EVER HEARD OF MUMMY BATS? #BlogABookScene #westernfiction

I wanted to share a scene that fits Halloween from my story "Chasing A Chance".  In this scene, Edwin is helping a young man deliver his fathers coffin to the rail station. They are confronted by a group of men who want to open the coffin.

Junior bristled, an angry retort forming. Edwin placed a placating hand on the young man's shoulder. "You're welcome to have a look, but I have to warn you the body's getting pretty ripe."

The man looked at Edwin, trying to decide if he was serious or fooling. There was also that hint of having seen him somewhere before. "Ken, take a peek," he ordered.

Junior almost came off the seat. Instead he gritted, "If you must, since some 'rock breaking' types like you killed him."

The air grew tense. Edwin realized Junior had said the one thing that could set off a powder keg. That some of these men were criminals was a real possibility, but if those same men took a notion, well, he and Junior, they'd be losers. Edwin was wishing he was carrying a gun now, but if he were, he would be perceived as a threat. This way, he might be able to talk the tension down.

"Can't blame him," Edwin nodded toward Junior, "hard thing to lose a father, let alone having to open the casket. How about I help Ken take his look, just in case some mummy bats come flying out?"

"What the hell you talking about?" Ken asked, his eyes puzzled and a bit scared. "There ain't no such thing as a mummy bat."

Edwin decided it might be best if he could keep the group off balance, so he continued with his story. "Well, there's some would say there's no such thing, but it's real, I can tell you that. When someone's died and left out in the elements like this man was, well the bats they just attach themselves, bury themselves right in. Over time, they die off, but if you open the box... well they just might naturally think it's time to come back to life. Why I've known some who could live in a casket for years."

While Edwin was talking, he could see most were skeptical, but a couple of the others looked to be turning green. Maybe he could get them scared enough, and some folks were mighty scared of bats, perhaps they'd leave without disturbing the dead. He liked Junior and didn't want things to get any worse.

"Okay," the man grinned at the story, then became serious. "While I admit some of the boys may have crossed the law, they're okay now. But bats? Where'd you get such a story?"

Edwin kept his face as blank as he could. "It's a tale that made the rounds in the war. Seems some of the bodies made noises and started moving. Then at night things started flying around and … and as you know, most stories do have an element of truth."

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Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners

Western Fictioneers

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

ANIMALS and ANGELS "Angel of Salvation Valley" #BlogABookScene

The theme for September's Blog A Book Scene is: Critters and Creatures

The novella, "Angel of Salvation Valley" both the 'dog' and 'cat' play a small but important role in the story. The hero, 'Drew' Carson has made a deal to kill the woman who owns Salvation Valley to secure his release from prison. Of course things are not always are they seem. Thanks to Gabe the cat and the dog Rafe, things start to become more clear. But how to keep from going back to prison? 

Amazon ebook, purchase here

Excerpt from "Angel of Salvation Valley":

Drew started to move from the top of the ridge when he noticed movement in the western area of the valley. Intrigued, he stopped. Coming toward him was a lithe, dark–haired woman. Her movements were easy, as were those of the huge brown and black dog cavorting beside her. Sweet laughter filled the air as she bent to speak to the dog.

"Looks quite the storm over toward the north, Rafe," her voice carrying clearly across the valley to where he was hiding. "Good thing we have a snug place to stay. Still, it would be easier if I didn't have to do everything myself."

The dog looked at her, shook his head and sneezed.

"What's that you say, you help me?" The words drifted up, followed by another peal of golden laughter.

Drew found his heart responding, it'd been so long since anyone around him had expressed such joy. It was bittersweet, for it reminded him of his mother. Shaking his head to clear those thoughts away, he returned his gaze to the woman and dog. He had no business finding anything nice about this woman, if in fact she was the one. Logic told him she was; he instinctively wanted it otherwise. He was here to kill her and gain his freedom, nothing was more important to him than that. Still, a piece of his heart was softening.

"Who's coming?" the woman asked, her hand cradling the dog's head.

