Lightning Over Bennett Ranch

Character Interview with Melody Bennett from Lightning Over Bennett Ranch

Hi, Melody. Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with me. Let’s jump into the questions. First of all, what do you look like?

I’m about 5-8 with blue eyes and long blonde hair that I always wear in a ponytail. I really should cut off the curly locks since it’s a pain in the butt to deal with, but I just can’t grab up the scissors. I’m curvy and my—um—bosom is a tad larger than I like, so I wear oversized shirts and flannel a lot. A bunch of the workers on my dad’s ranch can’t seem to keep their dang eyes to themselves whenever I wear tighter-fitting clothing.

Where and when does your story take place?

Willow Creek, Montana. Modern day. 

What did you think the first time you saw Max?

Oh, Lord. My emotions were all over the place that day. I was seventeen and trying to wrangle a wild horse under control. I was all cool and calm on the outside, but inside I was jittery. After I finally managed to stop the runaway mare, I spotted Max by the stable. He was a new worker on the ranch, and the most gorgeous cowboy I’d ever seen. I was smitten, all right. His sweaty blond hair lay tousled over his head, and his brown eyes lit like wicked fire when our gazes met. It was kismet.

What is your family like? 

Aargh. Controlling. My father knows I need my privacy, but he doesn’t think any man is good enough for me. My mother keeps trying to marry me off to the wealthy cattle rancher I dated and dumped a few years back. Neither of my parents approved of Max, nor did my brothers, but they’re finally coming around. As the only daughter in the family, I’m used to hardheaded men.

What is your occupation? Are you any good at it? 

I train and breed horses, and yeah, I’m excellent at it. I’ve had Lightning, my beloved Rocky Mountain horse, since he was colt. He’s won several ribbons and has sired quite a few colts and fillies that have themselves won races and begot their own offspring.

What's the most terrible thing that ever happened to you?

Max and I planned to runaway together when we were younger, but when I showed up at the motel, he was already gone. He broke my heart that night. I never expected to see him again, so when he finally returned, he threw my life out of whack.

What conflicts are you facing?

The biggest conflict was dealing with Max’s return. He acted like we could pick up where we left off, which shot my temper through the roof. After ten years of no contact, I had to summon a lot of courage to give him a second chance. And there was my family. Max and I had to sneak around a bit, but I soon put a stop to that.

What is people’s first impression of you?

That I’m cold and a tomboy. Sometimes they see the pain simmering just below the surface, but I’m pretty good at hiding my emotions.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Not really. I’m a reserved person, but I’m trying to break out of my shell. Thank you, though, for inviting me to talk. It feels good to get this stuff off my chest.

Synopsis:

Melody Bennett’s parents trampled on her teenage romance with a drifter ten years earlier. After he disappeared without a word of goodbyes on the night they had planned to run away together, she casts aside her foolish notions of happily ever after and works hard on her family’s ranch.

Max Fortaine returns with a heart guarded by secrets and a sizable bank account that took blood, prayers, and tears to fund. The cowboy disrupts Melody’s peaceful life with stolen kisses and a promise for more. After a lifetime of running, mistakes and regrets, he vows to reclaim the only woman he’s ever loved…if only her overprotective father didn’t stand in his way.

Excerpt:

“Did you ever love me? At least tell me that.”

He drew back, his eyes widening. “Yes, I did. I’m sorry you doubted it.”

Could she trust him? A tear slid down her cheek. Where was her control? God, please. Keep her strong. She dug her nails against her palms. “You owe me the truth.”

“Yeah, I do.” He forced his fingers through his spiky, dark-blond hair. “You’ll hate me more than you already do.”

“I don’t hate you. I did long ago, but I forgave you.” She inhaled his musky scent through her nose, then stepped back for breathing room. “I’m happy, Max. My life is good. To answer your earlier question, no, I don’t have a boyfriend. I’ve dated men after you, of course, but I’m single now. That’s my choice.”

She couldn’t tell him about her list of must-haves, her criterion for potential love interests. How could she? If he knew how much his betrayal had hurt her and how it affected her view on men and love, would he think her weak and immature? Maybe she was.

