E.E. Burke's Featured Deal

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The most dangerous man may be the one she just hired.

In 1870, a land war between a railroad and Kansas settlers explodes into violence. Amy Langford, a strong woman who steps into her father's shoes to promote the railroad, becomes the target of attacks. When a ruggedly handsome drifter comes to her rescue, she trusts her instincts and hires him as her bodyguard. Her life is protected, but her heart is not.

Buck O’Connor is a wanted man with a dark past, which he hides from Amy, as well as his purpose for returning to Kansas. A purpose that puts him at odds with his new employer’s ambitions and makes the life she begins to imagine between them impossible. When his deceptions unravel, it threatens to destroy not only Amy’s future, but also her love—the only power on earth that could redeem him.

It's not easy being a strong woman in a man's world...

In Her Bodyguard, the heroine, Amy Langford, steps into her late father's role with a railroad that's racing to construct track to the Kansas border ahead of its rival. 
If mysterious threats on her life and rioting settlers aren't bad enough, she has to go toe-to-toe with powerful men who stand in her way. Three of these men also left their mark on history. Read on to find out who they were and what they did.

The Railroad Magnate

James Frederick Joy was the president of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroads (which included the MFS&G line through Kansas that Amy is promoting). 

Earlier in his legal career, Joy hired and worked alongside a young Illinois attorney by the name of Abraham Lincoln. They became lifelong friends.

Mr. Joy developed a talent for financial and executive enterprises and became one of the great railroad builders of his century. In Kansas, however, he met his Waterloo in the form of a settlers' revolt against the railroad's purchase of land they were currently homesteading.

In my novel, the fictionalized Mr. Joy hires Amy, but he becomes skeptical of her unconventional approach to the problems they face. However, his solutions only served to further anger the settlers.

The brilliant engineer

In 1869, the first bridge across the Missouri River opened a flood of westward expansion by rail. Octave Chanute, a self-taught engineer with no formal training, supervised construction on a task that daunted the greatest minds of the time. He forged his own tools, brought in pile drivers, built dredges and derricks in a makeshift machine shop. No wonder Joy put him in charge of the MFS&G.

It was hard enough to construct a line being vandalized regularly, but Chanute insisted on building a track that would last, even if it took longer and cost more. It's a decision Amy questions and warns him about in my novel. Ironically, Chanute’s commitment to quality contributed to the railroad's ultimate defeat. 

Later in life, Chanute became obsessed with flight. In the 1890s he gathered and published research, designed gliders and gave valuable advice to the Wright brothers. Octave Chanute became an engineering icon and left an indelible mark on history with his achievements. Unfortunately, the success of the MFS&G railroad was not one of them. 

The fiery newspaper editor

Amos Sanford, a Kansas politician and newspaper editor, becomes a huge thorn in Amy’s side. In real life, he was a fiery figure on the Kansas prairie who published a newspaper that railed against the railroad’s land policies. 

Sanford and his followers were so successful at stirring up unrest that the federal government had to send in troops to keep the peace. Shown here is a letter from the Kansas governor denying a Cherokee Country sheriff's request to have federal soldiers removed.

In Her Bodyguard, Amy runs into problems when a rally she plans creates an opportunity for her enemies to make trouble. One of those opposing her is the rabble-rousing newspaper editor.

BookBub Featured Deal for 99 cents

Passion and intrigue fuel this Western romance as it races through historic events with twists and turns that raise the stakes all the way to the end. Grab this first book in the Steam! series while it's on sale for 99 cents.

Steam! New Release: Redbird from bestselling author E.E. Burke

New Release 

A rich, white heiress. A Cherokee outlaw. They have nothing in common except a desire for peace—and each other.

Railroad heiress Kate Parsons is worth more than an inheritance, and she intends to prove it by resolving a land dispute between the Katy Railroad and the Cherokee Nation. Instead, she gets abducted by outlaws. 

Jake Colston has something to prove, too, which is why he breaks into a private railcar in a scheme to save his family’s land. Instead, the peace-loving Cherokee ends up in possession of a white woman whose spirit is as bold as her red hair. 

