An Interview with Hamish Adams by Caroline Clemmons

 

Welcome, Readers. Today we have a guest who's a bit different than our usual visitors. Hamish Adams is the father of Avonleigh, our heroine in SHAD in the Guns for Hire series. Mr. Adams is an impressive man with the air of one used to being in control. He’s dressed in dungarees and plaid shirt. As he enters, he is removing his western hat—probably a Stetson.

CC: Come in, Mr. Adams, and have a seat. I'm so glad you're here today so our readers can meet you.

HA: Thank you for inviting me today, but don't know why you thought anyone would be interested in what I had to say.

CC: Our readers will be very interested. You've had such an exciting life. Why don't you tell us about growing up?

HA: Well, I grew up in the Scottish Highlands not far from Loch Loman. Sure is pretty country up there but there just isn’t enough land available to the likes of me. You see, I had my heart set on being a rancher. Sure was hard to leave my family, but they understood and gave me their blessing. I'd heard about free land out West so that's where I headed. Met a man in Texas who told me about this part of the country in northern New Mexico Territory.  I sure am glad. I never saw a place so pretty and now I live here.

CC: You certainly have a nice ranch, at least that's what I've heard. As I understand it, some of it is federal grazing land but some of it is your own land. Is that right?

HA: Yes, ma'am that's right. My wife and… um … maybe I should back up and mention I met my wife in Boston. I fell in love with her immediately first time I saw her and she latched on to me, too.  We had a short courtship, then came West. She was the love of my life. We set up this ranch and I built a house—of course, it was small, but we were happy there. (Grows solemn and looks wistfully at the wall for a moment, then shakes his head.) I don't guess I'll ever get over losing her.

CC: That must have been hard, having a small child and no wife and trying to get your ranch running. How did you manage?

HA: If it hadn't been for the Montoya family, I don’t know what I would have done. Lupe and Marcia Montoya saved me. Marcia took charge of the house and my darling girl. Lupe continued to help me as my foreman and best friend. As their family grew, they were like my family. Sure are fine people.

CC: When did your current struggles start?

HA: When that low-down rascal Larkin bought the spread to ours. We hadn't had any trouble from that side until he arrived, then he wanted to buy my  ranch. I refused to sell. You can't tell me that isn't why I got shot in the back.

CC: Oh no, that sounds terrible! I'm so glad you survived.

HA: Only because Lupe heard the shots and came to investigate. He found me lying on the grass and took me home. I needed a doctor in the worst way, so Lupe and his two sons snuck me out of the house … oh it’s complicated. They eventually got me to town and the doctor.

CC: Goodness, that was fortunate as well as complex. Since you're here today, it must mean that everything all worked out.

HA: Harumph, not by a long shot. My darling girl had a confrontation with that Larkin, who tried to hold her hostage, but she got away. Fellow name of Shad found her and saved her life. (He chuckles and his eyes sparkle with humor.) Not sure that young man realizes she has set her cap for him, so he might as well just give up. Seems like a real nice man, but I told him I'm gonna shoot him when I'm well. He didn't even look worried. (He stands and gestures with his hat.) Ma’am, I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me. I see a couple of Larkin’s riders out the window and I sure don't want them to catch me here. Lupe’s waiting for me out back, so I’ll slip out that way. Thank you for inviting me.

CC: Thank you for coming, Mr. Adams. I wish you and your daughter the best of success in getting your ranch back and getting rid of all those troubles. Well, readers, Mr. Adams has left the room and is on his way somewhere else. I surely hope he's successful, don’t you?

If you haven’t yet read SHAD, I hope you'll be intrigued and want to fall into the adventure and into romance. SHAD's at Amazon and is also in kindle unlimited as are all my books. click HERE to buy  SHAD.

  Thanks for stopping by—keep reading books!

#99¢ SALE OCTOBER 9-14TH

 By Caroline Clemmons

Excitement is building… Fall is here! That means we’re gearing up for cooler weather and the holidays. I’m also excited because I have a book on sale. I love a bargain and hope you do, too.

Don’t you agree that being thrust through time would be spooky? If you went back in time, at least you’d have knowledge of history to get you through. Ah, but what if you were zapped ahead?

In that case, everything would be new and unfamiliar. Some buildings might remain from your time, but even those likely would be altered. Houses would have different residents.

