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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Monday, August 17, 2015

a marriage of convenience - Cinders' Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas #1) by Kathleen Ball


Shannon McMurphy travels to Asherville, Texas as a mail order bride expecting to marry a rancher. Instead, her intended is a saloonkeeper. Her refusal to marry enrages John Hardy and he slices her cheek with a knife so no other man would want her. She runs into the street and no one helps her until Cinders comes along.

Description:

Cover Artist: Aria Tan

Shannon McMurphy travels to Asherville, Texas as a mail order bride expecting to marry a rancher. Instead, her intended is a saloonkeeper. Her refusal to marry enrages John Hardy and he slices her cheek with a knife so no other man would want her. She runs into the street and no one helps her until Cinders comes along.

Sexy, Rancher Cinders saves Shannon and offers her a job. To protect her reputation he marries her. They both agree it's a marriage of convenience. He admires her spunk and willingness to learn everything about surviving the Texas frontier. He waits for her to ask to go home but she never does.

They learn a lot about each other through, stolen horses, Indian troubles, a cattle drive and the busybodies of the town. Their attraction for each other grows, but can they learn to trust enough to love?

MB's INTERVIEW

1.What research did you do for Cinder’s Bride and what was the worst thing you did learn?
It’s a western Historical romance so everything had to be researched from the plumbing to how to cook on a wood stove. The language and sayings. The worst was the torture from the Indians.

2. Why do you think people are still attracted by westerns?
Cowboys make great heros. They are strong, loyal, respectful and they have a code of integrity they love by.

3. What are the features of the “ideal” cowboy and how Cinder is in relation with these?
Handsome with big shoulders. He steps in to rescue Shannon without thought. He stands up for what is right. Cinders' rescues Shannon but he also teaches her how to shoot and ride so she can protect herself if needed. He's tough when he needs to be but he is also gentle with Shannon.

4. What makes a love story to be remembered?
One that makes the reader cry through the trials of enduring love.

5. How fair is the reviewer in you when you “read” your own works?
There are times I'm my worst critique and other times I read something I wrote and I'm amazed I wrote it.

EXCERPT 

The world seemed eerily quiet as she pushed herself up from the hard packed dirt, only to fall back down. Her ankle hurt. Tears filled her eyes, as she glanced around. There stood the women from the mercantile, staring, and their eyes full of terror. She’d get no assistance from them.

John Hardy strutted into the street and laughed while he gestured for two of his men to pick her up. “Come on, honey, it’s time for our honeymoon.”

She heard the clomping of hooves and the turn of wagon wheels behind her but the wagon didn’t stop to help her either. By this time, a crowd had gathered and now there were men standing with the group of women. She tried to plead for help with her eyes but they glanced away.

Two men grabbed at her to haul her back into the saloon when a loud cocking of a gun erupted from behind.

“Put her down.” A man's voice threatened.

John stepped forward, thrusting out his chest. “Listen, Cinders, this is none of your business. It’d be in your best interest to leave things be.”

The world began to dim and spin, the smell of blood was the last straw. She fainted.

About the author:
Sexy Cowboys and the women who love them...
Finalist in the 2012 RONE Awards.

Top Pick, Five Star Series from the Romance Review. 

Kathleen Ball writes contemporary western romance with great emotion and memorable 
characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists including 
Amazon's Best Sellers List, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, Desert Breeze Publishing and 
Secret Cravings Publishing Best Sellers list. She is the recipient of eight Editor's Choice 
Awards, and The Readers' Choice Award for Ryelee's Cowboy. 

There's something about a cowboy....

Author's US Giveaway
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3 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for hosting me

Unknown said...

Sounds so interesting all the best with the release

Jan Lee said...

Follow Author on Goodreads goes to her book not her author page to follow.