Cheryl Pierson

CHERYL’S WINNERS!

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Hi everyone, and thanks so much for stopping by to read my post today and taking time to comment. I always love to see what answers come in on questions like this because there are always some I had never thought about, and that was the case today, as well! I’ve got two winners today for a digital or print copy of one of my books, your choice. (Digital only copy awarded if you live outside the lower 48 states, please!)

My winners are…

CARRIE MCCAULEY AND JACKIE WISHERD!

Ladies, if you will email me at fabkat_edit@yahoo.com and put WINNER in the subject line that would be much appreciated! 

Thanks again to all for participating!

LOOKING FOR THE GOOD THINGS–AND A GIVEAWAY! by Cheryl Pierson

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When my husband Gary and I were first married, he would laughingly call me “Pollyanna” –the girl who always saw the good in every situation. Through the years, I have to admit there have been times when that quality has failed me, when things were so bad I didn’t know what we were going to do. I know we’ve all had “those” times. But in general, I’m one of those people who does try to see the good in things.

 

I think I “learned” to do that from my mom. I thought a lot about this over the last few weeks—fall makes me remember and miss my parents more than any other time of the year. One night Gary and I were talking about the things our parents had taught us, and I told him one thing my mom taught me was to look on the bright side of things.

 

I imagine she had to do a lot of that, being the oldest of eleven children in the Dustbowl days of Oklahoma—which was also during The Great Depression. Growing up, I remember how she’d comment on things that meant nothing to me…at the time.

 

“Oh, Cheryl, I saw the first robin today! That means spring is on the way,” she’d say, with a smile.

 

And? my young brain would ask. So, spring is on the way.

When spring came along, maybe she’d comment on how green the trees were, or how blue the sky was today—just look at those clouds!

Now that I’m older, I realize why these things were important and such a cause of joy to her.

Growing up dirt poor in a small house that had no insulation and very little heat, I’m sure that seeing the first robin was important because it meant those cold days and nights would soon be at an end and warm weather was soon to blow in.

 

The green of the trees meant there was enough rain to allow things to grow—something I know, as the oldest in such a large family, she was acutely aware of  since my grandfather was a hardscrabble farmer and had so many mouths to feed.

What a relief, especially here in Oklahoma, that there had been plentiful rain and things were growing well!

This was a picture I took of my hibiscus tree the kids gave me for Mother’s Day one year and its beautiful red blooms! I have to bring it in during the winters here in Oklahoma, but I’m thankful I have a place to put it and keep it hale and hearty until we can move it back outside again when spring–and that first robin–come along! The second picture is one of my two furbabies, Max and Sammy, watching a squirrel they’re thinking of chasing as he jumps from the crape myrtle to the fence. So glad to have these boys in my life!

 

The blue of the sky—can you imagine growing up in a time when you could look outside and see billowing gales of dust—and nothing else? Animals had to be put up in the barn, families had to be inside, and still, the houses were so poorly constructed there would be layers of dust on the windowsills once the dust storm had passed. So a blue sky was important—no dust, and those beautiful white clouds must have looked heavenly in her eyes.

 

Mama always found happiness in the small things—small in MY eyes.  A good meal she’d cooked for her family, getting the laundry done and put away for the week, finding a good sale on orange juice—yes, those were the days when people would look through the Sunday or Wednesday paper at the grocery store ads, make several stops to find the things at each store that were on sale, and several trips home to put the perishables away—a very different time.

It was not just the fact of the accomplishment itself, but what it meant to her from the things that had happened in her past. A good meal meant there was enough food to go around for everyone, served on a matching set of dishes. No one went to bed hungry. Laundry being done meant that everyone had clothes for a solid week—not one or two good dresses that had to be laundered over and over. Making the rounds of the different grocery stores and finding good “deals” meant she was able to provide some extras with what Dad made in the oilfield. She knew how hard he worked. She never took anything for granted.

So though I didn’t have the past that Mama had—mine was much easier in comparison—I think I learned that attitude through watching her. I’m sure there were times she wanted to just go into the bathroom and have a good cry, but instead, she looked for the good, and found it.

This is a picture I took of a gorgeous Oklahoma sunset a couple of years ago. I just loved the beautiful sky, and the way the light hits the water of the pool.

 

I think of Mama every time I see that first robin. What a gift that has been to me, in so many ways, including my writing. Part of writing a good story is thinking about our characters and WHY they act, and react, like they do. This realization about seeing the good in things has been a whole new area of enlightenment for me. I understand so many of my characters even more than I did when I wrote them—their reasoning, and their motivations.

 

Do you have an aspect to your personality that you inherited or learned from one of your parents or another family member? What is it? Do you think that these behavior patterns can be multi-generational? My mind is whirling! What do you think? Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of one of my books–your choice! 

One of my fave pics of Mama and Daddy–taken April 9, 1991 on their 47th wedding anniversary.

