Okay, I admit it; I’m a south easterner who writes
westerns. I’d be the first to tell ya I have to research everything—and I do
mean EVERYTHING about the stories I write which take place in the fictional
town of Hazard, Wyoming. I confess I have only been to Wyoming once, but I was
so awestruck by its beautiful landscape I knew I wanted to use it for the place
where all my Wildings live.
My reality is, however, that I have been raised and still
live in the beautiful and diverse state of North Carolina where folks speak
with a smooth southern drawl and fan themselves while they sit on big porches
in the summer while they fight off the heat and mosquitoes. We talk to our
neighbors who drop by, usually unannounced, while we enjoy the smell of
gardenias in spring around May and Carolina jasmine that blends with
honeysuckle and roses in the summer.
We have our own celebrities like Billy Graham who lives
just up the road in the mountains in a rather modest house. It’s uplifting just
to know he’s there. I know his time is limited on this Earth, and that just
makes me appreciate him even more. We
also have the lovable actor, Andy Griffith, who recently passed away and the towns
of Mayberry, Mount Pilot and Mount Airy so often mentioned on his show. Of
course we have the glamorous movie stars, too, like Ava Gardner and Julianne
Moore. Singers are among North Carolina famous—Roberta Flack, John Coltrane,
Kelly Pickler, Ronnie Millsap, Earl Scruggs, Arthur Smith, Randy Travis and, of course,
James Taylor among the many who hail from North Carolina.
Pepsi Cola, Cheerwine (my personal favorite for road
trips), and
Bojangles all originated in North Carolina. There’s nothing quite as delicious as
some Cheerwine and a Moon Pie while traveling on a road trip. Some people prefer and RC Cola with their Moon Pie.
One more thing I would like to clear up: Texas Pete hot sauce is not a creation from Texas; it's from North Carolina. Just sayin'...
Bojangles all originated in North Carolina. There’s nothing quite as delicious as
some Cheerwine and a Moon Pie while traveling on a road trip. Some people prefer and RC Cola with their Moon Pie.
One more thing I would like to clear up: Texas Pete hot sauce is not a creation from Texas; it's from North Carolina. Just sayin'...
The North Carolina Coast
The Smoky Mountains of North Carolina
And speaking of road trips, I am in the perfect place
here in Charlotte to take a day trip to the mountains and get back home before
bedtime or I can travel to the beach and spend the weekend listening to the
surf and whiling away the time under an umbrella with my toes in the sand. My
favorite place is Wilmington where time seems to have stopped about a hundred
years ago.
I’ve taken it in my stride when some folks from other
parts of the country have insulted my southern roots. I’ve been asked
ridiculous questions like, “Do you wear shoes when you’re not at work?” or “Do
you people have televisions?” or one of my favorites, “Do you have accredited
schools down there?” Well, yes, we do wear shoes, but not in the house so much.
Since we have the Technology Triangle and North Carolina ranks #1 across all 50
states for IT Sector Employment Growth at 28.4% between 2010-2015 (double
national average), I think we can muster up some television sets, and finally,
yes we do have accredited schools like Duke University, one of the four largest
medical centers in the United States.
(My Pinterest Board about North Carolina: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahmcneal9/north-carolina/ )
(My Pinterest Board about North Carolina: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahmcneal9/north-carolina/ )
But I don’t write stories that take place in North
Carolina. I’m not certain why that is except that my first western, HARMONICA
JOE’S RELUCTANT BRIDE, and the sequel novel, FOR LOVE OF BANJO were so well
received, I just sort of got into western writing. I don’t mind having to research
everything about the west and Wyoming from its wildlife, to its geography, and
even its plants and trees because I find it rather interesting. I know
Hemingway said once a writer ought to write about what they know, but Hemingway
said a lot of things that spoke more of his ego than reality. I know Wyoming
because I have studied the heck out of it and I’ve seen it. I know it would be
easier to write about stories that take place in North Carolina without having
to look up anything, but I don’t mind because research is fun and I love the
Wildings I’ve created. I like Wyoming and the tough pioneer spirit of the
people who live there. Maybe someday I’ll write some stories that take place in
the Southeast, but for now, I am very happy writing westerns.
Harmonica Joe’s Reluctant Bride
A haunted plantation… A trunk… And a
date with destiny.
Lola Barton’s
life has been chaotic and uncertain. When she inherits a rundown plantation,
she believes her life has finally taken a positive turn. But, when she finds a
mysterious trunk in the attic, it takes her into the past and to a man with
dark secrets—and she’s married to him.
Joe Wilding
carries his shame in his pocket in the form of a harmonica. The woman he
thought he married to save her life, is beginning to break through his stoic
wall and find the secret he hides. Loving her could be his ruin. Only time can
tell.
Excerpt:
Terrible
thoughts crossed her mind that she might be dying. The unbearable noise pierced her
eardrums. She couldn’t catch her breath,
her heart pounded against her ribs and her nerves shrieked against the
unknown. She felt herself falling and
falling into the great dark void, certain that she would lose consciousness,
and wishing she could. Then, just as
suddenly as it started, it all stopped.
She
heard bursts of laughter and the clank of glasses bumping together as she tried
to open her eyes. Someone played a piano
in discord and feet stomped in time to the music. The smell of stale beer, old wood and body
odor assailed her senses. Lightheaded
and disoriented, it took a moment before her blurred vision focused. She straightened from her crouched position
and stood on a wooden plank floor covered in sawdust, peanut shells and bits of
refuse. The card that had dropped from
her grasp lay on the floor at her feet.
