As an author of historical western romance, I’ve written a lot about criminals and bad men. Even jails on occasion but lots of lawmen. The fact is, I like writing about them.
If you think handcuffs originated in the 18th Century, think again. The earliest metal handcuffs were used during the Bronze and Iron ages with new improvements as the centuries have passed. Maybe you already knew this but I did not. It never occurred to me that metal ones existed before the 18th Century. I assumed they used rope or leather bindings, not metal.
Inventor John J. Tower patented a pair of cuffs in 1865 that were widely used in America. They were ratcheted and therefore adjustable to the size of the criminals’ wrists which was a remarkable adaptation. They allowed a lawman to carry only one pair of cuffs whereas he used to have to carry multiples in various sizes.
The picture below is of Tower’s design and is the courtesy of The Science Museum.
Here is a set of Old West handcuffs that were widely used. Again, courtesy of The Science Museum.
As I said above, I’ve written about a lot of outlaws and criminals. One of my favorite stories was Saving the Mail Order Bride. It was 2nd book in my Outlaw Mail Order Bride series. Outlaw Jack Bowdre finds himself handcuffed to a lawman on a stagecoach on the way to jail when the stage overturns and kills the lawman. There’s one passenger on board, a woman named Nora, who panics and tosses the key to the handcuffs out the window. Jack would like to have wrung Nora’s neck. He’s never able to find the key. This story has so much humor and I just loved writing it. This is not a sweet romance though since it has love scenes.
What makes a book truly memorable? If you’d like to get your name in the drawing for one copy of Saving the Mail Order Bride, let me know in the comments. I’m also giving away one copy of Summer’s Heart which is my latest sweet romance.
Summer’s Heart, Book 2 The McIntyres, came out in January.
Texas, 1882. A suffocating blizzard locks Summer McIntyre inside a small town just as her world blows apart. A strange woman emerges from the storm carrying a baby and a damning accusation—Sheriff Dan Bodine fathered her child. The man Summer meant to marry suddenly seems like a stranger.
While the town is paralyzed under snow and suspicion, Summer receives even more staggering news: her missing little brother is alive, but being held by a deranged woman somewhere in the frozen wilderness. Summer and Dan want nothing more than to ride out and save him, but the storm has sealed every trail and turned the hills into a death trap.
With time running out and trust shattered, Summer must decide whether Dan is the ally she needs—or the heartbreak she can’t outrun.
The characters, the setting, what they endure, how they react and overcome obstacles, and love are all things which can make a book memorable.
Denise, I can tell you put some thought into this. I agree it’s sort of everything combined that makes a book memorable. You know, I can still remember character names and plot of books I read in the 1970s . It just sticks in our minds and what makes one book memorable to one reader might not to another. Weird how that works. Thanks for coming.
For me it’s not a certain moment in a book but how well the characters are written. If has characters that I don’t want to leave.
Rhonda, to me, the characters are always the most important and I try to write them the best I know how. It’s important to me as an author to never have them act irrational or foolish. Thank you for voicing your opinion. Have a great day.
Would love a copy of your book. It sounds interesting and I would like to know how he gets the handcuff off.
Sondra, I just loved the humor in Saving the Mail Order Bride. Jack and Nora were so good together and they actually save each other–multiple times. I’ll put you in the drawing.
For me it’s the characters and what they go through.
Kim, I agree, and I also think the situations they face and how they handle those makes a book memorable. I’m so glad you came over.
It is the characters and the challenges they face. The storyline pulls you in and won’t let go.
Ann, I think the more desperate the situation is plays a big part. But what grabs one reader might not another. We are all different as people, with different reading tastes. One of very favorite authors once wrote a character into one of her books that she absolutely adored but I found so boring. This character did nothing to make the book exciting or memorable. Thank you for coming and joining in the discussion.
I love good banter between the couples – romantic or not!
Teresa, oh yes!! Good banter is essential to a memorable book. That’s what I loved about both of these books I’ve mentioned. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I love a good story line
Rhonda, I agree. And the more desperate the situation the author puts them in is also crucial. I’ve often read books where I can’t see how on earth an author will get them out of certain situations. Then I’m amazed at how the author does. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a beautiful day.
