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Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

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The most common question I’m asked about my writing is: Where do you get your ideas? My most common answer is: I don’t know. Ideas are always lurking, waiting to be unearthed, fleshed out, discarded or explored deeper. There’s usually a trigger, a “what if” and then, boom, the idea starts to flow. Sometimes slowly, but sometimes the story unfolds in my mind like quicksand.

I know, I know. That’s really not a good enough answer. So, I’m going to make myself dig deeper here and tell you where the original ideas came from for each of my Charity House novels. Why those books, specifically? Because my next release, THE OUTLAW’S REDEMPTION, marks the sixth book in the series. The seventh book, FINALLY A BRIDE, will hit the shelves in November of this year. It’s a good time to take a moment and look back over the series to see how I got here. There isn’t room to go into too much detail, so bear with me as I try to give you a quick overview.

CHARITY HOUSE REDEMPTION: Although published as Book Five in the series, this story actually came first, or as I like to say: Where it all began. In this particular case, I can remember the precise moment when the idea for Charity House came to me.

I was at a writer’s conference back in 1999, still unpublished and waiting for my big break. I didn’t know what I was going to write next, but I knew I wanted it to be special. For our luncheon entertainment the conference committee brought in a group called The Shady Ladies who reenacted life in the Old West. When the ladies came around to the concept of birth control for prostitutes, or rather lack thereof, I sat up a little taller. I knew I had my idea. You see, Charity House is what was called a baby farm in the Old West, dedicated to the care and feeding of the unwanted children of prostitutes. The heroine of CHARITY HOUSE REDEMPTION is the daughter of a prostitute who wanted to get out of the brothel where her mother worked. She brought the other children with her and, thus, Charity House was born.

THE MARSHAL TAKES A BRIDE is officially Book One in the series. The hero is a U.S. Marshal and brother-in-law to the hero in CHARITY HOUSE REDEMPTION. The heroine was a former orphan at Charity House and is now the new schoolteacher. From the moment they met, they started circling one another. But the heroine had been assaulted by one of her mother’s clients and wary of men. The hero, a widower, was too bent on avenging his wife’s death to be interested in love again. Thanks to a wounded five-year-old little girl who both loved dearly, they managed to get past their differences and form a family together.

HANNAH’S BEAU is Book Two in the series. This story came about because I wasn’t quite through with Charity House, even though I’d originally planned to end the series after THE MARSHAL TAKES A BRIDE. The hero of this book is a rebel preacher with a heart for the lost. He showed up in only one scene prior to this book. Since then, he’s dedicated his life to ministering to prostitutes, gamblers and other reprobates in the Old West. The heroine is a famous stage actress shunned by the good-Christian-folk because of her profession. Since the hero is from a family of famous stage actors he understands the heroine on a level most people don’t. As a result of their happily-ever-after, Charity House now has a full-time pastor and loosely connected church.

LOVING BELLA is Book Three in the series. The hero in this book is the only doctor in town who will treat the children at Charity House and their mothers in the brothel. He was a secondary character in all of the previous books and I really felt he needed his own happily-ever-after. It really wasn’t any more complicated than that. His heroine is a famous opera singer and the sister of the hero from HANNAH’S BEAU. Her arrival in town comes at a perfect time for the hero, yet produces lots of complications for him as well.

THE LAWMAN CLAIMS HIS BRIDE is Book Four and explores another hero and heroine’s love story, both of whom showed up in all the previous books. Logan Mitchell started out as the deputy U.S. marshal for the hero in THE MARSHAL TAKES A BRIDE. When he first met his heroine she was an orphan at Charity House. The two have been kept apart by age, other people and life circumstances for five years. It’s their time for love at last.

THE OUTLAW’S REDEMPTION is Book Six in the series and the newest of the stories. It focuses on Logan’s brother, Hunter. I’ve always wanted to explore why some of us choose to embrace the good inside us, while others can’t seem to avoid the bad. Thanks to a restlessness he could never shake, Hunter hasn’t lived a good or a very righteous life. He left home young, willingly took the wrong path as soon as he was gone, and made bad decision upon bad decision. Can a man like that be redeemed? I wanted to find out, and so THE OUTLAW’S REDEMPTION was born.

