Meet Patience, Bride of Washington, from award-winning author Caroline Clemmons

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Travel to Victorian America in 1890 with award winning and bestselling Western Romance author Caroline Clemmons for a humorous novel about two people destined for one another after a turbulent getting acquainted period. This book is sweet and suitable for readers over 18.

After a fire destroys the factory where Patience Eaton worked followed by a succession of job failures, she travels from Massachusetts to Washington to marry the man her father chose via a matchmaker. While Andrew Kincaid appears to be a very nice man, he’s older than her father and not someone she wants to marry. Her prospective groom places her in a respectable boarding house and agrees to give her a job in the office of his commercial apple orchard so she can learn about his life and business. But working alongside her handsome future stepson presents unexpected complications.

Two years ago, an unjust accusation ruined Stone Kincaid’s chance at happiness. Now he concentrates all his energy on building the family business. When he meets his prospective stepmother, he’s angry that his father cares so little for his mother’s memory that he sent for a mail-order bride younger than Stone.  He believes Patience to be interested only in his father’s fortune. Stone plans to keep an eye on the attractive woman who’s slated to become his stepmother.  

Can two people working at cross purposes arrive at a compromise?

Here's an excerpt:

    The other boarders had gone to work and Mrs. Shaw and the woman who helped her were busy elsewhere in the house. The urge to pace the parlor almost overwhelmed Patience. Instead, she sat on the sofa and thought of all the questions she had for her fiancé.

    When Andrew saw her, his face broke into a wide smile. “Ah, you’re ready on time and look refreshing as the sunrise this morning. Shall we go?”

    She took his arm. “I’m looking forward to seeing your home and business.”

    He helped her into the buggy. As they drove through Destiny, Andrew pointed out businesses and homes of his friends. Soon they were out of town and she saw apple trees on either side of the road.

    “I’m fortunate to be here when the orchards are in bloom. Are these your trees?” she asked.

    “Kincaid Orchards begin at the upcoming crossroad. If you watch ahead on your right, you’ll see my home—soon to be yours, too—in a clearing. My first wife and I added on to it as we were able.”

    “I see it now.” Patience leaned forward and her heart leapt to her throat at the idea of living there.       “What a lovely house. Did you choose the color or did she?”

    The large two-story home of pale gray appeared finer than any she’d ever seen, even considering those in which she’d briefly worked. Black shutters framed the windows and bright white covered the other trim. As they drew closer, she could see the front door was dark red.

    Andrew chuckled. “I left all the decorating to her. You may change whatever you wish, of course. All I want is a comfortable place to enjoy with family.”

    “That’s kind and very generous of you. The outside is perfect as it is.”

    “You’ll find it’s a bit higgledy piggledy inside. Our son has a suite of rooms at one side so he has privacy.”

    “How old is he?’

    “Twenty-eight, and he’s a good-looking man if I do say so myself. He’s a hard worker, too. I’m lucky that he plans to take over the business when I retire. I’ve already let him have a good deal of control.”

    Patience knew she should say something but she was reeling from the news that her soon-to-be stepson was five years older than she. What an awkward arrangement. She wondered what he would think of his father and her marrying. She didn’t imagine he’d be pleased.

Meet Caroline

Caroline Clemmons is an Amazon bestselling and award winning author of historical and contemporary western romances. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, she has taught workshops on characterization, point of view, and layering a novel. 

Caroline and her husband live in the heart of Texas cowboy country with their menagerie of rescued pets. When she’s not indulging her passion for writing, Caroline enjoys family, reading, travel, antiquing, genealogy, painting, and getting together with friends. 

Caroline also has a series called Bride Brigade. JOSEPHINE has been released and OPHELIA and CASSANDRA will be out very soon. This is a series set in Tarnation, Texas. A wealthy young widow, tired of there being no young families in town, goes east to recruit suitable young women to come to Tarnation and marry. Another series with an early 2016 release is DANIEL, McCLINTOCKS BOOK 4.

