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Charlene Raddon's New Release!

8/6/2017

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​Award-winning author of western historical romances Charlene Raddon joins me here today to talk about her latest book in her
​Rocky Mountain Romances series.
Welcome, Charlene!  I'm very pleased to have you visit today!
​Please jump right in and tell us all about your latest book.
​
​When a bull-headed city girl meets a bull-riding 
Wyoming cowboy, ​hooves are gonna fly.
That’s my tag line for Ride for a Bride in Wyoming. This was a fun book to write. It started out as one thing though and changed to something else after I’d done some research on the location, Sheridan, Wyoming.
I knew my heroine, Annora Lee Bostwick of New York, was a member of the newly established American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and that the hero, Buffalo Birch Struthers, was a rancher participating in the beginnings of the rodeo.
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Rodeos had been held in the South—Mexico, New Mexico, Texas, etc, for decades on Spanish ranches going back to the 1700s. Ranch hands from different ranches gathered together to compete and see who was the best bull rider, bull roper, bronc buster and so forth. ​
​Following the Texas Revolution and the U.S. Mexican War, contests eventually appeared at race tracks, fairgrounds, and festivals. William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) created the first major rodeo and Wild West show in North Platte, Nebraska in 1882.
​Women joined the Wild West and contest rodeo circuits in the 1890s and their participation grew as the activities spread geographically. Animal welfare groups began targeting rodeos from the earliest times and have continued their efforts with varying degrees of success ever since. 
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The first official rodeo held in Sheridan, Wyoming took place in 1909. Reading up on this changed my story. Once I’d learned that the 1909 rodeo included a “ride for a bride” race, and the winner truly did wed the bride, I knew this had to become part of my book.
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​Another piece of research that went into my book was Buffalo Birch Struthers racing a buffalo to win his bride. I found an article about a man who won almost every race he ran on his trained buffalo against thoroughbred horses. In a sprint, a buffalo can beat a horse any time.

Fascinating, Charlene, how research can lead a story in unexpected directions!  Can you give us a little taste of the novel itself?

Happy to!

​​Marriage was the last thing on Annora Lee Bostwick’s mind when she moved to Wyoming to start a new branch of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Her focus was centered solely on saving animals…until blackmail and deceit force her to reconsider.
Buffalo Birch Struthers had no desire to marry, but must if he wanted to keep his father’s ranch, and time was running out. His only option was a new event scheduled for the upcoming yearly ranch competition called the Ride for a Bride Race.
Can two strangers who find themselves in an unwanted but unavoidable situation set anger and obstinacy aside long enough to fall in love?
​
Here is an excerpt from Ride for a Bride in Wyoming,
Book 4 of Rocky Mountain Romances.
​

She had light red hair. Not strawberry blond, or the usual carrot red. Birch never would've thought of a color like red as being mellow or calm, but that's how he saw it.
She had freckles to go with the hair, and intense, green eyes with a hint of stubbornness as if she wouldn't give an inch even if you set her skirts on fire. That glimpse of obstinacy matched the tilt of her chin and the stiff way she held herself. An uppity New York spinster no doubt hoping to snag what she'd failed to catch back home—a husband.
"She's my cousin," Lissette told the mayor, an arm around Miss Bostwick's waist.
"And my bride-to-be," Jenks asserted.
"That is impossible," Miss Bostwick stated with emphasis.
Great thunder! Even her voice sounded pretty, like a meadowlark at dusk.
"I'm afraid this is my fault," Lissette said. "You see, Annora's mother wrote, asking me to help Annora find a husband. She gave me to understand that is why Annora decided to relocate here. When I saw the notice about the race, it seemed the perfect answer."
"Why didn't you ask me if I considered it perfect?" Miss Bostwick pulled the cat from her shoulder. "I've no need for a husband. I like being a spinster."
Birch swallowed a laugh at that.
"Oh, but, Annora, I... I only want to see you happy." Looking stricken, Lissette glanced around at their audience. "Please, can we discuss this later?"
"Good idea," Mayor Sythes said. "I think we've strayed from the topic, folks."
"Yes. Remove my name as the Ride for a Bride bride," Miss Bostwick told him.
Lissette's face paled. "Annora, you can't."
"I'd like to know why not."
"Ladies. Ladies." Sythes tried to get the situation under control.
Birch felt he ought to be rooting for one of the women, but didn't know which. Miss Bostwick had a right to be angry at her cousin for putting her in such an awkward situation.
"But, Mayor," Jenks whined, "I have a right to take my bride over to the church and get hitched. I won the race."
Lissette's skirts rustled as she whirled to face him. "No one expected that to happen. Birch and Hezzie always win."
"That doesn't change the fact that I won this time," he retorted.
"Which means nothing to me," Miss Bostwick said.
Birch raised his hands. "Hold on. Can I get a word in here?"
"Go ahead," Mayor Sythes gestured him forward. "Speak up, Birch."
"First, I had no knowledge about Miss Westbrook coming here—"
"Bostwick," the redhead corrected, preventing the calico kitten from climbing to her shoulder again.
"—or being the designated bride for the race. In fact, I didn't think any bride had volunteered yet."
"I can verify when the race is to take place." Mayor Sythes pulled a paper out of his vest pocket. "I have the competition rules and schedule with me." Putting on his spectacles, he read, "The Ride for a Bride Race shall commence on the day following the conclusion of the ranch competition. That means the race is to be held July 30."
"Let me see that." Jenks snatched the paper away.
Lissette clapped her hands in delight. "This means you still have a chance to win Annora's hand, Birch. Isn't that marvelous?"
He wanted to puke.