A book is truly memorable to me if it has characters that I find myself thinking about long after I’ve finished reading it.
That’s a sure thing, Kim. I can tell you exactly what happened in books I read during high school that have lingered in my mind for 40 or so years and ones I read as a young mother. It’s amazing that I never forget those special stories. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Yes, I would love to win a copy of one of your Saving the Mail Order Brides books.
Oh, thank you, Sarah. You’ll love Jack and Nora as they travel across country handcuffed together. They had me in stitches at times. Thank you so much for coming.
What makes a book memorable is hard to answer but I’ve noticed that favorites that I reread are always pretty long so I guess for me it’s getting to know the characters and relate to them.
Rachel, the more time you spend with characters does play a part. You really get to know them inside and out and they become family to you. I’ve read a lot like that and they still feel like my family even now, 40 or so years later. Thank you so much for coming to read my post and commenting.
Being able to relate to the characters makes a book unforgettable.
I really agree, Barbara. It’s something, whatever it is, about characters that makes us feel like family. Thanks for coming.
I like romance mixed with suspense.
I do too, Becky. I cannot read a straight romance. I just can’t. I need some suspense or mystery to make it exciting. Thanks so much for coming.
Good morning, I like getting to know the characters and getting to know them and if it is a series , I like to know how they are doing and what has become of them. Your books sound like great reads. I had no idea metal handcuffs had been around for that long, I also thought that they would use twine or rope. Have a great day and a great week.
Alicia, it’s great to have you come. I, too, like knowing what becomes of the previous characters in a series. I get really invested in those stories. Thank you for enjoying my post.
A book that gets me and keeps me in the story. Part of it is how the characters are written and how there love comes together. It almost like you become part of the book and in the story. I have always loved your books.
I agree, Quilt Lady. I, too, love it when I can step into a story and it wraps around me like a hug. I love feeling like I’m right there in the story, not just reading about it. Thank you so much for the compliment about my books. I could hug you. Blessings and love, dear friend.
I want the book to pull me in where I forget everything else and live the story with the characters.
Janice, that is what I look for when I plunge into a story. I want to forget everything and “live” the story along with the characters who become like family. Wishing you an inspiring day.
I like it to be interesting enough to keep me wanting to know what is happening next.
That’s so true, Bridgette. I read some books where I can’t turn the pages fast enough. I have to know what happens next. I try to do that with my own and hopefully do to some degree. Have a wonderful day. Good luck with your next read.
Hello Linda! The info about the handcuffs is very interesting. I guess i had never thought about how long metal ones had been used.
What keeps me into a book, I think, is the perseverance of the characters in all that happens to them, how they moved on from trials to the next life happening.
I would love a print copy of Summer’s Heart. I bought ebook (and it is a beautiful story) but you know i love my paperbacks!
Enjoyed this blog so much!
Dearest Ruth, I’m glad you stopped by and thank you for liking my post. Those handcuffs would’ve been so miserable and if the lawman wanted to inflict pain, he sure could’ve made them really tight. I love characters who persevere and come out victorious. Those make the best stories. 🙂 Love you, lady.
To me, it is dreading the book to end and thinking about it for days after. That is a memorable book!
That’s a sure sign, Nancy. It’s often the case with me when I dive into an exceptionally good book. Thank you so much for coming to read my post.
You had me at the heroine tossing the handcuff key out the window… too fun!
Nan, that was a great scene to write and also the flight across country handcuffed together–again Nora’s fault. It’s a fun book. I’m glad you enjoy the post, Filly Sister.
Memorable for me is when a book touches you… you feel for the characters and want more!
Colleen, that’s so true. A story has to really touch something in me deep inside. I love that. I’m glad to see your name pop up. Blessings and love.
I never would’ve pondered about handcuffs! Sounds like it’s a good thing you did. Please, if I win, your new sweet romance is the book I’d like to receive (I have learned the hard way that it’s better for my soul to skip books with too much heat rather than trying to skip over the racy pages).
