Wicked is as Wicked Does: Wicked Wednesday with J. D. Webb

 WICKED WEDNESDAY

My guest, J. D. Webb, deals in multiple villains. Enjoy this look at his book this Wicked Wednesday.

Wicked villains:

Frequent Flier villains are members of a drug cartel. A splinter group from a huge operation run by Ukrainian Oligarch. Not the most competent organization, but they get by. Two brothers keep the drugs flowing by recruiting high schoolers as runners.

A young friend of ex-military pilot, Matt Pearson, is a reluctant recruiting target. Matt steps in to convince the recruiters to back off. It doesn’t go well. Matt gets the upper hand but that just increases the efforts.

Excerpt:

A commotion outside prompted Matt to enter the hallway.

Luis stood in front of his apartment. Two Hispanic guys flanked him. One other boy rubbed his shoulder. The two swiveled to see who’d entered the hallway.

Matt approached. “Luis, is everything okay?” He heard Sharon open the door wider.

Luis didn’t say anything.  

The tallest boy sneered at Matt. “You need to go back inside.” They looked to be teenagers or early twenties.

“Do you own this building, son?”

“No and I ain’t your son. Leave.”

“Now there we have a problem. I’m not the owner of the building either, but I’ve been invited here. How about you? Have you been invited?”

The guy faced Matt. He was about two inches taller than Matt and had the muscles of someone who worked out. His sharp face featured a short goatee and a ring in his nose. Gold chains hung around his neck across the front of a T-shirt with the lettering J-Boyz. Tan cargo pants partially covered a pair of brown, pointed-toe Western boots. 

The boy bounced on his feet and curled his hands into fists. His frizzy black hair bounced as well. “I’m telling you to go back inside before you have a problem. Me an’ Luis are having a discussion and it don’t concern you. Beat it.” He turned back to Luis and waited. “I don’t hear your door closing,” he said.

“Funny, I didn’t either. It would be advisable for you to leave now. Luis, are you finished with this conversation?”

Luis nodded.

“Well, there you have it Mr…. I didn’t catch your name. We’re done here.”

The guy dropped his shoulders and rushed Matt. Matt sidestepped and grabbed the gold chains. He pulled down and the man face-planted on the floor. Matt took the young man’s wrist and twisted, cupping the hand, putting pressure on the wrist.

He lifted the boy and stood him facing the wall. The second boy had not moved, and his jaw was wide open. His expression revealed this rarely happened. 

Matt took a step back. “Are you listening to me, ah, what was your name again?”

“Stone. Ahh, name is Stone.”

“Mr. Stone, we’re done here. You need to leave, and I don’t think you should come around anymore. Got it?” Matt gave an extra push on the hand. A yelp let him know it worked. He turned Stone around and tugged his goatee. A smear of blood had formed under his nose. “Didn’t hear you?”

“We’re done.” His lips said it, but his eyes disagreed. He rubbed his wrist and arm. “I’ll remember you.”

“I’ll remember you, Mr. Stone. If we meet again, I won’t be so kind.”

“Me neither.” Stone motioned to the other boy as he shook out his hand. He glanced back and they left.

“What was that about, Luis?”  

“They wanted me to go to a party with them. I said no and Stone shoved me. Said I disrespected him.”

Blurb:

Ex-military pilot Matt Pearson in San Diego for a short visit meets the ‘perfect’ woman. A six-month whirlwind romance succeeds in her saying yes to his proposal. What followed should have been Nirvana. If only. It wasn’t to be. A confrontation with a drug cartel never results in peace.  

 

Buy Links for Frequent Flier:

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Frequent-Flier-J-D-Webb-ebook/dp/B0GHZG9Z58/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2M8O33AMW2RZT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dLmESGccLmw5Wv3vvSeHJw.KtlEFAWAGTRZUS9aPNQX8QyLD2HQfmbquK07g0FPruM&dib_tag=se&keywords=frequent+flier+webb&qid=1782517004&sprefix=frequent+flier+webb,aps,235&sr=8-1

Wild Rose Press:

https://wildrosepress.com/product/frequent-flier/

 

Bio:

J. D. Webb, served in the Air Force in Viet Nam and the Philippines as a Chinese linguist, as a corporate transportation manager, then shoe repair and sales shop owner, before becoming an author. Obviously had trouble keeping a job.