 

LANDON–GUN FOR HIRE (#9) by Cheryl Pierson

Here’s one of my favorite examples of how finding the good in a terrible situation, for both Land and Lissie, came to a wonderful decision for them. This is from my book, LANDON, from the GUN FOR HIRE series. Land has fallen in love with Lissie, and she with him, though they have yet to admit it to one another. Things seem impossible from his point of view since the relationship between Lissie’s father’s late wife, Little Dove, is so entangled in a way Land doesn’t believe Lissie knows about. He must take a chance on ruining their budding relationship by telling her a huge part of his reasoning for being on this wagon train was because he had come to avenge his sister–Little Dove–by killing Lissie’s father. 

Take a look:

 

He gave her a piercing look, then led her to a large boulder where she sat down. She watched him with worry in her expression. There was really no way he could say what had to be said but to blurt out the blunt truth. He took Lissie’s hand again, then released it, half-turning away from her.

“Little Dove was my sister. Zach is my nephew.”

Silence washed over them. A soft spring breeze rustled the treetops. From far away, a coyote yipped, and another one answered.

“I know.”

****

Land turned quickly to face her, surprise in his handsome features for a moment before he veiled his expression.

“You kn—how?”

“Just from what Zach has told me. And—from your reaction when we talked about how she came to be married to my father.”

Land shook his head and gave a short laugh. “I guess I made no secret of my opinions that day.”

Lissie stood, looping an arm around his waist. “Zach—told me about your ‘friend’ who died having her baby.”

Land shook his head but remained silent.

“I wanted you to know…Little Dove and I were close. I don’t know what I would have done without her.”

“She wasn’t much older than you,” he muttered, looking out into the night woods.

“She was very dear to me.” Tears welled up in Lissie’s eyes as the memories flooded over her. “When she told me she was going to have a baby, we began to plan all sorts of grand things for him—or her.” She smiled. “We both hoped for a boy, but my father seemed to have no interest. So I became her confidant. We were more like sisters. But…I loved her so much.”

Land pulled Lissie close to him, the warmth of his body flooding through her, the support of his arms filling her with strength, as well.

“I loved her, too,” he muttered roughly. “I’m glad you had each other. When I learned what my father had done—I was sick with anger. I’d been gone—a long time. When I came home, my father…well, it took his life, in the end. The truth of what he’d done hit him in the face once he’d sobered up. But by then, it was too late. Little Dove had been lost. And it had been three years. The alcohol had numbed his brain for so long…”

His voice trailed away, and Lissie looked up into his face. She took his hand, careful of the bruised and battered knuckles.

“What happened to him, Land?” She carefully examined his torn flesh. He glanced at her, just as she brought his knuckles to her lips and kissed them.

“He died. Sank into the bottle and never came out.” He turned toward her. “Little Dove was always his favorite,” he said with a faint smile. “She was so full of life and the love of adventure—and he had a real soft spot for her. When he realized she was gone forever, he gave up.

“I told him I was going after her. I would find her—but she’d been gone so long by the then that he didn’t have faith I could find her and bring her home.”

“What about your mother?”

“My mother…she was stronger than he was. She had the others—my brothers and other sister—to live for. But losing Little Dove took a hard toll on her, too, along with my father’s love for drink—and then, his death.”

They were silent a moment, then Land said, “I want to do this right between us, Alissa.”

Her heart jumped at his use of her proper name, the formal seriousness of his tone. She nodded, not looking at him. Sometimes, the hardest things were easier to say in the darkness, without looking—

It was the way her mother had spoken to Lissie of her own impending death…the only way Lissie—or her genteel mother, she suspected—could have borne to have that conversation at all.

But sometimes, speaking of the good things that were dear to a person’s heart were best spoken of like this, as well.

“We will do it right, Land,” she promised him. And, before she thought, she raised her eyes to his in the dim, silver-filtered moonlight and the soft, far-away gold cast by the lantern.

It seemed the silver and gold came together around them to enfold them in a magical velvet enclosure of their own, where there was nothing but the two of them—no fears, no worries, and no sorrows.

But Lissie knew it wasn’t truly that way—it was only an illusion. She already understood the trials and hardships they would face—through her father had sloughed off much of what others taunted him with, not only having married a “squaw” but also that she was so much younger.

“It won’t be easy.” Land’s voice was harsh.

“You won’t find a quitter in me.” Lissie raised her chin. “I’ve heard and seen everything, I think. When my father was alive, he thought nothing of parading Little Dove and me through town…letting people believe we were—for sale.” She gave a short laugh.

“I can’t tell you how many times we were ‘saved’ at the last second, complete with witnesses—so that dear Papa could be paid off and not press charges.”

Land swore. “Did he ever let it go…too far?”

Lissie smiled faintly. “No. But Little Dove and I were so scared—”

“He was a monster!” Land turned away from her furiously.

“Yes,” she agreed. “But for now, it’s important that Zach think well of him. As well as possible,” she amended quickly. “He and Papa were never close.”

Land took a deep breath. “For now,” he agreed. “But—what about you and me? Seeing the things you’ve seen, and knowing what you’ll experience—are you certain I’m what you want? That’s only a part of what I was talking about. You could go on alone and get your homestead set up on your claim. There’ll be plenty of men—”

“I only want one man—you.”

