COVER REVEAL FOR THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP

The amazing Kim Killion of Hot Damn Designs has designed the cover for THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP, Book 3 of the Kincaids, due to be released October 30^th.

This story is late coming along. Books one and two of the Kincaids have been out for several years. Kim will also be designing new covers for books one and two, by the way. I can hardly wait to see the finished result.

Book one, THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, featured Pearl Parker and her hero Drake Kincaid. Drake intends to find a wife to do his bidding, but he didn’t count on Pearl being a strong, self-sufficient woman. At the end of the book, Drake adopted Pearl’s younger half-brother Storm and half sister Sarah.

The second book, THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND, starred Sarah Kincaid and hero Nate Bartholomew. Nate was a gambler and con man who surprises himself by falling for the woman he intends to fleece. Sarah and Nate adopted three children, a girl and two boys, who were orphans found near a Memphis TN train station.

THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP’s hero is Storm Kincaid and his heroine is Rena Dmitriev. They pursue killers across Central and North Central Texas. On their chase they encounter and adopt three orphans, a boy and two girls. Wait! I see a pattern here.

Yes, I love having children in a story. How the hero and heroine interact with children and pets reveals a lot about their character. Children add complications—as any parent knows. Children also add richness and reward. In the right circumstances, children bind a couple together.

Here’s the blurb for THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP:

Storm Kincaid wants justice; Rena Dmitriev wants vengeance.

When Storm’s best friend and the friend’s wife are murdered, Storm secures a temporary appointment as Federal Marshal so he can trail and capture the killers. He follows them to twenty-one year old Rena’s home, which is in flames when he arrives. She has surived by hiding while the men murdered the elderly man who was her husband in name only.  Storm intends to take her to the nearest town where she will be safe. She can identify the men who killed the person who had been like a grandfather to her and she vows to kill at least one of them. Whether or not Storm allows her to accompany him, she assures him she will go after the murderers.  She is the only person alive who can identify the evil foursome whose policy has been to leave no witnesses. Storm agrees to taker her with him. She’ll be safer with him to protect her than she would riding alone.

As a powerful and passionate love blossoms, they unite to rescue three children, fight the elements, and encounter the killers. Will their love be enough to protect them?

Join me October 30^th  here and on Facebook for a launch party.

Thanks for stopping by!

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

One of my favorite TV shows is "Who Do You Think You Are?" produced by Ancestry.com. Those of you who read this blog regularly know that A Writer's Life maintains family values. Today, I’m talking about a different type of family values.

My brother and sister in law are visiting from halfway across the United States. They live in North Carolina and I live in Texas. I seldom see them, although we keep in touch via phone, email, and Facebook. Having them visit is a treat that occurs only once every few years.

My brother Don and sister in law Penny

For many years I have been interested in family history. A clever move on my part was introducing my brother to the addicting hobby. He has since zoomed ahead of my level of expertise. When we are able to visit face to face, we talk about “Remember when . . . ?” and “Guess what I found out?” until we are exhausted and the eyes of those around us glaze over .

Our Georgia ancestor

Each of us loves history, but particularly as it pertains to our family. Part of my love grew into writing western historical romances set mainly in Texas. Together, we are compiling a lengthy book about our father’s family and allied lines. As my brother unravels more family mysteries, the book grows in content. Hero has asked if we are going back to Noah or all the way to Adam. Such a cynic.

I write western history with happily ever after

Actually, we are almost that bad. Genealogy is an addiction. Each name discovered begs the question What were the names of the parents? When and where were they born? When and where did they die?

We began trying to learn about our father’s grandparents. Many of the stories we have learned would make a wonderful romance novel—if anyone would believe it actually could have happened. The late Tom Clancy said, “The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction has to make sense.” At least, I hope my fiction makes sense.

Our handsome father

You ask the value of all this delving? We have learned much about ourselves. Many patterns repeat in numerous generations. Many illnesses are genetic. We understand our parents’ and grandparents’ superstitions, sayings, and even some behaviors.  

For instance, the only time my grandmother ever scolded me was when I was playing dress up and opened an umbrella in the house. She grabbed it from me and closed it and said, “Now trouble will rain down on this house.”

In addition, we have learned about where we came from as a family. If you’ve watched “Who Do You Think You Are?” you know the type of knowledge I address. We think we are a composite of all those who have come before us.

Another for instance, my maternal grandmother died when my dad was four. She died on Christmas Day. After that, he and his sister and brothers were never allowed to celebrate Christmas. Their father thought it would be disrespectful to celebrate on the date of their mother’s death. What was my dad’s opinion of Christmas? No big deal, just another day. My mom was gung ho on the occasion and planned for weeks and weeks before the day. He went along with her to please her, not because the day had meaning for him.