An award-winning author of seven novels, an anthology and two short stories. Incredible Witness the anthology was a finalist in the 2023 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion awards. Bayou Chase, a thriller, was published September 2023 by Wild Rose Press.

His next thriller, Free To Be Me, released in July 2025. As a pre-published manuscript, it was selected as a Top Pick at the 2024 Killer Nashville Claymore Awards. In 2026 it placed first in the annual NEST awards suspense category.

A second thriller titled Frequent Flier was released in 2026. This is a series with a third and fourth book under development.

Shepherd’s Pie coming soon. Chicago PI becomes the target of a killer.

Her Name Is Mommy coming soon. Chicago PI thwarts a kidnapping.

In 2023 Webb was honored to be elected to the Midwest Writer’s Workshop Board of Directors.

A recent move relocated him to Gallatin, TN. Currently learning to speak Southern.

 

Contact links:

Facebook:

facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/jdavewebb/

Website:

https://jdwebb.com/

Wicked Without Chaos: The Mind of a Conqueror by Kayelle Allen

WICKED WEDNESDAY

Villains are wicked of course, but a my guest, Kayelle Allen, has a villain with more depth than most. Enjoy her Wicked Wednesday post! 

Pietas, known as the Bringer of Chaos, doesn’t create chaos by mistake. He creates it on purpose.

When we talk about chaotic villains, we often mean unpredictable. Reckless. Destructive for the sake of it.

Pietas is none of those things.

That’s what makes him dangerous.

He doesn’t lash out. He doesn’t lose control. He doesn’t act without purpose. Every decision is measured. Every action has intent. He doesn’t need permission to take control of a situation—he simply does.

There’s a kind of wickedness that comes from excess. And then there’s the kind that comes from certainty.

Pietas knows exactly who he is.

He was born into power, raised to command, and forged in a system where loyalty wasn’t optional—it was enforced. Structure defined everything. Authority wasn’t questioned because it didn’t need to be.

Until it was gone.

Exiled to a world where none of those structures exist, Pietas doesn’t lose power.

He loses the safeguards that kept it contained.

On this world, there are no institutions to enforce loyalty. No systems to define right from wrong. No one to step in when a decision goes too far.

And Pietas still believes he’s right.

That’s the kind of wickedness that doesn’t announce itself. It doesn’t roar or burn or destroy everything in sight.

It simply… acts.

And expects the world to adjust.

But power without structure isn’t stability. It’s pressure. And pressure reveals.

Especially when he’s forced into an alliance with a person who has every reason not to trust him.

Because Pietas doesn’t see himself as the villain.

He sees himself as necessary.

And that’s where things get complicated.

Watch Your Six, the last book in the Bringer of Chaos series, releases this August.

If you’d like to see how that kind of power behaves when the rules disappear, you can start the series here, with Lights Out. If you’re already familiar with the story, you can access a sample of Watch Your Six here.

Kayelle Allen is a worldbuilder who writes with a scalpel, a strategist of tenderness, and who understands that the most dangerous thing in any universe isn't power—it's attachment. To sum it up: “Epic scale. Microscopic pain. Absolutely intentional.”

Claim your immortality and enter the Empire https://kayelleallen.com/immortality
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kayelleallenbooks
Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/kayelleallen.bsky.social

Wicked Fun with Wicked Villains on Wicked Wednesday by C. Becker

WICKED WEDNESDAY

Oh readers! Today's Wicked Wednesday is particularly wicked fun. My guest, C. Becker, gets us up close and personal to a wicked villain.