She reached down and clutched it in her hand as she heard a man speak in
a ceremonious voice. “I now pronounce you man and wife. Harmonica Joe, you may kiss your bride.” Laughter resonated and cheers went up around
the room.
Lola
clasped the card tight in her fist and glanced up just in time to see an
angular face with mesmerizing coffee brown eyes framed in sandy hair move
toward her. A day’s growth of beard
graced his jaw but it only enhanced his handsome features. She backed away a step only to have someone
push her forward. She collided with the
solid body of this imposing stranger.
The stranger’s arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close as his
head dipped down, his mouth capturing hers.
The bristles of his chin scraped her tender flesh that caused a thrill
to scamper down her spine.
A COWBOY'S BRAND is a
sensational boxed set from Prairie Rose Publications! This collection includes
five full-length novels from some of the best western romance writers in
today's field, including Livia J. Washburn, Meg Mims, Gail L. Jenner, Kristy
McCaffrey and Sarah J. McNeal. This set makes a wonderful gift for someone
else, or for yourself, and at only .99 you can't go wrong!
MENDING FENCES by Livia J. Washburn is a riveting story of the Texas frontier as well as a touching romance between a heroine trying to find her place in the world and a hero whose past may destroy them both.
Meg Mims’s Spur Award-winning novel DOUBLE CROSSING is the story of mystery and intrigue as Lily Granville heads west, determined to track down her father’s killer. But who can she trust? Will Lily survive the journey and unexpected betrayal?
HARMONICA JOE’S RELUCTANT BRIDE by Sarah J. McNeal is a wonderful time travel story of unexpected love. When Lola Barton inherits a rundown plantation, she believes her life has finally taken a positive turn. But, when she finds a mysterious trunk in the attic, it takes her into the past and to a man with dark secrets—and she’s married to him.
In Kristy McCaffrey’s story, Kate Kinsella has no choice but to go after Charley Barstow and talk some sense into him. Ethan Barstow is hot on his younger brother’s trail, too. All hell breaks loose when they discover Charley—not wishing to be found by anyone! Can Ethan and Kate find their own love and happiness with one another through the deception and hurt? Or will they both return INTO THE LAND OF SHADOWS…
This 2002 WILLA AWARD WINNER by Gail L. Jenner is the story of Liza Ralston, a young woman who leaves her settled existence to travel to Montana with her father—a decision she regrets. With her father severely wounded, the Pikuni tribe takes them in. But Liza wants nothing more than to return to St. Louis, despite her growing attraction for Red Eagle, a handsome young Indian warrior. Will Red Eagle and Liza find the love they’ve been waiting for? Beauty, treachery and danger lie ACROSS THE SWEET GRASS HILLS.
MENDING FENCES by Livia J. Washburn is a riveting story of the Texas frontier as well as a touching romance between a heroine trying to find her place in the world and a hero whose past may destroy them both.
Meg Mims’s Spur Award-winning novel DOUBLE CROSSING is the story of mystery and intrigue as Lily Granville heads west, determined to track down her father’s killer. But who can she trust? Will Lily survive the journey and unexpected betrayal?
HARMONICA JOE’S RELUCTANT BRIDE by Sarah J. McNeal is a wonderful time travel story of unexpected love. When Lola Barton inherits a rundown plantation, she believes her life has finally taken a positive turn. But, when she finds a mysterious trunk in the attic, it takes her into the past and to a man with dark secrets—and she’s married to him.
In Kristy McCaffrey’s story, Kate Kinsella has no choice but to go after Charley Barstow and talk some sense into him. Ethan Barstow is hot on his younger brother’s trail, too. All hell breaks loose when they discover Charley—not wishing to be found by anyone! Can Ethan and Kate find their own love and happiness with one another through the deception and hurt? Or will they both return INTO THE LAND OF SHADOWS…
This 2002 WILLA AWARD WINNER by Gail L. Jenner is the story of Liza Ralston, a young woman who leaves her settled existence to travel to Montana with her father—a decision she regrets. With her father severely wounded, the Pikuni tribe takes them in. But Liza wants nothing more than to return to St. Louis, despite her growing attraction for Red Eagle, a handsome young Indian warrior. Will Red Eagle and Liza find the love they’ve been waiting for? Beauty, treachery and danger lie ACROSS THE SWEET GRASS HILLS.
THE
WILDINGS (in order of publication)
Harmonica
Joe’s Reluctant Bride (time travel/paranormal)
For
Love of Banjo (sequel to Harmonica Joe’s Reluctant Bride)
Fly
Away Heart (novella)
A
Husband for Christmas (short/also for sale as a single) included
in Wishing for a Cowboy anthology
Hollow
Heart (short Valentine theme) included in Hearts and Spurs anthology (now in single)
Unexpected
Blessings (short) included in Lassoing
a Bride anthology
Beast
of Hazard (short) included in Cowboys,
Creatures, and Calico vol. 1 anthology
When
Love Comes Knocking (short) included in Present for a Cowboy Christmas anthology
Home
for the Heart (1950’s era novel)
To
see all my Wildings, click on The Wildings
Sarah
J. McNeal is a multi-published author of several genres
including time travel, paranormal, western and historical fiction. She is a
retired ER and Critical Care nurse who lives in North Carolina with her
four-legged children, Lily, the Golden Retriever and Liberty, the cat. Besides
her devotion to writing, she also has a great love of music and plays several
instruments including violin, bagpipes, guitar and harmonica. Her books and
short stories may be found at Prairie Rose Publications and its imprints Painted
Pony Books, and Fire Star Press. Some of her fantasy and paranormal books may
also be found at Publishing by Rebecca Vickery and Victory Tales
Press. She welcomes you to her website and social media:
