Saturday, April 6, 2019

THE OUTLAW'S LETTER - Lockets and Lace #15

Post by Doris McCraw
writing as Angela Raines


I am thrilled "The Outlaw's Letter", the story of Grant and Hetty, is now live and joining the stories of the other authors in the Lockets and Lace series. This story is set in Colorado in 1880, one of my favorite time periods to write about.

Let's take care of the business part first.

One: I am giving away a surpise gift box. I will be picking a winner from those who comment on this post.

Two, As authors, we want to keep sharing our stories with you, but we also need you to share how you feel about what you have read. Please, even an 'I liked this story' on a review helps all of us continue to provide the stories you enjoy. For that we thank you ahead of time. I personally appreciate it so much.

Colorado became a state in 1876, hence the title 'Centennial' State. From 1859 when gold was found near what is now the Denver metro area, Colorado became a place where change, growth and all types of people made this place their home.

There were resort tows, such as Colorado Springs, and wild mountain towns like Leadville and Virginia City in the Tin Cup mining district. Railroads, stage lines, and Indian Trails moved from the plains with cities like Pueblo, Denver and Canon City, to the mountain towns of Georgetown and Leadville, to carry the gold and silver ore to the rest of the world.

Into this mix I placed Grant Davis and Harriett 'Hetty' Osgood. They meet and interact with the mix of outlaws, miners, lawmen and good people, to find their place in life and with each other.



Excerpt: "THE OUTLAW'S LETTER"


     Hetty had been so focused on following Grant, hoping they would soon arrive at the place he spoke about, she didn't realize she was swaying in the saddle. When she realized what was happening, she grabbed the saddle horn in a death grip. Just as she thought she was okay, everything went blurry then black. She fell from Odysseus, cracking her head against a rock.
     Grant heard Hetty's horse stop, glancing back he saw her on the ground. "Blasted woman, why didn't she say something?" he grumbled as he rode back.
     All complaints left him when he saw blood spreading out from the rock under Hetty's head. Grant didn't remember dismounting as he rushed to Hetty's side, feeling for a pulse, and using his kerchief to try and stop the flow of blood, but nothing he did helped.
     "Hetty, Harriet," Grant repeated over and over. Finally he heard a soft moan as Hetty moved her fingers. Letting go a sigh of relief, Grant continued working to revive Hetty. Kneeling on the gravel, Grant didn't notice the pain from the cuts to his knees.

You can purchase "The Outlaw's Letter" HERE 



Print Version :    Print Version Available Here
*** Winner will be chosen Tuesday morning April 9, 2019***

Doris Gardner-McCraw - writing as Angela Raines

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History
Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet
For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 
Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

25 comments:

  1. Wow, this book sounds very intriguing, a real page turner! The cover is really nice also. I would Love to read it. Thank you so much for sharing this . God Bless you. :)

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    1. Thank you for the kind words Alicia. I was thrilled with the cover, done by CarpeLibrum, and the characters gave me a couple of tense moments. *Smile* Doris

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  2. That is a real intriguing excerpt! Thank you for sharing it and for the chance to win! jeaniedannheim(at)ymail(dot)com

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    1. You are more than welcome Jeanie. Anyone who loves cats is a pretty terrific person themselves. Glad you liked the excerpt. Doris

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  3. Oh, I love this excerpt. Oh my! I can’t wait to read it. I also love the research and explanation of Colorado at the time period of the book. I think it helps people who have never been there to be able to get a better picture of the story. Thank you for sharing today.
    Thank you for the chance to win the surprise gift box.
    Blessings
    Kathy

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    1. Kathy, it's my pleasure to offer something special to people who love to read. I also love Colorado and enjoy sharing whenever possible. Like you I think it helps people have a sense of place and time when reading a story.
      When the events in the excerpt happened, I wondered where the characters were taking me. (Grin) Doris

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  4. The 1970's Land Of Oz is planning on opening again this summer at Beech Mountain in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. The Beech Mountain Resort, with ski trails, a summit deck with panoramic views and a terrain park. Numerous mountain trails include the creekside Falls Trail, which leads to a waterfall. The Emerald Outback at Beech Mountain is an all-season trail park. I love going there!

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  5. I also forgot to say that I love sitting under a shade tree and reading while the rest of my family enjoy all the rides!

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    1. Hopefully your reading will include the books by the authors of the Lockets and Lace Series. Doris

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  6. Doris, I love your articles about Colorado and they've helped me with setting my novella there. With all your research on medical procedures back in the day, I'm looking forward to reading how Hetty recovers from her head injury.

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    1. You may be surprised. (Smile)

      Thank you Elizabeth. I do love my research. Doris

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  7. Poor Hetty! It makes my head hurt just reading about it. The gold rush days of the west in the 1800's are some of my favorites, what a challenging time. Congratulations on your latest book! Happy Spring!

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    1. Robin, when I wrote that scene, I was surprised. Like you, I find the 1800s were a time of movement, exploration and heroes and villians, and exciting.

      Thank you for the kind words and support. Doris

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  8. The book sounds wonderful. Since your characters run into outlaws, do they also meet the Colorado Rangers? I've been researching them for a story.

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    1. Sheila, they didn't meet them in this book, but there are more stories to tell.
      Let me know when you get the book out, I'd love to read it. Best to you on the research.

      Doris

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  9. Love the cover. This sounds like a book I would love to read. I live in central California in the mountains on the way to Yosemite in a little town called Coarsegold as it is not to far from the 49rs hwy where a lot of gold was discoverec during the gold rush.

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    1. Thank you. Isn't it wonderful to live near so much history? I have been given such a gift to be surrounded by so much inspiration. I hope you get a chance to read Grant and Hetty's story. Doris

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  10. Welcome today. Ohh this info on CO is cool. My daughter is thinking about moving there and wants to look into the history of CO. Thank you for the excerpt. This sounds like a fascinating story. I love to leave reviews on books.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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    1. Lori, there is a lot to love about Colorado. I'm pleased you found the brief histories I offered useful. It is such a colorful state in so many ways, and I do love its history.

      I also want to say, authors love those who honestly review their work. You are special to all of us. Wishing you the best. Doris

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  11. Sounds like a great book would love to read Thank you for the chance!

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    1. You are very welcome Sarah. I enjoyed my times with Grant and Hetty. Doris

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  12. Good Morning and Congratulations on your release! I am loving this series as I do all of the western historical. Love this blurb and I bet he was scared when he saw that blood. Reading about the old west is just fascinating and to think of all the harships and trials. I cannot wait to read! I also review when I read and it is always a great reminder for readers how important that is for the author. Thank you so much!

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  13. Lori, You are welcome. I am so lucky to be among these wonderful authors. They do inspire me, and each one has such a different, yet compelling way to tell the story. We thank you for supporting our efforts.

    When I was writing that scene, the characters surprised me when they went on that journey. The past is full of stories of courage, strength and love, and I hope I can tell just a small part of that, even if it is fiction. (Smile)

    Thank you for reviewing. We write in a vacuum, sort of, and to hear how others respond helps us to get better. Doris

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  14. Random.org chose the following person for the surprise package:
    Alicia Haney

    For all the others who commented, contact me via my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/writerangelaraines/ and I will gift you one of my novellas from my backlist. The choices are: "Home for His Heart", "Never Had a Chance", "Gift of Forgiveness", "Angel of Salvation Valley" and a medieval "Lost Knight"

    Thank you all for making the launch of "The Outlaw's Letter" so much fun. I loved reading your comments. Doris

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