New Release -- BRIDGEPORT HOLIDAY BRIDES by Zina Abbott -- Giveaway!

Eastern Sierra Brides 1884 Book 5

With the arrival of Beth Dodd’s sister, Hazel, in California, Beth and her fiancé, Val Caldwell, are now able to make wedding plans.  Thanksgiving seems to be a good time to tie the knot and bring the Caldwell family together, as well, but when Val’s older half-brother, Edwin, and his family show up for the wedding, things fall apart. Edwin’s advice to Val to wrest control of Beth’s holdings and absorb them into the Caldwell Ranch leads to bad blood and fisticuffs between the brothers. Will Beth call the wedding off to protect what she’s worked so hard to gain?

As Beth’s younger sister, Hazel, realizes she’s falling in love with Val’s younger brother, Luther, she learns the feeling is mutual. Luther has bought a ring and plans to announce their engagement at Thanksgiving, as well. But Beth has a stormy relationship with her future brother-in-law, and believes her sister is too young to marry. Headstrong and determined to control their own destinies, will happiness also be possible for these BRIDGEPORT HOLIDAY BRIDES?

EXCERPT

     “Beth, when I went into the brothel kitchen that night, I had no idea Flora would say something like that. I went there because I had made my delivery, and I didn’t like the idea of leaving you all alone in the brothel. But, after she started talking about your late husband and his—deficiencies—while you sat there having your most personal experiences revealed, if the floor could have opened up and swallowed me, I would have welcomed it.”

     Beth remembered that time. She had never been so dumbfounded in her life. “If you was that discomfited, why didn’t you just light on out of there?”

     “I wasn’t leaving you alone with Miss Flora, Beth. I was determined to stay until you were ready to leave, especially after knowing you just learned of your husband’s fate. But, I never quite forgot that revelation about your first marriage. And, since I haven’t had all that much experience in that sort of thing, well…” Val shrugged and offered a weak smile. “It did cross my mind that it might be smart to learn more about pleasing a wife in bed.”

     Beth half-stood and leaned forward until her nose was only inches from Val’s face. Keeping her voice low enough to not be heard across the room, she hissed, “Don’t you nary go nowhere near Miss Flora or her girls, Val Caldwell. You do, it ain’t goin’ to turn out good for none of you.”

     Val shook his head and assured her. “I have no intention of doing that. It’s just that…I love you, and don’t want to disappoint you.”

     “Long as you love me, Val, you ain’t goin’ to disappoint me none.”

Soup--My Favorite Winter Food

Now that the weather is finally turning cooler, I've started hunting up recipes to fill my big soup pot. I love soup! One of the hazards of writing historicals (at least for me) is my love of research books. Add to that my penchant for collecting cookbooks and recipes and... Well. You know.

I found The Original White House Cookbook 1887 Edition a few years ago on a list of clearance books. In it you can learn how to fix a tear in a lady’s silk gown, dye cloth, make Rose Water or Bay Rum, even fade freckles. 

The recipes are the type that would have been made in homes everywhere, including by settlers out west.

This Winter Vegetable Soup is made with ingredients that would be found in the root cellar of most frontier homes. Turnips, carrots, onions and celery were common vegetables grown in kitchen gardens throughout the west. The leeks? They may not be as common, but I’ve found evidence they can be grown in Texas - plant them in late summer and they can be harvested fresh in the winter/early spring.

As an aside, the leek is a symbol of Wales. It’s even worn as a cap badge by the Welsh Guards. The vegetable would certainly have been brought over in the 1830s by Welsh immigrants to Texas.

The directions are exactly as they appear in the cookbook.

WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP

Scrape and slice three turnips and three carrots, and peel three onions, and fry all with a little butter until a light yellow; add a bunch of celery and three or four leeks cut in pieces; stir and fry all the ingredients for six minutes; when fried, add one clove of garlic, two stalks of parsley, two cloves, salt, pepper and a little grated nutmeg; cover with three quarts of water and simmer for three hours, taking off the scum carefully.  Strain and use. Croutons, vermicelli, Italian pastes, or rice may be added.

What's your favorite cold weather food?

New Release -- A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE -- Giveaway!

Are you ready to settle down in front of the fire for some excellent holiday reading entertainment?  A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE is a wonderful boxed set of six Christmas novellas about two of our favorite subjects—cowboys of the old west and Christmas!