That’s what happened to Penelope “Penny” Terry in the book TEXAS LIGHTNING, Texas Time Travel Series Book 1. The feisty redheaded rancher is running from rustlers when a lightning strike spooks her horse. Penny is thrown and rolls into a borrow ditch before she’s knocked unconscious. When she comes to, she’s soaking wet and must walk through the rain to her home.

As the headline indicates, TEXAS LIGHTNING is on sale for only 99¢ from Saturday, October 9 through Thursday, October 14th. Don't miss this chance to snap up this book at a bargain price. Of course, it's always free in Kindle Unlimited. You can also purchase it in print.

Here’s the description:

How can two people from different eras own the same ranch?

Penelope Jane Terry knows everything about ranching in spite of being a lone woman. She is determined to send to jail the rustlers who believe they can steal what is hers… until she is caught spying on their dirty works and must ride for her life. What Penny doesn’t count on is being hurtled almost 125 years into the future.

Jake Knight believes the attractive woman who stumbled into his home one rainy evening either has amnesia or is certifiably insane. Unless, that is, she is in league with whoever is trying to drive him out of business. Someone is trying to force him to sell his ranch by staging a string of damaging incidents. Jake’s been kept so busy making repairs that he can’t run his ranch. Even if he were stupid enough to wish to sell, the ranch is so firmly entailed that no one can break the conditions.

Jake gradually learns Penny is who she claims, no matter that time travel is supposed to be impossible. They’re locked into a clash that only one of them can win. If an outsider weren’t trying to kill Jake as well as bankrupt him, perhaps he and Penny might be able to reach an agreement. But, there is also that treasure….

Find TEXAS LIGHTNING for sale on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Lightning-Time-Travel-Book-ebook/dp/B07B6R1K44

 

Enjoy an excerpt:

She should have gone around to the back door, but she couldn’t walk another step. Weariness and sore muscles overwhelmed her and she wanted nothing more than to shuck out of her wet things and lie in her nice bed—if she could summon the energy to walk upstairs. She heard footsteps approaching and raised one foot. Eyes closed, she leaned back against the stairs.

“Had me a passel of trouble, Jake. Help me get these danged boots off, would you? Then I’ll tell you all about it.” A dog’s cold nose pressed against her cheek. She jumped and pushed her hair out of her eyes. A black and white dog stared at her. “Who are you?”

“His name’s Rascal.” An unfamiliar baritone said, “He’s mine.”

She looked up.

Whoa! The man who faced her wasn’t Jake. In spite of her wariness, her mouth dropped open in awe. Instead of her arthritic middle-aged cook, this man was young and tall and definitely fit. And handsome. Unbelievably, mesmerizingly handsome.

He might be as comely as a fairy tale prince, but the regal disapproval on his face appeared anything but friendly.

Energized by fear, she jumped to her feet and grabbed her rifle. “Who the heck are you?”

He crossed his arms and ignored the Winchester pointed at his middle. His dark hair glistened in light that seemed too bright. Dark blue eyes had tiny creases at the corners, as if he laughed a lot.

He sure wasn’t laughing now.

“I might ask you the same question. And what are you doing tracking in mud and dripping water all over my foyer?”

“Your foyer? This is my house, and it’s been my house since my daddy and I built it six years ago. Don’t you think for one minute I’ll let you steal my home.”

 The dog growled, the fur of his ruff bristling.

The man snapped his fingers. “Quiet, Rascal.”

Who was this man? He didn’t look the type but maybe he was one of the men stealing her cattle. Could he and his dog have been waiting for her? She gripped the rifle with all her strength. Why hadn’t Jake shown up to help her?

Oh, no, had they killed Jake?

He glared at her. “Lady, I don’t know who you are, but this is my house, get it? I grew up here. My daddy grew up here. My granddaddy grew up here.”

Penny’s knees trembled, but she fought fear to appear strong. “Don’t try and trick me. The Double T ranch was started by my granddaddy in 1836. No con man is going to steal it from the Terry family, and you can take that to the bank.”

“The Terry family hasn’t owned this since Penelope Terry died in 1896. Knights have owned it since then.” He threw up his hands. “Hell, why am I arguing with a crazy woman?”

