E.E. Burke's Best of the West with Bestselling Author Becky Lower

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New York City, 1862

Beautiful Pepper Fitzpatrick Brown’s heart is broken when her husband, Michael, is killed on the bloody battlefield at Manassas. One of the first casualties of the Civil War, Michael’s death has left Pepper raising three small boys on her own—and trying to live without the man she believed she’d grow old with. Honoring Michael’s memory, she volunteers at the MacDougall Army Hospital in the Bronx, doing whatever she can to help the wounded.

The drab existence of handsome Colonel Elijah Williams, head surgeon at the Army hospital, has narrowed to nothing but the bloody war and the horrendous wounds he treats day after day. He carries a secret—a nightmare that holds him in its gory grip each time he falls asleep, reminding him of what awaits him in his waking hours. But when Pepper Brown walks into his life, everything changes—for both of them. 

Is Elijah ready to take on a ready-made family and the responsibilities that come with it? Can Pepper let go of her grief and embrace love once again? In a war-torn country that has suffered so much loss, Elijah and Pepper might stand a fighting chance at finding happiness together if they can save what’s left of their hearts.

Here's an excerpt: 

With a child holding tightly to each hand, Pepper walked slowly through the large, peaceful cemetery until she came to the gray stone marker for her husband. Both seven- year-old Matthew and five-year-old Mark carried a colorful bouquet of flowers to adorn the grave. Pepper knelt while the boys deposited their flowers, then put an arm around each silent, somber boy. “There’s no need to be quiet. Tell your papa hello,” she encouraged them, and gave a gentle shove to each boy, propelling them toward the marker. “Hello, Papa,” Matthew stared at the marker blankly as he spoke. “Hello, Papa,” Mark followed his brother’s actions, although Pepper noticed he had reached for Matthew’s hand before he spoke. “What do you want to talk to your papa about today? Do you want to tell him what you miss most about him?” “I miss riding piggyback,” Mark whispered. “I just miss him.” Matthew’s eyes welled up with tears. Pepper put her arm around Matthew and brushed a kiss on his temple. Her chin trembled as she did so. “So do I. Your papa was a very good man, and I don’t want either of you to ever forget him. Your baby brother was born after your papa died, and he won’t have any memories to hold on to. So it’s up to the two of you to explain to Luke, when he’s able to understand, how wonderful your father was.” Matthew’s tears spilled over and cascaded down his cheeks. “I don’t remember anymore what Papa looked like.” Pepper sighed softly and brought her hand to her heart. She was having trouble remembering, too. She guessed memories faded over time in order to allow the living to move forward. But the knowledge of why they faded didn’t make it any easier. Keep reading! Purchase A Widow's Salvation  Meet Becky Amazon best-selling author Becky Lower has traveled the United States in search of great settings for her novels. She loves to write about two people finding each other and falling in love amid the backdrop of a great setting, be it in America on a covered wagon headed west or in Regency England. Her Cotillion Ball Series features the nine children from an upscale New York family prior to and during the Civil War. A regular contributor to USA Today’s Happy Ever After section, her books have been featured in the column on ten separate occasions. Becky loves to hear from her readers atbeckylowerauthor@gmail.com. Visit her website at www.beckylowerauthor.com Find out more about Becky Lower: Website: www.beckylowerauthor.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/becky.lower Twitter: http://twitter.com@BeckyLower1 Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorbeckyl/ Blog: http://beckylowerauthor.blogspot.com Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6159227.Becky_Lower History Imagined: https://historyimagined.wordpress.com Amazon page: http://amzn.to/1FOy3Sd Buy Link: Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Widows-Salvation-Cotillion-Ball-Saga-ebook/dp/B07TVPD6SJ/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=a+widow%27s+salvation&qid=1563029753 FROM PEGLEG TO PROSTHETICS There were many challenges involved when I started writing A Widow’s Salvation. I’ve never married or had children, and I had a hard time making my female character, a widow with three boys, a strong woman. (I hear many of you laughing right now.) Many conversations occurred between myself and mothers who had experienced the difficult yet rewarding job of raising children. When I realized Pepper may not have been the feisty suffragette her sisters presented to the world, it was her inner strength that I focused on. One of the ways I did that was to have Pepper try to help wounded soldiers from the Civil War, many of whom had lost limbs. She volunteered her time at the local Army hospital and saw the need for prosthetic devices for the many wounded who had lost an arm or leg and spent their days wondering how they could ever be anything more than a burden to their loved ones. While we’ve all heard stories about Pegleg Pete and Captain Hook and their prosthetics, I had no idea such devices had been uncovered as far back at 950 BC! Obviously, these were crude devices at best. It wasn’t until the Civil War in the 1860s that advances in prosthetics began to emerge.  The huge number of amputations that were being done to save lives of the soldiers forced America to focus on the betterment of prosthetic devices for their soldiers. James Hanger was one of the first amputees of this war and took it upon himself to fashion a limb from whittled barrel staves. This crude device was transformed and advancements in the way prosthetics fit and worked happened in rapid succession due to great need from the Civil War. Pepper took it upon herself to have her ideas turned into a working prosthetic leg and helped a young farmer from Kentucky learn how to walk again. He thought his life was over, and it took a mother with a steely backbone to whip him into shape and forge a future for himself. Because of the success of this man, her work was able to continue. My story is pure fiction, but it is based on facts, as the Civil War unfortunately prompted the evolution of the use of prosthetic devices. When I see the men and women who have lost legs due to war or other tragedy using today’s high-tech computerized prosthetics to run marathons, I am in awe of how far this industry has come. And thanks to my many conversations with mothers, I now understand how strong a mother’s hand has to be. Writing this book was a revelation, both from a historical perspective and from my own perspective on how difficult and rewarding it is to raise a child. Today Becky is giving away a copy of The Widow's Salvation and another e-Book from her Cotillion series. Just enter the Rafflecopter and leave a comment. Don't forget your email.

