Howdy! WHITE EAGLE'S TOUCH -- one of my best selling books -- is currently being released newly in ebook format.  And since it's one of my favorites, I thought I'd tell you a little of the background that went in to the making of that book. I love this cover by the way.  WHITE EAGLE'S TOUCH starts with my love of a rather spoiled, head-strong heroine -- one who is really quite soft-hearted, but for reasons explained in the book, she harbors opinions that are far from flattering.  In the story, the heroine, Katrina, is blond-haired, stubborn, almost out of funds and demanding her inheritance in order that she might marry into royalty.  She has also grown up without ever knowing her parents -- who perished out West -- or her uncle, who holds the purse-strings to her inheritance. In other words, she has some reason to be spoiled, because she's grown up without love -- with a succession of nannies. There are problems -- mainly that her uncle will not release her funds until she comes West and parades her fiance for his approval.  I must admit that it really is a lot to ask of a young woman who has known only the comforts of New York City -- still it was rather fun to play with her outrage. Of coure her uncle doesn't show up at the scheduled rendevous -- he sends his friend -- who is almost like a son to him -- White Eagle -- to bring her to him. Of course the story goes on from there -- spoiled, rich-girl meets handsome, yet determined young Indian warrior. Now, the truth of the matter is that the character of Katrina was patterned after my daughter, Trina, who is definitely not blond.  Not that Trina is spoiled, but at the writing of this story, Trina was a teenager -- about nineteen, I believe -- and she definitely had her likes and dislikes.  Off to the side here is a picture of Trina with her daughter and my granddaughter, Lila.  But patterning the heroine after my daughter really gave me a deeper understanding of my character, Katrina's, personality -- it also helped me to love this character, even when she is at her wit's end. In writing this book, I often had pictures of clothing and what the heroine might have looked like at that time.  Off to the left here is a picture of that period's clothing.  I love this clothing, I must admit and sometimes wish we could go back to an age where women looked so very feminine.  Now this picture to the left really -- in my mind -- has the look of my heroine at this time.  A little bored, a little spoiled, always well dressed and trying to do the right thing -- although in the West, my heroine's efforts are sometimes clumsy and humorous -- as she tries to "fit in." As for the hero, another one of my loves -- I've always loved the hero, who brooks no argument, yet who is kind and generous -- and who is waiting patiently for the heroine to come to her senses. There is one scene in this book that I particularly like.  It was a scene where the hero, along with his friend concoct a scheme to send Katrina's fiance packing.  At the writing of this book, I had just the previous year, married my husband, Paul.  When I married Paul, however, I also discovered that he was extremely close to his brother, Bob -- this picture to the right isof Bob and Paul -- Paul is the one sitting down.  But his particular scene was about these two fellows and what they would do if they were there to rid themselves of this very unwanted person, and send him packing for home. Interestingly, that "friend" of White Eagle is Night Thunder who has a book of his own -- next in this series. To end I thought I'd show you a picture of the original cover for WHITE EAGLE'S TOUCH.  The reason I have to show you is that this cover is also one of my most favorite covers. Well, that's all for today.  I'm on the road and so might not be able to respond to every post, but I will be picking one blogger out to send a free book to. So come on in and leave a comment.    

Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful comments today.  I threw all the names into a hat (Well, into my random number generator anyway) and

THE WINNER IS

VALRI !!!

Congratualtions Valri.  Contact me via my website so I can get your mailing info and I'll get copy of A Baby Between Them right out to you! And remember, any of you who would like to pre-order a copy can do so HERE

