Category Archives: Ask Me To Marry You
She Chose the War Path
from my post over at https://cowboykisses.blogspot.com
Sometimes when I do research, I discover fascinating individuals who led gloriously exciting lives and then retired in peace, children and grandchildren sitting at their feet. The happily ever after. The ending we’d all like. Truth is, though, sometimes a hero has her moment early on and from there it’s not a very pretty spiral downward.
This is my impression of the life of Apache warrior woman Dahteste (pronounced ta-DOT-say).
Born around 1860 she chose her path as a warrior. The Apache let you do that. A fairly open-minded society, you could be a warrior, a homemaker, a medicine man, whatever, as long as you worked at it and could deliver. Dahteste was known for her beauty, but she was also clearly respected for her fighting, riding, hunting, and shooting skills. She was fast and she was mean. No man challenged her light-heartedly. And she proved her worth repeatedly on raids with the Apache. In fact, she rode with Cochise (you might remember him. He led an uprising against the U.S. government that started in 1861 and didn’t end until ’72). Remarkably, Dahteste was barely a teenager! Her fighting didn’t end, however, with Cochise’s acceptance of a peace treaty. She continued it by riding with Geronimo. Who knows how many “white-eyes” lost their lives to her rifle?
Geronimo surrendered in 1886. Dahteste over the years had picked up quite a bit of English, had even served as a cavalry scout for a time, so she negotiated the great chief’s surrender. Her reward? She was arrested and shipped to a prison in Florida where she stayed for eight years. Then she was moved to the military prison at Fort Sill, OK where she was a guest for nineteen years. During her time as a resident of the US Army’s military prison system, she survived pneumonia and tuberculosis. I suspect she survived much more than that.
During this time she divorced her husband Ahnandia (one of Geronimo’s original warriors) and within a few years married fellow inmate and former Army scout Coonie. The couple was released in 1919 and moved to the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico.
Dahteste, reports say, never spoke English again and wore only beautiful beaded native clothing. She left her long black hair down and unbraided, but always brushed. She was a proud Apache woman who walked with her chin up.
Though she did, indeed, retire with children and grandchildren around her feet, none of them were hers by blood, and she was not generally known to smile much. I hope she spent her final years enjoying peace and happiness, but I don’t get that sense. I think Dahteste was a survivor and she did so with more grim determination than optimism.
The Measure of a Man–His Heart & Soul Plus an Exclusive Excerpt!
by Heather Frey
To Love and to Honor—Why a story about an amputee?
Last year I stumbled across a newspaper article about photographer Michael Stokes. He was snapping sexy pics of veterans who had lost limbs in combat. I was stunned both by the soldiers’ mind-blowing good looks, and the extent of their injuries.
The thought haunted me how these devastatingly handsome, rugged men were dealing with the scars, the prosthetics, the missing limbs. I thought also of evangelist Dave Roever. Horribly disfigured in Vietnam, he’d watched as a fellow soldier’s wife had taken one look at her gravely burned husband and walked out of the room. Fortunately, Dave’s wife had the opposite reaction and the two are still married to this day.
But based on the junk you see coming out of Hollywood, one would believe our culture values physical perfection far above inner beauty. It seems the shallow masses give a pass to monstrous inner ugliness if the package comes wrapped in a big bust or washboard abs.
I feel for the wounded vets in a society like this and wanted to write something for them—a story that clearly focuses on the real measure of a man—his heart and soul, not his number of fingers or toes.
I hope you enjoy it and all the other stories in the special collection It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas! ON SALE NOW or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited! I’ve included an excerpt at the bottom!
If you are so inclined, you can read an article on Michael Stokes photography here— http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3165402/Photographer-captures-amputee-war-veterans-posing-naked-proudly-revealing-injuries-powerful-picture-series.html, but WARNING: adult content. Privates are covered… BARELY! 
An excerpt from To Love and to Honor–
Someone knocked at the door. “Señor, Señora” a voice called. “We have the water for a bath.”
Joel’s bath. “Yes, come in.”
Four ranch hands, one right after the other, trailed into the room, each with a steaming bucket of water. In short order, the portable copper tub was full and they excused themselves.
Joel stared at the bath with a tight expression, as if he was afraid of it.
Slowly, Angela rose and crossed the room to stand in front of him. He looked up with an expression of surprise that quickly transformed to desire. Hope flickered in his deep, blue eyes. She knelt in front of him and gently laid a hand on his knee. “You need a bath.” She swallowed, and fought to control her breathing. “I’ll help you.”
