“I lie awake and wonder what it might be like to kiss a man, to feel his arms holding me.”
At almost thirty, Maura Taggart had never been courted, been to a dance, or known a kiss. She’s lived the life of an outcast with her sister Emma due to their father’s profession as a hangman.
After tending the sick during a yellow fever epidemic, townsfolk run them out of town again but not before cutting Emma’s hair. Also unwanted are the orphans left behind when their parents died. Determined to make something worthwhile of their lives, to matter to someone, they take the orphans with them and open an orphanage in an abandoned Spanish mission.
The children name it Heaven’s Door because they believe there is a doorway from the orphanage to heaven and their parents watch over them.
Maura discovers a man near death and they take him in, unsure if he’s an outlaw or lawman. When the mysterious stranger can speak, he says his name is Calhoun, refusing to give more.
The time spent tending him draws Maura closer to him. The soft-spoken man has kind ways and loves the little orphans.
With a gentle finger, Calhoun lifted a strand of hair from her eyes. “Try to find someone else. There are hundreds of men better than me. I’m no good for you. Don’t you see? It’s better this way.”
Who is Calhoun? Who shot him? Maura tries to figure it out while keeping her heart locked. She has to keep the children safe and she knows he’s brought trouble to their door.
While writing this story, I did a lot of research and I found that not only were old West hangmen unwelcome once their job was done, but also their families. No one wanted them to live amongst them. Folks were quick to call for the hangman but once he’d dispensed of an outlaw, they wanted him gone.
In the old movies, he’s always alone. Rides in, doesn’t speak to anyone much, does his job and he rides away. I always wondered about their families. In the movies, they were never mentioned.
Even today, there is a certain distaste and even hate for those who carry out capital punishment. For that reason, the executioner is always hidden. We don’t have a name or anything.
I wrote Winning Maura’s Heart in the vein of the story Sommersby where the mystery of Richard Gere’s character is kept hidden. In my story, the identity of Calhoun isn’t revealed until the end but it draws speculation throughout the story.
Is he an outlaw or lawman?
This is a sweet romance and releases on March 7th. Click HERE for an excerpt!
Do you like stories where things aren’t straightforward? Or where certain characters’ true identities aren’t revealed until the very last? I’m giving away an autographed hardback to one person who comments.
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Also, I have a Goodreads Giveaway going on with 50 copies of the book up for grabs! Click HERE to Enter!
Thank you for coming.
Here in the Texas Panhandle, we do love our cowboys. There's just something about a man in a Stetson and jeans that makes my heart beat faster. I'm not much of a cook but I love to do genealogy and I'm a bit of a rock hound. I'm also a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of historical western romance. You can contact me through my website and I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more. HAPPY READING!
https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules/
I prefer stories where the main characters are straightforward. Otherwise, I think it usually gets awkward with their inner thoughts, and I often end up feeling somewhat deceived.
I like both straightforward stories and ones where a character or characters are a bit mysterious. It can especially be interesting when the protagonist is the one who is not as straightforward as you’d first think like in Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. The reader got to unravel her past along with her. Winning Maura’s Heart looks very interesting!
How nice to see you, Lindsay. Thank you for coming. I like a bit of mystery and almost always have a smidgen. This is first time I’ve attempted to keep it running to the end. Praying readers will like it. Enjoy your day.
Hi Janice, thank you for your thoughts. I hope that’s not the case with this book. Have a blessed day.
Enjoy a straightfrorward book that leave you guess to the very end.
Hi Kim, I think you might like this one. Calhoun is such a mysterious man with secrets but he has such a big heart and loves the peace of this orphanage called Heaven’s Door. Enjoy your day.
I love stories like this!
Rhonda, I think you will like this. The kids are fun, the romance is the kind that makes you ache, and the story will keep you guessing. Have a beautiful day.
I love the mysterious nature of things and how they unravel. This story sounds fantastic!
Denise, me too. I think you’ll find this story interesting and I hope you’ll fall in love with Maura and Calhoun. Lots of love.
I do enjoy them. It makes you wonder and keep reading
Debby, I don’t think this book will be boring. These kids really came up with some heartwarming things. The romance between Maura and Calhoun unfolds like a beautiful flower. Blessings and love.
