Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Jo-Ann Roberts

Jo-Ann Roberts stopped by to say "Hi". She lives near me and I usually see her at our monthly writer meetings in Raleigh, NC. Now I can only see her via meetings held on Zoom, but things should get back to normal soon. Please give her a warm welcome!

Thank you, Nancy, for inviting me to be on your blog today. My first book, Lessie-Brides of New Hope, debuted in October, 2019. It is available as an ebook and in print form from Amazon and Soul Mate Publishing.  Set in Kansas in 1867, it is a sweet, western historical brimming with hope, redemption, and a second chance at love. I’m pleased to announce that Posey-Brides of New Hope Book Two will be released July 22, 2020, and Grace-Brides of New Hope Book Three will follow in Spring, 2021. Though they are part of a series, each can be read as a standalone romance.

Book Blurb 

How can a single unexpected kiss, a forced wedding, and a missing groom lead two strangers to discover how love can heal their wounded hearts?

Having to carve out a life on her own as a midwife, the last person Lessie MacKenzie expected to see on her doorstep was her missing husband…the injured Yankee she was forced to marry, who disappeared the next day, and whose kiss still lingered on her lips.

Eli MacKenzie wanted only one thing after the Civil War…to establish his medical practice in New Hope, Kansas. His dream turned to despair when he discovered someone sold his property. And that someone appeared to be the woman who haunted his every dream the past two years…and now claimed to be his wife!

Brought together by chance and united by their desire to forge a future, will a secret from Lessie’s past threatens to destroy their new found love?

Excerpt from Lessie-Brides of New Hope Book One

Grabbing Abner’s crudely drawn map scrawled onto the back of his now useless deed, Eli wasted no time in getting to the livery. Drew’s dream, now his dream was gone, but he’d gained a wife. A wife who he couldn’t remember marrying. Picking up the reins, he released the brake and made a clucking sound with his tongue

When Eli arrived at the second bend in the road, the homestead in question came into vim,ew. It was the place where he’d glimpsed the smiling woman and child waving at the train. The woman paused at the top step, shielding her eyes with one hand.

There was something strangely familiar about her sturdy frame and the halo of curling tendrils framing her oval face. As he drove closer, Eli was hit full force with the sudden realization. She was the woman who haunted his dreams and sustained his spirit through those terrible days in a Confederate prison. And now, somehow, she was his wife!

He pulled the wagon to a stop in front of the porch. The woman, with one hand resting between her throat and her heart and her other hand inside an apron pocket, stepped away from the house. She stared at him with wide amber-colored eyes as though he was a specter from beyond the grave.

“Mrs. MacKenzie, your husband is home.”

Buy Links

AMAZON    Soul Mate Publishing

More About the Author

Born and raised in western Massachusetts, Jo-Ann Roberts was fascinated by America’s Old West and always felt she was destined to travel on a wagon train following the Oregon Trail. With her love of history and reading, she began reading historical romance during high school and college. Victoria Holt, Jude Deveraux, and Roseanne Bittner were among her favorites. Influenced by her father, she fell in love with John Wayne, James Garner, and her all-time favorite, James Stewart and grew up watching Wagon Train, Bonanza and Rawhide.

A firm believer in HEA with a healthy dose of realism, Jo-Ann strives to give her readers a sweet historical romance while imparting carefully researched historical facts, personalities, and experiences relative to the time period. Her romances take her readers back to a simpler time to escape the stress of modern life by living in a small town where families and friends help one another find love and happiness. When she isn’t creating believable plots and relatable heroes and heroines, Jo-Ann enjoys spending time with her husband, adult children, and grandson. She also enjoys baking, quilting and eating way too much chocolate.

After 38 years in public education in Connecticut and Maryland, she’s now calls North Carolina home. She is a member of  Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina RWA, and the 2018 Winner (Historical Category) of NEORWA’s Cleveland Rocks Romance Contest. Her debut romance, Lessie-Brides of New Hope Book One, is a 2020 RONE Award Nominee. Connect with her here:

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Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Carolina Clemmons

I invited author Caroline Clemmons to my blog to share her latest book with all of my readers. How about a little bit of western romance? Take it away, Caroline!

Hello, Nancy. Thank you for inviting me to your lovely blog. I love to share my stories with readers. DEBORAH’S DILEMMA is book 3 in my Pearson Grove Series. This is a sweet western historical romance set in 1885 North Central Texas. The fictional site of Pearson’s Grove is not very far from where my father was born in Pilot Grove. His first name was Pearson, which explains how I came up with the town’s name. The series will have seven books, interspersed among multi-author projects.