  Listed below are the upcoming releases from our talented writers here at Wildflower Junction. To purchase any of these fine books, just click on the book covers. And to learn more about the authors, click on thier names.   THE LAST REAL COWBOY (Cadence Creek Cowboys) By Donna Alward   From the moment he turned up late to her charity's meeting, placating everyone with a tip of his Stetson and a lazy smile, Angela Beck knew that Sam Diamond was going to be Trouble with a capital T. Angela is the prickliest woman Sam's ever met—let alone had to work with! He'd love to still her sharp tongue with a kiss, but first he has to get close enough to awaken the complex woman beneath the deliberately cool exterior. And that's something only a real cowboy can do.…                                        THE GREATEST GIFT (Digital Only) Multi-author Anthology                              No one holds a special place in the heart quite like a mother—but moms need romance, too! This Mother's Day, enjoy four heartwarming contemporary romance novellas from Harlequin about the greatest gift of all: love! The Greatest Gift: A Mother's Day Collection includes:

• Second-Chance Mother by Donna Alward
• Unexpected Gifts by Tanya Michaels
• A Mother's Day Match by Katherine Garbera
• Her First Mother's Day by Kathleen O'Brien

  WEDDINGS UNDER A WESTERN SKY Multi-author Anthology Three stories of cowboys who find love, by three exceptional authors of western romance, Lisa Plumley, Elizabeth Lane and Kate Welsh From author Elizabeth Lane The Hand-Me-Down-Bride Arabella Spencer's trip west was supposed to end in marriage to her longtime sweetheart-not with the discovery that he'd made someone else his wife! Can rancher Stewart McIntyre convince Arabella that Montana can still be her dream come true, with a new groom for this hand-me-down bride?       WHITE EAGLE'S TOUCH (Blackfoot Warrior Series) by Karen Kay -- Samhain Publishing -- Retro Romance Two worlds.   They came from different world -- she, the wealthy English socialite traveling deep into Indian territory; he the proud and powerful Blackfoot warrior who once saved her life.  White Eagle is captivated by Katrina Wellington's shimmering loveliness, but the little girl he once called "Shines Like Moonlight" is now a grown woman, betrothed to another.  And although she moves his soul like no other, he knows he can never have her. ONE LOVE -- Raised in civilized society, Katrina never wanted to return to the West.  The hard, dangerous life had killed her parents and, if it weren't for White Eagle's bravery, she might have died too.  But her learned disdain for White Eagle's people soon gives way as they discover that the spark of love from their childhood had blaed into an all-consuming passion.  But is it enough to sustain a love that both their worlds call...forbidden? http://store.samhainpublishing.com/white-eagles-touch-p-6773.html   NIGHT THUNDER'S BRIDE (Blackfoot Warrior Series) by Karen Kay -- Samhain Publishing -- Retro Romance His wife in every way...  He had promised to protect the beautiful white woman.  But a Blackfoot warrior must never raise a hand against his own brothers, even if they ean to harm and disgrace a helpless captive.  There was only one thing a man of honor like Night Thunder could do; claim Rebecca Cothern as his wife. From the moment Rebecca stepped into Night Thunder's powerful embrace in full view of his tribe -- making his marriage vow true in their eyes -- she knew her life would never be the same.  How could she travel among his people as his "wife" and share his bed without succumbing to the desire that burned so fiercely in her breast?  Night Thunder swore that she would truly be his bride in every way, if only Rebecca would give herself to him freely and without remorse.  But could she sacrifice the only life she'd ever known -- and the future she'd always dreamed of -- for a deep, satisfying taste of forbidden passion? http://store.samhainpublishing.com/night-thunders-bride-p-6806.html

