BETWEEN THE PAGES-Noelle's First Anniversary

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me~

The brainchild of Caroline Lee (Five Gold Rings)  and a gathering of authors (one real-time meeting with the majority in the room) started the process of putting together what would become a beautifully intertwined (yet stand-alone) 12 book set called  The 12 Days of Christmas Mail Order Brides.

The gold rush provided the initial creation of Noelle and real historical events--beginning with the railroad--continue to be used as fodder for the stories that in the year that followed brought new characters, new twists, and new development to Noelle.

The series has tackled most every issue of the pioneer town and yet strikes a chord with issues of the modern day. In some ways its been great to see the progress, while in contrast to how much further we really have to go regarding some issues. But , despite the obstacles, the spirit and tenacity of Noelle and its residents remains strong and at the end of the day--there is the happily ever after, or at least happily for now.

Celebrating the anniversary of the set, we decided to offer our readers a very special gift. From Dec. 17-21, we're offering each book in the set for just .99!!

Now is the time to purchase the entire set , or perhaps fill in those books you've not yet read!

The collaboration is clear when you see how the characters reappear in other books. Careful consideration is taken when writing scenes with another authors characters and that teamwork has given us as authors the opportunity for some wonderful, broader discussion about each other as people.

Don't miss your chance to own this entire set and also check out the next series continuing the drama, humor, and romance of Noelle in the next series, Brides of Noelle-Love for All Seasons.

I asked the authors to share what this collaborative project has meant to them. Here's what each had to say...

Kit Morgan (Day 1-The Partridge)

I love and enjoy working on this project because I do love working with others to create something wonderful out of nothing. A whole town, its residents, and all the things that go along with it! Collaborating with fellow authors is always a blast and readers love the results!

Shanna Hatfield (Day 2- The Dove)

The chance to work with a great group of women and the opportunity to create stories in a wonderful fictional town with meaningful characters are two reasons this was such a fun project for me. I also enjoyed writing in a setting I hadn't explored before. Many thanks for inviting me to participate!

Merry Farmer (Day 3-The French Hens)

I loved working on this project because it gave me a chance to explore different sorts of stories from the Old West, ones that aren't usually told. And it was so much fun to work together with such a dedicated group of ladies!

Jacqui Nelson (Day 4-The Calling Birds)

I’m grateful that the 12 Days project nudged me (a Canadian) to finally create my first Canadian-born characters. When (in the early stages of plotting) the group really encouraged adding diversity to the town of Noelle, I was inspired to make the villains (in the story that I was just completing) into a French-Canadian gang of thieves. Then I had their sister, Bernadette Bellamy (who became the heroine of The Calling Birds) assume the alias Birdie Bell and end up in Noelle, on-the-run from everyone looking for her brothers’ last goldmine heist in British Columbia, Canada.

That first spark of inspiration led to so much more. It’s truly been a gift to have the opportunity to work with such a talented group of authors and to connect with so many new readers who love the Old West!

Caroline Lee (Day 5-The Ring)

I've been so impressed by how hard these ladies worked to bring this series together...and how they continue to work to bring couples together in Noelle! It was really cool to watch everyone work through ideas over the year it took us to pull this series together, and I'm thankful everyone's visions meshed so well. From a personal standpoint, I was really glad to have the opportunity to write an "irredeemable" character. I loved playing with Pearl's sense of self-worth and how that would affect her secret feelings for a long-time customer. This book was one of my favorite couples!

Peggy Henderson ( Day 6-The Geese)

I loved working on this project. Writing can be such a lonely endeavor, so collaborating with other authors is very rewarding and fun. This particular project required a lot of interaction with all the authors involved, and the teamwork was amazing. Getting feedback from peers, brainstorming, and just the entire writing process was so much fun because it was a team effort, and I learned a lot from my fellow writers in the creation of this series.

Piper Hugely (Day 7-The Swan)

I'm thankful I was able to participate in this project. I won two Maggie medallions for The Swan, my own chapter's award, something I never thought would happen. The Swan also confirmed for me that I can write a novella that people like.

Rachel Wesson (Day 8-The Maid) 

I was delighted to be invited to participate in a fun project with a great group of writers. Meeting new people, authors and readers, at Christmas time was wonderful. I love history and highlighting it with fictional stories is a great way for me to learn something new. Readers seem to enjoy this too. Noelle took on a life of it's own and that has been really exciting.

Mimi Milan (Day 9-The Dancing Lady)

This project was great for a lot of reasons. For example, it was the first time I worked on a group project like this. Other multi author projects were standalone books thrown into box sets. Not much collaborating needed on those accounts. This arrangement has been a true collaboration, and a learning experience on how to work with other authors. I think that has really helped my writing grow stronger. Too, I've had the opportunity to meet new readers, and I'm always thankful for that! Ultimately, I've enjoyed watching the town grow. The characters are endearing and I feel very much like I've taken an active part in creating a town as alive as, say, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman or When the Heart Calls. Basically, it's a place I enjoy visiting often. So, here's to hoping there are many more books in the sweet town of Noelle!