Here’s a bit about the plot:

What can Deborah do to protect herself from the devil plaguing her hometown?

Can a young man who’s been away for six years fit into the community he left?

What madman is responsible for the murder and mayhem plaguing Pearson Grove?

Deborah Taber has been concerned by her inability to choose her life’s occupation. That worry was pushed aside when someone shot her brother and fire bombed her family’s newspaper, The Pearson Grove Gazette. She believes Trey Pearson is innocent of attacking her brother—isn’t he? She’s had a crush on Trey since second grade and desperately wants to trust him.

Wade Pearson III, called Trey, is happy to be home on Pearson Ranch after six years in New England. He trained to manage his family’s far-reaching investments. Nothing prepared him to be accused of murder or targeted by a killer. If not for quick action by the sheriff, Trey would have been lynched by vigilantes. He wants to help trap the real villain while protecting Deborah, her family, and his.

Can Deborah and Trey survive the threats against them? Will this clever murderer be caught before he delivers his terrible revenge against those he believes slighted him? 

Here’s the Universal Amazon

BUY LINK 

Here’s an excerpt from when Trey’s parents (Judith and Deuce) and grandparents (Marianne and Wade) stop by for a brief visit:

Deborah hurried to make tea and slice the lemon cake for the Pearsons. There were four slender slices left but only if she divided them carefully. She loaded everything on the tea trolley and went to the parlor. Her visitors smiled but she caught Deuce slapping his hat against his knee.

“I apologize for abandoning you. You were so kind to stop by.” As quickly as she could, she served her guests. Thank goodness the best napkins were clean, starched, and ironed.

Wade Pearson swallowed a bite of cake. “Say, this is delicious.”

“Thank you. I make it more often than I should because it’s my father’s favorite. We’re fortunate to have access to plenty of eggs from Mrs. Wallis’ hens.”

Marianne swirled her fork against the icing. “This is so interesting. I’ve never had a cake iced on the sides as well as the top. I admit I like the taste and contrast.”

“Six layers, my goodness. You must have spent hours making this.” Trey’s mother watched her. “Aren’t you having any?”

“I had a slice earlier.” She sipped her tea, hoping she looked as if she were telling the truth and tried to change the subject. “Isn’t it wonderful that Trey doesn’t have to remain at the jail?”

Deuce shook his head. “Not so wonderful when you consider that your shop being bombed is one of the reasons he’s released. Sure sorry to hear about that.”

His comment brought the terrible incident back into her mind. “We were horrified. No one was badly injured, but Papa and the men who helped him have burns here and there.” She explained why the men were with her father.

Wade set his plate aside. “That was good planning on your part. Neighbors like that are a godsend, and I mean that literally. Don’t believe he could have fought that fire successfully alone.”

Deborah hated the thought of him trying. “No, and he would have tried…. ” She paused in surprise when her mother came into the parlor.

“I’m sorry you had to wait in here alone while Deborah took over my hostess duties. I’m so pleased you stopped by. Trey is sitting with Jeff so I can visit with you.”

Trey’s grandmother—Deborah thought her name was Marianne—set her cup on its saucer. “How is your son?”

“We believe he’s getting better. He’s delirious, but at least he’s speaking instead of just laying there. At times, I recognize words.”

Judith Pearson—Trey’s mother—smiled at Mama. “We’ve remembered your family in our prayers, Mrs. Taber. Our children are so precious to us.”

Mama returned the smile. “Please, call me Olive. I’m glad you each had some of the cake. Freddie Pate almost cleaned us out this morning.”

The Pearsons looked at Deborah. So much for her white lie.

Caroline's Muse Chloe 

More About the Author

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their dog and three rescued indoor cats as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, and other critters.

The books she creates in her pink cave have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series include the Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas Time Travel, Texas Caprock Tales, Loving A Rancher, and Pearson Grove as well as numerous single titles and contributions to multi-author sets. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends’ books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap. 

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Facebook Readers Group -Caroline’s Cuties 

Nancy Lee Badger Interviews Author Irene Vartanoff

Author Irene Vartanoff stopped by to share a few intimate details of her life and her latest book. 

Captive of the Cattle Baron is a sweet ranch romance and was released on June 16, 2015.Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.  

