ROMANCE WITH POISON AND MAYHEM

By Caroline Clemmons

 

My historical western, BRAZOS BRIDEi, is both a mystery and a romance. I love mysteries, you see, and just can’t help myself when it comes to murder, kidnapping, poison, and other nasty incidents. I am a sweet and gentle soul in person (yeah, right), but I am mean to my characters when I write. After all, survival in the Old West was difficult Authors have to present obstacles for the hero and heroine to overcome. Otherwise, a book would be about a page long and boring.

 

Hope Montoya, the heroine, knows she’s being poisoned but has no idea who wants her dead. Weakened, she knows she can’t fight alone, and she enlists Micah Stone to assist her. How? Through a marriage of convenience, which gives her control of her estate that’s held in trust by her guardian. That doesn’t stop the killer, who relentlessly persists in trying to eliminate both Hope and adds Micah as a target. I love a determined villain, don’t you? I mean, of course, that I love to hate the villain.

 

Besides being close to Hope, for marrying her Micah receives land on the Brazos River and cash, and both are needed badly. The time is August 1870 and there’s a severe drought that has dried up springs, creeks, and waterholes on Micah’s land. Without access to the river, his cattle are dying of thirst. His two brothers are on hand to help him haul water from Zach’s place to the west. Even with their best efforts, they’re losing the battle.

Here’s an exscerpt of Hope and Micah’s wedding night from near the first of the book.

She looked at her hands. Perhaps she was unreasonable. Or maybe insane for sympathizing with a man who'd had to work harder because of her family.

"I know it is an odd situation. If—if you wear your shirt and britches, I guess it would be all right if you slept on top of the cover here." She patted the bed beside her.

He froze. Not a muscle moved, and he only stared at her. Had she misunderstood? Did he think her offer too forward?

She babbled, "That is, if you want to. You said I should trust you. Well, maybe you would be more comfortable where you are." Why didn't he say something? Would he prefer sleeping in a chair to sharing the bed?

From the street below, she heard raucous laughter and someone called to a man named Ben. Music from a piano, she supposed in the saloon, drifted in through the open windows. A gust of breeze moved the curtains and slid across her skin. In this room, though, there was no sound.

Slowly, he rose and extinguished the lamp as he moved across the room. She slid one of the pillows beside hers then scooted down. What had possessed her to offer him half her bed? Would he think she invited more?

Too late to take it back now, for the mattress dipped as he stretched out. Quaking inside at the thought of him so near, she turned her back to him. She heard his weary sigh, as if he relaxed for the first time in a long while.

"Good night," she offered, and hoped he understood the finality of the phrase.

"Yep. Good night, Mrs. Stone." The mattress shook as he turned his back to her. She felt the soles of his feet press against her ankles. He must be several inches too long for the bed and she guessed he had to bend his legs to fit. She didn't dare turn to see firsthand.

She lay perfectly still, afraid to take a deep breath. Soon his breathing changed and she knew he slept. Outside the open window the town quieted and the distant tinkling of the piano was the only sound. Light from the full moon illuminated the room and slanted across the bed. A soft breeze drifted across her, lulling her in its caress.

With a sigh, she fought to relax, but abdominal pain kept her awake no matter how her body cried for rest. Perhaps if she planned, she’d forget the pain and chills that racked her frame.

Plan, yes. She needed a plan for food preparation when she returned to her home. No, Micah said he had a plan. Oh, dear, once more he took charge when it was her life, her home.

Maybe Aunt Sofia and Uncle Jorge would have left by then and things would be fine. Already she felt more secure. She sensed her eyelids drifting closed and the sleep’s blessed relief approaching.

A gunshot ripped apart the night.

The blast startled her and she screamed as something thudded near her head, showering her hair and face with splinters. Panic immobilized her. What had happened?

Micah dragged her onto the floor as a bullet ripped into the mattress.

Bed with ropes instead of bed springs

 Did that excerpt entice you to buy the book?

I hope so because everyone in my family needs an operation. Okay, no one actually needs surgery, but I will appreciate your buying the book. Then, IF YOU LIKED IT, would you be so kind as to leave a review on Amazon? Most readers don’t realize what a gift a good review is to a writer.