His decision to abduct her is made with the best intentions, but it puts into motion a series of  consequences that force Jake into a deadly confrontation he would do anything to avoid. Anything, except risk the life of the woman he calls Redbird. 

A captivating, cross-cultural love story inspired by a legend and based on true events. This story was originally released as a novella under the title Kate's Outlaw. It has been updated and expanded in a new edition for the series, Steam! Romance and Rails. 

Buy Redbird today

E.E. Burke is a bestselling author of historical fiction and romances that combine her unique blend of wit and warmth. Her books have been nominated for numerous national and regional awards, including Booksellers' Best, National Readers' Choice and Kindle Best Book. She was also a finalist in the RWA's prestigious Golden Heart® contest. Over the years, she’s been a disc jockey, a journalist and an advertising executive, before finally getting around to living the dream--writing stories readers can get lost in.

Why did you decide to expand and update this book?

I believed the story deserved it. When I first wrote it as a novella, it fit within a three-part anthology that I'd written with two other authors. I always felt that this book needed to be expanded to fit with the rest of the series. I added extra scenes to give readers insight into the main characters, as well as the secondary characters who become important in future books.

Tell us about the legend that inspired Redbird.

It's an old Cherokee legend about the daughter of the sun (called Redbird). Thematically, the story is about death and rebirth, which fit well with the overall theme of my novel. The main character in the book, Jake Colston, has had a vision that leads him to associate Kate with a legendary figure called Redbird. I can't tell you more without spoilers, but the way their relationship develops as a result of Jake's obsession with Redbird is one of the things I love most about this book.

What is the historical setting for Redbird?

A standoff in 1870 between between the Cherokee Nation and Katy Railroad about land rights--specifically, government-awarded land grants. The Cherokee Nation filed a lawsuit that challenged the land grants based on sovereignty. Specifically, the U.S. government's right to give away their land. 

In addition, the Cherokee people disliked and distrusted the railroads. They didn't want one passing through their nation, bringing in more white immigrants. Through this story, I strive to present a perspective that often gets lost in our glorification of Western expansion. Its central theme is hope--for peace, understanding, respect, and, ultimately, a sense of unity despite our differences.

Come back next week for fun facts about book 1, Her Bodyguard. 

I love reading about Native American legends, especially origin stories. Do you have any favorite legends that you'd like to see incorporated into a book?

Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win one of the books in the series! Leave a comment and don't forget to add your email.

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Kathleen Lawless' new release, Brody's Bride, a sweet western historical

Today is the release day for, Brody's Bride, the first book in Kathleen Lawless' new series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Happy book birthday, Kathleen! Thank you for sharing your series launch with Get Lost in a Story.

SALE ALERT: Brody's Bride is available at a special launch price of .99 for a limited time! 

Jacqui: What inspired you to write the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers series?

Kathleen:  I knew I wanted to write a Western Historical Series that would (I hoped) resonate with readers.  I remember watching the short-lived TV series of that name, which had been loosely based on a musical play and decided it made a catchy series name.  Since there is no copyright on titles, and no other romance series by that name I adopted it as mine.

Jacqui: How did you come up with the seven brothers' names: Brody, Bradley, Braydon, Blake, Bishop, Barron, Benjamin?

Kathleen: Apparently I like breaking the rules.  One unwritten rule of writing is to not have the main characters’ names start with the same letter, as it can confuse the reader.  But I loved the alliteration of the Brother’s Brides (all names starting with B), so I ignored the rules.  I figure if Nora Roberts can break the rules (she had brothers’ names all beginning with the same letter in one of her books), why can’t I.  The brothers are seldom all in a scene together (this is a romance after all) so I’m hoping the readers will indulge me.  Despite their names beginning with the letter B, the men are all very different from each other.

Jacqui: Before we jump into Brody and Laura's story, tell us about your free series prequel, Before the Brides.

Kathleen: I consider Book 1 to be a classic reunited lovers, second chance together story.  As teenage sweethearts, Brody and Laura are both scarred from their breakup ten years earlier.  I wanted the readers to know the story of their cute-meet in the very beginning and the factors that led to their break-up, which in turn leads to their issues when they see each other for the first time years later in BRODY’S BRIDE.
For anyone who signs up for my reader’s list to receive updates and news of special fan pricing sales, you can also download the series Prequel, Before the Brides, which I don’t plan to offer for sale.  http://eepurl.com/bV0sb1

BRODY’S BRIDE - BLURB

WHAT NEXT?