I’m always intrigued when a reader feels sorry for a story’s villain. Wicked villains make us pause to consider the character’s circumstances. If the villain had been brought up differently, would he/she have been so evil? When I began the Euphoria trilogy, I created one evil villain, Manuel Mendoza, but as the next two stories unfolded, I realized he wasn’t so evil. Yes, he was misguided, but deep down he had a good heart. Although he was money hungry, his thirst for power stemmed from his abusive life led by his wicked father José. José de Mendoza is as ruthless as they come. In the final book of the trilogy, he’s the prime target of the story and he’s out for merciless revenge. A drug lord and human trafficker, José went so low as to destroy his son’s chance with happiness at every turn. Jose is the wicked villain I’d like you to meet in this interview, and I’m heading out before he either kills me for revealing him or sells me to his contacts on some remote island. (Exit: Door slam)

Where did she go? I heard her voice. The conniving author who smuggled me into the U.S. shouldn’t have exposed me to her readers. Maybe I’ll kill her before I head back to Colombia—after I finish taking care of the others. My troubles began two months ago when my son Manuel brought his five-year-old bastard daughter back to Colombia. Now the girl will inherit everything my wife owns. Hijueputa! Over my dead body! Manny never even let me to see the girl. He was afraid I’d sell her off to the human traffickers—like I did that with his first girlfriend. Women! Nothing but trouble! Now I’m stuck in the U.S. trying to clean up his mess.

For the past six years, Manny pined over a new love, a U.S. scientist who served prison time for him. Why couldn’t Manny focus on the family cocaine business? (cough) I can’t keep the drug trade going by myself forever. I should’ve killed Manny’s puta and her sidekick Hailey Langley when I first caught them prowling around my home. Langley dug into my computer files a few years ago and handed the trade contacts over to the government. Now my soldiers can’t get shipments out on the damn drug routes because the authorities capture all the narcosubs. Hailey Langley should’ve kept her nose out of my business. She never learns. When her husband died in a fire last year, Hailey started popping anti-depressants. (snicker) Too bad I swapped her mail-order prescription and slowly poisoned her with bixine, a drug from the worthless Euphoria shrub Manny keeps in the greenhouse.

When Manny kidnapped his bastard daughter this summer, he ordered his minions to kill Langley, but she got away. Dammit! That secret agent is slicker than a coral snake. Now that I’m in the States, I’ll finish the job. I broke into her house this afternoon with plans to finish her off, but she wasn’t there. As I was leaving, an old gringo entered through the front door. I didn’t have a gun so I hid upstairs and pushed him down the stairs. I’m heading to Boston to kill Manny’s bastard and sexy puta, but I’ll come back and make Hailey pay for the trouble she’s caused. If my contact doesn’t get me a gun soon, I’ll have to use other ways to exact revenge. (cracks fingers) Then I’ll decide how to knock off my wife. I’ve spent too many nights at the brothel since she stopped sleeping in my bed. Need to figure out a way to keep her estate before I deal with her….

Blurb:
Hailey Langley tries to wrap her mind around the news her husband survived a fire she thought had killed him. Before she can search for him, Hailey has a promise to keep that takes her to Colombia where she must face the drug lord behind her husband’s attack.

Mark Langley is suffering from his own plight and insecurities, including burns and PTSD. Beneath Mark’s scarred exterior is a man seeking acceptance from a wife he refuses to see. Uncertain if he will ever reunite with his family, Mark struggles through his therapies, hopeful an experimental drug from the Euphoria plant will heal his scars.

When another villain from Colombia seeks revenge, Hailey and Mark must learn to trust and love again as they battle their newest threat and find their way back to each other.

Buy links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Euphoria-C-Becker-ebook/dp/B0DSG8XQ3X
B&N:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embracing-euphoria-c-becker/1146791353
BAM:  https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781509259809
The Wild Rose Press: https://wildrosepress.com/product/embracing-euphoria/ 

C. Becker is a romance suspense writer, musician, and lover of crafts. She has a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology and worked in the clinical hospital setting until she began raising a family. As her children grew older, she never outgrew the attraction of using science in everyday life. She turned to teaching, music, and eventually to writing stories. She considers herself a “jack of all trades,” and readily admits she is a “master of none.” Yes, she even does home improvement projects! Becker has published three romance suspense novels in the Euphoria trilogy, several poems, and over a dozen children’s books (under Colleen Driscoll). Becker enjoys hanging out with her family and Jack Russell, playing the piano, reading, traveling, and gardening.