“Crazy?” She was about to light into him when the first part of his statement hit her. “Hey, what do you mean, I died? I’m as alive as you, whoever you are.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I see you’re alive. I said Penelope Terry died. Are you hard of hearing as well as nuts?”

Increasing fear spiraled inside Penny, knotting her stomach. How could this man think her dead? What kind of trick was he working? Had she been conked out long enough that Jake sent men out to look for her and they decided she’d died?

Forcing herself to appear calm when she shook inside, Penny stood erect. “I’m Penelope Jane Terry and you can see I’m very much alive…”

Poor Penny has a heap of trouble—but then, so does Jake Knight. If you haven’t already read this time travel, I hope you want to know how they work things out between them. Plus, discover who’s deviling Jake and why?

Stay safe and keep reading!

RELEASE DAY FOR MAIL-ORDER VICTORIA

Release day is here for MAIL-ORDER VICTORIA, Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies book 7. I hope you will read and enjoy Victoria’s story. In my opinion, she’s a lovely person who is determined to give her daughter a good life. Greg Hardy is a good man who wants to protect his children and his ranch. However, they have different ideas of how to accomplish their goal. 

You can find this at the Universal Amazon link https://mybook.to/Victoria

If you prefer to order via the U.S. Amazon link, it’s https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Widows-Brides-Secret-Babies-ebook/dp/B086DFCDRB

Here’s the summary:

She has to protect her baby . . .

He is desperate for help . . .

Trouble preys on their livelihood . . .

Widow Victoria Bailey is desperate to prevent her in-laws from gaining custody of her eighteen-month-old daughter. If becoming a mail-order bride is her only option, she’ll take the risk. At least on a Texas ranch she’ll have quiet and peace. She doesn’t have time to let the groom know she’s bringing her daughter. Surely no man can object to one perfect little girl.

Widower Greg Hardy is desperate to get help with his home and his children. He needs to be pursuing whoever is rustling his cattle. A mail-order bride seems to be exactly what he needs but should he keep his children a secret? To insure he doesn’t scare off a prospective wife, he omits the fact that he has five children aged from eight months to twelve years old. 

Their marriage starts with misunderstanding. They decide to work together to fight against a common foe. Will the fight take a toll on their fragile happiness?

And here’s an excerpt of Victoria preparing for a bad storm when her new husband and his ranch hands are off chasing rustlers:

The excited whinnies of horses captured Victoria’s attention. She went to the window to see if someone was outside. Instead, she saw the dark cloud bank approaching. She raced to Cindy’s room.

“There’s a bad storm coming. The clouds look as if they contain hail or worse. Please watch the children while I put up the chickens and try to get the horses into the barn.”

The girl laid aside her book. “I can take care of the chickens. Sid can watch the other children.”

She laid a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Cindy, if this is a really bad storm and it hits while I’m outside, you’ll need to get the babies and Martha into the cellar. You’re the only one besides me who can manage that. I know I can depend on you. Frankie can get down the steps on his own with you watching. I’ll take Sid with me.”

She slipped into the boys’ room and saw that Sid was awake. “Come with me quickly, please.”

“What’s wrong?” He shoved his feet into his boots and followed her.

She hurried down the hall. “There’s a storm coming that might have hail in it and I’d hate for the hens to be injured or so frightened they quit laying eggs. I’ll get the horses into the barn if I can.”

Sid kept up with her. “The other horses will follow better if you bring in the bay stallion. He’s the leader.”

Wind blew in gusts, whipping up dust from the yard and molding her skirts against her. Greenish tinted air carried a heavy scent of moisture. She didn’t know about Texas weather, but in Atlanta these conditions meant one devil of a storm was on the way.

“I’ll get the horses while you get the hens. Can you do that?”

The boy hurried as they raced across the yard. “I’ve done it before.”

Victoria had ridden since she was eight but she’d never handled a frightened horse. She opened the barn door to the paddock and tried to whistle. Failing that, she turned and hunted a container. Using a bucket filled with oats, she cajoled the bay into the barn.

As Sid predicted, some of the other horses followed. There weren’t enough stalls for all the animals. To keep those she’d lured into the barn from leaving, she penned them by moving hay bales and barrels into their path. Both dogs were upset but fortunately wanted to remain inside the barn.

