Excerpt Wednesday – A Taste of Trail of Hope

*happy sigh* I love Excerpt Wednesday. (Although how did it get to be Wednesday already?) It means I get to share a bit of my work with you. So without further ado, here’s a snippet – a very important snippet – from Trail of Hope, coming November 24th!

 

Reverend Joseph stumbled through a few passages from the Bible, using a smaller, thinner one instead of his own that he’d dropped earlier, then got straight to the point.

“Do you, John Rye, take this woman, Callie Lewis—”

“Callysta Lewis,” John corrected him.

“Um, yeah. Right, right. Callysta Lewis, to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

John remembered candles and incense. He remembered the Latin blessing that had been spoken over him and Shannon. He remembered Shannon’s fiery red hair, but he couldn’t remember the shape of her nose.

“I do,” he said with a catch in his throat. At least for now.

“Good, good.” Reverend Joseph nodded and turned to Callie. “And do you, Callysta Lewis, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Callie met John’s eyes with a blend of resignation and determination. She would do what she had to do to survive. Knowing that brought a smile to John’s face. He admired her more than she would ever know.

“I do,” she stated firmly.

“Then by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife,” Reverend Joseph finished up the ceremony. He’d forgotten half of the vows and fumbled through the rest of it at best, but John supposed it was good enough for God. “Oh. You may kiss the bride.”

A hitch caught in John’s chest. Callie stood before him, without wearing a veil, her eyes full of shy expectation. It would do no harm to kiss her. Just a little. She was his wife now. Shannon would forgive him. He leaned into her, taking her hands in his, and touched his lips to hers.

A rush of warmth spread through him. There was nothing passionate or romantic about the kiss, but it was still a promise. Callie softened under his touch, so trusting. He found himself lingering longer than he should, surprised by the taste of mint on her lips, the warmth and the gentleness with which she met him. He wanted to slide his arms around her, hold her close to see how she felt against him. His heart thumped in his chest as if it had forgotten how.

When he stepped back, Callie’s friends were clapping. Emma wiped a tear from her eye and turned bright red when Dr. Meyers noticed and smiled at her. Cade watched Lynne with a look of admiration that only a blind man would misinterpret. Elton Finch, who had actually had the nerve to show up for the ceremony, smiled as though he had gotten his way after all.

None of it penetrated past one simple fact in John’s mind. Once again, he was a married man.

 

And YES! You can pre-order Trail of Hope on Amazon, iBooks, and Smashwords.

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Excerpt Wednesday – A First Look at Trail of Hope

It’s Wednesday! And, of course, you know what that means. It’s time for an excerpt. So here it is, the exclusive first peek at Book Two in the Hot on the Trail series, Trail of Hope:

He stood by the edge of a small stream on the other side of the wagon train, watching his oxen drink. He may have been dressed in mourning, but his clothes were clean and well-made. His glasses reflected the sunlight and his expression was sad and distant, as though he was a thousand miles away. But he looked up when Callie drew near.

“Mr. Rye?” Her voice cracked.

“Yes, Miss Lewis?” he replied.

Two days. Her brother had died only two days ago, and here she was, making the biggest decision of her life.

“Would you be willing to marry me?” The words felt as though they came from someone else.

He took in a breath. The weary look in his eyes told her he’d seen the question coming, had been thinking about his answer already.

“I’m willing,” he told her in a soft, hesitant voice, mouth drawn up in a small line, “but I don’t know if I’ll be a good husband.”

Callie shook her head. “I don’t need you to be a ‘good husband,’ whatever that’s supposed to mean. I just want a peaceful life. If you can put a roof over my head and food on my plate and give me something to keep me busy in my days, that’s all I need.”

He considered her words for a moment. There was something reassuring in the way his brow knit in thought before he spoke. “Miss Lewis.” He paused and shifted his weight. “I suppose I should call you Callie.”

A thrill of hope combined with relief flooded through her. He was going to say yes. She wouldn’t have to go on alone.

“If you’d like,” she replied. “Although my given name is Callysta.”

His brow inched up. “Callysta. That’s a lovely name. Unusual.” He took a breath. “Callysta, are you certain this is what you want?”

A wry grin pulled at the corner of Callie’s mouth. “None of this is what I want,” she said rubbing her forehead. “But asking for your help is a decision I can live with.”