Irene- Captive of the Cattle Baron is an update on the old school romances we used to read years ago, in which the hero is rich and domineering and takes the law into his hands. Rancher Baron Selkirk abducts Addie Jelleff—convinced he's saving her from a sordid drug situation. Addie objects, but he won't listen. As they get to know each other on his isolated ranch, we soon see behind his bossy facade to his personal frustrations. He acts in a high-handed manner with Addie but he has his reasons. The major twist is that Addie is a modern woman who isn't intimidated by Baron's attempts to control her. She gives as good as she gets, and she won't let their growing attraction rule her. She's a genuinely strong heroine, which of course only adds to Baron's frustrations—and her own, as their feelings grow.  

  

Nancy- Describe the genre of this particular title. 

Irene- This is a sweet romance, which most people define as being about attraction and character rather than being hot and heavy about sex. My characters do have a very strong sexual attraction, but they are surprised and confused by it and they tend to pull back from intense moments. Addie thinks a lot about how she responds to Baron. In direct contrast, Baron acts on his impulses without examining his feelings, and that leads to trouble between them. Sweet romances usually either do not include the hero and heroine making love, or don't show any details. I like leaving some things to the reader's imagination.

Nancy- Is this the only genre you write in?

Irene- I also write superhero adventure (Temporary Superheroine came out in March, 2015 and the sequel will be published this fall) and women's fiction, and I'm working on novels in several other women-oriented subgenres as well. I'm all over the map for now.

Nancy- When did you start writing toward publication?

Irene- I started trying to sell stories to the comic books as a teenager, and I sold my first stories to DC Comics when I was just out of college. Writing novels was the next step, but it was a rocky road of trying to find my voice in a sea of romances that often featured overly macho heroes I did not like. After writing a bunch of romance graphic novellas for the online comics publisher MyRomanceStory.com, I tried writing novels again. I found the wonderful online support of NaNoWriMo.org, the National Novel Writing Month nonprofit that helps people write 50,000 words in November through the "We're all in this together!" system. I wrote my second novel during the Kiwi Writers (of New Zealand) Southern Cross Challenge, a June version of writing 50,000 words in a month—and for that challenge, I wrote 105,000 words! By the time November rolled around again, I was very confident that I could write novels after all.    

Nancy- Why have you become a published author?

Irene- One major reason to become a published author is to raise my hand and say "This is me. I was here. I lived." If we don't strive to make something unique of our lives, we are the poorer. If we have talent, we have a responsibility to explore it and use it. When I was finding it so difficult to complete novels, I tried to deny my writing talent. It didn't work. The urge to tell stories was always there. I simply had to grow into the confidence to tell my stories the way I believe they should be told. All of my novels explore serious themes, but I prefer a light touch about some dark topics. That's why Captive of the Cattle Baron, despite being an abduction story, has a lot of humor in it, too.

Another, more practical reason to publish, or in my case self-publish, is to push myself to bring each story up to an acceptable level of professionalism, and then to let it go to find its audience. Between the first draft of my first novel and the final draft, I must have done fifteen to twenty revision passes, maybe more. At some point I had to decide—or let others decide—that I had achieved a viable story. I've been very gratified by the positive responses from readers so far. People like my strong heroines. I find that totally cool.

Nancy- Do you have any rejection stories to share?

Irene- Captive of the Cattle Baron has won several writing contests, although some judges haven't liked the abduction scenario. The editor from a major publishing house who judged one contest finalists' entries actually went off on me in a very unprofessional manner. Naturally, I was expecting that since I'd ranked as a finalist in the contest, this editor would write something nice about the pages she'd read. Instead, she hated my story so much that she mocked a particular scene. In her opinion my secondary characters were corny, silly, and unbelievable. And more. She actually was nasty about it. Her harshly negative opinion set me back for a bit, but on balance I decided I was okay with it. I'd written a story that had induced a passionate reaction, and other readers liked that scene very much, and she'd obviously been having a very bad day. I doubt I'll ever submit a story directly to her, but no big deal. We have to shake off rejections.  

Nancy- Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract? 

Irene- Respect yourself. You are the person with the talent, with the stories, with the human capital that publishers need. They can't write your stories; only you can. Don't give away your work, don't give it away for peanuts, and don't ever sign any contract you don't understand. Write the stories you believe in, even if they don't seem to be the stories other people tell you are commercial. Life is too short to waste time stifling yourself.    

Please Share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know 

1) I have two chainsaws and I know how to use them.

2) I used to work with Stan Lee. (Yeah, that guy.)

3) I adore opera.

Nancy- What’s next for you?

