Treasure Hunting

 

Available at www.bookswelove.net

          

  Can you believe it’s September already? While our world isn’t exactly all roses at the moment, let me take you back in time to September 5, 1856. On that day near Parkville, Kansas, 150 people lost all their possessions as they were tossed into the river when the Steamboat Arabia, on which they traveled, hit a tree limb and sank within minutes. (And you thought you were having a bad day.) Note that at this time there was no travel insurance, either for the people or for the 200 tons of cargo the Arabia transported. Although no lives were lost, possessions and cargo sank beneath the river and would not be rediscovered for another 130 years.

Over the years since 1856, many people have searched for the Arabia as there was a reported large quantity of whiskey on board which would fetch quite a sum at market. When it was finally discovered and unearthed in 1988 in a Kansas cornfield there was no whiskey, but there was a treasure-trove of pre Civil War goods heading for the wilderness around Omaha, NE. The first intent by the salvagers was to sell the treasure but they decided to restore and preserve, thus we now have a wonderful working museum down at River Market in Kansas City.  It’s not your traditional treasure of gold and silver but rather a time capsule of the 1850s. I was amazed at the amount and diversity of goods aboard the steamboat.

Everything from buttons and shoes to construction tools and preserved pickles are artfully displayed in the museum. On any given day, visitors can watch preservationists diligently working on other uncovered items that tell a story not readily available in our history books.

            Even though the Arabia museum is a work in progress and the restoration of artifacts continues, Dave Hawley (one of the original treasure hunters) has continued searching for other steamboats. The Missouri River has an estimated 300-400 sunken riverboats, many of which are now deep beneath farm fields as the river has changed course over the years. In 2016 he finally located the Malta, a steamboat sunk in 1841, loaded with Indian trading supplies for the American Fur Company.

 Aboard the side-wheeler steamer was cargo for Peter Sarpy, Papin & Robidoux and other Chouteau trading posts and merchants along the Missouri River. Once metal detectors hit a strong signal they drilled for a core sample which resulted in finding 150 gold buttons, fabric, well-preserved ceramics and a large iron hook. But as of today, the Malta is still 37 feet underground as the cost of excavation is around $3 million. You can find out more at Malta | The Arabia Steamboat Museum | Kansas City (1856.com).

            From the time the Arabia museum opened, I have been an avid visitor anytime I’m in town. The evolving displays fascinate me; the history of the river and steamboats lure me into a past which I know was much harsher than how I romanticize it. Yet that is what fiction writing is about – taking a real event and spinning a tale of romance and intrigue. I love entwining the past with the present and especially like having the museum at my fingertips for research. I invite you to come aboard the Arabia with me on her last fateful journey by getting a copy of “Hold On To the Past” (available at www.bookswelove.net.).

Sunken steamboats on the river or storm-wrecked sailing vessels on the ocean – these are the settings for legends, tall tales and great historical novels.

 

Barb Baldwin

http://www.authorsden.com/barbarajbaldwin

https://bookswelove.net/baldwin-barbara/

 

Nobody likes a Shady Beach by Vanessa Hawkins

 

  Vanessa Hawkins Author Page

So every month I say I'm going to get a head start on this blog so's alls I gotta do is sit back and eat Cheetos on the 8th, and every month here I am, arse in chair, struggling to figure out what I could possibly write to inspire/entertain my small train of followers who are now used to being disappointed in me...

Deep inhale... she'll get it right eventually...

But this time allow me to let you know why I am late. This time I actually have an excuse, believe it or not... I was on vacation! My family and I went to PEI which, if you are unfamiliar with Atlantic Canada, means Prince Edward Island. It's a small province east of New Brunswick, home to red 

sandy beaches, lots of potatoes as well as hay bales the size of three cows tipped together.

Hay there!

We stayed in a cottage somewhere within the middle of nowhere, saw beach goats and had a grand ol' time with family. At one point I think there was a bonfire, and we did go see Ripley's Believe it or Not, but honestly I thought the attraction was pretty... uh, well... BELIEVEABLE to say the least.  

Sorry Ripley...

The real horror story was when I found three spiders, an earwig and one beetle from dimension enormous in the bathroom over the course of a few days. Also, when I was packing, I had one spider--not included in aforementioned army of nasty cottage bugs--run over my leg in its desperate attempt to flee the premises. I actually went to bed thinking of it that night... I have spider PTSD... 

It's a joke!