Here's where you'll find more about Caroline's books. 

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E.E.: What interesting fact about your state or bride would you like to share with our readers?

Caroline: All my life I’ve heard that Washington apples were the best. I didn’t realize that the first commercial orchard in Washington was begun in 1870. I had to scramble to make my hero’s family fit the timeline to become successful commercial apple growers by 1890. Fortunately, my husband and I used to have a peach and apple orchard and I am familiar with some of the problems of growing fruit commercially.

E.E.: Is this book connected to other books in the series? In what way?

Caroline: Patience, my heroine, is the sister of Mercy, Bride of Idaho, by Jacquie Rogers. They hope to be able to send money to their parents to help with their younger brothers’ education. They also exchange correspondence with Roberta, Bride of  Wisconsin, by Kirsten Osbourne and Jessie, Bride of South Carolina, by Rose Gordon.

E.E.: What’s your favorite fairy tale?

Caroline: Beauty and the Beast. Except I don’t think the beast changed to a handsome prince—I think that Belle got to know him and saw him with her heart instead of her eyes.

E.E.: Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?

Caroline: My own Hero husband who is everything a hero should be except that he can’t dance—Tone deaf. Everyone is entitled to one fault, right?

E.E.: What is your biggest vice?

Caroline: Chocolate and Dr Pepper. That’s two vices, but I like them together.

E.E.: How is it working with hot guys and sexy women all day?

There is no better job in the world than being a romance writer except being a wife and mom.

E.E.: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?

Writing. When I try telling a story, my mind goes faster than my mouth and I appear to stutter as my mind is racing ahead. When writing, I go at my speed and can edit.

E.E.: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?

Caroline: I appreciate so much that you buy my books. Hearing from you gives me a real boost.

E.E.: What is your favorite tradition from your childhood that you would love to pass on or did pass on to your children?

Caroline: We have numerous Christmas traditions we observe, such as reading the Biblical Christmas story before we open gifts, setting up the tree immediately after Thanksgiving, and using ornaments that have special meaning. One that our youngest daughter originated is giving a small gift in each person’s stocking. She started that when she learned who really filled the stockings. She said that wasn’t fair because I knew what I was getting, so that Christmas, she put a gift she’d saved for months into my stocking. Now we each do a small gift for everyone else’s stocking.

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

Caroline: I would most like to invite Pearl Parker Kincaid from THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE because she embodies qualities I admire.

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

Caroline: I read reviews occasionally. If several people mentioned the same thing disturbed them, then I would definitely pay attention. I’m always happy for good reviews, sad at bad ones. Reviews are important to an author and many places require a certain number of 4 and 5 star reviews to before an author can advertise that book.  

E.E.: What are the next five books on your ‘to be read’ pile?

Caroline: Books by Geri Foster, Jane Ann Krentz, Debra Holland, Kirsten Osbourne, and Christine Baker Kline.

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

Caroline: I grew up listening to my father (who was almost old enough to have been my great-grandfather) tell stories about his family coming to Texas from Georgia and some of the events in their lives. Daddy was an excellent storyteller and made history come alive. I believe that’s why I love writing books set in Texas between 1870 -1889. However, I also write contemporary romance and will be writing more of them in 2016.

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

Caroline: My book is set in Washington state, which I drew from a list. I wanted to choose something for the plot that would be indicative of the state, so I chose a hero whose family has a commercial apple orchard. The heroine is from Massachusetts and I wanted her being a mail-order bride to be a bit different, so I had her father write for her to a well-to-do groom. She likes the man she thinks is to be her groom, but feels he’s too old for her. She’s quite taken with his son, which horrifies her because she believes she will be this man’s stepmother. He has the same reaction to his attraction to her. This causes some fun scenes in the book.

Today, Caroline will give away a print copy and an e-copy of PATIENCE, BRIDE OF WASHINGTON. Just answer the question and enter the drawing.

What resolution do you have for this New Year? Are books involved?