“Besides, I’m sure you moved on to other women.” She cast her gaze down his body. Despite the desire tingling in her veins, her heart and her mind were in accord. He wouldn’t fool her again. “I doubt a handsome man like you would have trouble finding a new bedmate.” After all, that’s all she had been to him. Right?

He glanced away and shifted his feet.

Oh, yes. He’d slept with other women after her. How many had he lied to and seduced? How many fell in love with him?

Her stomach roiled. She wrapped her arms around her middle and walked to a window. She peered through the slats of the blinds, but the great expanse of land blurred into one giant brown-and-green mass. She faced him. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to feel not good enough? Why did you leave Willow Creek without me? I don’t care what the answer is. I just want to know. I won’t hate you for it.”

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22460410-lightning-over-bennett-ranch

Buy Links:

Amazon – http://amzn.to/1oUklll

Barnes and Noble – https://bit.ly/2Lf2O9c

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/lightning-over-bennett-ranch-1

iTunes – https://apple.co/2rXHsp5

Draft2Digital – https://www.draft2digital.com/book/331144

Universal link – https://books2read.com/u/3nYY25

Audio Links: 

Amazon – https://amzn.to/2QBNllu

Audible – https://adbl.co/2PmF7gU

iTunes – https://apple.co/2EavsZT

Montana Ranch series:

Universal link – https://books2read.com/u/mYooyw

About the Author:

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press, Books to Go Now, and Daulton Publishing, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. Feel free to visit her at http://www.amberdaultonauthor.blogspot.com.

Social Media Links: 

Website – https://amberdaulton.wordpress.com/

Facebook Author Page – www.facebook.com/amber.daulton.author

Twitter – https://twitter.com/AmberDaulton1

Street Team – https://www.facebook.com/groups/572204316296198/

Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/amberdaulton5/

Goodreads – www.goodreads.com/author/show/6624921.Amber_Daulton

Amazon Author Page – http://amzn.to/14JoZff

Triberr – https://triberr.com/AmberDaulton

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/amberdaultonauthor/

Book Bub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amber-daulton 

Norse Hearts

The historical romance,

by Robynn Gabel, is now available on Amazon. 

It’s the eve of Seraphina Forthred’s wedding in Seletun, Britain, late 800 AD, and Einar, a Viking warrior, has been ordered to kill her by Cecil, her betrothed. But when Einar isn’t paid, he makes other plans—holding her hostage for the silver denied him.

Seraphina finds Einar, as willful as she is, and she’s thrown into a world that is savage in comparison to hers.

Robynn Gabel had two dreams growing up, writing books and riding horses. In her first two books, she fulfilled them both by publishing her award-winning story about her time with Elvis, a champion Missouri Fox Trotter. However, her continual pursuit of adventure pushed her off into the deeper waters of writing a historical romance novel taking place in the backdrop of the Viking Age. In her latest book, Norse Hearts, she draws from a rich treasure trove of experiences and painstaking research to provide not only a historically authentic tale but one with true emotional power only she can bring.

You can find this riveting story in both paperback and ebook on Amazon.com. For more information on Author book signings, reviews, and background, check out the following links.

https://www.robynngabel.com

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobynnGabel

https://amazon.com/author/robynngabel

https://www.amazon.com/Norse-Hearts-Robynn-Gabel/dp/0578404087

 

Death Southern Style

 

Death Southern Style

Excerpt from Death Southern Style

Perrine Dupré hurried down the street. She needed to get home. Dark New Orleans clouds hovered overhead. Thunder rolled. Large drops of late May rain pelted the streets of the French Quarter. It sounded like hail as the fat globs bounced off the pavement behind Perrine. The ozone mixed with the scent of magnolia and the smell of shrimp and fish cooking in the area.

The older African American woman struggled against the wind. It whipped her umbrella inside out. She clutched it tightly so not to lose it. Rain blurred her vision. Thunder crashes caused her to jump. She stumbled up the three steps to her front door. Her daughter was coming home for a visit. Perrine’s pulse increased and a smile sneaked out.