But despite the mental AND emotional anguish of fending off so many minibeasts, Prince Edward Island was a fun time. I brought my spawn, who got to see her cousins for the first time, and despite being a Covid baby she was NOT super awkward around other human beings that she hadn't had the fortune of meeting before. Success! And what a heartwarming sight! My cardiovascular unit at least tripled in weight and height before it leapt up out of my throat at the sight of the beetle from big town...

So all in all, a good trip and WITHOUT having to take any... uh... medical grade enhancers... *ahem keep it kid friendly, Vanessa...* 

Wait... if you knew you were going on vacation why didn't you just plan in advance and write the blog a bit EARLIER in preparation for the intended time away? If you were any sort of decent human being with even a MODICUM of forethought, you would have prepared SOMETHING for those people who continue to drag themselves through your hastily scrawled drivel every month! How do you expect to ever make it as a writer if you can't even commit to THAT? How do you expect people to keep putting up with you? How do you--

And so did those Cavendish potatoes... Till next time!

I live in bear country by J. S. Marlo

 

 

J. S. Marlo's BWL Books

In "Mishandled Conviction", Violette and her pregnant daughter flee in the forest to escape their abductor only to encounter a mama bear with her two cubs. To describe the bear encounter, I use the phrase If it’s brown, get down. If it’s black, attack. If it’s white, you’re dead, but how true is this statement?

 

 

I live in Wood Buffalo, Northern Alberta. As of August 11, there has been 134 black bear encounters in the municipality since the spring. 59% of these encounters occurred in residential areas. Late summer and fall are active months for black bears as they will eat as much as they can before going into hibernation, so that number will rise in the weeks to come.

The only bear I saw so far this summer was  a cub crossing the street ten feet in front of my car. I did stop to let him cross safely, but no, I didn't get out. I didn't see his mama, but she couldn't have been far since that cub was too young to fend for himself.

In Wood Buffalo, there are only black bears, but black bears aren't always black. They come in different colours: from cream, to cinnamon, to brown, to black, and almost everything in between.

 

When we use the term "brown bear", we mean a grizzly bear, not a black bear with brown fur. It is actually important to know the difference between a grizzly and a black bear in order to know how to react to them.

 

Though grizzlies are generally bigger than black bears, you can't rely on colour or size alone to differentiate them. A grizzly has a prominent shoulder hump and an elongated face, unlike the black bear who has no obvious hump and a more rounded face. Their toes aren't aligned the same way, so their prints are different. Grizzlies also have longer claws, though I would rather not come within distance of being able to see their claws.

So, should you fight back if you encounter a black bear, or lay down if you come across a grizzly? In most cases, that would be the right thing to do, but before you reach that point, there are a few other things to do--and not do.

 

First, if you see a bear, DO NOT RUN! And never turn your back to a bear.

If the bear hasn't seen you: move away cautiously.

If the bear saw you: speak calmly, wave your arm slowly, and back away. Get ready to use your bear spray, which should be clipped to your waist and not hidden at the bottom of your backpack.

If the bear charges, and your spray doesn't work,  fight the black bear but lay down for the grizzly (protect your head with your arms) as you have very slim chances of winning a fight against a grizzly. That being said, if the grizzly doesn't lose interest in you after a few minutes and start biting you, you may want to fight back.

 

In practice, these worst-case scenarios don't happen very often. There are ways to minimize your chances of dangerous encounters: hike in groups, make noise, stay on the trails, pay attention to paw prints and scats (fresh poop means bear nearby), carry bear spray and know how to use it. Humans aren't on black bears' or grizzlies' menu, but bears will react if they are startled, if they feel threatened, if you stand in the middle of their berry patch, or heaven forbid if you come between them and their cubs.

Bottom line: Don't be afraid to enjoy the outdoor, but stay ALERT! And don't forget, bears are good climbers.

 

 A quick note on white bears, aka polar bears: they are at the top of the food chain. No human ventures into polar bear territory without a loaded rifle unless they want to become a midday snack. So, if a polar bear is charging at you, and your finger isn't on the trigger, I'm afraid that bear will be the last thing you'll ever see.

 

For more information on how to play safely in bear country, Read the Alberta BearSmart Guide

Happy Reading & Stay Safe

JS

 

 

J. S. Marlo's Website

 

Brand New Website by Eileen O'Finlan

 

Click here for purchase information

 

Click here to visit Eileen O'Finlan's website

I knew the time to renew my contract with the company that built and maintains my website was coming up and I was dreading it. The annula fee was exhorbitant. Besides that, I wanted a new look, something that felt more me. Don Lutz, the husband of my friend and fellow writer, Jane Willan, had built a beautiful author website for Jane so I asked him how much he would charge to build one for me. His answer - ice cream. That was a fee I could afford.