Brody has his hands full with a murderer next door trying to take over his ranch. Laura broke his heart ten years earlier. Now she’s back, and right in the crosshairs of his sworn enemy.

Laura never stopped loving Brody. And when she learns of his unscrupulous rival’s plan to take his home, she can’t stay away. Even though he rebuffs her help, she is determined to make amends for the past.

Can Brody save the ranch, keep its secrets, extract vengeance and protect Laura? All without losing his heart to her all over again?

BRODY'S BRIDE is Book 1 in the sweet western historical series, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers by critically-acclaimed author, Kathleen Lawless.

If you like cowboys, secrets, and intrigue in the wild west, don’t miss this series.

BRODY’S BRIDE - EXCERPT

Copyright ©2019 Kathleen Lawless

Chapter One

Laura’s heart raced nearly as fast as the stage coach traveling the road from Yuma to Bullet.  She couldn’t believe she was back in Arizona after ten long years.  Let alone in collusion with Brody’s sworn enemy.
She wondered how long until her path crossed with Brody’s.
“Not long till we reach Bullet, Lovely Laura.”
She glanced at her companion, masking her disdain.  Little Guy, as she thought of him, rather than by his given name of Jeffrey, had no idea how useful Laura was finding him.
“I’m sure I’ll find it every bit as charming as you said, Jeffrey.  And imagine a small town being prosperous enough to build a school.”  There’d been no school there ten years ago.
“It was Pa’s idea.  Can’t have hooligans running around the countryside with no education.”  Little Guy smirked.  “Wait till he finds out I brought back a bona-fide school teacher from Los Angeles.”
Laura cast her eyes demurely downward.  “I hope he doesn’t find it too presumptuous of me to simply arrive unannounced.”
“Leave me to handle Pa.”  She could almost see Jeffrey’s chest puff with importance.
“And who, pray tell, is your sire, young man?” asked their coach mate, obviously a foreigner, judging by the man’s clipped accent and city clothing.
While Jeffrey droned on with glowing attributes to his father, which Laura had already suffered through, she turned her attention to the passing scenery.  Arizona’s countryside had barely changed in the years since she had snuck over here from Yuma to see Brody.
Would he even remember her?
Being back still seemed surreal.  All because of a random conversation overheard.
Standing in line at the post office, her ears had perked up when Jeffrey spoke of Bullet and boasted to a companion about his father’s exploits there.  According to Jeffrey, nothing could stop Hawkes Sr. from taking over every lock, stock, and barrel, including a certain ranch owned by a bunch of rag-tag losers who called themselves brothers.
Brody’s ranch.   
Her heart twisted with sadness recalling the last time she had set eyes on Brody.  Did he still hate her for what she had done?
Determinedly, she had swallowed her distaste for Jeffrey Hawkes and arranged a chance meeting, the first of several.  Eventually, she let him ‘talk her into’ going to Bullet with him to teach in the town’s new schoolhouse.  She deserved an award for her acting ability as she pretended to be grateful to him for taking her under his wing.   She knew, in order to pull this off, to spy on Jeffrey’s father for Brody, it had to seem like it was all Jeffrey’s idea she was here.
Her hair, pale gold originally, had darkened over the years to a rich burnished chestnut color kissed by the California sun and shot through with lighter strands.  She wore spectacles, not that she needed them, but she believed it made her look more like a schoolmarm; older than her twenty-eight years.
When they arrived in Bullet and alighted from the coach, she glanced up and down the dust-trodden Main Street, as if seeing it for the first time.  “Why Jeffrey, I don’t see a single hotel or rooming house anywhere.”
“There is a rooming house next street over, but it’s too rough for a lady such as yourself.  You’ll stay at the Ranch with Pa and I.”
“Oh, I don’t think that would be seemly at all.  What might people think?” she said demurely, secretly applauding the chance to get close to Hawkes Sr.  Close enough to learn what his evil plans entailed.
“Don’t you worry about what people think.  My Pa takes care of all that.”

