E.E. Burke's New Release: FUGITIVE HEARTS

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What shapes a hero? 

Violent events in America's past shaped the character of Frank Garrity, the hero in my new release, Fugitive Hearts.

This character was inspired by stories I’d read about a period of time preceding the Civil War, a time of unspeakable violence on the border between Missouri and Kansas. 

In fact, the fighting became so intense the state was dubbed for a time, “Bleeding Kansas." 

Trading Post, Kansas, near the Marais Des Cygnes River, is about an hour down the highway from where I live. This unincorporated town is reputed to be the longest continuously occupied community in Kansas, established in 1825 as (you guessed it) a trading post with the Osage Indians.

For years I drove by this tiny spot on the map and had no idea of the monumental impact it had on this region and the whole United States. In 1858, a brutal massacre on “free state” men occurred just a few miles away. John Brown built a "fort" close by to protect fellow abolitionists and plotted vengeance on slave owners, which culminated with his raid on Harper’s Ferry Virginia, a year later. From trading post, Kansas Senator Jim Lane and his infamous Jayhawkers launched a retaliatory raid on southern sympathizers in Missouri in 1861. 

All this from a little place called Trading Post. 

Nearby is the site of the Marais des Cynes Massacre, which inspired John Brown to greater violence, spurred Jim Lane to attack Missouri, and arguably lit the spark that started a Civil War. 

Did you know?

Kansas suffered the highest rate of fatal casualties of any Union state, largely because of its great internal divisions over the issue of slavery.

The bloodiest single incident in the Kansas-Missouri border struggles (1854-1861) occurred May 19, 1858, when thirty pro-slavery Missourians seized eleven Kansas ‘Free-State’ men and marched them to a creek bed near Trading Post. The eleven men were lined up execution style and promptly shot, for no other reason than being in support of a Free State.

The incident shocked the nation and galvanized abolitionists.

A few weeks later, John Brown arrived and built a two-story log “fort” (about 14 x 18 feet), which he occupied with a few men through that summer.  That December he led a raid into Missouri and liberated eleven slaves, killing one white man in the process. Ultimately, he took his fight east to Virginia, where after his ill-fated raid he was captured and hanged. Later that same year, Kansans rejected a proslavery constitution and entered the Union as a “free state” in 1861. 

A follower of Brown bought his property near Trading Post and later, at the site of the fort, built a stone house that still stands there today. The building and grounds are now part of a State Historical Site. 

Visiting this and other historical sites caught up in the bloody conflict, I thought about how the "border war" changed the lives of everyday people for decades to come. Out of this bit of history came the character of the sheriff in Fugitive Hearts. 

Here's an excerpt where Frank reveals an inkling of his past, and his pain, to Claire:

“My mother transplanted trailing roses from our home in Missouri when we moved to a farm just over the border in what was at the time Kansas Territory.” Frank could see in his mind’s eye the profuse vines, heavy with blooms, and his mother’s lined, weathered face, her proud smile. “They spread up a trellis on the side of the house. I can remember how they smelled when the window was open and there was a breeze.”

For years, the scent of roses had reminded him of his mother. Then he’d met Claire. Her soft fragrance reminded him of all he’d lost and made him long for things he wasn’t destined to have, like a stable home and a family. His spirits sank further.

“Are the roses still there?”

“Don’t know. I haven’t been back since she died ten years ago.”

“You don’t have family living there?”

No one lived at the deserted farm. He didn’t know why he hadn’t sold the place.

“No, my sisters live in Missouri with their husbands and families. They’re quite a bit older than me. They married before my parents moved to Kansas in fifty-seven.”

For years, Frank had kept the window on his past firmly shut. Feeling safe with Claire, he opened it. “A year after we moved, southern raiders crossed the border. They rounded up a dozen free-state men, including my father, took them to a ravine and shot them. Murdered them just because they opposed slavery.”

Claire’s eyes were deep pools of sympathy. She had a gift for being able to connect with another person’s pain. Or maybe it was something that was just between the two of them. Whatever it was, it had the same effect on him as bathing in a sun-warmed lake.

“How old were you when your father was killed?”

“Sixteen.”

“That’s too young to lose your father…” A small crease marred her smooth forehead, a sign she was thinking. “You’re thirty-three.”

She said it like she’d compared him to Methuselah.

“Hard to believe with all this gray hair.” Not to mention the extra years carved into his face. He sure felt like he’d lived three lifetimes.

She touched her hair self-consciously. “I’m sure I look older than twenty-eight.”

“Not by a minute.” What a relief to be able to make an honest statement.

Her eyes shone with gratitude, even as her lips twisted in a rueful smile. “Let’s just say we’ve both put a lot of living into our few years.”