Here’s the buy link for BRAZOS BRIDE:

 https://www.amazon.com/Brazos-Bride-Stone-Mountain-Texas-ebook/dp/B007HS10SY/

 

Thanks for stopping by! 

NUMBER ONE PROXY BRIDE ACCORDING TO BOOK AUTHORITY

 

By Caroline Clemmons

The historical western romance, A BRIDE FOR GIDEON, is one of my favorites of the books I’ve written. Happily for me, Book Authority agreed and chose this book as the Number One Best Proxy Bride Book of All Time! Wow—you can imagine how much that pleased me. I’ll take that kind of news any day. A BRIDE FOR GIDEON is book 16 of the multi-author Proxy Brides Series. The cover, designed by Virginia McKevitt is also one of my favorites. The model appears just as I always wanted to look. Sigh.

Let yourself travel back to 1871. It’s an easy trip with your handy ereader or in print. I enjoy reading on my phone’s Kindle app.

Even when it’s for a good reason, starting over is difficult. That is what the heroine of A BRIDE FOR GIDEON had to contemplate. In 1871, Keira Cameron left Scotland to come to Boston and live with her favorite cousin. Ten years before, Gideon Ross had left Scotland and brought his younger sister to Chicago to stay with relatives. I am excited about this book, which unites Keira and Gideon via a proxy marriage. Incidentally, I learned that proxy marriages and double proxy marriages are still performed today.)

Universal Amazon buy link is https://www.amazon.com/Bride-Gideon-Proxy-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B07R85KZPC/  is available in e-book, print, and is available in KU.

Here is the synopsis for A BRIDE FOR GIDEON.

Keira desperately wants to belong somewhere

Gideon is haunted by a secret too horrible to share

Fate conspires against them…   

 

Keira Cameron came to Boston from Scotland after the death of her parents. She wanted a job, a husband, and eventually a family. She feels rejected because she’s too tall, too foreign, and too pretty for a wife to want her working near a woman’s husband. Were her expectations unreasonable? Her cousin convinces her to enter a proxy marriage to his friend, Gideon Ross, who lives in Montana Territory. Out of options, she agrees and hopes her goals will be realized.

 Gideon Ross is a large man at five inches over six feet. His business is a smithy and gun repair shop. The war left him with a terrible scar on his face. He wears a beard to try to conceal the scar but still hears people whisper he’s a monster and a giant. Do they think he has no feelings? He’s haunted by the war and has terrible nightmares. Reluctantly, he agrees to wed Keira by proxy.

 Outside forces work against the couple. Keira and Gideon must find the key to the attack on their lives. Can they defeat the enemy before they’re too late?

 

If you read my books—and I certainly hope you do—then you know I always like a little mischief and mayhem working against the hero and heroine. This book is no exception.

If you’d like to be included in a drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card, comment on this blog between January 26^th and January 30^th. I’ll announce the winner on February 2^nd. If you haven’t already read this book, now is the perfect time.

I enjoy writing novels which end in happily-ever-after. My goal is to provide a brief distraction from stresses and cares while I entertain readers. To each of you who buy my books, thank you! If you also leave a review, double thanks.

Stay safe and keep reading! 

WHAT DID IT COST IN 1870

 By Caroline Clemmons

1870 Prices From The National Park Service  .

Wheat per bushel $1.02

Flour per barrel $3.00

Flour per pound $.04

Corn per bushel 40 cents .

Molasses, gallon 15 cents

Lard per pound 6 cents .

Butter per pound 15 cents

Sugar per pound 7 cents

Cheese per pound 5 cents

Rice per pound 5 cents

oranges $.50/dozen

dried figs $.20/pound

dried apples $.10/pound

dried apricots $.15/pound

dried peaches $.12/pound .

fresh peaches 3 for $.10

fresh apples 2 for $.05

coffee $.12/pound . .

