NEW
RELEASE, AMANDA’S RANCHER, A KINDLE WORLD NOVEL
By Caroline Clemmons
This is my first experience with writing for a Kindle World. Mine is Debra Holland’s Montana Sky Series. Another first for me, writing a book set in Montana. Writers have to keep stretching and engaging in new forms of their craft so they don’t go stale.
Raising my hand and freely admitting that this book
about ate my lunch. While I love Debra Holland’s books, I had to reread her
Mail-Order Brides of the West to jot down all the names and descriptions. I
believe I got them true to her portrayal.
When the world is one I’ve created, I have the setting
and characters firmly in my mind. While I remembered the characters from
Debra’s books, that didn’t mean I could describe them. I also had to visualize
the setting she’d laid out. Fortunately, one of the other authors in the world,
Lou Nelson, worked with Debra and created a map. What a help!
Believe me, I did stretch myself for AMANDA’S RANCHER! I worried so much while writing this book that I about
made myself sick. However, my beta readers told me it’s a great book. You can
imagine my relief! I always want my books to be great reads, but I never know
how they will affect other readers.
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My story in this world is AMANDA’S RANCHER.
One desperate young woman.
A chance meeting.
A life-changing outcome.
Growing up in a brothel, Mara
O'Sullivan battled public disdain and contempt, but always remained
kind-hearted and gracious. After testifying against vicious bank
robbers, her life is threatened and Mara must find sanctuary far from
everything she knows.
One train ride changes her life as
she fatefully meets a half-sister and a niece she never knew existed. But
when circumstances end her sister's life, Mara makes a promise that she'll
raise her niece as her own and take her sister's place as Preston Kincaid's
mail-order-bride. As Mara and Preston grow closer,
their marriage no longer seems like a ruse, but a relationship of love,
passion, and desire.
Mara's past comes back to haunt her
and she finds herself in danger—will her new husband forgive Mara's deceit
and protect her as his own?
Enjoy an excerpt from Amanda's Rancher:
They reached the
church and Preston jumped down from the wagon and came around to help her
alight. With a smile, he lifted Iris high over his head before he set her on
the ground. Her giggle brought tears to Amanda’s eyes.
That was the first
time she’d ever heard her daughter make the girlish sound. Iris had smiled,
spoken, but never laughed until she met Preston Kincaid. For that alone, Amanda
would be the best wife she knew how to be.
Inside the church,
Mrs. Norton handed Amanda a bouquet of daisies secured with a white ribbon. The
interior was plain with wooden benches and an altar raised one step above the
rest of the floor. Although there were several windows, none had stained-glass
as did the churches she’d seen in Georgia.
The minister was
waiting at the front of the church and wore a black frock coat and matching
string tie. His brown hair and beard were thickly streaked with gray. He stood
at a simple lectern with what looked like a Bible in one hand while he
conversed with another man.
Amanda was
surprised only one other person besides Reverend and Mrs. Norton were in the
sanctuary. She’d supposed Preston had many friends in the area and thought at
least his ranch hands would attend. The second man turned and proved to be an
older version of her groom who came forward to greet her.
Preston cupped her
elbow. “Amanda and Iris, this is my father. Most folks call him Tom, but I call
him Papa.”
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He beamed his
pleasure and his blue eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’d be honored. And in the
absence of your father, may I walk you down the aisle?”
“Would you? I’d be
ever so grateful.” She laid her hand on his arm. Nerves had set in and she
needed his support or her knees might give way.
Preston said,
“Iris, why don’t you stand with me while my papa walks Mama to meet us?”
Iris shook her
head. “Mommy, not my old mama?”
Preston frowned.
“Old mama?”
Panic sent bile
into her throat that threatened to choke her. Don’t throw up on your wedding
dress. “Perhaps you remember my mother recently died.”
Sympathy shone
from his blue eyes. “Of course.” He took Iris’ hand in his and strode to the
front.
Mrs. Norton began
playing the piano. She nodded toward Amanda. Papa Kincaid gently led her up the
aisle.
Walking toward her
husband, Amanda was conscious of Preston’s stare, as if he could see into her
mind and knew her for an impostor. Although he held Iris’ hand, the intensity
of his blue gaze unnerved her. She wondered if he was disappointed or if he
were as numb as she.
Thankful for the
presence of her future father-in-law beside her, she tightened her hold on Mr.
Kincaid’s arm.
In response, he
patted her hand her where it laid on his sleeve. Without looking at her, he
whispered. “Steady as you go. We’re almost there.”
Iris gave a tiny
wave and Amanda couldn’t resist smiling at the child. The little girl truly was
a blessing. Focusing on Iris gave Amanda a target she could face.
When they reached
the front, Mrs. Norton ceased playing. Preston took the bouquet from Amanda’s
hands. “Iris, would you hold this for Mommy so she and I can be married?”
Iris looked at him
adoringly and reached to receive the flowers. Reverend Norton opened his Bible
and began the ceremony. Preston took Amanda’s hands in his. She was conscious
of his calluses, but also of the size and strength of his palms dwarfing hers.
When the minister
indicated, Preston slipped a ring onto her finger. This new one belongs to me, even if my groom doesn’t know my true name.
After the
ceremony, Preston brushed his lips gently against hers.
Iris clapped a
hand across her mouth in surprise then said, “Mommy? That man kissed you.”
Preston knelt
eye-to-eye with her. “I’m your new Daddy, remember? Mommy and I were just
married and now I can kiss her whenever she says it’s okay. Do you think you
can call me Daddy?”
Iris nodded. “Are
you gonna kiss me too?”
He smiled broadly.
“I certainly am.” He leaned forward and gave her a loud smack on the cheek.
The child giggled.
Twice in one day this kind man had made Iris happy. Amanda owed Preston all her
wifely devotion.
I hope
you’ll give AMANDA’S RANCHER a try
and let me know how you like it. If you like it, please leave a review on
Amazon! Positive reviews are so helpful to authors. Many venues won’t let us
promote unless we have a certain number of 4 and 5 star reviews.
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Caroline Clemmons is an
Amazon bestselling and award winning author of historical and contemporary
western romances. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, she has
taught workshops on characterization, point of view, and layering a novel.
Caroline and her husband
live in the heart of Texas cowboy country with their menagerie of rescued pets.
When she’s not indulging her passion for writing, Caroline enjoys family,
reading, travel, antiquing, genealogy, and getting together with friends. Find
her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+,
WattPad,
Shelfari,
and Pinterest.
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