Blurb
After a disastrous first marriage, Will Jeffers hasn’t the stomach for another emotionally entailed union. All he needs is a wife to cook, nurse his mother, and look after the homestead. But good women are few and far between in Colorado mining country. A mail order bride is the perfect solution.
Amelia Johannasen is running for her life. Her mother has decided it’s time her daughter joined the family business, shattering Amy’s dreams of marrying for love. Imagine her surprise when she is mistaken for Will Jeffers mail order bride. She’ll take it.
With a head for numbers and talent for spinning tall-tales but no notion of how to cook or nurse a manipulative old woman how can she reach the heart of a man once burned so badly, he’s sworn off love?
Excerpt
“I’m happy to see you made it safe, ma’am. I apologize for being late, but as I mentioned in my letters, my ma, well, with her sick and all. I figured we oughta to start back right after the ceremony.”
She froze still as a statue. “Ceremony?”
“Our nuptials. I’m afraid I can’t leave Ma alone for long. No tellin’ what kind of—” He chuckled, but even to his own ears it sounded forced. “We can, uh, talk about that later. Your nursin’ skills and all.”
Those lovely eyes blinked up at him. And once again, he found himself drowning in bewitching sensations.
She heaved in a deep breath and let it out slow. “We’re to be … m-married? Now?”
He hardened his tone. “Yes’m.” He had no time for cold feet or feminine hysterics. “It’s what we agreed on, ma’am.” He bit out the words, tamping down the surge of irritation…and something he couldn’t define. Panic, that she wouldn’t follow through? It was ridiculous, an outrageous thought. He shook it off and pressed on, determined to see his plans fulfilled. “Er, I don’t get to the Springs all that often. And there ain’t no preacher within twenty miles of Cripple Creek.”
Her plump lips turned down. The sight coiled his insides tighter than a rattler ready to strike. “Cripple Creek? That’s a long way, right?”
Was she trying to renege? He steeled his spine. He’d done wasted enough time and money getting’ her here. More than anything he wanted, no needed, to secure this marriage.
Something banded his chest, squeezing out every square inch of air, at the same time, softened him inside. Desire rippled through him. “I’m working the mines near there,” he said gently. “The homestead isn’t quite that far out.”
The small breath and small nod she gave, released his own held breath.
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, it’s a long way.”
Welcome! Thank you so much for talking with me today. Let's get started...
What’s your name? My name is Amelia Johannasen [<*>grimaces<*>] My mother, however, has taken to calling me Simone.
What do you look like? I have dark hair. I love my hair. It’s long with big fat curls. I suppose my most distinctive feature are my eyes. They are an odd color, some kind of purple. I don’t really think about it or pay attention to it.
What time period does your story take place? Blah! The dusty wild west in Colorado Springs 1885. There’s lovely hotel here called The Antlers.
What conflicts are you facing? [<*>wrinkles her nose<*>] Well, Merciless Minor, er, I mean Will mistook me for a mail order bride he ordered, and I let him. I feel horrible for lying to him, but honestly. I had no choice.
What skill do you have that you’re proud of?
[<*>Grins<*>] I’m very good with numbers, and apparently, the elderly! I’ve no notion why. I just am. I’ve helped Mama manage her money quite well. So well, she needn’t—[<*>flings out her hand<*>] Um, never mind, that’s not important.
What did you think the first time you saw Mr. Jeffers? Frankly, I was stunned. He said he had the pastor waiting. My stomach dropped to the ground like a rock.
What other character from your book do you think your author should write a book about?
There is another girl. She was very mysterious!
Care to tell us why?
When I first spotted her she was dressed as a boy and crawling from beneath the bushes. She broke away from somewhere.
Awesome! Thanks so much for stopping by.
Author Bio
Kathy L Wheeler (a.k.a. Kae Elle Wheeler for her Cinderella Series) has a BA in Management Information Systems from the University of Central Oklahoma that includes over forty credit hours of vocal music. She was a computer programmer for the Hertz Corporation for over fifteen years and utilizes karaoke for her vocal music talents. Other passions include the NFL, the NBA, travel, musical theatre, painting, reading, and writing.
She is a member of several Romance Writers of America chapters: Greater Seattle, Olympia and Eastside chapters, The Beau Monde and Hearts Through History.
Her main sources of inspiration come from a mostly an over-active imagination. She currently resides in the Seattle area with her musically talented husband, Al, and their bossy cat, Carly, and sweet dog, Angel.
Hi, Amber! Thank you for hosting my new release. I'm thrilled to be here.
ReplyDeleteOf course! You're welcome here any time! :)
DeleteCongrats on your new release Kathy!
ReplyDeleteLOVE that cover!
Good luck and God’s blessings
PamT
Thank you, Pam.
ReplyDeleteLove the interview! Cute character!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Congratulations on the release!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new release! Your heroine sounds pretty feisty!
ReplyDeleteLove feisty heroines! Best wishes on your new release, Kathy.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for commenting. These were fun to write. The Breakaway comes out next Tuesday :)
ReplyDelete