AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDE - Edwina - Bride of Connecticut

This week on the American Mail-Order Bride journey, we travel to Connecticut to meet Edwina and her author, Margaret Tanner. If you need to read the Prequel, setting up the series, you will find that HERE.

Here's how Edwina's story came to be:

Thank you so much for inviting me to your lovely blog to tell you about Edwina, Bride of Connecticut in the American Mail Order Bride Series.

I was a last minute inclusion in the series so I didn’t get to choose my state. My name was put forward by Western romance author and friend, Susan Horsnell. On the basis that I am multi-published, and have won an award or two in Historical Romantic fiction, and have also participated in two Western Anthologies, I was fortunate to be accepted for this unique endeavour (The American Mail Order Brides Series, 50 books from 45 authors. Starting on November 19, there will one book published per day through to January 7, 2016. Each story is 35K - 40K in length and priced at $2.99.) 

Blurb:

Joshua was a happy bachelor until his scheming sister lands him with a Mail Order Bride. Desperate to Escape Boston, Edwina accepts the marriage proposal she believes has come from him. Can a deceived bride, and a reluctant groom, find happiness together?

Excerpt:

“You did what?” Joshua Sinclair glared at his sister.

“I pretended I was you and advertised for a Mail Order Bride in the Grooms’ Gazette.” Amy faced him, defiant. “You’ve been on your own too long. Hasn’t he, Tom?”

“Don’t bring me into this.” Tom grinned at his wife.

“Damn it woman. You had no right.” Josh thrust his fingers through his hair, causing the curls to become even more riotous than normal. “You can damn well have that ridiculous advertisement removed.”

“It’s too late.” Amy looked pleadingly at him. “Edwina has already answered and agreed to marry you.”

“Edwina! Matrimony is not on my agenda. Even if it was, I wouldn’t be marrying some desperate spinster who has been left on the shelf.”

“She’s from Boston.”

“Boston!” A dagger thrust of pain pierced his heart. Three years and Maryanne’s betrayal still hurt. He would never trust another woman.

* * *

Giveaway! 

Margaret is giving away a FREE copy of Edwina - Bride of Connecticut. To enter, please leave a comment below telling us why you are looking forward to reading Edwina's story and your email so we may contact you in the event that you win. Good Luck!

BIO:  

Margaret Tanner is an Award Winning Historical Romance Author who has now added Western Historical Romance to her writing repertoire.

She lives in Australia, is married and has three grown up sons.

With the encouragement of friend and Western Romance author, Susan Horsnell, she has fallen in love with writing Western Historical Romance of the sweet variety.  Frontier Australia and frontier America, have many similarities, isolated communities, a large single male population and a lack of eligible women, so it wasn’t hard to write in the Western genre.

She has always loved Westerns, soaking up all the Western TV shows and movies when she was young. Bonanza was her all-time favourite show. Little Joe Cartwright was her hero. Western Author, Zane Grey was her favourite author at that time.

Margaret has a short story published in the Western Romance Anthology, Rawhide ‘N Roses which was a 2015 Rone Finalist.

She has a novella, Christmas Cowboy, published in the Silver Belles and Stetsons Christmas Anthology. Margaret has just finished writing her second Western Romance novella.

You can reach Margaret via her Website and FB

You can order your download through Amazon

AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDE - Gillian - Bride of Maine

We have had beautiful weather for our journey so far. Next stop on the American Mail-Order Bride trip is Maine where we meet Gillian and author Kirsten Lynn. If you've missed the background on this series, you can read the Prequel HERE.

How Gillian's story came to be:

When I was first asked to participate in this endeavor, I wanted to choose the state of Wyoming. As my readers know, most of my stories take place in Wyoming.  However, Wyoming had already been snapped up. Honestly, now, I couldn’t be happier that I was pushed out of the box and into Maine.  I had such fun visiting Maine again, if only in my imagination. If I had gotten Wyoming there wouldn’t be Gillian and Rhys and I would hate to see a world where their story didn’t exist. For those who’ve started my Navy SEAL series with the book THE AIR I BREATHE, you’ll recognize the name Chermont. Gillian and Rhys are the great-great grandparents of Caleb “Frenchy” Chermont, and I enjoyed getting to know his family a bit better.