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Get lost in a new Christmas read: Santa's Mail-Order Bride

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Available through Kindle Unlimited

Maggie has an unexpected suitor—in a red suit. 

Schoolteacher Maggie O’Brien comes home for Christmas on a mission: to gather toys for orphans living on poor farms in southeastern Kansas. She's made her list, but there's no Santa in sight. Not until a local shopkeeper volunteers his services.

Gordon Sumner sets his mind on winning the black-haired Irish beauty, but Maggie’s brother is his fiercest competitor and O’Brien’s loyal sister gives him the cold shoulder. Undaunted, he comes up with a clever plan.

Maggie sees through the fake Santa’s ploy; but with Christmas just around the corner, she’s running out of time to make the holiday happy for needy children. She accepts his help—with a plan of her own. She’ll play matchmaker and find her persistent suitor the perfect bride.

Here's an exclusive excerpt... 

In the face of Sum's persistent wooing, Maggie hatches a plan to help him advertise for a bride...

She fished out a folded sheet of paper and a pencil from a serviceable leather bag she’d placed on the counter. “I took the liberty of working on the advertisement…”

Sum poured tea into two cups. He unbuttoned the front of his tweed coat and took the neighboring stool. Seeing as she wouldn’t be dissuaded, he would play along. “Can’t wait to hear what you’ve come up with.”

Maggie’s attention remained on the paper. She smoothed it out on the counter and studied it, almost too intently. Annoying, how she refused to look at him. He could make her notice.

With his forefinger, he smoothed a silken strand away from her face. The touch drew a reprimanding look, which softened at his smile.

“You take too many liberties.” She scolded in a voice too soft for her to be put out.

“Do I?” He considered taking more, such as drawing her to him and kissing her thoroughly. But then she would accuse him of violating his promise and that would give her a convenient way out. No, he had to remain patient. Seduce her by inches, not yards.

Without apology, he picked up his cup and took a drink. He’d work with her on this silly advertisement and in the process make her admit she was his perfect match. At least, that was the plan. His biggest worry—his plans, like his father’s, had a way of going awry. He wouldn’t allow that to happen this time. “Read what you’ve written so far.”

“Successful merchant in fast-growing Western community seeks educated young woman with exemplary reputation for purposes of marriage. Applicant must be willing to work long days and will need patience—”

He laughed, nearly spitting his tea, and set down the cup. “Patience? Am I that trying?

“You didn’t let me finish. Will need patience with children.” She glanced at him with a wry smile. “I assume you’ll want children, and your wife will need patience if you expect her to work in a store and look after them.”

Her assumption would’ve been wrong a mere few weeks ago. “Children? When did I start wanting those?”

“I don’t know.” Maggie searched his eyes, as if she’d find an answer there. She would if she looked very hard. “Have you been married before? Did you have other children?”

“Never married. No children.” None that he knew of, and he’d been careful.

“Was it after you agreed to play Santa?”

“That decision had nothing to do with children, entirely selfish; I wanted to wear the red robe.” He loved the little flutter and eye roll she did when he made a joke.

“Maybe it was after you met Fannie?”

“Your niece’s bluntness endeared her to me, but no, it had to be after I met you.”

“Ah, because I’m a schoolteacher.” Maggie sidestepped his blatant admission with admirable dexterity. She must be practicing at home.

Undaunted, Sum gazed into her eyes. This close, he could see they weren’t black, but a deep, rich brown, the way he liked his coffee. “What about how she looks?”

Maggie’s lips parted like she might say something, but forgot what it was. She jerked her attention to the sheet of paper on the counter. “You mean to say, you want an attractive bride. We can add that. Remember, the personal advertisements run forty words. It’ll cost you extra for every word thereafter.”

“We’re not to forty words yet.” Didn’t matter, at any rate. By the time he finished listing his requirements, there would be no question in her mind as to which bride he wanted.

She sighed, and picked up the pencil. “I haven’t even gotten to the part about you.”

