2/02/2016

E.E. Burke's "Best of the West" with Beverly Wells

Welcome back to Best of the West on Get Lost in a Story. Today I'm delighted to introduce a "new to me" author, Beverly Wells

Bev, as she likes to be called, has recently re-released one of her early Western historical romances through Prairie Rose Publications and it sounds wonderful. 

Let's get take look, shall we? And then we'll get to know Bev.

Searching for true happiness, as well as escape from a controlling family, Morgan Prescott answers a Brides Wanted ad, and leaves New York City's high society life for the wilds of Washington Territory. Her spirit and intelligence carries her through the rude awakening—streets of ankle deep mud, life in a one-room cabin, the hazards of cooking—but they lend  no help when she loses her heart to the one man she can't have. 

     Private investigator Luke Kincaid, a major stockholder in the Union Pacific Railroad, goes undercover as a logging camp foreman to apprehend the railroad's saboteurs. All he needs is a mock wife to strengthen his act, but once he agrees to Morgan filling the role, he finds himself longing for much more—a love he's forbidden to accept or give. 


    Filled with humor, suspense, a heartwarming, poignant sisterly bond with the other woman, and a love between Luke and Morgan that cannot be denied. Written in memory of one special lady and to raise awareness of ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Here's an excerpt:

        Damn.  Trouble always erupted when women were around a camp.
It came to  him in a flash.  Missy  remained. Yet  that  couldn't be. She didn't fit the description of the woman Hans  had chosen on paper  two  months  ago.  Hell,  he  lacked  too  much  sleep to  play  guessing games. “So, spit it out. What happened?”
Luke watched Missy lean against the  wagon. Lean? It looked as if she wanted to burrow into the wood.
Hans pulled his hands  out of his pockets, gestured  with them in front of him.  “I chose  my bride, and  Albert claimed Lila.” Lila. Ah  yes, Hans  had raved  about  her.  “Tom chose  Sarah instead of Roberta, and Peter wanted Roberta.”
Was  anything   ever   simple?   After  an  exhausting  day  of catastrophes, and this  hopscotch of brides, a  headache  threatened.
“And now the last two don't match, is that it?”
Hans studied his boots, drove  his hands back into his  pockets then glanced at Missy. “We don't know if they'll match.  They've. . . just met.”
It  took a  split second  for Hans' words t o register, to become crystal  clear.  No.  Hans  knew  why  Luke  had  picked  Rosie.  He wouldn't  intentionally  turn the  tables on  him.  But  lust  and  love would, by damn. It made men commit worse crimes.
He swallowed the lump in his throat. “You  chose Rosie.”  His words almost gagged him. He dreaded to hear  Hans'  confirmation. Hans nodded.
Acid  churned in his stomach, and a sour  taste  spiraled  up to his mouth. He'd  purposely picked a  voluptuous dance  hall woman who'd  have no  problem  finding  another  man  after  he'd  finished here. One who most likely would go along with  his scheme and the proposition he offered.
Jaysus! He was in a world of shit.

Meet Beverly

For many years, Beverly Wells devoted her life to family and the medical world. As a nurse in homecare and clinics she also served on the medical reserve corps, a part of Homeland Security, so her reading focused on medical books and journals. That’s until she finally discovered romance novels. Once hooked, she took the plunge and wrote one. Now as an award winning author you’ll find her hammering away another humorous, sensuous (from sweet to spicy) historical romance while incorporating a lesson learned or maybe raising awareness of an important issue. 

Living in the Finger Lakes Region of NYS with her husband and rescued dog, Jamie, she enjoys volunteering at the local shelter, anything Nascar, flower gardening so she can get her hands good and dirty and cooking for gathered friends and family. She adores her two granddaughters to no end. And of course chocolate—that’s a given.