A splash of color touched his face and he lowered his eyes, looking almost guilty. It was the most curious look she had ever seen on anyone’s face, and for some reason it prompted a swirl of butterflies in her stomach. There was something more to John Rye, something he hadn’t mentioned and only barely hinted at in their one conversation. She caught herself wanting to know what that was, wanting to untangle the mystery of the unassuming, grief-stricken man in front of her. He was special, but she didn’t know how.

He cleared his throat and lifted his eyes to meet hers once more, studying her carefully. His large eyes were rimmed dark with grief, but also with intelligence and something latent, like a fire that had been all but put out. Callie could have sworn there were embers still burning in him.

At last, he let out a sigh and nodded. “All right. If you’re certain, I will marry you.”

Intrigued? You’re in luck! Trail of Hope is now available for pre-order on Amazon, iBooks, and Smashwords! It’s coming November 24th wherever books are sold.

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Like what you’ve read? I love the fact that you read it! I’ve got more for you too. Sign up for my quarterly newsletter to receive special content, sneak-peeks, and treats that only subscribers are privy to. And thank you!

Wild Western Women are Coming!

Pre-order your copy of Wild Western Women now on Amazon and iBooks!
Add it to your Goodreads WANT TO READ list!

The Wild Western Women Box Set launches tomorrow! To celebrate, I’m bringing you an excerpt from Kristen Osbourne’s Mail Order Misunderstanding, one of the stories in the collection. Enjoy!

When the stage pulled up, he knew immediately the woman coming down was his own sweet Anna. She’d warned him that she was incredibly shy, and she wasn’t certain, once she arrived, if she’d be able to go through with it. He’d decided his plan of action, and every time she seemed to be trying to talk him out of marrying her, he’d just kiss her. It would work beautifully.

He caught her eye and walked across the street toward her, so happy to see her in Wiggieville at last. She was a true beauty with her red hair swept atop her head, with a few tendrils falling down out of the knot she had them arranged in. He couldn’t see her eye color from the distance he was at, but he didn’t think he needed to. He knew he’d never seen a woman who was more attractive to him than the one standing beside the stage.

A tall, handsome man stepped walked across the street toward her, his eyes filled with excitement. He was dark with hair that was almost black and the brownest eyes she’d ever seen. When he reached her, he gave her a very familiar look that startled her. “Are you Miss Simmons?” he asked.

She nodded, holding her hand out to shake his. When he took her hand, he gently pulled her toward him, leaning down to press his lips against hers. She was startled and put her hand to her lips as soon as he pulled back. She knew Texas wasn’t as formal as New York, but she’d never expected to be greeted with a kiss, especially not in the middle of the street. What if one of her pupils saw her?

She stepped back, out of his reach, and smiled nervously. “Will you take me to where I’ll be staying please?” She decided not to mention the kiss and give him the dressing down he deserved. He was a school board member after all, and as such he needed to be treated with respect, whether he deserved it or not.

He shrugged. “I’d be happy to. We just need to make one stop first, and then we’ll be able to head out to the ranch.” That stop would, of course, be to the local pastor’s house. He just wasn’t about to admit it and make her more skittish than she already seemed to be.
Julia frowned. The way she’d understood it, she’d be staying close to the schoolhouse, which would be much better for her, but she could walk if she needed to. “All right.” She had no idea what kind of errand he was going to have to run, but she was happy to tag along as long as it didn’t take too long. She was excited to go see the schoolhouse and make sure everything was in order. Teaching had been a lifelong dream, and she was finally almost there.

He took her bags from her and held them in one hand, his hand taking hers and pulling her down the street with the other. He seemed to be a man of few words, but that was all right with Julia. She wasn’t here to become friendly with the man, just to stay with his family during her year of teaching at the local school. If she liked it, maybe she would even sign another contract and come back the following year.

He stopped to put her belongings into an old farm wagon before pulling her along to a house that was just down the street. He went to the door and knocked loudly, smiling down at her, his grin very impish.

“Where exactly are we?” she asked softly. She didn’t want to argue with the man, but something felt wrong about the whole situation. Why was he taking her to someone’s house?

Thomas chuckled and leaned down and kissed her again, without answering her. He couldn’t believe his sweet bride kept asking him where they were. Had she forgotten she’d traveled all the way from Beckham, Massachusetts to marry him?