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E.E. Burke's Best of the West: Becky Lower's Cotillion Ball Series

Blinded By Grace (Cotillion Ball Series)

In 1858 New York City, Halwyn Fitzpatrick thinks he's off the hook for attendance at the annual Cotillion Ball. He has no sister to shepherd down the grand staircase this year and no real desire to go through the rituals of courtship and betrothal himself. Besides, he'll know the right girl when he sees her, especially now that he has new spectacles. But his mother has other plans for him. At twenty-seven years of age, her son is in dire need of a wife.

Grace Wagner needs a husband by July in order to inherit the trust her father has left for her. Her stepfather, though, has plans for the money that don't include Grace, and the last thing he wants is for her to find a husband before she turns twenty-one, thereby fulfilling the terms of the trust. 

She's been in love with Halwyn since she was thirteen, but he hasn't noticed her at any of the balls they've been at over the years. With the aid of his new glasses, he spies Grace from across the room and they share a dance. Grace decides to present him with a business proposition that will satisfy them both. But can a clueless knight in shining armor and a desperate damsel in distress find a way to turn this marriage of convenience into something more?

Excerpt:

Amazon best-selling author Becky Lower has traveled the United States in search of great settings for her novels. She loves to write about two people finding each other and falling in love amid the backdrop of a great setting, be it in America on a covered wagon headed west or in Regency England. Her Cotillion Ball Series features the nine children from an upscale New York family prior to and during the Civil War. Her first Regency, A Regency Yuletide, received the Crowned Heart and has been nominated for the prestigious RONE award from InD’Tale Magazine. A regular contributor to USA Today’s Happy Ever After section, her books have been featured in the column on ten separate occasions.

Website: http://www.beckylowerauthor.com

Newsletter– http://beckylowerauthor.com/contact.html#newsletter

Facebook–http://facebook.com/becky.lower

Twitter–http://twitter.com/BeckyLower1

BookBub– https://www.bookbub.com/authors/becky-lower

Becky’s blog: http://beckylowerauthor.blogspot.com

Review Becky’s books on Goodreads–http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6159227.Becky_Lower

What’s the first book you remember reading?  

I read everything I could get my hands on from an early age, but the first ones I can remember were the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and the Trixie Belden series. I guess that’s why I’ve written a series myself. My Cotillion Ball series is set in America in the years leading up to and into the Civil War, so I tip my hat to Ms. Wilder.

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

I’ve been fascinated by Jedediah Smith for years now. In fact, I credit him for starting me on my writing journey. I saw a program about his fascinating life and I was so disappointed with the way his life ended. I wanted to write a new ending to his life. I’ve written the story about five different ways now, but it’s still under the bed.