Perrine loved her New Orleans. She hated to travel, but two years ago she’d gone to New York to see Julie Ann and her new business. It was a mass of busy airports and crowded flights, but she’d enjoyed seeing the city and staying in her daughter’s apartment. Her daughter had showed off her new interior design business, introduced Perrine to a few of her friends and dragged Perrine to some of the typical tourist activities. Julie Ann had been getting her designing business established then and had a challenge taking time off to leave and come home. Recently she’d taken on a partner. It freed up a little extra time. Tomorrow Julie Ann would be home in New Orleans and Perrine could give her a big hug.

Juggling her parcels, umbrella and the key Perrine jabbed it in the direction of the lock. Finally, the key found the opening and turned.

Thunder rumbled a little louder, sounding like pins crashing in a bowling alley.

Perrine turned the doorknob and froze.

One of her psychic visions flashed in front of her. Her shoulders sagged. A man stood inside. Her visons didn’t lie. She wasn’t going to see Julie Ann after all. And she'd miss their regular telephone call tonight, too.

She wasn’t prepared to die. A single tear shimmered down her cheek. Her heart pounded. She clutched her parcels to her chest. Why now?
         Lightning flashed. Thunder crashed again.

He waited for her to come inside.

The vision showed her crumpled on the ground in front of the house. She’d run, but obviously she wasn’t going to get far. Even if she managed to escape, they would kill her eventually. And after tonight Julie Ann would be home.  She would also be in danger.

The family was too rich and powerful. They didn’t care about collateral damage or anyone who might get hurt. Had they killed off all the other people involved? Was that why the documentation wasn’t important anymore? The birth certificate should have been enough.

There was so much she should have shared with Julie Ann. At least then she would be aware of the threat.
         Perrine didn’t want to die in the house. It would leave a permanent stain and memory. Julie Ann might never enter the house again if Perrine’s body was found inside.

In her mind, Perrine stared into the depths of the house, hands trembled, freezing cold filled her chest. She had to make a decision. He was getting ready to make a move. Perrine dropped her parcels, turned and raced down the steps.

The skies opened wide and lightning flashed across the sky, turning it an electric white. Perrine crumpled to the street. No one heard the shot. An icy shroud of death enveloped over her.

The front door closed. The lock clicked.

She felt no pain, not even when a boot kicked her sharply in the ribs - twice.

The feet moved away.

A gate squeaked.

A car engine roared to life.

The phone rang. No one answered it tonight.

Her spirit prepared to leave.

Perrine regretted that she’d never shared any information about Julie Ann’s real mother with her daughter, or how her mother had been murdered. She’d tried to protect her baby.

Perrine’s mind dimmed. She prayed to her god to help her keep Julie Ann alive. Her spirit gradually left her body and floated away. Using her fading power, Perrine pulled on the power of the Priestess to allow her to remain on earth, in any form.

Julie Ann would be at risk. Perrine might still be able to protect her. She needed to be there, at least in spirit, for her daughter.

Buy Links

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Southern-Style-Beverley-Bateman-ebook/dp/B089VRC1WR/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=beverley+bateman&qid=1595985074&s=books&sr=1-2

Bio

Beverley Bateman now lives in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She recently moved from the Okanagan Valley in BC, Canada. Instead of vineyards, orchards, lakes, and mountains she has ranches, farmers and a close community. She lives there with her husband and her Bichon-poodle rescue dog. During the cold Alberta winters, she snowbirds to Arizona and does glass fusion, watercolor painting and plays the ukulele besides working on her latest romantic suspense. Hunted, Missing and Targeted are part of her Montana series. She also has her Holly Devine series; A Cruise to Remember, and a Murder to Forget. Don’t Go is her darker romantic suspense.