Irene- My immediate goal is to get all my backlog of manuscripts published. Interspersed will be sequels that carry characters to their logical happy end points or tell the stories of interesting secondary characters. I have lots of ideas for stories, some of them "answer songs," if you've ever heard that expression. What I mean is that I've read too many romances that made me angry because the hero got away with bullying the heroine, and I want to write stories in which the woman takes back her power. Captive of the Cattle Baron is one of them, and there will be more. 

BOOK BLURB  

Abducted by rancher Baron Selkirk—okay, it was an accident, but now he won't let her go—former TV child star turned horse whisperer Addie Jelleff wants to return to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to defend her actor pal in court. Baron and his vast, isolated ranch appeal to Addie as a respite from the media circus, but he's awfully domineering and she can't possibly give in to their growing attraction while she's virtually his prisoner, can she?

Baron wants Addie to open up about her mysterious past and her commitment to another man. Why won't she give in to Baron, when every time they touch, they catch fire? It's a battle of wills—with neither one backing down.

Excerpt

 “I told you to stay away from my stable today,” he said in a gravelly tone from behind her.

She smelled horses on him, and smoke. Leather. Manly smells.  “I’m not at the stable,” she said, still watching the stallion.

He ignored the technicality. “I specifically ordered you not to come back here today.”

She finally glanced at him. “You ordered? You’re acting like a prison warden.”

“You’re a guest, but you were sick. Or so you claim,” he said, eyeing her with open suspicion.

She curbed her impatience. “Haven’t you ever taken even one pill that made you loopy against your will?”

“No. Never.” His glare was uncompromising. “I don’t do drugs and I don’t allow them on this ranch.”

“I don’t do drugs either,” she said. She glared back at him.

“Why are you here at the corral?” Baron demanded.

“I’m training your stallion, getting him used to humans.”

He frowned. “You went inside the fence?”

“I wouldn’t do that without permission.”

“Why should I give you permission?”

She blew out an exasperated breath. “Because I’m a horse trainer.”

“Pull the other one.” He looked her over, missing none of her female assets, making her want to squirm from his slow, appreciative inventory. “You’re far too beautiful.”

“You’re kidding.”

“What are you? A dancer at the casino? A swim instructor at the hotel?”

“Why would you think that?” She cocked her head at him.

“You have an air about you. Poise,” he said, his hands resting on his belt as he looked her over.

“That’s an astute observation,” she replied, impressed in spite of herself. Although she wasn’t about to tell him about her show biz past, somehow he’d made a connection. “Why is my appearance relevant to my ability to train a horse?”

“The only horse trainers I’ve ever met were wizened old things. You don’t look like a horse trainer to me,” he said.

“I can’t possibly be a horse trainer because I don’t look the part?” She started laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“I don’t look the part.” She couldn’t stop the gales of laughter.

“You’ve been out in the hot sun far too long. Miss Betty told you to rest. I’m taking you back to the house.” He took hold of her upper arm and began to march her toward the ranch house.

“Stop,” she said, sobering up. She pulled against his strong grip. He immediately released her, but now they were face to face, almost touching. Their breaths mingled and then slowed. She stared into his chestnut eyes, seeking something, she didn’t know what. His gaze was equally intent. He answered her without words, and then he looked at her lips. She stopped breathing. He leaned in a few more inches and pressed his mouth against hers.

  

Buy Links….

Amazon ebook

Amazon PRINT

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bio 

Award-winning author Irene Vartanoff started reading romances and comic books as a teenager. Emilie Loring romances and Superman comics led to the serious stuff, Gothic novels and Lois Lane comics—and romance comics. Writing comic books and working on staff at Marvel Comics and DC Comics absorbed her early career years, aspects of which are gently spoofed in her superhero adventure novel, Temporary Superheroine. Editing for major publishers of romance Harlequin, Bantam, and Berkley inspired her next career shift to writing novels. Captive of the Cattle Baron is her first sweet contemporary romance.

You can find more information about 

Irene Vartanoff here:

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Nancy Lee Badger Interviews Molly Ann Wishlade

Debut author Molly Ann Wishlade stopped by all the way from her home near Cardiff, Wales! She answers a few personal questions. Desire in Deadwood is a historical western and is currently available for Total-E-Bound VIPs to buy and read but will be on general release on 30th August.

Now that I have taken my eyes off your book's cover, tell my readers a little bit about your book.  Desire in Deadwood is the story of Nate Hamilton and Evelyn Campbell who meet up in Deadwood after more than a decade of separation.