Here's where you can find out more about Beverly:

E.E.: How often do you get lost in a story? 
BEV: Every time I read a good romance novel. I read a lot of stories by my favorite authors or am familiar with so I know I’m in for a great ride. If I haven’t read a certain author, but the cover is appealing or the blurb and maybe the excerpt strum my interest, I’ll read it. And once I get acquainted with the hero or heroine, and if they and the plot hold my avid interest, I get so wrapped up in the time, place and senses that I’m totally lost.  Hook, line and sinker.  I must admit until I was thirty and fractured my back I’d not read a romance novel. Hey, raising two active sons and working full time that required longer hours than to allow me much time to read for pleasure. When I fractured my back, my best friend loaned me a stack of varied genre romances, and I became a maniac reader—escapism at its best. It remains in my blood—reading and now writing. And now I read for sheer enjoyment.


E.E.: What was the first book you remember you reading? 
BEV: That’s an easy one. Cinderella. There might have been one before that I don’t remember. A gift from mom and dad, its large, glossy, colorful hard cover and delightful pictures throughout the large print was and still is one of my treasures.  Yep, that very gem sits in my office proud as can be.

E.E.: What turns you off like nothing else? 
BEV: There’s a real toughie, a tie actually. Someone who constantly whines over spilt milk and either throws in the towel easily or doesn’t even exert enough effort to overcome whatever irks me to no end. My motto is if you first don’t succeed, try, try again. But in my book, equally matched, is the person who uses others for their own gain without ever looking back. ARGH! Now, if you’d asked me what sets off my hot spot, I would have said cruelty to animals. But that would be another whole subject and I’d be here for way too long. 

E.E.: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?  
BEV: I enjoy both. I’ve always adored fairy tales and still do. I watch all the Disney movies and/or read the tales and marvel at them like a young gullible, dazzled child. Yet I also watch movies and/or read fast paced, shoot ‘em up, blow them up, suspense, thrillers, sci fi’s, you name it. I especially enjoy a good cop, military, any of the law enforcement stories.

E.E.: Where do you read and how often? 
BEV: I always read while working out on the machines three times a week at the gym.  Kindles are fantastic for that. As soon as I’ve walked my dog first thing in the morning, I grab my coffee and sit and read—only for a short time mind you, then get to my computer.  And finally I try to read for a half hour in my comfy living room chair before I hit the sack for the night. Another motto I hold true to is one chapter can ease a hectic day away in a matter of a few seconds. Like therapy—it’s good for the soul.

E.E: What is your biggest vice? 
BEV: Chocolate. Any kind will do, but I try to stay with the dark mostly because it’s better for you. I almost swoon as it melts in my mouth. Pure heaven. And being a retired nurse I want so very much to believe all the ongoing studies regarding the benefits of chocolate: antioxidants MAY prevent diseases and also help prevent memory loss, while the plant sterols and cocoa flavanols MAY lower cholesterol levels and improve blood pressure. Of course, I must admit, I’m constantly trying to lose weight and the chocolate isn’t my friend in the least in that aspect.

E.E.: What drew you to write in the genre you do? 
BEV: I write historical romance because I love reading them and am drawn to the past. In the eighteen and nineteenth century most ladies were to be poised, demonstrate those oh-so very proper manners and standards, and I so enjoy pushing those standards to the limits and/or making her a bit feisty because then there’s humor. And I relish adding humor.  Even if it’s just a giggle that should be hidden behind her hand—it makes it more  light- hearted and laughable.  I also like delving into research and marvel at how our forefathers and fore sisters managed way back when. I set most of my stories in the west as I tend to prefer those rough, tough cowboys, the strong, determined women and hardworking western pioneers who worked the land, trudged on for a better life, and stood strong against the perils of nature and more. I do enjoy reading Regency and Medieval romance as well and I hope to—very soon—write a Medieval. My dream. I have two screaming in my head to get onto the computer. But lo, I’ve left my deaconess and gunslinger hanging for a time and must finish that one first. Then…who knows.       