Drew looked to see if there was anyone else. Nothing. Then out of the corner of his eye a big black streak was racing toward the woman. Drew couldn't believe his eyes, the biggest black cat he'd ever seen rushed out of the end of the valley. He knew of no black mountain lions in Colorado, but here one was, and it was huge. He pulled his pistol out, but knew it wouldn't be effective at this range. Still he couldn't let it kill the woman. Or could he? It would make his job easier, he could go back and say she was dead and get on with his life. But that would be lying, and he didn't lie, and wasn't about to start now.

While he was debating with himself, the cat moved in much faster than he'd believed possible. He started to shout, but the cat stopped, the woman calling to it.

"So that's who Rafe meant," the woman cooed to the cat. "Good to see you Gabe." Right before his eyes the cat yawned, rolled over, the woman scratching its stomach and back. The whole scene was becoming stranger and stranger. The more he watched, the more he realized he had not been told the whole story about this woman. Still, that shouldn't stop him from keeping his bargain. But things were not adding up. He needed to find out for sure if she was the one, but how?

"Yes, I know you are an angel Gabe, and you too Rafe," she giggled. "Do I trust you, but of course," she continued.

The woman turned toward the rise. "Since you haven't tried to kill me, you must have questions," the woman called. "If you want, come on down and ask, I'll answer whatever questions you may have."

Drew looked around to see who she was talking to. Seeing no one, he wondered if she had lost her mind and was imagining things? He knew he was well hidden, so who was she speaking to?

"You may think you're hidden well, but Gabe saw you earlier."

Until next time, Happy Reading and enjoy the day!

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

Just Made It #BlogABookScene

SO, the July's theme was:

Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer

Descriptors: summertime, sun, beach, water, ice cream social, box supper, starry nights, swimming, swimming hole, summer sports and activities, long days, sitting on the porch swing, lemonade, fishing

Amazon-Purchase Here

In "Never Had A Chance", the hero, Tom, is attending Maria's birthday/July4 celebration.

"Are you ready to dance with me?" she asked.

Tom softly replied, pushing his cane out in front of him, "I don't think the doctor would approve."

"Very well, I shall keep you company until the dance is over," Maria declared, unwilling to let the chance pass to spend time with him. And if things went well, she would be very happy.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? I don't think your father would approve. He may have accepted that I didn't try to harm you or himself, but he still doesn't trust me," Tom replied as he moved slowly away from Maria.

The farther he moved away, the closer she moved toward him, until her hand shot out, covering the one holding the cane.

"Come, at least you can eat, can you not?" Maria smiled, leading Tom slowly through the crowd toward the food tables.

The closer they came, the more Tom realized he really was hungry. He'd held back, concern for his hesitant host, keeping him from even remotely enjoying himself. It took the determined young woman at his side to pull him out of his self–imposed solitude.

"This all looks and smells so good. I do think there are some new things here for me to try." Tom laughed.

"Then I shall be your guide, answer any questions you may have. But first, you must have one of the green corn fritters, since you did not eat them when I brought them to your room," Maria grinned, pulling the food from the small basket she picked up from a servant. "They are from a family recipe, and I made them myself," just for you, she thought, as he took a bite.

Until next time!

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

"LOST KNIGHT" #BlogABookScene #medieval #medievalromance @prairierosepub

So this month's theme is: On the Road Again

travel, journey, escape, runaway, being chased, fight or flight, getaway chase, bank robbery, train robbery, cattle drive, voyage, stagecoach/train/airplane travel, hiking, vacation, summer camp

In this case of this story, it is a combination of journey, escape, fight and flight. The story told in "Lost Knight" a novella published by Prairie Rose Publications, the hero Jack awakens in medieval Germany. He was killed in 2009, but his story was far from over. 

Join me in this scene from the beginning of "Lost Knight-Out of Time".

