Jacqui Nelson’s North of the Border with guest Elizabeth Clements

Who’s next on my North of the Border guest blog series? Today we have Elizabeth Clements, author of Beneath A Fugitive Moon and the Prairie Moon Trilogy.

Where does Elizabeth get her inspiration? How is Canada part of her inspiration? Read on and see...

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At 4:10 a.m. on April 29, 1903, the eastern summit of Turtle Mountain collapsed and in 90 seconds 90 million tons of limestone roared down upon Frank, Alberta, covering the coal mining town with rocks and boulders, some as huge as a two-story house. An interpretive center at nearby Blairmore in the Crowsnest Pass now pays tribute to the dozens of people who perished in Alberta’s worst coal mining disaster.

As I strolled among the exhibits, I paused in front of a life-size cardboard cutout of four immigrants. One face in particular captured my attention. I gazed into her weary, sad eyes and time and place slipped away and then there was just the two of us in silent communication.

It’s moments like this, when one’s imagination takes flight, that are inexplainable magic for a writer. I went home but couldn’t get her sad face out of my mind. I wrote a book, inspired by that disaster, then put it aside as the reality of job and family demanded attention.

Yet at times that story came to mind, so when Prairie Rose Publications asked for submissions for the Hot Western Nights anthology, that little lady stole into my dreams and whispered in my ear, “What about Diamond Jack?”

It’s not easy to condense a 400-page book into a 70-page novella and change the setting from the Crowsnest Pass to Colorado, but it was a challenge I thoroughly enjoyed. There’s some truth in the statement: better the second time around. I hope you will agree. I love being included in this anthology with five wonderful authors. Here’s a short excerpt from Diamond Jack’s Angel.

EXCERPT - Diamond Jack's Angel

Angela Summers has cared for her grandfather in the mining camp for many years. But when danger strikes, saloon owner Jack Williams must try to protect the woman he loves in DIAMOND JACK’S ANGEL.

Brookstown, Colorado, 1888

“I tell ya, Boss, that crazy old coot’s trouble. Every time it thunders, he says the mountain’s talkin’ to him. And it’s gittin’ worse.”

Sam Brooks sighed and set down his whiskey before looking up at his burly foreman. “All right, Bart, what’s he saying now?”

“He says there’s a fault in the mountain and it’s gonna come down. I tell ya, Boss, that kinda talk’s gonna spook the miners. They’re grumblin’ and talkin’ about goin’ on strike.”

Sam gritted his teeth, fed up with this constant trouble at the mine. Staring into his glass, he sighed like a tired old man and tossed back the rest of the whiskey. “Then take care of it. Make it look like an accident. There’s a bonus in it when the job’s done.”

Bart nodded. “You betcha, Boss. You can count on me.”

“I sure hope so,” Sam muttered, nodding dismissively toward the door.

~ * ~  

All my other books are set in Canada and places I’ve been able to physically visit. When I wrote my first book, I was advised to change the setting to the United States. I didn’t agree because I felt Canada has beautiful scenery and fascinating history to offer to readers. The response I’ve received from readers since the publication of Beneath A Horse Thief Moon last year supports my belief. Beneath A Fugitive Moon was published in June and Beneath A Desperado Moon will conclude the series next year.

I’ve written blogs about the Cypress Hills and its history, which has readers wanting to visit there. My prairie moon trilogy was inspired by a Garth Brooks song. The words and melody captured my imagination. What if he comes back? Another song written and sung by Ian Tyson about a full moon inspired part of the title. Thus, all three books of this trilogy are set in the beautiful Cypress Hills bordering southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

My son accompanied me to the Cypress Hills because I wanted pictures for my website Nick is an excellent photographer with a great eye for detail, which you’ll see when you visit my website. He built that for me because I’m technically-challenged when it comes to computers. All the photographs here, including my bio photo, have been taken by my son.

I’m grateful and honored to have been invited by Jacqui Nelson to guest on North of the Border and share my love of Canada and writing romances. I hope my words will encourage you to take a trip north of the border or read a bit about Canada vicariously through my books.

Thank you so much and please comment below to enter the draw for an e-book of your choice.

