Cowboys
and
Lawmen
Blog Hop
May 2-6
May 2-6
Special thanks to Sara Ellwood for organizing this fabulous event!
Which should we talk about first--cowboys or lawmen? Because they generally weren't the same. And cowboys weren't called cowboys, either. They were called drovers, cowhands, ranch hands, cowpunchers, and a lot of other names, good and bad. But not cowboys. That was actually a derogatory term.
Lawmen might have been cowhands at one time, but usually not. Quite a few of the more famous lawmen had been buffalo hunters at one time, though. Wild Bill Hickok and Wyatt Earp both took a turn at it.
As luck would have it, I have a book where a cowhand poses as a lawman--perfect for this blog hop! It's Much Ado About Marshals, available in print or ebook.This book is a lighthearted look at what happens when you put an honest cowhand in a situation where if he tells the truth, he and his best friend could face hanging, but if he lies, he'll be sworn in as marshal. The kicker is that the mayor's daughter is bound and determined to marry the new marshal!
It's set in Oreana, which is in Owyhee County, Idaho (Territory, in 1885). My husband and I were driving around while we were visiting relatives--I grew up there. We stopped by the church in Oreana. Actually, the church is about the only thing there. It's an interesting building, built of stone. I was even more intrigued when I found out that the building was originally a general store. So there it was--my heroine's father owned that store!
I built a whole bustling town in my imagination, and that's how the setting for the story came about. Actually, there's not much there in real life. Certainly no marshal's office!
Want to give the book a try?
Comment below and you'll be entered to
win one of
five Kindle copies of
And you'll also be entered to win:
$100 Gift Card
either Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Winner's Choice!
Click on the list of blogs at the bottom of this post, and comment on them all--every one enters you for the $100 Gift Card drawing. Up to 49 chances!
Be sure to leave your email address in your comment to be eligible!
Drawing for Much Ado About Marshals will be on May 7.
Where the Old West really happened!
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| Much Ado About Marshals |
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| Much Ado About Madams |
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| Much Ado About Mavericks |
When I think of lawmen of the old west, Marshall Dillon always comes to mind from Gunsmoke..
ReplyDeleteWhat a great character! And then there was always the intrigue of whether or not he and Miss Kitty had a thing going.
DeleteI love Marshal Dillon!!!
DeleteI didn't know that lawmen could have been cowhands.
ReplyDeleteoncerfan@yahoo.com
Usually whoever was good with a gun and needed a job, so if an unemployed cowhand met the first criteria, he just might find himself sworn in. Most came from other vocations, though--quite a few gamblers. And most lived in the city.
DeleteThat's funny. When I think of Bill Hickok, I think buffalo hunter, scout, gunfighter, gambler. Wonder how I missed lawman?
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure he was a deputy US Marshall, and I know he had a few city posts. Can't remember right now without looking it up.
DeleteI loved all the old western TV shows of the 50's-60's: Rifleman, Wyatt Earp, Big Valley, Sugarfoot, The Virginian, Cheyenne, Maverick, and many more. On Sundays, after church and eating dinner out, my dad would take us to see a movie at the local theater, usually a Randolph Scott western (his favorite), but there were also movies by Alan Ladd, John Wayne, Audie Murphy--you name it, they all tried westerns. My brother got cap guns for Christmas and a teepee for an overnight tent. I love to read western romances because it was a real part of our history (albeit romanticized somewhat in the novels) and it brings back fond memories. jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI loved those Westerns! Didn't go to the movies much, but I've seen some of the old movies on TV. And I always got cap guns for Christmas--best toy ever. :)
DeleteLove the old western TV shows and movies, it was a great time to grow up. Kids now a days don't know what they missed, but then with the oldie channels out there we can all enjoy...Love reading western romance and historical books...
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. Lots of stuff was going on but we were sheltered form a good share of it. Westerns meant the good guys not only should win, but did win--a message that's lacking today.
DeleteMy 13 year ild loves the Rifleman she thinks Chuck Connor is a BABE her words....
DeleteI was in love with Clint Walker.
DeleteSome of the best tv shows were about lawmen, for example, James Arness in Gunsmoke. I loved watching those Western tv shows growing up. And also going to the movies to see lawmen and cowboys.
ReplyDeleteJFWisherd(at)aol(dot)com
Marshal Dillon was definitely at the top of my list, too!
DeleteI always liked the Maverick series on tv. And Marshall Dillon. The Old West lawmen were the greatest heroes of their day.
ReplyDeleteJWIsley(at)aol(dot)com
Maverick was great fun because it was a little different--he was a bit tarnished but we rooted for him anyway. :)
DeleteJacquie, This is one of your books I don't have yet. Love to win it.
ReplyDeletecharraddon(at)pobox.com
Good luck, Charlene! I'll head over to your blog soon.
