Howdy, fellow western romance readers!
I’m so excited to be back with y’all to talk about books, the West, and history! I’ve learned so much from the posts on Petticoats and Pistols, and I’m glad I get to contribute to this blog.
When I was drafting Bluebonnet Fields, the final book in the Wildflower series, I got to visit the Hill Country in Texas, which is where the bluebonnets grow. It’s also where my grandma is from. And her mother, and her mother’s mother.
They were a family of cotton pickers. Migrant workers.
My grandma grew up running the roads of the Hill Country and picking furrow after furrow of cotton.
But, in between the work, they made time for fun, and dancing was often their favorite activity.
Gruene Hall, in Gruene, Texas, (pronounced “green”), is the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas. It was started in 1878, and it hasn’t changed much at all. The layout of the building is the same—bar at the front, dance floor in the middle, side-flaps for open-air dancing, tin roof, and a small stage opposite the bar. The outdoor garden, with the live oak trees and stone walk-ways are also still the same.
Oh, the fun this building has seen! The music it has heard!
Gruene Hall is one of my favorite places in Texas, and two-stepping or waltzing the night away at this establishment, as so many others have done, is a privilege and an honor.
And in Bluebonnet Fields, I was able to give that joy to Kenna and Levi. It’s where Kenna has her first dance, and where they share their first kiss. It’s truly magical.
And I can imagine my great-grandmothers there, having themselves a grand time, loving the music, dancing the night away, and maybe giving away a kiss or two!
Do you have a favorite historic spot or town that instantly transports you back in time? Please share and one commentor will win a copy of Bluebonnet Fields!
BLUEBONNET FIELDS
Texas, 1890
Kenna Ainsley has no use for love. It only brings betrayal and disappointment. She finds solace in her work as a Harvey Girl, and the independence that brings.
But one day a stranger sits down at her table. He’s a Deputy Sheriff, and before she can blink, he’s dragging her back to Galveston on an erroneous charge that she’s a runaway wife.
Kenna plots her escape. But even as she tries to free herself, her heart is working against her. She’s falling for the handsome Deputy Sheriff, which sends her fleeing to the one place she swore she would never go.
Deputy Sheriff Levi Brandt has plans, and Kenna is at the center of them. After one look at her, he knows there’s no way in hell she’s gonna end up hitched to anyone else but him. But he’s gonna have to do some heavy lifting to get her to trust him. Lucky for her, he welcomes the weight. No matter how far she runs, he’ll find her. Always.
Excerpt
When Kenna entered the hall on the arm of Levi, she took in her surroundings with an excited eye. The dance floor was in the direct center. A bar was at one end, near the main doors, and the stage where the band was playing was opposite it. The area was flanked by tables, and several rectangular windows that had flaps designed to draw in a breeze.
People were about, some at the bar with glasses of beer, some at the tables eating, while couples twirled to the lively reel being played by the band. Kenna knew the tune. She’d heard it once spilling forth from a saloon in Galveston. She’d stopped to listen outside the doors for a brief moment.
“You ready?” Levi asked, leaning down near her ear.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she announced. She looked at him, her pulse racing in anticipation of all that was going to occur and what might occur this night.
He grinned. “Then hang on to me, darlin’, because I don’t intend to let your feet touch the floor.”
And with that, he swept her up into his arms and twirled her onto the dance floor. With his gaze locked on hers, he took her through the lively steps, spinning and whirling her to the strains of the fiddle, guitar, drum, harmonica, and banjo.
Without a care, she put her trust in him, grateful not to have to worry for one night. She was going to forget her cares and let herself go.
When the first dance ended, there was barely a second to breathe before the next one was starting. He never relinquished his hold on her. His arm was tight around her waist, and he was keeping her deliciously close as he expertly slipped them into the waltz that was now being played.
As he turned her about the room, she basked in his intent attention and possessive hold. His gaze was gleaming with heat and promise, with want and delight. She fell into his eyes and hoped in hers he saw her own desire.
The waltz melted into a reel, then back into a waltz once more, and as the evening darkened into night, her heart soared to the Heavens and stayed there. Her head was spinning, her body was humming. She never wanted to let him go.