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

I’d love to have attended a Rocky Mountain Rendevous in 1825 or so. Maybe I could have met Jed Smith there.

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

We didn’t have a lot of money when I was growing up, and I come from a large family, so food was always scarce. Except at Thanksgiving. That was the one day when I could have seconds. And thirds, if I wanted. So now, as an adult, whenever two or more of my siblings get together, we celebrate with a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner, regardless of what the calendar says. This year, we had three generations together to celebrate the holiday early. And we passed on the tradition that the date on the calendar doesn’t matter. It’s the people you choose to celebrate with.

Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?

Coffee, please, with a dollop of cream. I’ve never been able to drink it black.

What will always make you smile, even on a bad day?

I moved to North Carolina last year and there’s one road that I try to take whenever I have to go to town. It’s a tree tunnel, with towering pine trees on either side of the road, so close to the road you can almost touch them from your car. Whenever I take it, regardless of how my day’s going, it makes me smile.

Becky is graciously offering two copies of her Cotillion Ball books Blinding by Grace and The Duplicitous Debutante. To enter the drawing, leave a comment and your email so we can contact you.

If you could go back in time and meet someone, who would it be and what would ask them?

E.E. Burke's Best of the West: Take a gamble on this new release from Bestselling Author Becky Lower

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When Elise Lafontaine spies her father’s missing saddlebag with its all-important papers slung over the shoulder of a man boarding a riverboat, she follows him, hoping to retrieve the contents. Her plans come to an abrupt halt when she is declined entry to the boat, since she is an unaccompanied female. 

From his perch on the top deck, handsome riverboat gambler James Garnett witnesses her denied entry. When she shoots him a look of desperation, how can he resist those deep blue eyes and beautiful face? Of course, he comes to her rescue, pretending she is his fiancée—and she is allowed aboard. 

Begrudgingly, Elise accepts James’s offer of help to win back the saddlebag and the papers by having him play poker on her behalf, certain the thieving Confederate brothers who stole the bag will lose everything to James. But can Elise be happy with only the saddlebag and its contents? Or has she already lost her heart to the dangerous gambler? 

After a sultry kiss, Elise steals his money and the papers and jumps overboard. Then the games truly begin. Now, Elise stands at the biggest crossroads of her life—will she go her own way, fiercely independent and alone? Or will she wager everything on the man who holds her heart--GAMBLING ON FOREVER?

Here's an excerpt

“Delta Queen, here I come,” she whispered, hoping she wasn’t making the biggest mistake of her life. She could handle wide-open spaces, and campfires under the stars while rounding up wild horses, but on a big, beautiful large riverboat, a floating palace? This would definitely be a challenge for her, since she’d have to act as a refined lady. She touched her whip again and hoped she wouldn’t need to unfurl it. The nerves tightening in her stomach told her she had just entered uncharted territory and the hairs on her neck prickled again. Never a good sign.

She followed the two men up the gangplank, her fingers itching to yank her father’s saddlebag from the shoulder of the one man. She’d need to be patient and choose the best time to steal it back, and the moment of boarding would not be the best time. Better to wait until they were underway, floating down the Mississippi. Then, those two couldn’t get away. She’d nab it when they weren’t looking, just as they’d taken it from her father. Then, she’d jump overboard and be gone before morning. She took a deep breath and fisted her hands to prevent them from reaching for the bag.

The pair paid the steward for passage on the freight deck, which meant they were saving most of her father’s money for the gaming tables if they were willing to give up a bed in favor of sleeping on top of cotton and tobacco bales. She hoped she had enough money for an actual stateroom.

“Are you with the gentlemen?” The steward asked, raking his gaze over her before glancing at the men.

“Those two?” Elise pointed to the men still standing close by. “No, sir. I’m traveling alone and I’d like a stateroom, please, if the fare isn’t too much.”

The steward seemed confused. “Ma’am, I’m sorry. Our policy is to allow women aboard only if they are accompanied by a gentleman.”

“That’s preposterous!” Elise tried for a smile, hoping to charm the steward. “My money’s as good as any gentleman’s.”

“Your money is not the issue, ma’am. We don’t allow unaccompanied ladies on board. It’s company policy.” The steward clutched his papers to his chest, unaffected by her smile.

