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I hope everyone enjoyed the PRP Christmas in July Fandango. Wow, what a sale--21 new releases! I've read a good share of them and they're all good. My story is in darned good company. Today, I'm telling you about my Christmas in July offering, A Gift For Rhoda.
I have to say, this cover is absolutely wonderful thanks to Livia Reasoner. All her covers are outstanding but this one is the topper. Of course, I'd have to arm-wrestle a few of the other Roses for the honor, but I'm up to it.
This story takes place in Garden Valley, Idaho Territory, which is quite a way from my Hearts of Owyhee stories. Whereas Owyhee County is high mountain desert, Garden Valley is beautiful in the more classic sense--a small forested valley between two mountain ranges with peaks rising 7,000 feet on either side. Not a lot of people live there even today. The last census put the population at a little over 500. That includes Garden Valley (the town), Lowman, and Crouch. Crouch is where we had the Walker family reunion a few years ago, and is home to the best huckleberry milkshakes you ever tasted.
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| Garden Valley, Idaho |
I got the idea for A Gift For Rhoda when a friend's son was picking out a gift for his girlfriend, only she didn't know she was his girlfriend yet. That amused me, but also got the wheels turning, and I wondered what would happen if a mail-order bride was expecting her unwanted groom, but another man showed up bearing gifts. And because I still can taste that huckleberry milkshake, I set it in Garden Valley, where my aunt and uncle live.
Since it's not desert, Garden Valley gets quite a lot of snow (but not as much as surrounding areas and is generally warmer; hence, the name) and in Rhoda's story, she's been snowed in for a couple months all by her wee little lonesome. That would be enough to make anyone leery, but when you have a drunken groom on the loose that you've never seen, imagine how you'd feel if a big, shaggy man came to your door. That's how Rhoda felt, and she wasn't about to let him in. What a pickle she's in now!
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| Garden Valley, about 1890 |
Nate Harmon is a big burly intimidating man--and half frozen. Think he can figure out a way to get the skittish Rhoda to let him in the house so he can warm up? A hen named Flossie took to him right off, so maybe there's hope.
Here's the blurb:
A mail-order bride disaster!
Rhoda Johnson is stranded in a lonely cabin without a groom. The townsfolk say she’s better off without him, but her drunken groom sends a message that he’ll claim her as his Christmas bride. Gunman and ex-Confederate soldier Nate Harmon comes to Idaho to make peace with his abolitionist preacher father. When half-frozen Nate reaches the cabin on a snowy Christmas Eve, instead of his parents, he’s greeted by a pretty blonde with a shotgun who keeps calling him Mr. Snyder. Will she shoot him, or melt his heart? *Sweet*
I hope you enjoy this single read and all the other new releases offered by Prairie Rose Publications Christmas in July. And no, I haven't started Christmas shopping yet. My sister is probably already finished, though.
Meantime, happy reading!
This story was a treasure. I couldn't help but laugh and cry and cheer. You outdid yourself, and that is hard to do.
ReplyDeleteI also love the photos of Garden Valley. Those mountain valleys are so beautiful. More please. (Smile) Doris/Angela
My aunt and uncle live right by the Payette River and their place is really beautiful. The house is made of square logs and their back porch is one nice place to be. :)
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed Rhoda and Nate. They're like family, too, now.
Sounds like a wonderful book. I love Western Romances
ReplyDeleteThanks, Glenda!
DeleteSounds like another great book of yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vickie!
DeleteSounds great and I, too, love the photos. Your tales make these place come alive and they're so much fun to read.
ReplyDeleteAw, such a nice compliment, especially from you, Agnes. I hope everyone checks out your stories, too!
DeleteFound this post through the PBB&B today. LOVE this cover, Jacquie!
ReplyDeleteHey, HiDee! No castle (inside joke) but there is a fun chicken named Flossie.
DeleteCongrats Jacquie on your new book. I'm looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deborah! You're a treasure. :)
DeleteJacquie,
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun and entertaining read... as are all of your stories. *grin* I particularly enjoy the historical elements you weave into your stories.
Isn't it so much fun placing characters in a historical setting? Your stories do the same. :)
DeleteI bought this book immediately when it released! How can you resist a Jacquie Rogers book with a blurb like that!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Cindy! ♥
DeleteWhat a darling story! I love it. Truly, I will get around to reading this as soon as I can--when I can see daylight. I enjoyed the description of the area, since you know it personally. Well done....
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Celia. Yes, I do love Garden Valley. It's an hour and a half from anywhere so we probably won't be moving there, though, even with the huckleberry milkshakes.
DeleteI hope you enjoy the journey of Rhoda and Nate.
You know how much I loved this story--and you're right about that cover--it's really wonderful! Congratulations on your success with this release, and thanks again so much for all the wonderful work you did behind the scenes for the Christmas in July Fandango! We could not have done it without YOU!
ReplyDeleteYep, I got the cream on this cover!!!
DeleteI was really happy that you enjoyed A Gift for Rhoda and included it PRP's debut anthology, Wishing for a Cowboy. What an honor! And now I'm delighted that PRP has now released it as a single read. Thanks for all the oomph you and Livia have put into the company to make all that happen.
The Fandangos are definitely a team effort and we have it running like a clock now, but ONLY because everyone pitches in--from the banner to turning out the lights at the end of the day. Takes all of us. And it's so worth it. We do have a lot of fun and we can all talk about our favorite thing--books!