* * *

Seated in the comfy old ranch house kitchen of the Copper Moon Ranch, Brody Mason looked up as his surrogate brother, Braydon, pulled up a chair.
“Got us some new intel on Hawkes,” Braydon said.
Anytime one of them mentioned Hawkes’ name, the other six paid attention.  The twins overheard Braydon and joined them first.  All the Masons hated the man with good reason, but the Brody and the twins had an especially keen interest in seeing Hawkes thoroughly and irrevocably destroyed.
“Out with it,” Bishop said.
“Waiting on the others,” Braydon said.
One by one the other three ambled in and found seats around the massive scrubbed pine table Brody had made in his youth.  Not only did the table dominate the kitchen, it doubled as a work bench, learning desk, or operating table, depending on what the brothers needed it for on any given day.
Brody watched the way Braydon grinned at each brother in turn.  The man surely did love an audience.
“Seems Hawkes has hired himself a right comely school teacher for his new schoolhouse, and he fancies her.  Hear tell he kicked his boy right out of the running to win her hand,” Braydon said.
“Don’t see what that’s got to do with us,” dark and brooding Bradley said, picking at a sliver in his thumb.
“Remember, piece by piece, no matter how long it takes, we’re taking the man down,” Braydon said.
The others nodded in agreement and Brody felt a wave of gratitude and admiration for the unorthodox family he helped create here at the Copper Moon.  These men were his brothers in the soul.  He’d trust them with his life.
“Anything and everything Hawkes owns, or covets, slowly gets taken over by us,” Braydon continued.  “He sets his sights on the little schoolmarm, one of us needs to woo her away.”
“My vote’s with you,” one of the others said.  “You’re the ladies’ man hereabouts.”
“Just because I’m better acquainted with soap and water than you are—”
Brody stepped between the two men before moods escalated.  “Settle down you two.  The only fair way to decide who woos the fair school teacher’s favor is to draw straws.”
There was a shuffling of feet and a few murmurs of dissent.  Brody held up his hand.  “We’re in this together, or did you all forget that little detail?”
“Anyone seen her?” Benjamin asked.
“Haven’t got a look at her yet.  But she must be something if Hawkes is gunning for another trophy,” Braydon said.
They all fell silent.  As if any of them needed a reminder of what Hawkes had done to one of their own.  And the trophy he flaunted from that killing.
“Fair enough.”  Bishop set to work fetching the straws.
One by one, each of them drew.  Brody went last and his heart fell when the short straw was revealed.  He narrowed his gaze on Bishop.  “You rig this?”  Bishop and his twin were professional con artists.  He wouldn’t put anything past them.
“I swear,” Bishop said.  “Fair draw.”
Brody stared down at the straw in his hand.  Wooing a stranger.  He hadn’t got close to any females in that way since Laura….  He tamped down the thought.  Closed book.  Ancient history.
“Looks like I have to do everything around here,” he grumbled.

It wasn’t long before Brody learned the lady in question had taken up residence at the Hawkes spread.  Given the history between him and Hawkes, he could hardly go riding up to the front door, hat in hand.  He’d have to come up with an excuse to seek out the lady at Bullet’s new school.

You can find Brody's Bride on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub 

~ * ~

Kathleen Lawless blames a misspent youth watching Rawhide, Maverick and Bonanza for her fascination with cowboys.  Historical or contemporary, cowboys continue to resonate with her today.  

One of her heroes, Steele, is a modern-day cowboy, so when she was dating on-line and met a man called Steel—   Well, he’s not a cowboy but his is an alpha male and her forever hero.  Which is why all of her stories end Happily Ever After.

Not that she can ever stick to just one genre.  So many stories to tell—never enough time.  With close to 30 published novels to her credit, she enjoys pushing the boundaries of traditional romance into historical romance, erotic romance, romantic suspense, women’s fiction and stories for young adults.      