A question to readers: 

Pretend you lived in the mid to late 1800’s, was for some dire reason needing or longing for a better life, would you have dared to venture to a place unfamiliar and far off the beaten path to join an unknown  man in matrimony? And if so, or not so, why?

Thanks so much for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed my chat here half as much as I did in sharing time with you--this part is so much fun for us authors. I also hope you’ll leave a comment as I’ll be giving away a coupon for a free ebook, or if you prefer a print book, I’d love to send you a free copy. E.E. has graciously offered to use Rafflecopter to pick the winner and she’ll send me your email. Good luck to all.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

40 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Angi, thanks so much for joining me here today. This is so much fun getting to know this site, meet all the great and helpful authors as well as the fantastic readers.Thanks for your welcome.

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  2. I enjoyed the Q & A thank you.

    In answer to the question, I think that I would have to be desperate to leave my life behind. To start again whatever the circumstances.

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    1. Oh Mary, I love your answer. A girl after my own heart. Daring, bold, but searching for so much more. So glad you enjoyed the Q&A's. They were so easy to answer. Thanks so much for stopping by and especially for your comment. Have a wonderful day.

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  3. Welcome Beverly! The book sounds wonderful. I'm glad PHP is rereleasing it. I love mail-order brides stories. What would I have done? If the situation was dire, being the action-oriented type, I would've packed my bags.

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    1. Golly E.E., it's early on and already I have two, you and Mary, saying the same thing. You'd go for it. That just tickles me to no end. Love it. Guess those women of the past rubbed off on a number of us. And by gosh if that shouldn't make us stand tall and be proud. I'm so very pleased, actually ecstatic, that Cheryl Pierson at Prairie Rose Publications believed in this story enough to release it. We made a few changes and I'm simply delighted with the final story. Liva also did an exceptional cover and even included two loons that play an important role in the book. So I'm doubly pleased. And a very big thank you to you for giving me this opportunity to join the Best of the West today. I'm honored to be a part of such a interesting and informative blog for the day. Since becoming familiar with this site I've enjoyed it immensely. Being an easterner, I treasure each and every morsel of western information I can get. Wishing you much happiness and continued success in all you do.

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  4. It would depend on how desperate the situation was; a familiar evil vs an unknown evil!

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    1. Linda, now that grabbed me. Had to stop and rattle that around my brain for a moment. And I think you are right. I'd not want to step out of a pot of hot water and into a sizzling greasy fry pan for sure. So I have to agree, I'd probably think twice then if in dire straights--go for it. And pray. In Morgan's case, she was desparate to find if not love at least a strong mutual friendship, but once she fled and found out the facts of her situation, there seemed no possible happy ending in sight. Or was there? Thanks so very much for joining me today. It was so nice to hear your comment. Wishing you the best.

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  5. Hi Bev! Wow, I'm so glad you got hooked on reading romances and took the plunge in writing them! But...I'm sure that having a fractured back was NOT the way you might have wanted to start reading romance books! LOL

    I wanted to just say again how much I enjoyed A LOVE SO STRONG--down to the very last page! You did a great job with that story, and we're thrilled to have you and your stories with us at Prairie Rose Publications, lady!

    A medieval in the works, huh? Can't wait to see what you come up with! As for me becoming a mail order bride--I think it would take a lot to pry me out of my comfort zone...so maybe, if it had become a "not-so-comfortable-zone" would be the thing to make me pack up and leave it all behind. That would be a very tough decision.

    Cheryl

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    1. Cheryl, I more than appreciate you stopping by today, but most of all my sincere gratitude for believing in my writing and especially in this story. I couldn't be more pleased to get this out there again so more readers can enjoy Morgan's humorous journey, embrace the sisterly bond between the two women,realize the magnitude of ALS, and of course delight in A LOVE SO STRONG. And yes, I do have two medievals shouting in my head. But of course, I've had so much fun doing the anthologies that well, the medievals come in time. As far as my friend loaning me those books way back when, I have her to thank for the hecticness in my life as I write stories--I love her dearly and she has always been my loyal supporter and egged me on when I needed a kick in the backside. Have a great day.