Our mom's version of Christmas

Over and over, we have learned exciting, sad, funny, and scandalous things about our family. So many events were turning points in our ancestors’ lives.  We have learned why one family moved and another did not. What events persuaded a group to pioneer. What religion they practiced.

We value all this family information. When we have completed this book for which I have been gathering information for twenty years, I will be relieved to pursue my fiction writing exclusively. 

My brother? He will keep digging for the next person or event. It’s an addiction.

Thanks for stopping by! 

PAUL DEBLASSIE III SHARES THE UNHOLY, PARANORMAL MYSTERY

THE UNHOLY

By

Paul DeBlassie III

THE UNHOLY Blurb: 

A young curandera, a medicine woman, intent on uncovering the secrets of her past is forced into a life-and-death battle against an evil Archbishop. Set in the mystic land of Aztlan, The Unholy is a novel of destiny as healer and slayer. Native lore of dreams and visions, shape changing, and natural magic work to spin a neo-gothic web in which sadness and mystery lure the unsuspecting into a twilight realm of discovery and decision.

THE UNHOLY Excerpt:

“Help me? Help yourself! Face what is yours to face,” Elizabeth hissed. She yanked the door open then forced it to slam behind her.

Claire stood still for a moment, feeling as if a tornado had swept through the room. Elizabeth’s demand had left her shaken. She drew a deep breath, then went to her desk and picked up her tea, noticing her trembling hands.

Turning toward the window, Claire saw a muscular orderly accompanying Elizabeth to the locked ward at the far end of the hospital compound. A flock of crows circled high overhead, seeming to follow the two receding figures. As they arrived at the outer doors of the locked unit, the orderly reached for his keys. The crows circled while the two crossed the threshold of the unit, Elizabeth suddenly pausing, turning, and looking outside, her gaze riveted on the flock of birds.

All but two flew off, disappearing into the piñon-covered hills. The two that remained came to rest on the red brick wall adjacent to the locked unit, their black eyes boring into Elizabeth. She looked panicked then enraged and, shaking a finger at the creatures, yelled something. Her frantic gestures told Claire that she was screeching curses to ward off evil.

Claire took a step back from the window, from the impact of Elizabeth’s rage.

The orderly grabbed Elizabeth roughly by the arm and pulled her inside.

The crows waited, watched, then flew away.

Author Paul DeBlassie III, PhD

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

What do you think you’re really good at?

Good at keeping things as simple as possible from my music to my writing (hopefully) to relationships and art and yoga and the other stuff that makes life life.

What do you think you’re really bad at?

 I’m bad, terrible, horrible at nothing.

Have you ever had an imaginary friend?

 Multiple, numerous, legions….I’m a gothic thriller writer!

Do you have any phobias?

 The total terror of not having any fear at all which would be a complete horror vacuii!

Ever broken any bones?

Nope

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Paul DeBlassie III, Ph.D., is a psychologist and writer living in Albuquerque who has treated survivors of the dark side of religion for more than 30 years. His professional consultation practice — SoulCare — is devoted to the tending of the soul. Dr. DeBlassie writes fiction with a healing emphasis. He has been deeply influenced by the mestizo myth of Aztlan, its surreal beauty and natural magic.  He is a member of the Depth Psychology Alliance, the Transpersonal Psychology Association and the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. 

 RAFFLECOPTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Thanks for stopping by!

BOOK REVIEW OF SLEIGHT OF HEART BY JACQUIE ROGERS

SLEIGHT OF HEART is the first of the High Stakes Heroes series by Jacquie Rogers. If you have read her Hearts of Owyhee series, you already know what a fun, fast-paced western historical romance Ms Rogers writes. In fact, Jacquie Rogers is one of my favorite authors, and the 1880’s are my favorite historical period in the Old West.

Lexie and Helen are in exile, so to speak, because Helen committed a social faux pas and embarrassed her parents and friends. Since she can’t be sent from Washington DC alone, Lexie has to put aside her dream to become a math professor to accompany Helen to a Colorado mine in which the family owns a share. The young women have to remain there until Helen’s blunder becomes old news. They’ve been in Silverton, Colorado a year and the mine barely makes enough money to pay the miners and expenses.

The story opens with Alexandra “Lexie” Campbell shooting at Burke O’Shaughnessy. But her anger is misdirected. She mistakes Burke for his younger brother Patrick, who has Lexie’s sister Helen in the family way and has taken the sisters’ five thousand dollars to buy mining equipment. Lexie believes Patrick is a con man and the money Helen gave him is lost.