Don and I met to discuss what I was looking for, what feel I wanted, how I envisioned presenting my author brand. I gave him a quart of chocolate ice cream. He built a basic site. We met again for a training session in which he taught me how to design the pages, create links, upload pictures, and whatever else I thought I might do on the site. He also linked the sign up box for my newsletter to my email marketing platform creating a smooth transition and worked with my previous site host to get my domain name transfered to me. I gave him another quart of chocolate and a quart of black raspberry.

I now have a website I love, one that I feel reflects me and my brand perfectly. I have one more meeting with Don coming up so he can help figure out how to design the rest of the pages I want to add. I will bring more ice cream. 

This, by the way, isn't just any ice cream. For years I have purchased my milk from a local dairy farm. They make other dairy products as well. Their ice cream is beyond belief. Hancock Dairy Farm uses primarily Ayershire cows which give the creamiest milk so everything they make from it is utterly (udderly??) delicious! Don's reaction to his first taste of their chocolate ice cream was, "Now this is what ice cream is supposed to taste like!" Once a week during the season, I stop on my way home from work at the farmer's market to pick up my milk which allows me to avoid the delivery charge I pay during the rest of the year. At the same time, I pick up Don's ice cream (and maybe some for myself). Hmmm...if they have it, perhaps I'll pick up some of their amazing chocolate cheese for Don to go with his ice cream. Maybe some for me, too.

Check out my new website here!

The ice cream-making cows at Hancock Dairy Farm 

in Barre, Massachusetts

Writing a Historical Novel ~ Part One ~ Choosing Names for My Characters by Rosemary Morris

 

To learn more about Rosemary's work please click on Grace, Lady of Cassio.

My new novel, Grace Lady of Cassio, the sequel to Yvonne, Lady of Cassio, is a classic, fact fiction, medieval romance set in Edward III’s reign, has been released as a paperback and an e-book.

I am often asked; “How do you write a historical novel?”

There is no right or method to write any novel, so authors have different methods. Some plunge in with no preparation, others plan each chapter before they write the first paragraph.

I spend a long time thinking about the characters. Before I begin a new novel, I must become acquainted with the hero, heroine and other important protagonists.

It takes me a long time to choose appropriate names. The first names of most medieval English males and females derive from their religion. For example, Yvonne stems from Ivo, in old French, Ive (s) and St Ives is said to have come to England from Persia In Latin the meaning of gratia is Grace.  Gracia, Grecia, Gricia occur in 13^th and 14^th century and may represent Grace. These examples justify my appropriate choice of Christian names in the first and second stand-alone novels about The Lovages of Cassio. I am equally careful to choose suitable names in my novels set in Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, 1702-1704, and those set in the ever popular Regency era.

Medieval parents’ choice of names was conservative. Although the choice for new-born sons and daughters were limited, I imagine that, in common with 21^st century parents, some medieval mothers and fathers had earnest discussions about what to name their babies. Apart from being baptised with saints’ names or their derivatives, sometimes children received the first names of legendary figures, famous people, or royalty.

As the saying goes, I think it is worthwhile ‘going the extra mile’ to carefully select my character’s names, bearing in mind they should be appropriate for their social class. While researching my novels I discover lots of names that have gone out of fashion. For example, I chose Richelda for the heroine in my novel, Tangled Love, set in Queen Anne’s reign.

I neither invent improbable names which are glamourous, nor do I choose recently invented names such as Shanna or Sky. I also stick to conventional spelling instead of using a different one, for example Maree instead of Mary or Richearde instead of Richard which would jerk me out of the story.

Recently, I read the first few pages of a historical romance in which the hero and heroine’s exotic first names would only be found in today’s kindergartens or primary schools. I discarded the novel because, in my opinion, I did not have faith in a historical novelist who could not be bothered to choose appropriate names for characters will not accurately create past times for her readers.

 

http://bookswelove.net/authors/morris-rosemary

 

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk    

 

Unicorns in the Middle Ages by S.L. Carlson

 

 Visit S.L. Carlson's BWL Author Page for details and purchase links

 

I am S. L. Carlson, a proud and grateful BWL Publishing Inc. author. My books can be viewed and purchased by visiting    https://www.bookswelove.net/carlson-s-l

 

People may wonder why an adult would write about unicorns. After all, aren’t unicorns today associated with rainbows, flowers, wishes, and puffy-white clouds? Yes… that is, for little girls. I’m no longer little; although, I must admit that I do appreciate all of the above relations.