When did you start writing toward publication?  I always dreamt of being a published writer but I thought that it was one of those things that happens for others, not people like me. So, following University, I became a teacher then had two beautiful children. I was so busy being a mother and working that I didn’t have much time to think about being creative.
However, as my children got older, I felt that yearning to write building again. Only this time, it was stronger. I took a career break and tried writing a medical romance. I read lots of romances, plotted a story then wrote the first three chapters and a synopsis.
I submitted my manuscript to a major romance publisher then waited. I should have been finishing it then starting the next one but I didn’t. I procrastinated. A lot! When the rejection finally came, I wasn’t surprised. It just wasn’t the right time for me, I guess. Instead of having another go, I got myself another full time job at a different school and packed away my dream of writing, thinking I didn’t really have it in me.

However, a few years ago, when I met my husband and told him all about my dreams, something clicked. He really believed that I could do this and he encouraged me to go for it. His confidence boosted my own and inspired me to try again. He’s such a strong and determined man that with his support and faith in me, I felt more confidence in my ability than ever before.

I wrote, plotted, and submitted. There were rejections but they weren’t heartbreakingly negative. I even had several ‘revise and resubmits’ which gave me hope and encouraged me to persevere. My lowest point came just before Christmas last year when a Regency I’d submitted was rejected. I felt like throwing in the towel once again. Guess what? I didn’t. A dear friend of mine did a thorough critique of it and told me what the issues were but also what she loved about it. It was a steep but invaluable learning curve and it increased my determination. For Christmas last year my husband bought me a cover for my Kindle. It’s designed to look like a Victorian book cover and it has my name inscribed on the spine. On the inside front cover is a message which reads: This is your first book cover of many. You will be published! With support and encouragement like that, how could I fail to keep going?
Post-Christmas, a few lines just popped into my head and kept playing over and over:
“Take your clothes off.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Evelyn forced her mouth shut.
“So? What are you waiting for?”
Her eyes met those of the man on the moth eaten chaise longue in front of her. He was serious.

Within days, these evolved into a full plot and Desire in Deadwood was born! I submitted it to Total-E-Bound exclusively. And that, as they say, was that! 
Wow! So glad you kept at it, and had someone at your back! What is your writing routine like? As I teach fulltime, I try to write for at least an hour or two in the evenings - if I’m not too exhausted and as long as I don’t have piles of marking to do! I also grab time on the weekends. It’s difficult. I also want to spend time with my family. As my husband also teaches, we want to make the most of our time off. I am very lucky as he’s extremely understanding and he knows that when the writing bug bites and I’ve got something in my head, that I just have to get my laptop out and go for it! 
Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing? Finishing my final edits and realizing that I was actually going to be published was amazing as was receiving my cover package from the wonderful Total-E-Bound team. I just get such a thrill seeing the book on the web and knowing that I wrote it. I don’t think that euphoria will ever go away.
Enjoy it, as you will your next book! Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract? Never surrender your dreams. If you really want this – and you have to really want it or you won’t make it happen – then keep trying. You need to read lots, write lots and find some good critique partners, as well as a lovely editor who believes in your work. Don’t waste time procrastinating.
Please Share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1)When I was eight, I had a pet mouse called Geronimo. When he died I was devastated so I buried him in a pretty little box with a clear plastic front cover. (It had previously held a letter writing set.)  Enclosed with him in the box was a note which read: Here lieth Geronimo, loveth by all. My Dad teased me about it for years!
2)I am obsessed with all things Tudor and will read just about anything I can get my hands on and even though I’ve read Anne Boleyn’s story time after time, it still fascinates me. I intend to write her story myself in the very near future…with a slightly new take on things. (Watch this space!) My husband recently took me to Hever Castle for my birthday and I cried all the way around the castle and gardens.
3)I have four bearded dragons. We wanted pets but because we work full time, we couldn’t have a dog. So we looked into it and decided that reptiles would be an alternative. They are bright, inquisitive and friendly creatures which enjoy interacting with the family.

All I have is a cat, but he is great company for my husband and I. What’s next for you?
I have just submitted my novel Harlot at the Homestead to Total-E-Bound and so I’m currently going through submission anxiety!  I guess I’d better get on with the next one to make the time pass more quickly.

BOOK BLURB
After more than a decade of separation, can Nate Hamilton really put aside his hurt and learn to forgive the woman who destroyed his life then help her to find her heart’s desire in Deadwood?
Deadwood, 1878, Nate Hamilton and his former sweetheart Evelyn Campbell meet up after more than a decade of separation.
When the widowed Evelyn discovers that her tuition post has fallen through, she is left destitute and concerned about how she will provide for her son, until Nate offers her a way to earn some money – and a way to exact his perfect revenge for her betrayal – he will pay her to be his own private whore.
The combination of past hurts, secrets and rekindled passion causes fireworks in and out of the bedroom!