I enjoy stories that keep me on my toes.
Alisa, this one might. I hope so. Maura and Calhoun are wonderful characters that both ache for someone to fill their lives. I hope you get a chance to read it. Love you, lady.
Yes a little mystery is welcome! Thanks!
Teresa, I’m so glad to see you. Thanks for coming. This is the first time I’ve attempted to keep the mystery running the entire story. Much love.
Linda, this was a great book, as you know! I loved it! Thanks for the ARC!
Valri, I loved your review! Thank you so much for reading and liking it. I’m glad you got an early peek at it. When are we going to have lunch? It’s been a while. Blessings and love.
It has certainly been a while since we had lunch! Let me know what your schedule looks like! I’m fairly open these days. I’m just reading a lot, doing book contest judging!
Hi Linda! Thank you for the giveaways. A little mystery is okay for me.
Thank you for coming, Linda R! If you like a mystery mixed with romance, you’ll love this story. Enjoy your day.
I know readers are going to enjoy this story. I can’t even imagine being born into a family like Maura’s. I loved every scene in this story. But the ending is the very best! Best wishes for tons of success with this book, sister!
Hi Sister, I’m glad you found time to come over. I agree about the hardships that come with being in a family like Maura’s. Definitely not easy. Yet they held their heads up and found a purpose. I think the story ended perfectly but you helped so much. I really leaned on you a lot. Loved the hours we talked through problem areas. You have great instincts, Sister. Love you dearly.
Usually straightforward, but a little mystery won’t kill me either ;o)
Hi Lynn, thank you for coming. You seem easy to please and I like that. Enjoy your day.
I like to read mysteries, so not knowing the true identity of a character does not bother me. It adds to the excitement and to a wonderful climax, generally.
Judy, I love some mystery in my books and have always included some small bits. Books with it running all the way through are difficult to write. I’m blessed with a good editor to help. Blessings and love.
I like a good western mystery. I can’t wait to read this book.
Hi Desiree, it’s great to see you. I think this book will be right up your alley. Calhoun’s identity is such a mystery. Is he good? Is he an outlaw? Great fun! Have a lovely day.
I like some mystery to a story. Gives the book more depth. Keeps you guessing.
Kathleen, it’s always so nice to see your name pop up. I hope you’re doing well. I agree a good mystery gives a story more depth. I think this one will keep you turning the pages. Have a blessed day.
I love stories where peole are straight forward or they can have secrets which come out to make them better.
Emma, it’s so lovely to see you. Thanks for coming by to join in the discussion. I’m all for anything that keeps a book from being boring. I hate boring books! I hope you’re doing well, dear friend.
Linda, this sounds WONDERFUL. You always come up with the best ideas! You know, I’m reading an oldie but a goodie right now called Stranger in My Arms by Lisa Kleypas–It has been a few years since I read it but I put it on my keeper shelf and now I remember why! Oh, LAWZIES! Lara believes her husband has been killed in a shipwreck, but a year later he returns to her. He LOOKS like her husband but doesn’t act like him at all. (Believe me, it’s a good thing–he’s much better this time around.) But is he really her husband or not? I am so enthralled with that book and how she managed to keep the truth of it all to the very end of the story. I’m hooked on those kinds of tales, so I know I will love yours. Congratulations on this new release! Love you, filly sis!
Cheryl, this book took a lot of planning. I knew from the beginning I wanted it similar to Sommersby. I loved that story! But I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. I’d never written a book with a mystery running the entirety and it was really difficult. I had a great editor though and my sister Jan’s immeasurable help. I’ve read a lot of Lisa Kleypas’s books but I don’t know if I read that one. It sounds very good and my kind of story. There’s a reason why she’s so popular. Such talent! I hope you enjoy Winning Maura’s Heart. The love story was like a breathtaking flower slowly opening its bud. I love you, Filly Sister! Even if you are an Okie. Ha! 🙂
I like a little mystery in a novel. It can liven the story up!!
Thank you, Kathleen. I couldn’t agree more. They need something to make the reader keep turning the pages. Enjoy your day.
Yes, I like those kinds of books. I like all kinds of stories, especially the ones with some humor in them
Joye, it’s so good to see you! You’ll find plenty of humor in this book with the little orphans. They come up with some doozies. Have a good rest of your day.
