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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

You Can’t Outdraw the Ozark Belle—and a Giveaway!

An unwritten law in the Old West remains true to this day: Never draw on someone who can out-shoot you.

This deceptively sweet-looking woman
is a crack shot with a six-gun.
Though none of the Prairie Roses is overly concerned about being gunned down by Tracy “Ozark Belle” Garrett, one thought remains in the back of our minds: She could, if she wanted to, plug every one of us. After all, she and her husband, Ozark Shark, are members of the Cowboy Single Action Shooting Society. They’re quick, and they’re deadly.

Tracy is also an accomplished musician…but it’s the weapons thing that keeps us polite around these parts.

Aside from her prowess with six-guns and instruments, Tracy is a talented author of western historical romance and one of the original Prairie Roses. So far, she has contributed stories to Wishing for a Cowboy, Hearts and Spurs, Lassoing a Bride, and Lassoing a Groom. She possesses a remarkable ability to create settings and situations that make characters come alive.

Tracy’s most recent release is the novella Her Christmas Wish. Originally published in the PRP anthology Wishing for a Cowboy, the story twists the enduring star-crossed lovers plot, giving Romeo and Juliet the happy ending they deserved but were denied.


Her Christmas Wish
Parental disapproval separated Kathryn and Will as young adults, before they could marry. A decade later, widowed Kathryn mourns the loss of her youth while honoring her late husband’s dream by tending his stagecoach stop in the middle of nowhere. An unexpected reunion with the man she never forgot—and his explanation for his sudden disappearance on the eve of their elopement—leaves her confused and angry.

Tracy wove freshness onto a well-worn framework. Plausible situations, behaviors, and emotions create very real doubt the characters will work out their differences and find a happily-ever-after ending. They do, in a most sigh-worthy way.

In May, Tracy’s stories were included in the anthologies Lassoing a Bride and Lassoing a Groom. The two shorts are related, and that type of writing presents a challenge for any author. Tracy climbed the hill with aplomb, producing excellent romances overflowing with warmth.


“No Less Than Forever”
Doctor Franz Bittner is satisfied with his life as it is. He has a good practice in a place where he is respected, in spite of his German birth. He has good friends and enough income to provide him with a few comforts. A wife would only complicate things. Then a tiny blond stranger is pulled from the river and everything changes. With one smile she captures his attention—and steals his heart.

Rebekah Snow Redmann barely survived her abusive husband’s attack. Though she was given to him to pay her father’s debts, she’d rather die than go back.  Then she ends up in the care of the handsome local doctor and he stitches up more than her wounds—he mends her soul. With him, she discovers everything that she believes she can never have...a love that will last forever.



“Wanted: The Sheriff”
Martha Bittner may be considered a spinster at twenty-seven, but she’s not planning to stay that way. For four years, she’s wanted the sheriff of River’s Bend, Missouri, to notice her as more than a friend and a really good cook. With the first annual spring dance only weeks away, Martha decides to announce her intentions—and declares the sheriff a wanted man.

Sheriff Matthew Tate always thought he was better off a bachelor. Growing up in Boston society, where marriage is a business transaction and wealth his greatest asset, he’s learned to distrust all women’s intentions. None of them even catch his eye anymore—until pretty Martha Bittner tells him exactly what she wants… and he wonders why he ever resisted capture.

Tracy’s story in the Valentine’s Day anthology Hearts and Spurs is equally delightful.


“Coming Home”
Sometimes it takes two to make dreams come true.

When a man who believes he’ll never have a home and family…
Former U.S. Marshal Jericho Hawken should have been shepherding a wagon train to new territory, but he unwillingly left them vulnerable to a vicious raider. The murder of the settlers he was supposed to be guarding is the hardest thing he’s ever had to face…until he meets the sister of one of the settlers.

…finds a woman who has lost everything…
Instead of a joyous reunion with her brother, Maryland Henry has come to River’s Bend to take responsibility for her three orphaned nieces. Fired from her teaching position and with no other family on whom to rely, Mary believes Jericho Hawken is responsible for all her woes. Or is he what she’s been searching for all along?

It takes a lot of forgiveness and a few fireworks to realize that together their dreams can come true.

http://amzn.com/B001E6JM6M
http://amzn.com/1420101013
Before joining the Roses, Tracy published two western romances with Zebra Books. Both received excellent reviews.

More about Tracy, including links to everywhere she lurks online, is here. Look her up and make friends. Trust us: Tracy is a sweetheart, but no one wants the Ozark Belle as an enemy.


To prove just how friendly she can be when not packing iron, Tracy will give a digital copy of Her Christmas Wish to two folks who are brave enough to leave a comment today. Please don’t forget to leave an email address!


30 comments:

  1. What a great picture of yourself. I am anxious to read Her Christmas Wish. Good Luck, Carlene

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    1. Carlene, thanks for stopping by. Tracy is one of our favorite gals around here, and her stories are always wonderful reads. That is a great picture of her, isn't it? :-)

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    2. Hi, Carlene! Just got home from the day job. I hope you enjoy Her Christmas Wish! See you soon.