And when another fellow tapped him on the shoulder, making Levi pause, and indicating his want to cut in, her breath caught in fear that Levi would give her up.
“No,” Levi fairly growled at the man, an instant fury leaping from him.
The fellow raised his brow, then set his jaw and walked off.
Levi immediately began dancing with her again, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
He set his lips next to her ear. “I told you, Kenna, you’re mine for tonight. I’m not sharing.”
She squeezed his hand and curled her fingers more tightly about his arm. An involuntary reaction that showed her pleasure at his gruff vow.
His answer was to tighten his arm about her waist, pulling her even closer.
Book Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/bP2ewY
What about you? Do you like to dance? If so, what is your favorite kind and where? Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for one ebook copy of Bluebonnet Fields!
Author Bio
Kara O’Neal is an award-winning author of over thirty historical romances. Humor, family, love, and romance take center stage in her novels, and her characters have been touted as “real, complex, and down-to-earth”. Her books are available in print and ebook.
When not writing, she’s a teacher, but she’s always a mother to three talented children, and the wife of a man quite worthy of being called “hero”.
Telling stories is her passion, and she does so with memorable characters and unique plots certain to keep you reading late into the night! Visit Kara O’Neal at http://www.karaoneal.com.
Where to Find Kara
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I used to love doing folk dancing. It was so much fun.
I bet it was! That’s cool! I learned square dancing from a very early age, and it was a lot of fun! My in-laws were huge square dancers, and my father-in-law was even a caller! Thanks for stopping by!
I am not much on dancing but I enjoy watching other people. The book sounds great.
I’m not the best dancer. I have almost no coordination, so I’m usually just watching, too.
I have absolutely no rhythm so I don’t dance but I am not opposed to dancing.
Same here! I do try sometimes, but most of the time it’s a disaster! Thanks for stopping by!
Dancing is not my thing. I do like to watch other people dance.
Me, too! Thanks for stopping by!
When I was in high school, I used to go to some of their dances. After I got married, my husband and I went to some dances at the local Moose Lodge he was a member of. I haven’t been out dancing for many years since. The type of dancing was whatever was popular at the time.
I went to school dances, too! My husband and I like to go dancing, but neither of us have much coordination. We’ve considered taking lessons, but we have no time! Hopefully, we can when we retire. Thanks for stopping by!
Pleased to say my husband and I have danced in Gruene! At Gruene Hall! Fun evening =o]
OOPS — Didn’t mean to step on Connie Lee’s post!
That’s really cool, Elissa! I’ve never been there but I’ve always wanted to go. My brother-in-law used to play there pretty regular when he had his band. My sister raved about Gruene Hall.
I always wanted to learn ballroom dancing. I grew up doing ballet, tap and jazz. Learning to line dance sounds fun too.
We live in WV, home to the first spa in the USA. George Washington frequently visited there and even owned property there. I often try to picture what the town looked like back then. We just celebrated 250 years as a nation, but our town was also founded in 1776. So much history in our local area
Wow! The first spa? With George Washington as a regular? That’s awesome! And you also must be quite the dancer! Thank you so much for stopping by!
We visited Charleston years ago and spent lots of time touring through the beautiful homes and streets of the downtown area. It was beautiful and took me back in time to the old South. Also, Boston downtown was very exciting. Our travels have been to many historic cities, most very thrilling with their history.
Charleston is on my travel list. I know it’s just beautiful. A few years ago, we visited Boston and walked the trail of all the historic places. That was one of the best trips! Thank you so much for stopping by!
Hi, Kara. Being blessed with two left feet, I’m more of a spectator, but I remember visiting the Yellow Rose in Corpus Christi 40 or so years ago and Texas two-stepping the night away. I had never been to a place that alive with music and dancing, nor have I been since. Thanks for recalling that memory for me!
I love your Wildflower series!
I’m the same as you — two left feet — but I do try, because it’s so much fun to two-step with the one you love! Thank you so much for reading, and I’m overjoyed that you love the series! Thank you for stopping by!
I LOVE Kara’s work and I’m sure this book is another example of her wonderful storytelling ability!
Thanks for entering me into the drawing.
PamT
Thank you so much and thanks for stopping by!
not really
Dancing isn’t something I do often either. I sure wish I was good at it, though!