And…there’s lots more to all the stories, but no room to continue. Leave a comment and you’ll be entered in a drawing for copy of THE OUTLAW’S REDEMPTION. I’m giving away three copies of this book. As a bonus, I’m going to give away a full set of all six books to one grand prize winner.

Winner of Karen Kay’s book, SOARING EAGLE’S EMBRACE

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We have a winner for Karen Kay’s book, SOARING EAGLE’S EMBRACE, and that winner is Patricia B.  Congratulations Patricia.

Please email me separately at karenkay(dot)author(at)earthlink(dot)net, and we’ll figure out which form of the book you’d like or if you have that book, what other book you’d like.

My thanks to all those who came to the blog and left a comment!

CHERYL’S WINNER IS….

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I just drew my winner for KANE’S CHANCE, and I drew….

KATHLEEN!!!

Kathleen, congratulations on winning a digital copy of KANE’S CHANCE! It’s your lucky day!!! Please e-mail me at fabkat_edit@yahoo.com and I’ll see that you get your prize!

Thanks to everyone for coming by and celebrating my new release with me today!

Cheryl

KANE’S CHANCE by CHERYL PIERSON

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I started to write a short story several months back that turned into a novella.  I wrote the novella and realized I wasn’t done with the story…so I wrote two more. These were my “Kane” trilogy—Kane’s Redemption, Kane’s Promise and Kane’s Destiny. These stories really wouldn’t be classified as a “romance” story. There’s no sex, not really even any spoken words of love between Jacobi Kane and his love interest, Laura, who later becomes his wife.

I did this on purpose, since the stories are told from the point of view of a young boy. That stuff would be too mushy for him to think about for too long. No, these stories are more action oriented, and being told from the first person viewpoint, it’s necessary to keep a high level of feeling to the forefront.

Will Green is the young boy who tells the stories. In KANE’S REDEMPTION, we meet him at the age of 9, almost 10. His parents and older sister have just been murdered by the Apache, and he has been kidnapped as they torch his home. But a few days later,  just as he’s given up hope, a mysterious man walks right into the Apache camp and rescues him.  Jacobi Kane has a mysterious past that he isn’t too keen on discussing with Will, though Will senses a kind of kinship between the two of them as they travel toward Fort Worth and safety. Kane harbors a terrible secret that might force Will’s hero worship of him to turn quickly to hatred…or of understanding, that Kane is a man who does what he must. But will that realization be enough, and is Will mature enough to come to grips with what Kane had to do?

In KANE’S PROMISE, Will continues to learn more about Jacobi Kane’s past when a group of law officers seek Kane’s help in capturing some of the same Apache Indian band that killed Will’s family.  Kane resists going because he is now re-married, with a new baby on the way and tells the lawmen he’s turned in his badge for good—years ago. But a promise he made in the past keeps him hungry for vengeance, and his new wife urges him to go and see an end to it all.  Of course, Will is not going to be left behind. Jacobi might need him!

KANE’S DESTINY wraps up the trilogy with a surprise visit from a man Will had never expected to see—his ship building magnate grandfather, from Boston, Robert Green. His grandfather first tries to intimidate him into returning to Boston with him, then falls back on honesty only when he must to convince Will to come back. Will vehemently refuses, but when he hears two of his grandfather’s men planning to murder his grandfather, he knows he has to go at least part of the way—to the first stop, back where it all started—the little burned out cabin where his family was murdered over two years past. Jacobi is out there, trailing them for protection, unseen and silent, but then Will learns a secret that makes his blood run cold. A man that Jacobi thought of as a friend is also caught up in the plot—but Jacobi doesn’t know the tide has turned. He’s in as much danger as Will and his grandfather are.

This is just a short bit about each story, but the big news is, now you can get all three stories under one cover, KANE’S CHANCE! With a little bit of editing and changing here and there for  “flow”, these stories are all combined into one novel now. This book is loved by young and old alike, a great YA novel for boys (and girls!), but also something adults enjoy as well. I loved every minute of writing these adventures of Will Green and Jacobi Kane, and I have a feeling I’m not done yet.

