Are you ready for spring? I dodged through sleet to get to yoga class today. Enough already! It's time for warm weather, azaleas, and the breeze carrying the aroma of outdoor-grilled steak. Sara Walter Ellwood thought so, too, so she fired up the Springtime in the Country Blog Hop.
March and April are entirely unpredictable weather months in the area where the Hearts of Owyhee series is set. I grew up there (Owyhee County, Idaho), and I remember a day where it was so warm, we dressed in shorts and tanktops. On the way to a library meeting, we had the AC turned on high in the car.
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| Springtime at Graveyard Point, Owyhee County |
Then the lightning flashed, and the rain sprinkled but soon turned into sleet, then snow. We switched off the AC and turned the heater on full blast. By the time we got where we were going, four inches of snow had fallen and we were freezing. The windshield wipers stuck to the glass. Our flip-flops froze to our feet as we dashed into the building.
An hour later, our meeting had ended and we dreaded walking the fifty yards to the car, but when we went outside, the sun shined bright and hot, every flake of snow had melted, and the birds chirped happily.
That is springtime in Owyhee County.
Now, can you imagine negotiating that erratic weather 150 years ago? You'd have to be prepared for any weather because there were no cars with either AC or heaters. Plus, you've gotta feel sorry for the poor horses pulling the wagon.
Luckily for my characters, Much Ado About Miners is set in the summer months. It's hot in the morning, hotter in the afternoon, and hot in the evening. Seldom is there any precipitation of any kind. No slickers or muffs needed. I'm sure they'd have loved some air conditioning, though.
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| Amazon |
I like adventures and so does the heroine, Iris. Well, she got one. :) Think she can resist Kade McKinnon's charm? Ha!
About Much Ado About Miners
Cupid’s bullet...
Hired gun Kade McKinnon interrupts a bank holdup and is shot by the teller, Iris Gardner, whose victims have a tendency to be the next groom in town. Will he be the groom this time?
Cupid’s bow...
Iris Gardner, a smart, independent bank clerk, fell in love with Kade when she was too young to know better. So when he walks back into her life and her bank, it's only fitting that she shoots him ... by accident, of course. But she’s a suffragist now, so his charms can’t affect her... right?
Cupid’s blindfold...
Kade doesn’t know Iris’s company is the one who hired him to escort a bullion shipment, and Iris doesn’t know Kade owns the security company, but they both know robbers are on their trail. Which is more likely to be stolen—the silver, or his heart?
This is the fourth book in the Hearts of Owyhee series. Here's all of the books.
Contact Jacquie:
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(winner’s choice)
Open to both US and international commenters. Must be 18 years old or older eligible. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. See the Rafflecopter for all terms/conditions.
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It sounds as unpredictable there as here. I love the northern states in the west - especially Idaho and Montana with the views of cowboys available. But how do we make our cowboys have their sexy southern drawl? Have them move? It's my latest problem - in trying to create those perfect cowboys.
ReplyDeleteMary, the cowhands in Idaho and Oregon have every bit as much swagger as those in Texas or Wyoming. I write historicals so the speech pattern isn't all that different. Actually, where I grew up, it still isn't much different. So relax and just write your story. Remember, lots of the cowhands drove herds up from Texas and stayed. Perfect cowhands are what you make of them. You're god of your book, you know. Best of luck!
DeleteSounds as unpredictable as Texas. I've been through the very hot, thunderstorm/cold air/rain, cold weather some sleet, to sunshine and just comfortable here too. I'm close to the coast so it is unusual but still possible. Would like to read about the characters you describe.
ReplyDeleteConnie, best of luck in the drawing. I forgot to put it in the post, but the drawing will be held at the end of the blog hop, and I'm in Pacific Time, so that would be March 26.
DeleteInteresting books
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Thanks, bn100. I'm glad you stopped by and good luck!
Deletewow your books all looks so good i need to add them all to my tbr list.. I live in the midsouth and its unpredictable evne here we had ice last wek and a few days later 70's now back to 40's.. cathybrockmanromance@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCathy, we had an inch of sleet March 19, but it's been warm since. Spring is a crazy time. But in another week or so, it'll be beautiful. I'm glad you visited, and good luck in the drawings!
ReplyDeleteQuick question for me - how do you pronounce "Owyhee"?
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Mary, it's oh-WYE-hee. Owyhee is the original anglicized spelling of Hawaii. The county was named after some Hawaiian fur trappers who were lost there in the very early 1800s.
DeleteWhat a fabulous giveaway and I do love cowboys. I am so ready for spring but looks like its still a bit away.Its in the 50's today here but going to drop down to 40 tomorrow. Will warmer tempts every get here to say, I am beginning to wonder. I live in KY and it may be 65 one day and 20 the next. This year has been really bad everywhere and we get it all.
ReplyDeleteQuilt Lady, yes, erratic. Here in Seattle, too. Maybe we should just stay in the house and read a boatload of good books. :)
DeleteHello again, Jacquie! Long time no blog tour...'til now. :-) Just wanted to drop by and say hi 'cause I already have all of the books you're giving as prizes and I wanted you to know I love your western stories. Mucho. Thanks for the post. Hope some lucky winner really enjoys your stories as much as I do. jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi, Janice! Thanks for stopping in. Have a margarita! :)
DeleteYikes! I'm sure glad I didnt have weather like you had,... I don't think I could've handled that lol.
ReplyDeleteThank you for having this giveaway! I hope you have a great weekend! =)
Brandi
BLeigh1130 at yahoo dot com
Brandi, thanks for visiting and best of luck with the drawing!
Deletenew author for me and the books look amazing!! i LOVE the covers too!
ReplyDeleteFroggy
froggarita@gmail.com
Thanks, Froggy. Love your handle, too! My mom used to collect ceramic frogs.
Delete