 

In the Middle Ages, unicorns were associated with virgins, since only innocent young maidens were capable of approaching the allusive animals. Well…er…(pointing to wedding ring). I’m married. But I am also sweet and (cough) innocent, so why wouldn’t unicorns want to come to me. Why?

 

 

 

 

So what comes to mind when you hear the words War Unicorn? (Take a moment.)

 

I thought of this combination years ago during a challenge at a writers’ conference. We were asked to think of two opposing words, then develop a synopsis or short story using them. And that, my friends, was the very beginning of my 4-book series The War Unicorn Chronicles.

 

In the beginning book, War Unicorn: The Ring, a young apple farmer finds a magical ring containing a unicorn. Their relationship begins rocky, to say the least. One, a peaceful farm boy, and the other a 300-year-old war veteran. But after four books, the two are still together, so you can figure out what their connection is by reading the series.

 

Enjoy your fantasies.

 

S. L. Carlson Blog & Website: https://authorslcarlson.wordpress.com

BWL Inc. Publisher Author Page: https://www.bookswelove.net/carlson-s-l

 

Why Should You Write What You Know? by Diane Bator

 

After 17 months of making videos and appearning on Zoom calls and podcasts, I did my first In-Person event at our local library! I was so excited to stand in front of a group of people again and talk about Writing What You Know and my two new books, All That Shines and Dead Without Remorse. It was so inspiring for me to chat with novice writers after the session who loved the advice I gave and came away feeling totally motivated to write their first book. In return, I came home excited to continue to write and work with other writers to make their dream a reality.

So what do I mean by "write what you know"? 

Novice writers have been given that advice for many years and, a lot of the time, they have no idea what it really means. They get stuck in a box of thinking you can only write your life - which most of us feel is a pretty dull subject! Whether it be about your current job, your lifestyle, or your own life experiences.

That's only partially correct.

I was stuck in that same rut until I read one simple paragraph written by Natalie Goldberg on page 48 of Writing Down the Bones:

"Writers live twice. They go along with their regular life, and are as fast as anyone in the grocery store, crossing the street, getting dressed for work in the morning. But there's another part of them they have been training. The one that lives everything a second time. That sits down and sees their life again and goes over it. Looks at the texture and details."

I belive it is in those textures and details that we truly write what we know. 

No matter what genre you write, there are always sights, smells, tastes, textures, and sounds that we as writers can add to build the setting and tension and to create a realistic backdrop for our books.

If your book takes place on a spaceship deep among the stars, you already know what the darkness looks like. You can describe what metals feel like, look like, and even sound like when you knock on them or grind them together. Is it shiny and sterile? Is it an old ship with panels falling off to reveal internal circuitry? 

When writing a fantasy novel, you have likely walked through forests and are familiar with the sights and sounds of birds, trees, and babbling brooks. While you might not have seen a dragon before, you can compare one to a lizard, just on a grander scale and with wings that could cause serious damage to a cottage.

For mystery and even paranormal writers, we've all been alone inside a building before. Bring in that sense of dread and suspense where you have no idea what's around the next corner. Have your character hear a sound that they can't identify. Their heartrate would speed up and their hands grow clammy because they have no idea who - or what - is in the building with them.

Bring in the simple things:  The smells in the air before or after a rainfall. The taste of coffee, or what passes for coffee or strange herbal teas in their worlds. The rustle of leaves as the wind blows. The texture of shiny or matte metals. The creaking of wood on a pirate ship. Snow falling on your face.

Can you write about your job? Why not? As long as you're not giving out top secret information, you can fictionalize places, people, and events. Writing the bitter truth about easily idenifyable people will put you in the realm of non-fiction. It can also open you up to a lawsuit! Think before you publish.

I believe very strongly in writing what you know when it comes to creating stronger fiction. I even have a simple formula for it.

Take one part imagination

Add one part reality

Blend in a flowing, believable way

That engages your readers

Repeat in the next story or novel.

Thank you for joining me today!