Contact Links:

Email: cbeckerauthor@gmail.com

Website address: http://cbeckerauthor.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/cbeckerauthor

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CBeckerauthor/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/beckercee/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19026691.C_Becker

Discover Romantic Suspense by Reggi Allder

MUSE MONDAY

Please join me in welcoming Reggi Allder to Muse Monday on Discover... She's talking about one of my favorite genres...Romantic Suspense. 

Hi all, I’m happy to be here on Monday Muse. 

As a teen, while in a friend’s basement, I discovered a bookshelf with old romantic suspense books. My friend’s mother read them. She said, “They’re keepers.” Though they were paperbacks and some of the pages had yellowed, all of them were in readable condition. I was allowed to take a few books home with the promise to return them when I was finished reading. Excited, I grabbed several. At that point, my reading had been classic fiction for English classes or science and math textbooks. Imagine my surprise to read pure entertainment with a great story arc.

Now, as a reader and a writer, I look forward to the mix of danger and romance. Statistics show I’m not alone. Romantic suspense novels are popular sellers.

I’ve often wondered why we love a dash, or should I say a slash of suspense with our romance. I guess a psychologist could answer that. However, a well-plotted romance and equally well-plotted suspense, seamlessly woven together, work well. Each storyline moves the plot forward and holds my attention. Perhaps the need to solve a mystery helps keep the pages turning.

A romantic suspense must have a compelling love story, often with the hero and heroine striving toward different goals. They share a strong attraction for each other that might get in the way of solving the mystery, perhaps even putting them in danger. They must be sympathetic characters as each struggles with internal problems and personal baggage while maintaining the determination to catch the bad guy(s). Right is on their side, though the villain might take issue with that statement.

A believable villain is important too. Not just a crazy man or woman wanting to hurt people, but a villain with a credible goal. The average person would think the objective is completely wrong. Still, the villain knows he’s righteous. The idea keeps him motivated and us reading to discover what happens next. The anti-hero should be intelligent, a person to be reckoned with, fear-imparting, and perhaps clever if mad.

Mysteries are often written in the first person. Yet, the romantic suspense has multiple points of view allowing the reader to understand the motivation of many of the characters.

In a suspense novel, it just gets worse until the reader can’t see how the hero and heroine will solve the mystery and survive. There is often a possibility the villain may win and all will be lost.

 

Blurb DANGEROUS WEB by Reggi Allder  Book One of Four in the Dangerous Series by Reggi Allder.

Emma lives a quiet life and that is the way she wants it. When the past returns to threaten her present, is the key to her safety the man offering protection? Does he have secrets that will put her in greater danger?

Webb lives undercover and never lets anyone get too close. However, in his current perilous situation, Emma is the only one he can trust. Still, if he accepts her aid, he could put her in jeopardy. Can he justify involving her? Will he be able to manage his growing desire for Emma?

Romantic Suspense, 5.0 out of 5 stars “A non-stop suspense from the first chapter until the end!” “Real-to-life characters take you away!” “Reggi Allder has got us holding our breath and biting our nails with this romantic suspense.”

 

Excerpt

With Webb in the passenger seat, Emma drove the old sedan to their small West Coast bungalow and parked in the driveway. A memory of the first day she saw the home, with the “For Sale” sign on the front lawn, taunted her. Would he remember too?

What difference did it make now?

There was an almost imperceptible pause when he entered the place. Yet, his stoic expression didn’t change as his hand raked through his thick dark hair. He scanned the room, pausing on the Danish furniture they’d bought together. However, his deep brown eyes didn’t indicate his thoughts. He stood tall, strong, and in command and she couldn’t help admiring him. Darn it.

“Webb, you know where everything is. I’m going to take a shower. It was a long hot drive.”

She rushed to the master bedroom before he could answer. Why did she bring him to their home? Now too many uncontrollable feelings were bubbling to the surface.