I can't wait until May. Why? Because in May my readers get to visit a brand new town in a duet I have coming out called Cadence Creek Cowboys (yeehaw!). This duet was the most fun I've had writing in a while. Why? Well, take a brand new Alberta small town setting, throw in some sexy, confident cowboys, and pair them up with a couple of damaged but unbelievably strong women and poof! A joy to write from start to finish. That's not to say there's not a bit of seriousness involved. For those of you who know me at all, you know that my characters are usually facing some pretty big personal challenges. In book one, THE LAST REAL COWBOY, Sam Diamond is dealing with his father's illness and what that means to the family, as well as butting heads with Angela Beck, social worker and Executive Director of Butterfly House - a special shelter for women who have escaped abusive relationships. Angela feels a lot of pressure to make the project a success, but she also has to face her own demons. Not necessarily light stuff. But throw in a ankle-biting escape artist called Morris (the cat), Sam's warm and welcoming mother, Molly, and the shelter's first resident, a sweet woman name Clara, and things balance out just right, I think. Book 2, THE REBEL RANCHER is out in June - Clara gets her own story and you get to meet the legendary Tyson Diamond - and his reputation has definitely preceded him. Ty was one of my favourite heroes to write - EVER. A rebel by reputation but underneath he puts the gentle in gentleman.  And Clara, despite being sweet as chocolate pie, has a spine of steel. The girl's no pushover. In some ways it was a challenge to write both Angela and Clara. Both have a lot of baggage to get past, a lot of trust issues and downright fear. But I also felt very strongly about giving them their happy-ever-after - because I truly believe that there is always hope. That even after the worst has happened, there can be someone out there for all of us who has patience and gentleness and strength.  That everyone is worthy of being loved. So the good news is you can buy THE LAST REAL COWBOY a month early here at harlequin.com. And if you've got a hankering for more, I have a reprint out right now too - my second-ever Harlequin Romance Marriage at Circle M is out in THERE AND NOW, by Linda Lael Miller. Now, let's hope those April showers kick in and bring some May flowers - up here in Canada we're REALLY ready for winter to be done!  

  Listed below are the upcoming releases from our talented writers here at Wildflower Junction.  To purchase any of these fine books, just click on the book covers.  And to learn more about the authors, click on thier names.   BRIDES OF THE WEST Multi-author Anthology An anthology of three stories with a common theme: Reunion, Western-style!  Because love is always worth a second chance...

   
  From author Victoria Bylin Josie’s Wedding Dress  Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for.

Good Morning (or afternoon or evening)! Well, it's time for me to give away a book, so come on in and leave a comment and you'll be entered into the book-getting contest. With the release of GRAY HAWK'S LADY (in just a few days), here's a link to find out more:  http://store.samhainpublishing.com/karen-kay-pa-1676.html?PHPSESSID=e42437db2cd57ca12b4eda0212e79f5d -- I thought I might again give a bit of the story behind the story.  In my last blog, I told how the characters took on a life of their own that was inspired by my own love life at the time (I met and married my husband while I was writing this book.)  But there was more behind the story -- thus, I thought I'd give a little more background. Because this story is about a lady who captures an Indian (in order to study his language -- and help her father, of course), I wanted to pick a character from a tribe of Indians who at that time was known as the "Tigers of the Plains."  The tribe was the Blackfeet, who were so ferocious at the time, and were such good fighters, they kept their homeland pristine pure for quite a while.  White men thought twice before they ventured into Blackfeet territory. But I knew so very little about Montana, and I was determined to get to know much about it so that I could write realistically about it.  The picture to the right is of myself and my brother-in-law -- deep in Montana territory -- the Plains (note the mountain etched in the background). My husband is from Montana and I was so very, very interested in Montana, that we honeymooned not only in Montana, but on the Blackfeet reservation.  It was the first time I had stepped foot in Montana in this life. Here's a picture of my husband on our honeymoon, there in Montana -- very close to the Blackfeet reservation -- and over to the right is a picture of me at the same time -- same mountain range.  As I'm sure you can probably guess, I fell in love with Montana, and in truth, if we could possible do so, we would live there.  Now, of course, I have gone to Montana numerous times -- usually every couple of years, I journey to Montana and to the Blackfeet reservation -- if only to keep in touch with friends. There is a beauty to the landscape, a feeling of freedom of spirit that is hard to capture when one lives in a city.  I once read a book by James Willard Schultz who wrote about the open country, the open prairie, while always there were the mountains  in the distance.  I know now what he meant.  I've toured in Montana (the entire State).  I've helped on the Blackfeet reservation with literacy, have gone back time and time again because the truth it, I've fallen in love with Montana.  I'm going to close this post with several pictures from different times when I've been in Montana either visiting family -- my husband is from Montana -- or visiting the Blackfeet.  The pictures are of myself, my husband and Toni Running Fisher, a good friend of ours.  The picture above is me at a stream.  The ones on the left and below are of my husband, also at a stream and on the Plains of Montana. I hope you've enjoyed this little picture tour of a country I love very much.  And please while you're at it, please don't forget I have 5 books for sale right now -- all ebooks:  LAKOTA SURRENDER  --  LAKOTA PRINCESS  --  PROUD WOLF'S WOMAN  --  GRAY HAWK'S LADY  --  WHITE EAGLE'S TOUCH.  You can get them for almost a song here:  http://store.samhainpublishing.com/karen-kay-pa-1676.html?PHPSESSID=e42437db2cd57ca12b4eda0212e79f5d Come on in and leave a comment, okay?   

