville. She brings wealth as well as trouble. Keith has a secret he hopes will never be disclosed publicly.

**We had a weird thing happen. The unedited file was accidentally uploaded to Amazon. I apologize if you received that e-book! The edited file has now replaced the incorrect version.

https://www.amazon.com/Keith-Order-Bride-Country-Brides-ebook/dp/B0CW7B2GZS/

 

This brings us to Book 6, the one I’m currently writing. It features Sidney Garton, owner of Garton’s Mercantile. I'll save the cover reveal for another time. Sid’s bride is Genevieve Fournier from New Orleans. Genevieve is from a French family. That is, they consider themselves French, even though they have been in New Orleans for several generations. Sid asked for a helpmate to manage the meals and household as well as help out in the store. Socialite Genevieve is about to be a big disappointment to Sid—but her beauty may soften his reaction when he learns she can’t do anything practical.

Book 7 is plotted, but I’ll save that information for later.  

 

I hope you’ll read all of this series. I’m proud of the books and I believe you’ll enjoy them. Each stands alone. As with any series, I believe they’re more enjoyable when read in order. Each is available in e-book and in print, and each is enrolled in KU.

 

Stay safe and keep reading!