DeleteHi Jacquie. Isn't it wonderful how something as basic as a building no one really notices can start a writer off and running? Love your blog! Country Blessings! Angela
ReplyDeleteAngelaDrake(at)webname(dot)com
Yep, and when people ask me where I get my ideas, I never really know what to say. Ideas are everywhere and just about anything I do, see, or hear can spark an idea. The trick is writing the book. That's work!
DeleteHi Jacquie,
ReplyDeleteI loved Much Ado About Marshals! Great Read!!
My favorite western series is Alias Smith and Jones-- outlaws trying to go straight. My favorite!
kmnbooks at yahoo dot com
Hi, Karen! I've never seen that show--not sure why not. I'm curious (didn't you mention it on your own blog?) so looked it up on the internet, and it looks like my cuppa. Thanks for stopping by!
Deletesuch a great book.... and if by miracle I am picked please pick someone new as I already own this WONDERFUL book hurricanemercedes@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOr how about you pick someone? I guess we'll figure it out if/when the time comes. But thanks so much for visiting, and I'm glad you liked Daisy's and Cole's story. Or was it Bosco who won you over. :)
DeleteSounds great
ReplyDeletesugerlady@aol.com
Thanks, Tamara. Good luck!
DeleteNice blurb
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
I struggled with that blurb. It's easier to write a book than a blurb! Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!
DeleteI grew up watching westerns. I loved Bonanza, Gunsmoke and alias Smith and Jones.
ReplyDeletesstrode at scrtc dot com
Thanks for stopping by, Sherry. I also loved Have Gun, Will Travel. :)
DeleteAlways enjoyed watching Gunsmoke and The Virginian. Miss those kind of shows these days.
ReplyDeleteskpetal at hotmail dot com
Oh, yes--the Virginian! Good show.
DeleteSounds great. I grew up loving Gunsmoke, Bonanza and The Virginian.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone was in love with Adam on Bonanza!
DeleteI loved Gunsmoke and Bonanza when I was in elementary school. Who didn't love Lil' Joe. When Hoss died in real life, I was so sad.When Hop Sing's braid was cut off and he was humiliated, it was the first time I learned about cultural difference and even as a young child, my heart broke for him.
ReplyDeleteI remember that episode with Hop Sing. It was an important episode for me, too, because there was a significant Chinese population in Owyhee County at one time, although they all moved on. Still, I'd never been exposed to prejudice like that. Since then, I've done some research and wow, those poor people sure did put up with some horrible conditions and treatment.
DeleteI grew up watching Gunsmoke, The Virginian and Bonanza. I think I along with every other little girl out there had a huge crush on Lil' Joe. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win. <^_^>
reneebennett35 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Of my friends, Adam was the heart throb at first, until he left the show and all eyes were on Joe. But I always though Hoss would've been the most fun to be around. :) And hey, Lorne Green wasn't so bad, either!
ReplyDeleteI'm learning so much on this hop. Just wonderful thank you.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thanks for stopping by, Mary!
DeleteMy favorite was adam, too, because he was the strong, silent, studious one, but I didn't get to watch very many episodes. I read Much Ado about Marshalls (don't enter me in the contest since I have the book) and Much Ado About Madames. Great stories.
ReplyDeleteI love to write blurbs because they are such a challenge. All the best to you.
starcriter@yahoo.com
Thanks, Sarah. I'm glad you enjoyed the books. :) Ah, to be talented at blurb writing--I'm jealous! They certainly are a challenge.
DeleteI always loved watching Bonanza and Alias Smith and Jones when I was younger. I was in love with little Joe.
ReplyDeletesstrode at scrtc dot com
Sherry, thanks for visiting and best of luck in the drawing!
DeleteI watched all the western when I was growing up, it was a weekend ritual in our house. Any Randolph Scott, Dale Evans, Roy Rogers, John Wayne....you name it, we watched. I couldn't begin to pick a favorite.
ReplyDeletecmucha319(at)yahoo(dot)com
And then there were the contemporary westerns--Sky King. :)
DeleteIve already read Much Ado About Marshals. Its a great book! Love your stories! Keep them a coming! Thank you for sharing and being apart of this hop!
ReplyDeleteshadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks so much, Shadow!
DeleteGREAT post. Thanks,
ReplyDelete~~Emmly Jane
ej (at) emmly jane (dot) com
Thanks for stopping by, Emmly Jane. The drawing is in a few minutes. Good luck!
DeleteThe winners of Much Ado About Marshals are:
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: oncerfan @ yahoo.com
Joye
Tamara Hoffa
Jean MP
CBarton
If any of these winners are unreachable, then I'll pick others, for a total of five.
My thanks to all of those who participated in the blog hop!
Congratulations!