Karen M. Nutt did all my wonderful covers, and she came through again for KANE’S CHANCE. I’m giving away one digital copy of KANE’S CHANCE today to a commenter, so please comment and remember to leave your contact info!

Here’s an excerpt from KANE’S CHANCE. Thirteen-year-old Will and his grandfather are having a meeting of the minds as they travel up to Indian Territory from Fort Worth. Surrounded by men who want to kill both of them, they find themselves at odds in this conversation where Will tells his grandfather some things about himself that his grandfather didn’t know.

I had learned a lot from Jacobi. And by the way my grandfather looked away and fell silent, I knew there was a mighty big hole in the story somewhere.

“What is it you’re not tellin’ me, old man?” My voice was strong but quiet. I wasn’t sure if this was some kind of family secret or somethin’ he didn’t want Jack Wheeler, riding a few paces behind us, to hear.

He gave me a sharp look. “You may call me Grandfather, William. There’s no need for disrespect.”

“No need to tell half the story, either.”

At first, he looked at me from under his eyebrows like he’d like to take a strap to me. But I looked right back at him. Finally, he nodded and glanced away.

“I’ve been so desperate to find you because…you’re my only living heir. I built a ship building dynasty for my family, Will, and there’s no one left but you.” He cursed as the wagon hit a hole and jolted him sharply.

“My sister married a man, Josiah Compton, whose wife had died. He brought two sons to the marriage, but he and Margaret never had any children together. The boys are men, now, of course. George, the eldest, is a pastor. But Ben, the younger of them, is quite a wastrel. He has squandered his inheritance and is looking for more. If you weren’t…alive….well—everything would fall to the two of them. And though George is not the type to seek gain, Ben is quite a different story.

“Ben knows I won’t be around much longer. But you will always be a threat, Will. I’m afraid this is going to end badly for one of you.”

I thought about what he’d told me. It seemed like maybe he needed me to say somethin’. It bolstered my confidence to know that somewhere out there, Jacobi was ridin’ along easy, keepin’ a eye out on us. Especially, now that I’d learned this part of the story.

I looked at him straight in the face. “I’ll tell you one thing. It ain’t gonna be me that ends up dead.”

“I didn’t say that—”

“It’s what you meant though, ain’t it? When there’s a pile of money to be had, somebody’s always worried it’ll get taken away from ’em. Even if he knows I don’t want it, he’ll be worried about it. I’ve killed before. I’ll do it again, if need be.”

His expression turned to one of shock. I went on with what I was saying. “Ain’t nobody gonna take my life over somethin’ I don’t even want.”

He studied me openly, as if he were trying to decide what he should say. I saved him the trouble.

“I know you’re wonderin’ about it, so I’ll tell you.” And I did just that, from start to finish, from the day Papa and I had been out working together and seen the Apaches ride up all the way through when Jacobi had rescued me and we’d ridden out of the Apache camp together.

“We rode as long as we could, until I fell off the horse. Then Jacobi picked me up and we rode some more. When Red Eagle caught up to us, Jacobi and him fought.” My throat dried up just thinkin’ about how I’d felt to see Red Eagle and Jacobi locked close together, fighting with everything they had, and knowin’ one of ’em was gonna end up dead.

“I killed Red Eagle. Shot him dead.”

Grandfather was quiet.

“I ain’t sorry for it, either. It felt good. Every time I think about what he did to Papa and Mama, I know it was the right thing. But mainly it was right because he was so dang pure evil.”

FOR KANE’S CHANCE and all my other work, check BARNES & NOBLE and AMAZON. Here’s the AMAZON link to my author page.

 

The Magic of Those Who Have Gone Before

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In an age where youth is almost worshiped, I thought I’d do an about face and talk about those people I admire most — our elders.  To that end, I thought I’d pass along some Native American wisdom that has been passed down from the ages.  I’ll also be giving away a copy of the book, SOARING EAGLE’S EMBRACE, a book that honors one’s elders.

Off to the left here is my mother-in-law, Joyce. who taught me patience and themeaning of family.  She has departed from us now, but her influence lives on and on.  I must admit that I miss her very much.

  Off to the right is Grandfather George, who is 93.  This was taken at a recent booksigning.  Grandfather George walks everyday, and I do believe he’s as limber as a person in their 60?s — maybe even younger.