Lexie and Burke take the train to look for Patrick. Actually, Lexie forces Burke onto the train. The tables soon turn, however. Lexie has an extraordinary mind for numbers—including cards. Burke is a gambler, the son of riverboat gamblers who trained him well. Ms Rogers’ excellent writing blends in historical details with a fast paced romance. In addition to a really good story, she throws in subtle humor and suspense filled with twists and subplots that all tie up in a happily ever after.

I highly recommend SLEIGHT OF HEART to anyone who enjoys western historical romance with a dash of suspense and humor. I give this book a ♥♥♥♥♥ rating. 

Ms Rogers has released SLEIGHT OF HEART as a single title at http://www.amazon.com/Sleight-Heart-High-Stakes-Heroes-ebook/dp/B00FMZYP5Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381116619&sr=1-1&keywords=jacquie+rogers+sleight+of+heart .

You can also buy the book from Amazon as a part of the NINE WAYS TO FALL IN LOVE box set at http://www.amazon.com/Ways-To-Fall-Love-ebook/dp/B00ERAREBW/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381116734&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=caroline+clemmons+kindle+books 

Don’t miss Jacquie Rogers' Hearts of Owyhee series: MUCH ADO ABOUT MARSHALS, MUCH ADO ABOUT MADAMS, MUCH ADO ABOUT MAVERICKS, and the upcoming MUCH ADO ABOUT MINERS. She is also contributing to the Western Fictioneers anthologies, including HELL ON THE PRAIRIE.  WISHING FOR A COWBOY is a holiday western romance anthology coming November 1st. An exciting mix of professional award winning western writers and some terrific new talent can be found in this book.  As an extra bonus there are Christmas recipes in the back.

Find out more about her and her books at www.jacquierogers.com and http://jacquierogers.blogspot.com She also contributes to the blogs Smart Girls Read Romance at http://smartgirlsreadromance.blogspot.com and Cowboy Kisses at http://cowboykisses.blogspot.com

DO YOU LIKE READING A SERIES?

Don’t you love a book in which you enjoy the hero and heroine so much that you are sorry when the book ends and you say goodbye? How lovely then to learn that book is the first of a series and you can follow this couple along with the new hero and heroine of the next book. A good series lets us stay in touch with characters we love.

For me, writing a series is similar to reading one. The characters become real to me and I want to let readers know how these great people continue with their lives. I seek to prove they were worthy of your admiration as they raise their own family while continuing to support extended family and community.

Available individually or as
a boxed set of three

Two series I have currently are the Men of Stone Mountain and the Kincaids. These revolve around families and the people who are their friends. Family series remain powerful and popular with both authors and readers.

A couple of other books, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE and HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME are also the first of what I intend as a series. The former will be a series called the McClintocks and revolve around Dallas McClintock and his extended family of cousins and his brother in law Finn O’Neill.

HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME is a contemporary romance. That series will revolve around family and the community in which they live. This is set in West Texas near where I grew up, so I am fond of this locale.

Series can be linked by a location or a family or a profession. Mine are linked by family. In my opinion, family is important. This can be genetic family or the close knit ties we form with friends who become like family to us.

My current work in progress is THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP, book three of the Kincaids. Storm Kincaid is the hero and he meets a strong-willed German immigrant who steals his heart. This will be released October 30^th and will be available in print and electronic download.

This book has been the hardest to write of any I’ve written. In the middle of it, we listed our former home for sale, sorted and eliminated years of accumulated excess junk . . . I mean stuff, bought another home, moved into it, found we saved too much good stuff, and have been trying to unpack gradually as we can. My writing time and my concentration went by the wayside. Needless to say, I fell far behind in my self-imposed schedule and deadline.

When I write, I immerse myself in my story and pretty much isolate myself in my little writing cave. Life goes on without me, but all I see is the computer monitor. This move disrupted my system, but I have finally carved out my new “writing cave” and time.

How about you? Do you like series or does it matter?   

Thanks for stopping by!

JUST ELLA BY ANNETTE K LARSEN

Tour Schedule

Just Ella by Annette K. Larsen


Book Summary:


A Proper Romance


Ariella was only looking for a distraction, something to break up the monotony of palace life. What she found was a young man willing to overlook her title and show her a new and vibrant way of life. But when her growing feelings for Gavin spiral out of control and clash with the expectations of her station, she will discover that the consequences of her curiosity are far more severe than she’d imagined.


I watched in helpless horror as two guards hauled Gavin to his feet and dragged him from the room. My voice was frozen, unable to protest as another guard took hold of my arm, leading me upstairs. From the confines of my room, I stared into the darkness beyond my window, hoping to catch one more glimpse of Gavin. He was gone, and I wondered if he would have been better off if he had never met me.