He watched her in silence.

“I’ve never been more certain of anything,” she whispered.

He took a step toward her, pulling her into his arms once more. “I don’t ever want you to regret marrying me.”

Tears blurred her vision, but she smiled as she lifted her head. “I don’t believe you’ve asked me—”

His lips came across hers, hot, demanding, the best proposal she could ever have hoped for.

 

CHERYL’S AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE (CLICK HERE)

CHERYL’S WINNERS!

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Hey, everyone! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today and participating in my post about love letters! I mentioned that’s one of my favorite topics, especially when it has to do with mail-order brides, and it sounds like most of you enjoy it, too! 

I picked two winners today for a digital copy of LANDON from the GUN FOR HIRE series.  If you won, please email me at: fabkat_edit@yahoo.com and put WINNER in your subject line.

My winners for today are:

JANICE COLE HOPKINS

LINDA HENDERSON

Congratulations, ladies! I hope you will enjoy LANDON!

LOVE LETTERS AND MAIL-ORDER BRIDES–by CHERYL PIERSON

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Ah, those wonderful love letters! Don’t we love reading them? I must admit I have an affinity for love letters because of the insights they give us into the past, and the people who lived then.

Love letters are something I’ve been thinking about a lot. Probably because of the time of year–fall always makes me get nostalgic–but also because, as authors, we have to use letters and notes in our writing to “get the message” across that perhaps our characters might not be able to speak aloud.

 

My hubby is, like many men, not sentimental. He wouldn’t care if I never got him another Valentine’s Day or anniversary card, but they mean a lot to me—so we exchange them every year. I suspect that, through the years past right down to the present, most men didn’t and don’t make flowery love speeches from their hearts, or even write their innermost thoughts and feelings in cards and letters.

 

One of the most poignant love letters I know of is the famous letter written by Union Army Major Sullivan Ballou, just before the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861 where he died at the age of 32. Married only 6 years, he left behind two small sons and his wife, Sarah. The letter he wrote to Sarah days before he was killed is one that speaks poignantly of his guilt at having to choose between his duty to country and duty to family. Ken Burns used a shortened version of the letter in his series, The Civil War—and its contents are unforgettable, and so powerful it brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.

 

 

SULLIVAN BALLOU

In part, it reads:

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar—that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.

I had to come up with a love letter, of sorts, for my 2017 novel, Sabrina, part of the 4-book set entitled MAIL-ORDER BRIDES FOR SALE: THE REMINGTON SISTERS. The Remington Sisters set is out of print now, but I’m working on getting SABRINA published as a stand-alone story! My letter was nothing to beautiful as this one penned by a soldier marching to his inevitable death, but a letter that had to convince my Sabrina to leave her wealthy lifestyle in Philadelphia and come West to Indian Territory!

Sabrina and her three older sisters (Lola, written by Celia Yeary; Belle, written by Jacquie Rogers; Lizzy, written by Livia J. Washburn; and Sabrina, my character) have to have mail-order arrangements in order to get out of the fix they’re in with a step-father who plans to sell them to the highest bidder—and they don’t have much time to do it. When Sabrina receives two proposals on the same day, she counts her lucky stars that she’s able to compare the two letters and has a choice between the two men who have written her—something many women of the day did not have.

She’s safely with the man she’s chosen now, Cameron Fraser, but she’s remembering the day she received the letters and why she made the decision she did. Take a look:

She’d answered ads from both Cameron Fraser and David Mason. Ironically, she’d received offers from both men on the same day. That had been a blessing, as she was able to compare their responses immediately.

Mr. Mason had written one page, in sprawling wide script.

“I have need of a wife to help me raise my four children I was left with after my sainted Amelia passed on last year. Your help will be appreciated. And I will do right by you. I hope you are a willing worker and a good cook. Can you make good cornbread? That is a must in our home…”

She’d opened Mr. Mason’s letter first, and tucked it back into the envelope quickly. She’d hoped she’d managed to keep the revulsion from her face when her oldest sister, Lola, had come hurrying through the door. Lola was five years older, and Sabrina could never manage to keep a secret from her, no matter how she tried.

“Well?” Lola had asked, pinning Sabrina with “the look” that Sabrina dreaded.

“I haven’t read them,” Sabrina said defiantly.

“Bree. You know we have to get out of here—the sooner the better. We don’t have much time.”

Here’s the difference, and why she chose Cam. He wanted her for more than making cornbread!

Lola had turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. That’s how Sabrina knew her oldest sister was angry—or hurt. Maybe both.

She’d sighed, and begun to open the letter from Mr. Cameron Fraser. And before she’d read the entire first page of his two-page missive, she knew her decision was made.

Dear Miss Remington,

Thank you for your very kind response to the ad I placed for a bride. I felt out of place to do such a thing, but your answer made me glad I did so, after all.

I know that Indian Territory may seem uncivilized and wild to a well-bred lady such as yourself, who has grown up in the cultured, genteel society of the East, but I assure you, I will do everything in my power to welcome you. In no time at all, I hope you’ll come to think of the Territory as your home.