Gentleman's toilet set, including toothbrush, 

nail brush, razor, razor strop,

lather brush, comb, hair brush $1.00  

undershirts -- $1.25 (white -- $1.00)   

2 colored drawers --$1.25 (white -- $1.00)  

New York Mills white shirts $2.50

6 pairs men's cotton socks $1.00

6 pairs Army wool socks $1.00

7 yards blue denim $1.00 .

3 yards plain cassimere [cashmere] $1.00

calicos 10 cents/yard

bleached cotton  15 cents/yard

brown shirting 13 cents/yard

gingham 15 cents/yard

ladies gold locket, plain enameled $1.50 - $2.00

1 pair ladies earrings & pin set, imported $4.50

1 pair ladies solid gold ear drops $3.00 domestic

1 plain gold ring (all sizes) $2.00

blankets $3.00 each

1 silver plated hunting case watch $6.00 . .

1 silk parasol $1.00 .

1 heavy shawl $3.00

Lady's parasol

average work horse $150

Horse, good saddle horse $200

Saddle $30

Cowboy Saddle $60

heifer $18.75

cow $26

bull $90

3 year old steer $62

2 year old steer $22.50

yearlings $12.50

calves $2.50

Yoke of two oxen $150

Pearl-handled matched set of Colt .45

Peacemakers with holsters $100

Classic Peacemaker $17.00 by mail order

cartridges $.50 cents/box

breech loading shot gun $60

Plows, cultivators, field equip. $325

Coal about $80/year

lantern $1.00

Kerosene $.15/gallon

Homestead filing fee $14

Stay safe and keep reading!

 

 

LEVI'S MOM TELLS ALL!

As told to Caroline Clemmons

Thank you for inviting me to talk to you today. I want to tell you about my brilliant son, Levi Iverson. First, I’d better give you a little background on the family.

My name is Ellvita Iverson. My husband Haakon and I grew up in Norway. It’s a beautiful country and I’m sure you’d love it there.  We were happy growing up there, but we longed for an easier life with our own land and winters that were not so harsh.

 

View of Norwegian Farm 

by Johan Christian Dahl 1877

Haakon was best friends with my brother, Gustav Nilson. Haakon and Gustav decided they would come to America. In fact, Gustav’s wife Frieda and I agreed that was a good plan. We had heard about Texas and that many other Norwegians were moving there. When we booked our passage, Levi had just turned four and his sister Ingrid was two.

 You may think we were crazy to travel so far with such small children, but we could hardly wait to get to our new home. Ach, we were young and didn’t realize the dangers or hardships we’d encounter. My Haakon is so smart and strong  and such a good man, I knew I could trust him to find us a place. Gustav and Frieda had no children, and doted on Levi and Ingrid.

 Haakon and Gustav understood quite a bit of English and spoke a little. Frieda and I didn’t. The only places we could find to live at first were little more than shacks. Eventually, we were able to homestead adjoining farms. What a great day that was! Levi was able to start school. Such a smart boy he was. That’s not just a mother’s opinion. His teachers were proud of him, too.

Levi always helped Haakon whenever he could, but, but he didn’t enjoy farming. Haakon understood and Levi found a job near our farm working for a blacksmith. He worked hard, but he said he enjoyed the challenges. When he decided to continue as a blacksmith and opened his own smithy in Harrigan Springs, he was only nineteen. He also repaired guns as he learned from my brother, and soon purchased the local livery stable. Unknown to most people, he continued to buy up property—homes and businesses. I’m so proud to say that he was generous to everyone with whom he did business. He had rental property, but he remembered the terrible place we lived when we first came here. He vowed he would never take advantage of anyone. He has become a community leader in Harrigan Springs, Texas.

 That brings me up to the point where he met a lovely girl. She is perfect for Levi, though he had his doubts at first. She had come to town as the mail order bride for someone else, but she refused to marry the awful man. I’m sure you’ll agree, if you read their story. It’s available at Amazon and is free in Kindle Unlimited.

The link is https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZDT6Q1J

Stay safe and keep reading!

  

BUILDING A SERIES

 By Caroline Clemmons

Readers often ask me where I get my ideas. The answer is, ideas are the easy part of writing. They pop into my head several times a day. A memory, a news story, or a bit of conversation may spark a kernel for a story.

