HOWDY FROM A NEW FILLY

by

Hi everyone!  I’m Cheryl Pierson (Cheryl #2 here at P&P)!  This is my first “official” post as a new filly, and I’m very excited to be here at Petticoats & Pistols in such great company!  I’ve done a couple of guest posts in the past, and from the moment I began to get to know my “fellow fillies,” I knew I wanted to be here amongst ya!

I won’t bore you with too many details–just want to tell you a little about me and I’d love to hear about you all, too.  I was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, in 1957.  I had two “way older” sisters (10 and 12 when I came along) and I was a Tomboy–with a capital “T” for sure!  Although I loved Barbie, I’d much rather have been playing cowboys and Indians–probably why I chose to write western historicals.

I finally got to go to a rodeo when I was about 9 with my cousin, and Larry Mahan was there!  I was in love.  After that, I wanted to be a barrel racer, thinking that would be a great way to get those handsome cowboys to notice me when I was older…of course, that was a huge pipe dream since my family was NOT into rodeoing at all.  But my first “serious” little story I wrote in elementary school had a guy in it named “Larry” and girl named “Cherry” (original, huh?)

My dad was an oilfield hand–a chemical engineer, on call 24/7 for as long as I can remember.  Mom was the “June Cleaver” type, and both of them were appalled when I told them I wanted to write books for a living.  As they predicted, that dream had to be placed on hold for many years–enough time for me to marry and raise my two kids–with a myriad of “real jobs” (as others called them) in between.

But I was writing all the time, every spare minute I got.  I started out with an idea for a western romance, and the more I wrote, the bigger the story became, until I had a 1000 page manuscript!  Of course, it’s still unsold (go figure!) but it’s the book of my heart–and I know each of you has written a book that holds that special place in your heart, as well.  That was what I needed to “get me going.”  Ideas flowed, and so did the words.

Although that first “tome” is still as yet unpublished, the third book I wrote, FIRE EYES, was published in May 2009, and went on to become an EPIC Award finalist.  The Wild Rose Press also published two of my western short stories, and my first contemporary romantic suspense, SWEET DANGER, will be released on October 1.

The fourth book I wrote, TIME PLAINS DRIFTER, was published through another smaller press.  After a few short months, we parted ways, and TIME PLAINS DRIFTER is homeless again. My daughter designed my cover for this book so it’s very special to me.  It also garnered me the award of Honorable Mention for Best New Paranormal Author in PNR’s PEARL Awards this year.

Right now, I am waiting (on pins and needles) to hear back from Berkley about one of my manuscripts that’s under consideration with them.  GABRIEL’S LAW was the third place recipient in this year’s historical category in the San Antonio Romance Authors’ Merritt Contest.  The judge for that final round asked for the full manuscript. It’s been thirty-five days, six hours and fourteen minutes…but who’s counting?

I live in Oklahoma City with my “transplanted” (from West Virginia) husband, Gary, who plans to make good on his threat to retire this fall.  My daughter, Jessica, is 23 and works at an actors’ casting agency here.  My son, Casey, is 20 and a physics major in college (and believe me, those math and science genes did not come from me!)  Along with my business partner, I teach writing classes for all ages, and have done lots of work with the Indian Education Program for one of the major school systems here in OK City.  And I’m FINALLY getting to actually write! 

Thank you all so much for your warm welcome and your generous friendships.  I am thrilled to be here–a “regular filly!”

I’ll leave you with an excerpt from one of my short stories,  A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES. 

When a wounded drifter and three children appear at her doorstep, widow Angela Bentley can’t turn them away.  Nick Dalton has a dangerous reputation, but is it truly deserved, or is it just talk?  Will love find two lonely people on this, A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES?

FROM “A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES”:

Angela placed the whiskey-damp cloth against the jagged wound. The man flinched, but held himself hard against the pain. Finally, he opened his eyes. She looked into his sun-bronzed face, his deep blue gaze burning with a startling, compelling intensity as he watched her. He moistened his lips, reminding Angela that she should give him a drink. She laid the cloth in a bowl and turned to pour the water into the cup she’d brought.