Leave a comment below and you might win a copy of the book!

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​Charlene Raddon’s love affair with the Old West began as a child. She still has the six-gun from the cowboy outfit she wore when she was seven. In 1980, she woke from a vivid dream and decided it needed to be in a book, so she dragged out an old typewriter and began writing. She’s still at it.

First published by Kensington Books, Charlene is now an Indie author. When she isn’t writing, she loves communicating with readers and other writers.

She also creates book covers at her site:   http://silversagebookcovers.com
 
You can find Charlene at her website:   http://charleneraddon.com

​
Check out her Amazon Author Page at:
 https://www.amazon.com/Charlene-Raddon/e/B000APG1P8

On Facebook, find her at:  https://www.facebook.com/CharleneRaddon

Thank you so much for stopping by today, Charlene. It's been a pleasure learning more about you and your latest book,
​Ride For a Bride in Wyoming.

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Smashwords Promo Update

3/5/2017

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Hi, folks! I must apologize - for reasons I don't yet understand,
​Smashwords has changed my coupon code and sale price for 

High Stakes during their Read an Ebook Week Promo: 
 Please use Coupon Code RAE50
to get High Stakes for $1.00
at http://bit.ly/29UeI6L
March 5 - 11, 2017

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Smashwords Read an Ebook Week -- March 5 - 11, 2017                                   

3/2/2017

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 High Stakes  only  .99  cents       Use Coupon Code:  UG83D                          https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/648413
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I'm now on AuthorsDen! Please drop by and visit for a spell!

12/5/2016

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Where authors and readers come together!
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HIGH STAKES is BACK !!!

3/22/2016

1 Comment

 
At last, High Stakes is back!  It's been a long trail, plenty of uphill  treks and steep learning curves, with more than one box canyon gotten into that then had to be gotten out of!

I appreciate everyone who's helped me along the way, including those of you who hung in there awaiting this re-release -- it took a lot longer than I thought it would.

If you have a minute or two, head on over to the Videos tab and check out the re-done book trailer for High Stakes.  I hope you'll enjoy it.

​Thank you!


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Release Date Close!

2/8/2016

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I'm happy to announce that the new edition of High Stakes is in its final editing and proofing stage, and should be available by the end of this month - February 2016.

Thank you to everyone who has hung in there despite many setbacks.  

Status updates to follow soon!
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Final Cover for High Stakes!

11/27/2015

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Presenting ...

 
The final official cover for the new edition of High Stakes!
 
Created by the multi-talented Charlene Raddon
of Cover-Ops Book Cover Design.

​Find her at:

 http://cover-ops.blogspot.ca/ and http://charleneraddon.com/

About High Stakes:
​
Young gambler Curt Prescott plays better poker than men twice his age.  His skill raised him from a life of degradation on the streets to a comfortable living with his girl, saloon songstress, Del, in Victoria, BC.
 