I have been a lighthouse enthusiast for many years and fell in love with Maine and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse when I visited. Here’s a little history of the lighthouse. Congress appropriated $5,000 for the construction of the Bass Harbor Head Light after it was determined that “sufficient need” existed to have a lighthouse near the entrance to Bass Harbor. This was followed by the addition of a fog bell and tower in 1876.  This bell was replaced by a substantially larger 4,000 pound bell in 1898 when it was installed within the tower. The original lens was a Fifth Order Fresnel, but was replace by a Fourth Order Fresnel in 1901. Originally, there was no easy access via a boat landing until one was added in 1894. During the 1970s, the Coast Guard took over the lighthouse. On January 21, 1988, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places, under the title of Bass Harbor Head Light Station.

This whole experience has been one of the best in my writing career. I got to explore the rocky coast of Maine again.  We were encouraged to form correspondence groups linking our stories together. I was blessed with an amazing group including: Merry Farmer, Peggy Henderson, and Margery Scott. Our heroines roomed together after the infamous fire and continue to write each other throughout our individual stories.

I will be forever grateful to Kirsten Osbourne for sending me that invitation to join, and to the author who already chose Wyoming, leaving me to meet Rhys and Gillian in a small lighthouse in Maine.

Blurb:

Gillian Darrow travels to Maine with hopes of a bright future with her lighthouse keeper, Rhys Chermont.   The problem…Rhys never placed an advertisement for a wife, or wrote to Gillian. Two hearts longing for a light in life's storms. Together they'll find a safe harbor in love.

EXCERPT:

She smiled at the priest but lifted her gaze to meet Rhys’, and her smile grew until, like a sailor to a mermaid’s song, he was drawn to her side. “I see Ida managed to get you warm.”

“Yes, thank you. I’m ready now, if you are."

Rhys lifted an eyebrow in question. “Ready for what?”

Her eyebrow mirrored his. “Why, to get married.”

Rhys laughed. Nothing was funny about her words, but the thought of him ever marrying again was so ludicrous, laughter was the only response that made sense. That was until he saw those dark eyes fill with unshed tears, which then escaped and cascaded down her cheeks.

* * * 

Gillian - Bride of Maine released December 11th and is available on Amazon now.

BIO:

Kirsten Lynn is a Western and Military Historian. She worked six years with a Navy non-profit and continues to contract with the Marine Corps History Division for certain projects. Making her home where her roots were sewn in Wyoming, Kirsten also works as a local historian. She loves to use the history she has learned and add it to a great love story. She writes stories about men of uncommon valor...women with undaunted courage...love of unwavering devotion ...and romance with unending sizzle. When she's not writing, she finds inspiration in day trips through the Bighorn Mountains, binge reading and watching sappy old movies, or sappy new movies. Housework can always wait.

You can connect with Kirsten Lynn on her Website

AMERICAN MAIL- ORDER BRIDE - Isabella - Bride of Ohio

I hope you are enjoying this journey through the United States. This week we stop in Ohio where author, Debra Parmley introduces us to Isabella. If you need to read the Prequel for the American Mail-Order Bride series, you can go HERE

Here's how Isabella's story came about:

I am excited to be a part of the American Bride series, which is unique and the first of its kind. Kirsten invited me to join the group and I told her I could as long as I could have the state of Ohio so I could pay tribute to the state I was born and raised in. She said yes, so I was in. My book, which is # 17, is set in Ohio, in Yellow Springs, which is just fifteen minutes from my parent’s house. I chose the name Isabella to honor my grandmother.

For my cover I asked my cover artist Sheri McGathy who has done most of the covers for Belo Dia to use a background of cornfields for Ohio is the sweet corn capitol of the U.S. I asked her to include a cardinal which is the state bird and on the back cover you will find buckeyes if you look close. Ohio is the buckeye state. For my heroine she found a picture of Jax Turnya that I liked and I asked her to put her in Swedish braids.