For instance, the idea for my current Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides Series came as the result of a photo I came across when searching for a different one. The one I found was from a trip our family took many years ago to the Mayan Dude Ranch near Bandera, Texas. That is in the southern Hill Country, near the Medina River. The experience delighted our daughters and me. Hero was not as enthusiastic, but he was a good sport. (By the way, I'll never choose such a long series name again.)

The photo reminded me how much we love spending time in the Hill Country, and the several times we have included that area on vacations. Unfortunately, the photos have faded too much to be used here. They were processed at a place that used a defective process. Darling Daughter 2 and I even drove through the area on our way home from a conference in San Antonio. Well, it wasn’t officially on our way, but a delightful detour. To us, everything interesting is “on our way.”

I enjoy reading and writing mail order bride stories. I have read numerous books in which true stories of actual mail order brides are related. Chris Enss covered several of particular interest in HEARTS WEST. Some stories were happy while others were tragic. Of course, those I write all have a happy ending!

The photo of our family’s experience at Mayan Dude Ranch led me to the what if several the bachelors of a small town each wound up married to a mail order bride? I invented the small town of Harrigan Springs, county seat of fictional Harrigan County. The town and county name came to me when I was humming the song from an old children’s cartoon, “H-A-double R-I GAN spells Harrigan.” I’m sure that seems odd to those who are not authors, but I’m being honest.

Medina River near dude ranch

Once I had the location, I needed to choose the bachelors and their names and occupations. I try not to duplicate main character names. I chose Gentry, Jesse, Levi, Sidney, Keith, Isaac, and Edmund. After I released Gentry, so many readers wanted a story about Gentry’s younger brother, Quinn, that I added him to the series and wrote his book as book 3 in the series. Then, I had to assign each hero a profession.

Next, is the heroines. Each heroine must present a challenge to the hero. At the same time, she must be different than those I’ve chosen for other stories. I outlined the series and came up with a list of heroines I felt would work. Since only three of the books have been released, I suppose we’ll see how readers like them. Heidi Roth from Bavaria marries rancher Gentry McRae, Rosalin from Washington D.C. marries Sheriff Jesse Cameron, and Priscilla Bradford from Boston marries rancher/gambler Quinn McRae. Next will be Maeve Kelly from Ireland via New York, who marries blacksmith and entrepreneur Levi Iverson. That book will be released at the end of March.

r

Books 1-3 of the series

I hope you are reading the Texas Hill Country Mail Order Bride Series. If not, you can find them and my other books at my Amazon Author Page https://amazon.com/Caroline-Clemmons/e/B001K8CXZ6/  Each is available in e-book, print, and is enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.

Keep reading and stay safe!  

CHARACTER INTERVIEW -- ROSALIN ARNOLD

 By Caroline Clemmons

Today we welcome Rosalin Arnold to the blog. Those of you who read JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE will remember that Rosalin is the heroine of that book. Rosalin, thank for coming your interview.

Thank you for inviting me today. I hope I’m dressed appropriately.

You look lovely. Tell our readers where you were born and grew up.

My parents died when I was four. I was sent to an orphanage. Life there was grim. I wasn’t exactly mistreated, but the staff members were not fond of children. We were often shamed for being orphans, as if we could help the situation.

 

That’s terrible. Hard to imagine people working at an orphanage if they didn’t like children, but I hear that is too often the case. What did you do after you left the orphanage?

Oh, I hate to admit what happened. You see, I started out working in an eatery as a waitress. It wasn’t too bad—until I met this young man named Johnny. He convinced me he could find me a better job where I’d make more money for easier work. Now I know if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

 What happened, Rosalin?

The interview for the job went well, but I didn’t really understand what I’d be doing. I was so naïve. When it was too late, I learned the work was picking pockets for a man who was nothing less than the devil incarnate. He trapped people into working for him under threat of death if they tried to leave. I was terrified of him, but I didn’t let him know I was. Even talking about him makes me shudder. I wanted to escape, but was afraid to try. I admit it took me three years before I could get my plan in action.

Rosalin Arnold

 

Did you have friends there to help you?