Mary, I’ve taken note of your preference and that’s fine. I’ve left those racy stories far behind. Now I prefer the sweeter ones. Thank you for reading my post and weighing in.
What makes a book truly memorable to me is the characters that react to each other in ways that are very entertaining to read. I love it when some humor is injected into the story, it makes me laugh out loud. Some situations that characters get themselves into and try to get out of is also something I would remember.
That’s a great way to put it, Miss Connie. A touch or more of humor adds to the depth of a story I think because it shows more about the characters through each other’s eyes. Thank you so much for reading my blog and posting a comment.
interesting characters
Thanks, BN100. I agree.
There is no one thing that makes a memorable story for me. For example, in your Outlaw Mail Order Bride series, it is the couple, but they do not exist in a vacuum. The community they are headed for is a special one. The outlaws, their families, and others who live there are important to how the couples’ relationship develops. Of course, the danger and their trials are what initially grab your attention and keep it as one thing after another happens to them, even after they are “safe” in town. Everything comes together to make a good story and one to enjoy and remember.
I have this book on my keeper shelf. Actually, I have all the books up until the last few on my keeper shelf. I keep hoping for more reading time so I can go back and start with the Legends and work my way through the Outlaw Mail-Order Brides to Lone Star Legends.. I have a few to fill in with the more recent books, but I know I will enjoy them just as much. The threads tying these series together make them even better.
Oh Pat, your words are like a balm for my soul. I’m so happy that you liked that series as much as I did. I think each is special. And yes, characters need a group or community around them in order to grow and reach their happy ever after. I love you, dear friend.
The way the characters interact with people and how the come together in the end.
Thank you so much, Linda. I totally agree. It’s fun watching these characters come to life on the page and start interacting.
For me, it’s how the characters inyeract with each other.
Thank you so much for weighing in, Carrie. I agree. That’s what makes a good romance.
A book is to me is memorable if author engages me from page 1 to end of book makes me want to escape to the place where the characters are but most of all even if the book starts slow it continues at a pace where I just want to keep reading and hate to put back down then when I’m done reading I know the book is memorable when I just finished reading a book then just want to automatically read it again the book was that good that us what makes a book memorable to me
Hope I Win
Crystal, books are the best escape from the difficulties of life. I have often wanted to start a book over and read it again after I’m finished. I mark the lines that stand out and the special things that touch me. Good luck on winning!
While both books sound good, I’d love together a copy of Summer’s Heart.
Karijean, you got it. Thanks for coming to read my post.
Linda, I’m late to the party, but I made it. LOL I wanted to say, I look forward to reading SAVING THE MAIL-ORDER BRIDE because I MISS those love scenes! I’m glad you mentioned that book has them. I’ll be snapping it up. I look forward to reading it. Love those pictures of the handcuffs, too–things sure have changed through the years, haven’t they? Hugs, Filly Sis!
Cheryl dear, you’re never late. Yes, all the Outlaw Mail Order Bride series are traditional romances and they were such a joy to write plus my Men of Legend series also. I really hope you enjoy Saving. I agree. Those handcuffs must’ve been torture to wear. Jack and Nora find out the hard way. Really funny scenes, especially when she has to go pee handcuffed to Jack. I need to write another one like that!! Love you, Filly Sister, even if you are an Okie. 🙂
For me it’s the storyline, the characters, a happy ending, and no cliffhanger.
Diana, that’s so true. It’s all of that combined that give a book a gold star and you keep rereading, remembering the passages that bring such joy.
Hi Linda, What makes books memorable?? When an author you follow writes book after book after book and keeps you coming back for more. It’s sometimes the plot that is very well written, the love interest, the love of the cowboys & women and the description of the setting…
Yes, those books keep me purchasing another and another and re-reading them & giving them to my friends to read. Summer’s Heat, sounds like another one of those books.
You are such a sweet lady, Lois. I know you’ve read a good many of mine. I hope Summer’s Heart is another keeper. Love you, lady!