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From USA Today Best Selling Author Kirsten Osbourne: Mail Order Misunderstanding

Julia traveled West to be a schoolteacher. Thomas requested a mail order bride. When he arrives at the train station to pick up his bride, Thomas mistakenly thinks Julia is there for him. Julia sees Thomas and thinks he’s there from the school board. She’s married an hour later.

{ Find Kirsten on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. }

Pre-order your copy of Wild Western Women now on Amazon and iBooks!
Add it to your Goodreads WANT TO READ list!

Wild Western Women – An Excerpt from The Indomitable Eve

It’s excerpt Wednesday! But this week, instead of bringing you a bit from my next release, Trail of Kisses, first book in the Hot on the Trail series, I thought I’d show you a little bit of another release that both came out last year and is coming out November 1st! I’m privileged to have my novella The Indomitable Eve included in a box set of historical western novellas put together by some truly brilliant ladies. Here we are!

So without further ado, here’s Eve:

 

At the front of a wide sanctuary lined with polished new pews, a cluster of children stood in varying degrees of white and yellow and gold costumes, singing their hearts out. A pair of women fussed over a few of them. They adjusted a costume here, or tried on a pair of wings there. The children sang through it, fresh faces turned up to catch the light streaming in through the windows.

Eve had seen almost every stage from California to London, but not one of them could come close to the pure beauty that stood at the front of that church.

“Very good, very good, children.” A man in a simple black suit with sandy-blond hair stepped forward, applauding the children. “Now, once you finish the carol, you will cross the front of the church—yes, just like that—and come to stand over the manger where the baby Jesus will be resting.”

“Rev. Andrews, shouldn’t the shepherds be the ones looking at the baby Jesus?” one of the little angels asked.

The entire group shuffled from one end of the stage—the church, rather—to the other, the mothers with costumes in tow.

“You’re exactly right, Annie. The shepherds will be looking at the baby Jesus, but I bet that the angels couldn’t help but steal a peek as well,” Rev. Andrews answered.

The chorus of angels giggled at his answer, smiles shining.

Eve’s heart caught in her throat. They were all so dear, so marvelous. A few were unruly, twirling or giggling as they took their places above the empty manger. A pair of boys dodged through the others, their hands in the shape of guns that they fired with all the accompanying sounds. One little girl, who couldn’t have been more than three, stared up at the high stained glass windows, her thumb in her mouth.

A bittersweet twinge seized Eve’s chest. Her throat closed up and a hint of tears stung her eyes. She lowered a hand to press to her abdomen. The scar wasn’t noticeable through the layers of her corset and skirt and the wide belt she wore, but she could feel it all the same. It cut her with a finality that went beyond the surgeon’s knife.

“Hello?”

Eve blinked to find the sandy-haired man staring at her from across the church. She dropped her hand and smiled to hide the grief she knew was painted on her face. It was foolish of her to break character in public, no matter what caused it.

“Hello,” she answered.

The sandy-haired reverend smiled.

“What are you doing?” a woman’s voice snapped behind her.

Eve turned to see a handsome older woman in a serviceable blouse and skirt about ten years out of fashion yanking the church door open behind her. She had gray hair pulled back in a bun and lines on her face that revealed that she smiled a lot. At the moment, however, she was scowling at Eve as though she were a rabble-rouser.

“I’m terribly sorry.” Eve kept her eyes bright and her chin up. “It’s so cold outside that I assumed you would want to keep the door closed.”

The old woman continued to scowl. “Well you assumed wrong.” She pulled herself to her full height and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know you,” she went on. “I know everyone in town, even the new people.”

“I’m not from town.” Eve continued to feign ease, though it was a difficult role to play.

“I know.” The woman nodded and crossed her arms. “You’ve got an English accent.”

“It’s because I’m English,” Eve said. She tried leaning closer to the woman and sharing a conspiratorial wink the way she had with Lewis Jones and countless admirers before.

The woman crinkled her nose and leaned back. “You’re not one of the new girls Paul Sutcliffe hired to work at the saloon, are you?”

“No, no, not at all.” Eve tried a breezy laugh.

The woman’s scowl deepened. “Well you look like a whore with all that paint on your face.”

The sting of the accusation dug as deep as the emotion she had felt at the sight of the children. Eve’s act dropped.

“I most certainly am not a whore,” she said, hands on her hips. Indignant as she was, her denial still felt like a lie. “I am Lady Eve deLaurent. The Indomitable Lady Eve,” she went on, convincing herself as much as the outspoken woman.

