Usually I set my books in Texas, which is where I
live. My latest release, AMANDA’S
RANCHER, is part of a Kindle World for which Debra Holland set the
parameters. She chose eastern Montana, which is where her Montana Sky Series is
set. To provide a visual aid for authors participating in this project, author
Lou Nelson put together a map of the small mining town central to the books,
Morgan’s Crossing. I set my hero’s ranch a half hour’s wagon ride from that
small town.
Writing in another person’s world is more difficult
than in my own. I like challenges and stretching myself occasionally to keep
growing as a writer. This book gave me the opportunity to delve into a new
setting and expand my writing. But, I still wrote about my favorite cowboys,
ranchers, and mail-order brides.
Books about mail-order brides are very popular. I
believe it’s the unknown, fish-out-of-water aspect that keeps us entertained.
In truth, there were many mail-order brides from the end of the Civil War up to
the turn of the century (and beyond). Men moving west settled and wanted a
wife, but there were not enough single women in the west. Women in the east
wanted to marry and have a family, but there weren’t enough eligible men.
Enterprising people set up as matchmakers to connect
the men and women—the early form of Match.com, eHarmony.com, and others. Like
today’s online matches, some were happy and some were disasters. Of course,
those in my mail-order bride books are successful, but only after enough
difficulty to keep the plot going.
Like most romance readers, I read to relax and dive
into another world that guarantees a happily-ever-after ending. You’re
guaranteed a happy ending with my books. At the same time, I strive to be
factual as far as locale, dress, customs, and so forth for the time period in
which I’m writing.
In planning AMANDA’S
RANCHER, I first came up with my hero, Preston Kincaid. He moved to Montana
Territory from Texas with his father after the death of his mother. Although Preston
was happy in Texas, his father was determined to move to assuage his grief and
Preston didn’t want his father starting over on his own. At the opening of the
story, they’ve been in Montana for seven years and Preston is twenty-eight. He
ranch is firmly established and he’s ready to wed and have a family. His father
has encouraged him to write for a genteel Southern belle from Atlanta, which is
where Preston’s mother grew up.
For my heroine, I wanted someone the opposite of what
Preston requests, a woman in jeopardy and on the run, Mara O’Sullivan. I chose
to make her the daughter of a prostitute in a small town near Atlanta, Georgia.
In spite of her mother’s background, Mara is virtuous and hard-working. When
she testifies against bank robbers, they vow to kill her in retaliation. On the
way to prison, they escape and kill a guard. She knows she has to disappear. When
the woman seated next to her on the train dies, she fulfills a deathbed promise
by taking that woman’s identity and child.
Here’s
the blurb for AMANDA’S RANCHER:
One desperate young woman.
A chance meeting.
A life-changing outcome.
Growing up in a brothel, Mara
O'Sullivan battled public disdain and contempt, but always remained virtuous,
kind-hearted, and gracious. After testifying against vicious
bank robbers, her life is threatened and Mara must find sanctuary far from
everything she knows.
One train ride changes her life as
she fatefully meets a half-sister and a niece she never knew existed. But
when circumstances end her sister's life, Mara makes a deathbed promise that
she'll raise her niece Iris as her own and take her sister Amanda's place
as Preston Kincaid's mail-order-bride. As Mara and Preston
grow closer, their marriage no longer seems like a ruse, but a
relationship of love, passion, and desire.
Mara's past comes back to haunt her
and she finds herself in danger—will her new husband forgive Mara's deceit
and protect her as his own?
Here’s
an excerpt from AMANDA’S RANCHER:
They reached the church and Preston jumped
down from the wagon and came around to help her alight. With a smile, he lifted
Iris high over his head before he set her on the ground. Her giggle brought
tears to Amanda’s eyes.
That was the first time she’d ever heard the
child make the girlish sound. Iris had smiled, spoken, but never laughed until
she met Preston Kincaid. For that alone, Amanda would be the best wife she knew
how to be.