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  6. Bev, I loved your interview and I'm looking forward to reading A Love So Strong. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the original novel when it was initially released and I can't wait to see what you've done with it in this re-release. Good for you!

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    1. Roz, I more than appreciate you joining me here today. E.E. asked so many great questions that she made it easy and delightful for me. Wishing you much success in your writing. You know I adore your paranormal series about Bob the ghost. Looking forward to another fun book signing this week.

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  7. Bev--I could have sworn I had your book on my Kindle..but I didn't. But now I do...I just ordered it. I remember reading this excellent excerpt and thought maybe I'd read it and forgot--I think two cataract surgeries and one oral surgery in four weeks' time does have me a bit rattled and off schedule. I'll write a review when I read it--must finish Kathleen Eagle's first! Good luck with sales....you're a excellent writer.

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    1. Celia, I'm so very happy you stopped to say hi. Thank you for the complement and I hope you'll enjoy reading A LOVE SO STRONG as much I did writing it. So sorry to hear you had all that surgery. Good grief! It never rains, but it pours so they say. But it sounds like you're on the mend and back reading--an excellant sign of improvement. Wishing you a very speedy recovery. And I'd more than welcome your review. Thank you.

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  8. Hi Bev, I'm anxiously awaiting my copy of you book, and reading the blurb a second time reminds me why I want to read this book! Very tantalizing. As for your question, I'm going to surprise myself by saying yes. On one hand I worry about those mail order brides, but on the other hand I kind of like adventure and romance. Fresh starts and new beginnings always excite me. But he'd have to be good-looking and live some place I don't have to put on layers of clothes to go scrap ice off the windshield of my car.

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    1. Oh Patti, I love your response to my question. And what if he wasn't good looking? As far as the dealing with the cold weather--most likely you would have had to bundle up and go out to harness the darn horse or whatever, unless he was very good looking and also a considerate gentleman who insisted upon doing that part for you. But if he were all those things why wouldn't he have been gobbled up by some other woman before you ever arrived? Must have some reason why not--oh my another story indeed. I think a girl has the right to order up some qualifications and expectaions if she were to pack up and jaunt half way or more across country. We all can dream. I'm so happy you're looking forward to your free print copy from the PRP Blog. Thanks so much for joing me today and I'm looking forward to more chats with you. Wishing you much success with all your stories.

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  9. Wonderful interview, Bev! Next time we get together, I'll bring plenty of chocolate. Your newest book sounds like a great read.

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    1. Kate, oh I'm so happy you could join me here today. Glad you enjoyed the interview. This is so much fun to chat with you and everyone else. I have plenty of chocolate hearts wrapped in colorful foils for Valentine's Day--ready for the upcoming book signing. They're not all for the readers ya know, but I'll share them you and Roz. Wishing you much success with your Lakeside Porch Series and all your upcoming books.

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  10. Bev, what s great q and a and the excerpt absolutely pulled me in. My favorite plot is a forced marriage with that happy ending! Mega-congratulations!!!! Hugs and love....

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    1. Tanya, I'm so delighted you stopped by and that you enjoyed the q's & a's plus the excerpt. As I said on the Prairie Rose Publications Blog, this story is near and dear to my heart and written straight from the gut. That happy ending takes a lot of dives and twists but eventually gets there. Again thanks for stopping. And wishing you the best. Hugs and love back at you.

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  11. Oh that is a hard one to answer... I would want to be near family, but if I did not have any or things truly were dire... I really wonder if I would be that brave and strong to go into something like marriage to a stranger... it would be something I would really have to think on... Thanks for sharing! :)

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    1. And thank YOU for sharing your thoughts, Colleen. Not all of us have to be over zealous or a spur-of-the-moment adventurer who takes off for the faraway unknown. Good heavens if that were the case and all fled to the west then there would have been a shortage of women in the north and eastern states as well. Holy Cow, what a mixed up mess that would have been. I believe I would have gone--if like you say the situation was dire--but I would have given it a great deal of thought first. I appreciate you bringing up something that none of us had mentioned. Family and beloved friends are truly an important part of our lives and that would definitely make a difference if every thing was hunky-dory do at home.I so enjoyed our chat and thank you so much for your comment.