She ran out to the paddock and slapped a horse on the rump. Using the apron she’d removed, she shooed the stragglers toward the barn. Sid appeared and helped. He removed his shirt and waved it to drive the horses

The wind increased and pushed at her. Sid appeared to have trouble staying upright and the wind whipped his shirt from his hands. The airborne shirt caught on the fence and he grabbed it.

 Thunder rumbled and lightning shot across the sky not far in the distance. The storm moved rapidly their way. Soon it would be directly over them.

She and the boy got the horses inside and shut the barn door. She was breathless and rested her back against the door briefly. Would Greg and his ranch hands be all right?

“The milk cows are safe in here. What about the pigs? What does your father do to protect them?”

He buttoned his shirt. “We don’t do anything. They’re smart enough to go into the covered part of their sty. It’s like a small barn.”

Raindrops fell outside—large ones. Or was it hail? They couldn’t delay.

She put her arm around the boy’s shoulder. “We have to get to the house and into the cellar. Let’s hurry. When I open the barn door, you run for the house and go straight to the cellar. If Cindy doesn’t have the others there tell her to get them there now. I’ll secure the barn and be right behind you.”

Had water been given the animals? Feed to the milk cows and chickens? They were safe and she didn’t dare delay any longer. Deafening thunder rumbled overhead. Dark clouds released a downpour. By the time she reached the porch’s shelter, she was drenched.

MAIL-ORDER VICTORIA is part of a multi-author project (MAP) but is stand-alone. Being involved in these projects with several other authors is good for me. It takes me back to working for a newspaper when I was given an assignment and told how long to make it and the deadline. Although for a MAP I’m given parameters by the series creator, I get to write what I want within those guidelines.

I hope you’ll give MAIL-ORDER VICTORIA a chance and will enjoy it. I love writing and will continue as long as readers enjoy my work.

A NEW PROXY BRIDE -- A BRIDE FOR DALTON!

Here’s another book birthday! Please help me celebrate A BRIDE FOR DALTON, Proxy Brides book 25. I’m pleased to add another release to this popular multi-author series. Christine Sterling conceived the series and I believe there are about fifteen or so authors involved. Virginia McKevitt has created the covers. I love the image on this cover. Aren’t her eyes blue?

I laughed at some of the scenes in this book and hope readers will also. There are also tense scenes but I don’t want to give the plot away entirely. You already know the story ends with a happily-ever-after. 

About The Book

Rebecca wants a husband but not the man her stepbrother/guardian insists she wed. To escape his serious threats she turns to a family friend for help. Reverend McClain suggests she enter a proxy marriage to his only living relative, a nephew who ranches in Montana. Out of options, she agrees. Until she arrives in Sweet Springs, she has no idea the telegram with instructions to her supposed groom has not been delivered. Where does that leave her?

Dalton is working with dangerous men to accomplish his goal. Even though he’s been lonely, the last thing he needs at this time is a wife in the way. He’s a gentleman and sees no other solution than to complete the vows. How is he going to keep Rebecca out of harm’s way while he completes this job?

Rebecca and Dalton embark on married life in unusual circumstances. Can love blossom in tumultuous times?

The universal link to the book is http://getbook.at/Dalton

Pre-Order Problems

By the way, some who preordered the book won’t receive it without re-ordering. Amazon inadvertently listed the book twice and some preorders went to one listing and some to the other. When one of the listings was deleted, so were the preorders for that one.

Excerpt

Back at the barn, he told her, “Wait where you are until I can help you.”

She bristled a bit. “I can get down by myself, Dalton.”

“I know you can but can you stand up when you do?” He helped her dismount.

She wobbled and held on to him. “Oh, my, I see what you mean. My legs don’t want to support me.”

“Stand there a few seconds until your legs cooperate. In the meantime, I’ll take advantage of the situation.” He kissed her several times and she responded with equal measure. His enthusiasm increased and he wondered if she’d agree to cavorting on the hay.

Bert’s voice cut in, “Can’t leave you two alone, can I? Leave your horses to me and go on up to the house if you’ve a mind for that kind of thing.”

Dalton grabbed her hand and, laughing together, they ran toward the house.