She’d been a young bride tied to a broken soldier. He’d spent half his life pursuing justice, which had turned out to be an elusive ideal rather than a hard and fast principle.

“Living isn’t what I’d call it.”

Fugitive Hearts will be released on Tuesday, July 28. You can preorder from Amazon, ibookstore, Kobo or Google Play

Let's Celebrate!

#BestOfTheWest Heroes and Book Release Party
Hosted by E.E. Burke and Angi Morgan
Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central
RSVP http://bit.ly/FugitiveHeartsParty

Chat with your favorite Western romance authors from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central. The all-star cast includes many of my former Best of the West guests: Kathleen Rice Adams, Rosanne Bittner, Linda Broday, B.J. Daniels, Becky Lower, Cindy Nord, Kirsten Osbourne, Kaki Warner and Beth Williamson.

Enter drawings to win books, gift cards and goodies, these generous authors are bringing to the party to help me celebrate my new release.

I'm starting the celebration a little early with a drawing for my GLIAS readers and a giveaway. Enter to win:

FREE on Amazon

1 signed copy, Her Bodyguard

1 signed copy, Passion's Prize

1 signed copy, A Dangerous Passion

You may download my debut novella, Kate's Outlaw, FREE on Amazon from Friday, July 25 to Tuesday, July 28. 

What historical sites have you visited that had a big impact on you, or inspired a story? 

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Happy Book Birthday!

Hi, folks! I'm soooooo excited to announce TODAY is the release of my next book, CHASING GOLD!

This story is so special to me for many reasons. I'll be sharing those with you later this weekend. Yes, that's right. You'll be able to share in my celebration all weekend! For today, I figured I'd share a little more information about the book with you:

Blurb:

Grace McKay spends most of her time alone trying to convince the world she’s strong enough and smart enough to become one of the best treasure hunters. According to the media, though, all she’s managed to prove is she’s a frigid, narrow-minded woman who doesn’t have a chance to succeed in her current hunt.

Simon Andrews is tired of being a glorified secretary for his family’s treasure hunting business.  As the youngest brother, he’s never had the chance to prove himself in the field, where his true interests lie.

 When Grace’s uncle hires Simon on a whim to assist her with the search for an ancient family heirloom, he comes up against a woman determined to accomplish her goal without his—or anyone’s—help. But Simon, although captivated by her passion for her quest and her beauty, will not relinquish his chance to prove both to the client and his brothers that he has the family gift for finding valuables where others have failed.

Grace, frigid? Simon is sure the media met the wrong woman. He’s in danger of bursting into flames every time they are alone together. As they get closer to finding the heirloom, though, their growing passion for one another may distract them from the very real danger that threatens their lives and their possible future together. Whatever that might mean.

Excerpt:

After sipping her tea, she picked up another piece of pastry. Midway to her mouth, she stopped. A tall, thin man, glasses clinging to the end of his nose, strode through the doorway and scanned the room. A loose-fitting, faded T-shirt covered his chest, and khaki shorts hung on his hips. Kind of thin and bony for her liking, although the soft shade of ginger hair with a hint of blond in it grabbed her attention. It reminded her of her favorite movie star. Both hands were inside his pockets.

With a crooked grin, he walked straight up to her table. “Grace McKay?”

“Yes. Can I help you?”            

He held out his long fingers. “I’m Simon Andrews.” He waited as if his name was supposed to mean something.

She didn’t shake his hand. “What can I do for you, Mr. Andrews?”

He lowered his arm. “Your uncle said you’d be helping me on my expedition here.” From his New England accent, he could only be American.

Uncle Thomas sent him? Of all the crappy things he’d done, this had to be the worst. Did he not believe in her enough to allow her to handle the job? She stood, gathering her papers. “My uncle was wrong. I don’t need any help with my expedition. Good-bye.” She shifted around him and started for the lobby. Studying her paperwork in her own room would suit her better.

“Ms. McKay, wait.” He grabbed her arm.

She froze. Every muscle tensed.

“I realize you want to help in the search, but your uncle hired me to—”

She tugged herself free. “I know what he hired you for, but I’m telling you, you’re fired.” As she stalked across the pub, many pairs of eyes stared at her, some wide in question, some narrowed. Who cared? She hadn’t done anything wrong.

“That’s not your call, sweetheart,” he said.

She jerked to a stop just inside the door and spun around, gritting her teeth. Andrews stood waiting, as cocky as could be, with his hands on his hips.

“First, I am not your sweetheart. Second, I don’t need a partner.”

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OKAY, like I said in the beginning I'll be here all weekend sharing stories about CHASING GOLD and its creation. Also, I'll be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and another treat or two to one commenter! So leave a comment today, tomorrow, Sunday or Monday (or one each day!) and YOU could be the winner! 

 

Alrighty! I'm off to celebrate with some friends. I'll see you tomorrow!