I write clean romance. Why? Because that’s what I love to read, but over the years I’ve discovered it’s quite a challenge to find good clean romance. I believe it’s a genre that many people are looking for and too few authors are writing. My first novel, Just Ella, took me many years to write because I wanted it to be more than just a cutesy love story. I wanted it to have depth, to feel genuine. Hopefully I succeeded, but you’ll have to be the judge.

Amazon Paperback * Amazon Kindle

Praise for Just Ella


"I fell in love with this book. Treat yourself to something wonderful. You can't go wrong with Just Ella!" ~Inspired Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer


"By far one of the best romance novels I've ever read. Pulls you in with great, likable characters and keeps you going with a sweet and exciting love story--plus a good plot to give it even more substance. Full of those tender moments you want to go back and read again, plus exciting moments, clever humor, and some suspense as well." ~Jana Miller


"Annette Larsen writes a love story that takes time, is complicated, and yet still sweeps you up in the romance (without the cheese, thank you). It's compelling and emotional and sweet and you will love every page." ~Kimi

Book Blast/Blog Tour Special

Grab your copy of Just Ella for just $3.99!

Excerpt


“Now, wait just a minute. You can’t just plunge into a pool of water.”
“Why not?” I should have said something cleverer, but I felt a bit scatterbrained, all thoughts having fled when Gavin’s arm went around me.
He made a noise of exasperation. “Why not, she asks. Because, Princess, what’s going to happen when you show up for your lessons completely drenched? Or, what happens when we both show up on the palace grounds completely drenched? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to have to explain that to anybody.”
Unfortunately, he had a point. “Don’t call me Princess.” He had been so relaxed today, so willing to be himself and let me be myself. I hated that he felt the need to remind me of my rank. I was tempted to be angry and walk away but I also wanted to see how long he would keep his arms around me. Simply out of curiosity, of course.





Author Annette K. Larsen


I was born in Utah, but grew up in Flagstaff Arizona and St. Louis Missouri, the fifth of seven children. I attended college at Southern Virginia University and Brigham Young University where I studied English and Theater. I now live in Idaho with my husband and four children.


I have Charlotte Bronte to thank for the courage to write novels. After being bombarded with assigned reading about women who justified abandoning either their families or their principles in the name of love, I had the great fortune of reading Jane Eyre. And that was it: finally a heroine who understood that being moral and making the right choice was hard, and sometimes it hurt, but it was still worth it. After rereading it several years later, I realized that if I wanted more books to exist with the kinds of heroines I admired, then I might as well write a few myself. My books are about women who face hard choices, who face pain and rejection and often have to sacrifice what they want for what is right. The consequences are often difficult or unpleasant, but it the end, doing what’s right will always be worth it.


I believe there is no substitute for good writing or good chocolate. Fortunately, one often leads to the other.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

BookBlast Giveaway


$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash


Ends 10/31/13


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thanks you for stopping by!

A PREVIEW OF MY UPCOMING OCTOBER 30TH RELEASE

 With the internet we can “visit” anywhere. No need for a trip to the library with pads of paper, a handful of pens, and coins for the copy machine. With my own research books plus the internet, I’m usually set. I still love the library, but for pleasure reading. Writing is my business.

For my current work in progress, I have the hero and heroine travel through Texas. I pulled out my map, Texas Almanac, and went to the online Texas State Historical Association Handbook of Texas. Fortunately, I’ve driven most of the places on my characters’ journey, but they’re on horseback.

I asked author Paty Jager, who has horses, how far my heroine and hero could ride in a day. It depends on the terrain. Great, so I have to determine the lay of the land as well as what towns were around in 1888. There are a lot of hills on this journey to slow them down until they get to the flatter prairie.

I love writing, and research gets me in the mood even more. Making use of the interesting tidbits I’ve learned fulfills me. Hopefully, they will seem organic and not as if I’m teaching a history lesson.

Federal Marshal Storm Kincaid

My hero is Storm Kincaid from my earlier Kincaid series, THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE and THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND. He is a favorite character for me and I want his book to be especially deserving of him. His heroine is Renata “Rena” Haussmann Dmitriev, a German immigrant whose elderly husband-in-name-only was killed by the men Storm is chasing. 

In the hope of whetting your appetite for the October 30^th release of THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP, here is an excerpt of the opening scene. The year is 1888 and the place is the Texas Hill Country west of Austin.

Rena Haussmann Dmitriev

Rena Dmitriev snapped clusters of wild grapes from the vines in the ravine near her home. She popped one of the plump fruit into her mouth. Tart and sweet combined, and worth enduring the stifling August heat to harvest. She intended to gather enough fruit to make jelly for the coming year.