While the American Brides project was forming I formed a writing partnership with Robert Arrow. Robert is a long time friend who taught me primitive archery years ago and later became my fight choreographer for my stories. He has training as an MP in the military, in martial arts, and is a gun instructor. He brings more action and adventure to my stories. Isabella, Bride of Ohio is more than a mail order bride story in that it combines the damsel in distress theme. There are three main characters. Isabella, Donald her fiancé and Tom, a Pinkerton agent. As my grandmother would say, trouble comes in threes. What three troubles will Isabella have and will she have the happy ever after she dreamed of?

Isabella, newly arrived in America from Sweden, loses her parents and then her job at the factory after it burns down. Nothing in American seems to last but she hopes her mail order bride marriage to the handsome and wealthy Donald Jenks will. But as her grandmother always said, trouble comes in threes and there are dangers standing between her and her happy ever after with her true love.

Isabella is part of the American Mail Order Brides series and Robert and I are planning connected books to follow the descendants of Isabella and Thomas.

Blurb:

Isabella, newly arrived in America from Sweden, loses her parents and her job at the factory. Nothing in American seems to last but she hopes her mail order bride marriage will. But as her grandmother always said, trouble comes in threes and danger stands between her and happy ever after. 

Excerpt:

“…that silence you are putting off. It’s very off putting, you know. I wouldn’t advise you use that on your new husband.”

"Well goodness, it is meant to be off putting. Though it does not seem to be working with you"

“How I behave around him is none of your business.” She spoke quiet and low so as not to make a spectacle in front of the other diners. “I do not know you sir, and have no wish to.” So saying, she stood and walked away from the table.

Ernest Tomlin watched the quiet blonde leave.

She would be perfect. The boss would love to get his hands on merchandise like her. Being European meant she had that sexy accent people would pay extra for and there wasn’t any family to miss her. Yeah. She could disappear nice and easy

* * * 

Debra Parmley loves spreading love, one story at a time. Fascinated by fairy tales and folktales ever since she was a young girl, she has always ended her stories with a happy ever after.

Debra enjoys writing, reading, playing at being a medieval lady in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) and world travel. Her work as a travel consultant gave her the opportunity to visit many countries and her luggage often carried him folk tales from the countries she has visited.

Her three favorite things are dark chocolate, visiting the beach and ocean, and hearing from her readers. Each card, letter and email is a treasured gift, like finding that perfect shell upon the beach.

Debra has interviewed many cover models for Cover Model Corner and her interviews are often picked up by Affair du Coeur magazine.

For more about her work as well as interviews with cover models in Cover Model Corner, visit Debra’s website and sign up for her newsletter to be eligible for insider news and contests.

Isabella - Bride of Ohio released December 5th on Amazon

GIVEAWAY! - Debra is giving away not one copy from her backlist!

To enter, please leave a comment below telling us why you are looking forward to reading Isbella's story and your email so we may contact you in the event that you win. Good Luck! 

Debra loves to hear from her readers. You can catch up with her on the following locations:

Website

AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDE - Emma - Bride of Kentucky

Today we travel to one of my favorite states, Kentucky, with Peggy L. Henderson. Peggy introduces us to Emma in this next installment of the American Mail-Order Bride series.  

If you are just joining us on this travel across America, you will find the Prequel by Kirsten Osbourne HERE.

Here is how Emma's story came to be:

When I was first approached to take part in the American Mail Order Bride Series, my first reaction – which lasted about 5 seconds – was that my writing schedule was full. How could I possibly squeeze in another book, and especially a book unlike any I’d written before? I’ve never written a mail order bride story. Well, maybe that’s not quite true. I’ve written a mail-order bride book, but it was a time travel story about a woman who comes to the past to be the unknowing mail order bride to a 1870’s rancher.

My next reaction was that this was an opportunity too good to pass up. The line-up of authors was amazing, and I was elated to get an invitation.  My first and second choice in states were already taken, but another state that I knew I could do justice was still available,

I chose Kentucky because I used to be a huge horse racing fan. I don’t follow the sport much anymore, but horses are my passion, and what a great place to set a romance than the backdrop of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Country among beautiful horses. I really didn’t know what I was going to do with this particular story, other than it was set in Kentucky, and would include horse racing and a horse farm.