  What always strikes me most about stories of the old West are the poor down-trodden men and women who struck out across this vast country with little more than the clothes on their back. Nothing but big dreams and a promise for a better tomorrow provided the strength to weather the tough times. With grit and determination most carved out a good life for themselves. These types of people are lots more interesting than the ones who have lots of money and little hardship. I guess I like the struggle and the making of something from nothing. And maybe it's the fact that I, too, came from such humble beginnings. While I've written stories about both rich and poor, my heart has always been with the less fortunate. One of my very favorite characters was Glory Day in THE COWBOY WHO CAME CALLING that's just been re-released as an e-book. Glory shoulders the responsibility of providing for her mother and two sisters after her father was wrongly convicted of murder and sent to prison. In addition to managing their small farm, she does the hunting and seeing that they don't go hungry. But then one day she begins to have problems with her eyesight and the confidence that she's capable of doing whatever needs done is severely shaken. If she can't see, she can't kill meat for the table. Panic sets in. Then a cowboy with a heart of gold enters her life after she accidentally shoots him. Luke McClain seems the answer to a prayer. He wastes no time in taking up the slack. In fact a little too well and has Glory seeing red. She doesn't want him taking completely over and making her feel like she's an invalid. Sparks fly and when the dust settles she finds out she's attracted to the man who can fix anything. But of course, as all good heroines do, she doesn't let him know. It would simply go to his head and that was too swelled to start with. I had so much fun writing this story. It originally came out in 2003 by Dorchester Publishing and won the National Readers' Choice Award. EXCERPT: For an instant Glory seemed about to hand him his head on a platter.  Then almost shyly, she accepted his grip and dismounted. "Pure luck, McClain." He suspicioned she tucked that shyness behind the gruff exterior because it was easier than dealing with other emotions.  Ones that scared the living daylights out of her.  And him, too. Glory untied the legs of two large gobblers and let them fall to the ground. "Nice shot," Luke said, examining them.  "Punkin might have a point after all when she claimed you could shoot whatever you aimed for.  Now, I'm not sure filling my leg full of lead was all that accidental.  Could be-" "Could be you talk too much."  She probably meant the flippant tone as a warning.  "As you said, you can't believe everything that bratty sister of mine says." Luke should've let sleeping dogs lie, but he couldn't help stirring the boiling pot.  Even if he got scalded.  Manure for brains his father had said many a time. "Like the part about you never having a beau?  Or never lettin' a gentleman call on you?  Or is it the part about never been kissed that's bunched your tail feathers in a wad?" A shocked gasp filled the space.  "Mr. McClain.  That's my business.  What right....?" Before he realized his intentions, he slid his hand beneath her hair.  With a tug on the back of her neck, he pulled her against him.  Glory trembled under his touch, a fragile leaf in a storm's path. * * * * This e-book as well as my other release REDEMPTION is available for $2.99. Click HERE to buy. Which types of stories bring you more satisfaction…the ones that feature the poor and downtrodden or ones where the characters have everything their hearts desire? I'm giving away one copy of this today in e-form to two people who leave a comment.