My family owns a fairly large cattle ranch in Indian Territory. I wanted to assure you that, although the ranch itself is somewhat isolated, we are close enough to Briartown to travel there frequently for supplies.

You will be safe here, Miss Remington, and cherished. You will be well-treated, and I promise you here and now, I will never raise a hand to you.

If it is your will, and I hope it will be, I am willing to be a good and loving father to any children we may have—and a good and loving husband to you.

The sky here is the bluest you’ve ever seen. The water is the freshest and coldest. And I hope you will come to love the open range as much as we Frasers do.

I await your arrival in Ft. Smith. I will meet you there, where we’ll be legally married in a civil ceremony before we travel together to the ranch. Enclosed, you will find a financial draft for your passage and travel expenses.

Sincerely,

Cameron James Fraser

Something about the underlying feeling of the words Cam had written spoke to Sabrina. That he’d taken time to describe—even briefly—how he felt about his ranch made her know that he cared about her feelings—not just about what skills she might bring to the marriage table.

I see it, too, don’t you? He loves the land and his life, and wants her to share it with him. I wonder if women who were forced to take this route looked for these types of things—I know I would. And Sabrina is a bit of an adventurer, so going to Indian Territory would not hold her back. Adventure awaited!

MEANWHILE–here’s a song about this very topic, from one of my favorite musicians, MARK KNOPFLER. This is called Prairie Wedding. Fingers crossed the video will work–it’s an oldie but a goodie, and tells such a touching story in just a few verses.

Have you ever received a love letter that meant the world to you? I’ve had a few in my lifetime, and they’re tucked away in my desk and my heart! If you would like to share, we’d love to hear about your love letters!

I’m giving away a digital copy of my latest release for the GUN FOR HIRE series, LANDON, to one lucky commenter! Be sure to leave a comment today for a chance to win!

CHERYL’S AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 

TEXAS COWBOY STEW! YUM!!! by Cheryl Pierson

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Fall’s on the way, so it’s time for some good recipes to fix on those cool evenings. I’m thrilled to find recipes that are EASY, QUICK, and GOOD. Have you ever noticed how many times cowboys in films and books sit down to a hearty bowl of stew?

 

Growing up, my mom made a lot of vegetable soup, but never made stew. I don’t know why, because I have seen my dad eat stew elsewhere, but for some reason, Mom just never did make it. I learned to make it because my husband mentioned he’d like some. My early attempts were not the best. BUT…I found those wonderful McCormick Beef Stew seasoning packages with directions on the back and voila—I was suddenly a gourmet stew-maker!

 

I found this recipe, though, and boy, does it look great! It’s different from my usual recipe, but looks fabulously tasty. I will be going to the store this weekend for what I DON’T have, but many of the ingredients are every-day items we all probably have on hand in our pantry.

 

 

 

TEXAS COWBOY STEW from “Cooking Professionally” website

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 packages kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans of peeled and diced tomatoes, drained
  • 4 medium baking potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans of pinto beans, with liquid
  • 1 (15.2-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chile pepper, with liquid
  • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
  • 4 cups of water
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Step 1

In a dutch oven, sauteé the onion over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until there’s visibly no pink left. Add sliced sausage.

Step 2

Pour in both the diced tomatoes & tomatoes with chiles, pinto beans, potatoes, corn, and veggies. Stir everything until well mixed, then add spices.

Step 3

Add the water, bring to a boil, and let simmer for one hour.

Step 4

Serve with your favorite cornbread recipe!

(Recipe and photo credit to Cooking Professionally)

Do you like stew? If so, what’s your favorite recipe for stew? What do you like to eat with it?

CHERYL’S WINNERS!

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DRUMROLL PLEASE! Here are my winners for today’s giveaway! Ladies, I hope you enjoy your copy of LANDON! Please contact me at fabkat_edt@yahoo.com and let me know your e-mail address that you want the book sent to!

 

 

 

My winners are:

LINDA HENDERSON

ANN STEWART

Congratulations! Give me a shout tomorrow and let me know where to send your book!

Thanks so much for stopping by today to each and every one of you who read and commented!

 

LANDON AND LISSIE–HOW DOES THEIR STORY COME ABOUT? (AND A GIVEAWAY!)–by Cheryl Pierson

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Hi, everyone! Now that LANDON is HERE, and the entire GUN FOR HIRE series is complete and available, I just wanted to talk a bit about this book that was so dear to my heart–and the series that has been a wonderful success for all of us!

Caroline Clemmons’ book, SHAD, was just released three days ago, and Winnie Griggs’ book, LUKE, came out on August 1st! Y’all know by now, this is a 10-book, multi-author sweet historical western set that contains stand-alone stories but with the common thread of a hero that lives by the gun–somehow–could be good, could be bad. AND, each of these heroes has their own unexpected way love comes to him and changes his life forever! Here’s a collection of the covers of all the books in the series, created by Charlene Raddon! And let me just say, they are ALL swoon-worthy, and every book is a new discovery of action, love, and a final happy-ever-after ending–so what more could anyone ask for?

