First Page-Wyoming Lawman by Author Victoria Bylin

FROM "WYOMING LAWMAN"

By Victoria Bylin

Chapter One

Cheyenne, Wyoming

October 1875

Pearl Oliver stepped out of the carriage in front of Dryer’s Hotel and glanced down the boardwalk in search of her cousin. Instead of spotting Carrie, she saw a little girl with hair as pale as her own. Loose and wisping around the child’s face, it glinted white in the sun. Pearl’s mother had told her daughter that a woman’s hair was her crowning glory. Pearl knew from experience it could also be a curse.

She turned back to the carriage intending to lift her son from her father’s arms. Before he could hand the baby to her, she heard an excited cry.

“Mama!”

Expecting to see another mother, she looked back at the little girl. What she saw stopped her heart. The child, with her pinafore flapping and a rag doll hooked in her elbow, was charging across the street. Behind her, Pearl saw a freight wagon about to make the turn. The girl hadn’t looked before stepping off the boardwalk, and the driver wouldn’t see her until he rounded the corner.

“Stop!” Pearl cried.

The girl ran faster . . ."

Wow, now that's a beginning that's hard to put down! I've never read any of Victoria's books but this one has caught my eye!

Have you tried any Love Inspired Historicals? Next month the line increases from 2 titles a month to FOUR! Here's the link to join the monthly book club
https://offers.eharlequin.com/index.asp?code=E7X7-

or call 1-800-873-8635
7am-11pm EST
You get 2 free books for trying the club for a month! (This might be a great Christmas present for someone.)-Lyn

For more info:

website: www.victoriabylin.com

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001287093699

amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wyoming-Lawman-Love-Inspired-Historical/dp/0373828462/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289882126&sr=1-1

First Page-Prairie Courtship by Author Dorothy Clark

Independence, Missouri

April, 1841

“Break camp!”

That was not Josiah Blake's voice. Emma Allen turned in the direction of the barked order, stiffened at sight of an imposing figure atop a roan with distinctive spots on its hindquarters. So the autocratic Mr. Thatcher had returned to take command. She had hoped his absence since their arrival at Independence had meant he would not be leading the wagon train after all.

Brass buttons on the front of the once dark blue tunic that stretched across the ex-soldier’s shoulders gleamed dully in the early morning light. Pants of lighter blue fabric skimmed over his long legs and disappeared into the knee-high, black boots jammed into his stirrups. He rode forward, began to wend his way through the wagons scattered over the field.

Emma frowned and stepped out of sight at the back of the wagon. Mr. Thatcher did not need to wear the faded blue cavalry uniform to remind people he had been a military officer. It was in his bearing. And in the penetrating gaze of the bright blue eyes that peered out from beneath his broad-brimmed hat. Eyes that looked straight at a person, noticed everything about her—including a lace-trimmed silk gown that was inappropriate garb for an emigrant. Eyes that had unfairly impaled her on their spike of disapproval at that first meeting in St. Louis when he had simply assumed she was William’s wife and would be accompanying him on the journey to Oregon country—and judged her accordingly. Had the man bothered to ask, she would have informed him William was her brother and that she was not traveling with the train.

Not then.

But that was before everything in their lives had turned upside down."

Links:
dorothyjclark@hotmail.com
www.dorothyjclark.com

Lyn Recommends A WOMAN CALLED SAGE

A Woman Called Sage by DiAnn Mills


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
"DiAnn Mills has created an unforgettable heroine in A WOMEN CALLED
SAGE. An engaging tale that will keep any reader turning pages till
the unexpected ending. Don't pass on this one." Lyn Cote, author of
Texas Star of Destiny series


View all my reviews >>

Award-Winning Author Tammy Barley Shares Her Inspiration

Today, my guest blogger is Tammy Barley, an author who is new to me but shares my love of western romance. Here's Tammy:


"Few people know this—inspiration for my characters often comes from strangers I meet only in passing, whose actions, inner strength, or uniqueness memorably touches me. Two people in my family also inspire my characters, and my personal outlook, and the way I live—my mother and her mother. During the Great Depression, my grandmother was a little girl with three sisters whose family had to share a home with two other families (her cousins). The rent? $5 a month, which was nearly impossible to come by. When she was thirteen she quit school to work so she could help support her sisters and family, even though the poor eyesight she’d been born with was a challenge. When she grew up and married, she had three daughters, all lovely, lovely women. My mother is the youngest. She was raised in a family where family always came first. Together they worked their huge garden (my mother hated picking basket after basket of ripe strawberries every day; it’s my idea of heaven ), and together appreciated simple pleasures.

As I grew up, my mother encouraged and shared my love of horses and riding. Together we rode half way across Arizona with twenty other adventure-loving enthusiasts, and even now I enjoy tending a garden (complete with strawberries), and I keep my family the center in my life. I nearly died of kidney failure a few years ago. I lay on my bed and realized that I would never get up from it, that I was about to die. I wished that I could tell my mother once more that I loved her. Then I remember smiling; I realized she already knew. God saw to it that I did survive, and my mother gave me a kidney.


Perhaps many of us are inspired by the courage and strength of our mothers, who were inspired by theirs. Jessica Hale, the main character in Love’s Rescue, was certainly inspired by hers. I can think of no greater way to show my love and respect to the women who proceeded me than to pass along their love, strength, and encouragement to the next generation, and to enjoy with the children life’s simple pleasures. The contest giveaway for Love’s Rescue reflects this togetherness, love of horses, and simple pleasures. I wish you God’s great blessings!

For more about Tammy and her books and to
find your favorite Western and Prairie Romance authors and their newest releases, visit http://www.TammyBarley.com

and learn more about her new "Sierra Chronicles" Western Romance Trilogy
Book One ~ Love's Rescue ~ Coming July 2009 (Visit http://www.tammybarley.com/Bookshelf.html , to see the Book Trailer and to enter to Win a Vacation!)