“Well, I am Sadie McGee,” the woman fired back at her. “And I can assure you that I’m as indomitable as any woman that ever set foot in Cold Springs.”

Eve started, not sure what to make of her declaration.

“Ladies, what seems to be the trouble here?”

She was spared having to come up with an answer to Sadie McGee by the interruption of the reverend. She switched back into the role of charming lady and turned to introduce herself.

Her act evaporated. Up close, the reverend was a sight to behold. He had soft blue eyes to go with his sandy hair, strong jaw, and graceful nose. Tiny lines radiated from his eyes, giving him an air of kindness and humor. He could have played Hamlet or Algernon Moncrieff both and made the audience fall in love with him at a word.

“Just keeping the door open like you wanted, Rev. Andrews,” Sadie said as Eve scrambled to collect herself.

“But why?” Eve stammered. “It’s so cold outside.”

“It is,” Rev. Andrews replied, “but with the door closed people passing by can’t hear the children singing and be drawn in like you were.”

He ended with a smile that was as good as a wink. Butterflies danced in Eve’s gut.

 

Wild Western Women comes out November 1st, but you can preorder it now for just 99 cents! That’s 99 cents for five novellas, plus a few bonus short stories. And guess what? One of those short stories is a never-before seen story from Cold Springs, Montanta! A Hero’s Heart is a delightful little peek into the life of Cold Springs’s stationmaster, Lewis Jones, who is ready for love. You can preorder the Wild Western Women box set here.

Wednesday Excerpt!

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for an excerpt. Here’s a cute little scene from Trail of Kisses…

“I’ll have you know that I am an prize-winning sharpshooter.”

“Are you?” She intended her tone to be teasing, but was genuinely interested. “What award did you win?”

Cade settled back in his saddle, brushing the revolver in its holster at his hip. “Couple years back, there was a competition around the Fourth of July in Denver City. Your uncle hosted it and offered a prize to the winner, a contract to work with him.”

“Oh?” Lynne perked up. “What a good idea. And you won?”

Cade nodded. “I did, but it was a close contest. Jerry Poole, a prospector turned supplier, came close to outshooting me in the last round. It was a fine contest.”

As his eyes unfocused, he smiled. The tiny lines around his eyes added to his smile instead of making him look tired. The sight sent a satisfied thrill through Lynne’s chest.

“They had to keep moving the targets back, first five feet at a time, then ten, and finally five yards. Jerry and I, we kept shooting and hitting the mark.”

“So how did you win?”

His smile grew wider.

“Bessy Harding.”

“Who?” Lynne asked, her voice suddenly flat, her stomach knotting.

Cade chuckled. “Bessy ran a boarding house on the west side of town. She was so sweet on Jerry that you didn’t have to put sugar in your coffee when they were within fifty feet of each other.”

“Oh.” Lynne relaxed, her smile returning.

Cade’s grin grew wider. “Jerry liked her too, but never worked up the nerve to say anything about it. Come the final round, Bessy found a place at the edge of the barrier separating the contestants from the shooters. Just as Jerry was taking aim, she leaned over to wish him luck. Poor Jerry took one look at her….” He cleared his throat. “At her attractions,” he went on, “and fired off before he was in position. You better believe we’ve never let him live that one down.”

Lynne laughed, but she had the distinct impression there was more to the joke than she’d caught.
“I take it you made your shot?” she asked.

He brushed the edge of his hat’s brim. “Oh, you’d better believe that I never fire too early and I hit that mark every time.”

He was teasing her. She didn’t know how, but he was definitely teasing her. The dancing light in his eyes and the ease of his smile gave it away.

He shook his head and went on. “Turns out your uncle had already decided to hire me, contest or no. He’s friends with my father. So both Jerry and I got jobs. It was a good day.”

There you have it! Trail of Kisses, coming October 27th to anywhere eBooks are sold.

Guess what? You can pre-order it now! Not only that, while it is in pre-order status, you can buy it for the low, low price of $0.99! But act now, once the official release date gets here, the price will go up to the regular $3.99.

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Like what you’ve read? I love the fact that you read it! I’ve got more for you too. Sign up for my quarterly newsletter to receive special content, sneak-peeks, and treats that only subscribers are privy to. And thank you!