E.E. Burke's Best of the West: My new release Lawless Hearts ends the Steam! series with a bang!

Now on Amazon

The Pinkerton & the Outlaw

In my new release, Lawless Hearts, a female Pinkerton detective and an Irish-Cherokee outlaw work together to find a missing agent and become entangled in a net of corruption, crime...and murder. It’s a tale of daring deception, pulse-pounding suspense, and sizzling romance, all in a Western setting that is as authentic as it is wild. 

The entire series is rooted in historical events that follow the expansion of the railroad across the American West and features numerous secondary characters from the pages of history. For my heroine, I took inspiration from the history of the Pinkerton Agency and the country’s first female detective.

A woman who made history

In 1856, a young 20-something woman named Kate Warne answered an advertisement for detectives posted by Allan Pinkerton to fill his fledgling agency. According to Pinkerton’s records, she convinced its progressive founder that women could be “most useful in worming out secrets in many places which would be impossible for a male detective.” Her arguments and determination impressed Pinkerton and he hired her over the objection of his brother Robert, who was also a partner in the business. Thus Warne became the first female private detective in the United States. 

Warne was an excellent private investigator and acted undercover, infiltrating social gatherings and events. During the Civil War, she was instrumental in saving Lincoln from the first assassination attempt. She wore disguises and changed her accent at will and became a huge asset for the agency. Later, Pinkerton hired other females and appointed Warne as Supervisor of Female Detectives. 

Two opposites defy historical norms

In Lawless Hearts, Brigit Stevens is modeled after the young female detectives mentored by Kate Warne. These were women who defied cultural norms and broke down societal barriers. In that sense, they were truly “lawless” in their pursuit of justice. 

The outlaw Brigit chooses as a temporary partner is one of my favorite characters in this series. Over the course of three books, readers have seen him evolve into a complex, contradictory character whose conscience undergoes intense reconstruction. He isn’t the devil presented on the Wanted posters, but he doesn’t perceive himself as a hero. In fact, he’s confused when Brigit treats him like one. But her determination to reform him inspires Jasper to consider changing his ways. 

After spending most of his life on the wrong side of the law, he takes Brigit up on her offer to join her on the right side. Unfortunately, there are some who have the law on their side and are using it for nefarious purposes, and they have Brigit and Jasper in the crosshairs.

Here's a short book trailer:

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Have you read the Steam! series? Do you have a favorite character? Who is it, and why? If not, who is your favorite literary detective?

If you haven’t read the series, you can get started with Her Bodyguard for free if you sign up now for my newsletter on my website: www.eeburke.com

As a special offer, I’ll also give away a copy of Fugitive Hearts, which sets the stage for Lawless Hearts. Leave a comment below and enter the Rafflecopter. I’ll draw a winner Friday.

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Halloween Special: Death Rituals in the Old West

For my novel Fugitive Hearts, I had to research the subject of death and mourning rituals during the 19th century. I found the history and superstitions fascinating and thought you might, too. Read on to find out more.

When Mourning became an industry

After Prince Albert died in 1861 and the Queen of England set a new standard for bereavement, society on both sides of the Atlantic took on mourning with a vengeance. That same year, the American Civil War began, and death on a massive scale touched communities and families north and south. Mourning became a central fact of wartime life. After the war, death continued to be ritualized. During an age when there were customs for every aspect of life, there were also elaborate rituals to observe after death—starting with what to wear.

Social decorum demanded that family members adjust their behavior and clothing for six months to a year after the death of a close relative. All clothing, even underwear and accessories like gloves and handkerchiefs, had to be black. Thus, mourning attire became a society-wide necessity. Catalogs and stores advertised them. In fact, mourning apparel became the first type of clothing to be purchased "off the rack." 

At home, a wreath of laurel, yew or boxwood tied with crepe or black ribbons hung on the front door to alert passersby that a death had occurred. Black crepe covered windows, mirrors, and pictures. Guests coming by to pay respects would be greeted by mourners and served “funeral biscuits” – small cakes wrapped in white paper sealed with black sealing wax. 