 Reader Appreciation Event

You have until the 14^th to enter for prizes and chit chat. The event and schedule can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/2422613808007816/

MAIL ORDER OUTLAW -- BRIDES OF TOMBSTONE FROM CYNTHIA WOOLF

How exciting to welcome one of my favorite authors, Cynthia Woolf. Authors are constantly trying to come up with something we haven't used before, and Cynthia has accomplished that extremely well. Her latest release is MAIL ORDER OUTLAW, the first of her Brides of Tombstone Series, and this book has many surprising characters and events. I've already purchased my copy and no doubt you'll want to do the same when you read this post. This book is so interesting that I simply won't be able to stop reading MAIL ORDER OUTLAW until the last line. Late bedtime tonight. ☺ 

Here's what Cynthia has to say:

Thanks for having me Caroline.

I want to talk a little bit about my new series, The Brides of Tombstone. I love doing mail order bride stories but for this one I wanted them to be a little different. I chose Tombstone because it was someplace that everyone has heard about, although next time I think I’ll make up my own city. I can make things exactly the way I want them then.

My husband and I did do a long weekend trip to Tombstone. Two days down, we live in Colorado. Two days back and one in Tombstone. All I can say is that the Tombstone that’s there now is very tame compared to what it was in 1882, the year my book is set. The City of Tombstone circa 2015, is little more than a tourist trap. The buildings are the same ones as were there in 1882, at the height of the silver boom, but they are filled with souvenirs and a few had tours. It was interesting enough, but not historically accurate which is what I’d hoped for.

The first book is called MAIL ORDER OUTLAW.  You can tell by the title that it's a little different than your average mail order bride story. Here's the blurb:

Ed Talbot isn't husband material. He's an outlaw, was forced into his father's gang at the age of thirteen, and is wanted Dead or Alive in more than one territory. But now his father is dead, he hates the life, the blood, and his brother's rages. When a stagecoach robbery goes awry, Ed ends up with a satchel full of charming letters from an enticing your miss. Unfortunately for Miss Lizzie Cobb, her betrothed is now dead, and Ed Talbot sees a way out. Impersonating a fine, upstanding young man shouldn't be too difficult. Despite the risks, falling in love with her proves to be all too easy.

Isolated on her mother's ranch just outside Tombstone, Miss Lizzie Cobb doesn't have the time or the means to find a respectable husband. As a half Apache woman in the Arizona Territory, being a mail order bride seems like the only solution to her problem until she realizes that San Francisco is too far away, and she'll have to leave her vulnerable mother and baby brother behind. Her solution? Call off the wedding.

When her groom shows up on her doorstep, she's shocked. He's handsome, strong, and has traveled hundreds of miles to claim her. His kisses inflame her body and his presence soothes her soul. Falling for the rugged man is beyond her control. But the past has a way of catching up to outlaws, and facing the truth is going to be hard...for both of them.

Does that sound enticing to you? I certainly hope so.

Here is a short excerpt from MAIL ORDER OUTLAW that I hope you'll enjoy.

Outside Tucson, Arizona Territory, May 12, 1882

Ed Talbot adjusted his bandana to cover the lower half of his face. The stagecoach his father had targeted for his latest robbery was about to crest the hill. When it did Ed and his half-brother, Harvey, would be waiting. His father, Josiah Talbot, would fall in behind the vehicle until it came to a halt.

Josiah rode with Harry and Joe, closing in behind.

Ed and his brother waited and the coach was slowing as it was supposed to. Suddenly the shotgun rider started firing his rifle at the men closing in behind.

Ed and Harvey rode toward the coach. Harvey fired his pistol and killed the shotgun rider, but not before they saw Josiah fall. The stage came to a halt and Ed kept his gun on the driver, while Harvey rode past the coach to where their father lay on the ground.

“Nooo.” A howl like Ed had never heard came out of Harvey. Ed knew then that their father was dead, but he didn’t grieve. The man Ed had hated for most of his life was dead. He rejoiced.

Harvey walked forward, reloading his gun as he came. As soon as he got had a full cylinder, he aimed at the driver and shot him dead.

Ed saw what was going to happen and jumped off his horse and ran toward his brother. He grabbed his brother’s arm. “Harvey. What the hell do you think you’re doin’?”

“He killed Pa. He deserved to die. The driver and this man are a witnesses and have to die…” Harvey’s eyebrows came together and he narrowed his eyes. “Or you do and then he dies anyway. Now you got a problem with that?”

