Charlene Raddon and from where books come

First let me thank Rain for hosting me. I am thrilled to be here.  Every author is asked enumerable times where they get their ideas for their stories. My entire writing career began with a dream. Not the dream of becoming a writer. I didn’t seriously consider doing that until sometime after I began my first novel. No, it was a dream that started me writing, a dream so vivid and compelling that I dragged out a portable typewriter (pre-computer days) and began to type.
 

            That first book, a time travel when no one was buying them, has sat in a box on a shelf for over twenty years. An editor told me that story was too unusual to sell as a first book and suggested I write a simpler romance, get it published, and after a few more books I might be able to sell the complex stories I love most. 

So I wrote about a woman who faked her own murder to escape an abusive marriage. She joined a wagon train for Oregon and hired a guide to pose as her brother. Naturally she and the guide fell in love. That book became a Golden Heart Finalist published by Kensington Books as Tender Touch.

My most successful paperback, Forever Mine, came from a visit to an Oregon lighthouse and saw a bridal photo of a keeper and his wife who were married there. Neither looked happy, but she appeared absolutely forlorn. I

thought about what that area of the country would have been like in the waning days of the nineteenth century, what a chore it would have been simply to get to the lighthouse from the nearest town, nine miles away, when there were no roads. And Forever Mine was born.

 

            Taming Jenna is another story. My critique group and I were having lunch after a meeting and I said to one of the members I knew had a quirky sense of humor, to give me an idea for a new story. Without hesitation, she said, “Write about a woman who has to find a man and the only way she can identify him is by a scar on his bottom.” The result? —a lady Pinkerton who finds herself at odds with a bounty hunter after she pulls a gun on him and makes him drop his drawers. That was a fun story to write.

            Ideas for novels come from many sources and what they are doesn’t really matter. What matters is that the writer is inspired by an idea that carries her through to the end of the tale and creates a vivid, compelling read. I like to believe this is what I’ve done in my books.

            Please leave a comment and your contact information for a chance to win a copy of one of my back issue eBooks, winner’s choice.

 Charlene's latest release (don't miss trailer at the end of the blog) sounds like an interesting and fun read.

Taming Jenna

Blurb:

THE WRONG MAN  

Deserted by her father at the tender age of seven, Jenna Leigh-Whittington had taught herself to ride, shoot, brawl…and steer clear of the opposite sex. But now, in a lonely Utah canyon, the Pinkerton agent has drawn her gun on a rugged stranger—only to discover that, far from the dangerous outlaw she’d been tracking, he is Branch McCauley, hired gun…and the most irresistible rascal ever to tempt and torment a woman!

THE RIGHT WOMAN          

If there’s one thing McCauley trusts less than a female, it’s a female who packs a six-gun. But what a woman! Vowing to bring the sensuous hellcat to heel, McCauley has no inkling that their passionate battle of wills has just begun. Taming Jenna will be the most seductive—and satisfying—job he’s ever taken on.

Excerpt:

Being in the last, and therefore the closest tub to the door, Branch shivered as cold air blowing down from the canyons rushed inside, along with the missing towel boy.

A man shaving at the far end of the room, a towel wrapped around his loins, called for clean rinse water. The boy, wearing overalls and a mixed expression of fear and excitement, hurried to comply, leaving the door ajar. An older youth edged inside, wearing baggy trousers, an oversized coat, and a hat pulled low on his head. Branch's eyes narrowed. He detected something vaguely familiar about the youngster. Branch watched out of the side of his eye as the kid pushed the coat aside to reveal a gunbelt. Trembling fingers drew the pistol from its holster, and Branch nearly choked. A single-action .44 Starr.

Branch's hands plunged below-water to cover himself. "Dammit, Eugenia, what in blue blazes are you doing in here?"

Her eyes darted to him and her cheeks turned a healthy shade of pink, but her voice remained calm. "I'm doing what I came to Utah to do."

The boy in overalls jogged to her side. "You gotta hurry, ma'am. I'll get fired, sure, if they figure out you're a woman."

Too late; the eyes of every man in the room had zeroed in on her.

"What'd you call that boy? Eugenia?"