   

Sign up for Kathleen’s newsletter to receive updates, special giveaways and fan-priced offers.  http://eepurl.com/bV0sb1

Website:  www.kathleenlawless.com 

Twitter:  twitter.com/kathleenlawless 

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/kathleenlawlessnovels

Instagram:   www.instagram.com/kathleenlawless

Blog:  www.romancegems.blogspot.com

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Kathleen-Lawless/e/B001IXS2SA
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/kathleen-lawless

E.E. Burke's Best of the West: New from USA Today Bestselling Author Rosanne Bittner

Two worlds in conflict. Two hearts intertwined. One love worth fighting for.

Wealthy Englishwoman Lady Elizabeth Baylor longs for adventure. She leaves for America full of hope, only to lose everything to a villain hiding treachery behind his smile. Lost in this strange and lawless land, Elizabeth vows to track down the man who did her wrong, but she can’t do it alone. What she needs is someone hardened by the west and unflinching toward its dangers: notorious bounty hunter Logan Best.

Ill-mannered and seemingly ruthless, Logan exorcises his dark past by throwing himself into his vengeful profession – hunting wanted men. There is nothing about the pampered Englishwoman that should call to him, and yet as their adventure takes them across the wild and treacherous west, he realizes he’ll do anything to keep her safe … and defend his Lady to his final breath.

EXCERPT FROM LOGAN’S LADY:

“You’re late,” she told him.

Logan hardened a little at her snippy attitude. “What?”

“I asked you to come right away, Mister Best.”

Logan glanced at the sheriff, who shrugged. “I told you to hurry it up,” White said.

Logan looked back at Elizabeth. “Ma’am, I’m not a man who takes orders. And I was on the trail several days before I came here and—I might remind you—helped you. I was damn tired last night, so I slept in.”

“You probably drank too much and slept with one of those awful painted women. I know about men like you. I’ve read about them in penny dreadfuls.”

Logan could hardly keep from bursting out laughing. “In what?”

“Penny dreadfuls. I’ve learned here in America they are called dime novels.”

Logan couldn’t control a little gasp of laughter. “You believe those things?”

“Was I wrong about where you were last night?” she replied.

Never in his life had Logan struggled so hard to stifle a true guffaw. “No, ma’am, you were not wrong, but life out here isn’t always like what you read in those little books. I’ve heard about them and they’re food for a lot of jokes among men like us. Believe me, there aren’t many heroic cowboys or lawmen out here.”

“Have you ever read one of those little books?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Do you read, Mister Best?”

Logan still felt sorry for this poor young lady, but already he wasn’t fond of her as a person. The “princess” from London had an air about her he did not like at all.

BOOKLIST (Jenna Friebel)  – “This immersive romance set in the lawless Old West is packed with action and adventure, including murder. Bittner has created an unlikely couple worth cheering for, and she sure knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats.”

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY – “Bittner makes an implausible premise feel absolutely real, showing how two very different characters can make compromises and find love. Fast-paced, touching, and sensual, this historical is not to be missed.”

Purchase Logan's Lady from these retailers

Amazon | B&N | iBooks 

First published in 1983, Rosanne Bittner is a USA TODAY best-selling author of 68 novels involving American history, from the French & Indian wars through the settling of America’s Great West. Dubbed an “emotional powerhouse” for her memorable love stories, 95% of Rosanne’s realistic, gritty westerns have garnered 5-star reviews on Amazon. She lives in S.W. Michigan, but has traveled the West for 30 years and has visited most of the locations in her books.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Fan Page

E.E.: Do you often "get lost" in a book?

Rosanne:  I don’t often get lost in a book I am reading, probably because the book I am writing myself at the time is always on my mind. However, I do get lost in every story I write because my characters mean so much to me. I fall in love with the hero and identify with the heroine, and as I write the story I learn more and more about both characters and flesh them out to the point of feeling as though they are real. Their spirits visit me from the past and ask me to write their story. It’s as though I am writing real history.

E.E.: What is the first book you remember reading?

Rosanne: The first book I remember reading is THE SECRET CLOCK, A Nancy Drew mystery. But the first book I read that really stuck with me and made me want to write about pioneer women is A LANTERN IN HER HAND, by Bess Streeter Aldrich. It is a wonderful story about the loneliness of living on the Nebraska prairie with no neighbors – and showing how the heroine’s dreams for herself were realized through her children. Great story. You need Kleenex beside you when you read it.