His eyes widened. “You—you can’t.”
She reached for his boot heel and started tugging. “I’m the only one who can.” The boot came free and she reached for the other.
Joel clutched her hand. “No.”
She didn’t meet his gaze, but she could feel it, like a gentle touch on her cheek.
“I mean, I don’t want you to see…”
Was he afraid his wound, his missing limb, would be too grotesque for her? She couldn’t imagine anything about this man being repulsive. She gave him a slow, reassuring smile. “I don’t mind.”
She pushed his pant leg up above his knee and realized his boot had been sewn on to the prosthetic. She didn’t know what to do.
“It’s cinched around my thigh.” Joel’s voice sounded strained.
Ask Me to Marry You #Win #BookGiveaway #LadiesinDefiance
What better way to celebrate LOVE then with a MALE mail-order bride, “marriage of convenience” story?!?!?! Good luck and enjoy!
Please check out the other giveaways going on at my site ———————————->
Click here to start reading a free sample of Ask Me to Marry You right now!
Though she’s loath to admit it, Audra Drysdale needs a man to save her ranch.
Her father has passed away and her hands are abandoning her like rats from a sinking ship. Worse, neighboring cattle baron Jess Fairbanks is making a play for the Diamond D and Audra, whichever he can get his hands on first.
Audra grudgingly accepts that the mere presence of a husband will keep her men working, and Fairbanks under control. It seems a perfectly reasonable idea, then, to ask her uncle, who is the town attorney and a matchmaker of sorts, to find her a groom—a “proxy” who will take her orders and dish them out to the men.
Dillon Pine is in jail for a conspiracy charge, but because of certain mitigating factors he’s deemed a good risk for an unusual form of probation: serving as Audra’s husband. After a year, he can abandon her and she won’t tell. By then, she will have proven to the cowboys she’s a competent rancher, and the cattle man next door will be looking elsewhere for a wife. But when word gets out that Dillon came to Audra via Evergreen’s matchmaker, he’s dubbed a “male order bride.” The resulting jokes at his expense are constant and brutal. Just how much abuse can Dillon’s pride stand?
When Audra discovers her father’s death was no accident, she realizes her new husband is in danger, too. And she cares . . . quite a lot, it turns out.
To save Dillon, she may have to let go of the one thing she’s fought her whole life to keep.
The Giveaway
The e-book giveaway of Ask Me to Marry You is open internationally. Enter through the Rafflecopter link below:
If you’d like to find other blogs offering great giveaways, click the link below for the list, and start “hopping!”
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
Ask Me to Marry You #MALEOrderBride #MailOrderBride Book #Giveaway #LadiesinDefiance
Welcome to the Cheers 2017 giveaway hop hosted by Savings in Seconds. The event runs through Jan. 31, 2017, so have fun and check out all the linked giveaways. Good luck!
Please check out the other giveaways going on at my site ———————————->
Click here to start reading a free sample of Ask Me to Marry You right now!
Though she’s loath to admit it, Audra Drysdale needs a man to save her ranch.
Her father has passed away and her hands are abandoning her like rats from a sinking ship. Worse, neighboring cattle baron Jess Fairbanks is making a play for the Diamond D and Audra, whichever he can get his hands on first.
Audra grudgingly accepts that the mere presence of a husband will keep her men working, and Fairbanks under control. It seems a perfectly reasonable idea, then, to ask her uncle, who is the town attorney and a matchmaker of sorts, to find her a groom—a “proxy” who will take her orders and dish them out to the men.
Dillon Pine is in jail for a conspiracy charge, but because of certain mitigating factors he’s deemed a good risk for an unusual form of probation: serving as Audra’s husband. After a year, he can abandon her and she won’t tell. By then, she will have proven to the cowboys she’s a competent rancher, and the cattle man next door will be looking elsewhere for a wife. But when word gets out that Dillon came to Audra via Evergreen’s matchmaker, he’s dubbed a “male order bride.” The resulting jokes at his expense are constant and brutal. Just how much abuse can Dillon’s pride stand?
When Audra discovers her father’s death was no accident, she realizes her new husband is in danger, too. And she cares . . . quite a lot, it turns out.
To save Dillon, she may have to let go of the one thing she’s fought her whole life to keep.
The Giveaway
The e-book giveaway of Ask Me to Marry You is open internationally. Enter through the Rafflecopter link below:
If you’d like to find other blogs offering great giveaways, click the link below for the list, and start “hopping!”