Hooves thundered near and caused her to pause and listen. Visitors? No one came to call on this isolated place, and why the rush? She rose and grabbed her fruit pail and hurried down the sandy gully toward her home.

A gunshot almost paralyzed her with fear. Chickens squawked then more shots sounded. An anguished moo from her milk cow stopped her. Her animals, who would shoot her animals? She dropped her bucket and ran as fast as her heavy skirts allowed.

Abram cried, “Pfeiffersburg!” 

She halted and her chest hitched. Her legs trembled and she needed to sit down.  No, staying here offered no refuge.

Abram and she had chosen Pfeiffersburg as their warning word. Before their families were killed and he rescued her, they’d lived in separate sections of Pfeiffersburg in Bavaria. If Abram shouted that alert, it meant trouble had arrived too serious for her to help.

Quickly, she must hide. And without making a sound. She crept to the ravine’s crevice her husband had artfully concealed. Edging her way through the narrow tunnel, she reached the secret place he had built. Abram had shaped a dead tree stump so it looked as if it had been cut down from the middle of the plum thicket behind their home.

In reality, he’d hollowed the dead wood and set it firmly with concealed holes that offered a view of the house and yard. The stump stuck above the tunnel three feet, with a small platform beneath the dirt floor where she could stand. At her right, a small shelf held a few provisions.

From that ledge, she grabbed the box containing a spare revolver. Her shaking fingers removed the gun, but couldn’t use it. What she saw forced her to hold back a scream. Four rough men battered her elderly husband. She held her breath until her chest threatened to explode.

To remain quiet, she gulped down breaths. Her entire body shook while her heartbeat raced. She wanted to help Abram as he had helped her years ago, but knew her efforts would be futile and only result in her death. Peering from each cleverly disguised hole, she surveyed the yard.

Already the barn burned. Slaughtered chickens lay strewn around the ground. Blood from the head of her lovely milk cow stained the ground red. The stench of blood mingled with smoke. Why? Why would these men kill a poor cow and chickens? And why torture a helpless old man? 

Rena forced herself to study the villains and memorized each horrid man’s features. So confident were they, they’d made no attempt to cover their faces. With another gasp, she realized that meant they intended to leave no one who might identify them.

Poor Abram barely lived, but still the men tortured him.

The largest man with long black hair hit her husband. “Where’s your woman?”

Abram’s gasping words were barely audible, “Pfeiffersburg! I told you, she vent to help her sister.”

A man with red hair kicked Abram’s ribs. “Why do you keep yelling that word?”

He’d grown so weak, Abram’s gasps barely reached her. “Ve are from Pfeiffersburg. I vish I vere dere now.”

The large man grabbed Abram up by his shirt and shook him. “You tell me where she’s hiding or I’ll skin you alive. Fresh laundry means she’s here somewhere. Tell me now, old man.”

Abram held fast to his claim. “I vash clothes because she iss gone. A man alone must do the chores.”

“Then why are women’s clothes hanging to dry? I think you’re lying old man.”

“Nein, I am alone. My woman is gone.”

The man she believed to be the leader peered around. “There’s a woman here or nearby. I want her.”

Another man limped from the house. “Lookee here what I found.” He held up Abram’s chest holding their savings and all that Abram salvaged from Bavaria. No, not her dowry! Abram intended that for her fresh start when he died. Without it, who would marry her? Without it, how would she live?

In the same man’s other hand, he held jewelry.  She recognized the chain and her mother’s locket dangling from his hand—a hand with two fingers missing. That locket and a few other pieces represented all she had left of her mother.

Terror changed to anger. What right had these men to steal and kill? She and Abram hurt no one, minded their own business, and worked hard. Now these four evil men took everything, including her husband’s life.

The three-fingered man yanked a tablecloth from the clothes line and emptied the chest onto the square. He knotted the corners together then wrapped the knotted section with a rope he tied to his saddle.

Poor Abram had lasted longer than she could have imagined for a man near eighty. Sobs shook her body and she pressed a hand to her mouth to prevent an outcry.  With a final shot, Abram’s suffering ended. She thanked God her poor husband was free from those brutal men’s pain and torture.

The large man she believed to be the leader scanned the area. Did he sense her presence? Would her hiding place really fool him? He mounted his horse.

The four set her house on fire, pulled the clothesline down, and rode away. Once again, she’d lost everything. The quilt she’d pieced last winter. Curtains she’d sewn. Furniture she’d polished only yesterday. 

What should she do? She had to bury her husband, but what if the men returned? Afraid to move, she clasped the revolver and waited in case they came back to search for her.