The parlor was called the “death room” when a coffin was on display. The body of the deceased was watched over every minute until burial, hence the custom of “waking.” The wake also served as a safeguard from burying someone who might not happen to be dead. 

And those weren't the most unusual rituals...

Hair Memorabilia

Jewelry and art made from the hair of loved ones became all the rage during this era when mourning was elevated to an art form. 

Everything from brooches to watch fobs to elaborate works of art was made from human hair. 

Locally, in Kansas City, Leila's hair museum features thousands of examples of this custom, which reached its zenith in the Victorian era. It's truly amazing...and more than little bizarre.  

Memento Mori

Another grim custom was photographs of the dead. 

These images were marketed as treasured mementoes. One can understand why when you consider how photography was just getting started as a business and getting photographs made was expensive. The death photo--or memento mori--might be the only image they had of their loved one. 

In many cases, the photograph was "staged" -- that is, the child is featured with living siblings and family members or with beloved dolls and toys. 

In some cases, they used elaborate systems to prop up the dead person, then painted eyes on the image to make it look as if they are still alive. 

Mourning merchandise

Less creepy, but just as strange is the industry of mourning merchandise. 

Shrewd companies sold everything from buttons to pins that were used during the official mourning period. Everything had to be black and couldn't be shiny (until later in the mourning period)

In fact, mourning became such a big money-maker, people went into the business of becoming "professional mourners." 

I guess if your acting career didn't take off on the stage, you could always show up at funerals.

Tear Catchers

Made popular during the Civil War, this item was generally worn on a chain. 

Lachrymatories (as they were called) were usually made from decorative glass vials about an inch or two long with a stopper at one end. 

A woman whose beau or husband was off at war would "store" her tears in it.  If he returned, she could empty it. If he didn't, she would display it as a demonstration of her continued devotion.

Coffin Alarms

Another curious and widespread concern in the nineteenth century was the fear of being buried alive. Even Mary Todd Lincoln, a relatively well-to-do, well-educated woman, shared in her final instructions: "I desire that my body shall remain for two days with the lid not screwed down.'"

The fear of a loved one being buried alive inspired coffin makers to design warning systems such as a bell on the grave which was connected by a chain to the inside of the coffin in cases of premature burial. Thus the expression: “Saved by the bell.”

You'll find some of these customs featured in my book Fugitive Hearts, Book 4 in the series, Steam! Romance and Rails

Is she a grieving widow or a heartless killer?

Everyone in Parsons, Kansas, considers hotel owner Claire Daines a respectable, decent woman. Until she shocks the entire town when she rushes into a saloon in her nightclothes to confess to an inebriated lawman. “Sheriff, I shot my husband.”

Is it an accident, as she claims? Or is it murder? As Sheriff Frank Garrity unravels the widow’s subterfuge, the truth will challenge his notions about law and justice and force him to make a choice between desire and duty. 

This passionate Western romance follows a suspenseful chase along the historic Katy Railway, where a skeptical lawman learns an unexpected truth and a lesson about love.

Start reading Fugitive Hearts today!

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Steam! Special Edition: Fugitive Hearts from bestselling author E.E. Burke

Book 4, Steam! Romance and Rails

A lawman is determined to discover the simple truth. Justice--and love--are far more complicated.

Everyone in Parsons, Kansas, considers hotel owner Claire Daines a respectable, decent woman. Until she shocks the entire town when she rushes into a saloon in her nightclothes to confess to an inebriated lawman. “Sheriff, I shot my husband.” 

Is it an accident, as she claims? Or murder? 

As Sheriff Frank Garrity unravels the evasive widow’s subterfuge, the truth will challenge his notions about justice. The tough, uncompromising sheriff must choose between his desire to protect Claire and his duty to uphold the law.

This evocative Western romance takes readers back to Kansas in the 1870s on a wild chase for two fugitives, who inspire one man's hope for a second chance.

Buy Fugitive Hearts

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.