"That’s a girl's name."

"By God, it is a girl!"

Eugenia didn't bother to disguise her voice. She lifted the Starr so they could all see it. "Keep calm, gentlemen. And do, please, remain seated." Turning to the boy, she said, "Which one, Billy?"

With eyes as round as donuts, Billy stared at the pistol in her hand. "Are you going to shoot him?"

"Not if he cooperates. Which one?"

Branch stared as the boy pointed to the tub next to his. The Spaniard shrugged. "Ah, the Senoritas, they always manage to find me, no?"

"Turn around and stand up," Jenna ordered, the Starr aimed at the man's chest.

He spoke in a low, smooth baritone. "Always happy to oblige a lady."

The Spaniard rose out of the water like a golden sea god, water sluicing off his broad back and down over firm, round buttocks marred by a three-inch long scar.

"Sweet Jesus," Branch muttered.

Black Jack Mendoza. Sloan's murderer!

Branch surged to his feet, sloshing water over the sides of the tub. He ignored Eugenia's voice rising above the fury roaring in his brain. He couldn't ignore the shot she fired into the ceiling.

"Sit down, McCauley." Her fingernails raked his arm as she yanked him back from Mendoza. Hands raised as if to circle Mendoza's throat, Branch whirled to look at her. She jerked back in shock and fear at the rage contorting his face. Then she aimed the Starr at his chest and hollered again: "Sit down!"

"No, dammit, this bastard—"

"I'll put a hole in your best shooting arm, McCauley." He knew she could do it. She'd demonstrated her ability with the Starr well enough back in Echo Canyon. For one full minute they glared at each other: McCauley, his large hands fisted, his green eyes cold enough to freeze the hot water in which he stood; Eugenia, her stubborn chin thrust toward him, fire smoldering in her smoky blue eyes. Around them the silence became so intense that the hiss of the wood burning in the stove several feet away sounded like a geyser.

Tersely, she asked Mendoza where he'd left his horse. Then she sent the boy after the animal. "Get dressed, Mendoza. You're coming with me."

"With pleasure, Chiquita." He bowed. "Never have I known a woman more eager for my attention."

Her apparent calm as her eyes slid back and forth between the two men, seemingly well accustomed to watching naked men dress, added fuel to the anger already roiling inside Branch.

"Listen to me, Eugenia—"

"You'll have to forgive me, McCauley Maybe we can have dinner another time...if you'll shave off that hideous beard. It makes you look like you ought to be on a wanted poster of your own."

He took a deep breath, struggling for control. He had to make her understand. "You don't know what you're doing. I—"

"I know exactly what I'm doing and if you don't stop interfering, I'll have the boy tie you up and gag you. Now shut up. And sit down."

"Eugenia—"

"Down!" Her bullet plowed through the water of his tub and drilled a hole in the side.

McCauley dropped like a rock, soaking her with spray. A small fountain of water poured out through the bullet hole in the tub. McCauley had spent a lifetime learning to control his temper. He watched the water recede, exposing more and more of his nudity as it went, but he saw only his chance to see Mendoza pay for murdering Sloan going down the drain.

Taming Jenna available at Amazon

Trailer

 

Charlene Raddon likes to say that she began her fiction career in the third grade when she announced in Show & Tell that a baby sister she never had was killed by a black widow spider. She often penned stories featuring mistreated young girls whose mother accused of crimes her sister had actually committed. Those were mostly therapeutic exercises. 

Her first serious attempt at writing fiction came in 1980 when she woke from a vivid dream that compelled her to drag out a typewriter and begin writing. An early love for romance novels and the Wild West led her to choose the historical romance genre but she also writes contemporary romance. 

At present, she has five books published in paperback by Kensington Books (one under the pseudonym Rachel Summers), and the same five digitally published by Tirgearr Publishing.

 

Charlene Raddon is the award-winning author of five historical romance novels set in the American West and has been writing for over thirty years. Her books were published in paperback by Zebra Books, and are now being released as e-books by Tirgearr Publishing.

