My new release, The Comanchero’s Bride, is a western tale of
love, jealousy, and revenge. The story was originally published nine years ago as
a 40k novella, but even then as I finished writing the story, I knew there was
a larger story to be told. So, over the
ensuing years, I wrote and rewrote the story, and expanded it to its current
full-length novel edition that releases today with Prairie Rose Publications.
The story-behind-this-story has two components:
- It is a retelling of the Marty Robbins song, Meet Me Tonight
in Laredo.
AND - The underlying themes of strength and sacrifice are based on the Germanic rune, Uruz.
So what are runes, and what are the lyrics to the song? Well, I happen to have a quick-read
article about runes and Marty Robbins and their relationship to The Comanchero’s
Bride. It's just a click away:
What is the story about?
Beautiful heiress Elizabeth Bradford White is exiled to Texas
with family friends until she “comes to her senses” and agrees to marry the
prominent politico her parents have chosen for her. Grayson Beal is certainly
not the man of her dreams—she finds him so revolting she welcomes her exile and
makes a new life for herself in south Texas.
When she is approached at a fiesta by dark-eyed, handsome
Mingo Valderas, she knows her heart will never be her own again. But Mingo has
a checkered past—a reputation as a Comanchero, and a man who is as fast with
his knives as he is with his gun. An ex-outlaw with many secrets, Elizabeth
gives her trust to him, and their whirlwind courtship begins.
But Grayson Beal will stop at nothing to claim Elizabeth and
her inheritance, along with the political influence her parents have. In a
deadly cross-country race for her freedom, only one man stands between her and
the monster who follows her. Fueled by their love and dreams of a future
together, Elizabeth and Mingo stay one step ahead of Beal…but will that be
enough?
Excerpt
In one long, powerful stride, Grayson towered over Elizabeth,
shaking a thick finger in her face. “I have to be accepted into Denver political
circles in order to gain some critical support in Ohio, and I expect you to do your part
with entertaining the right people during our stay. You know these activities are vital for my political future. I won’t
have it any other way.”
She batted his hand down. “Your political career is only
important to you and my parents.” She clenched her fists at her sides,
aggravated that she’d allowed herself to be drawn into conversation instead of
walking away. It was fully dark and well past time to meet Mingo. “I have a
prior commitment.”
Waving her off, Grayson said, “What you have is a duty to
your family and to me as my wife, you missed—”
“I am not, nor will I ever be, your wife.”
He pushed right over her interruption. “You missed a
gubernatorial inaugural dinner party in Columbus last winter and several other
important events since then. I’m tired of making excuses for your absence. I
won’t do it any longer.” He leaned forward. “So, congratulations. You’ve made
your point. Now, it’s time to come with me and get on with the business of
being my wife.”
Fuming, Elizabeth held her ground. “I’m not going to marry
you, and I’m certainly not your political or social plaything. Don’t forget
that it was you who convinced my father to banish me here. You sent me away
from everything I knew—from all the things I thought I needed to be happy. Then
I found out that not only do I not need them, I no longer want them. Listen to
what I’m saying, Grayson. You’ve made the trip here for nothing. I’m staying in
Laredo.”
“This is ludicrous!” His booming voice bounced off the
walls. “Our wedding date is set and invitations have been sent.”
He loomed over her like large tree branches bending toward
the ground in the raging onslaught of a violent wind. He was a formidable man
when he wasn’t angry, and she’d often seen him use his physical size to
intimidate people. Although she’d never once backed down from him, she now
fought the urge to turn from his wrath.
Elizabeth drew herself up with every ounce of her courage.
“Then un-announce it. I’m not marrying you. Not now. Not ever. I won’t—”
Grayson grabbed her, slammed his mouth on hers, crushing her
lips as he lifted her almost off her feet. Struggling against the iron grip of
his bear-like hands, she wrenched an arm free and slapped him with her gloved
hand hard enough to knock his spectacles askew. Yanking out of his grasp, she
reeled backward. Adjusting his glasses with deliberate care, he appeared
outwardly under control, but Elizabeth knew he was seething, and would find
some way to punish her for striking him.
“Had I bedded you a year ago, we would not be having this
conversation. We’d be married, and there would be a child on the way.”
Until now, she’d never been frightened of him, only annoyed
with his loutish manners toward her and everyone else he considered beneath
him, but the lusty gleam in his eyes was new. A repulsive, crawling quiver
skimmed along her skin.
She sensed movement behind her an instant before she heard
the slight jangle of Mingo’s spurs. Whirling, she saw him in the middle of the
room, feet spread, coat opened wide, and his eyes glowing with a dark, lethal
fire. Grayson took advantage of her distraction and grabbed her arm. Jerking
her back, he held her trapped against his body, and the more she struggled, the
tighter he held her.
“Hombre, remove your hands from Isabel, or I will kill you
where you stand.”
Recognition registered on Grayson’s face that Mingo didn’t
wear his gun belt for show. Beal released her. Mingo motioned for her to move
behind him. Grayson took his time looking Mingo over as he rubbed the deep red
hand print on his cheek and smoothed his hair down.
“What is this Isabel nonsense? And who the hell are you?”
“Domingo Valderas.” His voice was level and sure. “If any
man marries Isabel, it will be me.”
Grayson stared then burst into condescending laughter. “You?
Good lord, man, you’re nothing but a Mexican—”
“Be careful with your words, pendejo.”
Comment to win
I'll give away a digital copy of The Comanchero’s Bride to one
commenter. Please leave your contact information with your comment, so I'll
have a way to contact you in case I draw your name. I’ll keep this
comment-to-win opportunity open until 6:00 p.m. MDT March 19th,
2016.
Kaye Spencer