Stacey Coverstone, Livia J. Washburn, Donna Alice Patton, Kaye Spencer, Gail L. Jenner, and Tanya Hanson come together to bring you six heart-wrenching, sigh-worthy tales of love at Christmas, under the mistletoe. How will these western men and their ladies find happiness? It’s guaranteed at Christmas—the most special time of year!

With poignant stories of rediscovered feelings, and unexpected new love during the holidays, Prairie Rose Publications is proud to bring you another wonderful boxed set of seasonal tales that will have you reading far into the night! A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE is sure to bring a smile to your lips and hours of reading pleasure!

A CHRISTMAS GROOM by Stacey Coverstone

Having fought nearly three years for the Confederacy, Captain Tom McCann returns to Arizona Territory just in time for Christmas with plans to marry his sweetheart and buy a ranch. More than one surprise awaits him, however…including the news that Mariah is to be wed on Christmas Day. Shock at Mariah’s decision grips him, but he gradually realizes that everyone believed him to have been killed in the war. 

Heartsick at the promise she’s made to another, Mariah feels honor-bound to go through with her wedding. But Tom’s waited too long to get back to his one true love and his dream of owning his own spread to give up without a fight. Now, the entire town waits to see who will be A CHRISTMAS GROOM…

WIDELOOPING A CHRISTMAS COWBOY by Livia J. Washburn

When Clay Terrell rescues Jessamine Barlow from a Comanche raiding party, he has no idea how much trouble he’s letting himself in for—because once the beautiful blonde dons range duds and buckles on a gunbelt, she’s also known as Jess Barlow, leader of a fierce outlaw clan. Clay may have to choose between defending his range or protecting the family of the woman who has stolen his heart. Jess knows Clay will be better off without her and figures the best way to repay him is to make sure he doesn’t have a chance to fall for her. But when they wind up under the mistletoe on Christmas Eve, what comes next may make it impossible for the two of them to ever be apart!

ANOTHER AULD LANG SYNE by Donna Alice Patton

It's Christmas Eve, and Hudson Meade is hurrying home to his family. A brief stop in Stockton to escape the biting cold for a few moments leads him to an unexpected meeting with an old flame he’d thought never to see again. Will seeing Aurelia again and the memories of another long-ago Christmas Eve leave him with regrets about what might have been? One last parting kiss under the mistletoe results in yet ANOTHER AULD LANG SYNE…and his eager desire to be in the arms of the one he truly loves beyond all reason…

SILVER AND GOLD by Kaye Spencer

Bad luck and wrong turns make up the greater part of ex-con Joe Halden’s past. When he learns he has a five-year-old son Joe knows he can do something right by giving the boy a decent home. But the only way he can save him is to employ the trade that landed him in prison—explosives expert. Sydney Allard’s heart is hardened against the townspeople she blames for her husband’s death. When a fire destroys the town near Christmas, Sydney wants to continue harboring her hatred, but her conscience won’t let her. 

Two strangers share a journey of self-discovery. In this season of SILVER AND GOLD, the hurts of the past can lead to love if they open their hearts and give their trust to each other. 

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT by Gail L. Jenner

Katherine Jessup has come west with her dashing, perfect husband—but she is devastated when he leaves her to seek his fortune. R.J. Crawford has traveled west to escape his own past. After rescuing Katherine Jessup from a fall, he finds himself entranced by the young bride. When he takes a job as a sheriff, he must bring a murderer to justice—and that trail leads him back to Katherine and the hope that he can provide her with THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT.

EVERY KNEE SHALL BEND by Tanya Hanson

When vagabond Alder Dale arrives at his brother's Colorado homestead for Christmas, last thing he expects to find is a beautiful widow raising kids who don’t belong to her. Suddenly, the wide-open range he loves seems cold and lonely. Walls and hearth call out to him.

Mail-order bride Sadie Dahlstrom leaves Kansas for a new life, unprepared for widowhood. When she tends the war wound of a rugged, yet gentle, stranger, her heart swells with a warmth far different from a Christmas fireplace. Can her journey have a happy ending after all? It’s said that miracles happen on Christmas…

Be sure and leave a comment for a chance to win a free ebook.

