Howdy! Hope y’all are doin’ well on this beautiful Thursday! Well I hope you’ll forgive me, but I just noticed (believe it or not) that this is more or less a repeat of my last post two weeks ago. I must admit to being thoroughly swamped at the moment and so I hope you will excuse me.
I am filling in for the beautiful and amazingly talented Cathy. I know. Touch shoes to try to walk in, but I’ll try.
I have a new release out and it’s the third book in the Young Adult Series I’m doing entitled OUR ENEMY BRINGS CHANGE. This is a sweet teen romance, set in around the 1840’s between a Blackfeet Young Man and a young teenager, Miss Starling) who came to live with her Uncle Jed when her parents died in a boating accident. Jed just happened to be a trader in the far reaches of Blackfeet country. The first story started when Starling (the heroine) was only 16 and on a steamboat set to take her into the dreaded Blackfeet Country. Because her Uncle Jed was unable to meet her at the boat’s landing at Fort Union, he sent his almost-nephew — Good Eagle — to meet Miss Starling and protect her on the steamboat as it was to go even further west…straight into Blackfeet Country. Well needless to say, the two of them DID NOT hit it off. However, he was told to guard Starling on the boat and he did.
Well, it’s now two years later and Starling is 18 and Good Eagle is 20. But Starling is now considered an adult and, oh my, she’s now found herself in love with Good Eagle. But, unfortunately for Starling, Good Eagle does not return her love (he is still in love with another)…though he and Starling have become the best of friends.
And so begins book #3, OUR ENEMY BRINGS CHANGE. I write this romance under the pen name of Genny Cothern.
So let me tell you a bit more about this 3rd book with a blurb and an excerpt:
Our Enemy Brings Change
A spellbinding and sweet Native American historical romance for Young Adults featuring two people who are friends, but who must not fall in love with each other.
What Will Happen When We Give Our Enemy His Life?
When Starling Nelson begs Good Eagle—her best friend and partner— to spare the life of an enemy, little does she know how this one single action might affect her life. For a year now, Starling has realized her friendship with Good Eagle has blossomed into love. But, because Good Eagle’s heart belongs to another, she has learned to ignore the rapid beating of her own heart whenever Good Eagle is near.
Good Eagle finishes the fight the young Nez Perce warrior started and grants the warrior his life, but only because his partner, Starling, insists upon it. But when the Nez Perce warrior offers a piece of advice to Good Eagle, it has the effect of changing not only Good Eagle’s mind-set about love, it might very well change his life forever.
But, there are doubts about a happy ever after for Good Eagle and Starling, because, though Good Eagle’s past love is no longer alive, in spirit she still haunts him.
Can Good Eagle and Starling win against the supernatural? Or will this one chance at love fail, separating them forever?
Perfect for Readers who love
** A haunted hero and a beautiful “off limits” friend
** Sweet Native American Historical Romance
** Adventure and sweet love in the Old West
** Friends who believe love might destroy their honor
I hope you like this cover as much as I do. It’s a bit of a change from my usual covers. But I love the detail in this cover as well as the bright colors. If you’ve ever been to Montana, then you probably know that the environment is not brown and drab, but it vibrant with color.
And so, here is an excerpt — a different one from my last blog two weeks ago. In this scene Starling and Good Eagle are on the trail to discover a war lodge built somewhere in the Two Medicine area. They have gone there to scout out the war lodge and to discover what (if anything) the enemy left behind.
EXCERPT
Our Enemy Brings Change
At last, by mid-day, we beheld the butte Deer Leggings had pointed out to us several days ago; it was known to the Pikuni as Móskizipahpi-istaki or Heart Butte. Rugged Mountains in the shape of a heart at its peaks jutted up toward the sky, while at its base, a large pine and hardwood forest butted up to it. We were only a few steps away from the pine forest now, and, entering into the cooler temperature of it, we traveled within its dense and dark depths, both of us keeping a look out for the war lodge or any other surprise.
The scent of pine was strong here and pleasant, despite the gloomy-like interior of the forest, where light so rarely found its way to the ground.
Good Eagle led the way, and, turning slightly in his seat, he motioned me forward. As I guided my pony up to Good Eagle on his right, he looked over his shoulder at me and said, “I believe I know where this lodge is. And, if I am correct, we will find it farther back from here and closer to the mountains. It is there where the pines are the most dense. I have been here before and I believe we will discover the lodge to be well hidden amongst the trees in this forest. Now, take heart and find your courage. Though I know the feel in these woods is gloomy, making it seem as if an enemy watches your every step, it is usually not so. I do not sense the presence of an enemy here. Still, keep your pony close to mine as we go through the pines.”
“Yes,” I said. “I will follow you. Indeed, with you here with me, I feel secure.”
Glancing at me quickly, Good Eagle smiled. “Okí, come on, let’s go!”
We then found the lodge with ease. I had never seen an actual war lodge and I was stunned to witness its cleverness in design.