You can learn more about me and my books at http://bookswelove.net/bator-diane/ and at my website https://dianebator.ca/

Diane Bator

 

BWL PUBLISHING INC. NEW RELEASES AND FREE BOOK FOR SEPTEMBER 2021

CLICK THE BOOK COVERS TO PURCHASE EBOOKS

•  Canada by Jove is a historical fiction novel about a handsome and daring young Englishman, Bert White, who accompanies his brother, Ernie, on a journey across the ocean to Canada in 1910. They leave England with only a few pence in their pockets, but with their pleasing personalities, musical talents and imaginations, they arrive in Montreal with enough cash to enjoy a few weeks of leisure before looking for employment.
• This novel takes the reader on a journey through the towns and cities of 1900s Canada from the East Coast to the West Coast. Readers experience the hardships that early settlers had to endure, and except for the town of Glory, all the cities and towns mentioned in this book are, or were, real.
• Bert is willing to try his hand at any job that comes his way but he soon discovers that being a cowboy isn’t as romantic as he had imagined and a hobo’s life isn’t enviable.
• In Calgary Bert meets Nell, a pretty young girl who has come from Nova Scotia to stay with her sister and brother-in-law. They marry and after their fourth child is born, they set out on a journey by car for Vancouver—a four month journey in an older model touring car, loaded down with all their belongings and tenting gear, through mountains and canyons on dirt, trail-like roads. The dangers they encounter on this trip are frightening but the scenery and the towns they visit make it all worth while.

• Join this extra-ordinary couple as they build a life and raise a family at a time when the Canadian west was in its infancy.

 

Making Marmalade by Priscilla Brown

 

https://books2read.com/Hot-Ticket

In this contemporary romance, Callum is an innovative cook, 

while Olivia's specialities are baked beans on toast and home-delivery pizza.  

Neither has ever made marmalade.

     

 In The King's Breakfast, a poem in When we were very young by A.A. Milne,

 the Queen is persuading the King to try marmalade instead of butter - "Marmalade is nicer."

 

For several years I have complimented my friend on her home-made lemon marmalade; my only contribution to this had been helping her pick fruit from the tree in her garden.  But moving to an apartment meant marmalade making with her own lemons could be no more. Together we picked the lemons, reminiscing about previous occasions. Then she surprised me by saying she didn't have the time to make it before her relocation in a few days' time, and presented me with not only all these lemons, but with an enormous saucepan, what seemed a lot of sugar, six jam jars and a recipe that had been in her family for a couple of generations. She explained that this was not the only possible recipe, but it had always worked for her so I should not have any trouble. Hmm. She had more confidence than I had in my cooking abilities.

 

To begin the great marmalade undertaking, I learnt I had to cut the fruit up, tie the pips and pith in a scrap of muslin thoughtfully supplied by my friend, luckily as the only muslin in my house is a smart dress, and place everything in water to soak overnight.Relax, this job was easy! My overnight relaxation included a dream of sailing on a sea of marmalade in a lemon-shaped boat which hit a large pip and sank. Next morning, my concoction had to simmer for about one and a half hours, after which I took out the bag of pips and added the sugar. Boil rapidly, the recipe instructed. No trouble about that, the brew was rising at an alarming rate. According to the recipe, setting would take between three and fifteen minutes.

Optimistic, I tested after five by dropping a teaspoonful onto a saucer. The marmalade was liquid...after ten, fifteen minutes, it still didn't look like anything with the potential to be eventually spreadable. The instructions advised using a clean saucer for each test, and at twenty-five minutes I had to start using those from the best tea service. If it boiled too long, the recipe admonished, it would never set. Had it boiled too long, or not long enough? What to do with a pan of unset marmalade? At thirty minutes I was giving up hope, when at last the sticky mess on a saucer formed a skin. I touched it and watched it wrinkle - yay, my effort had metamorphosed into marmalade!

Who knew all this would take so long! In such an amount of time, I could have written a couple of chapters...or perhaps not. After this culinary experience, I returned with some relief to my novel-in-progress, where I needed to rescue two characters from  a 'sticky' situation which had nothing to do with marmalade.

Best wishes, Priscilla

https://bwlpublishing.ca 

https://priscillabrownauthor 

Cowboys by Eden Monroe

 

 

Find Gold Digger Among Us and Eden Monroe's other books, here: 

https://bookswelove.net/monroe-eden/

Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.

 A cowboy saying

 * * *

If ever there was a romantic symbol of freedom, it’s the cowboy and his undisputed mastery over untamed, wide-open spaces.