Medialinks

Website – https://www.beverleybateman.com

Blog - http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/

Twitter @kelownawriter

Facebook Authorpage - http://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeverleyBateman?ref=hl

Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/okwriter

Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/Beverley-Bateman/e/B008M01F5E

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/beverley.bateman.18?fref=ts

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7052567.Beverley_Bateman

LinkedIn - babateman@shaw.ca

Instagram - Beverley.Bateman

 

The Prosecution of Lt. Tabor Chandler

Tabor Chandler rescues a young boy from drowning one cold Texas night in 1865, but the act won’t pardon him of the crime that keeps him on the move. So many men are dead—his best friend among them—and he can never forgive himself for his part.

Not even Tabor’s heroic rescue can overcome Elena Lamb’s angry grief over his part in the death of her brother. Her evidence: the battle of Shiloh, where Tabor ordered his men into deadly Union fire. Her prosecution of the Confederate lieutenant rests even when her heart cannot, and she wants him gone.

But mysterious events conspire to keep them together. Attempted robbery and murder, sabotage and the presence of a stalking devil convince Elena that she needs this man she hates…if only for the sake of her family.

Tabor’s presence is a constant reminder of her brother’s death. Can getting to know him change Elena’s verdict and allow her to forgive him? Can he forgive himself and take hold of the love he so desperately wants?

Here’s an excerpt from The Prosecution of Lt. Tabor Chandler:

Tabor studied Elena's profile, taking in the sheen of tears in her dark eyes, the grief that tightened her full lips. Even her throat looked longer and constricted. Her sadness must outweigh his guilt, but witnessing her distress made him feel so much worse.

He wished he could take her hand, kneel right there in the coach and beg her forgiveness. But he knew it would do no good. She would never forgive him, nor could he blame her. It would be better for both of them if he just returned to the top of the coach and left her alone with her grief.

Grief of which my very presence reminds her.

She blinked rapidly and her back stiffened even more. Her lips parted and, gasping, she pressed both hands against the sill of the window.

An instant later, Billy shouted down from his perch, “Riders coming fast!”

Tabor drew his revolver, wishing he hadn’t left the rifle up top. Through the window, he saw three riders racing down a gentle slope to the northwest. All three wore bandanas over the lower parts of their faces, and hats shadowed their eyes. Each man carried a rifle. That and their speed meant they weren’t just casual fellow travelers.

“Get down,” Tabor said. When she didn't immediately respond, he grabbed her arm, dragged her off the seat and pushed her down onto the floor. Ignoring her surprised gasp, he positioned himself so that his body held hers down. He continued to ignore her muffled protests as he awkwardly aimed out the window toward the advancing riders. One of the men raised his rifle, sighting on the coach—no doubt, on Billy.

Tabor didn't hesitate or take time to steady his aim. He needed to let the riders know that the stagecoach was not undefended. He fired.

As he'd expected, the shot went wide, but the report spooked one of the bandits’ horses. That made all three of the riders jerk apart.

But they kept coming.

Billy whistled and shouted to the stagecoach team. The coach lurched into a faster pace. Holding his breath, steadying his aim for a truer shot, Tabor fired again at the nearest bandit. His target jerked, struck in the arm, and veered away. Before the other riders could react, Tabor loosed two more shots. All three riders whipped around and raced back in the direction from which they'd come.

Tabor dropped his head against the rim of the window and let his gun hand slide down onto the seat to his right. “They’re going,” he said.

A muffled protest from below accompanied a sharp jab against his left hip.

“Sorry.” Awkwardly, Tabor pushed himself off Elena and back into his seat. He caught her arm and helped her rise from the floor. The bouncing of the still racing coach made it difficult.

Finally, as she fell into her seat, she jerked free of him. Her dark eyes blazed and her jaw was tight as she spouted, “What do you think you're doing?”

“I didn't want you to get hit by—”

“I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself!” She tugged at her clothing, putting her disheveled cloak and shirt back into some semblance of order even as she bounced in the swaying, jouncing coach. Gradually, the conveyance slowed to a more moderate pace.

With his free hand, Tabor gripped the leather hand strap to his left. “I'm sure you can in most situations but—”

“Really, Lt. Chandler, will you just leave me alone?”

As if her request wasn't worded strongly enough, the glare in her eyes told him it was time to retreat to the top of the coach.