     

"Silver and Gold" - short story in A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe anthology by Kaye Spencer

My contribution to the new Christmas collection, A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe, is Silver and Gold. This story is set in South Park, Colorado in 1881. South Park is a grassland valley of about 1,000 square miles nestled at the foot of some of Colorado's 13ers and 14ers (mountain peaks 13,000 or 14,000 feet in elevation).

 Placer gold was discovered in South Park in 1859, which brought a 'rush' to the area. Just over the Mosquito Mountain Range to the west, Horace Tabor discovered silver in 1878 in Leadville.The largest town in South Park is Fairplay (current population roughly 600). From Denver, it is about 90 miles to Fairplay.

On Hwy 9 - Mosquito Mt. Range about 5 mi. south of Fairplay

On a side note, Fairplay is my favorite place. Although I live a good seven hours away on the eastern Colorado plains, I do manage to visit Fairplay every few years. Fairplay is home to the South Park Museum, which is an open-air museum of a collection of 19th century mining camp buildings in South Park that were 'saved' through historical preservation efforts (a topic I will pursue in a future article).

http://www.colorado.com/history-museums/south-park-city-museum

 Back to the story...

At it's heart, Silver and Gold is a story about coming to terms with your own disappointments and heartaches through helping others when their needs are greater than yours.

BLURB

Bad luck and wrong turns make up the greater part of ex-con Joe Halden’s past. When he learns he has a five-year-old son Joe knows he can do something right by giving the boy a decent home. But the only way he can save him is to employ the trade that landed him in prison—explosives expert. Sydney Allard’s heart is hardened against the townspeople she blames for her husband’s death. When a fire destroys the town near Christmas, Sydney wants to continue harboring her hatred, but her conscience won’t let her.

Two strangers share a journey of self-discovery. In this season of SILVER AND GOLD, the hurts of the past can lead to love if they open their hearts and give their trust to each other.

EXCERPT

[the town mayor is talking]

"When the messenger rode in with news of the fire, we asked about the snow up there. He said they’ve had the usual, but so far, nothing substantial. That means we have to go now—and get right back. I’ve arranged to have the supplies we wired from Denver unloaded at the Como depot instead of waiting for them to reach Fairplay. That way, we can just haul them back to Como and up to Boreas Valley.”

Syd couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “Then hire freighters in Como! No one from here would need go at all.”

“We considered that, but we decided we had enough to donate amongst us, that we’d load up at the town hall in the morning and be on the road to Como by noon. We’ve rounded up a few buckboards and horses, but they aren’t draft animals. The buckboards can’t be loaded with much, or the horses will never pull the weight up the mountain. It’ll take twice as long, too.” He turned his hat in his hands as he thought it over. “I suppose if it comes to that, those of us who go can carry the supplies on our backs if the horses can’t make it all the way. We’ll just pray the lot of us don’t get caught in a storm before we can come down off that mountain and make it back here.”

Syd set her mouth in a hard frown. He was hitting below the belt, and he knew it. It was a tactic she’d known him to use with great effectiveness to get donations and cooperation from townspeople for any project the town council proposed or undertook.

“We’d appreciate the use of your mules and freight wagon. If you’ll drive the wagon, I’ll personally accompany you, or Claude and I will take the team. We know you’re more than capable, but if we had our druthers, we’d rather you stayed here and let us handle it.” He paused, almost turned to go, when an afterthought stopped him.

“You weren’t living here when Fairplay rebuilt from the fire of seventy-three, so you didn’t experience watching your life’s work and the memories you’d made destroyed right before your eyes. It’s a hard thing to start over from nothing with nothing. Shared tragedy brings people together. Forgiveness heals. Syd, all I ask is that you look into your heart for the compassion I know is still there. You may think it died with Newly and Lars, but it didn’t. It’s just been a little shy about showing itself. Well, goodnight. If I don’t see you before Sunday, Merry Christmas.”

When the door closed behind Barney, Syd excused herself and went to the kitchen on the pretext of fetching the coffee pot. It was the awkward silence and the questioning expressions she had to get away from. Barney’s words stung, and she couldn’t deny their truth. The protective barricade she’d erected around her heart on the rock-sturdy hate foundation built teardrop-by-falling-teardrop crumbled. Until moments ago, she’d reveled in the righteous blame she’d assigned to the faceless, nameless people in Boreas Valley. They’d earned every ounce of her animosity. But now…she felt her heartache and grief playing out like a gold mine stripped of its riches. Her greatest fear was once she relinquished her hold on her sorrow and anger, loneliness would rush in to take its place.