Beneath a Horse-Thief Moon | Beneath a Fugitive Moon 

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Elizabeth Clements resides deep in cowboy country in western Canada with her husband who is her real-life hero. She admits she’s an incurable romantic and thus her sensual stories always focus on romance, whether her heroine drives a buggy or a convertible. She has set all twelve of her books in Canadian provinces because she believes Canada has beautiful scenery and fascinating history for her readers to enjoy. Elizabeth is often inspired by her surroundings, a photograph, or a song and the thought—what if… begins a delicious new journey into romance. Visit the author at her website:  www.elizabethclements.com to learn a bit more about her and see pictures of the setting for her western historical romance trilogy set in the beautiful Cypress Hills of southern Alberta and  Saskatchewan.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elizabeth.clements.549 

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/17898781.Elizabeth_Clements 

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Clements/e/B07C9RL5HQ 

~ All pictures (except for the 1st) are supplied by today’s guest with their assurance of usage rights. 

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

Read Today

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? 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

E.E. Burke's Best of the West: an award-winning debut novel from Elizabeth Clements

U.S. Marshal Chase Reynolds is on a mission—to track down an escaped train robber, even if it takes him into the wilds of Canada! Hot on the outlaw’s trail, he follows him into the Canadian West—and encounters more than he bargained for when he’s taken prisoner by a beautiful woman. 

Sara Cranston is trying to hold on to her ranch that a band of outlaws is determined to steal from her. A woman alone, she’s “easy pickin’s”—and this ruthless crew is after more than the ranch—there’s a legend of buried gold hidden somewhere on her land. 

Sara and Chase have a shared past—one that is full of lies and secrets…and love. Seventeen years have gone by, and the passion is still there between them—but will deceit and mistrust keep them from the happiness they both crave? 

Chase has a duty to bring in the outlaws, but now he must work fast to do it before they murder the woman he loves. Can he convince her the future is still theirs for the taking if they only survive to enjoy it? Anything can happen BENEATH A HORSE-THIEF MOON…

I loved this heartwarming adventure from talented debut author Elizabeth Clements.

        —Jacquie Rogers, author of the Hearts of Owyhee series

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/2FVunRW

Here's an excerpt

In the early hours, under a big full moon, the hero, Chase Reynolds, has surprised rustlers on the prairie. In the ensuing shoot-out, Chase kills one rustler and injures another. Despite his injury, he manages to tie up the rustler just as the heroine arrives on the scene and holds Chase at gunpoint. He finally convinces her he’s not a rustler. As she tends to his shoulder wound in the moonlight, the heroine feels oddly drawn to this tall stranger….

His sense of humor squeezed her heart. It felt good to laugh. Too good. No man she knew would be so gracious after being shoved at gunpoint into an outhouse. Well, perhaps one man. But that was long ago. Seventeen years ago.

Clamping down on those thoughts, she lifted his right arm across his chest and pressed his fingers over the pad to keep it in place. “Now don't move.” Gripping the front of his open collar, she kept the material taut with the knife and carefully sliced downward.

“Why don't you just rip the damned thing apart?”

“Because the buttons will fly off.”

“Isn't that just like a woman to worry about a few buttons.”

“Buttons are precious.”

“So are people,” he murmured. “I could be dying.”

“Well, you're not,” she said crisply. “Thank God,” she muttered to herself. He went still. Her skin prickled as if he'd touched her with his eyes. She didn't dare look at him because he had a most unnerving effect on her. Done at last, she parted the material and gasped. “Oh, my.” 

She'd never seen such a magnificent chest in all her life. 

Moonlight gleamed in the mantle of golden hair that curled over the curved pads of his chest and created shadows in the contours of his flat stomach. Her fingers itched to stroke him, discover if he felt as good as he looked.

“What's wrong? Am I bleeding there, too?”

“Huh?” Sara stared at him blankly. In the shadow of his hat brim his eyes gleamed. One lid lowered, then lifted. A wink? Land sakes, he winked!

His deep chuckle poured over her like warmed honey. “Do you like what you see?”