 As for the job description of a cowboy, that actually originated in Mexico, when, in the early 1500’s, Spaniards imported horses and built ranches to raise livestock in the Americas. Those early cowboys were known as vacqueros from the Spanish word vaca, meaning cow. They were herdsmen, overseeing enormous herds of cattle and in the process of tending them became expert horsemen, as well as outstanding ropers, skills that are still in demand today by cowboys working cattle from the back of a horse or competing in rodeos.

 As time passed the size of cattle herds on the North American continent grew exponentially, spreading across the American west and ultimately the Canadian west. At the centre of that bovine tidal wave were the cowboys who handled them. Also called cowhands, cowpokes, cowpunchers or buckaroos, theirs was an often lonely and always demanding lifestyle, time spent on the open range and in cow camps, or on ranches, with plenty of hard work and long hours for little pay. They distinguished themselves by their fierce devotion to the work they loved, living by the unspoken cowboy code, or the code of the west, that included living each day with courage, taking pride in what they did, being tough but fair, and knowing where to draw the line.

As the legend of the cowboy grew, so did the lure for this romanticized lifestyle that saw men come from many walks of life and a variety of ethnic backgrounds to embrace it. African American cowboys also made their mark, such as Bill Pickett (cowboy, rodeo, Wild West show performer and actor) from Texas who is credited with inventing bulldogging, or steer wrestling as it’s also called. Unmarried Jewish men primarily flocked to the west (1849-1899) in such numbers to become cowboys that this period in western history is referred to as the third golden age of Jewish history. High-profile western lawman Wyatt Earp married a Jewish woman, Josephine Marcus, and they’re buried side by side in the Jewish Hills of Eternity Memorial Park in Colma, California.

Today cowboys, while popularized in American and Canadian western culture, are found in many parts of the world, including on the continents of Africa and Australia. It’s not only the distinctive broad-brimmed hat, boots and chaps that define the cowboy, the measure of the man has always been what’s in his heart.

Cowgirls are also part of the legend, including such notables as sharp shooter Annie Oakley (1860-1926) whose real name was Phoebe Ann Moses (some historians say Mosey) Butler. These women take a back seat to no one, strong, resilient and daring as they continue to carve their own special niche in history.

 Often glamorized and always respected, every cowboy, either real or fictional, has a story to tell. Enter Dade Tanner, cowboy and cattle rancher. Rugged, dark and sexy, he sits tall in the saddle as he rides herd over an edge of your seat romantic suspense in Gold Digger Among Us, where anything can … and does … happen:

 Gold Digger Among Us - Excerpt

“Finding an empty spot on one of the logs, Dade settled into it and was totally taken by surprise when the bold brunette who’d earlier grabbed at his sleeve, plunked herself happily in his lap. He’d suffered worse fates. She was pretty and making it very clear what she wanted from him as he got an impromptu lap dance to the tune that was playing on Maynard’s truck stereo.

“Hey, Sarah,” she yelled to the woman who’d been sitting beside her on the log, “I got me a cowboy….”

Faithful to the tradition of what it means to be a cowboy, Dade was born to that way of life, and he’s cowboy to the core:

“He leaned one shoulder nonchalantly against the doorjamb with thumbs hooked through his belt loops - the dust from the back corral still evident on his chaps. The sun glinted brilliantly against silver conchos on their flared outer flaps above his scuffed cowboy boots. He shifted his position slightly, a spur jingling against the doorsill.

‘You’re right, it is hot out there,’ he agreed at length, but with more warmth. ‘Maybe I’ll see you at the dance tonight.’

He studied her for a moment longer before leaving, his eyes unreadable from beneath the brim of his Stetson.”

Dade Tanner is as cowboy tough as they come, and just as purposeful when he climbs down off his horse. Kerrah knows. She’s the woman he loves:

 “Dade’s bedroom was in darkness as he laid her on a hand-worked quilt. Shafts of moonlight captured him in a flawless silhouette as he stood by the bed, slowly taking off his shirt. Cowboy of the year the polished silver buckle read as the worn leather belt glided past the last notch and hung open. Weather-browned hands unhurriedly released the metal button atop the faded denims.”

 Independent and determined, Dade too lives by the unspoken cowboy code. He finishes what he starts and as anyone who knows him will say, he’ll always do what needs to be done and remain true to himself. Yes, Dade Tanner is a cowboy with a story to tell, one you won’t soon forget. 

For more on Eden Monroe and her Emerald Valley Ranch series visit her BWL Publishing Author page

https://bookswelove.net/monroe-eden/