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One of the Coolest Things About Being Indie — Writing for YOU!
Voila! I went back in and revised and expanded this story and you get to see what pretty little white missionary had an impact on Long Feather. To Love and to Honor will be FREE for the next several days so you can read again without paying for it. I hope you’ll pick it up and let me know what you think about Long Feather and Miss Laurie!Henry Long Feather leaned against a tree and studied the white woman. She taught the children from the Bar FB three days a week and often brought them out of the little shack Fairbanks had built for a school. This was a rare thing for a white teacher to do, but she—Laurie Wilcox—was different from most whites Long Feather knew.
She was older, like him. Perhaps fifty summers or so, but youth still lived in her smooth skin and ready smile. Everything about her was light and delicate and fascinating to him. From her long, golden braid that gleamed even when there was no sun, to her slight nose, to her haunting eyes—the icy blue of a stream in winter. But they warmed him, like now.
She raised her gaze over the heads of her students and beamed at him. “Mr. Long Feather. Come to join us for a lesson?”
A dozen little cowboy hats and twin braids all swung round to him, showing young faces bright with curiosity. Shoving his hands into his pants pockets, he pushed off the tree and strode over to them more than happy to forget the event with the bull. “Not today, Mrs. Wilcox. I have come for Joseph.” He tapped the top of a brown hat and the freckled-face boy of eight beneath it grimaced up at him. “Yes, you. Your father has need of you in the blacksmith barn. He asked me to send you over.”
“Aw,” the boy moaned, kicking at a dirt clod.
“That’s perfect timing. We just finished our lesson.” Mrs. Wilcox snapped her Bible shut. “You go on, Joseph. Don’t keep your father waiting. The rest of you,” she surveyed the ring of a dozen or so students, “Spelling test tomorrow. Make sure you study.”
The children gave her their own collective groan and drifted away, a few darting for trouble at various places on the ranch. When they were gone, their teacher rocked on her heels and smiled up at Long Feather, an awkward kind of sign that he couldn’t read. But there was much he did not understand about Mrs. Wilcox.
“What kept you busy today, Mr. Long Feather?”
He shrugged, not quite prepared to share all the details of his day. “The boys brought in a couple of Indian ponies Fairbanks wants me to train to the saddle. They are willing. It will not be much work.” Unlike this new task of training Joel Chapman. “And you, Mrs. Wilcox? What does a teacher do with herself when the students have gone?”
“Please, call me Miss Laurie. Everyone does.” He nodded, acquiescing to her request and she continued. “I have my own homework—some papers to grade.” She bit her bottom lip and tilted her head in a way that made him want to brush his hand down her cheek. “Could I see them? The Indian ponies.”
“Surely.” The answer slipped out before he’d had a chance to think about it. A missionary, Miss Laurie was liked on the ranch, but the hands kept their distance, as if her religion might be catching. Long Feather harbored no such fear. Instead, he wondered what they would say about her strolling with an Indian if she wasn’t preaching at him.
She scrunched her forehead at him. “You don’t want to show me?”
Her perceptiveness caught him off guard. “No, it is not that. You are a white woman.”
“Yes, I was born with the affliction.”
Her joke took a moment to light on his brain, but when it did, he offered her a reserved chuckle. “You don’t understand—”
“I understand perfectly, Mr. Long Feather. And as a child of God, I love all people. I can’t help what others think about that. I don’t let their prejudices dictate with whom I stroll.”
He pushed a hand over his mouth, sighed, and gestured back toward the way he’d come. “After you.”
Hmmm. What trouble awaits this relationship? I hope you’ll read and find out. Get your copy today!
New Release Embarrasses Author’s Teenage Children. Noooooo…
A lot of you know my newest release, Hell-Bent on Blessings, is based on the actual pioneer lady Harriet Pullen. She was one tough chick. While her life story took place in the Klondike, I relocated her to gold rush California to suit my fictional requirements and changed a few details about her, but basically, this is the beginning of her destiny.
I also decided to play with the facts a bit when it came to her children. The two teenage boys in Hell-Bent are inspired by my own two boys, Whit and Wyatt. Yes, I have immortalized my sons in one of their mother’s books, MUCH to their dismay and humiliation. As a beta reader said upon learning of this, “Good. Now your job is done.” Some mothers pinch cheeks or hug their teenagers to embarrass them. I write them. LOL! 
On a more serious note, in prepping for this story, I discovered some fabulous research material. If you like history, allow me to recommend two amazing books: The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream by H.W. Brands and They Saw the Elephant: Women in the California Gold Rush by Joan Levy. I found the one by Brands to be more compelling. I listened to it as an audiobook and there were a few times I didn’t want to get out of the car because I wanted to hear what happened next!
While my book is a stand-alone story, it is part of the Brides of Blessings collection. I hope you’ll check out all the books by best-selling and award-winning authors Lynne Winchester, Kari Trumbo, Mimi Milan, Dallis Adams, and Danica Favorite. I truly think you’ll enjoy them. And I’d like to invite you to interact with all of us in our facebook readers group. If you have questions or comments about the series, we’d love to hear from you!