Your stories are part of a series titled “Steam!” Does that mean they are “steamy” with lots of sex?

Let me start by saying that I write sex scenes if they fit with the storyline. I don’t do it just to titillate or fit some formula. I knew from the start that the books in this series would have sex scenes because the relationships that develop between the main characters are visceral and physical, as well as emotional. But I try to write it so that the scene is passionate not just sexual. The scene in Fugitive Hearts between Claire, who has been neglected and abused and has never experienced true physical passion, and Frank, who has withheld physical gratification from himself for so long as a kind of penance, is one of the best sex scenes I’ve ever written because it delves into the needs and vulnerabilities of these characters, as well as their strong attraction to each other. These two lonely souls, who carry around a lot of guilt over past failures, find themselves in opposition to each other, and at the same time, find solace with one another. Their struggle to heal and find peace with each other and with themselves is, I believe, one of tenderest stories I’ve written.

What is the historical setting for this book?

Fugitive Hearts takes place in 1873, during a period of transition, when the country fell into an economic depression and the Katy Railroad experienced numerous business failures, mostly due to the greedy, unethical people in charge. This book shifts its focus to the Henry’s sister Claire and the sheriff in Parsons, both of whom appeared in A Dangerous Passion. Another character who played a small role in that book, an outlaw named Jasper Byrnes, becomes more important in this book for reasons I can’t tell you without spoilers. Historically, this is the period when train robberies started in earnest—spurred on by a combination of the toxic effects of post-war violence and economic pressures. But’s it’s not only the outlaws who are crooked! 

After this, will you write more books in the series?

I’m currently working on book five, Lawless Hearts. It basically picks up where Fugitive Hearts leaves off. Right now, I envision six books in this series altogether. If readers want more, I’ll probably write more!

Steam! Romance and Rails New Edition. More adventure. More suspense. More romance. In a series you don’t want to miss. www.eeburke.com

A theme running through Fugitive Hearts is second chances. For the main characters, Claire and Frank, the orphan Billy, even the outlaw Jasper. Can you think of any books or movies you’ve seen lately that address this theme well? Do you enjoy "second chance" stories? Why?  

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Steam! Special Edition: A Dangerous Passion from bestselling author E.E. Burke

Book 3, Steam Romance and Rails 

She writes about villains and heroes. Then meets a man who might be both.

Lucy Forbes heads West to help her father with a difficult assignment—one that pits him against a railroad executive reputed to be as treacherous as he is charming. She anticipates having adventure, even dangerous thrills, to add to the stories she writes. What she doesn’t expect is how quickly she gets caught up in a deadly mystery.

Henry Stevens is more than ambitious. He’s an intense, driven man, guided by principles forged during an impoverished childhood. His carefully laid plan for success takes a sharp turn when an investigation is launched against him. Suddenly, he is fighting for his job and his life. It’s not the ideal time to become embroiled in a tumultuous, passionate relationship, especially with an inquisitive writer, who pens tales about heroism and high ideals. Astonishingly, she expects him to live up to them. Even more surprising, he wants to.

Inspired by a true events, this fiery Western romance takes readers to the southwestern frontier in the 1870s, a time of triumphs and travails for the Katy Railroad and the driven man who stakes his future--and his life--on it. 

Buy A Dangerous Passion

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.

Your main character is based on a real person. Who is the “real” Henry Stevens?

His name was Robert S. Stevens. They called him “Colonel Stevens.” Described as a man with “dark flashing eyes and a meticulous style of dress,” he was a larger-than-life persona in the history of the Katy Railroad. In 1870, “the Colonel” was brought in by Katy president Judge Levi Parsons to build a railroad empire that would stretch from Chicago all the way down to Mexico City. The Katy’s birth and impressive growth is largely attributable to Robert Stevens, who took a “never surrender” approach to just about everything he attempted. Many of the events in this book are based on exploits written about this fascinating man and the railroad he built.

Are there other historical events woven into the story?