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  2. I don't suppose you could teach a crazy Canuck to shoot straight, could you? Tex accuses me of murderous intent but I keep missing her. ;)

    Cheers - abruce@alisonbruce.ca

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    1. Tracy, don't you dare! That Canuck is crazy enough without being armed and dangerous, to boot. (Canadians are all polite and friendly my hind leg. Hmph.)

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    2. Uh. Well. --pulls at her collar-- I could, of course, but... Hmm. Let me think on that, Alison. loll

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  3. Tracy,

    This was such a hoot to read. Never draw on someone who can out-shoot you are wise words to live by. ;-) I'm still chuckling about the "brave enough to leave a comment" challenge.

    I've read your stories in the anthologies, and I'm so envious of how you entwined the characters in separate yet joined stories.

    *hugs and guns* ;-)

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    1. Kaye, I want to figure out Tracy's secret. Creating separate but intertwined stories is HARD!

      I see you're among the fearless who left a comment. ;-)

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    2. Thank you, Kaye. Kathleen gets the credit for writing the post--I wish I could write humor the way she does.

      Tex, my secret? Get most of the way through the stories before you figure out how hard it is. ;)

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  4. I remember the line in the George Cohen song Halleluiah, about going up again someone who can outshoot you. Believe me, I won't be calling you out. LOL
    I have enjoyed your contributions to the anthologies, Tracy, and I look forward to reading more of your stories. All the best to you.

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    1. "Maybe there's a God above, but all I ever learned from love is how to shoot somebody who out-drew ya." That is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, IMO. The lyrics are packed with symbolism, and the melody is haunting. Truly a spectacular creation. (Cheryl disagrees, but my favorite rendition is kd lang's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJlFAcSaoSY)

      As for calling Tracy out, I think you've made a wise decision, Sarah. I'll just hide behind you. :-D

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    2. Naw, can't scare me. I'm a darn good shot, myself. ;-) (not that I want to get in a shoot-out at high noon with Tracy...or anyone else for that matter - lol)

      And, Kathleen, thanks for the earworm. Now I'm going to have to put Shrek in the old dvd player because that's were I associate that song.

      0_o

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    3. You're welcome, Kaye. Always glad to be of service. :-D (As I recall, you did the same thing to me recently. What is that old, crude saying about payback? **evil grin**)

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    4. Ooh, you've got a mean streak, Tex! ;-) And I love KD's version, too.

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    5. Tex, have you heard this Easter version? Fab!
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guhr0Vh2hE0

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  5. Just to set the record straight, I don't aim at anything that bleeds! Just call me Henny Penny. lol

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  6. Tracy, I love each and every one of your stories you've written for PRP. You have such a talent for the short stories, and that's not true of everyone--it's hard to do, but you do it very well, dear friend!

    Of course, I love everything I've ever read by you, including Touch of Texas and Touched by Love. I'm looking forward to your next venture!

    Hugs (I'm not going to ever try to outdraw you--you'd have me beat for sure!)
    Cheryl

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    1. Thanks, Cheryl. I find I really enjoy writing short. Considering how many pages I had to cut from my first two novels, it is a pleasant surprise. :D

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  7. I may have my own black powder pistol, but I'm not going to enter any shoot-out with anyone. Still I admire your talents and love your work. Thank you Tracy. Keep it up, I will re-retire someday and maybe get caught up with my reading. (Smile) Doris

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    1. Doris, I look forward to the time when I can read as long as I want for as many days in a row as I wish. :) Thanks for stopping in. BTW, black powder is smoky!

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  8. Tracy,
    I'm rather partial to Jericho. While all your stories are wonderful, he was particularly wonderful! Keep on writing, woman.
    It's not well-known in these parts, but Tracy and I were twins separated at birth. Thank goodness PRP helped us 'find' each other. :-)

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    1. Jericho is perfect and that story is a winner (LOVE the way it played out!), but I hate that Tracy beat me to the hero's name. Fink. ;-)

      (Y'all are definitely twins, especially after that last Fandango. :-D )

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    2. Yes, Jericho is a great name. Now, if any of us use it, we'll never hear the end of it from Tracy.

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    3. Now, now. There can be more Jerichos in the world. Glad you like the story!

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    4. Kristy, we are twins, aren't we? Quite a surprise to our mothers, though, I would imagine. Hahaha!

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    5. Thanks Tracy. Did you hear, Kathleen? She's willing to share 'Jericho'. (**am wrestling Kathleen so I can use the name first** drat...I think she beat me...she is from Texas, after all.) They say we're genetically close to our friends as 4th cousins, so not too far-fetched that we're somehow related. :-)

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  9. Hi there Tracy,
    I haven't read your stories yet but I'm waiting for my anthology to be delivered to me. I believe "Her Christmas Wish" is in it. Now, if Canada Post could hurry up with the delivery, it will make me a very happy girl.

    As for shooting... well, I used to be good when I was a teenager - in my dreams. :) I wouldn't dare touch a real gun... no, no, no. That would be way too dangerous considering I can't even throw crunched paper in the waste basket. :)

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    1. Liette, I hope you enjoy your anthology!

      And, better stick to a water gun. lol

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  11. Time to pick two winners of a digital copy of Her Christmas Wish...
    Alison Bruce & Carlene Chubbuck!

    I'll be in touch!

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