He spoke first. “What…what’s your name?” His voice was raspy with pain, but held an underlying tone of gentleness. As if he were apologizing for putting her to this trouble, she thought. The sound of it comforted her. She didn’t know why, and she didn’t want to think about it. He’d be leaving soon.

“Angela.” She lifted his head and gently pressed the metal cup to his lips. “Angela Bentley.”

He took two deep swallows of the water. “Angel,” he said, as she drew the cup away and set it on the nightstand. “It fits.”

She looked down, unsure of the compliment and suddenly nervous. She walked to the low oak chest to retrieve the bandaging and dishpan. “And you are…”

“Nick Dalton, ma’am.” His eyes slid shut as she whirled to face him. A cynical smile touched his lips. “I see…you’ve heard of me.”

A killer. A gunfighter. A ruthless mercenary. What was he doing with these children? She’d heard of him, all right, bits and pieces, whispers at the back fence. Gossip, mainly. And the stories consisted of such variation there was no telling what was true and what wasn’t.

She’d heard. She just hadn’t expected him to be so handsome. Hadn’t expected to see kindness in his eyes. Hadn’t expected to have him show up on her doorstep carrying a piece of lead in him, and with three children in tow. She forced herself to respond through stiff lips. “Heard of you? Who hasn’t?”

He met her challenging stare. “I mean you no harm.”

She remained silent, and he closed his eyes once more. His hands rested on the edge of the sheet, and Angela noticed the traces of blood on his left thumb and index finger. He’d tried to stem the blood flow from his right side as he rode. “I’m only human, it seems, after all,” he muttered huskily. “Not a legend tonight. Just a man.”

He was too badly injured to be a threat, and somehow, looking into his face, she found herself trusting him despite his fearsome reputation. She kept her expression blank and approached the bed with the dishpan and the bandaging tucked beneath her arm. She fought off the wave of compassion that threatened to engulf her. It was too dangerous. When she spoke, her tone was curt. “A soldier of fortune, from what I hear.”

He gave a faint smile. “Things aren’t always what they seem, Miss Bentley.”

http://www.cherylpierson.com

Website |  + posts

A native Oklahoman, I've been influenced by the west all my life. I love to write short stories and novels in the historical western and western romance genres, as well as contemporary romantic suspense! Check my Amazon author page to see my work: http://www.amazon.com/author/cherylpierson
I live in Oklahoma City with my husband of 40 years. I love to hear from readers and other authors--you can contact me here: fabkat_edit@yahoo.com
Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cheryl.pierson.92
https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules

39 thoughts on “HOWDY FROM A NEW FILLY”

  1. Cheryl – hang on a cotton pickin’ minute. You have kids that are 20 and 23? That would make you…hmph. Older than you look in that great photo!

    LOL on the real job. I heard a lot of that too. I did several “real” jobs until I had kids, then I stayed home with them. After the second was born, I started writing. Oddly enough, nearly everyone now says that me writing for a living is no surprise…!

    By the way I seriously love the font treatment on your Christmas cover. Lovely!

  2. DONNA!!! LOL YOU ARE MY NEW BEST FRIEND, GIRL!!!! I am 52 and proud of it–53 next month. AND, my daughter took that picture–she does a lot of head shots and promo stuff where she works and she decided I needed something to “put out there.” LOL So that was taken about a year ago, I think.

    You sound a lot like me Donna. Now that everyone knows I’m writing, they all say, “I always knew you’d be a writer.” LOL

    The covers for A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES and for FIRE EYES were both done by Nicola Martinez at The Wild Rose Press. I thought she did a fantastic job, too. Thanks so much for getting the day off to a great start with your comments.
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

  3. Pleased to meet you. My daughter is about your daughter’s age and also does photography. Isn’t lovely when your children share their creativity and actually have an adult conversation with you? LOL

    Looking forward to hearing more from you in the future. It’s lovely to have another western writer in my “stable”!

    Peace, Julie

  5. Hi Julie,

    Thanks so much for the welcome! YES, it is wonderful when you can finally have an adult conversation with them–quite a moment of awakening, too, to realize they are not just your baby anymore, they are their own person. LOL

    I’m glad to meet you, too! Thanks again for coming by and commenting–P&P is a great place to be–so many wonderful people here.