You can certainly get your copy of Hell-Bent on Blessings here. Thank you!
Though she be but little, she is fierce.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 3, Scene 2
And when she is froward, peevish, sullen, sour,
And not obedient to his honest will,
What is she but a foul contending rebel
And graceless traitor to her loving lord?
I am ashamed that women are so simple
To offer war where they should kneel for peace,
Or seek for rule, supremacy, and sway
When they are bound to serve, love, and obey.
The Taming of the Shrew Act 5, Scene 2
—Shakespeare
#WIN the #BOOKyourSummerVacation 35 Book #Giveaway #LadiesinDefiance
Our biggest giveaway yet!
THIRTY-FIVE INCREDIBLY talented authors have gotten together to offer the HUUUUUGE-est book prize of summer. So many books, to finish out your summer vacation with a BANG. Good luck!
Enter through the Rafflecopter link below and good luck:
This contest will run through August 15, 2017, and the winner will be announced on August 16.
A Good Man Comes Around by Heather Blanton #SweetheartsOfJubileeSprings #MailOrderBride #SweetAmericana #NewReleases #LadiesinDefiance
Book Excerpt from A Good Man Comes Around…
Oliver Martin was old enough to know better. He lit the firecracker anyhow, enjoying the drunken glee sloshing through him. He glanced quickly over the batwings, tossed the sizzling noisemaker inside the busy Corner Saloon, then hunkered down waiting for the… excitement.
His old friend John Fowler walked up, flicked his glance over the doors and shook his head. His face, lined with fifty good years of hard-living, darkened. “What have you done, Oliver?”
Tense with excitement, Oliver motioned with his eyes toward the saloon. “Just a little pop to wake ’em up.”
John grabbed the top of the batwing and peered over it. His jaw tightened. Worried, Oliver stood up and tracked his friend’s gaze. Because of the haze of cigar smoke Oliver couldn’t be sure, but he’d guess the firecracker went right underneath Jim Landers’ feet. The gambler, known for his harsh methods of collecting debts, was holding a hand of cards, scrutinizing them with an icy stare.
A touch less whiskey and Oliver might have had to cause to doubt the wisdom of this prank, but the liquor was chatting away, drowning out his good sense.
“Dang it, boy,” John whispered. “You’re not six, you’re twenty-six. Act like a man.”
The scolding was interrupted by a loud bang from right beneath Landers. The man yelped, his cards launched into the air, and he flipped over in his chair, his boots pointing straight at the ceiling.
The men playing poker leaped to their feet in confusion, and the whole saloon moved in one accord away from the sound. Bewildered rumblings quickly switched to anger as the other card players peeled Landers up off the floor. Cursing a shameful streak and shoving his comrades away, the gambler snatched for his cards scattered all around him—then his eyes met Oliver’s over the batwings.
And even in Oliver’s drunken state, he saw the rage boiling on the older man’s chiseled face. “Uh oh.” Why had he thought this was a good idea?
John sighed and pursed his lips. “Yep. Uh oh.” His anger flared suddenly, surprising Oliver. “Run.”
A Good Man Comes Around is book 8 in the Sweethearts Of Jubilee Springs series. You can buy it NOW for ONLY #99cents.
You can #WIN The #BoysofSummer TWENTY #Books #Giveaway #LadiesinDefiance
Look at all those handsome fellas! Yee-haw!
I’ve joined up with another incredible group of authors to offer ONE WINNER all TWENTY BOOKS! WOWZA!!!
I can not believe the talented group of authors that are giving books away:
Kelly Lowe
Nadine Keels
Jessica Wright
Judy Pennell
Sophie Dawson
Hebby Roman
T.I. Lowe
Debbie Lynne Costello
Shanna Hatfield
Faith Blum
Zina Abbott
Samantha Bayarr
Sylvia McDaniel
Jill Kemerer
K.M. Weiland
Jennifer Faulk
Jean C. Gordon
Heather Day Gilbert
Kenneth Pratt
and me, Heather Blanton
Enter through the Rafflecopter link below and good luck:
This contest will run through July 31, 2017, and the winner will be announced on August 1.
A Christmas in July Facebook Launch Party, #99cent #SALE and #GIVEAWAYS #LadiesinDefiance #WIN
Who loves a good Facebook party???
(Jumping and bouncing)
I do!
I do!
Tonight, July 24, 2017, starting at 3PM through 10PM EST, twenty…
Yes, I said TWENTY!!!
… Incredible authors will each hold a 30 minute Q&A with lots of fun prizes. Join in at any time and meet this incredible group. Every book is Christmas and every book is Christian. ❤ ❤
I hope to see you there, and in case you’re wondering… my time is from 3:30-4:00PM, so drop over and let’s PARRRRRRRRR-TY!