When I got my cover for the book, the story instantly came to me. The heroine on my cover looks like an upper class lady, and a little haughty, and that’s when I knew who my heroine was going to be, her character arc, and who her perfect hero was.

The most challenging part in writing my story was time management.

A lot of things got in the way of the schedule I set for myself to get the book finished, and lots of lost sleep, but in the end it will be worth it. I loved collaborating with the entire group and also with the subgroup several authors and I formed to connect our stories somewhat through our heroines.

Blurb: 

Emma Waterston is determined, headstrong, and comes from a lifestyle where class structure determines one’s associations. Left destitute after the death of her mother, she takes a job at a textile factory. When a fire destroys her place of employment, leaving her penniless again, she makes a desperate decision and answers an ad for a mail order bride from a wealthy Kentucky horse breeder.

Sam Hawley is content with his life as a horse trainer on an affluent Kentucky estate. His primary focus has always been on the horses. He views their owners as rich people with nothing to do but flaunt their money. Loyalty to his mentor is the only thing that keeps him rooted to one place. When he meets the bride-to-be of the man he detests the most, his life is about to change.

Too late, Emma discovers the ad she answered was too good to be true. Her future husband is not what she was led to believe and a horrific experience leaves her no choice but to face the kind of life she’s been trying to escape. Kentucky was supposed to promise a return to her life of wealth. What she finds instead will redefine her definition of being rich.

Excerpt:

“Miss Emmaline Waterston,” someone called from behind her.

Emma’s heart lurched in her chest at the deep voice calling her name. Finally. Curbing her agitation at having been left waiting for so long, she plastered her best smile on her face, and swallowed the lump of apprehension in her throat. When she wheeled around, she nearly tripped on a loose wooden board under her feet.

The smile faded, and her forehead wrinkled when she glimpsed the man walking toward her. Her eyes darted around to see if it might have been another man calling out her name, rather than the one heading directly at her.

She mentally recited the description David Benton had given of himself - dark-haired, with a moustache, nearly six feet tall, and wealthy. The man in her direct line of vision did not fit that description, not in the slightest.

He was dressed in a simple, light-blue cotton shirt tucked haphazardly inside tan britches that were held up by dark suspenders. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and his wide shoulders did not escape her notice. Neither did this man’s dirty blond hair that poked out from beneath a brown cap that reminded her of the newspaper boys back in Lawrence. The other ends of his britches were tucked into old, worn boots.

He stopped just in front of her, and Emma raised her head to look him in the eye. He languidly peeled the cap from his head, revealing a disheveled mop of hair that fell forward over his eyes. His lips curved in a slow grin, creating indents in his cheeks. Emma’s heart fluttered inexplicably in her chest. She blinked, and shook her head slightly at the reaction. She stared up into deep-blue eyes that threatened to suck her right up. She’d never seen a man this handsome before, even if he appeared unkempt. 

“Miss Emmaline Waterston?” he asked again in that rich drawl she’d already heard once before.

A slight shiver passed down her spine, and goose bumps formed on her skin, despite being warm under her cloak.

“Yes,” she answered, having to clear her throat to say it a second time. “And you are?”

Surely, this couldn’t be David Benton. If so, she’d been deceived.

“Sam Hawley,” he said, holding out his hand. 

* * * 

Peggy L Henderson is an award-wining, best-selling western historical and time travel romance author of the Yellowstone Romance Series, Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Teton Romance Trilogy, and the Blemished Brides Western Historical Romance Series. 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 

-needed sleep. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart. Along with her husband and two sons, she makes her home in Southern California.

Emma, Bride of Kentucky released December 3rd on Amazon .

Other books by Peggy L. Henderson can be ordered from Amazon as well as B & N. 

You can catch up with Peggy L. Henderson on the following:

Blog

FB

Twitter

iTunes

Pinterest

Want to know what's coming up with Peggy. L. Henderson? Join her mailing list! 

AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDE - Gabrielle-Bride of Vermont

We continue our journey in the American Mail-Order Bride series with Gabrielle - Bride of Vermont, (which releases TODAY) by Emily Claire.

If you are just joining us, you will find the Prequel HERE, providing you with the root of this fabulous series!

