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

CHASING A CHANCE: Where Did It Come From

 Post(C) by Doris McCraw

With the release of the latest novel, "Chasing A Chance", I took a trip down research memory lane. There was a story I'd read that also played a part in the novel's creation. 

So, where did this story come from? It all started with a story I read a number of years back by Lauran Paine called, "Holding the Ace Card". In the story, a woman left her son to be raised by a foster family. He hadn't seen her since that time, but she asks him to help her with a range war as he's become an outlaw and gunfighter.  I was intrigued by the story of a women who would leave her child then ask for help from that same child. But other than an award winning short story, I didn't do anything else with the idea.

Next, I was at the library, doing my normal research. For those who don't know, normal research for me is finding pieces of information and traveling down rabbit holes trying to find everything I can about a subject. I came across a snippet about a town called Boston, Colorado. WOW! This is not to be confused with the Mining town associated with the Boston Mine Camp near Breckenridge, Colorado. 

Boston came into existence in the Southeast corner of Colorado and had a brief and bloody existence. There were primarily two factions that led to the demise. But during its heyday, it had two newspapers,  five saloons, a three-story hotel, bank, drug store, hardware store and three livery stables. It vied for county seat of Baca county with the town of Springfield. 

Photo of the Comanche Grasslands outside La Junta,CO

Boston was also said to be the home of the Jennings Gang, which is another story to be told later. It was reported that at one time the town had over one thousand residents. They even had sidewalks, put there by an ordinance of the city. The walk were said to be eight feet wide and extended for four blocks on Main Street and two blocks on 9th Avenue. The town was proud of being the only other city in Southeast Colorado, beside Lamar that could brag about such. 

Digging into the history of that town and its demise is still a work in progress. I do know one newspaper reported that 'the town of Boston, Colorado was in flames'. However for those who want to read a bit more, there is information out there. I found this short piece interesting, but there is so much more to the story of this short lived town. Boston Colorado's Demise.

In future posts I will share more of the story of Boston, and other research. In the meantime, happy reading.

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

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

#BlogaBookScene: "Gunvar's Gift"

I wanted to share a short scene from the recent "One Yuletide Knight", published by Prairie Rose Publications.

It is part of the 'Baby It's Cold Outside' #blogabookscene. In the story "Gunvar's Gift", my offering to this anthology, my hero has been betrayed and is now trying to find his nemesis. He is approached by two men, one he knows:

Excerpt:

       Out of the darkness and snow, Gerold watched the two men making their way toward him. He braced himself for battle, calling out, “Halt, come no further.”

The two stopped, and then Gerold heard laughter as one called out, “Is that anyway to greet an old friend?”

“I have no friends.”

“Come, come, don’t you recognize me?”

“Of course I do, Marcus, but...”

“I am your friend. We’ve been hunting you,” Marcus said as he moved forward.

“Yes, I know. I know you have been hunting me, but you won’t take me,” Gerold replied as he prepared to strike. “That is far enough and don’t try to keep me busy while your partner gets behind me.”

“Gerold, we are not going to take you, or harm you. We want to help you,” Marcus responded, stopping his forward movement. “The other man is Peder.”

“So, you’ve teamed with the enemy. Am I that valuable?”

You can find more great stories here: One Yuletide Knight

For more great scenes follow Twitter and the hashtags: #blogabookscene, #PrairieRosePub, #MedievalRomance, and #WesternRomance

February’s Blog-a-Book-Scene theme: All You Need is Love

See you in February! Until then Happy Reading

Angela Raines

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here  

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw, author, historian specializing in Colorado and Women's History.

"GIFT OF FORGIVENESS" January #blogabookscene

 Gift of Forgiveness - a novella, by Angela Raines – January #blogabookscene #westernromance #PrairieRosePub @PrairieRosePub

Blog-a-Book-Scene is a monthly themed blogging endeavor from a group of authors who love to share excerpts from their stories. Find us on Twitter with the hashtag #blogabookscene and #PrairieRosePub.

January’s theme is Baby, It’s cold outside. The cold wintry excerpt below is from my western romance novella, Gift of Forgiveness

They've both lost so much -
but do they have the courage to try again?

Excerpt:

 "George, I done told ya we ain't to do anything that'd leave a mark... We'll just have some fun somewheres else when we collect the rest of our pay."

George sighed, his breath blowing on Nettie's face making her want to gag. The strain of the pretending was taking a toll on body and mind. Nettie felt the sun starting to set, the air getting cooler. The thought of being left somewhere was terrifying, although if they did leave her, perhaps she could escape and find Albert.

Suddenly, Nettie was thrown off of the horse. Opening her eyes slightly she caught a glimpse of Shorty and George swinging on each other. She started to get up, but her legs wouldn't hold her. The two men started laughing. Nettie fell back, frustration eating at her.

"We knowd you was foolin'," George Smith said, pulling Nettie to her feet.

"Figured if you was foolin' you'd try somethin' if we pretended to be distracted," Shorty Wasson cackled. "An' it worked."

Picking herself up, Nettie felt a cold north wind blow across the area. There was a chance of snow soon, she felt. That terrified her even more.

The Gift of Forgiveness is available on 

Amazon: eBook KindleUnlimited

February’s Blog-a-Book-Scene theme: All You Need is Love

See you in February! Until then Happy Reading

Angela Raines

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here  

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw, author, historian specializing in Colorado and Women's History.

STARTING NEW TRADITIONS -BLACK-EYED PEA SOUP

Post copyright 2015 by Doris McCraw

As people move away from home and family the traditions they grew up with go with them. When families blend, some traditions combine others slip away. The other scenario, you create new ones.

Traditions are what connect us to our roots. For a fun look at traditions from other regions Barb Betts wrote a fun post on the Prairie Rose Publications blog. You can read it here: http://prairierosepublications.blogspot.com/2014/12/happy-new-year-by-barbara-betts-hello_30.html

In this household the idea of black eyed peas is a pretty steady one. Still, not our favorite food. So with a bit of trial and error, we've started the Black-Eyed Pea Soup tradition. In honor of the end of the Holiday Season, and my desire to extend it as long a possible, I'm sharing our recipe with my readers. A simple but filling soup that we serve with cornbread on New Years Day.

BLACK-EYED PEA SOUP

Serves 3 large of 4 small servings

1 Can Black Eyed Peas, drained and rinsed

1 quart Chicken Broth

1/2 Cup French Style Green Beans

1 Clove Garlic

1 Small Potato- finely diced

1/4-1/2 Pound Ham or Ham bone (to taste)

1 Bay Leaf

Put all the ingredients into a large pot, bring to a boil then simmer 3 to 4 hours to blend the flavors. When ready to serve, remove bay leaf and enjoy.

Happy New Year!

Doris

HOME FOR HIS HEART
http://www.amazon.com/Home-His-Heart-Angela-Raines-ebook/dp/B00LU3HZEK/

https://www.amazon.com/author/angelaraines-dorismccraw

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

Actor and Casting Director for
Red Herring Productions.
www.redherringproductions.com

Photo and Poem: http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com
Blog: http://renawomyn.blogspot.com/