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
Ask Me to Marry You BOOK #Giveaway #LadiesinDefiance #MALEorderBRIDE
Welcome to the Best of 2016 Giveaway Hop hosted by MamatheFox! At each stop in this hop you can find a fun prize. Be sure to come back for your daily entries to increase your chances of winning! Good Luck.
Please check out the other giveaways going on at my site ———————————->
Click here to start reading a free sample of Ask Me to Marry You right now!
Though she’s loath to admit it, Audra Drysdale needs a man to save her ranch.
Her father has passed away and her hands are abandoning her like rats from a sinking ship. Worse, neighboring cattle baron Jess Fairbanks is making a play for the Diamond D and Audra, whichever he can get his hands on first.
Audra grudgingly accepts that the mere presence of a husband will keep her men working, and Fairbanks under control. It seems a perfectly reasonable idea, then, to ask her uncle, who is the town attorney and a matchmaker of sorts, to find her a groom—a “proxy” who will take her orders and dish them out to the men.
Dillon Pine is in jail for a conspiracy charge, but because of certain mitigating factors he’s deemed a good risk for an unusual form of probation: serving as Audra’s husband. After a year, he can abandon her and she won’t tell. By then, she will have proven to the cowboys she’s a competent rancher, and the cattle man next door will be looking elsewhere for a wife. But when word gets out that Dillon came to Audra via Evergreen’s matchmaker, he’s dubbed a “male order bride.” The resulting jokes at his expense are constant and brutal. Just how much abuse can Dillon’s pride stand?
When Audra discovers her father’s death was no accident, she realizes her new husband is in danger, too. And she cares . . . quite a lot, it turns out.
To save Dillon, she may have to let go of the one thing she’s fought her whole life to keep.
The Giveaway
The e-book giveaway of Ask Me to Marry You is open internationally. Enter through the Rafflecopter link below:
If you’d like to find other blogs offering great giveaways, click the blue frog link below for the list, and start “hopping!”
MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.
Ask Me to Marry You #BookGiveaway #MALEorderBride #LadiesinDefiance
Are you a fan of mail-order bride stories? Ask Me To Marry You is a MALE, mail-order bride story, sure to make you smile!
Please check out the other giveaways going on at my site ———————————->
Book Excerpt from Ask Me To Marry You. Available now! ONLY $.99!
In the tiny courtroom in Evergreen’s town hall, Winston snagged Sheriff “Dent” Hernandez and a cowhand paying a fine, to act as witnesses. Audra’s heart beat out of her chest as the Justice of the Peace said the words to a simple ceremony.
She repeated this isn’t real, it’s just for show over and over in her head, but when the justice of the peace pronounced them man and wife, she felt a terrible explosion of panic. Oh, Lord, what have I done?
“You may kiss the bride.”
She and Dillon leaned toward each other, then backed away, shock and confusion on their faces. Awkwardly, he shoved out his hand. Dent snorted at the absurd gesture. Audra didn’t know what to do and stared at Dillon, horror and humiliation washing over her. Winston cleared his throat and bobbed his chin slightly. Though this was a lie, a charade, people had to believe she was married.
She closed her eyes and lifted her face to Dillon. The time felt like an eternity until his lips pressed against hers. Warm and gentle. Then his hand came to rest lightly on her cheek. Something inside her sparked to life. Her breathing hitched and her legs suddenly felt all wobbly. He deepened the kiss—
“Congratulations, you two,” Winston said, stepping forward quickly.
Heart pounding like a stampeding herd, Audra pulled away from Dillon, but didn’t miss the mischief in his eyes. Or was that desire?
You can also read book one in the Brides of Evergreen series Hang Your Heart on Christmas for only $.99 too. Load up your e-readers!
The Giveaway
The e-book giveaway of Ask Me to Marry You is open internationally. Enter through the Rafflecopter link below:
If you’d like to find other blogs offering great giveaways, click the blue frog link below for the list, and start “hopping!”
A big thank you to The Mommy Island (http://themommyisland.blogspot.com) and The Kids Did It (http://thekidsdidit.com) for hosting this hop.
Ask Me to Marry You Book #Giveaway #LadiesinDefiance
Who’s askin’ who, here …??? Ask Me To Marry You is a MALE, mail-order bride story, sure to put a smile on your face!
Please check out the other giveaways going on at my site ———————————->
Here it is, Ask Me To Marry You. Available now! ONLY $.99!
Though she’s loath to admit it, Audra Drysdale needs a man to save her ranch.
Her father has passed away and her hands are abandoning her like rats from a sinking ship. Worse, neighboring cattle baron Jess Fairbanks is making a play for the Diamond D and Audra, whichever he can get his hands on first.