Setting his jaw, he holstered his gun and opened the door. The ground raced past as the coach flew along the damp road. He was tempted to sit back down but decided that she needed a break from him.

He stepped into the opening, half-turned and, reaching up with one hand, grabbed the nearest support for the driver’s box. His heart skipped for a moment as he pulled himself up on top of the coach. As he climbed over to the driver's box, he heard the door shut behind him. He looked at Billy. The younger man lifted one eyebrow.

“That was good shooting,” he said as Tabor sat beside him

“It wasn't easy with a revolver from this bouncing coach.”

“Next time you go down there, take the rifle with you.”

Tabor grimly faced forward. “There won't be a next time.”

Buy Link: Amazon

Teri Thackston is an award-winning, multi-published author in several genres, including western romance. At least a fourth-generation Texas (she’s still researching her ancestry), she’s also descended from at least two patriot soldiers of the Revolutionary War, so history is a big interest for her. Her stories are known for exciting action as well as captivating romance. While storytelling is her first love, she also delves into non-fiction writing, writing articles on topics ranging from how to choose a mother-of-the-bride dress to how to process credit cards for your small business. But she can most often be found creating unique worlds for the characters that whisper in her ear, begging to be brought to life.

Learn more about Teri and her books at www.terithackston.com and follow her on Facebook.

The Only Character You'll Ever Need

The Only Character You'll Ever Need

Blurb:

Have you ever hit a “block” where you literally have no idea what your character is going to do next? Wonder no more, for here you’ll find the key to understanding your characters completely. Whether you’re a writer or a gamer, you can use this book to learn how your characters tick, what they’re likely to do in a given situation, and how they think.

The Only Character Chart You’ll Ever Need contains over 500 questions for your character-creating needs.  From the basics like “What is your character’s license number?” to the esoteric “How does your character hope to die?” this book covers everything (almost literally) from the cradle to the grave.

This workbook will help you to create well-rounded, believable characters that your readers (or fellow gamers) will care about and follow. No more puzzling over that character’s next action; no more blank pages where there should be lively dialogue. This collection was decades in the making and is currently the most complete character chart you’ll ever see. 

Bio:

J.E.S. Hays lives in a little house in South Carolina filled with books and photographs. When not off in her own little world, she's usually wandering around with a camera in one hand. She enjoys teaching, and has compiled this workbook over a period of nearly twenty years.

--

JES Hays

www.jeshays.com

www.facebook.com/JESHaysBooks

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Only-Character-Chart-Youll-Character-Creating-ebook/dp/B08D2N2N33/

Shot From the Hip

Blurb: 

Gunslingers, ranchers, cowboys, gamblers, and more make their appearance in this exciting collection of short stories set in the American Old West.

Author Holly Bargo takes an unflinching look at this most romanticized of American eras with bigotry, oppression, and hardship leaving their marks. Resilient and resourceful characters rise above those and other challenges with strength and, oftentimes, humor. Clean, sweet romance weaves its magic through many of the stories.

Shot from the Hip contains these stories:

• Angels High: A woman who makes her living by winning at a man’s game learns to expect trouble, especially when the stakes are high. But when trouble finds her this time, Angelica Durant gets more than she bargained for.
• Coming Home: Life is hard. No one knows this better than Dessie Humphrey who’s trying to hold onto the family farm. When aid comes in the form of a wanted gunslinger, she’s in no position to refuse.
• The Escort: Buck hires on as an armed escort to accompany a rancher’s haughty daughter and her companion to Boston for her debut into polite society. Both young women are lovely, but the young companion catches Buck’s eye and warms his heart. He thinks he’s too old and jaded for this innocent girl; but, when danger strikes, he’ll risk his life for her.
• Hair Trigger: A female gunslinger returns to her hometown to claim her inheritance and
• get justice for her father’s wrongful death, but crashes into a statute of limitations.
• Heart of Gold: A dying man begs an honest cowboy to take a fortune in gold through a lawless territory with Indians on the warpath. He didn’t reckon on becoming responsible for keeping the man’s daughter safe along the way.
• The Lesser of Evils: Cast from the native tribe that adopted her and the only home she’s ever known to make her way in the white man’s world, Sun Gold finds herself faced with a language barrier and a choice she never wanted.
• The Mail Order Bride’s Choice: Looking to improve her circumstances, an indigent woman travels across the country as a mail order bride to meet a fiancé who has plans for her other than marriage.
• Pride and Peace: It’s an open secret on the Lazy Five that Jessie North is a woman, but that doesn’t stop Daniel Harper from reacting badly when he learns about it. Can he overcome his prejudice when the proud half-breed saves his life?
• The Rancher’s First Love: When a gravely wounded Chinese woman collapses on Clint Cheswick’s front porch, he doesn’t expect to compete with his half-breed foreman for her affection.
• Resurrection: Undertakers bury the dead; they don’t resurrect bodies left for dead. But that’s exactly what Antonio DiCarlo does when a lovely Swedish immigrant lands on his doorstep.
• The Saint: A wounded outlaw throws himself upon the mercy of a Mexican priest. His demand for sanctuary gains him more than just temporary safety.
• Survival of the Fairest: A woman kills her abusive husband and flees, heading west to restart her life under an assumed name.

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Shot-Hip-Tales-American-West-ebook/dp/B083D8VCRY

Author Interview with Holly Bargo

AW: Welcome, Holly.

HB: Thank you, Alethea, for hosting me on your blog.

AW: How long have you been writing?

HB: Writing or publishing? I’ve been writing stories since I was a little girl, mostly weird, outrageous, improbable adventures reminiscent of fairy tales that in my teens evolved into fantasy and science fiction. I submitted short stories to several publishers and received encouraging feedback. In my twenties, I won a national contest, although I never did see the story published. I still have the Dragonlance® tee-shirts and chess board, though, that were included in the grand prize. The chess set is awesome.

In my late twenties, I signed on with a publisher which soon went belly-up owing me royalties. At the time, I was proud of that book; now, it embarrasses me. It should never have been published. Anyway, that’s what I wanted to do: be an author.

I continued to write sporadically. I submitted queries and manuscripts. I got nowhere. Then life intervened with working for a living, children, and livestock. When the digital publishing revolution opened, I resisted e-books for a few years and finally succumbed when a friend self-published her book and it did well. Under the impetus of “if she can do it, then so can I,” I embarked upon the independent author journey and never looked back.

AW: Your book catalog shows mainly romances spanning various sub-genres. What inspired you to branch out into western historicals?

HB: I edit for bestselling western author, Russ Towne. He read one of my books and enjoyed it, then asked if I’d be open to collaborating with him. I agreed. We discussed how the partnership would proceed and decided we’d each write six short stories. He wondered how I’d do with one of his characters, so I took on Buck Evans, the protagonist of a “A Bloody Day in Destiny,” and used him as the hero in “The Escort.” The entire project was great fun and resulted in publication of Six Shots Each Gun.

AW: What differences between western historicals and your usual genres were particularly challenging?

HB: Historical accuracy. I’m a history buff, which helps in editing other authors’ work and imposes constraints upon my own stories, because the historical details have to be right. I truly believe that only fiction rooted in realistic elements can suspend the reader’s disbelief. Therefore, I do research to ensure the historical details are accurate. Few things annoy me more than when I read a book and the author fails to do that.

AW: You published two more volumes of western historicals after Six Shots Each Gun. What inspired you to write those?

HB: The next collection of short westerns, Satin Boots, also began as a second collaboration between me and Russ. He suggested dipping a toe into “my” genre, romance, and we agreed to do so, but to stick within the historical time period. However, our schedules didn’t coordinate, and we eventually published two separate books in 2019. In early 2020, I decided to combine my stories from Six Shots Each Gun and Satin Boots into a single volume: Shot from the Hip.

AW: Do you foresee more western historicals in your future?

HB: I do. However, I couldn’t say when. I’ve been flirting with an idea for a novel, not just a collection of short stories. It’ll probably be a western romance.