Pioneer Hearts on Facebook is the place to be! #GIVEAWAY #LadiesinDefiance
Tomorrow, I’m being featured at an awesome group on Facebook called Pioneer Hearts. They are truly the best!
Welcome to Pioneer Hearts, for readers who enjoy western historical romances. This is the place to find out about your favorite authors’ latest releases, discuss your favorite books and join exclusive contests.
Speaking of contests… I am holding one myself there, TOMORROW, July 24th. Lots of fun and lots of prizes! Come on over, join in the fun, and check them out!
ANOTHER #Christmas in July #BookGiveaway: TWENTY #books you can #WIN #LadiesinDefiance
Don’t you just love it!??! Another delightful Christmas in July e-book giveaway to share with you! I am joining 19 other Christian authors to give you lots of “cool” books to get you through this HOT summer! These books, these authors are amazing! Enjoy and good luck!!!
That’s right … TWENTY BOOKS … ONE WINNER!!!
There is also an additional Christmas in July Facebook party including #99cent book sales and lots of GIVEAWAYS and FUN! Sign up now so you’ll be ready when it begins on July 24th … Click here.
Enter through the Rafflecopter link below and good luck:
This contest will run through July 31, 2017, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
THREE Book #ChristmasinJuly #GIVEAWAY by Julie Lence #LadiesinDefiance #WIN
Let’s celebrate Christmas in July with another awesome giveaway, from a lovely western writer… JULIE LENCE!
One winner will receive these three stories:
With a winter storm threatening to blanket the land in snow, James Landry boards a train to Denver two days before his Christmas Eve wedding to Tess Weston, despite her misgivings that the storm will hinder his return trip home. But James has to go to the big city to replace the worthless ring he mistakenly bought for her with a band of real gold, and assures her nothing, not even snow, will keep him from arriving at the altar on time. But James doesn’t count on finding himself stuck in knee-deep drifts, with a Colt .45 staring him in the face.
Tess has had an eerie feeling that something bad is going to happen to James since the moment he told her of his trip. With fat, flakes of snow falling steadily from the sky, images flicker in her mind of him stranded in a hotel room, or on a cold train car. But for some reason, the snow piling up outside her window doesn’t lend weight to her fear that James is in grave danger. Determined to help him, Tess sets out on a course to find him, only to have one obstacle after another deter her from reaching him.
![Christmas Hearts (Weston Family Series--Short Story Book 2) by [Lence, Julie]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51ggJQySO-L.jpg)
After spending two years in Wyoming, Cade Weston is eager to return to his family’s ranch to celebrate the Christmas holiday. But fate intervenes in the form of a tortured soul—Nicole. Her guardian has abused her, leaving Cade with little choice but to pay for her freedom and take her with him. Holed up with her in a Denver hotel, a feeling hints he wants more from her than a thank you for having helped her. Problem is she doesn’t return the feeling.
Nicole Lamar has spent the past six months dreaming of freedom. Savannah, with its warmth and sunshine, beckons. Now that Cade has rescued her from an evil proprietor, that freedom is within reach. But when the handsome cowboy proves he’s the owner of a Christmas Heart, a life without him suddenly isn’t so desirable. Before she can approach him about the matter, he purchases a ticket for her on an eastbound train. And one for himself on a southbound train.
![Christmas Wishes (Weston Family Series--Short Story Book 3) by [Lence, Julie]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51CPTdmpx9L.jpg)
U.S. Marshall Chance McBride has spent weeks tracking Steve ‘Smarty’ Jones. Ambushed and wounded by the outlaw, Chance is forced to seek help at a nearby school. But the teacher isn’t what he imagined. Instead of a male wearing trousers, a female takes charge of his care. Bright blue eyes and soft curves; Tabitha’s sassy nature awakens a deep-seated loneliness only she and a Christmas wish can soothe.
Tabitha Weston has never favored anything girlie. She’d rather saddle-break wild horses than bat her eyelashes and flirt with a man. But one glimpse into Chance’s molasses-colored eyes and Tabitha’s abhorrence to relationships is suddenly corralled by her need to win the lawman’s favor. Can a wish upon Christmas snow for him to trade the freedom of the trail for a home with her actually come true? She’s about to find out.
The Giveaway
The winner will receive Christmas Miracles, Christmas Hearts, & Christmas Wishes courtesy of author, Julie Lence. This giveaway is open internationally to anyone that can receive an e-book. Enter through the Rafflecopter link below:
A winner will be selected on July 26, 2017.
A #CHRISTMASinJuly TWENTY #BookGiveaway #LadiesinDefiance #WIN
An amazing group of authors have gathered together to give you a HUGE Christmas in July GIVEAWAY! I am honored to be a part of this incredible line-up!
Just look at all those cheery, festive, Christmas book covers! Check out this amazing group of TWENTY authors and the fabulous books they are offering to one lucky reader.
That’s right … TWENTY BOOKS … ONE WINNER!!!
Enter through the Rafflecopter link below and good luck:
This contest will run through July 21, 2017, and the winner will be announced on July 22.
Ladies in Defiance 