Oh yes. Another historical tidbit featured in A Dangerous Passion is a series of mysterious murders that took place near Parsons, Kansas. From a period stretching between 1871 and early 1873, numerous travelers through southeastern Kansas were reported missing. There were theories as to what happened to them, including one rumor that the railroads were to blame for their disappearance.

When a well-known doctor went missing, his brother, a U.S. Senator, tore through the area on a frantic search. Authorities ultimately discovered nearly a dozen bodies buried in a field behind a cabin that doubled as a wayside inn, serving meals to travelers. I won’t tell you who was to blame (spoiler!). You’ll have to read A Dangerous Passion to find out.

What is your personal favorite book in this series?

That’s a tough question to answer. I love all of them. Though I’ll admit that this book does hold a special place in my heart. Henry starts out in the series as what appears to be a ladder-climbing opportunist. Then we get to know him a little better and we see there’s more to him. We discover what drives him and what makes him vulnerable, and, ultimately, what makes him so lovable...and so heartbreakingly sad. He’s a man who has lost touch with himself. A proverbial Beast who has forgotten his true nature.

Oh, and this cover! When I first started working on A Dangerous Passion, I pinned some images to my Pinterest board for inspiration.

Check out the one I pinned for Henry... 

Wow. The cover model is a dead ringer, right? 

No, I didn't pay Richard Armitage to pose for my cover, but if this book ever gets made into a movie, I know who I'll be asking to play the lead role!

Join me on Tuesday, July 27 for facts about Book 4, Fugitive Hearts.

In a sense, A Dangerous Passion is a Western fairytale. The beast is transformed. A prince is revealed. It’s no coincidence that the heroine is an aspiring author whose favorite books are 19th century romantic adventures. Can you think of other books you've read that are inspired by fairy tales?

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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Steam! New Edition: Her Bodyguard from bestselling author E.E. Burke

 

Book 1 in the Series Steam! Romance and Rails

An unredeemable man. An unstoppable woman. Will love be powerful enough to save them? 

As a wanted man, Buck O'Connor must guard his secrets when he returns to Kansas to see his brand of justice served. Then Fate—or a darker force—puts him in the path of a wealthy widow at an opportune moment. In the middle of a cutthroat railroad construction race to reach the Kansas border.

For investor Amy Langford, the contest isn’t about riches. She’s driven by her father’s dreams and haunted by his death. Now, someone wants her dead. Is it rioting settlers? Underhanded competitors? She needs a protector who isn’t involved in the race, but is stronger than her enemies...and more cunning.

Buck agrees to be her bodyguard, yet he hides his real purpose for getting close to her. A purpose that could destroy the remarkable woman who is destined to redeem him.

A thrilling Western romance set against the backdrop of a no-holds-barred railroad race across Kansas in 1870. With twists and turns that raise the stakes all the way to the end. 

Buy Her Bodyguard

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. Find more about her books at www.eeburke.com.

Why did you release a new edition of this series? And this book, in particular? 

Seriously, that cover...right? No (ha ha) It's not just that awesome cover. I also went back and tweaked and revised to make it a more compelling read. The story is essentially the same. 

Would you call this a Western romance?

Technically, historical Western romance. The story is based on true events and even features numerous historical characters. It has a strong suspense element, there's plenty of action, and the passion that ignites between Buck and Amy produces enough steam to power a train.

What is the historical setting?

A great construction race between two railroads in 1870 that sparked settlers’ riots across Kansas. When I first started researching, I found surprisingly little written about this fascinating event that involved equally fascinating characters, many of whom make an appearance in my books. One, in particular, is Octave Chanute, a brilliant French-born engineer who built the first railroad bridge over the Missouri River, then went on to help the Wright Brothers learn to fly. 

The actual race had all the makings of a great epic: crooked politics, underhanded investors, angry mobs, liars, cheats and killers. It wasn’t difficult to craft a tale around the colorful characters who appeared in historical accounts. My challenge was developing primary characters as compelling as the supporting cast. Once again, I dove into the history books. The fiercely independent Kansas women who championed suffrage and equal rights served as models for Amy. The tough-as-nails, troubled survivors of Missouri’s guerrilla war gave me inspiration for Buck.

