E.E. Burke's Best of the West: Beneath a Fugitive Moon by Elizabeth Clements

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Beautiful Jolene Reynolds is on a quest. Is there a man in this world who will love her, kiss her, and treasure her like her father does her mother? It seems that every bachelor in the territory is interested in her—and though the clock is ticking, she has to wonder…is it truly a pursuit of the heart, or is it because of what she’ll inherit? When handsome Mike Sutton rides back into her life her search is over—at least, in her own heart. Mike intrigues her with his laughing eyes and quick wit…but surely, if he felt the same interest, wouldn’t he try to steal one kiss? So…why hasn’t he?

Deputy U.S. Marshal Mike Sutton has been besotted with Jolene for two solid years—and now, he’s got her all to himself. But his honor won’t let him make the most of the perfect situation. He’s promised his best friend, Chase, that he’ll safeguard Jolene until her father’s return from his art show back East—and he’s not about to let Chase down. Though he’s faced deadly outlaws without flinching, he’s on shaky ground emotionally when he holds Jolene in his arms. Young, beautiful, and educated—she’s too good for him. One kiss could be his undoing.

Trouble that has been simmering comes to a dangerous boil, forcing Mike and Jolene to become fugitives—and depend only on one another. Can they finally be honest with their feelings and find love BENEATH A FUGITIVE MOON…

Saddle up! Author Elizabeth Clements is blessed with a true Western voice, which lassoes the reader and takes them on an emotional ride. —Deborah Macgillivray, author of the Dragons of Challon series

Meet the Author

Elizabeth Clements was hooked on books long before her parents bought a television. Every Saturday night’s trip to town found her with an armload of books from the library. She’d read a book a day and sometimes just had to finish it past her bedtime by reading under a full moon.

Gradually the books progressed to juvenile and teenage detectives, then in her later teens she discovered Frank Yerby, Georgette Heyer and Jean Plaidy and a life-long love of historical romance began.

Although she has written poems and short stories that are published in several anthologies, Elizabeth’s first novel plot came to her in the middle of cooking breakfast eggs for her four young sons. Then several books later, she fell in love with Garth Brooks’ song, That Summer, and the current Prairie Moon Trilogy was born. Although there were gaps in her writing years when life intervened, she never lost sight of her dream of becoming a published author. Thanks to Prairie Rose Publications, that dream was fulfilled.

Find out more about Elizabeth at her website: https://www.elizabethclements.com/

Beneath A Fugitive Moon: https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Fugitive-Moon-Prairie-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B07SZ4LHVS

Beneath A Horse Thief Moon: http://amzn.to/2FVunRW

Q&A

E.E. What was the first story you remember writing?

Elizabeth: This is a long answer—mainly for the benefit of writers reading this who yearn to be published or feel discouraged. Years ago, in the middle of making breakfast for my little boys, a story idea popped into my head. I went to the library and borrowed an armload of books about the Yukon gold rush. And for the next two weeks I wrote like crazy on my dining room table every spare chance I had: bits of scenes, action and reaction, romance. The scenes formed piles. Gradually I linked all the pieces together and called it my broken string of pearls: mystery, romance, Yukon gold rush history blending with the present. Then spring blossomed and the book was put aside for playing outdoors with my little men. In November I remembered my goal to finish that book before year’s end. And on December 31^st after retyping it twice, I mailed it with great hopes and anxiety to Harlequin. Three months later (the day after my birthday, thank goodness), I found a big manila envelope poking out of my mailbox. My heart sank. After I stopped bawling, I felt I had a right to know why my story was rejected because the rejection letter was so unhelpful. I not only phoned Harlequin and asked to speak to the editor-in-chief who had signed the letter, but I was actually put through to her. (Unheard of these many years later.) She said she hadn’t read my book and was on her way to a meeting but would get back to me. And wonder of miracles, she did! (and won my eternal respect.) It had gone through two reads with the conclusion it was a bit old-fashioned and needed tightening up.  I was so green that I didn’t know what tightening up meant and assumed old-fashioned meant I should have marriage first, then a love scene, which I could easily reverse. Sadly, I didn’t learn until a few years later that I’d been so close to getting accepted, but my writing style needed more work than an editor had time to spend on it. If only the internet had been around back in the ‘80’s. I hope any writers reading this who want to become published will take heart and pursue their publishing dream. I did, but sadly for many years I never submitted again, just wrote one story after another without editing it. Because editing meant I should send it out. So, to avoid rejection, I just procrastinated. Please don’t make my mistake.

E.E. What drew you to write in the genre(s) you do?

Elizabeth: I love history and I love romance—an unbeatable combination. That’s what I began reading in my late teens and love to this day.

E.E.  How did you come up with the idea for your book?

Elizabeth:  Originally, there was only one book, but I fell in love with my secondary characters. Mike Sutton was the most persistent.  He kept whispering in my ear to get him together with Jolene, who he met briefly in Beneath A Horse Thief Moon. Incurable romantic that I am, I wanted him to have his happily-ever-after and thus Beneath A Fugitive Moon evolved. Well, his friend, Josh felt slighted to be left out and Molly is so deliciously incorrigible, that I simply had to write their story: Beneath A Desperado Moon will be out next year.

E.E. Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

Elizabeth: I feel it’s very important to know what readers want…and don’t like. I read lots of reviews on many authors and learn from the comments to try not make the same mistakes. I’ve been very lucky to have received such positive feedback from readers who write they are eager to read the next book.

E.E. What has surprised you the most about being published? 

Elizabeth: Reader enthusiasm. I love that they “get it” what my hero or heroine is going through. And I’m blown away by their encouragement, praise and eagerness to read the next book. That keeps me going.

E.E. What will always make you smile, even on a bad day?

Elizabeth: Butterflies, puppies, kittens, babies, kindness and my husband being wonderfully silly to coax a smile when I want to pout a little longer.

NEWS ALERT! I just found out that the anthology, Hot Western Nights is being released on July 4^th and includes my novella Diamond Jack’s Angel. You can find it here!   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T9F21B5

Thank you, Elisabeth, for your wonderful support and inviting me to chat about getting lost in a story.

Giveaway! 

Elizabeth will give away two electronic copies of her book, Beneath a Fugitive Moon and an e-book copy of Hot Western Nights. Just leave a comment and enter the Rafflecopter.

Who is your favorite Western hero (book or movie) and what do you find most appealing about him? 

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