She sent up prayers for Abram’s soul and her own safety. Was it wrong to pray while she held a gun? She lost track of time, weeping to herself in great, gulping sobs. Always she had tried to please her elderly husband to repay him for rescuing her years ago. What was to become of her now with no dowry and no one to help her?

The sound of a horse approaching frightened her more than she thought possible. She shook uncontrollably. Had the evil men returned?  

 A new man rode a huge blue roan and led a second chestnut animal. He leaped from his mount with grace that still spoke of masculinity. Tall and dressed in black, he wore one of the broad hats these Texans favored. Handsome and not much older than her twenty-one years, he appeared fit and strong.

The man wasted no time. After a glance at Abram, the newcomer pulled his bandana over his lower face and nose. The blaze consumed the barn in loud crashes. The cabin walls and roof still stood, but greedy flames licked at the contents. Smoke billowed from the small building.

She feared this man might also be a thief, but he rushed into the house.

“Anyone here? Call out so I can find you.”

A few seconds later, he emerged coughing and gasping for air. He removed the handkerchief from his face and neck and wiped away sweat and ash. With quick motions, he retrieved a sheet from the ground and spread it near Abram’s body.

As if Abram weighed nothing, the large man laid her husband on the linen. Using the care one saved for a living infant, he tucked Abram into the sheet. Och, surely such a gentle, considerate man could not be bad.

The stranger stood and looked where she hid. “You can come out now.” He opened his jacket to display a badge on his waistcoat. “I’m a Federal Marshall chasing the men who did this. My name is Storm Kincaid.”

Thanks for stopping by!

A GOOD LOOKIN' MAN TOUR AND GIVEAWAY

Tour Schedule

A GOOD LOOKIN' MAN Excerpt:

However, in an instant—in less than a breath or the bat of an eyelid—the elusive pepper spray hiding somewhere in her purse was all but forgotten. For standing before her—right there before her, not three feet away—was the best-looking, most gorgeous, handsomest man she had ever seen in all her life!

“No, seriously,” she thought out loud with lingering bewilderment at how perfectly stunning the man standing before her was, wearing a worn pair of Levi’s, dusty cowboy boots, and a short-sleeved, plaid-print, snap-up shirt that hung open, revealing a bronzed, perfectly sculpted torso that was simply a mass of muscles. She was so unsettled by the man’s appearance that she wasn’t sure whether she was whispering aloud to herself or her car.

Either way, the man asked, “Beg your pardon, ma’am?”

“Oh…oh, nothing,” Fairlee said as she began rummaging in her purse again. But the man’s presence and appearance had entirely rattled her. As her awe-inspired brain obviously quit sending out instructions to the rest of her body, Fairlee felt her purse slip from her hands—watched in humiliated dismay as its contents tumbled out and scattered over the shoulder of the road.


 

A GOOD LOOKIN' MAN by Marcia Lynn McClure

                         

Amazon * Distractions Ink

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Marcia Lynn McClure

Marcia Lynn McClure’s intoxicating succession of novels, novellas, and e-books, has established her as one of the most favored and engaging authors of true romance. Her unprecedented forte in weaving captivating stories of western, medieval, regency, and contemporary amour void of brusque intimacy has earned her the title “The Queen of Kissing.”

Marcia, who was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has spent her life intrigued with people, history, love, and romance. A wife, mother, grandmother, family historian, poet, and author, Marcia Lynn McClure spins her tales of splendor for the sake of offering respite through the beauty, mirth, and delight of a worthwhile and wonderful story.

Website * Twitter

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash


Ends 10/9/13


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thanks for stopping by!

A READING SUGGESTION IN PRINT AND E-BOOK

Do you have or want an E-reader, or are you a die hard paper fan? Whichever you answer, let me tell you about one of my books available in both print from Amazon and and as a download from Amazon and other online sources. I hope you’ll read and enjoy this romance.

I am currently writing the third of the Kincaid series, THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP and will release it in October. Right now, the Kincaid series consists of THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE (book one) and THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND (book two). Today, I want to tell you about the latter.

When I was thinking about the plot and naming characters, I wondered what to call this hero. I saw him clearly in my mind as a bit of a rascal, or thought he was, but changing throughout the book. Talk about character arc! I was sitting in church one Sunday and the minister mentioned that Bartholomew and Nathaniel were the same person, but his name changed to show his life’s change when he became a Christian. Aha! Nathaniel Batholomew would be my hero’s name. But he uses a long string of aliases, one of which is Nate Barton, and that’s how he introduces himself to the heroine, Sarah Kincaid.