Covers of all books in Gun For Hire series

When I started thinking about the hero for this story, I knew I had to have a person who was a good, decent man. But in his eyes, something so terrible has happened to his beloved younger sister there is nothing he can do but take action for justice for her–and he is determined to get it, no matter what it costs him. He has a healthy dose of mystery in his personality, and we don’t know whether he is on the side of the law or not–or what lengths he will go to for his vengeance.

Alissa has been in a tight spot for many years now. After her own mother dies, her father has married a much younger woman. When the woman dies almost as soon as their baby is born, it’s up to Alissa to step in and raise the boy, Zach, even though she’s only 14 at the time. With a no-good gambler for a father, her life has been misery to try to provide even the most basic necessities for her younger brother. When her father is killed, she sees it as both a blessing and a curse. Set to travel to Indian Territory for the land rush of 1889, she has no choice but to continue with the plans her father has made and try to see it through alone with a 5-year-old to care for. To me, that took a huge amount of courage!

As the story unfolds, all we have to go on in judging Landon’s actions and personality is the same thing Alissa can see in him when she first meets him and gets to know him through their time together. By now, she is a good judge of character, after living the life she’s lived, but she barely knows him. Can she trust him?

Here’s their first meeting–and what a meeting it is! Alissa learns a lot in just a very few minutes!

EXCERPT:

Lissie’s head came up, her attention immediately arrested by the dark, piercing, eyes of the tall man who had just entered. He removed his hat as he came through the doorway, revealing black, too-long hair that reached his collar and fell in unruly, black spikes across his forehead.

He was tall, his hair as dark as Zach’s, with the same obsidian eyes and olive skin. He carried Indian blood, that much was obvious—but what could he want with her?

He stood beside their table, towering over them, and the barest hint of amusement entered his brown eyes, crinkling the corners upward.

“Miss Devine?”

“Yes—I—”

“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Landon Wildcat.”

“I’m Zachary.” Zach put his hand out, and Land took it, the corners of his firm, sensuous lips tilting upward. “Everyone just calls me Zach.”

“Hello, Zach. It’s very good to meet you.”

“Zach—” Lissie started, but she was ignored as the conversation continued without her.

“This is my sister, Mr. Wildcat. Her name’s Alissa, but everybody calls her Lissie. Just like everybody calls me Zach. And we—we had a dog named Nashoba…a long time ago.”

“Ah. Wolf—in the Choctaw language.”

“Hey! Do you know it?” Zach’s surprised joy was evident. “My mother was—”

“Yes.” Land cut Zach off and Lissie noticed a fleeting look of pain that came over his face, then was gone as quickly as it had appeared. “Yes,” he said, more gently. “I know it.”

Land turned to Lissie. “My apologies, ma’am. I didn’t mean to intrude, but I was told that you and your brother plan to be in the wagon train that’s heading for Indian Territory come Monday morning. Is that true?”

Lissie nodded. “Yes—will you please sit down with us?”

There was uncertainty in Land’s eyes, but Lissie leaned forward and earnestly assured him, “Indians are allowed here, Mr. Wildcat.”

Caught off balance at her unassuming candor, he gave a quick grin. “Yes, ma’am, I know. But I wouldn’t want to cause your reputation any harm. Me being Indian and all…”

Lissie’s glance flicked to Zach and back to Land’s questioning gaze. “I have nothing to fear on that count, Mr. Wildcat. Zachary and I have had every kind of insult known thrown at us. We’ve heard it all before.”

Land pulled out a chair and positioned himself facing the door, his back to the wall. He shrugged, meeting her eyes. “It still hurts, when you’re that age.” He glanced at Zach. “And please just call me Land—that’s what my friends call me.”

“Will you be going West with the wagons, Mr. Wildcat? Ah-Land?” Lissie raised a bite of the succulent beef to her mouth.

“I’ll be the scout.”

“Oh…”

“I’ll come right to the point, ma’am. Wagon train’s no place for a woman alone—especially a woman and child with no man.”

Lissie’s skin flushed with anger. She tried to keep her voice calm as she spoke. “Are you warning me away from going, Mr. Wildcat?”

He grimaced at the return of the formality, watching her a moment before he answered. “No, ma’am,” he said finally. “I’m not trying to tell you what to do. Fact is, I…I know this wagon master, Bill Castle.”  He frowned. “He’s…ah…not someone I’d trust to be alone with a woman—just a word of caution.” He spoke slowly, choosing his words with care.

Lissie daintily wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Why are you telling me this? Truly, are you trying to scare me?”

He shook his head. “No. Just warning you. I know you two are alone. You’ll be the most obvious target.”

Lissie smiled, but she had to force it. “I assure you, sir, I’ve handled far rougher men than this Mr. Castle, I believe. And I’ve held my own. You must have heard of my father, Happy Devine, gambler extraordinaire.” She said it with a dash of mockery she couldn’t hold back. “I’ve dealt with everything life’s thrown so far. I don’t believe Mr. Castle will be the exception.” Bitterness seeped into her words. “And if you know I’m alone, you also must be aware that my father is dead.”