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  12. Loved the interview and especially liked the question about finding the courage to escape a dire situation via mail-order marriage. While most days I'd sooner be single, living in my cave [with electricity and cable TV of course] it'd have to be QUITE dire before I'd put my safety in the hands of others. But . . . that's why we have wonderful writers like Bev who'll always give us a HEA. Best of luck, darling!

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    1. VK, thank you so much for stopping by and adding your two cents. I always value your input. You are a go getter, an over-achiever and steadfast doer, and I'm impressed to hear you'd have to think more than twice before taking that leapt. I will add cautious to your traits. And that's a very good trait to have. Seriously I think we all are saying the same. Think hard and long and if all was extremely dire, then yep we'd take the leap. Wishing you much success in all you do, hope you are recuping well, and keep those marvelous stories coming.

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  13. Hey Bev,
    I would have to answer the question with a (It depends on how old I was.) I read that the part of your brain that recognizes consequences doesn't fully develop until your almost thirty? Especially in men. Ha! I think many young adults do things without thinking it through, so why would I be any different. If I was young and someone said would I like to jump on a train and go on an adventure to meet a handsome guy. Yep. I'd probably jump right in, but ask me now and I would say--Are you joking? Do you know how dangerous that is?
    A trip on a cruise ship's maiden voyage has been offered to my husband and me. It leaves out of Spain for it's first run ever. I think I'm now to chicken to go on that.
    Best wishes on A Love so Strong.

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    1. Oh C.A. go on that trip to Spain--unless it's one of those pull you two in and get you to buy a condo or consent to something you have no desire to be roped into. Otherwise, go for it. How often do you get the opportunity? I lived in Spain for 2 1/2 yrs. when hubby was stationed there during the Vietnam war. The country is filled with such beauty and old relics, and the people opened their arms and their hearts to us. I'm sure it must be the same. It does pay to be cautious that is for sure. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your comment. And I hope in the future you'll let us know if you and your husband are going to Espana. And best wishes to you always.

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  14. I'be been a fan for sometime, but time is something that gets in the way of wanting to sit and read. Still, it is great to have something to look forard to, escpecially after digging out from snow.
    I'm thrilled this story is getting out there to a new audience. Best on this and all the others that will be coming. Doris McCraw/Angela Rains

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    1. Doris, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. It's always nice to chat with you. Hope you are dug out now and can relax in your toasty home. Can you believe we have no snow again and it's close to 50 here> Last yr. it was 20 below half the time and 2 ft. of white on the ground. Go figure. I'm also thrilled that this story will reach more readers and warm their hearts. Ya gotta find time though to read. It's good for the soul. WIshing you the best.

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  15. I'll swear, Bev, I learn something new about you every time I turn around lately. What a delightful Q&A!

    Luke really got himself in a pickle in A LOVE SO STRONG, didn't he? I love the way you worked ALS into the story. You have an enormous heart, my dear. :-)

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    1. Kathleen, I have so much history and many no, no's in my life I haven't shared and that's probably a very good thing. You never know what's behind closed doors. As for saying I have an enormous heart, I love people and value friends the most in life, oh and of course dogs too. But seriously, it's more than rewarding to help others and I certainly enjoyed my medical career to do just that. But I have to say the big hearts and helping hands are also among all at PRP and throughout the author world. Everyone I meet have been so supportive and encouraging that it's humbling to say the least. Thank you for lending me by the hand at times and answering all the questions I throw at you. I more than appreciate you saying hi today. Wishing you all the best.

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    1. Hi bn100. It sure could be, and hopefully it would be with some caution. It's hard to imagine just what we would have done since those times were so very different. Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a great day.