Emily shares how Gabrielle's story came to be:

“Friend and USA Today bestselling author, Kirsten Osbourne, invited me to join the American Mail-Order Brides group. At the time, my first novella, GUILTY, had just been published, so it was a great honor to be asked!

I came fairly late to the project and there were just a couple of states left to choose from by that time.  The Green Mountain State, Vermont, is truly beautiful, so I chose it for my bride, Gabrielle. My heroine is only in Vermont for a short time, though.  There was only one man who fit her unique criteria and he was southwest of Fort Worth in Coltonville, Texas.

Gabrielle, a city girl through and through, embarks on a journey that transforms her from a chaotic city life to the quiet, gently rolling hills and prairies of Texas. What a stunning contrast!” 

Blurb:

Gabrielle isn’t looking for love, but circumstances demand she find a husband immediately. Can she agree to marry the only man who’ll accept her terms, even if it means moving to Texas?

Boone Dillingham believes a wife will be the solution for his loneliness. Too bad his heart belongs to a woman other than the one he’s planning to marry!

Boone and Gabrielle are determined to make their marriage of convenience work, but they’re both toting a little more luggage than the other one knows about. Could it be that their union is less about convenience and more about having their hearts renewed?

Excerpt:

 Mattie stepped close to Gabrielle. “The situation you expected when you agreed to come here has changed a bit. Are you still planning to stay? We can figure some other plan, if you need to.”

Gabrielle didn’t hesitate. “I agreed to marry a stranger. Accepting his money and coming here was an act of commitment. I won’t back away from it. He’s a stranger either way. I didn’t know what he was like before and it didn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter now, I guess. We’re about to be married, and he’s had an unfortunate accident. If it had happened twenty-four hours after I’d arrived, I’d be just as committed as I am now. It doesn’t change anything.”

Just then they heard a commotion from the bedroom. They hurried to see what was going on. Colby was standing at the foot of the bed, laughing quietly, amusement written on his face.

“Everything all right in here?” Clyde asked, looking at Colby and then at Boone.

“Heck, yeah!” Boone said loudly, grinning from ear to ear. He nodded toward Gabrielle and pointed in her direction.

“Doc Colby just told me that pretty little woman is going to be my wife. It was worth getting my head busted open for that!”

He smiled broadly at Gabrielle. “Did I already ask you to marry me?”

Gabrielle stepped closer to Boone’s bed. “Well, you invited me to move to Texas to become your wife.”

Boone adjusted his bandage, slightly. “And what did you say?”

“I came to Texas, didn’t I? I believe most folks would consider that to be a ‘yes,’ don’t you think?” Gabrielle asked.

Boone grinned again. “Whoopee! Sounds like a ‘yes’ to me. Definitely does. Thank you very much for agreeing to marry me. Let’s have the wedding right now!”

* * * *

I live Arlington, Texas, with my husband and four children. Loving them is my priority. We homeschool two of our children.  

Besides writing, I enjoy proofreading for other authors. I also provide administrative support for a friend's therapy center for children with autism and other behavioral issues. I have children on the spectrum, so it’s a privilege to serve others in this area.

After proofreading for friend and USA Today bestselling author Kirsten Osbourne, she said to me, “You're going to write a book.” It wasn't a question, it was a statement. “I don't write. I proof,” I countered. She proceeded to strongly encourage (okay, maybe she gently forced) me to “just do it.” I’m so glad she did!

Why write? I considered what was important to me. I'm a Christian. I've struggled. I've been given a lot of grace in my life and have learned a few things about changing and healing along the way. I wanted to share it. But, I wasn't interested in writing about myself!

REAL. LIFE. STORIES. My desire is to share "G" rated (“sweet”) stories about people facing the ups and downs that life throws at them. I prefer settings that reflect a simpler pace and lives with less clutter, but the solutions to life’s puzzles are remarkably the same whether they occurred in the 1700’s or 2015.

I’m honored when I hear from my readers that they’ve laughed, or cried, or contemplated deeper meanings and have been touched by my words.

You can order your copy today on Amazon. 

Emily loves to hear from her readers. You will find her on:

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