Find Charlene at:

http://www.charleneraddon.com

http//www.charleneraddon.blogspot.com

http://www.twitter.com/CRaddon

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1232154.Charlene_Raddon

http://www.facebook.com/CharleneRaddon

Blind Achievement by Susan Horsnell

Susan Horsnell has released a sequel to her award winning book, Blind Acceptance which received a 4 1/2 star review and Crowned Heart Award from InD'tale Magazine, October 2013. In both romances, the underlying theme is that a handicap doesn't have to limit fully living life. I am happy she's here to tell readers about her newest work.

Book:  Blind Achievement

Blurb:

Phillip Johnson has been blind since the age of six after sustaining a head injury in a wagon accident.Growing up on a ranch outside of Austin hasn't been easy for the young man but he has thrived with the loving help of his Step-Mother, Rachel, and the faithful support of his father, Luke.

At 18 years old, he has made the decision to head to Macarthur to attend the Wyoming College for the Blind. He plans to study Civil Government Law and Political Economics.It is here that he meets Belinda and he falls deeply in love with her. Belinda hides a dark and dangerous secret. A ruthless man is obsessed with owning her. This threat has the power to ruin their relationship and put their lives in jeopardy. 

Can they overcome such obstacles and find happiness together?

Excerpt:

..........It had been a long day and he tapped his way back to his room. He was startled from his thoughts by an ear piercing scream. Coming to an abrupt stop he listened. Sounds of a scuffle and banging came from what he knew was a classroom ahead. He approached and threw open the door without hesitation.

“What the hell? Get out!” a gruff voice bellowed.

“Please help me.” A girl’s agonized plea tore at his heart.

“What’s going on?” Phillip demanded to know.

“None of your damned business, half-wit. Get out.” Phillip could not place the voice.

“Let me go,” she screamed again.

“Let the young lady go.” Phillip said angrily. “Come here to me Miss.”

He could hear her struggling to get free.

“I have asked you to let her go. I will not ask again.” Phillip loaded his voice with menace.

The man guffawed. “Do you really think a blindy like you can stop me?”

Phillip used the man’s voice to help him move closer.

The girl took advantage of her captor being distracted and bit down hard on his arm. He yelped with pain, and she wrenched free of his grip and launched herself into Phillip’s arms.

The air rushed from his lungs as she collided with his chest. He wrapped his arm protectively around her trembling body as she sobbed into his shirt.

Phillip lifted his cane as a warning for the man not to approach. “I am taking her to speak with Mr Carver. I expect he will also want to speak with you.”

The girl in his arms continued to tremble and sob.

“Come with me. We’ll ensure this never happens again,” he told the girl gently.

Blind Achievement at Amazon now

 Website/Blog: http://susanhorsnell.com.au/

Susan's Bio:

I grew up in the Western Suburbs of Sydney in the 50's and 60's.

My parents are originally from the Newcastle-Under-Lyme area of England and came to Australia in 1952 as £10 poms. They came under a migration scheme to help Australia with workers.
My father was a Painter and Decorator and I was the eldest of five children.

I met my husband, Robert, in 1973 and we married in March 1974; we were both 18 years old. We have two wonderful sons, gorgeous daughters-in-law and five incredible grandchildren. We have been extremely blessed. 

I was a Nurse, a career that spanned more than 35 years. During my career I specialised in caring for people with Alzheimer’s type Dementia, an area that fascinates me despite how heartbreaking it can be. My dear father-in-law is unfortunately afflicted with this disease and now resides in a Nursing Home. In the not too distant future I am hoping to pen a novel incorporating some of the stories I have heard from these amazing people. Part of my career was with the blind and I also cared for severely disabled children for a while too. 

When I retired 4 years ago I decided it was time to get the stories out of my head and onto paper. From there I just hoped my stories were interesting and well written enough to attract readers. It is difficult being a new author now that anyone can publish a book. I can understand readers’ reticence to read Indie authors but hopefully they will give people like me a chance. I find as an avid reader, you can be pleasantly surprised most of the time. I can’t imagine sticking to just one or two authors and just because an author has a publisher doesn’t make them good. I have certainly read some terrible books which have been published by some of the largest companies. 