EXCERPT
       Evelyn stood at her window in the Grand Central Hotel, looking out onto the street below. Dusk had fallen on the camp and the residents had lit their kerosene lamps which hung from their hooks like dead men in the breathless evening. By twilight, the camp seemed calm and even pretty with its gentle lighting and the dark shapes of the mountains as its backdrop. Maybe it was because she’d felt rootless for so long, or maybe it was because Nate was here, but Evelyn felt that she could settle in Deadwood; make it her home. Growing up she’d believed that her home would always be with Nate and she wished that she could believe that again, even if just for a moment. To have that security, that infallible awareness that she was with the man that destiny had chosen for her would still the pain in her heart and mind.
       She shrugged the thoughts away. No use crying over spilt milk. Nothing to gain from it. What was done was done and she had to pin her bloomers to her corset and get on with it, as her granny used to say.
       The main street teemed with people as miners returned to their lodgings to wash before supper; prospectors trudged heavily along the dry, potholed track to fall into a restless slumber filled with images of the gold pocket they’d find the next day and a few painted whores sidled up to passers-by to try to entice them into their establishments for whisky, gambling and a hot lay.
       She moved behind the curtain when Nate appeared, his long strides bringing him quickly in front of the hotel. He stopped as a man waved at him then joined him in the street. She thought she recognised the other man as the sheriff but she couldn’t be sure.
       “Mama?”
       Evelyn turned to her son.
       “Yes Aaron.”
       “Can I go downstairs?”
       She shook her head. “You know we talked about this.” Even though he was ten years old and tall for his age, she still fretted constantly for his safety.
       “But I’ll be careful. I just want to take a look around, see if …”
        His cheeks coloured.
       “You want to see if you can charm a cake off the cook, don’t you?”
       He looked down.
       “Well go on but don’t disappear. I’ll be down for dinner soon as I’ve changed.”
       Shaking her head, she watched as he grabbed his hat and ran to the door then turned and gave her a cheeky smile.
       She laughed and waved her hand. “Go on…before I change my mind!”
       As the door closed behind him, she turned back to the window, pressing her finger tips against the cool pane of glass. Nate was still deep in conversation with the other man.
       She was finding it hard to believe that she had come here to Deadwood and bumped into him after all this time. She had spent years thinking about him, dreaming about him and wanting him. But now that she’d been with him again, it wasn’t at all how she had imagined; he seemed like a stranger.
       His face was still handsome, his eyes still dark brown, but they were hard now and his forehead was lined as if he’d spent too long frowning in the sun.
       And he was angry with her. Still. She couldn’t blame him but she wished that she could go back in time and change things; stop herself walking into marriage to another man.
       But that was impossible.
       Her stomach rolled over as she thought of his final words to her that afternoon.
       “I’ll see you at the same time tomorrow.”
       She needed the money to support her and Aaron. She had no other means of keeping a roof over their heads. Her pride and conscience had seen to that.
       That was why she’d have to go. So why did the thought of seeing him again make her tingle all over?
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I have always been an avid reader and writer of stories. My lifetime of reading has taken me from the magical worlds of The Faraway Tree and The Borrowers, to the Greek myths and legends, to the Sweet Valley High Twins and Judy Blume’s Forever, to Asimov’s science fiction and Jane Eyre’s torment and to Stephen King’s masterpieces. More recently I have wandered through the vivid historicals of Philippa Gregory; the bubbly, gritty delights of Adele Parks and the fast paced thrillers of James Patterson. I love getting lost in a novel and often regret finishing one as the characters are usually missed.

I also indulge my insatiable hunger for romance and passion in the delicious worlds created by romantic novelists and having published one and with another in submission, I’m about to begin the next one!

I adore spending time with my family, taking long walks (although I’m still waiting for the rescue greyhound to accompany me), cooking my own secret recipe curries, drinking Earl Grey (in copious amounts) and discovering delicious wines. Oh, and I love to ski and can’t wait to go again!
I’d love to hear from readers so please feel free to comment on my blog or to email me at mollyannwishlade@hotmail.co.uk You can find more information about Molly Ann Wishlade at:

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How can my readers buy your book?  

Readers can go to the publisher’s home page HERE

 

and the Desire in Deadwood Buy Page HERE