What would he think when he noticed his clothes were just as he’d left them? She’d kept telling herself it was time to throw them all out or donate the bunch to a needy cause. Somehow, she hadn’t been able to do it.

Before long, he’d pick out some of his things from the dresser. Maybe he’d take items from the garage, and walk out. It couldn’t come too soon. She’d been able to manage her emotions while they were at the cabin, but being near him in their house threw her off balance. Without equilibrium, her life had tilted out of control. She had to get her day-to-day life in balance, ASAP. Their relationship was dead and she’d carved out a new fulfilling existence. She had to hold on to that realization.

In the bathroom, she undressed and tossed her clothes into the hamper.

The spray of cool water lowered the temperature of her heated body, and the aroma of the coconut shampoo soothed her. She closed her eyes to enjoy the fact she was okay, and he’d be gone soon. When he left, everything would return to the “new” normal.

Out of the shower and wrapped in a pink bath sheet, she dried her hair with a hand towel.

“I don’t mean to break into your private space, but I need a bandage. I’m bleeding again.” Wearing only boxers, he came into the room looking way too appealing even with the wound in his side.

She held the bath towel tightly to her. “Uh, they’re in the plastic box under the sink.”

“You don’t have to protect yourself so carefully. It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before.”

She bent down as he came forward. Her line of sight was at his crotch. Involuntarily, she caught her breath and quickly searched for the first aid container.

“Here’s some gauze and tape.” She cleared her throat. “That should do.”

Was it the steam from her recent shower or could he be making the room hotter?

“Thanks, Emmy. If you don’t mind, I’ll get cleaned up now.”

She was barely able to grab the hairdryer when he dropped his boxers. She ran into the bedroom but heard him chuckle as she slammed the bathroom door.

Buy link Dangerous Webb https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XXNBDXV

 

Follow Reggi:

Amazon Page

https://www.amazon.com/Reggi-Allder/e/B00G05PJRS

Bookbub.com

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/reggi-allder

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/reggi.allder

BlueSky

https://bsky.app/profile/reggiall.bsky.social

Blog

http://reggiallder.blogspot.com

 

Wicked Wednesday: Blueprint for Passion by Neil S. Plakcy

Oh those wicked real estate developers! And our guest blogger today, Neil S. Plakcy, has a steamy new novel with just the right amount of villain. Tell us about it, Neil:

Real estate developers often get a bad rap. They’re accused of everything from paying off government officials to flouting conservation laws to subjecting tenants to egregious clauses. 

It wasn’t hard to decide that the villains in my new romance novel, Blueprint for Passion, would be
developers. In my construction career, I’ve built shopping centers from Albany, New York to Manhattan, New Orleans to Miami, and I’ve worked for both good and bad people—just like in any occupation. The “enemy” in my enemies-to-lovers romance is a good guy developer, who a passionate woman eventually convinces to adjust his plans to honor the history of the area and the local environment. 

But I needed a villain, someone who would force the developer and the preservationist in my story to work together. An uber-villain, if you will. 

It wasn’t hard to come up with Morgan Swan, the owner of Black Swan. He’s a rapacious businessman who has specialized in coercion and bribery to get the building permits he wants, and then often sold the ready-to-build property to someone who won’t be bound by any of the agreements he has struck. 

Here are a couple of excerpts from Blueprint for Passion: 

Victoria and Alex claimed a corner table on the cafe’s wraparound porch, ordering coffee and waiting until the server retreated before spreading the plans between them. Victoria’s knee brushed Alex’s under the table as she leaned in to study the drawings. He tried to ignore the contact and focus on the crisis at hand. 

“Look at this foundation design.” She tapped the page. “They’re planning to backfill part of the shoreline to accommodate the parking structure.” 

“Black Swan is known for this. Coming in with overwhelming force, pushing projects through before opposition can mobilize.” Alex watched her face as she studied the plans. “He’s already got three commissioners in his pocket.” 

“Four.” She looked up, meeting his eyes. “Commissioner Epstein called me this morning to ‘explain’ his position. Apparently, Miami desperately needs another Neiman Marcus.” 

