Revenge, The Cowboy Way by Penny Estelle
Let me take a few minutes to tell you about my story, Revenge, The Cowboy Way. A hundred years ago, I had my first child. Well, since I was up 24/7 I figured I would read (something I never did) and got the book Sweet Savage Love, by Rosemary Rogers. The story of Ginny Brandon and Steve Morgan. YIKES! This was a steamy story and to this day, one of my favorites.
As I read it, I thought, “Heck, I can do this!” So, five years later I finished a 300 page story on my Electric Brothers typewriter and was sure I had written the next great American novel. HMMMMM – I sent off two queries and got two, “Thanks, but no, thanks” replies. I put my story in a box and it lived in my closet for forty years.
After getting several books published, I thought I would take it out and have a look at it. Oh my goodness. What pathetic writing. I had to rewrite the whole story! I sent the first four chapters to Rooster and Pig Publishing and they sent me a contract. I was absolutely thrilled! My other published stories were shorts or novellas. This was my first novel!
I guess in today’s world you can’t write stories anymore of bodice rippers and men having their way with women whenever they want. Well, my story had some of those things in it. MY POOR EDITOR – She kept saying, “I think you should change this,” and, “Really, this needs to be softer.” Well of course, she was right and her suggestions and input made the story so much better.
Read an excerpt below and don't forget to pick up the book for just 99c!
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Blurb
When Brian Thornton is taken by surprise at gunpoint, while in the bed of a beautiful, wealthy woman, he swears his revenge. But when he learns his humiliation was at the hands of a young woman and a boy, his vengeance knows no bounds.
Joanna Simmons finds herself snatched out of her home and taken to Thornton's ship. Against her will, she travels to Texas, and then by wagon train to Bastrop, Brian's home town. Joanna finds acceptance and genuine friendship with the people of the town, down to Brian's sister, but the emotional war that wages between Brian and Joanna, keeps any kind of happiness at bay.
Revenge, the Cowboy Way, is the story of hate, love and revenge. The question is: Whose revenge is it?
Revenge, the Cowboy Way, is the story of hate, love and revenge. The question is: Whose revenge is it?
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Excerpt
Joanna busied herself by cleaning a big black kettle in the corner. She hung it by the handle and swung it over the fire. Then began the arduous task of filling it, one rain-filled bucket at a time. It was getting later in the day, and the rain still hadn’t let up at all.
She was feeding the fire when Brian finally returned.
She jumped up and ran to help him take off his slicker. His hands were like ice and his lips were blue. His teeth were chattering so hard, he couldn’t talk. “Get over here by the fire. We need to get these clothes off right now before you freeze to death!” Her energy was zapped just undressing him. She wrapped blankets around him and laid him by the fire. He was asleep instantly.
He had brought in two burlap bags. Inside one were two rabbits and inside the other were vegetables and coffee. How did he come by these? Remembering when Brian had shown her how to clean a rabbit, she set to work doing just that. She cut the meat into chunks, dropping them into the water, and then cut up the vegetables. It would take a long time for the rabbit to be eatable, but at least Pappy would have some broth when he woke next. She also found some tin cups and made herself a cup of coffee.
Joanna sat up long into the night, drinking coffee, leaning against the wall by the fireplace. She watched Brian sleep. She finally admitted it. She loved this man. She also knew he would never return her love. Should she leave? Should she stay with Pappy for as long as he would have her? At least she would be able to see Brian. Could she live that way, seeing him with other women—maybe marrying someone else? No, she couldn’t.
Excerpt
Joanna busied herself by cleaning a big black kettle in the corner. She hung it by the handle and swung it over the fire. Then began the arduous task of filling it, one rain-filled bucket at a time. It was getting later in the day, and the rain still hadn’t let up at all.
She was feeding the fire when Brian finally returned.
She jumped up and ran to help him take off his slicker. His hands were like ice and his lips were blue. His teeth were chattering so hard, he couldn’t talk. “Get over here by the fire. We need to get these clothes off right now before you freeze to death!” Her energy was zapped just undressing him. She wrapped blankets around him and laid him by the fire. He was asleep instantly.
He had brought in two burlap bags. Inside one were two rabbits and inside the other were vegetables and coffee. How did he come by these? Remembering when Brian had shown her how to clean a rabbit, she set to work doing just that. She cut the meat into chunks, dropping them into the water, and then cut up the vegetables. It would take a long time for the rabbit to be eatable, but at least Pappy would have some broth when he woke next. She also found some tin cups and made herself a cup of coffee.
Joanna sat up long into the night, drinking coffee, leaning against the wall by the fireplace. She watched Brian sleep. She finally admitted it. She loved this man. She also knew he would never return her love. Should she leave? Should she stay with Pappy for as long as he would have her? At least she would be able to see Brian. Could she live that way, seeing him with other women—maybe marrying someone else? No, she couldn’t.
And what about Pappy? Since her grandfather had died, this was the one man she could trust completely, and she had come to love this gentle old soul. It was like a stab in her heart to see the two men she loved, lying on the floor, so still and vulnerable. How infinitely sad she felt! Everything in the world she wanted was right here, in this broken down shack, yet nothing was in reach.
“Joanna...”
She never hesitated, just went to Brian, hungry for his embrace, weeping quietly against his shoulder.
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Penny Estelle is best selling author who writes for all ages, from the early reader to adults. Her books range from pictures books for the little ones, to fantasy. time-travel adventures for ages 9 to 13. She also, under P. A. Estelle, has written adult stories including a family drama and contemporary, paranormal and historical westerns romances.
Penny was a school secretary for 21 years. She and her husband moved to their retirement home in Kingman, AZ, on very rural 54 acres, living on solar and wind only.
Previous books can be found at Muse It Up
Hey everybody, thanks so much for having me on today.
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