Said Good Eagle, “I remember this war lodge from when I had once come here with my father. It is rather ancient and is not much used by my people anymore. It was many years ago when he brought me here. You see, it is the duty of my father, who is often the leader of war parties, to know where these war lodges are located all over Pikuni territory. They are usually found to be close to a trail, and they are used over and over by many a Pikuni war party.
“But, my father has told me the enemy, too, knows of their locations, and so it is not unusual for the Nez Perce to have used this lodge. But, even knowing the enemy might also be aware of the location of these lodges, many of my people still use them. However, although these kinds of war lodges can be convenient when one has a need of them, my father feels it best to construct a new war lodge when he is at the head of a war party; he would make his own, one as yet unknown to the enemy.”
I nodded, but I did not speak.
We both dismounted, leaving our animals hobbled in a large area of grass so they might feast upon it and recover their strength. Good Eagle and I came up close to the structure and I asked, “How are these built? I can see they are constructed to remain here for use, but how is it done?”
Quite good-naturedly, Good Eagle took my arm and stepped toward the war lodge while he explained, “The leader of the war party selects a spot to build the structure, usually close to a war path and within reach of water for bathing and for drinking. All the men begin to build the shelter as a place where they can rest and smoke meat and prepare for the dangers of war. Windfalls, as you can see, are plentiful in these wooded areas and the cottonwood and willow tree branches are used mostly because they are in abundance here along the river bottom.
“Now, three, maybe four or five, large and sturdy cottonwood limbs are found and put together like a tepee. These form the structure of the lodge. And then, other, smaller limbs are placed here alongside the main structure, while smaller limbs, bushes and small branches are put here and there over the entire structure. Large stones are found and are used to hold the lodge in place. Then, slabs of tree bark are put onto and around the lodge in order to keep the weather out of the structure. Bushes, leaves and more pine boughs are placed around it, also, to keep everything in place and any holes are quickly found from within the lodge and are closed up so that no rain or snow will fall inside, nor will smoke escape through the holes to announce to the enemy where the lodge is built.
“Now,” said Good Eagle, pointing, “as you can see, there is a long tunnel leading into the structure so that it can only be accessed by bending low and crawling through the tunnel into the lodge inside.”
“Yes,” I replied. “I think I would say it looks like an inverted V shape.”
“Quickly,” said Good Eagle, “let us gather up some dry wood so we can build a fire within the lodge.”
We did so easily enough, there being many dry branches and logs on the ground. Within moments it was done, and, carrying the wood to the war lodge, Good Eagle bent and crawled into the opening, pushing the stack of wood before him. I followed.
It was dark in this tunnel-like structure and I was glad when we, at last, reached the interior of the lodge. But, because all the cracks in its walls were covered over with bush or tree bark from the outside, there was no light in the structure’s interior except for what came through the lodge poles from above. Also, because of the darkness of the forest, I could see almost nothing within, even once I came to stand up to my feet and my eyes had adjusted to the dark.
Said Good Eagle, “Let me start a fire in the center of the lodge so we might more easily locate the headdress we have come here to find.”
I didn’t help Good Eagle to build the fire because, using little more than flint and punk, it generally took me much longer than he to stoke up a fire. However, Good Eagle was a master at it, having learned how to do it long, long ago. And so, very quickly the interior of the lodge was thrown into a flickering, yellow light which seemed to me to be about as bright as moonlight, and perhaps, just as flattering.
At last, I could see what was inside the lodge, and, without looking at Good Eagle, I murmured, “Well, I can now understand why there is such a strong odor of pine here in this lodge. The men who had used this war lodge, slept on many pine boughs and have left them here. I had thought, when we first entered, that the odor inside here would be rotten, perhaps from the remains of animals. But, this is not so. It is the sweet smell of balsam, as well as prairie sage, which permeates the inside of this structure.”
Good Eagle didn’t reply to me. Instead, when I looked up toward him as he stood on the other side of the glowing firelight, I saw he was gazing at me in an uncommonly strange manner. He said nothing; he did nothing. He simply stood there looking at me as though he were seeing me for the first time.
Although I took note of how handsome he appeared in the flickering firelight, I thought little of it, for I had often admired his looks beneath the beams of a moonlit evening. And so, shrugging off my attraction to him, I said again, “I have noticed how sweet-smelling the inside of this lodge is.” I grinned at him.
Yet, he murmured not a single word in reply to me. He simply stared at me. A long minute ticked by in my mind, and, as I looked at him, I wondered what was wrong with him. Why didn’t he say something to me? Yet, he uttered not a single word.
“Well,” I said at length, “it might be wise for us to look for the headdress and return at once to the fort where we can present it to Deer Leggings.”
“Tsa, what?” At last Good Eagle seemed to come more fully into the moment. “I did not hear what it was you said.”
“Oh?” I asked, wondering what was affecting him in such a strange way. “Well, I will say it again, then. Perhaps we should look for the headdress and then make our way back to the fort.”