My best friend was my roommate. She grew up in an orphanage, too. We tried to stick together, but we had to pickpockets to survive. Neither of us did very well. I was good at picking pockets, but I wouldn’t take money from someone unless they looked as if they could afford to lose it. My friend wasn’t very good at picking pockets. I didn’t let her in on my plan, but I knew I would take her with me.

Rosalin's roommate

 So, you mean you ran away?

I was so frightened, but our evil boss threatened to send my roommate to one of his so-called hotels. He was looking at me with lustful eyes, but I wouldn’t become his mistress. There was the sweetest little boy who was often beaten because he didn’t bring in enough money. I couldn’t leave without them, could I?

Boy when Rosalin met him

 

That sounds frightening. What happened?

Oh, so much, it would take a long time to tell you! But, I don’t think I should spoil the story for you. By the way, Jesse is a Texas sheriff. He is so handsome and good and kind, my heart beats faster just thinking about him. You can learn all the details if you read JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD64JC1D?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Stay safe and keep reading!

SHERIFF JESSE CAMERON, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

By Caroline Clemmons

Welcome Sheriff Jesse Cameron as our guest today, the hero of JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE. Jesse, thank you for agreeing to our interview.

Thank you, ma’am. I’m honored to be invited, though I dinnae ken why your readers would be interested in the Harrigan County Sheriff.  

I know you’re a Texas sheriff, but I detect an accent in your speech. Would you tell us from where you’ve come?

Aye, I came from Scotland. First, I worked as an indentured sailor for 7 years to pay for my passage to America. I started my indentured service at 14—almost 15—because I could pass for 18, you ken? I was tall for my age.

An indentured sailor sounds hard. Did you like life on a ship?

Nae, I hated every day, but I'd given my word to work 7 years. I never break my word, you ken? A man's word is his honor. I wanted to come to America, and didnae have the money for the fare. This was the only way I could manage to get here.

What was life like growing up in Scotland?

My family lived on a farm not far from Kelso. We raised sheep. Mum also had chickens and a few goats for milk. She made and sold her goat cheese. We also had a couple of cows. You can tell I didnae escape caring for the animals. We lived in a small cottage, but we enjoyed one another. I had a grand time growing up. I didnae mind working with Da on the farm, but that wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life.

Your leaving must have upset your parents.

Aye, they worried about me leaving so young. Mum and Da are great parents who understood my wish to leave and live in America. In fact, they will join me here after my Gran dies. She’s a grand lady, so no one is eager for that day to come.

What brought you to send for a mail order bride?

Several months back, I helped fight a grass fire on a local ranch. Volunteers barely saved the house, but much of the grass and some cattle were destroyed. A couple of people collapsed from the heat and stress. If not for a sudden downpour, more would have been lost, including men exhausted from fighting the fire. The sudden danger presented to so much land and so many people reminded me how fleeting life could be. I evaluated my life and realized it was time to settle down. I bought a house and sent for a bride. My best friend is my deputy, and he decided to send for a bride from the same matchmaker. Turned out our brides are cousins.

Rosalin

That sounds like a good result. Are you each pleased with your bride?

Aye, the plan worked out grand. My bride, Rosalin, is beautiful, regal, intelligent, and works hard to please me. I couldn’t be happier—except I feel like there’s something she’s hiding from me. I haven’t worked out what it could be, and she insists there’s nothing. She brought her nephew, who’s 8. He’s a good boy, but he has a lot of nightmares. My deputy is sure pleased with his bride, who is a pretty chatterbox.

Oh no, I dropped my list of questions. Pardon me while I gather them.

Ma’am, I appreciate you having me here today, but I have to get back to work. Tell your readers if they’d like to learn more about me, check out my story in JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE at Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD64JC1D?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

   

The Medina River near Harrigan Springs. Texas

YOUR ASSIGNMENT SHOULD YOU ACCEPT IT

 By Caroline Clemmons

I hope you’re enjoying the arrival of Fall. I love the colorful leaves and cooler weather. Someday, I’d love to visit New England at this time of year. Not likely to happen. I’ll have to content myself with a couple of watercolors done by a New England artist, Mrs. E. Van Liew.