In the spring of 1877, a new preacher, his wife, and daughter, Mary, arrive.  The preacher hopes to save the souls of Victoria’s “misguided”.  His wife forms a committee to eradicate them.  Curt must fight back with everything he has – including a plan to seduce Mary and shame the family.
 
As a notorious criminal, and Del’s jealous rages, threaten them all, Curt’s battle for his lifestyle becomes one of right and wrong, life and death, and love lost and found.
 
Chock-full of western grit, romantic allure, and courage of the heart, High Stakes is an adventure for men and women alike. 
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Countdown to New Cover Reveal!

11/25/2015

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​This is it, Folks!  Friday, November 27th, 2015 is …
 
The Official Cover Reveal for the new edition of High Stakes!
 
Upon publication, High Stakes will be available from Amazon in both Kindle and paperback forms, as well as in other digital formats including Nook by Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and other e-readers.
 
Publication dates to be announced.
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Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary

8/17/2015

2 Comments

 
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The authors of 
Rawhide 'n Roses, 
A Western Romance Anthology
 are donating all proceeds 
from sales to the 
Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. 
Please help us protect these endangered,   beautiful symbols
of the Wild West! 


http://www.wildmustangs.com/             Purchase Here: Amazon
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Rawhide'n Roses,
 a Western Romance Anthology
 is a Finalist in the 
RONE  Awards Anthology category 
for 2015

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LIBERATED - Cover Revealed!

8/11/2015

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LIBERATED
by Laura Miller


BLURB:

This book is a biography of a woman I have loved and admired for the whole of my life.

In December 1944 a German family of seven were captured and convicted of war crimes for harbouring Jews.

I have known this story for most of my life. In the twilight of her years, this lady has decided that it is time for her story to be told, so it will be recorded for future generations.

The woman and her sister were interned in Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp until Liberation on 13 April 1945.

This is a true account of her experience.


Cover Design

Cover by Charlene Raddon

of Cover-Ops

http://cover-ops.blogspot.com


 

EXCERPT:

Hanover, Lower Saxony

GERMANY 1939

The house looked the same as every other dwelling in the street. Two story, attached, weathered stone. There were three bedrooms and a bathroom with indoor plumbing upstairs. An attic, where family treasures were hidden, could only be accessed through a removable panel in the ceiling of the main bedroom closet. Downstairs was a small but adequate dine in kitchen, a sitting room and a storeroom. Inside the storeroom was a staircase which led down to a basement.

The house sat opposite the banks of the Leine River. It was home to Inga Albine and her family. She had one older sister, two older brothers and one younger brother. They loved summer when they could swim and play in the water.


Inga’s father, Adaulfo, was a well-known and successful Banker. An unusual occupation for an Aryan as most Bankers were Jewish.

Inga’s mother, Alisz, was a talented seamstress but with her husband being more than capable of providing for the family, sewing was a hobby rather than a chore. Although sewing gave her a great deal of joy, her first love was her family. She adored being with her children.

Being only children, both Alisz and Adaulfo had always dreamed of having a large family. Their dream had come true. They had five healthy children, blonde haired, blue eyed. Perfect Aryans in Adolf Hitler’s eyes. Klaus, 18, Manfred 17, Elke 15, Inga 13 and Oskar 8. The girls and Oskar attended private school while the two older boys studied Engineering. They all played the violin and with the exception of Oskar, they played very well. Neighbours often praised Adaulfo and Alisz on how polite and well-mannered all five children were.

The family were prominent in the local community. They never hesitated to help people who were less fortunate than themselves.

That was to be their downfall…..


GENRE:

Non-Fiction, Historical, True Life



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ABOUT LAURA MILLER:

Laura is a middle aged lady who was born in England.

She has a compassionate nature, a great sense of humor and is a loyal friend. She also has an insatiable love of history.

Growing up, Laura would spend hours with a member of her family who she loved dearly. Over the years she was told the story of how this amazing lady had suffered at the hands of the Gestapo and German SS.

Laura had always had a strong desire to write. She felt a responsibility to record the story as a part of her family history.



LINKS:

Author Page:  TBA

PRE-ORDER LINKS:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon AU

Amazon CA


CONTACT LAURA:
 
Email:

millerlaura1955@gmail.com

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010043828277

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Laura1955Miller


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