Satah Kincaid

Sarah is the younger sister of the heroine in THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE. These are stand-alone books (authors always say that) but you will enjoy them more if you read them in order. Sarah is a shy young woman very conscious of appearances and has gone from Texas to St. Louis to her dying mother. Due to her unfortunate childhood, she always acts with propriety to overcome her origin. She needed a strong character arc too. What could possibly cause this proper young schoolteacher to interact with a man she suspects is up to no good? Nothing short of orphans who must be rescued from an evil man following them could effect the change. One snowy day in Memphis, Tennessee, Sarah finds three cold youngsters, one of whom is seriously ill. She enlists Nate to help her get the youngsters safely to her home. She also hires a lovely Irish woman, Fiona, to act as her companion for the rest of the trip.

Book three is Sarah’s brother Storm. I also plan a novella for Nate’s friend Michael “Monk” and Fiona’s daughter. I love this family and the characters surrounding it, so you can be certain I’ll be publishing more books about the Kincaid family and friends.

In the meantime, here’s an excerpt from THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND:

That man in black--he'd introduced himself as Nathaniel Barton--had been at the cemetery. He was always around on the boat, too, and now he was here in their hotel in Memphis. He trailed behind her as if he hadn't a care in the world. Surely it was coincidence. Lots of people traveled from St. Louis to Memphis every day.

The porter stopped in front of a room and opened the door. He stood back for her to enter, but not before she saw Mr. Barton at the next door. He even glanced her way and smiled as he nodded his head in greeting.

My stars, he's staying in the very next room to mine.

What kind of hotel would allow a single man on the same floor as a single woman? She fought down panic as she dealt with the porter, then locked the door behind him and slid the bolt. Alone in her room, her imagination ran its course as she paced. Had she strayed into a den of iniquity?

No, that couldn't be. Mrs. Welborn assured her this was a family hotel suitable for a young woman. After all, the Welborns registered here, too. How did Mr. Barton come to be in the very room next to her? It wasn't proper. What would people think? What would they say?

She caught herself. The Welborns were the only people here she knew, and she hardly cared what they thought other than their reports back to the Vermillions and Aunt Lily. Even they could hardly blame her for the hotel's room assignments.

This Mr. Barton could not mean her harm. There'd been ample opportunity on the paddle wheeler had he intended to hurt her. They'd never had a conversation on a personal level. His comments had centered on the trip and the weather, not a hint of anything improper and always with others nearby. Perhaps his constant presence was a coincidence. Just the same, he made her nervous. She felt like a rabbit waiting for the wolf to pounce whenever Mr. Barton was near.

In the midst of her concern, she admitted his presence offered reassurance to her that she was protected from others. Surely he would rush to her aid if she needed assistance. Her instincts proved right regarding Mr. Welborn. Perhaps she should rely on intuition in this instance. She wished she were more decisive, not a victim of warring emotions.

She raised her skirt and checked the little double-shot derringer given her by her brother, Storm. Best to be prepared. The little gun still rested securely in its garter holster on her thigh. Storm had insisted she practice until she was a fair shot. Would she have the courage to use the weapon against a human? She doubted it, but its weight reassured her.

Sarah spied the door connecting her room with the one in which Mr. Barton resided. Rushing to check the lock, she stopped. She must not let him know she suspected him of following her. Very slowly she turned the knob of the connecting door. Locked. She released a heavy sigh.

Curiosity nudged her. Kneeling, she peered through the keyhole. The opening framed him as he pulled a fresh shirt from an open valise on the bed. Shucking his jacket and waistcoat, he took a pistol from his waistband and placed it on the bed beside the satchel. He unbuttoned his shirt.

She knew she should move away but couldn't. Oh, my stars!  He might dress like a riverboat dandy, but this gorgeous man was no weakling. Trouser fabric pulled taut against trim hip muscles when he turned and bent over the things on the bed.

Her mouth went dry as a Texas dust storm. She watched him turn back to face her. He removed his shirt and tossed it behind him on the bed. Then she saw the bandage across his shoulder and another at his waist. She wondered which side of the law he was on when he got those, but thought she knew. The wrong side, of course.

He picked up a fresh shirt and she caught the ripple of muscles across his chest as he slipped the shirt on. His movements were swift and powerful, not the sluggish ambling she had witnessed in public.

Occasionally in summer she had caught glimpses of her brother, her brother-in-law, and the hands at the ranch with their shirts off. Unlike their tanned torsos, Mr. Barton's pale skin made her fingers tingle to touch the brown chest hair that converged in a vee at his belt. She wondered how far below his waist the pelt descended. A pool of warmth gathered at the base of her stomach.

My stars, what disgraceful thoughts.

Where did they come from? They weren’t proper. No, not at all suitable. Being away from home must be having a poor effect on her.