“I like what you wrote about me being a successful merchant.” That’s what he wanted her to believe, and it would be so, once he’d cleared his debts. He saw no reason to enlighten her as to his current financial instability. She might let something slip. Not to hurt him, but because she seemed to think her brother would qualify as a saint.

She bent over the paper and scribbled something. “The difficulty in writing a personal advertisement is effectively selling yourself while remaining completely honest.”

Sum leaned in and inhaled her scent. “Honest, yes… You smell of peppermint.”

Maggie glanced at him with alarm and slanted away. She reached into a pocket on her jacket. “I forgot I had these in here. Would you like one?”

He plucked a red and white candy out of her palm. “Thank you. I love peppermints.”

“You do? They’re my favorite.”

“Mine, too.” They’d become his favorite ever since he’d started associating the smell with Maggie. Who knew candy could be so provocative? He would keep a jar in their bedroom. “Include that in the advertisement. Favorite candy must be peppermint.”

From E.E. Burke

Santa's Mail-Order Bride follows characters introduced in Victoria, Bride of Kansas, released yesterday. I'm one of those readers who wants to finish a book one day and buy the sequel the next. I figured other readers might be like that, too, so I'm releasing these books back-to-back.

Where did Santa originate? When did he acquire a bride? These were questions I wondered about as I was writing this story.  

I did some research on Santa's evolution in America, and what I learned was very interesting. 

Santa Claus made the transition from saint to jolly old St. Nick over a relatively short period. Actually, he started out as a real person (born in the 3rd century in what is modern-day Turkey). 

Nicholas spent his fortune helping the needy, especially children, and he became a saint. Saint Nicholas Day was actually Dec. 6 and was celebrated for centuries all over Europe. 

It appears he immigrated to America during the late 18th century as Sinterklauss, and soon became Santa Claus. He established more familiar habits during the 19th century, thanks to a poem--An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas" (or The Night Before Christmas, as we know it), written by a clergyman for his daughter. The poem refers to Santa's sleigh and reindeer and his curious habit of chimney hopping. 

Artist Thomas Nast drew more than 33 images of Santa for Harper's Weekly. 

Nast established Santa's residence (North Pole), his more familiar red suit, his elves and his workshop. Along the way, Santa picked up a wife, although she wasn't nearly as well known.

By the time the 20th century rolled around, the jolly old elf had grown into a larger-than-life, sack-toting gift-giver whose love for children was the stuff of legend. 

In 1922, Santa posed for Norman Rockwell and appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post. By the 1930s, Santa was advertising for Coca-Cola. His place in American culture was firmly established. 

More images and inspiration for Santa's Mail-Order Bride can be found on my Pinterest page.

For my story, which is set in 1893, I peered into the annuals of history and found that Christmas parades had already become popular by this time.

In fact, department store Santas purportedly started at Macy's in New York in the early 1860s. Other merchants across the country were quick to follow in this successful storeowner's footsteps and Santa Claus was soon spotted on Main Streets across America.

Santa's Cookies!

Last cookie recipe. You'll notice I'm posting recipes the way I received them. Some are handwritten, like this one, with notes on the side. I'm sure you've gotten a few that way. 

Every year, our daughters go to Grandma's house for a day of baking. We treasure these times. Maybe you can start a new tradition, or add to an old one. 
My mother-in-law learned to bake using a wood-burning stove. She learned by watching her mother. Over the years, she's written down family recipes, or gotten recipes from friends (like this one), which came from a lady who has since passed away. This makes the best sugar cookies for decorating. You just roll out the dough and cut with your favorite cookie cutters. 

These are so pretty when you decorate them. Santa will be sure to appreciate them!

Through Dec. 25, I'm holding a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card, or an eBook set of my two Christmas stories. Just leave a comment and enter the drawing below. You'll earn extra chances by signing up for my newsletter, tweeting about the giveaway and liking my Facebook page.

Find other books by E.E. Burke

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We all have familiar images in our mind of Santa Clause. Which of these images is most familiar (and beloved) to you, and why?

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