Howdy! It’s such a thrill to spend the day in Wildflower Junction to tell about my new release, Tender Touch. I’ll be drawing a name for a pdf. copy as well as for a copy of Rodeo Redemption, the latest release from my friend and colleague Teri Wilson at White Rose Publishing. Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered.
California Gold played an important part in the Civil War. It was gold from California and the newly found Colorado mines that kept the Union army afloat when the Confederate army began to flounder in debt. But California gold almost didn’t make it to the Union.
One of the pivotal scenes in my new novel, Tender Touch, occurs when word about hostilities at Fort Sumter reaches the small mining town of Harperville. Emotions run high and a group of Union sympathizers turn into a mob that drives a small band of Southern men out of town. One of the Southern men is Royce Darnell’s best friend and mine foremen, Alex Marsden. Alex and his friends barely escape Harperville with their lives and head to Southern California where Confederate sympathizers had already issued a call for cession from the Union to form the Pacific Republic which would have included Oregon, Washington and possibly New Mexico.
In reality, it took almost10 days for news of war to reach California by telegraph and Pony Express. When it did, outbreaks of violence like the scene in my book took place everywhere. Pro-Union Democrats rallied in San Francisco and had to be controlled with Federal troops … commanded by a Southerner, Brigadier General Albert Sidney Johnston. Rumors ran rampant that General Johnston was part of a Confederate conspiracy to take over California but he remained true to his Oath to the Federal government by reinforcing the garrison at San Francisco and quelling the riots. His actions insured that California gold made it back to support the Union cause.
Fortunately!
I hope you enjoy the excerpt of Tender Touch, my first Western-set work. Right now, I’m working on Tender Trust, which picks up where Tender Touch ends. Penny Layton is Lacy’s best friend and it’s her story. My first novel, Time’s Embrace, a time-travel adventure, was released in the United States in 1993 and internationally released in 1995. Most recently I have contributed to a collection of women’s survival stories titled, Triumph! The Beautiful Face of Courage and collaborated on at full-length play, a Christmas musical titled The Night Before Christmas.
I have been a member of Romance Writers of America since 1992, and I have taught writing at conferences and workshops, and have held seminars throughout California. Currently residents of central California, my high school sweetheart and I have been married for thirty-seven years, and we have four children and seventeen grandchildren. Recently my hubby retired from government work to take a new position and we’ll be traveling to the Middle East to work and begin a new adventure!
I’d love for you to follow the workshops, classes and ups and downs of writing at and visit me at my home page, www.tanyastowe.com
Excerpt from Tender Touch:
“Lacy–look at me,” Royce commanded. She looked up. “Feel the music, Lacy. Just move with me.”
Her muscles eased. Her breathing slowed. She seemed to sense the rhythm of his body and took her cues from the slight touch of his hand. He dipped, she followed. He swept, she flowed, her skirts swinging in a graceful arc behind them. They sailed around the room in perfect motion.
Royce smiled. “I knew you could do it.”
“Thank you for teaching me,” she murmured.
Royce looked at the woman in his arms. He’d known the minute she’d entered the room. He was shocked to see her, knowing instinctively that the crowd and the noise would not be to her liking. But, when he’d seen the pink of her cheeks and the high color of her eyes, he knew she was enjoying herself … and that made him happy. He liked the little giggle she tried to suppress and the way her eyes lit when the dancers came near her. So he’d asked her to dance.
“Thank you,” Lacy repeated.
“My pleasure, ma’am. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
Her features turned somber. “You can let me go, now, before it’s too late.”
She was asking him to do what he’d vowed to do. But looking at her lovely features, he knew he wouldn’t do it.
“I can’t, Lacy. I’ve tried and I can’t.”
The truth of his words flowed over both of them. They stood still in the middle of the dance floor. He wondered where the words had come from, and how he could take care of this fragile, beautiful creature in his arms.
Thanks to the fillies for inviting me here today! 
Tanya,
That was a fun post! Looks like you really enjoyed digging into research and finding interesting facts.
I’d love to win a copy of your book, please enter me into the drawing.
Best wishes for much success with your writing~
Fascinating post, Tanya…thanks for visiting! I absolutely love that cover with the darling little fawn 🙂
JoAnn … Yes, I did enjoy the research and some of it led to my next book, Tender Trust. It’s about Lacy’s best friend. Her story starts in the Southwest after the Civil War. Can’t wait to finish it!
Melissa … Nicola Martinez, the senior editor of White Rose Publishing designed it. She does fabulous work and is a great editor to boot. The cover captures all of the elements of the story
Thanks to both of you for stopping by!
What a great little piece of history, Tanya. I wasn’t aware of it before.
Your cover is beautiful, and your excerpt so romantic…
Someone will be a very lucky winner today!