Land leaned forward and lowered his head a fraction, veiling his expression. “Yes, ma’am. I know.” Slowly, he raised his dark, tempestuous gaze to hers once more. “I was the one who…I was there.”

For a moment, Lissie thought she had to have misunderstood. But no. His eyes told her all that he’d kept from saying—for Zach’s benefit, she was sure. Not only had he been “there”—he had pulled the trigger. How could a man who possessed such a heartbreakingly handsome smile be a killer? How could she have invited her father’s murderer to sit at the same table with her and Zach?

But, she had to know one thing—and everything depended on his answer. Her gaze arrowed to his and held. “Was he cheating?”

The question took Land by surprise, she could see. He slowly leaned back in his chair, his near-black stare puzzled. But he wasn’t a man accustomed to wearing his thoughts in his expression, and in the next instant, a curtain slid into place, transforming him, hiding anything that may have given Lissie a hint as to his feelings.

Some of this series is available in paperback and in Kindle, and LANDON is one that can be purchased in either format—and, hopefully, soon, in Audible, as well.

BLURB FOR LANDON

Alissa Devine finds herself in an unthinkable situation when her father is murdered, and she’s left to raise her young brother, Zach. With $22 to her name and her no-account gambler father’s burial to pay for, Lissie has no choice but to carry on with her father’s plan to take part in the Oklahoma land run. But single women aren’t allowed on the wagon train.

Landon Wildcat’s mission for months has been to find the man who abducted his younger sister. His search ends when crooked gambler Happy Devine gets what he deserves at the end of Land’s gun. But that act of vengeance leaves Lissie and Zach alone with no man to accompany them on the wagon train.

Wagon Master Bill Castle hires Land as his scout; a devil’s bargain—for both of them. Land offers Lissie his protection, suspecting the unscrupulous Mr. Castle has indecent intentions toward her.

When one of the settlers is murdered, Land takes the outlaws on in a desperate battle to protect the only witness, and nearly pays the ultimate price. Land’s life hangs in the balance, but the wagon train moves on, callously deserting him and the teen boy he saved, along with Lissie and Zach.

Through the hardship, Lissie and Land both realize how much they love one another, and what they have come so close to losing. Though danger lurks around every curve in the road, Lissie believes with all her heart there is a place for their small band of settlers in this untamed Territory. Now that love has finally come, will Fate allow a miracle for their happiness with this new beginning?

I’m giving away TWO KINDLE COPIES of LANDON today! Here’s my question for the day:

Do you think you could have traveled from another part of the United States to settle in Indian Territory during the Land Run of 1889? What would you do for a living? Where would you settle–near a town or out in the country away from others? Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win!

AMAZON GUN FOR HIRE SERIES PAGE

ORDER LANDON HERE

I love series like this one. The heroes and heroines are all different because they come from varying backgrounds and places, but the heroes have something in common that holds the thread of the series together. I have loved every single one of these books as I’ve read them, and I think you will, too!

CHERYL’S AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE! 

CHERYL’S WINNERS!

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Hi everyone! I want to thank you ALL for stopping by today and making my release day for Landon so special. As always, here at Petticoats & Pistols, we appreciate your  reading and participation! 

I’ve got three winners today! If you will please contact me tomorrow at fabkat_edit@yahoo.com and provide your contact information, I would appreciate it. Some people use a different email for their Kindle reads than their regular email, so I always want to be sure I’m sending these prizes to the right place! 

My winners are:

CRYSTAL STEWART

BN100

KATE SPARKS

Congratulations, ladies! Let me hear from you ASAP so I can get these prizes headed your way, and thanks again for taking part in my release day today! 

 

LANDON–RELEASE DAY AND A GIVEAWAY! by Cheryl Pierson

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Hi everyone! I am so excited to announce RELEASE DAY for my book, LANDON, Book #9 in the GUN FOR HIRE series! This is a 10-book, multi-author series that is the brainchild of Charlene Raddon, and I’m so grateful to her for having this fabulous idea and putting this all together.

Each of these stories is a stand-alone tale, but they are all about a hero who lives by the gun. In the end, of course, he’s going to find happiness when he meets the woman he comes to love passionately and who loves him back just as fiercely.  Is there any better kind of story?

The books began making their debut in March, and we are about to complete the series with mine and Winnie Griggs’ stories, so they are all available but Winnie’s now, and hers will be out in 2 weeks! In the back of my book is a sneak peek at Winnie’s story (and it is a grabber!) Take a look at these beautiful covers Charlene created for us. Every one of them just makes me itch to pick it up and sit down in a comfortable chair and read all afternoon!

Covers of all books in Gun For Hire series

When I started thinking about the characters for this story, I knew I had to have a hero who was fueled by the need for justice of some kind, and he was determined to get it no matter what. Though I don’t go into his former life in the story, I mention that he was responsible for other men at one point.  Was he an outlaw? A fugitive? A lawman? A soldier? A prisoner? It’s not clear, and I liked it like that because it leaves a bit of mystery in his personality, and we don’t know whether he is on the side of the law or not. All we have to go on is the same thing Alissa can see in him when she first meets him and gets to know him through their time together.