 

On that note, here are some wise, wise sayings from our Amerian Indian elders:

“The Creative principle of the universe and its organization and intelligence is not an external principle but an internal one.”  This is from the Koyukon, Alaskan.

“The air is precious to the red man.  For all things share the same breath — the beast, the trees, the man, they all share the same breath…  What is man without the beast?  If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit.  For whatever happens to the beasts soon happens to man.  All things are connected…”  Chief Seattle

Here’s one of my favorites: (I’ve been known to paraphrase this.)  “You can’t take care of yourself if you’re taking from others.  It will come back on you.  The more bad you give out, the more you get.  If you give good, you get good because it’s all a circle.”  Tadodaho Chief, Leon Shenandoah

I love the principle of this quote.  Even if we don’t see it, those who deal in suppressing and making nothing of those around them eventually do come acropper.  We may not see it, but it is there just as surely as the day is long.

Here’s another piece of wisdom that we don’t often think about in our society nowadays.  But this is very wise, I think:  “Sex is good.  It has such a strong pull that it can cloud your vision.  It’s one of the stronger powers that were put here on Mother Earth.  But if all you think about is sex, then you’re not going to be doing your ceremony.  Give that sex power only the attention it deserves and no more.  That way you won’t miss out on all the rest of the things the Creator has for you.  Train your mind.  You can do it if you don’t let your body lead you.”  Tadodaho Chief, Leon Shenandoah.  This picture off to the left, by the way is of one of the most ingenius men in history, Chief Joseph.

Here’s yet another piece of wisdom from Chief Leon Shenandoah:  “The way you live tells everybody what kind of person you are.  Your actions speak for you.  You can talk all you want, but everybody around already knows who you are.  Treat others kindly and you’ll never have to say a word.  Somebody is always watching.  They’ll want to be like you and you’ll never have to open your mouth.  Through you the world will be more peaceful.” 

And here’s another gem from Tadodaho Chief, Leon Shenandoah:  “”It’s even in our Instructions that a man can’t be a chief if  he has killed.  People don’t understand what they’re doing when they take life.  The person who does it is in for trouble, even if they’re never caught.  The Creator know.  Our Instructions say that the one who does it gets all the dead person’s karma.  They have theirs and the other person’s, too.  The one who dies is relieved of their karma and goes straight to the Creator’s place clean.”

Before I leave Tadodaho Chief Leon Shenandoah, let me share this with you:  ” One of the Instructions the Peacemaker gave us was for our leaders.  They were to work for the welfare of the people.  It was not meant for you to build yourself up above the people.  It was for everyone to be equal.  Our leaders don’t get paid.  Even I have to make my own living.  So the way I see it with the United States, it seems to me the leaders are making a living off of the people, their own people.  That’s not going to work and it’s not working.”

Interesting, huh?  What do you think would happen to our country if we demanded that our leaders not get paid.  In the beginning, they didn’t get paid, at least not very much.  They each had their own income and careers.  Interestingly enough our Constitution states that Congress has to meet at least twice a year.  Somehow I wish it were still that way.

Oops, how did these get in there in a blog about our Native Elders?  This of course is Michael Greyeyes, a Motion Picture Star, and a very handsome fellow, indeed.

To the left here is a picture taken recently of my husband and myself at our anniversary.

Anyway, I hope you’ve enjoyed the post today.  Please come on in and let’s talk about elders and how wise they are to teach us of their experience.

And please if you’ve enjoyed the post today, please pick up your copy of SOARING EAGLE’S EMBRACE today — a story that also honors our elders.  You can order it here:  www.novels-by-KarenKay.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The History of Bolo Ties

     I was writing a ranch wedding scene in the 3rd.  book in the Big D Dad – The Daltons series the other day and decided to do a little research on the history of bolo ties. I found some interesting material on the Internet. The matter of where and when they first appeared seems to be a subject of debate, though all agree the ties in one form or another have been around for quite a while.

