Monday, March 03, 2014

Meet Jacquie Rogers

I'm pleased to have Jacquie Rogers on my blog today. We met many moons ago at a RWA (Romance Writers of America) conference in Seattle WA. After visiting we learned we grew up across the Snake River from one another. Me in Wallowa County, Oregon and her in Owyhee County, Idaho. She writes humorous historical western stories. She is also one of the authors in our upcoming Anthology, Rawhide 'n Roses.

Here is some info about Jacquie:

Jacquie Rogers is a former software designer, campaign manager, deli clerk, and cow milker, but always a bookworm. Reading is her passion–westerns, fantasies, historicals of any era, all with a dash of romance. Jacquie now lives in suburbia with her husband and one pampered cat, but her stories often take place in rural Idaho, where she grew up.

Jacquie says:

Thanks for swapping blogs with me today, Paty! I’m so excited to participate in the Rawhide ‘n Roses anthology with you and thirteen other authors, ramrodded by Susan Horsnell.

These stories are short-short, only 2,000 words, a sample of what readers can expect when they buy our books. We all have very different styles and voices, so this collection of stories should be interesting, for sure!

My Rawhide ‘n Roses story, a bonus to the Hearts of Owyhee series, is Much Ado About Misfires, starring Reuben Wallace and Lucy Gwynn. It’s set in 1874 in a rollerskating rink. Yes, skating was wildly popular in the Old West, even though their skates were crude by today’s standards—no stopping block, for one thing.

Here’s a little more about Much Ado About Misfires:

Reuben Wallace couldn’t ask his sweetheart to marry him when he had no means to support her. Now, four years later, he’s built a horse ranch and he needs a wife. He heard that the new rollerskating rink was all the rage, and the ladies congregated there. With luck, he’ll find his Lucy.

Lucy Gwinn expects her beau to propose but he’s just another second-best man. Her heart has always belonged to Reuben, the big hard-headed lug. But her beau is content with circling around the rink—until Reuben knocks them all head over teakettle. Can Reuben score a perfect ten on his first try?

Here’s an excerpt: Much Ado About Misfires by Jacquie Rogers

“Are you married?” Reuben asked Lucy.

“No.”

“Good. I came here to marry you and take you back to the ranch. I just built a house with two bedrooms and we can easily build on. There’s no furniture but I have enough money with me for you to buy all we need for now.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“I didn’t—heard tell your folks had moved to town so I reckoned we could get married. Seems like a danged good idea to me.”

“You’re direct, but then you always have been. What if I don’t want to marry you?”

“In that case, I guess you wouldn’t, but I’m hoping you will. We get on good and always have, and there ain’t no prettier girl in the county.”

“If I’m the prettiest girl, then don’t you think I should marry the handsomest man?”

That stopped him short. She had a point—why should she marry him? “Is that a ‘no’?”

She pulled him to his feet, but he was none too steady. “That’s a ‘we haven’t seen each other for four years so we should get reacquainted with each other.’ Let’s skate.”


Rawhide ‘n Roses won’t be on sale until March 15, 2014, but I have several other books and short stories out. The latest novel is the fourth offering in the Hearts of Owyhee series, Much Ado About Miners. I had a lot of fun with this story and incorporated some of my fondest childhood memories in it, although in vastly altered form. Plus, Kade and Iris had a lot of fun with biscuits. Here’s the blurb:

Cupid’s bullet…

Hired gun Kade McKinnon interrupts a bank holdup and is shot by the teller, Iris Gardner, whose victims have a tendency to be the next groom in town. Will he be the groom this time?

Cupid’s bow…

Iris Gardner, a smart, independent bank clerk, fell in love with Kade when she was too young to know better. So when he walks back into her life and her bank, it’s only fitting that she shoots him … by accident, of course. But she’s a suffragist now, so his charms can’t affect her…right?

Cupid’s blindfold…

Kade doesn’t know Iris’s company is the one who hired him to escort a bullion shipment, and Iris doesn’t know Kade owns the security company, but they both know robbers are on their trail. Which is more likely to be stolen—the silver, or his heart?

And an excerpt of
Much Ado About Miners
by Jacquie Rogers

Iris stood and gazed into Kade’s eyes with a passion that made him want to kiss her right there, on her engagement day. “You know a whole lot of things I know nothing about,” she whispered.