“More than it needs workforce housing?” 

“More than it needs anything, according to Epstein.” She sat back, wrapping her hands around her coffee cup. “This is worse than your project, Alex. The environmental impact alone...” 

It was the first time she’d used his first name. Something shifted in the air between them, the professional facade cracking just slightly. 

And here’s another, to demonstrate the kind of tactics a villainous developer can use: 

Epstein’s smile didn’t waver, but something flickered in his eyes. “The Commission is always happy to work with developers who understand Miami’s needs. Swan’s project would bring significant tax revenue and jobs.” 

“Like the jobs he promised in Port Haven?” Alex kept his tone casual. “Before that project mysteriously fell apart?” 

“I’m not familiar with all his other projects.” Epstein turned to look out his window. “Though I hear he’s had some impressive successes.” 

“He has interesting methods of achieving those successes.” Alex watched the older man’s reflection in the glass. “The kind that sometimes lead to unfortunate questions about commissioners’ voting records.” 

Epstein turned back slowly. “Are you implying something, Rivera?” 

“Not at all. Just expressing concern about Miami’s reputation. It would be a shame if certain development practices from up north found their way down here.” Alex stood. “I know how much you’ve always cared about doing things the right way, David.” 

The commissioner’s face had gone carefully blank. “Swan has friends here, Alex. Powerful ones. Be careful where you stick your nose.” 

“I always am.” Alex headed for the door, then paused. “By the way, how’s Michael enjoying Boston U’s law school? I hear he’s in line for a clerkship with the same judge who often rules in favor of Morgan Swan’s projects.” 

He caught Epstein’s sharp intake of breath before closing the door behind him. One commissioner compromised. How many more to go? 

Have I worked with guys like Morgan Swan? You bet. I was young and inexperienced, and I needed the job more than I needed a conscience. Not that I could have done anything myself—by the time I met tenants, they had already signed restrictive leases, and I had to make them stick to those deals. Marble storefront for a mall drugstore? Got it. Hiring extra construction staff to make the grand opening? I’m there. 

Even when we as the developers didn’t stick to our deadlines, the tenants had to suck it up. Like spend extra money to put up plastic tarps over portable generators to make the mall interior warm enough to install their storefronts. 

Morgan Swan is that kind of guy, and it’s up to preservation attorney Victoria Whitmore and her original enemy, developer Alex Rivera, to band together and stop him. Even if it means sharing a bed in a sold-out hotel during a Boston snowstorm. 

If you’re going to fight the good fight against a villain, you’ve got to be willing to pay the price! 

BLUEPRINT FOR PASSION sizzles with forbidden attraction, forced proximity, and the undeniable heat of Miami nights. This steamy enemies-to-lovers romance proves that sometimes the best foundations are built on opposites attracting. 

Content warning: Contains a Latin lover who knows exactly how to push all the right buttons, steamy scenes that will fog up your windows faster than a Miami summer day, and enough sexual tension to rival the Florida humidity. 

An Enemies to Lovers Contemporary Romance by Neil S. Plakcy

https://amzn.to/4hXVa1I 

Thanks for reading! I’d love to stay in touch with you. Visit my home page at www.mahubooks.com, where you can subscribe to one or more of my newsletters. I hope you'll also consider following me at Goodreads to see what I'm reading, and subscribe to my author page at Facebook where I post news and giveaways.

 

The Bad Guys Behind “Hollow Hearts” – with #Giveaway By Donna Schlachter #FreeBook #Romance

WICKED WEDNESDAY

Hey gang, gather round and welcome Donna Schlachter to Wicked Wednesday on Discover... It's not often we have a giveaway and a print book (US only) or eBook to boot! So, enjoy the post and be sure to let us know you're there. Check back on the 14th for the announced winner.  

Set in 1860 at a Pony Express station near Green River, Utah, this book is the second in the Hearts of the Pony Express series.

Edith Cooper is a forty-ish woman traveling west with her husband, Paul. They’ve been married for many years, but they’ve not had any children. This leaves a hole in Edith’s heart when Paul dies along the trail to Oregon.