That was no choice and Ed was about to say so, when Harvey raised his pistol and fired. The man who’d done nothing but be a passenger on the wrong stage, was dead.

“Couldn’t let you say something you might regret, little brother.” Harvey holstered his gun. “Gather up all the stuff including the luggage and then search all three men,” he instructed Harry and Joe.

Ed noticed a valise in the coach that he assumed belonged to the man. He took it and tied it to his saddle bags.

“Let’s go,” said Harvey. “Take the coach horses, we’ll sell them in town and set the coach on fire.”

Joe gathered up sage brush, so prevalent in this part of the desert near Tucson and piled it inside the coach. Then he took a stick match out of his pocket, struck it against a rock and started the kindling on fire. Within minutes the stagecoach was burning and black smoke billowed into the sky. If they hung around, they’d be found by the sheriff’s posse.

“All right let’s get out of here.” Harvey turned and rode his horse the way they’d come, back to their hideout in the Mule Mountains.

Not having any choice, Ed followed his brother. Harvey would kill him in a heartbeat rather than let him go. Their father had been the same way. Fifteen years ago, when Ed’s mother died, Josiah had taken him into the gang. Ed was thirteen. He learned how to rob stages, trains and banks. He learned how to kill people but he never actually killed anyone. He’d managed to avoid that particular deed. His father and brother thought him a coward, but Ed had no taste for killing a living soul or the outlaw life in general.

Buy links:

http://amzn.com/B00XEKFLIE

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mail-order-outlaw-cynthia-woolf/1121894192?ean=2940151415125

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/mail-order-outlaw/id993479746?ls=1&mt=11

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/mail-order-outlaw

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Woolf_Mail_Order_Outlaw?id=U74kCQAAQBAJ

Cynthia Woolf, Author

Cynthia Woolf was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends. Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian who brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She write her first story at the age of ten...a romance about a little boy she liked at the time.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she's made at Colorado Romance Writers for saving her sanity and encouraging her to explore her creativity.

#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

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VALENTINE'S SPECIAL BONUS

Just in time for Valentine’s Day reading—here is my boxed set HEARTS AND FLOWERS. The set contains three western historical romance novellas already for sale, but readers get one free by buying the boxed set. Three for the price of two—win/win.

You know I love writing and my readers. Boxing these three novellas to give readers a bonus is my way of saying thanks for your loyalty in buying my books. I appreciate and adore each of you for making me an Amazon bestselling author of western historical romance.

Here are the three in HEARTS AND FLOWERS:

SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME is one of my favorite of my works. Probably the reason is that the heroine’s mom is named for my own mother, Lena Mae Phifer. The heroine is named for my mom’s sister, Elizabeth Margaret Phifer. Although my aunt was never called Beth, she is in this novella. The handsome hero, Matt, has to unravel mysteries, stop a murder, and recover kidnap victims. Of course, the lovely heroine does her share. This novella is sensual.

HAPPY IS THE BRIDE is a hectic tale of a wedding in which whatever can go wrong does. But Beth Pendleton and Mason Whittaker become married and found their own family. I thought of this story as sweet until a stuffy review accusing me of writing . . . well, never mind. It is sensual, especially the epilogue.  No one is murdered, no one is kidnapped, no crimes occur—at least not actual crimes. A few things deserve a slap or two from our heroine, but all ends well.

LONG WAY HOME is set in Georgia near the end of the Civil War. Parmelia Bailey is left in charge of her extended family while the men are off at War. That includes her brother’s fiancé and her family, who must be rescued from approaching fighting. Parmelia risks a lot to bring the Hardeman women to stay at her grandmother’s home. Darrick McDonald, Parmelia’s true love who moved away, has returned wearing  Union blue. This is the only time I have set an entire story outside Texas. 

Buy the boxed set here:

http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Flowers-Caroline-Clemmons-ebook/dp/B00IAUKGG0/ref=sr_1_19?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392147983&sr=1-19&keywords=caroline+clemmons

Bless y’all!

Caroline

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INTERVIEW WITH A HERO - STORM KINCAID

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

Tell us about your childhood.

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

What do you do for a living now?

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

How did you meet Rena?

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

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

Is that how she came to be riding with you?

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

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

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

Excerpt from THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP

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

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

“But I saw their faces.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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