He took a stride toward her. “When you hit your head, you asked me if I’d kissed you.”

“I vaguely remember.”

“Why did you ask that?”

“Be-because…” Her mouth opened a little bit, and she licked her upper lip. Kade had all he could do to keep from sweeping her up in his arms and making love to her the way a man should—the way she deserved to be loved.

“Do you want to kiss me?”

“No!” But she nodded, and Kade stepped closer, to within an inch of her, and it took all his willpower to stop there.

“The way you kiss Edward?”

“I, uh, don’t…” She gazed into Kade’s eyes. “We never…” She touched her forefinger to her lips.

“Just one kiss, then, so you know how to do it.” He pulled her close, pressing her back so her breasts pressed into him. “Put your arms around me, princess.”

She brushed her hands over his sides and when she caressed his back, he could barely hold back from ravishing her. “Tilt your head back and open your lips just a little.”

As she did, she whispered, “Just this once.”

He’d make her remember “just this once” forever.
♥ ♥ ♥

Books by Jacquie:
Much Ado About Marshals http://amzn.com/B0058ON1LS
Much Ado About Madams http://amzn.com/B007HRTQ0O
Much Ado About Mavericks http://amzn.com/B008EDN9T4
Much Ado About Miners http://amzn.com/B00HGUD17G
Sleight of Heart http://amzn.com/B00FMZYP5Y
Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues http://amzn.com/B002BWPCZS
Faery Special Romances http://amzn.com/B001C4QN4A

Find all of Jacquie’s books and short stories here:

Visit Jacquie on these sites:
Pickle Barrel Gazette: http://eepurl.com/qhA_1

19 comments:

Jacquie Rogers said...

Paty, thanks so much for hosting me today, and I hope everyone hops over to Romancing The West to read about your story! http://romancingthewest.blogspot.com

Jacquie

Wendy said...

I love your books , Jacquie, and All About Miners sounds as good as the rest. I must grab this one too.
Good luck with the anthology. I have a feeling your short story which begins as 'misfits' will find the perfect fit in the end.

Paty Jager said...

Jacquie, Thanks for being here. Hi Wendy!

Cheri Kay Clifton said...

Hey there, Jacquie, nice to visit you on Pagy's blog. Looking forward to reading Much Ado About Misfires, love the way you spice up your stories with humor! Can't wait until our anthology is published. Fantastic blog, Paty!

Anonymous said...

Really fun excerpt, Jacquie. Eager to see this book come out.

Rain Trueax said...

Looks like a great short story and the anthology is so filled with diverse writers that it's a sampling of not only the west but how varied it can be.

Alisab8888 said...

Hi Jacquie!

Can't wait for Rawhide & Roses!

Jacquie Rogers said...

Thanks, Wendy, for stopping by! I hope you enjoy Much Ado About Miners and Much Ado About Misfires.

Jacquie Rogers said...

Cheri, thanks! Just a few more days and Rawhide 'n Roses will be available. Thanks for taking this journey with us. I enjoyed your story, too!

Jacquie Rogers said...

Char, I love the cover--you did a great job! Thanks for stopping by.

Jacquie Rogers said...

Rain, the stories are very different so this truly is a sampler.

Jacquie Rogers said...

Alisa, thanks for visiting! I hope you had a rollicking time at our Gamblers and Lightskirts class. :)

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Jacquie,
That was a coincidence you living close to Paty. Maybe your paths crossed at one time and you didn't realize it.
Sounds wonderful, can't wait for the anthology to come out.

Regards

Margaret

Unknown said...

What a great interview and excerpt. It's an honor to be included with so many talented writers.

Lyn Horner said...

Two terrific excerpts, Jacquie! Your short story promises to be great fun. I'm thrilled to be in such good company with you, Paty and all the other members of our happy band of western authors.

Jacquie Rogers said...

Margaret, thanks for stopping by. Yes, Paty and I do have a lot in common and we can occasionally share resources, plus of course I've enjoyed her books and workshops.

Jacquie Rogers said...

Simone, I feel the same--some terrific writers in this anthology! Release day is coming. :)

Jacquie Rogers said...

Lyn, I hope readers will check out the previous entry on Romancing The West where they'll find your excerpt. Good reading!

Chad said...

Loads of fun and frolic in your stories, Jacquie - can't wait for the anthology to come out!