I do hope readers enjoy my books and would love them to leave reviews.

Susan Horsnell: http://susanhorsnell.com.au/
Western Romance Writer
http://susanhorsnell.com
Twitter: @susanhorsnell

guest author, Simone Beaudelaire

Author Simone Beaudelaire  is with us today to tell us a bit about her new book, High Plains Holiday,  book 1 in a proposed series of 4 historical Western romances. The series is called Love on the High Plains.
 

 

Blurb:

A small Western town receives an early Christmas present; a new pastor for the church. He’s young, handsome, and single. But to church organist Kristina Heitschmidt, Reverend Cody Williams is nothing but trouble. Especially as his first move is to attempt to take control of the music away from her. But Kristina is not about to give up her life’s work.

With Christmas fast approaching, it appears the two are at a stalemate. That is, until a sudden blizzard traps them together in the church overnight. Forced at last to deal with each other, they realize that the explosive feelings between them are really symptoms of an overwhelming passion that just might, if they can finally be honest, lead to the love of a lifetime.

I asked Simone to share with readers here why the book was written.

As for why the book was written, like many of my novels, this Western series is something I've been daydreaming about since I was a teen. I was an awkward, bookish child, and lots of kids picked on me. I developed these storylines and characters so I could escape from everyday life. Though to be honest, Cody and Kristina's story was not really part of that set, some of the other characters; Allison, Wesley, Lydia, and Sherriff Brody are old friends. This particular story sprang from a random conversation, and once I started thinking about it, I couldn't stop. I hooked it into my western trilogy and it fit just right.

I chose Garden City, KS because I used to live there. It's a unique place that is not well known, even now. But having lived there, I was able to describe the town, the surroundings, and some of the unique qualities. It really is Old West, by the way, being only about 45 miles from Dodge City (yes, THAT Dodge City). To this day, you can still see the ruts from where the wagon trains crossed the prairie.

What I hope my readers get from this book is a fresh look at the Old West, a bit of the warm Christmas fuzzies, and a gentle love story with just a bit of excitement and quite a lot of heat.

Excerpt:

  

The choir doesn’t want me anyway. They only want you. And, well, we can work together planning out the services. That will be easy now.”

“Cody, do we really have to...”

“Yes. I won’t have us gossiped about. Besides, you’re sitting in my lap in your underwear. That’s pretty thoroughly compromised, no matter how much of a gentleman I am.”

She tried to escape but he held her tight. “Don’t go, Kristina. It’s too late, so we might as well enjoy it.”

Her eyes widened.

A prickling sensation of heat spread slowly up his neck onto his cheeks. “Not like that. I meant enjoy the warmth. I won’t take advantage of you. Relax, and let me hold you. Just think, darlin’, how convenient it will be, the two of us together. We can work on services whenever we want, and you’d have my backing and support for your music, your purpose, again. I promise I won’t meddle anymore. I’ll ask what you want instead of assuming. Is that okay, Kristina?”

“So you’re proposing a marriage of convenience then?” Why did she sound so sad about that?

“No. I’m proposing a marriage. The fact that it’s convenient is nice, but if we’re going to be together, it’ll be for real.”

“Oh. Um, I don’t know how to do that.” He could almost feel her blush.

“Neither do I,” he admitted, “but we’ll work it out. Now then, I would like something from you.”

“What’s that?”

In lieu of an answer, he took her shoulders in his hands and turned her to face him.

“Cody, what?” was all she managed to say before his lips captured hers. He had noticed her lips before, when they first met. He’d thought them pretty then. Now, mashed under his, they were wonderful; soft, full and utterly delicious. He kissed her once, a hard, brief peck, and then raised his head. Even in the dim light of the flickering lamps, he could see her turquoise eyes, the pupils dilated with the dark and her own awakening desire.

High Plains Holiday

 
Simone's links:
 Author Central:  http://www.amazon.com/Simone-Beaudelaire/e/B00CIUPNWK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1385697613&sr=8-1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simone.beaudelaire.5

twitter: https://twitter.com/SimoneBeaudelai

Website: (with my badly neglected blog is simonebeaudelaireauthor.weebly.com