Welcome, Tanya. We’re thrilled to have you and hope you come again soon.
I LOVE the cover of your book! The colors and graphics are so striking. And the excerpt is wonderful. It’s made me want to buy the book so I’ve put it on my list. Have a great day! 🙂
Great post, Tanya! Love getting to know you better, and the book sounds pheominal!!! 🙂 God bless – and MUCH success!
An interesting post. I did not know they had trouble in California. I will look for your book. Thank you.
Great info, Tanya! Love the history and romance. Can’t wait to read it!
aww
that is such a sweet excerpt!
and i LOVE that cover
looks like it fits perfectly
sounds like a beautiful story!
Hi Tanya, my doppelganger LOL. It’s been such fun getting to know you. The cover is to die for and the excerpt means the book is definitely TBR. I’m sure this is the first of many visits to Wildflower Junction. oxoxox
Great post, Tanya! Your research information is interesting (especially to a born-and-bred Cali gal) and of course I love the excerpt. Every time I read it again, I’m that much more determined to read the book. I wish you much success in your career!
Elizabeth … It is an interesting little piece of history and feel really lucky to be here! Thanks for taking the time to post!
Linda …. Thanks so much for making me feel so welcome here and for adding Tender Touch to your TBR list! I’ve told all of my family about your Matador post and I’m sure you’ll be getting some visitors from us!
Marianne … Thank you for stopping by!
Thanks for the interesting post. I hadn’t really thought of the reactions and consequences of the Civil War on the west coast states. With so many people moving out there for gold, silver, and timber, there was a broad mix of loyalties. I guess it is surprising there weren’t more problems. The clashes that did arise aren’t generally mentioned in history class.
Sweet excerpt.
Your writing has covered a lot of different topics. Variety is good, keeps the author and reader interested.
17 grandchildren. I am so jealous. Enjoy your move and the next adventure with your DH.
Hi Goldie, You can find Tender Touch at http://www.whitrosepublishing.com starting this Friday!
Thanks for looking!
Hey Dorothy! Thanks for coming today!
Tabitha, I love that scene in the book. It’s good to know you liked it too! And yes, the cover fits it perfectly!
Tanya, I will definitely be back to Wildflower Junction. It’s a great place and so full of interesting people!
Delia, I’m so glad you like the excerpt. I hope you like the rest of the book as much!
Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to comment!
Thanks for sharing today! Enjoyed the post and excerpt… 😀
Enjoyed reading the comments. I am always looking for new authors to read and I have added your name to my TBR list. Your book sounds really good.
Hi Tanya,
Your book looks great! I enjoyed the excerpt. I’m jealous of you, too–17 grandchildren! I think I’m going to only have a “granddog” for quite a while. What an adventure, to be moving to the Middle East with your hubby! I’m glad to get to know you better. Welcome to the Junction!
Cheryl P.
Enjoyed the post! I always learn something when I visit here.
You are a new to me author. Am headed to your website to learn more.
Patricia, One of the things I love best about writing is discovering one of those ‘unmentioned’ little historical details and showing what a great impact it could have on people’s lives. Thanks for the good wishes on our new adventure. The only drawback will be missing all those babies of mine!
Colleen and Joye, I really appreciate your comments and good wishes. It means a lot to me.
Thanks, Cheryl. It’s been so much fun to be here. Good company. Good fun. Enjoy that granddog and give it a hug for me!
Tanya,
I’m interested in your story of courage. Would you like to be a guest on my blog in 2011?
http://bit.ly/N4yOf
BTW, your Civil War story and setting sound wonderful.
Glad you could stop in and spend a day with us, Tanya. I had no idea a gentleman from the South commanded the Federal troops in California. Must a have been a difficult time for him and his family.
Love Lacy! Can’t wait for the next one!
Lovely scene, certainly want to read the entire
book! Looking forward to it’s upcoming release! Good Luck!
Pat Cochran
Estella, I hope you like what you see at the website! Be sure to let me know.
Lyn, I’m so humbled by your invitation. I would love to be a guest on your blog. Thank you. I remember Her Captain’s Heart well! It seems we both love Civil War stories.
Tracy, yes, it must have been horrible for General Johnston and his family, especially since he did uphold his vow to the Federal government. After he was replaced, he resigned his commission and fought for the Confederate Army.
Thanks, Tammy. Lacy has always been one of my favorites, too.
Pat, I hope you enjoy the whole book as much as the excerpt!
Thank, thank you, everyone. Your kind words have meant so much. This has been an awesome day. Thanks to the Fillies for a wonderful start to my blog tour. You ladies are fabulous! Take care all!
I realize it’s very late (but I guess not on the west coast), but just got around to checking in today. Thanks for visiting and what a fantastic cover. I absolutely love it! Hugs from Texas, Phyliss