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Pain…mind-numbing, blinding pain… Jack felt as though a hot poker was being thrust through his 

chest. Gasping for air, he opened his eyes. He found himself surrounded by mist, and the muddy, 

fishy smell of water. Nothing was familiar. The need to find where he was reigned foremost in his mind. The enemy could be anywhere, although Jack didn't remember any water being near his last location. Slowly, he lifted his head and upper body just enough to look over the stone wall.

 "I don't remember any wall," Jack whispered to himself. The structure was only about two feet high, and beyond was a small, running river—a creek, really. The banks were lined with trees, so close together they created a wall themselves. Lying back, Jack noticed the stones, placed one on top of the other, with no mortar holding them in place. Nothing was familiar; not the wall, not the smell, not the surroundings. His training kept the panic at bay, but just barely.

"Where?" he whispered, fearful of who or what might be just around the bend of the creek or in the trees opposite where he lay. Sounds were muted. The river lapped against the shore; the sound, a rhythm, a never ceasing beat. Raising his head, he examined his surroundings in greater detail. Overgrowth. There had not been any of this in the desert where he'd been. This foliage was green, dense with the smell of old dirt and decaying leaves from many seasons. His mind focused on the sound of the creek, so like the one he'd played in as a child. Still, his senses refused to accept anything he was seeing.

Not only where, but Jack sensed a 'when' in the equation. Regaining his equilibrium, he realized nothing was familiar. Thinking back, Jack tried to remember where he had been before the pain urged him awake.

Images of Pete floated across his mind. The two of them sharing a smoke, talking about their friend, Frank, and his efforts to get a tooth pulled.

 "Remember how Frank was so desperate he brought you a pair of pliers and begged you to pull his tooth?" Pete asked. 

"I do," Jack had said, "and when I put the pliers in his mouth he screamed and ran away."

 The two of them had laughed themselves silly. Then, he remembered the blossom of red that started across Pete's chest…immediately followed by a sting to his own chest. So this is how it feels, Jack thought. I'm not ready.

He was dead wasn't he? 

Jack had no sooner realized he was supposed to be dead when he was greeted by three men, dressed in what looked like Renaissance costumes. They wore tunics, with light chainmail. Jack put his hand to his chest, realizing he was also dressed like the three men. What? Jack thought, only to be interrupted by a question from the group.

"Ho, friend Jacques, what happened to you?" cried the first. "We may be free knights, but we work together," the man continued.

"Yes, Jacques, why did you wander off?" questioned the second.

Jack looked around, wondering who they were speaking to. It sounded like his name, but more like the French would say it.

"Come, my friend, surely the wound you suffered did not affect your mind?" said the third.

Wound? Was a kill shot just a wound? Was this what hell was like? Jack wondered. "

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners,

Western Fictioneers

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

BEWARE THE JOKE #BlogABookScene #PrairieRosePublicaton @prairierosepub @rewnawomyn1

Mayday, Mayday!..the call for help, but how can you when you were fool enough to fall into the trap.

This months #BlogABookScene is all about being in a tight spot, needing help, danger, rescue, natural disaster, menace, hazard, risk, peril, threat, jeopardy, medical emergency, war, skirmish, battle, gunfight, sword fight. In Tom's case, from "Never Had A Chance"   published by Prairie Rose Publications, once he fell for the practical joke that turned deadly, he had to try to repair what happened, but he has no memory of any of the events. Does he need help!

Click Here to Purchase

From "Never Had A Chance"

"Where you taking me?" Tom asked again.

"To see Mary, she's one of the special girls," Pete replied.

Slowly the two helped Tom up the steps, knocking on the door and walking backwards into the shadow. The two made it into the darkness just as the door opened. Light streaming out from the door outlined a young girl, a girl with curves and substance.

"You must be Mary," Tom said, looking into intelligent and curious brown eyes. "I'm supposed to see you." With those words, he grabbed at the girl, throwing his arms around her. Faintly he heard laughter and snickers behind him. Heard, but they were not registering. The only thing that registered was the feel of this young girl in his arms, with a figure made to be held. He bent his head taking her lips in a kiss.