Oh I enjoy a little mystery and intrigue every so often!
That’s good to know, Colleen. In fact, I love frequent doses. I hope things are fine in Arizona.
Doing well… 🙂
Sounds like a good story! A little mystery usually piques the interest.
Hi Pickle, I hope this book is everything you love. Thanks for coming.
Hi Linda – I like mystery weaved through a story. This book kept me glued until the very last page!
Miss Kathy, I so appreciate your lovely review. Thank you for seeing the “heart” of this story. You are a precious friend.
As are you to me.
I like them both, big surprises are Always nice!! Have a great week. Your book sounds like a great read and your book cover looks very intriguing!
Hi Alicia, I think my publisher did a great job on the cover. With them being in England, I wasn’t sure what to expect but they captured Texas well. I hope you like this story.
Oh, Wow! This story has pulled me in, with just the few lines I read, here. I would LOVE to win this book!
Nancy, thank you so much for coming. I’m glad the lines hooked you. Good luck on winning.
you are so right. I suppose I never thought about the hangman other than he is doing his job. he comes, he goes. questions now. thanks for this wonderful post. have to go and do some of my own research. LOL this sounds like a wonderful book and I would love to read it. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
Lori, I never thought much about it either until I needed a reason for the town to kick Maura and her sister out. I was appalled at how the families were treated. Happy research!
It keeps you guessing when a story is like that – sounds very interesting!
Yes, it does, Karijean. A mystery is always good. Thanks for coming.
I enjoy books that have unexpected twists and turns, it keeps it interesting. Your book sounds really intriguing.
Hello Linda I Love books with a little mystery this book sounds like such an awesome read Would love to read this! Thank you for the giveaway!
I ask only for a good story and if there is a little mystery then even better. Whatever the genre a good story is what makes a good book.
Linda, Glad to see another book by you out in the world. This sounds like another good one. I like a bit of mystery in the stories I read. It is part of the fun of reading to guess who a person really is, what their back story is, and what will be the impact on the other characters in the story. It is fun to find out if my guesses are correct and fun to find how wrong I was.
I see you have orphans again. Always a factor that adds much to a story. They were so prevalent throughout the country up until relatively modern times. With diseases wiping out most of a family, to relatives being too far away or just not interested in having another mouth to feed, there were few options for children left without parents. Thanks for a look into this problem.
The life of a hangman and his family was something I and I am sure a few others ever even considered. I didn’t realize they were not necessarily residents of the community they served. I actually thought the sheriff or other official had the job of carrying out the sentence. When you consider community members forming a mob and lynching someone not necessarily suffering the same stigma, it hardly seems fair. Distasteful as it may be, he was carrying out a legal decree. Did family members of other professions like undertaker suffer a similar shunning?
Congratulations on the start of your new series.
Pat, no I don’t think the undertaker or his family were shunned at all. They didn’t kill people. Just handle them once they died. It really gave me something to ponder. Love you.
Hi Linda! Congratulations on what I know is going to be another fabulous series. I love twists and turns and having to keep guess and pay attention to what is going on and can’t wait to get caught up in wondering just what Calhoun’s story is. And Sommersby is a favorite movie, so sweet and so sad.
As for the hangman’s family, you are exactly right. In movies the hangman almost always seems like a cruel loner, not just a man doing his job. Never stopped to think there could be a side we don’t see and a family affected by that job.
Take care and congrats again!
sally
Sally, I’m glad I could give you some food for thought. Being an executioner was and is a nasty business.
I do! But I like clues so I can maybe figure it out along the way. And if I don’t and I’m surprised, then I go back and look at the clues and I’m like, “Ah it was all right there!”
can be interesting
I enjoy a good mystery and suspense. It helps keep the story interesting. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I like both kinds of stories.
Yes, I like to read those kinds of stories, it makes things more interesting!
Yes I love those kinds of books. Anything I have read of yours has been awesome. Sorry I am running so late I have been having to go to therapy for my shoulder.
I enjoy both kinds of stories. Sometimes it is nice to have all things spelled out and sometimes I like to be surprised by the mysterious circumstances.