It appears that part of the confusion about the ties’ origins stems from the different varieties that have been popular through the years. A few things most agree on are that the ties are worn beneath the shirt collar outside the shirt. The bolo slide may be made of stone, metal, or plastic and can be in different shapes. A thin strip of leather or other fabric which is frequently braided has tips on both ends to allow it be strung through the slide.

 

Some people have dated the bolo ties back to the 1860’s. Others date its beginning to the 1900’s. One report is that the tie was created by Silversmith Victor Cedarstaff. It is said he slipped his hatband around his neck to keep from losing it while riding his horse on a windy day. Someone commented that he was wearing a nice tie which inspired him to create the bolo tie.

Bolo ties are especially popular in western states. Arizona named the bolo tie the official state neckwear in 1971. In 2007, both New Mexico and Texas named it their official state tie. (Who knew states had official ties?)

One of the most interesting bits of pop culture concerning the bolo was that John Travolta wore one in Urban Cowboy. I do think I remember that.

On another note I want to remind you that Trumped Up Charges, book 1 in the Big D Dads – The Daltons series will be available on June 1.

WHEN A MOTHER’ LOVE MEETS A FATHER’S INSTINCT

Ex Marine Adam Dalton once dreamed of a life with Hadley O’Sullivan, but war and a near-fatal injury cost him dearly. Now he returns to Dallas to discover the unthinkable—Hadley is the prime suspect in the disappearance of their twin baby girls…the daughters he never knew he had.

Beyond Hadley’s terror of having her children kidnapped is the shock of seeing Adam. Yes, she had kept him from his daughters, but now, when he insists they work together as a united front, she knows she is still in love with him. Despite their past, finding their children is their only hope of finally becoming a family—if time doesn’t run out first.

You can read an excerpt at http://www.amazon.com/Trumped-Up-Charges-Harlequin-Intrigue/dp/0373696930/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369021974&sr=1-1&keywords=trumped+up+charges+by+joanna+wayne

 

For The Love of a Mail Order Bride

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Cover Photo

 

What the mail order bride ad says: Traditionally built

What the ad means: Better reinforce the floors

 I’ve always loved mail order bride stories.  So imagine my delight when I was invited to write one for a collection with Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher and Debra Clapton. The result is A Bride for All Seasons, our June release.

The brides in our book all found their matches through the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalogue, a marriage broker for the discerning, lonely or desperate .

Thanks to the editorial talents of the Hitching Post owner, the most undesirable man or woman could, with a stroke of the pen, become a highly desirable candidate—at least on paper.   

Our four trusting heroines don’t have the foggiest idea what they’re getting into. But then neither did the thousands of women who traveled west during the 1800s to marry men known only through letter correspondence.

 

 

What the mail order bride ad says: Loving spirit

What the ad means: Keep her away from the cowhands

The original mail order bride business grew out of necessity.  The lack of marriageable women in the west was partly responsible, but so was the Civil War.  Not only did the war create thousands of widows but also a shortage of men, especially in the south.

 As a result,  “Heart and Hand” catalogues popped up around the country. According to an article in the Toledo Blade, lonely men even wrote to the Sears catalogue company asking for brides (the latest such letter received was from a lonely Marine during the Vietnam War).

Ads averaged five to fifteen cents and letters were exchanged along with photographs. It cost as much as five dollars to send a letter by Pony Express and it took ten days for delivery.  Often the wax seals melted in the desert heat, causing the letter to be thrown away before reaching its destination.

 Not all marriage brokers were legitimate and many a disappointed client ended up with an empty bank account rather than a contracted mate.

  What the mail order bride ad says: Maternal

What the ad means: Has six children and one on the way

For some mail-order couples, it was love (or lust) at first sight. In 1886, one man and his mail order bride were so enamored with one another they scandalized fellow passengers on the Union Pacific Railroad during their honeymoon.

Not every bride was so lucky.  In her book Hearts West, Christ Enss tells the story of mail order bride Eleanor Berry. En route to her wedding her stage was held up at gunpoint by four masked men.  Shortly after saying “I do,” and while signing the marriage license, she suddenly realized that her husband was one of the outlaws who had robbed her.  The marriage is said to have lasted an hour.

No one seems to know how many mail order brides traveled west during the  1800s, but the most successful matchmaker of all appears to be Fred Harvey who, by the turn of the century, had married off 5000 Harvey girls. 