Sounds like a fun place.
Aside from weddings, I haven’t danced in decades–unless you count dancing in the kitchen.
I’m pretty much the same! I’m a dancer in the kitchen when I’m cooking! Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoy dancing! I took ballroom dance lessons for about ten years before COVID shut it down.
Oh, how cool! My husband and I have discussed taking lessons, because we like to dance with each other, but neither of us is any good! Ha! Thanks for stopping by!
I love to dance, but I’m so terrible at it. That confession said, it doesn’t stop me from trying…
Oh, gosh, I’m the same! I’m sure people wish I wouldn’t try, but I can’t help it! Thanks for stopping by!
I love to dance but I don’t know if you are are Seinfeld fan but my family say I dance like Elaine but I don’t care?. I have have decided I am dancing for me and no one else?
I love Elaine! She has some interesting moves, but you are right! Who cares? Dance anyway! Thanks for visiting!
I am not much of a dancer but I enjoy watching others dance.
I’m the same! I do want to learn how, but that’s for “retired” me! Thanks for stopping by!
I haven’t danced in years except in my kitchen :). I grew up going to “Round and Square”dances at the local Grange Hall along with my family. They really were for all ages and I remember my little brother and other little ones sleeping on piles of coats in the coat room. There would be waltzes and polkas between square dance sets and even a few rock ‘n roll tunes. Sometimes my dad would give the caller a break and he would do the calling for the square dances. He and my mom were friends with members of a couple of the local bands that played. Fun times.
Oh, what beautiful memories! I have similar ones. I sure wish we could go back to those days. My father-in-law was a caller, too. Thanks for stopping by!
When we were in high school, there was a teen hangout where we could go and dance. Just an old building at the end of the football field. Not sure who started it, but they wanted a place for teens to go to have good clean fun. I didn’t get to go too often but whenever I spent the night with friends who lived closer to it, I got to go. So much fun.
Can’t wait to read your book. Sounds like fun.
That sounds like fun! Our dances were usually at my church. It was good fun most of the time. Thanks for visiting!
Pleased to say my husband and I have danced in Gruene! At Gruene Hall! Fun evening =o] Also enjoyed the bluebonnets…
Oh!!! How great! It’s such a good time, even if you’re not a dancer. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I like to dance but don’t get to do much dancing but when I do I like slow dancing
Yes, slow dancing is my forte. I struggle with everything else, but I don’t mind trying. Thank you so much for visiting!
I enjoyed all types of dancing. I was in a square dance group with 4-H while in high school. Unfortunately, I now have balance issues and walk with a cane. I was starting Contra dancing a few years ago, but the real possibility of falling on my face put an end to that. I still enjoy the music and find it hard to sit still when it starts. Sort of my version of “chair dancing.”
Congratulations on the release of Bluebonnet Fields.
Did your 4-H group ever compete at the State Fair contest in Syracuse? Ours did and it was so much fun dancing in the big show arena.
Our group did, but I couldn’t go that year. Too bad, I would have enjoyed it. I am sure it was likely a bit before your time.
I loved square dancing. It’s been a long time since I’ve done it. My in-laws were big into square dancing, and my father-in-law was a caller. I’m sorry that you’re having balance issues. That must be tough. But it sounds like you find ways to keep moving! Thank you for visiting!
I have always loved to dance, everything from ballroom to polka, line dancing square dancing – on horseback as well on a dancefloor! This book sounds like a lot of fun!
On horseback? You must be really coordinated! I’m lucky if I manage the dance floor! Thanks for visiting!
I love this line, “her heart soared to the Heavens and stayed there.” A place that would quickly transport me back in time would have to be the house we raised our family in, where we lived for 30+ years. Dancing? I love the concept, but lack the skills to execute it correctly. I have to really, really like a song to even be halfway enjoying myself on the dance floor. I love dance scenes in books, though.
Never liked dancing I don’t have the grace and I’m definitely not coordinated, swear I have two left feet. I’ll watch ball dancing and ballet some times. But it not something I really lie that much.
Never liked dancing I don’t have the grace and I’m definitely not coordinated, swear I have two left feet. I’ll watch ball dancing and ballet some times. But it not something I really lie that much.