As the kiss deepened, Tom wondered if this was how his brother–in–law felt when he kissed his sister. Tom gloried in the beauty of what was happening, then the realization hit him that this girl was not one of the 'ladies' as he'd been led to believe. He found himself quickly sobering up. Then this girl, whatever her name was, pushed against his chest. At the same time, Tom heard a man's voice calling, "Maria, who is it?"

Letting loose of her, Tom moved back, shame coloring his face. He pulled his hat from his head, lowering his eyes to the girl, "I'm sorry," he started when he heard the voices behind him.

"There the bastard is," Pete whispered.

"We'll get him this time," responded George, as the click of hammers reached Tom's ears.

Tom, at first confused, saw an older Spanish gentleman move toward the door, then realized the man was a target. Fear for the girl and the man completed his sobering process as he pushed her toward the man and, drawing his own gun, stepped in front of both.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" challenged Tom just as the two guns flashed out of the dark. He felt a double blow, but managed to get his own gun into play, firing at the flashes. He went to give chase, and managed to get down the first two steps when his right leg gave out.

"Damn, I've been taken for a sucker, and I don't…," Tom started saying, then his head hit the ground, bouncing off a rock, then nothing but darkness.

Doris Gardner-McCraw - Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in

Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners and

Western Fictioneers

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

APRIL SHOWERS-NEW BEGINNINGS Blog A Book Scene

April Showers, the beginning of spring, new, rain and so much more. In this months #BlogABook Scene, I thought of new love, new beginnings. In the story "Never Had A Chance" the hero was wounded and lost his memory after a cruel trick that had him at the door of a proper young lady. Now, he is an invalid trying to piece the pieces of his life together. The proper young lady has other ideas for his future.

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Maria stared at the sky. Blue, a turquoise blue that appeared artificial. Clouds slowly traveled from north to south, covering and uncovering the golden light from the sun as she watched out the window. She was in the kitchen making the green corn fritters. With each step in the process, she remembered her mother showing her how they were made.

"I made these for your father, little one, when I decided to marry him."

"Did he want to marry you?" Maria had asked.

"No, it took a bit of persuading, but in the end he was glad he pursued me," her mother laughed.

"How did you know, and why green corn fritters?" Maria had wanted to know.

"I knew the minute I saw him that he was the one for me. And the fritters, they are an old family recipe, and if you make them with love, the one who eats them loves you back."

Join me again in May when the theme will be: Mayday! Mayday! Until then, happy reading and don't forget to check out all the other great snippets for March and #BlogABookScene.

Doris Gardner-McCraw

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

BEWARE The IDES OF MARCH - #BlogABookScene

Beware the Ides of March, the unexpected danger, the how did this happen? Authors have many such events in their stories, it is what makes them fun to write. That happened with this story. The hero wouldn't cooperate so... Read on, with this #BlogABookScene excerpt from the novella, "Lost Knight, Out of Time"

     Pain; mind–numbing, blinding pain. Jack felt as though a hot poker was being thrust through his chest. Gasping for air, he opened his eyes. He found himself surrounded by mist, and the muddy, fishy smell of water. Nothing was familiar. The need to find where he was reigned foremost in his mind. The enemy could be anywhere, although Jack didn't remember any water being near his last location. Slowly, he lifted his head and upper body just enough to look over the stone wall.

     "I don't remember any wall," Jack whispered to himself. The structure was only about two feet high, and beyond was a small, running river, a creek really. The banks were lined with trees, so close together they created a wall themselves. Lying back, Jack noticed the stones, placed one on top of the other, with no mortar holding them in place. Nothing was familiar; not the wall, not the smell, not the surroundings. His training kept the panic at bay, but just barely.