Green River, Utah, provides the only suitable place for many miles to bury bodies. In fact, the soil is soft and relatively rock-free, and hundreds—if not thousands—are buried there.

As Edith leaves the cemetery, two men approach her independently. The local pastor, a widower with six rowdy children, suggests he could be the man she needs. After all, he’s obviously not deficient when it comes to producing offspring, and although he realizes Edith is getting along in years, no reason they couldn’t still enjoy the physical benefits of marriage.

Edith says thank you and she’ll think about it.

The second man is an alcoholic private who has been in the army for twenty-plus years, but because he keeps getting into trouble when he drinks, has been demoted to the lowest rank possible. He suggests he is the man for her because—well, because he is a man.

Edith, horrified by what could become her life, thanks him and says she’ll let him know.

The pastor and the sergeant continue to pester Edith, insisting she give them an answer. The pastor’s rowdy children have no respect for her, and neither does he, apparently, when she brings them a cake at the church social.

Without giving the story away, both men accost her at different times, and when she resists, they turn on her. In fact, the pastor humiliates her at that church social, blaming her for his out-of-control kiddoes.

Humiliated, Edith feels pressured to choose her future.

Maybe she’ll stay, get her own lodgings, and find a job.

Or figure out a way to continue west.

Or return east where she and her husband came from.

There is, of course, a hero lurking in the shadows. Albert wants Edith to stay because he’d like to expand the kitchen and dining area at the station. But he also sees that having her around makes him miss her when she isn’t there. And that wasn’t part of his plans.

To find out which man Edith chooses, you’ll need to read the book. You can find out more about the story or order the ebook here: https://www.amazon.com/Hollow-Hearts-Book-Pony-Express-ebook/dp/B0B5B7H4XG 

Leave a comment, and we’ll draw randomly for a print copy (US only) or ebook of Hollow Hearts. Don’t forget to cleverly disguise your email address like this: Donna AT livebytheword DOT com

Question: Do you have a favorite family name in your family? 

About Hollow Hearts:

Middle-aged widow Edith Cooper walks away from the cemetery along the Green River near Simpson’s Hollow, Utah Territory. Away from the husband buried there this morning. Away from their plans and dreams for their future. Along the way, two men offer their hand in marriage. For her protection, one says. For his children’s sake, says the second. Were any of these reasons enough to marry? She must choose one. But which?

Albert Whitt, stationmaster of the Pony Express Station, loves his independent life. Twice stood up by women, he takes the only course that ensures no more rejection: stay clear of them. But when he learns that the stoic Widow Cooper is considering two proposals from men not worthy of lacing her boots, he must do something. But what?

Can Edith and Albert find a new beginning in the midst of tragedy, or will they choose the most convenient path—alone? 

About Donna:

A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 50 times in books; is a member of several writers groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; ghostwrites; edits; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. 

www.DonnaSchlachter.com Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive a free ebook simply for signing up for our free newsletter!

www.DonnaSchlachter.com/blog

Check out previous blog posts at www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com and www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DonnaSchlachter

Books: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ci5Xqq

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=donna+schlachter

 

 

 

A Wicked Character for #WickedWednesday by Karen Hulene Bartell

WICKED WEDNESDAY

Wicked characters we love to hate make a book so enjoyable to read. Karen Hulene Bartell has a good one for us.

Thanks for hosting me on your Wicked Wednesdays blog, Brenda!

Judging from reviews of Wild Rose Pass, First Lieutenant James West is the readers’ favorite character to hate. He’s a West Point graduate and “an accomplished officer,” according to Cadence’s father, the captain of the 1880 West Texas fort.

But the problem, according to Cadence, is James is more interested in becoming her father’s son-in-law than her husband. She searches for affection but sees only affectation. Though she finds his attention flattering, she wonders…Does he really care for me, or is he just bucking for a promotion as my father’s son-in-law?