    Cheryl

  6. Hello, Anon,

    Thanks for the warm welcome. I’m sure it’s going to be just as wonderful here at P&P as I imagined it would be. You can’t find any nicer people anywhere.

    Cheryl

  7. Hi, Cheryl. Nice to have a new filly in the corral. I always enjoyed reading all the posts from various perspectives. It gives us a richer view. I’m looking forward to reading more from you!

  9. Welcome aboard, Cheryl. So great to see your lovely face on the P & P fence. Your Fire Eyes cover is just stunning, and I loved the “Miracles” excerpt. I can see why your career seems to be taking off. We have an interesting parallel. I’ve written a time travel/Christmas/western book. When it failed to find a niche, my agent and I decided to e publish it later this year.
    You’re going to make a great addition to the Fillies!

  10. Welcome to the P&P Cheryl! Nice to have you join us here! I have not read your books before but they sound fabulous, also love your covers! This is a great blog and you will find you love it! We have a great time!

  13. Welcome Cheryl #2!!! 😀 It is wonderful to get to know more about you! Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

  14. Cheryl, all of us Fillies are proud and delighted to have you join us. You’ll fit in nicely here. I loved learning more about you.

    Wow! What an excerpt. I’ve got to find this book! You have a great western writing voice.

  16. Hi Elizabeth, and thanks so much for the warm welcome! A time travel Christmas western–that sounds like it would be right down my alley! My short story, A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES, has a tiny smidgeon of the paranormal in it at the very end. I’ve written two Christmas short stories published by The Wild Rose Press–that one, and one called UNTIL THE LAST STAR BURNS OUT. It’s a free read. I will be eagerly awaiting your release, Elizabeth! I love Christmas stories!
    Cheryl

  17. Hi Quilt Lady,

    I know I will enjoy being here–I loved it the two times I guest blogged here before, and I’m so honored and thrilled to be here as a permanent fixture! LOL It’s a very fun and active site and everyone here is just wonderful. Thanks for your kind words and for the warm welcome.
    Cheryl

  20. Hey, Colleen!

    Thanks, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone here, too–this is great! I’m really enjoying myself.

    Cheryl

  21. Hi Linda,

    What a wonderful welcome I’ve received!!! Thanks to you and everyone else here. You have all been nothing but kind and so helpful!

    I’m so glad you enjoyed the excerpt. A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES is a short story (actually, a pretty LONG short story!) that is available at The Wild Rose Press. If you go to my blog, http://www.cherylpierson.com you can click on the link for my author page at The Wild Rose Press and it will take you right there. Thanks so much for your comments!

    Cheryl

  25. Welcome, Ms. Cheryl! It’s nice to meet you and
    your family!

    I’m Pat: wife of 49 years, mother of 6 including SIL & DIL, grandmother of 10, and an avid reader. I’m an almost daily visitor to the Junction, you
    will probably see me around!

    You are sending me on a search now, looking for
    a copy of Night of Miracles which sounds just right for me!

    Pat Cochran

  26. I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading Time Plains Drifter and your daughter did your proud – it’s a lovely cover. Too bad I never wrote a book because my daughter is an artist too.

  27. Hi Cheryl,
    I have enjoyed your guest blogs very much and last time I was fortunate enough to win a PDF of A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES. Thanks so much! I loved it. The little twist at the end gave me goose bumps! Glad you’ve become a regular here and looking forward to reading Fire Eyes soon.

  28. Hi Cheryl! It’s wonderful to have you at Petticoats & Pistols! I live in Kentucky now, but I’ve been through West Virginia many times. Beautiful country! I’m hoping you get good news from Berkley and that it comes soon!

  29. good to have you!
    i loved that you shared information about yourself…i always love to get to know the authors

    your excerpt was very interesting!! i’m adding “a night for miracles” to my “to buy” list….can i get it from amazon?

    ps–i love that your daughter designed one of your covers…and i hope your first love (book) gets published someday

  30. Hi Cheryl,
    Looks like we’re the same age, though you sure don’t look it in that picture. My kids are 25,23& 21. I used to stop by P&P at least once a week, but got side tracked with all the loops, which is where I saw you were going to be here. I had to stop in and say hi. I’ll have to get back in the P&P habit as there are always such great posts here.