Audra grudgingly accepts that the mere presence of a husband will keep her men working, and Fairbanks under control. It seems a perfectly reasonable idea, then, to ask her uncle, who is the town attorney and a matchmaker of sorts, to find her a groom—a “proxy” who will take her orders and dish them out to the men.
Dillon Pine is in jail for a conspiracy charge, but because of certain mitigating factors he’s deemed a good risk for an unusual form of probation: serving as Audra’s husband. After a year, he can abandon her and she won’t tell. By then, she will have proven to the cowboys she’s a competent rancher, and the cattle man next door will be looking elsewhere for a wife. But when word gets out that Dillon came to Audra via Evergreen’s matchmaker, he’s dubbed a “male order bride.” The resulting jokes at his expense are constant and brutal. Just how much abuse can Dillon’s pride stand?
When Audra discovers her father’s death was no accident, she realizes her new husband is in danger, too. And she cares . . . quite a lot, it turns out.
To save Dillon, she may have to let go of the one thing she’s fought her whole life to keep.
You can also read book one in the Brides of Evergreen series Hang Your Heart on Christmas for only $.99 too. Load up your e-readers!
The Giveaway
The e-book giveaway of Ask Me to Marry You is open internationally. Enter through the Rafflecopter link below:
If you’d like to find other blogs offering great giveaways, click the link below for the list, and start “hopping!”
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
Ask Me to Marry You FACEBOOK Launch Party TONIGHT! #LadiesinDefiance #MailOrderBride #MALEorderBride
Prizes, and Chatting, and Surprises… Oh, MY!
Come one, come all…
You are cordially invited to celebrate the release of Ask Me To Marry You and join me for a Facebook Book Launch Party TONIGHT right from the comfort of your own electronic device! Join me from 7-9 PM EST for fun, giveaways, and a few mystery guests too. Invite a friend! RSVP here and hope to see you tonight!
More reviews are coming in! Here’s what some folks on Amazon are saying:
“I love the charm, humor, and chemistry between the two characters and Blanton’s description of the landscape, which at times transports readers into the panoramic scene. Her Brides of Evergreen is promising to be a charming series.”~~~NC 209
“It’s a great idea and concept where many problems pop up for the cute couple they never expected, and neither does the reader. The man Audra’s lawyer uncle finds her is not exactly who or what she thinks he is.” ~~~Connie
“In all of her books Heather has such a way of taking something that would be a typical plot line for this genre and turning it on its head; infusing it with history as well as some Wild West grit, bringing characters to life and she even ropes in some faith lessons. This book is no exception!” ~~~M. Ahlersmeyer
You can also read book one in the Brides of Evergreen series Hang Your Heart on Christmas for only $.99 too.
Ask Me to Marry You IS HERE! #LadiesinDefiance #MailOrderBride #MALEorderBride
It’s here!
My baby has been released into the world!
And, I am very, very happy…
Ask Me To Marry You, a MALE-order, mail-order bride story, sure to make you smile, was let out of the corral today!
Here’s what some Amazon reviewers are saying:
“I started this novella this afternoon and even though I had other material that I had been working on, I couldn’t stop reading until I finished it!” ~~~Heather Jean
“I enjoyed this thoroughly and it kept me smiling, even if I wanted to kick the groom in the pants a few times.” ~~~Lelia Reynolds
“My only complaint about “Ask Me to Marry You” is that it ended much too quickly.” ~~~Daysong Reflections (Vine Voice)
You can also read book one in the Brides of Evergreen series Hang Your Heart on Christmas for only $.99 too. A little bird told me book 3 in the series is already in the works and will be releasing on…
Ask Me to Marry You RELEASES TOMORROW! ONLY $.99! #LadiesinDefiance #MailOrderBride #MALEorderBride
Tomorrow!
YEEEEEEE-HAWWWWWWW!!!
Ask Me To Marry You, a MALE-order, mail-order bride story, sure to make you smile releases tomorrow!
Did I say September 21, 2016, as in … tomorrow???
YES!
TOMORROW!
A couple of early reviews are starting to come in…
A big thank you to Jessica: https://abakersperspective.wordpress.com/2016/09/20/ask-me-to-marry-you-review/
and also Pamela: http://www.daysongreflections.com/?p=20931
You can also read book one in the Brides of Evergreen series Hang Your Heart on Christmas for only $.99 too. Be caught up before book two releases on September 21, 2016!
Ladies in Defiance 