Inside the church, Mrs. Norton handed
Amanda a bouquet of daisies secured with a white ribbon. The sanctuary interior
was plain with wooden benches and an altar raised one step above the rest of
the floor. Although there were several windows, none had stained-glass as did
the churches she’d seen in Georgia.
The minister was waiting at the front of
the church and wore a black frock coat and matching string tie. His brown hair
and beard were thickly streaked with gray. He stood at a simple lectern with
what looked like a Bible in one hand while he conversed with another man.
Amanda was surprised only one other person
besides Reverend and Mrs. Norton was in the sanctuary. She’d supposed Preston
had many friends in the area and thought at least his ranch hands would attend.
The second man turned and came to greet them. He proved to be an older version
of her groom.
Preston cupped her elbow. “Amanda and
Iris, this is my father. Most folks call him Tom, but I call him Papa.”
Amanda smiled at the handsome man who must
be around fifty. He was tall, but maybe an inch shorter than his son. Silver
sprinkled the same dark hair. “May I call you Papa, too?”
He beamed his pleasure and his blue eyes
crinkled at the corners. “I’d be honored. And in the absence of your father,
may I walk you down the aisle?”
“Would you? I’d be ever so grateful.” She
laid her hand on his arm. Nerves had set in and she needed his support or her
knees might give way.
Preston said, “Iris, why don’t you stand with
me while my papa walks Mama to meet us?”
Iris shook her head. “Mommy, not my old
mama?”
Preston frowned. “Old mama?”
Panic sent bile into her throat that
threatened to choke her. Don’t throw up on your wedding dress. “Perhaps you
remember my mother recently died.”
Sympathy shone from his blue eyes. “Of
course.” He took Iris’ hand in his and strode to the front.
Mrs. Norton began playing the piano. She
nodded toward Amanda. Papa Kincaid gently led her up the aisle.
Walking toward her husband, Amanda was
conscious of Preston’s stare, as if he could see into her mind and knew her for
an impostor. Although he held Iris’ hand, the intensity of his blue gaze
unnerved her. She wondered if he was disappointed or if he were as numb as she.
Thankful for the presence of her future
father-in-law beside her, she tightened her hold on Mr. Kincaid’s arm.
In response, he patted her hand her where
it laid on his sleeve. Without looking at her, he whispered. “Steady as you go.
We’re almost there.”
Iris gave a tiny wave and Amanda couldn’t
resist smiling at the child. The little girl truly was a blessing. Focusing on
Iris gave Amanda a target she could face.
When they reached the front, Mrs. Norton
ceased playing.
Preston took the bouquet from Amanda’s
hands. “Iris, would you hold this for Mommy so she and I can be married?”
Iris looked at him adoringly and reached
to receive the flowers. Reverend Norton opened his Bible and began the
ceremony. Preston took Amanda’s hands in his. She was conscious of his
calluses, but also of the size and strength of his palms dwarfing hers.
When the minister indicated, Preston
slipped a ring onto her finger. This new
one belongs to me, even if my groom doesn’t know my true name.
After the ceremony, Preston brushed his
lips gently against hers.
Iris clapped her hands across her mouth in
surprise then said, “Mommy? That man kissed you.”
Preston knelt eye-to-eye with her. “I’m
your new Daddy, remember? Mommy and I were just married and now I can kiss her
whenever she says it’s okay. Do you think you can call me Daddy?”
Iris nodded. “Are you gonna kiss me too?”
He smiled broadly. “I certainly am.” He
leaned forward and gave her a loud smack on the cheek.
The child giggled. Twice in one day this
kind man had made Iris happy. Amanda owed Preston all her wifely devotion.
Caroline and her husband live in the heart of Texas cowboy country with their menagerie of rescued pets. When she’s not indulging her passion for writing, Caroline enjoys time with family, reading, travel, antiquing, genealogy, and getting together with friends. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest. Subscribe to her newsletter here to receive a FREE novella of HAPPY IS THE BRIDE.
1 comment:
Paty, thanks for hosting me!
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