I hope readers enjoy this glimpse into an exciting era in America’s history. Although that time is far behind us, it left an indelible mark that helped shape our country into who and what we are today.

Come back next Tuesday to learn more about Book Three and the man who built the Katy Railroad. He was my inspiration for the main character, who could be a villain, a hero--or both.

At its heart, Her Bodyguard is a redemption story. Can you think of any books you’ve read recently that featured a hero who needed redeeming? What it is about these characters that draws you to them?

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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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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The Perfect Dress from New York Times Bestselling Author Carolyn Brown

A plus-size Texas gal has designs on an old crush in New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s exuberant, bighearted romance.

In the small town of Celeste, Texas, Mitzi Taylor has never quite fit inside the lines. Nearly six feet tall, flame-haired, and with a plus-size spirit to match every curve, she’s found her niche: a custom wedding-dress boutique catering to big brides-to-be with big dreams. Taking the plunge alongside her two best friends, she’s proud they’ve turned The Perfect Dress into a perfect success.

Just when Mitzi has it all pulled together, Graham Harrison walks back into her life, looking for bridesmaid dresses for his twin daughters. A still-strapping jock whose every gorgeous, towering inch smells like aftershave, the star of all Mitzi’s high school dreams is causing quite a flush.

For Mitzi, all it takes is a touch to feel sparks flitting around her like fireflies. She can just imagine what a kiss could do. Graham’s feeling it, too. And he’s about to make that imagination of Mitzi’s run wild. Is it just a hot summer fling, or are Mitzi’s next designs for herself and seeing her own dreams come true?

Here's an excerpt:

    “Men! Can’t live with ‘em, and if we shot 'em all, we’d be out of business,” Mitzi grumbled as she entered the back door of the custom wedding dress shop that she owned with her friends Jody and Paula.

    “Ain’t it the truth.” Jody adjusted her beaded headband, and filled three cups with herbal tea. She threw her long blonde braids over her shoulder. “Some days I could poison Lyle.”

    “And yet, if anyone else even mentioned that, you’d burn them at the stake.” Paula picked up a cup of tea and carried it to the table. She’d gotten her dark hair and dark eyes from her Texas mother, but all the superstition came straight from her Louisiana father. She waved a hand over the cup three times before she tasted it. At thirty-five, she’d never been married, but then technically, neither had any one of them. Jody had lived with Lyle since they’d graduated from high school, but they rejected the tradition of a marriage license.

    Jody’s brown eyes flashed. “Oh, honey I wouldn’t waste gasoline or wood to burn anyone. I grow my own food, remember? I’d poison the tomatoes, and it would look like whoever bad-mouthed my boyfriend had had a heart attack. And you don’t have to do that with your tea. I wouldn’t dream of poisoning you.”

    At almost six feet tall and fitting into a size eighteen jeans, Mitzi had learned to be comfortable in her skin but not until she was an adult. Before that she’d endured lots of bullying about her size. Of course today it came rushing back, all over a wisecrack a man made in the tiny little pastry shop on Main Street in Celeste, Texas.

    “Dammit!” she swore. “I forgot to bring in the doughnuts. I’ll be right back.”

    Someone must’ve forgotten to inform the people who made calendars that in East Texas, summer didn’t wait until the last days of June. The official day was still three weeks away, but that day in May the weatherman said it would reach three digits. Mitzi’s dad had joked that he’d already seen a few lizards carrying canteens.

    Sweat beads had formed on Mitzi’s upper lip by the time she returned. She set the box on the table and grabbed a paper towel to dab at her face. But before she could get the job done, her maternal grandmother, Fanny Lou, slipped into the back door. Mitzi’s dad had bought the house for them to put their business in, but Fannie Lou had given them the seed money for fabrics, new sewing machines and the separate air conditioning unit for the dressing room. She refused to be called a partner, but she loved to drop in at any old time. Not that Mitzi minded. After being away for so many years, she loved to have her grandmother around, not matter what time of day it was.