E.E.: Have you ever met a real life hero?
Rosanne: A real-life hero I’ve met is Dee Brown (a man, in case you aren’t sure), who authored BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE. After reading that book, I knew I had to write the truth about our Native American history.

E.E.: What sound do you love?

Rosanne: I absolutely love the sound of birds in the spring, and I love watching them. I have lots of bird feeders, and our back yard is full of big pine trees. Birds love to nest in them.

E.E.: What is your favorite movie?

Rosanne: My favorite movie of all time? That’s a hard one, but it would probably be LAST OF THE MOHICANS. But I also love PALE RIDER, HANG ‘EM HIGH and THE SHOOTIST. All were so realistic, and you can’t beat Clint Eastwood and John Wayne in westerns. THE SHOOTIST makes me cry every time because it’s about an ageing gunfighter dying of cancer, and at the time John Wayne had cancer. It was his last movie. What a perfect ending for him and for his movie career. I also love (for a contemporary) Clint Eastwood in GRAND TORINO. Fabulous movie – and such a good lesson in cultural differences in this country.

E.E.: Do you put yourself in heroine's roles while writing?

Rosanne:  YOU BET!!! Who wouldn’t want to be held by such great heroes?

E.E.:  Do you write while listening to music?

Rosanne: Yes, I ALWAYS write to music – all the theme songs from some of the greatest westerns, especially LONESOME DOVE and THE BIG COUNTRY.

E.E.: Which hero would you most like to invite to dinner? 

Rosanne: JAKE HARKNER (From my Outlaw Hearts series)

E.E.: What drives your hero crazy? 

Rosanne: In LOGAN’S LADY, the one thing that drives the hero crazy is the heroine’s haughty attitude and her advanced education. The hero can’t even read.  The one thing that drives the heroine crazy is the hero’s lack of “proper” manners and the fact that he can’t read and is always making fun of her use of big words he doesn’t even understand.  She considers him an uneducated, crude “cowboy.”

E.E.: Describe an absolutely perfect day.

Rosanne:  An absolutely perfect day for me is for it to be warm enough to go outside early in the morning with a cup of coffee and listen to the birds and watch the baby rabbits in my garden – then do a little gardening myself – then go inside and write for a while – then enjoy another cup of coffee in my garden at noon – then take a short nap – then write more – then work outside a little more.

E.E.:  What has been your most rewarding publishing moment?

Rosanne: My most rewarding publishing moment was when my Sourcebooks editor asked me to write a sequel to OUTLAW HEARTS, a book I wrote in 1993 and always wanted to continue with a sequel. It took over 20 years to finally find an editor who wanted that sequel. Those two books led to two more and became my Outlaw Hearts series about my beloved “bad man with a good heart” – Jake Harkner. I am hoping to write a fifth book. It is already written “in my head.”

Enter the drawing for some fantastic prizes from Rosanne!

First prize – Signed copy of LOGAN’S LADY plus a copy of my NEXT TWO NEW BOOKS  as soon as I get my copies – CHRISTMAS IN PARADISE in an anthology called LONGING FOR A COWBOY CHRISTMAS – coming in September. And RIDE THE HIGH LONESOME, my first “Outlaw Trail” book coming in November. Plus  a surprise gift and other goodies.

Second prize – Autographed copy of LOGAN’S LADY plus autographed copies of all four of my “Outlaw Hearts” books – OUTLAW HEARTS, DO NOT FORSAKE ME, LOVE’S SWEET REVENGE and THE LAST OUTLAW. Plus some misc. goodies.

Third prize – Autographed copy of LOGAN’S LADY plus some misc. goodies.

Answer Rosanne's question and leave a comment to be entered. Don't forget your email address so we can contact you.

My editor says there have been several books written about Americans going to England and getting caught up in English culture, but not many about the English coming here and landing in our rough and rugged cowboy culture. That is the basis for my book, LOGAN’S LADY. Would you like to see more books about this? It is food for humor and culture clash and it was fun to write!

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