Alissa has been in a tight spot for many years now. After her own mother dies, her father marries a much younger woman. When the woman dies almost as soon as their baby is born, it’s up to Alissa to step in and raise the boy, even though she’s only 14 at the time. With a no-good gambler for a father, her life has been misery to try to provide even  the most basic necessities for her younger brother. When her father is killed, she sees it as both a blessing and a curse. Set to travel to Indian Territory for the land rush of 1889, she has no choice but to continue with the plans her father has made and try to do it alone with a 5-year-old to care for.

Some of this series is available in paperback and in Kindle, and Landon is one that can be purchased in either format—and, hopefully, soon, in Audible, as well.

Here’s the blurb to whet your reading appetite! You can order LANDON now, as well as the rest of the series, all except Winnie’s – and of course, you can PRE-ORDER hers! (See links below!)

BLURB FOR LANDON

Alissa Devine finds herself in an unthinkable situation when her father is murdered, and she’s left to raise her young brother, Zach. With $22 to her name and her no-account gambler father’s burial to pay for, Lissie has no choice but to carry on with her father’s plan to take part in the Oklahoma land run. But single women aren’t allowed on the wagon train.

Landon Wildcat’s mission for months has been to find the man who abducted his younger sister. His search ends when crooked gambler Happy Devine gets what he deserves at the end of Land’s gun. But that act of vengeance leaves Lissie and Zach alone with no man to accompany them on the wagon train.

Wagon Master Bill Castle hires Land as his scout; a devil’s bargain—for both of them. Land offers Lissie his protection, suspecting the unscrupulous Mr. Castle has indecent intentions toward her.

When one of the settlers is murdered, Land takes the outlaws on in a desperate battle to protect the only witness, and nearly pays the ultimate price. Land’s life hangs in the balance, but the wagon train moves on, callously deserting him and the teen boy he saved, along with Lissie and Zach.

Through the hardship, Lissie and Land both realize how much they love one another, and what they have come so close to losing. Though danger lurks around every curve in the road, Lissie believes with all her heart there is a place for their small band of settlers in this untamed Territory. Now that love has finally come, will Fate allow a miracle for their happiness with this new beginning?

I’m giving away a KINDLE COPY of LANDON today!  Here’s my question for the day: Alissa had several years of hardship before finding happiness—what was the hardest time you ever went through and what brought you happiness at the end of it? Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win!

AMAZON GUN FOR HIRE SERIES PAGE

ORDER LANDON HERE! 

I love series like this one. The heroes and heroines are all different because they come from varying backgrounds and places, but the heroes have something in common that holds the thread of the series together. 

CHERYL’S AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

WHAT’S ON YOUR READING SHELF? PART 2 by Cheryl Pierson

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Hi everyone! Like most everyone I know, I’m always on the lookout for good reads (even thought I’ve got a huge stack of books on my nightstand, and I’m a VERY slow reader!) From time to time, I like to blog about some favorite books, and hopefully you all will comment about some of your faves, as well! This gives me more books to add to my to-be-read pile, and I love that because I learn, from you all, about books and authors I might not have known about otherwise. 

I have sure read some wonderful books lately, when I’ve been able to have time to read! I’ve been working on my own story, LANDON, for the GUN FOR HIRE series and so my reading time recently has been pretty limited. But–I always find time for a good story, even if it’s just a chapter when I sit down to eat lunch.

Right now, I’m reading Kristin Hannah’s wonderful story, THE WOMEN. This is about a young girl who impulsively joins the Army as a nurse during the Vietnam War. This book is especially poignant for me since I grew up during that era, and both my brothers-in-law were serving in the military over there.

I was too young to consider going, and I didn’t know any women who were there–this book makes the point that even people who SHOULD have known there were women serving as nursesin Vietnam did not know it, and Frankie, the heroine, had that–among other things–to contend with when she finally came home. No one believed she had been a combat nurse for the past two years.

 

Here’s the blurb, and it’s a wonderful story, told in a way that puts you right there with Frankie during everything. 

 

BUY ON AMAZON: https://tinyurl.com/4v3zm6w3

Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets?and becomes one of?the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.

But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.

Another wonderful story I just finished reading is called THE KEEPER OF HAPPY ENDINGS by Barbara Davis. This is my first book by her that I’ve read, and it definitely will not be the last! What a wonderful storyteller she is, and I love her masterful weaving to all the storylines together to bring the novel to an end that I never would have suspected. 

Buy here on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/48ybtv3x

An enchanting novel about fate, second chances, and hope, lost and found, by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Last of the Moon Girls.

Soline Roussel is well schooled in the business of happy endings. For generations her family has kept an exclusive bridal salon in Paris, where magic is worked with needle and thread. It’s said that the bride who wears a Roussel gown is guaranteed a lifetime of joy. But devastating losses during World War II leave Soline’s world and heart in ruins and her faith in love shaken. She boxes up her memories, stowing them away, along with her broken dreams, determined to forget.