Author bio: Holly Bargo is a pseudonym, but really did exist as a temperamental Appaloosa mare. The author primarily writes romance, but collaborated with bestselling western author Russ Towne to produce a collection of western short stories published as Six Shots Each Gun. That inspired this collection which includes Holly's six books from the earlier book and six clean, sweet western romances.

Holly lives with her husband and assorted livestock on a hobby farm in southwest Ohio. She works full-time as a freelance writer and editor and has published over 20 books since 2014. See Holly's catalog of books on her Amazon page or website.

Perilous Love

Thank you for having me Alethea.

When I retired and ready to start writing my first book – fingers poised over the keyboard – I had no idea what to write about. It was by chance I read an interesting article on how a person’s true character emerges when faced with extreme danger or life changing circumstances. For example, the tough he-man turns to water and runs, the unassuming persons steps up and takes control. A story began forming in my head. Then I came across my grandfather’s World War One military records of his time in Belgium and France. He came home but it was many years before he could talk about how terrible it was. I began researching the events leading up to the German invasion of Belgium in August 1914 and what followed was called The Rape of Belgium. There in front of me were the appalling atrocities my grandfather spoke about.  I had the setting for my book, Perilous Love.

Blurb –

Adrian Bryce’s world of wealth and beautiful women comes to an end when he’s ordered by the British government to accompany his estranged wife Gabrielle to Belgium. It is essential he find proof her uncle is supporting the German Empire’s preparation for war. What Adrian discovers will plunge he and Gabrielle into a nightmare of betrayal, forcing them to run for their lives as the Germans cross the border. Facing danger, brutality and injury, and painful truths about themselves, they reach safety as two different people. Waiting for them are charges of treason and a woman who’ll stop at nothing to see Adrian dead. 

Excerpt –

The first soft shafts of sunlight woke Adrian. The ground was hard, and he’d barely slept because of his throbbing foot and he was as thirsty as hell. He hobbled to the canal and drank thirstily then dipped both his feet into the cold water, letting out a sigh as the pain eased. Gabrielle knelt at the water’s edge beside him and washed her face and pushed her wet fingers through her hair to slick down the untidy curls.

 Her voice was low and angry. ‘What was she like?’

‘What are you talking about?’ He scowled, dreading what was coming.

‘Sigrid, Maryanne, whatever her name was,’ she snapped back.

‘What the hell are you trying to do Gaby? Force an argument?

‘No, I’m not forcing an argument. I really want to know! You preferred that woman’s company to mine and your children’s and because of her and my uncle and your unbelievable stupidity, two innocent people have died, and we are forced to rely on each other to stay alive.  Are you proud of yourself? And was her beauty and obvious bedroom expertise worth all of this?’

Adrian turned his head away, angry and embarrassed.

 ‘I’m waiting,’ she persisted. I presume you also showered her with gifts and expensive baubles while we would be lucky to see you on our birthdays.’

 Something snapped inside him. He’d had enough of her barbs and sarcasm.

Furious, he turned to face her. ‘If I could get up and walk away, I would. Just what are you trying to achieve? We’ve avoided capture by the skin of our teeth, we have no idea how to get away, the Germans are pouring into Belgium, thousands will be killed and you want to know if I showered her with gifts. Why don’t we concentrate on getting out of here and then you will be free of me?  Now for Christ’s sake leave it alone.’

 ‘You want to get up and walk away?’ her voice dripped scorn. ‘Did I walk away from that lonely, empty life, in that big lonely house? Making excuses to your children, visiting neighbours on my own. Did I show such contempt for my marriage vows?’

‘You forgot to mention entertaining Charlton in my home,’ he snarled and flinched as Gabrielle’s hand slapped his face.

‘Yes, your home.’ Gabrielle yelled. ‘I may have lived there and given birth to your children there, but it was always your home. I pray to God we will return to England and you can enjoy your home with your expensive treacherous harlots!’  Her hands clenched into fists. ‘Yes! Brian did share my bed. You were never there, you couldn’t care less about me or our children, you were so besotted with that German harlot’s devious charms you had no idea what was going on. She was exceptionally clever, and you were exceptionally stupid.