Excerpt I ~ The Proposal:

Abruptly, the music stopped, and mid-spin, she came to a teetering halt. The momentum swayed her skirt, but she paid no attention. Still enveloped in Ben’s arms and gaze, she stared back, wrapped in his spell.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my apologies for interrupting this waltz, but may I have your attention? I have an important announcement.”

James’ voice stole into her private world. The sound was faint, like a fly buzzing at the window. Forcing herself to break Ben’s gaze, she watched as James unabashedly strutted across the band’s raised platform toward her father.

Amid hoots and giggles from the dancefloor, Captain McShane put up his hands.

A hush fell over the crowd. Their faces expectant, the group seemed to hold its collective breath.

“Cadence, dear, everyone at the fort expects us to marry, and we mustn’t let them down.” Addressing her from the raised platform, James chuckled as he glanced at the crowd. “When do you want to set the date?”

While the assembly listened for her answer, a deeper stillness descended on the dance floor.

Someone coughed.

The nerve. Her jaw and neck stiff with suppressed rage, she turned toward Ben, embarrassed almost as much for him as for herself. Then she shifted her gaze to James, her father, her mother, the grinning faces in the crowd, and back to James. He didn’t propose marriage. He issued an order and expects me to obey. Her eyes narrowed as she regarded the room’s beaming faces. Military tradition is the reason behind his arrogance. Everyone expects me to accept the dashing West Point officer’s proposal.

Excerpt II ~ The Ultimatum:

Wearing an unperturbed smile as he approached, he appeared to hold no grudge.

“You seem in good spirits today…” She studied his face for clues.

“Why not? This is a new morning, and I’m in the company of a beautiful woman. What more could I ask?”

His eyes glittering like rhinestones, he curled his lips into a smile.

“I thought”—skeptical, she tilted her head to inspect him—“after last night—”

“Oh, that.” He shrugged off the previous evening’s turn of events. “It’s a perfect day for a stroll. Walk with me.”

His eyes surly, he gave her a winning smile.

Something isn’t right. Squinting as she guessed at his intentions, she wavered. “Maybe a short stroll—”

“That’s my girl.” Instead of crooking his arm for her, he put his hand at the base of her skull and steered her.

The gesture made her uncomfortable. Why? Feeling like a ventriloquist’s dummy, she shrugged off his hand.

He strode quickly, like a man with a mission, until he paused in front of the trading post.

“Why are we stopping here?”

“You’ll see.”

Again, he pressed his fingers into her neck, steering her none too gently up the steps, inside the store, and toward the dry goods section. Stopping at the cabinet of rolled fabrics, he handed her a bolt of ivory colored silk.

“What’s this material for?” Shrugging off his hand, she ran her fingertips over the smooth fabric.

“Your wedding gown.”

“What?” Shocked, she spoke so loudly, other shoppers’ heads turned.

“And use this pattern for your wedding dress.” After choosing a paper packet from the table, he all but threw it.

“Have you lost your mind?” Though she caught the packet by instinct, she scowled at his condescending tone, as if he were barking orders at a recruit.

“Come now, Cadence. You know you’re marrying me. Why keep on with this foolish charade?”

She huffed at his patronizing words, too furious to speak. Then she saw a Chihuahua on a short leash, and everything fell into place. He keeps his hand at my neck to manipulate me—control me.

“You don’t want a wife. You want a poor, broken-spirited creature. Marry a hobbled horse for all I care, but I wouldn’t have you if you were the last man in God’s creation.” She started out in conversational tones, but by the time she finished, she shouted. With a frustrated, guttural roar, she threw the dress pattern and silk on the cutting table and stormed out.

Excerpts from Wild Rose Pass: www.amazon.com/dp/B084ZTC9MR

About the Author: Karen Hulene Bartell

Author of the Trans-Pecos, Sacred Emblem, Sacred Journey, and Sacred Messenger series, Karen is a best-selling author, motivational keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life. She writes multicultural, offbeat love stories that lift the spirit. Born to rolling-stone parents who moved annually, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Westerns spurred her to write (pun intended). Wanderlust inherent, Karen enjoyed traveling, although loathed changing schools. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own happy endings. Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the Hill Country with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued *Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

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