Danica Favorite (Day 10-The Lord)

I really enjoyed working on this project because it's meant a lot to me to see how much this has meant to our readers. I love that we've created something people have fallen in love with.

Amanda McIntyre (Day 11-The Piper)

From the moment I was invited to participate in this group I felt the energy for this project and have enjoyed watching and helping its growth. From connecting characters and real-time historical events to the collaborative effort of creating the town map, bringing a visual life to Noelle. Then there is the enthusiastic support from the readers that continues to inspire us as authors. No matter how many more stories come from this initial project, it is clear that the little town of Noelle, Colorado and its citizens have made their mark on these authors and on readers!

Elisabeth Burke (Day 12- The Drum)

I'm so grateful to Caroline Lee for inviting me to be part of this series. I knew from the start it was an inspired idea, and the books that came from it were wonderful. I loved working with this diverse and talented group of authors. Everyone took their stories in a different direction, yet worked hard to make sure they were woven together. I'd never done that before and was thrilled with how well we all worked together and helped each other. I think the end result has been worth all the hard work.

For this week only, every books is on sale for 99 cents each.

THIS IS A LIMITED TIME OFFER!!

A gift of reading is never wasted!

Snag a set for yourself and one for a friend!!

http://bit.ly/AYearInNoelle

Happy holidays from all of us  & Happy Reading!!

E.E. Burke's Best of the West with award-winning author Peggy Henderson

Ben Ferguson faces each day as it's handed to him. Assigned to a position in the newly formed Yellowstone National Park, life seems like it couldn't get any better. But patrolling for poachers is fraught with danger, and he soon finds his future looking bleak. Images of a blue-eyed guardian angel are the only thing he has to pull him from the edge of death.

Crazy. Weak. Worthless. Demon-possessed. Clara Youngblood has been labeled many things by people who cannot understand the challenges she must confront every day within her own mind. Without the support of family or friends, she is terrorized daily by fear and impending doom. When all seems dark, a glimmer of hope appears in the form of a retired soldier.

Ben and Clara wouldn't have chosen the circumstances that brought them together, but they soon discover their importance in rescuing each other. Strength of heart and mind are not always visible in outward appearances, but love and support can overcome the uncertainties of tomorrow.

Here's an excerpt:

“Shooting a dog is about as cowardly as a man gets.”

“Mind your own business, mister. The damned mutt attacked me.”

Clara’s breath caught in her throat. The familiar voice of Ben Ferguson came from somewhere close by. Tentatively, she opened her eyes and raised her head. Her hair fell into her eyes, obstructing her view, but not before she caught a glimpse of a horse and a man in the saddle, pointing a rifle at Max.

Tears flooded her eyes, and her heart continued its fierce pounding in her chest. Instead of being relieved that Ben had shown up, shame overtook her. This was the second time in the same day that this man had come to her aid when she’d been too weak and feeble-minded to fight her own battles. Why couldn’t she simply be like other people and stand up for herself without shattering into tiny pieces?

Terror gripped her like an icy vice around her heart. The coldness spread throughout her entire body. While she’d fought off the panic all day, keeping it simmering just below the surface, she couldn’t hold it back any longer and it erupted like the geysers she’d seen months ago.

She stumbled to her feet and ran. Ran as fast as her legs could carry her until her lungs burned and she couldn’t run anymore. She tripped over a protruding root from a nearby cottonwood and fell to the ground. Instead of getting up, she crawled beneath the tree’s branches to hide from the world.

She huddled against the trunk, drawing her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms tightly around them. Her heart raced faster with each passing second, and her insides turned to ice.

Clara closed her eyes and rocked back and forth while the familiar terror engulfed her. Her addled mind had long overtaken any rational thought, convincing her she was going to die. The fear of dying swooped over her like a dark cloud, and the urge to get up and keep running as far and fast away from her own body gripped her. Pain squeezed her heart as if someone sat on her chest, and the sensation spread throughout her limbs. She fought for air, as her throat seemed to close off.

Not even Scamp could offer comfort at the moment. Many times, the faithful pet’s presence was enough to ward off the intense fear that claimed any lucid thoughts she possessed, but not this time.

Clara shivered as tears streamed down her face. Biting into her knuckles to keep from screaming for help, she rocked faster. No one would come to her aid. If she called out, her uncle and cousin would only find her and yell at her to snap out of it. Or worse.

Her body stiffened when something warm and solid wrapped around her. Arms drew her into a protective embrace. Had she died and was finally in Mama’s loving embrace again? It had been so long. She shuddered, then her rigid body relaxed against the comforting touch of another human being. A gentle hand held her head against a broad chest, stroking the length of her hair while holding her tight and shielding her from any harm.

“It’s all right. It’ll pass. You’re going to be all right.”

IN HIS THOUGHTS will be published soon. In the meantime, you can pick up other books in the Blemished Brides Series.