One clean-shaven, well-dressed man stood on the top deck, calmly smoking a cheroot and stroking the black string tie around his neck as he surveyed the crowd coming aboard. Elise pleaded with her eyes for the man to take action. She might be going from the frying pan into the fire but at least he’d taken a bath in the past year. She’d take her chances. She only hoped he would.

Meet Becky

Amazon best-selling author Becky Lower has traveled the United States in search of great settings for her novels. She loves to write about two people finding each other and falling in love amid the backdrop of a great setting, be it in America on a covered wagon headed west or in Regency England. Her Cotillion Ball Series features the nine children from an upscale New York family prior to and during the Civil War. Her first Regency, A Regency Yuletide, received the Crowned Heart and has been nominated for the prestigious RONE award from InD’Tale Magazine. A regular contributor to USA Today’s Happy Ever After section, her books have been featured in the column on ten separate occasions. Becky loves to hear from her readers at beckylowerauthor@gmail.com. Visit her website at www.beckylowerauthor.com

Join Becky’s Newsletter– http://beckylowerauthor.com/contact.html#newsletter

Friend Becky on Facebook–http://facebook.com/becky.lower

Follow Becky on Twitter–http://twitter.com/BeckyLower1

Follow Becky on BookBub– https://www.bookbub.com/authors/becky-lower

Follow Becky’s blog: http://beckylowerauthor.blogspot.com

Review Becky’s books on Goodreads–http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6159227.Becky_Lower

EE: What is the first story you remember writing?  

Becky: I skipped over scribbling stories and went straight to writing screenplays. The first one I remember is a script for the TV show, Bonanza. I was twelve. My first rejection slip was very sweet and they encouraged me to keep writing. The second play I remember was in high school English class. We were supposed to act out a part of Canterbury Tales. I was so shy I didn’t want to get up in front of the class and make a fool of myself, so I decided to turn Canterbury Tales into a comedy. I wrote the script, everyone else in my group acted it out. We got an A.

EE: Be honest, when reading, do you put yourself in the heroine’s role? 

Becky: Not when I’m reading, but when I’m writing a heroine, I find myself getting lost in her character. I’m not saying I’m like my heroines, but I wish I was. The stronger they are, the better I like them.

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

Becky: I think I’ve found a new answer to this one. I’m in the process of moving to a new state, and have not been able to work at my desk for two months. Between the local library and my friend’s dining room table, I’ve managed to finish a final draft of my next book. I noticed some unusual neck and shoulder pain, so I treated myself to a mini-massage the other day. It felt so good, it may become my new tradition.

EE: Which of your characters would you most like to invite to dinner? 

Becky: I’d love to have James Garnett from Gambling On Forever at my table. He was so much fun to write and, as my publisher said, “I'm a sucker for a gambling man! And a SPY, too? Be still my heart!” There’s something about a man who gives good smirk that sets my heart aflutter.

EE: What one thing about your hero drives the heroine crazy?  

Becky: He carries in his pocket an embroidered handkerchief from an old love. He knows the heroine is irritated by it, and by the sentiment attached to it, so every chance he gets to take it out and play with it in front of her, he does.

EE: What has been your most rewarding publishing moment? 

Becky: As I mentioned, I’m in the process of moving. It’s been a very difficult move. I’ve cycled through four different real estate agents, made multiple trips to the area I’ve honed in on, and have spent months in a state of limbo. I finally found an agent willing to work for me. I contacted her in desperation after one more failed trip. I had two days left until I was to return to my friend’s home, and this agent and I emailed back and forth for half a day. Then, she called me and said it had taken her a while to put it together, but she had read one of my books and loved it! A true fangirl moment. Then, when I called a mortgage lender, one of the ladies in his office also had read one of my books. It seems like I’m moving to the right area.

EE: What drew you to write in the genre you do? 

Becky: Obviously, Bonanza is what got me started on westerns. Then there was the family story about being part Indian, which my DNA results disproved, but it sparked my curiosity during my teens. Finally, Zane Grey’s books. I read all his westerns and loved them, especially the ones where the woman had to dress as a boy.  I recently contracted with a publisher to write a Regency series, but I haven’t abandoned my western roots entirely.  The first book in the Flower Girl series features a hero who is an American traveling to England to buy roses for the grounds of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. The second book’s heroine is in charge of a landscaping crew for her father’s business and she dresses in men’s clothing and has cut her hair short. Zane Grey lives on.

Name a character from a book or movie that you'd like to invite to dinner? Why?

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