Today, I want to encourage each of you to do something for posterity. Doesn’t that sounds important? In my opinion, it is. 

Here goes: Even if you couldn’t care less about genealogy or history, someone in your family’s future will. Start now and write down everything you remember your mom, dad, aunts, uncles, and grandparents telling you about their lives. I mean all the little stories that they told—good and bad—which seemed incidental at the time you heard them. Unless you record them permanently, those stories will disappear.

You don’t have to do any research! 

Facts remain for others to find. Thank goodness for our National Archives, for Ancestry.com, and for the massive archives stored by the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) in Utah. But, you see, those are just the skeleton of your past. You need the anecdotes to flesh out the body of information and give it life.

Personally, I have enjoyed research because (1) I'm a history nerd and (2) facts made history come alive for me. When you learn where those in your family served in wars back to the American Revolution, those people are not just names and dates—they’re individuals.

For instance, the reason ancestors of my dad's moved to Georgia was because they blew up an English munitions warehouse near the end of the American Revolution. You can understand how this made them extremely unpopular with the English, who put up handbills and issued warrants for the extended family. They had to abandon their former home quite rapidly.

I admit learning this relieved my mind. Previously I had wondered if they lived in Georgia because initially someone in the family had come when Georgia was a penal colony. <g> See, research can be liberating!

As I said, you don’t have to do research. 

Simply write the stories you remember. They don’t have to be in chronological order. Some of the stories will be funny, some exaggerated, and some sad. You’ll discover repeating cycles of strength and weakness. They are part of you. No, finding bad people doesn’t make you bad; that’s not what I mean.

I’ve done my part for my family. My mother-in-law asked me to write a book about her life for her grandchildren. I did, but then we had to have a second set of copies done for other people in the family. Since I did a book for my mother-in-law, I had to do one for my mother, even though I don't think she really cared until it was finished, other than the keeping things equal. (Hero’s parents and my mom were in the same Sunday School class.) My dad had asked me to write a book about his family, and I’d been collecting information for years. Unfortunately, he died before his book was printed. Now I’ve done three family books, and I’m done. My sister-in-law did one about Hero’s dad.

Now it's your turn for your family.  See how I passed the buck... er, I mean baton.

Stay safe and keep reading. Don't forget Sheriff Jesse Cameron and Rosalin Arnold's story comes out the 29th!

WHAT ARE YOUR HERO'S QUALITIES?

When you pick up a romance, what do you expect from the hero? Let’s talk about the main components of a hero, shall we?

First, let’s get his appearance out of the way. Do you require a thick head of hair and perfect physique before a man can be a hero in your eyes?  Does he have to be a certain height, have a particular color of eyes, and wear his hair a certain way? If he’s bald are all bets off? What if he’s a geek who wears glasses and isn’t that fit? What each of us means by “perfect” hero physically probably differs from one reader to the next. Not that I’m turned off by a handsome man, mind you, but I don’t care as much about his physical aspects as about his character.

I’m reminded about once when my daughter and I were headed into a store. This handsome young man in a Stetson held the door open for us. When we thanked him, he smiled politely (as opposed to leering), gave a slight bow, and said in the most adorable Southern drawl, “It was my pleasure.” What a great hero he would have made for a romance novel—if the rest of his actions matched his first impression.

Here are some qualities that are necessary for a hero, at least IMO. These qualities might not exist at the first of the book, but they’d better be there by the end or I want my money back.

[1] He has to be trustworthy. In our part of the country, you hear “His word is his bond.” That means if he says it, he’ll do it and you don’t need a contract to hold him to his word. No man with that reputation would risk losing it.

[2]  Loyalty. If he’s you’re friend, you don’t have to worry about him stabbing you in the back, figuratively or literally. He will defend you to others and, as the saying goes, have your back. Another saying from the Southwest along this line is “ride for the brand,” and it doesn’t just mean cowboys who work on a ranch.  If he takes a man’s money for a job, he won’t cheat his employer.