When Harlequin does a continuity series, a group of editors come up with a concept and invite the authors they want to participate. The authors are given what is termed ‘the bible,’ a two or three page synopsis of each story and a brief sketch of each character. An overall concept is included, explaining how the threads connect the stories.

After that, it’s up to the authors to put their heads together and collectively figure out how they’re going to make this idea work—and how they will create their individual stories to keep the plots logical and the stories exciting enough to carry them through however many pages.

I’ve participated in several Montana Mavericks continuities, both historical and contemporary, as well as a contemporary continuity about a fertility clinic. One of the most critical parts of this whole process is the brainstorming and chemistry between the participating authors. A good group makes all the difference, so I was delighted after Love Inspired Historical asked me to write the first book in the Irish Brides trilogy I learned Renee Ryan and Winnie Griggs were the other two authors.

I’m fortunate that Winnie is my sister Filly here at Wildflower Junction and Renee is a member of my RWA chapter, so the three of us already knew each other. Working with them was a joy, and I can only hope they feel the same way about my participation. We plotted and shared and wrangled plot points until each of us had a great story to write.

The premise and setting set me back for only a few minutes. Three orphaned Irish sisters leave their homeland and travel to America in hopes of finding a man they discover loved their mother. They need a place to live as well as a new start. I’d only ever written American-set stories and only a couple set as early as 1850. As soon as I began my research I was hooked. The history of these sisters came to life for me, and I had the privilege of setting up each character—with Renee and Winnie’s guidance of course.

I prepared myself for the narrative and dialogue by watching every Irish movie I could fit into my schedule. Quite a hardship I assure you. My favorite is always Far and Away, but there are other great ones.

I enjoyed populating the sailing vessel, the Annie McGee with colorful sojourners and creating conflicts for my character, Maeve Murphy. I slipped in one cowboy, who is traveling back home--couldn't resist. The tale of The Wedding Journey unfolds onboard the ship, as Maeve is given a position as the physician’s assistant, and their trip is underway. Renee and Winnie have written the stories of Bridget and Nora, Maeve’s older sisters, whose tales begin once the ship docks in Boston Harbor.

Once my story was finished, Harlequin asked me to write a free online serial for their website, and gave me free license to come up with a prequel to the Irish Brides. Again I dove into research for something to snag my interest and found stories of the poor starving Irish being sent to penitentiaries for stealing food or not paying their landowners. The story sprang to life from there.

In 1850 Ireland, Darcy Keegan secretly plans to escape the drudgery of the prison where her father is warden to start a life elsewhere. Her plans are thwarted by a young boy who's been imprisoned and whom she can't bring herself to leave until she knows he will be safe.

Vaughn Donnelly has recently returned to Castleville to add a wing to the penitentiary, and is captivated by the young lass he observes in the prison yard. His job prevents him from staying, so love and marriage are out of the question--or are they? When he intervenes on behalf of a lad being mistreated, he wins the admiration of the Irish lass he admires.

Their shared concern for the laddie quickly turns into something more--read Donnelly’s Promise FREE on the Harlequin website: CLICK HERE

By the time I finished with these two stories I thought and dreamed everything with an Irish accent! I had so much fun with these characters and their tales of love that I can’t wait for readers to discover them.

The Wedding Journey is available for pre-order.

Thanks for stopping by!