What the mail order bride ad says:  It’s easy to order a book

What the ad means: Just click on the A Bride for All Seasons cover

 

Any of you have a mail order bride in your family history?   Under what circumstances might you have been a mail order bride?

www.margaretbrownley.com 

 

Railroad Cake

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My heroine is back in the kitchen, and still struggling. She’s feeling a tad more confident and has moved beyond “Johnny Cakes” to something a bit more complicated: Railroad Cake. My source for this recipe was printed about the time railroads came through the Old West. I think we can safely assume it must have been served in a dining car. Interestingly enough, railroads not only changed the face of the landscape but also brought new recipes to the West.

Not much is recorded on railroad dining, but what few references I found referred to a limited menu. This cake recipe reflects the need to keep things simple yet palatable. Most coach passengers carried their own nonperishable food with them to save what precious few dollars they had.

I’m going with the assumption that my heroine traveled to the West by train, sampled this cake and begged for the recipe. She may have had to pay for it. You, however, get it for free. SO…here you go (modified for the modern kitchen).

Railroad Cake

Baking Time: 30 minutes
Oven Temperature: 350 degrees

1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
juice of 1 lemon
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt

Cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs, blending well. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda. Add to creamed mix slowly, alternating with lemon juice and buttermilk. When well blended, turn out into two 8-inch cake pans that have been well-greased and floured. Place in a preheated oven. Done when an inserted toothpick comes out dry.

A slice on a bed of hot cream is a nice touch of the Old West. You can sprinkle with powdered sugar for a decorative look or substitute almond extract for the lemon juice for a more nutty flavor .

So, who’s going to try this recipe with me?

The Peruvian Paso

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I love horses for their beauty and power.  But the few hours I’ve spent riding left me so sore from bouncing up and down that I could barely get out of bed the next day.  At my age, I’ll probably never be much of a rider.  But just once, I would like to ride a Peruvian Paso.

The Peruvian Paso is a light saddle horse known for its gentle disposition and smooth ride.  The breed is distinguished by a unique four-beat gait called the paso llano, in which the front and back legs on the same side move forward together (most horses move the legs on opposite sides together).  The result is a ride as comfortable as a rocking chair.

This gait isn’t taught, it’s natural to the breed.  Foals move this way as soon as they’re able to run.  So how and why does this happen?

Smooth-gaited horses, known as Palfreys, existed in the Middle Ages, as well as the Jennet, noted for its ambling gaits.  Peruvian Pasos trace their ancestry back to these horses, as well as to the Barb, which contributed strength and stamina, and to the Andalusian, which added style, conformation and action.

The first horses arrived in Peru during the Spanish Conquest in the 1500’s.  More bloodstock came from Spain, Jamaica, Panama and other areas of Central America.  As the big haciendas and plantations developed, the owners and overseers needed a horse they could ride long hours and distances.  Over time, Peruvian breeders kept the bloodlines clean and selectively bred for gait, conformation and temperament. They wanted strong, hardy animals that were comfortable to ride and easy to control. Over four centuries, their dedication to breeding only the best gaited bloodstock resulted in the modern Peruvian Paso.

To appreciate this amazing gait, you’ll want to see it in motion.  This video shows a group of Peruvian Pasos performing in a show.  Notice the part where the riders gallop around the ring holding filled wine glasses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efGZWE4UUQU

Have you ever seen a Peruvian Paso?  Do you have a horse, or have you ever wanted one?

My July Harlequin Desire book, THE SANTANA HEIR is set in Peru.  My hero, a Peruvian millionaire playboy who suddenly finds himself in charge of the family empire, raises Peruvian Pasos on his estate.  My heroine, who was tragically injured by a horse in her teens, regains her love of riding by working with these beautiful animals.

Next month, after my author copies arrive, I’ll give you an excerpt and a giveaway.  Meanwhile, you can learn more about the story on my website, or on amazon.com, where the book is available now for pre-order.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a link.

http://www.amazon.com/Santana-Heir-Harlequin-Desire/dp/0373732546/ref=sr_1_1s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367993403&sr=1-1&keywords=the+santana+heir

Petticoats & Pistols