Adrian rubbed his cheek and pointed his finger at her. ‘If you hit me again, you will be sorry. You want to know what she was like. She had long wavy auburn hair, a figure that made men’s eyes water and yes, she had expertise in the bedroom. She could drink me under the table and she could discuss politics like a man. She was exceptionally clever and yes you are right, I was exceptionally stupid, because I hadn’t a clue she was German or she’d bedded a cabinet minister or she’d been on other assignments for your uncle. I hope I’ve answered all your questions and I don’t give a damn whether you believe me or not, but I’m bloody ashamed of myself. And I hope to God we’ll get back to England, so you can do whatever you want and I won’t have to listen to your harping sarcastic tongue. Are you happy now?

‘Oh yes, very happy, thank you. Who wouldn’t be, sitting with you on the damp ground beside a canal without food or clean clothes,’ her eyes glittered with contempt, ‘How does it feel that you, a cabinet minister and my uncle shared her? I wonder if she kept an inventory of her jewellery and gifts to remember who gave her what.’

He pulled his feet from the water and stood up. ‘I’m not listening to your ranting, nor am I waiting here for them to find me.’

‘You can’t face the truth, can you?’ she shouted at him. ‘Well, unpleasant as it is, you need me and I need you to survive. When we reach safety, you can go back to the life you enjoyed with your sophisticated women without the inconvenience of an unwanted wife.  And if we get out of here, I don’t want anything from you. Not even a Christmas card.’ Her lip curled.  ‘A gentleman never breaks a business contract, but it’s of no consequence to break your marriage vows.’

 Adrian reached down and roughly pulled her up to face him, his eyes black with fury.

‘I can’t face the truth? It’s a pity you didn’t meet and marry that useless fop Charlton eight years ago, because he’d have been the target for your sainted uncle’s lunacy instead of me!  Christ, you haven’t shut up about your miserable marriage but look where it’s got me!  Stitched up like a bloody weaver’s loom, set up as a traitor, hiding like a fugitive. And why?  Because I had the temerity to marry you!’ He turned his back and hobbled over to the grazing horse. ‘I’m leaving, are you coming with me or staying here?’

Gabrielle’s face mirrored the shock she felt at Adrian’s words. Her foot lashed out sending a small log into the water and she walked up to Adrian, her fists clenched, then without warning she burst into tears.

‘I have no choice.’ Her voice was raw with emotion. ‘All I want is to get out of Belgium and go back to my children and never see you again!’

Adrian gripped her arms, his fingers digging into her flesh. ‘You’ll get your bloody freedom one way or the other. If we get out of this, I’ll gladly give it. If I’m shot, you can play the grieving widow for a day or two. Now shut up and help me get this horse into the shafts.’

He heaved himself into the driving seat, knowing damn well they were suffering huge reactions to the events they had witnessed. His insides were ripped apart enough without her rubbing his face in it again and again. How could he have been so bloody naive?  It wouldn’t matter how loudly he protested his innocence, the fact remained his mistress had wheedled far too much information from him and a senior government minister named Edmund. Good God! Sir Edmund Charters! Close to the Prime Minister, related to the Foreign Minister. That old fool must be nearly seventy and you, Bryce, are the biggest fool of them all

Buy links -

https://www.amazon.com.au/Perilous-Love-Jan-Selbourne-ebook/dp/B07BDN985Q/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39289507-perilous-love

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perilous-love-jan-selbourne/1128168840

Author links -

https://www.facebook.com/jan.selbourne/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-selbourne-2817b6140/

https://twitter.com/JanSelbourne

https://nomadauthors.com/

 

Author bio -

Jan Selbourne grew up in Melbourne, Australia. Her love of literature and history began as soon as she could read and hold a pen. Her career started in the dusty world of ledgers and accounting then a working holiday in the UK brought the history to life. Now retired, Jan can indulge her love of writing and travel. She has two adult children and lives near Maitland, New South Wales.