  31. Sorry I’m so late gettin’ in today, Cheryl. I really had a good laugh about your first novel. Mine is also on the shelf and I stopped around nine hundred or so pages, but I bet you on firsts because I liked it so much that I wrote a sequel … so now I have two zillion paged books on the shelf. The good thing, I use them for bookends. I’ve had a blast getting to know you as one new filly to another, but didn’t realize you were for OKC. Almost a neighbor. Hugs, P

  32. Hi Pat! Nice to meet you!!! WOW 49 years!!! I’ve been married 31, and I always say, I’m so glad I never bought a gun…LOL Sounds like you have a wonderfully large family! Oh, I am so glad that you enjoyed the excerpt from A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES. I have another FREE READ at The Wild Rose Press–all you have to do is download it–UNTIL THE LAST STAR BURNS OUT.

    So glad to meet you, and I know I will be seeing you around!

    Thanks for the welcome!
    Cheryl

  33. Hi Jeanne! I remember when you won TIME PLAINS DRIFTER! I’m so glad to know you enjoyed it so much. I was really thrilled that Jessica and I got to do that project together. But you know, our kids have their own particular ways of getting their talents “out there”–the odd thing is, that my mother was a wonderful artist, too, but I can’t do diddly in that direction. LOL So I sometimes think of how that ability skipped a generation in my family, and how cool it is that that gift was passed on from my mom to my daughter. Is it like that with your daughter too?

    Thanks for the warm welcome, Jeanne!
    Cheryl

  34. Hi Judy!

    Oh, I am so glad to know that you loved A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES so much and that you have enjoyed my guest blogs. I hope that you will enjoy FIRE EYES as well. Thank you so much for letting me know, and thanks for your kind words!

    Cheryl

  35. Hi Vickie,

    OH YES, I am keeping my fingers crossed for good news from Berkley! LOL Like Tom Petty said, “The waiting is the hardest part…”

    Yes, WV is beautiful, and we are headed back there for our annual visit in about 2 weeks. I’m glad to be back in OK, though–being a “flat country” girl! Kentucky is lovely, too!

    Thanks for the warm welcome!
    Cheryl

  36. Hi Tabitha,

    First of all, I love the name Tabitha. I think the first time I ever heard it was on Bewitched. And thanks so much for your kind words about A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES. That story was just so close to my heart, and so often I’ve thought I wish I had made it longer–a novel rather than a short story. It’s really one of my favorite things I’ve ever done. I hope you enjoy it too. I don’t think you can get it from Amazon–but you can order it from the Wild Rose Press. http://www.thewildrosepress.com and click on my name. There’s also another short story there I did–a FREE READ that you only have to download. In fact, there are a lot of great free reads there by several authors that you might enjoy.

    Thanks so much for the big howdy!

    Cheryl

  37. KATHY!!! So great to see you over here! I was like you–I seemed to suddenly be awash in “loops”–sure did cut back on my writing time. LOL I had to get out of the habit–but P&P is one I will always make time for. There are so many great people here–so warm and friendly, and very close knit. Everyone has just been the BEST helping me, Phyliss and Donna (the new fillies) learn what we need to know.

    Glad to see you here!

    Cheryl

  38. PHYLISS!!! YOU DO HAVE ME BEAT!!! LOL Now that cracks me up, because everyone kept saying, “Can’t you cut that one in half and make two books out of it?” I would say, “NO, because it wouldn’t make sense if I did that.” And then I began to seriously consider a sequel to that huge book I had just finished. But my dh said, “Why don’t you see if you sell it first, THEN work on the sequel.” SMART MAN. LOL

    We’re almost neighbors, huh? Where are you?

    Thanks so much for the kind welcome, Phyliss. I know I couldn’t be in better company than here with you and Donna, my new “filly sisters” and all these wonderful mentors we have here at the junction!

    Cheryl

  39. A BIG HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO STOPPED BY TODAY TO COMMENT AND WELCOME ME AS AN OFFICIAL FILLY!!! Thanks soooooooo much to everyone here for making this a very special day!

    Hugs,
    Cheryl

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