Decades later, while coping with her own tragic loss, aspiring gallery owner Rory Grant leases Soline’s old property and discovers a box containing letters and a vintage wedding dress, never worn. When Rory returns the mementos, an unlikely friendship develops, and eerie parallels in Rory’s and Soline’s lives begin to surface. It’s clear that they were destined to meet—and that Rory may hold the key to righting a forty-year wrong and opening the door to shared healing and, perhaps, a little magic.

I’ve discovered a wonderful author, thanks to fellow-filly Linda Broday, named Lisa Wingate. Lisa, I learned, is also a fellow Oklahoman. She writes some excellent stories, and every one of them has been intricately researched down to the finest detail. She also includes a very extensive bibliography of all her references, which I LOVE. But now, more about the stories I want to tell you about. I started with her second book, THE BOOK OF LOST FRIENDS. I can’t do justice to it, so I’ll include the blurbs for it and for the other one, BEFORE WE WERE YOURS. A lot of her books are based on actual historical events–things you might never have heard of. These were both new to me, and very interesting. She has a wonderful way of putting her characters in these stories and making them come alive. I keep a box of tissues handy, and my goodness, I NEEDED THEM! 

Here’s the blurb for THE BOOK OF LOST FRIENDS, and the buy link in case you want to read it. I highly recommend it.

Buy here at Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yswmfshc

Bestselling author Lisa Wingate brings to life startling stories from actual “Lost Friends” advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as newly freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones who had been sold away.

Louisiana, 1875: In the tumultuous era of Reconstruction, three young women set off as unwilling companions on a perilous quest: Hannie, a freed slave; Lavinia, the pampered heir to a now destitute plantation; and Juneau Jane, Lavinia’s Creole half sister. Each carries private wounds and powerful secrets as they head for Texas, following roads rife with vigilantes and soldiers still fighting a war lost a decade before. For Lavinia and Juneau Jane, the journey is one of stolen inheritance and financial desperation, but for Hannie, torn from her mother and siblings before slavery’s end, the pilgrimage west reignites an agonizing question: Could her long-lost family still be out there? Beyond the swamps lie the limitless frontiers of Texas and, improbably, hope.

Louisiana, 1987: For first-year teacher Benedetta Silva, a subsidized job at a poor rural school seems like the ticket to canceling her hefty student debt—until she lands in a tiny, out-of-step Mississippi River town. Augustine, Louisiana, is suspicious of new ideas and new people, and Benny can scarcely comprehend the lives of her poverty-stricken students. But amid the gnarled live oaks and run-down plantation homes lie the century-old history of three young women, a long-ago journey, and a hidden book that could change everything.

I mentioned Lisa Wingate had two books I wanted to tell you about–actually, there are a whole slew of them, but I want to talk about BEFORE WE WERE YOURS since it was the first book she wrote, if I’m not mistaken. Once I read THE BOOK OF LOST FRIENDS, I could not get enough of her stories, and BEFORE WE WERE  YOURS did not disappoint at all.

Here’s the blurb:

Buy here at Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/y8me9dnc

Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.

Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.

Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.

Last but not least, I’m reading my way through the GUN FOR HIRE series that I’m so fortunate to be a part of! Caroline Clemmons’ story, SHAD, just released, and you can buy the first seven stories in the series that are RELEASED now, as well as pre-order the other three that are yet to come! 

My story is called LANDON and I want to share the blurb and picture with you. 

PRE-ORDER ON AMAZON HERE: https://tinyurl.com/mt48unuz

GUN FOR HIRE SERIES PAGE ON AMAZON:  https://tinyurl.com/4vxwzkz7

Alissa Devine finds herself in an unthinkable situation when her father is murdered, and she’s left to raise her young brother, Zach. With $22 to her name and her no-account gambler father’s burial to pay for, Lissie has no choice but to carry on with her father’s plan to take part in the Oklahoma land run. But single women aren’t allowed on the wagon train.

Landon Wildcat’s mission for months has been to find the man who abducted his younger sister. His search ends when crooked gambler Happy Devine gets what he deserves at the end of Land’s gun. But that act of vengeance leaves Lissie and Zach alone with no man to accompany them on the wagon train.

Wagon Master Bill Castle hires Land as his scout; a devil’s bargain—for both of them. Land offers Lissie his protection, suspecting the unscrupulous Mr. Castle has indecent intentions toward her.

When one of the settlers is murdered, Land takes the outlaws on in a desperate battle to protect the only witness, and nearly pays the ultimate price. Land’s life hangs in the balance, but the wagon train moves on, callously deserting him and the teen boy he saved, along with Lissie and Zach.

Through the hardship, Lissie and Land both realize how much they love one another, and what they have come so close to losing. Though danger lurks around every curve in the road, Lissie believes with all her heart there is a place for their small band of settlers in this untamed Territory. Now that love has finally come, will Fate allow a miracle for their happiness with this new beginning?

What books have you read lately? Do tell! I love to add new books to my reading list!

 

 

CHERYL PIERSON BOOKS ON AMAZON: https://tinyurl.com/576zh766