Good morning! I’m very excited to be on Rooster and Pig Publishing’s blog today as I have some really great news! Here it comes – DUM DA DUM DUM –
For three days, October 17, 18, and 19, Revenge, The Cowboy Way will go from $4.99 to 99 CENTS! That’s right! It’s true! 99 CENTS! THREE DAYS ONLY!!!
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!
--//--
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?
--//--
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.
--//--
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.
When I was in college I became the owner of three pets at once when I wasn’t really looking for a pet in the first place. It was especially strange because I can’t have most pets. See, I’m allergic to all things cute and cuddly. It’s quite the tragedy since I happen to love all things cute and cuddly, I just have to do it from a distance.
A girl in the same organization as me said she had some pet turtles that she couldn’t keep anymore, but couldn’t just release them into the wild. Once I found out the animals in question were turtles, I immediately offered to take them. Turtles just happen to be my favorite animal. We worked out a good time for me to come pick them up and went our separate ways.
The time finally arrived to go pick up the turtles. I did a quick YahooMaps driving directions search and
Thinking it was a great suggestion, I checked into the local veterinarians to find one that could handle reptiles, and made an appointment.
Once it was time to take Alfred, Baldo, and Charlie to the vets, I got their tank ready for travel, packed them in the car and was on my way. It was a little nerve wracking in the waiting room since everyone gave me strange looks while I sat there with my turtle tank. What I didn’t know was the worst part came when I went into the office. I found out the turtles I had were on the endangered species list for the state where I lived and I could not keep them. The vet was very nice and helped me find a wildlife center that would take the turtles. She also worked out where I was allowed to go into the back to be there when they arrived and see them one last time before they were taken care of by professionals. I went back a few years later and learned my beloved friends were released back into the wild where they were living the high life.
All Guy Fox wanted was a jog, but Maximilian Cranston and his prairie dog stop him in his tracks. The next few months are filled with romance and miscommunication. But when potential loss tests their relationship they’ll discover what’s truly important.