“Áa, áa,” was all Good Eagle replied. And then, as though he had been momentarily held in a trance, he shook his head slightly and shut his eyes. Opening his eyes and again looking at me, he said, “Of course. Let us do as you say.”
And, so began our hunt for the Nez Perce headdress. We each one inspected several different sleeping areas. But, it was Good Eagle, who, at last, found the tube which held the regalia. Not only was there a headdress neatly packed within it, there was another cylinder located close to it, and inside this other was an entire outfit of men’s dress regalia, complete with a tanned buckskin shirt, leggings, breechcloth and moccasins.
As Good Eagle was rolling the clothing up and stuffing it all back inside the tube, I said, “We should bring these back to Deer Leggings. I know he will be happy to see them.”
As I reached out to take one of the cylinders from Good Eagle, I accidentally touched the palm of his hand, and I almost jumped back because of the sensation of energy which fled over me. What had happened to me?
I looked up at Good Eagle’s face and saw a look of surprise upon his countenance, also; one probably mirroring my own reaction. I hardly knew what to do. Perhaps I should have taken a step back away from him. But, I didn’t. It was as though I had become glued to the floor.
Again, it was a long minute within my mind before Good Eagle at last said to me, “I think we should return to the fort, yet my people are not camped far from here, the Two Medicine area being a common camping spot for us during the Yiipo, the moon when the leaves grow. Would you like to come to my people’s encampment with me before we return to the fort? Perhaps it is well for you to meet the rest of your family, my father, my mother, my sister and brother.”
Taken a little by surprise, I replied, “I would be honored to go there with you.”
When he grinned at me, I thought my heart might likely have jumped up from my chest and into my throat, so quickly did it beat. I didn’t know quite what had happened to me…or to Good Eagle.
But, whatever it was, it left me with a warm sensation which was spreading all over me. Something, though I knew not what, was different between Good Eagle and me. And, whatever this was, it was so pleasant, I longed for more of the same.
But, of course, I didn’t say any of this to Good Eagle. He is, after all, my best friend, my almost-brother and my partner.
When Good Eagle seemed to become more of his usual good-humored, though teasing self, we left the lodge, as well as the pine forest and headed toward the camp of his people.
To say I was honored by his suggestion to take me to meet his family would have been an understatement, and I found I was so nervous at the prospect of meeting his parents, as well as his sister and brother, I barely spoke at all to Good Eagle along the trail.
But, in truth, this was as it usually was; one didn’t overly converse when on the trail.
Inwardly, I started rehearsing what I might say to his father and his mother, but alas, I could think of nothing which seemed to me to be quite worthy of the honor I felt. However, sighing deeply, I kept trying to practice what I might say….
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HG88KVRV?tag=pettpist-20
And now for some more news: She Steals My Breath , book #1 in The Medicine Man Series is on sale for $,99 and If She Were Mine is on sale also for $.99. But If She Were Mine is going to be on sale only until the end of this month. So do hurry and get your copy today!
If She Were Mine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWY3P5KS?tag=pettpist-20 
She Steals My Breath: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TNDS67H?tag=pettpist-20
Well, that’s all for today! Hope your Thursday is both beautiful and romantic! Don’t forget to post a comment. I’ll be giving away a free e-book of this story to one of today’s bloggers.
I was thinking about recipe what I wanted to share with y’all and immediately, my mom came to mind. She was a fabulous cook–not fancy, but always wholesome comfort food. Her mac and cheese was to die for and so was her chocolate wacky cake. So many memories of her are about food and meals together, either in the little house I grew up in or around a campfire in Michigan, where we went camping nearly every weekend all summer long when I was a kid.
Howdy!
I live in one of the areas of Montana that the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery, traversed during the early 1800s (1803-1806). Beaverhead Rock, the formation that Sacagawea recognized as being close to the summer grounds of her nation, is one of the local landmarks.
in what is now North Dakota before heading west. One of the canoes was abandoned near the Big Hole River in Montana and the rest put into storage when the expedition shifted from waterways to horseback in order to travel over the Rocky Mountains into Idaho.
There’s something about putting an animal into a story. At first, they’re just supposed to be there.
that need rescuing. At one point, he rescued a collection of exotic animals from a cruel circus owner in New York before moving his family to Clear Creek. And when I say exotic, I don’t mean he brought home an unusually large dog. He has a lion. A camel. A chimpanzee. A zebra. And two lemurs.
But animals can do more than make us laugh. They can tell us something about the people who care for them. Mr. Snow didn’t collect exotic animals because he wanted a private zoo. He rescued creatures that had been mistreated and gave them a home. That tells us something about him without my having to stop the story and explain what sort of man he is. The way characters treat animals can reveal tenderness, patience, stubbornness, compassion—and sometimes a remarkable tolerance for chaos.
background decoration. They become part of the family, part of the town, and sometimes part of the trouble. And once that happens, it’s hard to imagine the story without them.