My first visit to Deadwood, South Dakota last summer
was during Wild Deadwood Reads, a newer reader/author conference unique from
any other in that the events are set up to be enjoyed by readers and authors
together.
We’re coming up on the second annual WDR June 7-10, 2018 up in
Deadwood and if you’d like to learn more, we’d love to have you join us!
While there, we attended together (authors &
readers) the PBR Rodeo Velocity Tour and inspiration struck one of our own here
at GLIAS. Elisabeth Burke came up with the idea to gather together authors to
write short stories set in Deadwood (contemporary or historical) and donate all
net proceeds from the eBook & Print books to the Western Sports Foundation.
An organization that picks up with support when traditional means end in health
insurance for those that risk life and limb on the rodeo circuit.
It’s taken a great deal of blood, sweat, and tears,
but the idea has taken on a life of its own and with the support not only of
its best-selling authors, but the Western Sports Foundation, the PBR and all
the rodeo fans and readers out there, it’s sure to continue to benefit this
very worthy cause!
Official website: http://bit.ly/DeadwoodTales
My humble contribution to this wonderful anthology
that I am proud to be involved in is called ONCE UPON A DEADWOOD DREAM. It’s a contemporary
western with a decided paranormal twist and (spoiler alert) the hero and
heroine do ultimately cross over into my contemporary western romance, WORTH
THE WAIT—next in my Last Hope Ranch series.
Once Upon a Deadwood Dream (in Wild Deadwood Tales
anthology)
Sometimes
to find your future you must face the past. Searching for clues to her
great-great-grandmother’s her past, Crystal Lake finds love in the unexpected
form of Hunter McCoy, a Deadwood street actor, portraying Wild Bill Hickok. But
when a deadly twist of fate threatens the budding new romance, Crystal must
rely on the past to hold on to her future.
Excerpt:
Each of the acting troupe went around the saloon
room and introduced themselves. There were all varieties of personalities, he
noted, but his instincts kicked in high when it came to one man in particular.
“Name’s Travis Cole. I play the man who murders
you—the infamous Jack McCall.”
A round of boos went up from the group, followed by
a smattering of laughter and nudges toward the man.
Hunter glanced at Anton. Teasing or not he didn’t
care for the cocky tone in the Travis’s voice. Maybe that’s because Hunter
understood what it meant to kill another person. Being cocky about it hadn’t
been part of his training. “I’ll try not to hold that against you,” Hunter
joked, then his gaze drifted to the pretty woman standing next to him. She was
likely in her mid to late twenties, maybe, with a body made for sin and
snapping dark brown eyes that captivated his attention.
He also noted how
quickly Travis dropped his arm over her shoulder in a typical possessive move.
He tried not to smile at the gesture, focusing instead on the woman’s reaction.
She stepped forward and held out her hand in greeting, breaking the contact.
Hunter couldn’t say why that pleased him.
“Crystal Lake,” she said, with a firm grip of his
hand.
“That’s a lovely name,” he commented politely.
“Oh, that’s the stage name I’ve taken as the saloon
girl, my full name is Crystal Lake Holmes.”
“Still…lovely.” Hunter released her hand slowly, not
taking his gaze from hers.
“She’s the granddaughter of Agnes Lake,” Sally,
another member of the troupe piped up.
The dark-haired woman shot a look of warning to her
friend, giving time for Hunter to take in how well the faded grey t-shirt and
equally worn to holes jeans the woman named Crystal wore. She tugged unconsciously
at the hem of her shirt, stretching out the logo for Cheyenne Frontier Days on
its front.
“Is that so?” Hunter smiled, enjoying how her cheeks
pinked a bit with a pretty blush. Just the same, it appeared to him after a few
short moments that this was a no-nonsense type of woman. That wasn’t going to
bode well, he thought for poor Travis.
As you can see, Crystal has all the qualities of
being a cowgirl at heart! (Hunter sure thinks so!!)
Enter via comment, what about YOU that makes you a cowgirl at
heart for your chance to win a signed copy of Wild Deadwood Tales, a “cowgirl
at heart” bangle bracelet and a beautiful sunset infinity scarf.
*Be sure to include your email info so I can contact you!
**One winner
chosen form comments will be announced on Sunday right here at GLIAS!! Good
luck!
Big Thunder Gold Mine
Crazy Horse Monument
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