     "Where?" he whispered, fearful of who or what might be just around the bend of the creek or in the trees opposite where he lay. Sounds were muted. The river lapped against the shore; the sound, a rhythm, a never ceasing beat. Raising his head, he examined his surroundings in greater detail. Overgrowth. There had not been any of this in the desert where he'd been. This foliage was green, dense with the smell of old dirt and decaying leaves from many seasons. His mind focused on the sound of the creek, so like the one he'd played in as a child. Still, his senses refused to accept anything he was seeing.

http://amzn.to/2FwWJWN

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

Love Knows No Age #BlogABookScene

Continuing the February #blogabookscene theme of "all you need is love" is an excerpt from the novel "Chasing A Chance". This book had issues during its creation, not the least was the incorrect version being released. It was finally corrected and here is a brief scene in which the heroine, Mary, remembers the young man she knew before he went away to war and she married another. Edwin and Mary have reunited after all those years. 

Chasing A Chance:

 A slight breeze blew puffs of dust down the street. Mary enjoyed the early mornings as the sun shone on a new day. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking, but mornings gave her hope. She was surprised to see Edwin coming up the street. A picture of him doing the same thing all those years ago overlay the present. She started to frown, followed quickly by a smile. Edwin had only been in town for two days, and here she was acting like the young girl she'd been before life got in the way.

The ringing of the bell above the door brought a grinning Edwin inside. At the sight of Mary his eyes glowed. "You're just like the picture I've kept in my head of you," he said, reaching to pull her close.

Mary relaxed into the safety Edwin's arms offered. The years fell away, and she was the young girl who had believed in happy ever after, and the gift of friends. A weight lifted from her heart and mind, if only for a brief time.

Emboldened by Mary's reaction, Edwin blurted out, "Mary, come back to Kiowa Wells with me, let me take care of you," his chin resting against the hair at the top of her head. "You needn't work or have to worry anymore."

http://amzn.to/2GK1QPm

Does love give second chances? Edwin Markham hopes so. He has loved Mary Winters, now the widow Mary Gilpin, since they were young. He has heard from a friend that Mary is in a town overrun by outlaws. Edwin leaves his business and heads out to help Mary. He finds more problems than he ever anticipated.

Join me next month when the theme will be 'Beware the Ides of March'. Until next time, happy reading and may your February be filled with fun, love, and lots of chocolate candy.

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE: Blog a book scene

         Anyone else remember those lines from the Beatles song, 'all you need is love'? February's blog a scene is based on that line. For this month of February, the month of Valentine's Day, sweethearts, candy and all the other things we associate with love, I'm sharing a scene from an unusual love story.

       This excerpt comes from the novella, "Angel of Salvation Valley". It has romance, some paranormal aspects and a hero who agrees to kill someone in exchange for his release from prison. Not exactly the recipe for love, or is it?

In this scene, the hero, Drew, has just saved the life of the woman he agreed to kill. 

 "You're looking better," Drew said. "How do you feel?"

"The sleep helped. Would you help me sit up?"

Drew walked over, gently lifting Lizzie into a sitting position. She felt good in his arms. It'd been so long. Drew hesitated, his arms warm from the touch of her. He wanted the feeling to last., but feared what might happen if he didn't let her go. It wasn't just the years without a woman. No, it was something deeper, something specific to her. Drew felt so drawn to her.

"Oh to hell with it," Drew said leaning in. Her lips were as sweet as he'd imagined. As his arms tightened, Lizzie's arms came up around his neck. What started as a tentative kiss deepened into something more. Drew found himself savoring the feel of Lizzie in his arms, her kiss was like the nectar of the gods. He felt at home, this valley was home, she was home.

Time stood still, but need continued to grow in Drew, need for what Lizzie had to offer, and she was offering so much. Yes, he'd kissed, been with women before prison, but nothing like this. Three years, three long years and this was his reward.

http://amzn.to/2E1oRQU

Given a chance at freedom for a crime he didn't commit, Drew Carson must kill for his pardon. Taken to a lush valley where a beautiful woman lives, Luke, Drew's "rescuer", lets him know that the woman is his target--kill her, and he's a free man. But there's something strange about the valley. Time stands still, and nothing is as it seems. Will Drew trade murder for love?

Join me next month when the theme will be 'Beware the Ides of March'. Until next time, happy reading and may your February be filled with fun, love, and lots of chocolate candy.

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here