Never before had such scandalous ideas entered her head about any man. She didn’t have these thoughts about Peter Dorfmeyer, and everyone expected her to marry Peter. Mr. Barton was the most attractive man she’d ever seen, but she must get her wayward thoughts under control.

Buttoning his shirt, Mr. Barton stepped from her view. When he returned and glared at the keyhole, she froze. Surely he couldn't know she watched him. She sank further to the floor and sat with her back against the door.

Sarah pressed her hands to heated cheeks, shocked at her own behavior. She was no better than a window peeper. What on earth had come over her?

A sudden thought assailed her. What if he planned to look through the keyhole as she had? Taking a hanky from her cuff, she draped it over the doorknob so it hung across the tiny opening. No, that wouldn’t do. It kept sliding off. She rose and opened her traveling bag and took out a shirtwaist. Hanging it on the knob, she stepped back. Perfect. It looked as if she used the handle for a hook.

She crossed to the vanity. Not taking time to change from her traveling suit into a dress, she contented herself with pushing stray hair back into her chignon and grabbing her shawl. With any luck, she could purchase her train ticket while her neighbor had his dinner.

Sarah walked briskly to the train station. A line greeted her at the ticket window. Oh, well, she loved watching people, so she wouldn't mind the wait. Taking her place in the row, she surveyed the other prospective passengers wandering to and fro. She studied the clothes of other women, compared them to her own black clothing. In her head she made up stories of who they were and where they might be headed.

A young boy bumped with a wham into the man in front of her. The child's hand darted into the man's pocket and out with a flash and secured the lifted wallet under his shirt. Probably no more than seven or eight, the lad wore the dirtiest clothes Sarah had ever seen. His hair might have been blond at one time, but it and his skin had gone a long time without touching soap and water.

"Oh, excuse me, sir." The boy's large blue eyes were the picture of innocence when he gazed up at the man.

Sarah gasped. What should she do? She couldn't bring herself to cause a scene by screaming, but neither could she stand by and let the child rob this man.

"Steady, you little ragamuffin.” The victim placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Slow down and see you're more careful next time.”

"Yes, sir, sorry. I will, sir.” The boy moved swiftly away into the crowd.

Sarah took off after the little thief. He looked over his shoulder and she motioned to him. His eyes widened in alarm and he ran. She gathered her skirts and rushed after him, weaving around groups of people.

When she had almost caught up with the light-fingered boy, she thudded against a solid wall of chest.

Mr. Barton grunted and clutched Sarah's shoulders, then dropped his hands and made a slight bow. "Why, I believe it's Miss Kincaid, is it not? Are you in some sort of distress?"

"No, it was nothing.” She peered over his shoulder but the thief was nowhere in sight. "I thought I saw someone I knew, but I was mistaken.” She felt her cheeks flush again with guilt. Their collision must have jarred his injured chest, but she couldn't ask him about it. How could she explain that knowledge?

"Your traveling companions--Welwoods or Welworths--are they with you?"

"No. The Welborns were tired and planned to have dinner sent to their room.” She thanked heavens for that. Eating with the odious Mr. Welborn soured her stomach. But now this man who, for all appearances, followed her everywhere had neatly trapped her. A shiver of apprehension skittered down her spine, but she stood mesmerized by his tawny eyes.

As if he sensed her fear, he offered a crooked smile and proffered his` arm. "May I escort you back to the hotel?"

"I was..." she stopped. Her nerves jangled with alarm, but she strove to appear calm. She preferred buying her ticket in private. If he hadn't yet learned where she headed, she didn't want him to know her exact destination. "That would be very kind, um, Mr. Barton.”

"Bit cool this evening, isn't it?"

My stars, didn't the man ever talk about anything but the weather? Maybe he was one of those gorgeous physical specimens with the brain of a rock.

She sighed and answered, "Yes, there's a chill in the air. I suppose we're in for more winter.”

What should she do? Panic turned her stomach in knots. She should send him on his way, but didn't know what to say or do. Hating herself for her timidity, she once more flowed with the easiest course and allowed herself to be escorted back to the hotel.

Buy links for THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND are:

Amazon for print and e-book

http://www.amazon.com/MOST-UNSUITABLE-HUSBAND-Kincaids-ebook/dp/B004M8T1D8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1323636066&sr=1-1

Smashwords for e-books 

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/37792?ref=CarolineClemmons

Also available for Nook, Kobo, and iTunes.

Reviews for THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND include a 4 1/2 star Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine. This book was also a finalist in the National Readers Choice competition but came in a fraction behind the winner. But it’s impossible to please everyone. Two people have left very mean-spirited reviews on Amazon. If you read this book and enjoyed it, would you please leave a kind review on Amazon?

Thanks for stopping by!