 A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe is available November 10th.

Until next time,

Kaye

www.kayespencer.com
Writing the West one romance upon a time

U.S. Amendments

By Kristy McCaffrey

Today is Election Day. I hope you’re getting out there and voting.

Did you know that this December commemorates the 225^th anniversary of the Bill of Rights? The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments of the Constitution. They were proposed following the 1787-88 battle over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and were accepted on December 15, 1791.

Since that time more than 11,000 amendments have been proposed, but only 27 total have been ratified by the states and added to the Constitution. Here are a few that didn’t make the cut.

In 1878, it was proposed that an executive council of 3 would replace the president.

In 1893, an amendment was submitted that would make the United States an imperial power. If it had been ratified, children today would be saying, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of Earth.”

In 1914, it was proposed that ending a marriage would be illegal. So, divorce would’ve led to jail time. No doubt some spouses would’ve taken that risk.

In 1933, it was submitted that no one could possess more than one million dollars in personal wealth.

Thankfully, in order to add an amendment, it must be both proposed and ratified before becoming operative, a process that was designed to strike a balance between constant change and rigidity.

On May 5, 1992, the 27^th—and last—amendment was ratified. It delays laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until after the next election of representatives. It took nearly 203 years for this amendment to be added to the Constitution.

God Bless America

******************

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THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR.....AND AN UPCOMING RELEASE!.... by Gail L. Jenner

With Thanksgiving approaching, we are all aware of the importance of giving thanks -- for many things in our lives!

And.....as I sit here in our old farmhouse, with bay windows that overlook the ranch--with fall in the air and rain dripping from the eaves--I smile and think on the wonderful things in my life.

I love this time of year. I've spent a long summer on the ranch when life is sooooooo busy and almost overwhelming, but satisfying, too, and now the time to calm down and take a few breaths means a little pause in our harried lives.


Fall is a time of reflection, and it's truly a time of "birth" for us: Calves are being born and to see them (hundreds of them) flitting with their tails high, in pairs or bunches, while "moms" graze in contented grace ALWAYS affects me.

And of course, with the trees in color and the gorgeous mountains now being topped with snow, our valley is like living inside a postcard.

For other things, too, I reflect on how grateful I am....

For faith, eternally. It has become the cornerstone of my life...and helps me to look out at the world with hope... 

For health, of course. And that--for a writer--is quite significant. When I'm feeling down or "lack-lustre," it is very hard to settle into that old chair and focus on a blank page. It's hard to contemplate upcoming deadlines, or even get creative.

For family, absolutely. Although my husband rarely reads anything I write, I am always grateful for those ("relatively few, albeit") nights he says, "Let's not worry about dinner....I know you're busy." Or, "Let me cook!"  For a farmer/rancher, who comes in famished, that is saying A LOT, and I'm thankful. I know a lot of ranching hubbies would not understand the heady reality of not being able to move until that important idea has been written down--or that final revision is complete.

His confidence in me has become tremendously powerful in my life.

My kids, too, have figured out that my absence is sometimes necessary. Even though none are at home, but have homes and families themselves, they know there are days when "Nonna" is out of touch or out of reach. Even the older grandkids (we have eight now, ranging from 15 to 20 months) know Nonna has to work, often behind closed doors. All help protect that writing time -- even though I cherish my days as babysitter or playmate.

HOWEVER, this weekend, I will be traveling two hours to see our oldest grandson in his final JV football game...



Can't miss that!

And, of course, for friends...so many of them have become my cheerleaders! First to purchase or spread the word about new releases. First to celebrate even the smallest events.

Today, along with everything else in my life, I am also deeply grateful for this NEW release from Prairie Rose: COMING, November 10th:

A Cowboy under the Mistletoe,  a new CHRISTMAS ANTHOLOGY 

 
Check it out: pre-orders can be made already at amazon.com for kindle and ebooks. Print copies will be available soon.