[3] Not afraid of commitment. Not just in romance, but I’m reminded of a man with whom I once worked. He was in his thirties but still lived in the rented apartment he moved into for grad school, rented his office, leased a car, had the same girlfriend for five years—yet wondered why no one took him seriously as an adult. His lifestyle was still grad student. Talk about arrested development. 

[4] Takes a stand. This may be a part of commitment, but I list it separately. It means he won’t be a “yes” man to anyone. He is not afraid to state his opinion about a course of action, and not afraid to follow up on that opinion.

Gentry McRae in the GENTRY AND THE MAIL ORDER BRID, fulfills each of the qualities listed above. You can get his story at is https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6YN6QHK in ebook, print and in KU. 

Here's the blurb:

Nothing much riles Gentry McRae. He works hard on the ranch he co-owns with his best friend, and is content with his life. He’s proud of all they’ve accomplished in the ten years since the war. That is, until his partner dies and leaves a fourth of the ranch to his mail-order bride—and wills the bride to Gentry. 

"Now just a doggone minute! I don't plan to marry for a couple of years."

Although Gentry protests, he admits a single woman can’t reside on a ranch where four men live without ruining her reputation. What’s a good man to do, except marry the woman when she arrives?

Heidi Roth has been spurned for being too plainspoken and too tall. In addition, her sister constantly makes fun of her for those reasons. That’s why—with many doubts—she’s willing to travel for months from Germany to Texas to marry a man who once lived in her town. When she arrives, she learns her prospective groom is dead, but left her a fourth of his share of a ranch. She has serious doubts, but agrees to wed Gentry to protect her reputation. Sure enough, from the next day, one event after the other happens to complicate life.

I’m sure you can think of more qualities you look for in your heroes. Tell me what they are, and which you think are most important.  

EVERYONE HAS A STORY!

The job that was the most fun (before I wrote books) was as a feature columnist and reporter for a small town newspaper. I met so many interesting people! The position was one for which I sort of stumbled into innocently. Hero joked that I spent so much time writing for the newspaper that I was making only pennies per hour. I suspect he was right.

We’ve moved several times. Being a “joiner” was how I became acquainted with members of my new community. First, we joined a church, and then I found groups in which I could meet others of mutual interest: newcomers clubs, home extension clubs, book clubs, docent, bridge clubs, and so forth. Our two daughters were (are) severe asthmatics. They were ill too frequently for me to work away from home. As a volunteer and/or club member, I was able to miss a meeting whenever I had a sick child.

Because I loved journalism, I often became the publicist for a group. I took the stories of meetings and events to the newspaper office, complete with photos labeled with captions. One day I took text and photos for three clubs to the local newspaper. The editor came out to speak to me. The woman who wrote a weekly column on local happenings had just told the editor that “nothing happened” and she had no column for the third week in a row.

The editor/co-owner, who was a lovely woman, was understandably upset. She had held space for the weekly column, but there was no content to use. She asked if I would like to become the new weekly columnist. I was flattered, but explained about my daughters’ frequent serious illnesses. So, the editor told me I could work at home and just come into the newspaper one day a week when I could. She pointed out that I’d be getting paid for stories like I’d just submitted. Of course I accepted.

When the previous columnist learned I’d taken her place, she was so angry that she called me. She informed me that she had a masters degree in journalism from Northwestern University and was an excellent writer—and who did I think I was that I could take her place? I listened to her rant, and then explained that I did not ask for the position, I was invited and accepted.

Obviously, I love to write. My only training was three years of journalism in public school, one of which was as editor of the school newspaper. My father had told me that a good writer could create a story about anything. One example he used was a fly on the wall—what had it seen, where had it been, where was it going, etc.?

I wanted to prove myself worthy of the editor’s trust. I filled the column inches set aside for me, but I found so much more that I thought readers would find interesting. I sought and wrote about fascinating people in the community. Subscriptions increased substantially. The editor credited my human interest features as the reason.

Here is my theory. People don’t take the local newspaper for global news—that’s on television and radio 24 hours a day. Instead, they want to be aware of what’s happening in their town/county. Everyone you meet has an interesting story.