Amazon Author page: http://amzn.to/1QhIzXX

B&N page: https://bit.ly/1R3vDU3

 Apple page: https://apple.co/1Sj8UV1

KOBO page: https://bit.ly/2JEh2zb

Audible page https://adbl.co/2t3eFPp

~~~

Meet Peggy

Peggy L Henderson is an award-winning, best-selling western historical and time travel romance author of the Yellowstone Romance Series, Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Teton Romance Trilogy, the Blemished Brides and Wilderness Brides Western Historical Romance Series, and others. When she’s not writing about Yellowstone, the Tetons, or the old west, she’s out hiking the trails, spending time with her family and pets, or catching up on much-needed sleep. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart. She and her husband make their home in Yellowstone National Park.

Find out more: www.peggylhenderson.com

Sign up for Peggy's newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/p8d2b6

Follow Peggy:

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Peggy-L-Henderson-author-254755581267700/ 

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Facebook page: www.facebook.com/yellowstoneromanceauthor/

Amazon Author page: http://amzn.to/1QhIzXX

E.E.: What sound or noise do you love?

Peggy: I love the sound of thunder in the mountains. It just sounds different than anywhere else. I don’t necessarily want to be outside when there is thunder and lightning, but I do love the sound, then followed by raindrops hitting a forest floor.

E.E.: Is writing or storytelling easier for you?

Peggy: Writing is definitely much easier for me. I would be a horrible storyteller, lol. I’m very much an introvert, and get tongue-tied when I have to speak in public (or to more than one person at a time. Even then, I get tongue-tied sometimes.)

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

Peggy: The book I’m currently getting ready for re-publication, IN HIS THOUGHTS (Blemished Brides, Book 5), is about as close to me personally as I can get. I often get asked which one of my characters is most like me. I try not to write any characters to be like me at all. Of course, some will have a few of my characteristics, but that is never intentional. I strive to make my characters as different from me as possible.

   In this current book, however, I explored something that I don’t talk about much publicly – my struggles with anxiety and depression. The main character in the story, Clara Youngblood, suffers from debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. I didn’t give the poor girl depression as well, even though it often comes with having anxiety, although she’s frequently sad about her condition (sadness is not the same as depression). Mental disorders were not well understood, and definitely not treated correctly, in the nineteenth century when the story takes place, and it takes a special hero to help her with her struggles.

   This book was both easy and difficult to write because Clara’s internal thoughts and struggles as she deals with her anxiety and panic attacks are described from my own personal experiences.

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

Peggy: I would love to interview Lee Whittlesey. He is the recently retired park historian for Yellowstone National Park (where part of IN HIS THOUGHTS, as well as my Yellowstone Romance Series, take place.) He has written several books himself, and probably knows the history of Yellowstone better than anyone. His best-known book is called Death in Yellowstone, a book that should be required reading for anyone planning a trip to the park.

E.E.: What is something that not a lot of people know about you but you WISH more people COULD know?

Peggy: I touched on this already in a previous question. As I’ve said, I don’t mention my struggles with anxiety and depression very much. I just recently started talking openly about it. I’ve struggled with social anxiety all my life, and more recently I have had to deal with anxiety about my health, ever since my father passed away in front of me. I’m perfectly healthy (except for my mental health) according to my doctors, but my twisted brain wants me to believe otherwise, and I’ve struggled with panic attacks since my dad’s death. I’ve also dealt with depression since I was a teenager. Anxiety and depression play a constant tug-of-war with a person’s mind. So, if I’m not the most bubbly and outgoing person you’ll meet, it’s because of my mental health issues. 

E.E.: What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

Peggy: My biggest dream has been realized this year – living in Yellowstone National Park. How many people can say that this is their home? The reason I get to live here is because my husband works as a Historic Preservation Craftsman in the Old Faithful district, a position created for him this past year. 

   If it hadn’t been for my writing, and specifically my romance series that takes place in Yellowstone, I don’t think we would have had this opportunity. My husband would not have been able to take a year off several years ago from a job he didn’t like very much if I hadn’t been able to support us with my writing. During that year, he stumbled across a job posting in Yellowstone for a seasonal historic preservation crew member. He got the job, we packed our things and headed for Yellowstone for the summer last year. That job turned into a full-time position. Having been in love with Yellowstone since my first trip to the park the year I graduated high school, this is certainly a dream come true. 

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

Peggy: I write primarily western historical and western time travel romance. I have always loved the American West, even as a young girl living in Germany. Everything “cowboy and Indian” fascinated me. When I first decided to write, there was no other setting that was more interesting to me than the old west, and I took it back even a little further to the early explorers in the Rocky Mountains – the fur trappers and mountain men. Bringing the past and present together with time travel is fun to write because I love exploring how two people from such vastly different life experiences get together. I compare it a little bit with having to adjust to different cultures than what you’ve grown up with, but much more extreme.

E.E.: What has surprised you the most about being published?

Peggy: Hahaha…. I guess the most surprising thing is that people enjoy my books! I never thought anyone would want to read about an adventurous young woman who time travels two hundred years into the past to the Yellowstone wilderness and falls in love with a trapper. That book has led to over thirty more, and my adventure as an author continues!

Today, Peggy will give away a copy of IN HIS THOUGHTS. Just answer the question and enter the raffle below:

If you could travel to any time, any place, where would you go and why?

a Rafflecopter giveaway