Embarrassed to have been caught staring, she grabbed the bottom of the bloodied panel and ripped it off at the shoulder seam. She tossed it aside and reached for the clean panel.

“Why don't I make it easy for you?” Quick as lightning he placed her hand on the pad on his shoulder and yanked the remnants of the shirt down his arm, stopped only by the still-fastened cuff. “Now unbutton me and I'm all yours.”

Meet the Author

Elizabeth has had a love affair with books ever since she learned to read. Saturday night trips into town included a visit with the librarian, sharing popcorn with her and her orange tabby, and going home with an armload of books. Gradually the books progressed to juvenile and teenage detectives, then in her later teens she discovered Frank Yerby’s historicals and a life-long love of historical romance books began.

Always excelling in English, she was the editor of her high school newspaper and wanted to become a reporter. There were no openings at the weekly newspaper, so she moved to Calgary and went to secretarial college, a profession that has benefited her all her life. At twenty she married Doug, the love of her life and months later they moved to Germany for Doug’s five-year tour. And there she finally wandered through her first castle! One of several.

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. At a romance writers conference in Calgary, Beneath A Horse Thief-Moon won the Reader’s Choice Award. Although there were gaps in her writing years when life intervened, she never lost sight of her dream of publishing books set in all ten Canadian provinces and the Yukon.

Thanks to Prairie Rose Publications, that dream is now coming true.

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

E.E.: What’s the first book you remember reading? 

Elizabeth: It’s a memory I’ve never forgotten. My parents were very sociable people and once the fall crops were harvested, we’d often have people dropping in to visit and play cards. One Saturday night there were three tables of Whist players. I had no one to play with, so I was curled up in an armchair, reading a big, illustrated picture book, when suddenly I let out this wail that had my mother rushing over to ask what was wrong. And I sobbed, “Bambi’s mother died.”

E.E.: What’s your favorite “love” word? 

Elizabeth: There are so many beautiful love words, like darling, honey, and babe, or cherish, but I think my favorite is when the hero calls his lady, sweetheart.

E.E.: What’s your favorite movie of all time? 

Elizabeth: Ironically, my top five favorite movies are all of another period, which probably says something about me and why I love reading and writing historical romance. I love The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Gone With The Wind and Dances With Wolves, but I think Doctor Zhivago wins on all counts: scenery, music, conflict and an unforgettable love story.

E.E.: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in? 

Elizabeth: There always has to be romance, but I also want lots of action and dialogue, something that gets my writer’s mind anticipating what will happen next and being surprised when the action takes an unexpected twist.

E.E.: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why? 

Elizabeth: I love all my heroes (and so I should), but the hero who makes me laugh because of his quick wit and teasing tongue is Mike Sutton, the hero in the second book of this trilogy, Beneath a Fugitive Moon. And he loves Sara’s Sonofabitch Stew. Molly Malone, in Beneath A Desperado Moon, is a sassy, incorrigible wench that makes the hero forget his past when he’s in her arms.

E.E.: What is your hero’s “kryptonite” – what will bring him instantly to his knees? 

Elizabeth: I see myself as a strong person, but when my eyes well up with tears, it brings my husband to his knees. Thus, I always remember this in my writing. Sara is a strong heroine, and can face down outlaws without flinching, but when someone hurts her deeply, tears shimmer in her eyes and the hero is undone.

E.E.: What’s the best birthday (or any holiday) present you ever received? 

Unwrapping a Christmas gift from my mother: a newspaper clipping of my first published poem.

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

Elizabeth: Years ago, I was invited by a romance group to give a workshop on imagery. I brought along my “boom box” to play three songs as part of some writing exercises. When Garth Brooks finished singing, That Summer, I told the group how much that song inspired me. Every writer at some point in her/his career, as thought or said, what if? I said, “What if the hero comes back?” And thus, Beneath A Horse Thief Moon was born. I hope my readers will love the book as much as I loved writing it.

Today, Elizabeth will give away two copies of her book, Beneath a Horse-Thief Moon. Just leave a comment and enter the rafflecopter.

Who is your favorite Western hero (book or movie)? 

a Rafflecopter giveaway