Truly... for Prairie Rose and all of the writers who work for this dynamic enterprise, there is such a wonderful sense of gratitude. As writers, we know the power of the spoken or shared victory, the encouragement and value of having opportunities to write and be published.

We know how demanding the publishing world is and how difficult it is to get our stories published or "out there" for the public. SO....Cheryl and Livia, Kathleen, et al .... your continued support means so much. I want to THANK YOU for the devotion you have provided and for the faith YOU have put into your writers!

So, as the morning sun is bursting through my windows, I smile and sigh and think -- okay, it's time to get back to work... and I wish all a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Gail L. Jenner is grateful for being able to work with Prairie Rose Publishing, and her collection of stories published by PRP has grown since "joining the gang" in Dec. 2013 with the re-release of her WILLA Award-winning Across the Sweet Grass Hills.

"Prettiest Little Horse Thief"  and "July's Bride" are two of her other favorites.....and then there are the boxed sets and anthologies!  For more about Gail, check out: www.gailjenner.com or http://www.amazon.com/Gail-Fiorini-Jenner/e/B005GHR47O

AND...be sure and check out the upcoming anthology, A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe! Available for pre-order NOW!

RESEARCH, WRITING & SPEAKING

I recently had someone ask me how I researched. It took me a moment, for I consider myself a sort of dive bomber when it comes to seeking information. I just set a course and jump in.

Another person asked me about my writing. That also is a 'loaded' question. While I'm not at the skill level I wish to be, I also write across many platforms. My writing practice, that which puts my body in the seat is haiku poetry. My passion for historic research led to writing non-fiction works. My love of storytelling is what drives my desire to tell the stories many of you have read.

However, it is my public persona that most people know me by. I hear people say that can't speak in public. They are scared, it makes them ill. I confess, I try to understand that feeling, but it just doesn't register. Other than being alone, the most comfortable place in the world for me is in front of an audience.

So, how does all this tie together and what can you learn from my experiences? Well, let's start with research. Women doctors in Colorado prior to 1900 has been my focus for about four years. It all started with an obituary in the local paper for Julia E Loomis MD. There was something about the way her story was told that just struck me. Add the fact that no one had really heard of her and I was off and running. First I made a copy of the obituary from the paper. Then I located her grave in the local cemetery. (It does help that I know people who work to preserve the headstones in that cemetery.) I found she was from New Woodstock, New York. I located the local historical society there, and sent an email with questions about Julia. Would you believe I had an answer the next day? The information they sent me about her background told me I was on a journey I was meant to take. A journey of following my instincts and clues that came my way.

This research led to writing about Julia and the other doctors I found. The local library staff, we know each other by name, encouraged and helped me on this part of the journey. When I would get stuck, or as I spoke about some of the information I'd found, they were there with other suggestions for even more places to search. The research also helps lend a level of veracity to my fiction. When I come across something that fascinates me, it many times ends up in my work. When I was writing "Never Had a Chance" a piece of research showed that former President U. S. Grant was in Pueblo around the time my story took place. Yes, he is mentioned in that short story.

This lead to speaking in public. Yes, you can write, but there is something about the spoken word that can draw people in that is magical. Now, as to the fear. Well, first off, accept the fact that you will probably not be perfect, and might even make a mistake. So, perfection is boring. Reading your speech is deadly. If you are just going to read, without a bit of dramatic interpretation, just hand the paper to the audience and save yourself a headache. The key to remember is, they are there to hear you. You have information they want to know. You owe it to them to make it as exciting and personal as you can. Look people in the eye as you speak. Trust me, it makes a connection that draws your audience in.  This, along with the excitement to share your knowledge, is what makes what we do so special.

Share what you know. Research what your are passionate about. Write the stories that are in your heart. And above all share that with the world. Remember, just because you know it, doesn't mean everyone else does. These are your gifts to the world, and so ends this 'sermon'.

I leave you with a final piece of information distilled from my mother's words, "You can do anything thing you want with your life, you just have to give it a try with all your heart and soul." No one told me I couldn't, and even if they did, well I guess I just didn't belive them. (SMILE)

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Doris also writes haiku posted five days a week at – http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com and has now passed one thousand haiku and photos posted on this blog. Check out her other work or like her Amazon author page:  http://amzn.to/1I0YoeL

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