Listed below are the upcoming releases from our talented writers here at Wildflower Junction.  To purchase any of these fine books, just click on the book covers.  And to learn more about the authors, click on thier names.   THE LAWMAN’S VOW  By Elizabeth Lane   A MAN WITH AMISSION...  San Francisco Lawman Flynn O’Rourke swore he’d bring his sister’s killer to justice.  So when suspect Aaron Cragun is identified, Flynn will do anything, even rent a boat and sail to Cragun’s remote home to find him.  But Flynn doesn’t anticipate the storm that wrecks his boat, the injury that erases his memory...or the beautiful woman who rescues him.    Sweet Sylvie is loving and kind—and Aaron Cragun’s daughter.  As Flynn’s memory returns, will the lawman keep his vow or allow himself to fall for the one woman forbidden to him?             CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: MESSAGES FROM HEAVEN Multi-author Anthology  101 Miraculous Stories of Signs from Beyond, Amazing Connections, and Love that Doesn't Die    From author Cheryl Pierson A Touch From Heaven   A mother's love never dies...it comes to us in a gentle caress, A TOUCH FROM HEAVEN, by  the angel who loved us first.   

Since Academy Awards Night is one of my favorite evenings, I thought it might be fun to talk movies.  Old favorites, new favorites, worst picks of all time. Let’s start with the positive.  Who doesn’t love ET?  Star Wars?  Gone with the Wind?  Wizard of Oz?  They’re classics, never to be forgotten. Sometimes I look back and realize some of the books I’ve written were probably inspired by films I had seen and loved.  Gone with the Wind, at least the pre-civil war time in the South, elegant hoop skirts and Georgia mansions led to Captain’s Bride and Creole Fires.  I went on to follow Creole Fires with Savannah Heat and Natchez Flame.  Actually stayed in a gorgeous old plantation house inNatchez built in the 1840’s. I’m a Star Trek fan, a total Trekie.  Maybe that’s how I got interested in UFO’s and wound up writing Season Of Strangers.  I did a ton of research for that one and was amazed to find myself convinced there’s a very good possibility UFOs are real. I love Western movies.  Quigley Down Under with Tom Selleck is a personal all-time favorite (if you haven’t seen Tom in a pair of chaps you are really missing out!).  There’s a scene in my book, The Secret, a modern-day Western set inMontana, that was definitely inspired by the movie.  I’m excited that the publisher is re-issuing the book next year. I loved True Grit, both versions, love some of the great old Westerns like Wagon Master, Wagons West, Brigham Young.  My husband, who still writes Western novels, and I belong to Western Writers of America.  We love attending the conferences and plan to be in Albuquerque, New Mexico mid-June this year. I love high action adventure movies.  Old ones like The African Queen with Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn, new ones like Taken, with Liam Neeson.  The plot for my new book, Against the Night, may have developed from the abduction theme of the movie. Against the Night is Johnnie Riggs’s story, a fish out of water tale about a kindergarten teacher who braves the LA underworld to find her missing sister.  Its clear Amy needs help, and John Riggs is just the man for the job.  Unfortunately, Johnnie is more interested in Amy’s luscious little body than the money she can’t afford to pay him. It’s a romp that starts on L.A.’s Sunset Strip and travels all the way to the tropical jungles of Belize, a fast-paced, high-action, hot-blooded adventure I’m hoping readers will enjoy half as much as I enjoyed writing it. Here’s the back cover copy: He knows what goes on in the dark. She’s got the face of an angel and the body of…well, isn’t that what he’d expect from an exotic dancer? But there’s something about this girl that Johnnie Riggs can’t shake. The former army ranger is hot on the trail of an elusive drug lord—and suddenly very hot under the collar, as well. Amy’s got her own agenda to pursue: her sister is missing and Amy seems to be the only one who cares. She’ll enlist Johnnie's help and do her best to ignore her growing attraction to finally get some answers. But when the two trails begin to converge and reveal something even more sinister than they imagined, their mutual desire is the least of their problems. They’ll bring the truth to light…or die trying. Johnnie is a hunk and the cover of the book looks just like him.  I hope you’ll watch for Against the Night and other of the books in my AGAINST series.  Out the end of May is AGAINST THE SUN, Jake Cantrell’s story, another fast-paced, heart-pounding tale. In the meantime, have fun and happy reading. Warmest, Kat   Miss Kat is giving away a copy of AGAINST THE NIGHT to one lucky commenter. Join the conversation to be entered to win.