COVER REVEAL FOR CHARLOTTE'S CHALLENGE

I’m so excited about this story that I want to share the cover. The preorder is up and CHARLOTTE’S CHALLENGE will be released September 18.

The Universal Amazon Link is https://mybook.to/Bret

 

Here’s the legend on which the series is based:

The Golden Legacy

In 1734 a pirate brigantine attacked a merchant ship, The Golden Fleece, in the Caribbean. Although smaller, the merchant ship bested the pirate craft that contained a treasure trove of gold and jewels. A dying pirate claimed the Incas had cursed anyone who misused the treasure, hence the reason the merchant crew was victorious. The treasure would also bless anyone who used it for good. The greedy merchant captain, James Carlson, was killed during the battle, but his eighteen year old daughter, Sarah, survived in her cabin.

Mindful of the curse and to thank God for their salvation, she asked the crew members to split the treasure equally, but to make a binding pledge that they would keep only twenty percent for their own use, and give ten percent to help others. With the rest, each was to buy something of great value that could be passed down to their descendants, with the curse passing onto anyone who broke the line and used it selfishly. If used selfishly, the treasure would be lost but reappear in some form after skipping a generation. 

You can understand why I wanted to be a part of this multi-author project. Can’t you conjure numerous possibilities for this series? I’m revealing the cover for the historical that is set in 1885 Texas. Early next year, I’ll write a contemporary romance for the series. 

Here’s the blurb for CHARLOTTE'S CHALLENGE:

Bret Craig is a descendant of one of the crew of The Golden Fleece. Over a century ago the merchant ship had prevailed against pirates carrying a treasure of cursed Inca gold. The legacy promises retribution against anyone who misuses the treasure. Bret has heard the story all his life but he believes the tale is a myth and that he’s in no danger if he spends the money selfishly. Ignoring his sister’s warning, he sets out for a grand adventure heading west.

Mail-order bride Charlotte Dunn lost her husband to a rustler’s bullet. Now she’s in danger of losing the ranch her husband built and intended passed down to his eldest son. Charlotte’s two stepsons are riding their horses when they see Bret fall from his horse and strike his head on a stone. Once he regains consciousness, he has amnesia. She nurses Bret and plans to sell their remaining cattle to pay the mortgage on the ranch. Bret regains his memory and learns the remainder of the herd has now been stolen. Worse, the villain does not give up easily.

They must work together to defeat those trying to ruin Charlotte’s attempt to save the ranch.  Are two people at cross purposes able to embrace the love blossoming between them?

I hope the blurb intrigues you and you preorder CHARLOTTE’S CHALLENGE. I believe you’ll enjoy Charlotte and Bret’s story. 

#NEW RELEASE #STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS - A #SWEET #CHRISTMAS #NOVELLA

If you’re like me, you're already eager for the days from Thanksgiving up to Christmas Eve. That’s my favorite time of year. I love the decorations, the songs, the anticipation associated with choosing gifts for my family.

I confess to feeling letdown once the gifts are opened and the dinner eaten. The tree looks letdown, too, with no gifts underneath. I can’t explain why Hero and I leave our tree up until after Twelfth Night, but we always have. Probably this year will be no exception.

You can see why I love reading Christmas stories at any time of year. In fact, I read them all year, but especially from October until Christmas. However, this is the first time I’ve written a Christmas story.

For this novella, I blame Darling Daughters 1 and 2. Each of them asked me to write a Christmas story. Guess the Christmas spirit is genetic, right?

Kim Killion did the perfect-for-the-novella cover. I chose the woman's photo from Kim’s studio stock, but there was no background. Kim used the photo to create exactly what I had in mind. Don’t you love when that happens?

Here’s the blurb of STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS:

Christmas has been Celia Dubois’s favorite time of year as long as she can remember. When she moves to her parents' home a year after the death of her husband, the young widow is appalled at the town’s lack of Christmas spirit. Two months earlier, banditos had burned the church and crushed the townspeople.  Celia vows to return holiday joy to the town. Perhaps doing so might help mend her aching heart. Will Celia’s plan work magic on the town?

Rancher Eduardo Montoya knows Celia is the woman for him. She enchants him with her winning smile and vivacious nature. When her father warns Eduardo away from Celia, Eduardo is both angry and frustrated. After he stops a robbery in the mercantile, will Celia’s parents change their minds about him? Can handsome Eduardo heal Celia’s sorrow?

Here’s an excerpt of STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS:

Radford Crossing, Texas, November 1874

Eduardo Montoya focused on the beautiful redhead who swept the walk in front of Sturdivant’s Mercantile across the street. He turned to speak to his friend. “She is a vision, is she not?”

Micah Stone, his cousin’s husband, asked, “Have you met her or spoken to her?”

Eduardo’s gaze returned to Celia Dubois. He refused to let anyone shatter his dreams. “See how graceful she is even when performing a menial chore? When we are wed, she will not have to be concerned with such things.”

Sounding incredulous, Micah said, “I repeat, have you even met or spoken to her?”

Eduardo had no doubt his friend believed he had taken leave of his senses. He wasn’t so sure he hadn’t, but he placed a hand over his heart. “In good time, my friend. All in good time.”

Micah clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on, Romeo. We’ve finished our business with Joel. Hope’s expecting us for lunch. You can daydream about the pretty widow on our way home.”

“I suppose we must go.” He exhaled, reluctantly willing to leave town but unwilling to let anyone derail his plans.

Micah untied his horse from the hitching rail in front of his brother’s law office and mounted. “Have to say this is the first time I’ve known you to be shy about flirting with a woman.”

Determination steeled Eduardo’s resolve as he swung onto his gelding. “Never before has a woman been so important to me. You will see. One day, she will become my wife.”

The two rode toward Micah’s ranch.

From where she stood on the walk, Celia had known the men watched her. One was the youngest Stone brother. Identifying him was easy because the three Stone men looked so much alike.

But she hadn’t yet met the handsome man dressed as a Spanish Don. He fit the description she’d been privy to of Eduardo Montoya, one of the wealthiest men in this part of Texas. At least, that’s what she’d overheard while helping in her parents’ store.

He certainly cut a dashing figure in his black clothes trimmed with silver buttons. She wondered if he was entitled to dress like Spanish nobility or if he merely played a part. The silver on his saddle flashed in the sunlight and she questioned the safety of such a display.

One thing she’d noticed in her few days in town and working in her father’s mercantile, she heard tidbits of local gossip whether intentionally or not. She wondered what the gossips had to say about her. Probably best she didn’t know. Most people she’d met were friendly but there were a few prunes eager to criticize everyone.

Wasn’t that true everywhere? Yet she thought an unusual pall lay over Radford Crossing. The town definitely needed a large dose of cheer. As a matter of fact, she wouldn’t mind a measure for herself. With a sigh, she went back inside the store.

You can purchase STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS here:

Amazon http://amzn.com/B00OQUTDXA

Amazon UK  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OQUTDXA

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/stone-mountain-christmas-1

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id932587647

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stone-mountain-christmas-caroline-clemmons/1120622158?ean=2940046278842

Thanks for stopping by!