    Fanny Lou wasn’t quite as tall as Mitzi, unless she was wearing her cowboy boots. Her bright red hair sat on top of her head in a messy bun that looked somewhat like she’d stuck her finger in a light socket. Set in a bed of wrinkles, her bright blue eyes always twinkled behind wire rimmed glasses. That day she was dressed in bibbed overalls, a faded red T-shirt and her signature boots. She set a paper bag filled with tomatoes and cucumbers on the table.

    “Hotter’n the devil’s pitchfork out there. I brought y’all some stuff from my neighbor’s garden. Lord knows, I can’t eat all that and if I could, I wouldn’t. Old women like me don’t have to eat their vegetables. They can eat doughnuts when they want.” She sniffed the air. “I smell coffee.”

Purchase The Perfect Dress:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YmVsHu

B&N: https://bit.ly/2SMXvkb

Meet Carolyn

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher’s Weekly and #1 Amazon and #1 Washington Post bestselling author and a RITA finalist. With more than 90 books on the market, she’s a recipient of the Bookseller’s Best Award, and the prestigious Montlake Diamond Award, and also a three-time recipient of the National Reader’s Choice Award.

Carolyn and her husband live in the small town of Davis, Oklahoma, where everyone knows everyone else, as well as what they’re doing and when—and they read the local newspaper on Wednesday to see who got caught. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.

When she’s not writing, Carolyn likes to sit in plot new stories in her backyard with her tom cat, Boots Randolph Terminator Outlaw, and watch him protect the yard from all kinds of wicked varmints like crickets, locusts, and spiders. Visit her at www.carolynbrownbooks.com.

Follow Carolyn:

Website: https://bit.ly/2TtQUeI

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecarolynbrown

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2FApe47

FB (Author’s Page): https://bit.ly/2GZ2HAz

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YmVsHu

B&N: https://bit.ly/2SMXvkb

Thank you so much for inviting me back to Get Lost in a Story! I love getting to visit with all y’all! I’ve got coffee in one hand and a doughnut in the other one so bring on the questions.

E.E.: Who is your favorite villain?

Carolyn: That would have to be Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind, but if we’re talking about television series, it would be Boyd Crowder in Justified. By the time that series ended I wasn’t sure which I liked better, the hero or the villain.

E.E.: Is there a “Blooper” in your story (it may have been changed before printing)?

Carolyn: Not in The Perfect Dress, but there was surely one in one of my previous books. The hero had this pet duck that followed him around. In the story the duck waddled up the stairs, and I bought an “i” instead of a “u”. Y’all can figure out exactly what waddled up the stairs. I was glad for a good editor.

E.E.: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?

Carolyn: I always say that I’m going to take a whole week off and clean my house, but after the office is cleaned, it seems a shame not to use it, so I start plotting the next book.  But in all honesty, after I write THE END, I take a deep breath and give thanks that I met my deadline!

E.E.: If you could interview one person (and it doesn’t have to be a writer) who would it be?

Carolyn: My great-great-great-great-great grandmother Martha Cummins. I’ve been told my whole life that she came to the United States from Ireland and married a Native American, but my DNA test showed that I didn’t have an ounce of Native American blood. So I’d like to ask her about her husband. Wait just a minute while I go write this idea down for a future book about a heroine who doesn’t believe her DNA test!

E.E.: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?

Carolyn: Probably to Ireland.  I’ve always been intrigued about that place. Maybe it’s that DNA test calling me home to where my roots really started.

Today, Carolyn  will give away a signed copy of The Perfect Dress. Just leave a comment and enter the raffle.

Do you recall your wedding dress? What did you love about it? 
If not yours, someone else's.

Thank you for having me again, and thanks so much for the folks who asked questions. 

Join me on my Author’s FB page today from 11 to 12 central standard time if you have anymore questions!!

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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.”

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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.

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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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