Why did I share this anecdote? To let you know that the main character in my latest novel has a similar job. Zoe Wilder is a feature writer for The Spencer’s Ridge Gazette in Winston County, Texas. She has many more adventures than I did (fortunately for me). Although I received a bomb threat via telephone, I was never in actual danger. Zoe has a knack for finding trouble.

I hope you’ll give Zoe (and me) a chance. The cozy mystery series is lighthearted and sweet. You can find the first Zoe Wilder book, DEATH IN THE PERFECT HOUSE, at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RY7G2NW You can find it in e-book and print and enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.

Everyone has a story--what's yours?

Stay save and keep reading!

  

THEODOSIA -- A NEW RELEASE!

 

By Caroline Clemmons

Help me celebrate my book's birthday!

THEODOSIA: A Proxy Mail-Order Bride is now available for your reading pleasure. I love these characters and hope you'll agree with me. This is the book I was writing when Covid knocked me for a few loops. I had to finish other projects and dropped out of a few, but now Theo and Houston's story is ready for you. 

Houston and Theo make a lovely couple. I knew they'd be perfect for one another from the first, but they had to get a few things worked out. Their marriage is going surprisingly well... then the blow falls. You knew there would be an obstacle or two, didn't you?

She barely escapes death...

He is angry he has been jilted…

They must defend themselves against mysterious assailants.

Theodosia “Theo” Jordan has lived with the harsh aunt and uncle who are her guardians since her parents’ death eight years ago. In three weeks she will turn twenty-one and inherit the estate now controlled by her uncle. When she overhears her aunt and uncle planning her death, she immediately escapes Atlanta by becoming a proxy bride and heading for a small town in Texas.

Houston Kingsley yearns for a happy family like he had before his wife’s death earlier that year. A fraudulent mail-order bride who jilts him and keeps the money he sent her discourages him. Is he destined to raise his children alone? His brother convinces him to try for a proxy bride.  The process sounds simple enough—if he can scrape up the cash for a second fare and travel expenses.

But unknown forces create danger for Theo and Houston. Can they discover and defeat the guilty to achieve the happy home each desires?

THEODOSIA is a sweet western historical romance set in 1878 Denison, Texas, although Theo is from Atlanta, Georgia.

https://www.amazon.com/Theodosia-Proxy-mail-Order-Bride-ebook/dp/B09BD7RKXF

Here's an excerpt when Theo first arrives at her new home:

           Shyness struck Theo as her husband led her toward their home's front porch.

At the door, he stopped and unlocked it before pocketing his keys. “Always planned to do this. Hope you don’t mind.” He scooped her up and carried her across the threshold.

She couldn’t keep a surprised squeal from escaping, followed by laughter. “I always hoped my husband would do that.” That meant he hadn’t done so with his first marriage. That knowledge created more questions.

Appearing pleased, he gestured around them. “You see the foyer isn’t large, but accommodates a hall tree. They also had a grandfather clock against that wall, but they took it with them. Maybe we can get one someday.”

She removed her hat and added it to the shelf on the hall tree, then hung her coat on a hook. “That sounds nice.” She’d need elbow grease to polish away faint marks of where the clock had stood.

After adding his jacket and hat to the hall tree, he studied her. Slowly, he walked around her as if assessing her appearance. “I never expected a redhead for a wife. A lot of folks think redheads have a bad temper and are bad luck.”

Luckily for him, she realized he was teasing, his blue eyes sparkling with humor and mischief. “I never expected my husband would have a beard. A lot of women don’t like a man with whiskers on his face. Some men grow them to hide a weak chin.”

He grinned and spread his hands. “Hey, I can shave off my beard.”

She shifted her shoulders and sent him a saucy smile. “Hey, I can shave off my hair if the color doesn’t suit you. Would you prefer a bald wife?”

He laughed. “I give up, you win this round. Although, I know many women color their hair. Many even try for the color of yours.”

He gave a mock bow. “By the way, I find your hair a pleasing shade. Let’s continue the tour.” He guided her through the downstairs.

Have you followed me on BookBub? If not, please do.

Here’s the link:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/caroline-clemmons

 

Stay safe and keep reading,