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  17. Hi Bev, Good luck on the re-release. It looks fantastic! Our first books always hold a special place in our hearts. As for signing up to be a mail order bride - I would probably do it. Things would need to be pretty awful where I was, but if there was a chance at a better life, I would have gone. ~Connie

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    1. Connie, our first books are our babies and as I've said before, this one especially because of the many ALS patients I cared for and that one special lady who I dedicated the book to and actually used the techniques (crude as they were back in the 1980's) in the book. I believe you agree with most of us that if life was truly awful and there might be a better life elsewhere, no matter how far or over how many terrains, we'd do it. I appreciate you stopping by to comment. Wishing you much success in your writing and all that you do.

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  18. Hi Bev

    Oh I think it would be lots of fun and such an adventure to run off to a new place so different from what you are used to.
    I love the sound of this book I haven't read a western historical for a long time

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Helen, what can I say. Another woman after most of our hearts. We women of yesterday as well as today are pretty much a daring bunch and ready to take on the world. I just love it. I also read other genres as well, but I tend to like to write Historicals just because of that pluck the women had to have to really get where they wanted to be. Nothing came easy back then, so they worked hard and stood by their man. Guess it's in my blood, aye? Thanks so much for joining me. If your name is picked for the drawing, I hope you'll find yourself immersed in Morgan's adventure and journey and enjoy the story--or if not drawn, I hope you take the chance and join Morgan anyway. Not sure if you read any of the other comments, but I mentioned not only do I like to cover an issue of concern, or a lesson learned, but enjoy sprinkling a good portion of humor throughout to lift the heavier subject. This book is dedicated to one of my home care patients years ago and is written to raise awareness of ALS. So there's lots of emotion spinning throughout the story. Thank you so much for stopping by, I enjoyed your comment. With warmest wishes always.

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  19. I admire that you can read while working out. I can't do that.
    I doubt very much that I would have the courage to pick up sticks and move to an unknown place where I know absolutely no one.
    I wish you every success with A LOVE SO STRONG. You put so much in the way of interesting details into it, Bev, and your cover is just lovely.
    Sorry I'm a day late getting here.

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  20. Sarah, a day late but just as welcomed. It's usually me who comments on blogs a day or even two late, sometimes it can't be helped. And thanks for being honest and saying you couldn't move where you don't know anyone--and I'm sure half of the population would feel the same way. Most of us who say we'd go, well if we really put ourselves back there in those trying times, would we have plunge into to such remote places? Tryuly hard to say. I more than appreciate you popping in today. It becomes lonely after the first day. And I only use my Kindle while peddling the bike or on the eliptical or treadmil. Wishing you the best.

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  21. Another day or two late....Hi, Bev! Wanted to drop by after reading the post on PRP listserve. Like so many of us, I fell in love with historical romance early --- mostly through the history aspect of the stories. As a younger reader, I read biographies and histories and having a family keen on history, it was a natural. I liked the excerpt so will have to check it out!!

    As to your Q&A, as many of the PRP authors already know, I'm the granddaughter of a mail-order bride. My father's mother ("mia nonna") came to this country as a young bride from Southern Italy. In addition, she was legally blind, illiterate, and had no idea as to where she was headed. I have been working on her story off and on for years and only wish I could have known her. My father's family remained in the East and she died when I was six, so I missed out on a lot! :-( but through my writing, past questions to my father, etc....I have connected to her in a magical way!

    Good luck and I'll see you at PRP....

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    1. Gail, Thank you so much for stopping by and as they say, "better late than never"--goodness knows I've been later than 2 days trying to touch base with other authors on their numerous blogs. So I more than welcome your comments. As to your mia nonna, I enjoyed reading about this the other day and think I mentioned I too have Italian grandparents and mia nonna passed when I was a few months old, but then I had my step nonna and she was wonderful. Wishing you much luck with your story about her. I'm sure I'll be one to relish it. Wishing you the best.

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