Laura Hesse's Blog, page 7
March 31, 2021
April Deals
Bandits, Broads & Dirty Dawgs (Adult).It is a comedy of errors when two bumbling kidnappers kidnap the wrong women in this sequel to The Silver Spurs Home for Aging Cowgirls. Will they get what’s coming to them or will they find out messing with a felon’s fiancée and fiery mistress is more trouble than it is worth?
Throw in four rascally seniors, a donkey race, an irate felon, a double dealing coyote, and a run for the border with a cool three million in the back of a pickup truck, and you’ve got a roller coaster ride of laughs and adventures.
Haven’t read the first book? Don’t worry, you can read this story as a standalone.
Read more on Amazon.com
APRIL 2 – 9TH DEALS ON AMAZON.COM & AMAZON.UK
The Silver Spurs Home for Aging Cowgirls – $1.99 US – check it out HERE.
(Sale of Silver Spurs is on Amazon.uk on April 24th – 30th)
The Thin Line of Reason – a paranormal thriller – $0.99 US – check it out HERE
April 9th – 16th DEAL ON AMAZON.COM & AMAZON.UK
The Dastardly Mr. Deeds – Book 2 in The Gumboot & Gumshoe Series – $0.99 US – check it out HERE
March 25, 2021
On writing equine novels – an interview
Where it all started: from my love of horses to what inspired me to start writing. In this interview with Carly Kade (Author Spotlight at Carly Kade Creative), I share a lot about my life, and how my life’s journey and the people and animals I shared it with inspired me to begin writing The Holiday Series of Middle Grade/family stories. I also cover how that morphed into a love for cozy mysteries and comedy. I hope you find something of interest to inspire you to begin your writing career. https://www.carlykadecreative.com/blog/episode-68-on-the-holiday-horse-book-series-writing-across-genres-using-comedy-with-laura-hesse-equestrian-author-spotlight-podcast
March 19, 2021
NEW RELEASE – Now on Pre-Order
BANDITS, BROADS & DIRTY DAWGS! GET IT NOW FOR JUST $0.99!!!
What do a bumbling set of bandits and a backstabbing coyote have in common? The took on the wrong wily old ladies in the sequel to The Silver Spurs Home for Aging Cowgirls!
In this funny caper gone wrong, Sylvie and Mary, take on the role of a felon’s fiancee and girlfriend in order to outwit two young men who think they’re going to strike it rich. Will the kidnappers get what’s coming to them or did they bite off more than they can handle?
Comedy. Action. Drama. This rollicking funny western drama-edy is edgy and naughty. A great read of you are a fan of Twin Peaks, Fargo, and Mel Brooks comedies.
February 12, 2021
NOW Available in Audio Book!
The Montana family just wanted to save their ranch!
They thought they were opening up their sprawling ranch house and their stables to four retired cowgirls and their horses. Turns out three of the four women aren’t cowgirls at all, and their horses aren’t either.
And then there is the cheating husband that came along for the ride.
The word ‘baggage’ just got a whole new meaning.
If you think senior living means the party is over, then you haven’t spent a night at the Silver Spurs Home for Aging Cowgirls where romance is in the air and flirting with another woman’s man can be murder. Do you know what your grandmother is up to?
Now available in Audio Book: Audible.com Audible.ca Audible.UK Audible.DE Audible.AU
February 2, 2021
Valentine’s Day Deals on Amazon
A Valentine’s Day children’s fantasy for unicorn lover. Gus and Jessie, embark on a perilous adventure to save Gus’ lost love from the evil sorceress, Morgana, in this Valentine’s Day love story of good vs evil suitable for ages 4 and up. Currently available in print, e-book and audio book.
The Unicorn Wears Red Audio book: The Unicorn Wears Red audio book is a fast paced bedtime short story complete with sound effects.
Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.uk Amazon.australia
February 5 – 12th – $1.99Only on Amazon.com and Amazon.UK only. FREE on Kindle Unlimited.
Valentino: A Stand Alone Story – Inspired by a true story (YA, Teen, Adult).A blind girl and a Haida boy are stranded on opposite sides of a desolate island in the middle of winter. While the Native boy has a wealth of knowledge and Haida heritage to draw on, the blind girl must rely on her guide dog and an abandoned horse to help her survive.
Inspired by the true story of the horse that got left behind on Jedidiah Island when it was donated to B.C. Parks and a woman who survived for ten days after being shipwrecked on a remote coastline in Haida Gwaii. Available in print, e-book and audio book.
Read more on Amazon.com Amazon.UK
“A beautifully written, enthralling book.” Canadian Horse Journals. READ the full interview at The Canadian Horse Journals.
January 19, 2021
Bandts, Broads & Dirty Dawgs – News
Bandits, Broads & Dirty Dawgs – coming soon to Amazon for Pre-Order. Watch here for details on pre-ordering Book Two in The Silver Spurs Series. Initial price will be just $0.99. Expected pre-order date of March 1st and release date of April 1st.
It’s more fun, more adventure, and more shenanigans with the crazy ladies at The Silver Spurs Home for Aging Cowgirls.
Here is just a short preview of what is to come.
Bandits, Broads & Dirty Dawgs Copyright 2021 Laura Hesse
PreludeIf I’m feeling sexy, I’ll put on some heels – if that makes me a little taller than you, so be it. You have to be secure enough to stand next to a stallion.
Keri Hilson
Zoe Puddicombe raced along the highway in her little black convertible BMW heading to the penitentiary some seventy-five miles from The Silver Spurs Home for Aging Cowgirls where she now resided with her Andalusian stallion, Zippo, and her filly, Extravaganza. The multi-divorcee and widow didn’t mind living with the Montana family. Sam Montana was a stud; unfortunately, he was still in love with his deceased wife and possibly the sultry redhead named Sylvie O’Hara. He thought that his starry love struck gaze had gone unnoticed, but it hadn’t.
Zoe had to confess she liked the brazen outspoken woman with whose husband she had an affair, but that was when she thought Sylvie was an invalid. The jury was out on how long Sylvie actually was immobile from a life changing stroke.
Sylvie’s husband was a rascal. He even brought his mistress along when the O’Haras arrived from Virginia. It was a toss up as to who killed him, even though Sylvie confessed. Zoe still believed that Maggie had done him in.
Zoe wasn’t one to hold a grudge and wished Sylvie the best of luck with Sam. At their age, there weren’t many single men to choose from and Sam Montana was a catch; although, since the body of Cade O’Hara had never been found, technically Sylvie was still married.
Zoe glanced in the rear view mirror.
“Damn you,” she swore as she saw the white dually pass the family in the minivan behind her.
Behind the wheel of the big truck was her nemesis, Maggie Carroll, her cocoa colored skin and mass of raven hair a stark contrast to Zoe’s pale skin and short white spikes that she had tipped with blue that morning. The blue accented the delicate peacock feather earrings brushing softly against Zoe’s long aristocratic neck.
“You are not going to get there first,” she seethed, her brown eyes flashing with anger.
Zoe stepped on the pedal. The beamer shot forward.
Behind her, Maggie followed suit. The big diesel engine bucked, the truck built for towing, not racing with a finely tuned sports car.
Zoe smiled crookedly as she saw Maggie grit her teeth and pound her hands in frustration on the steering wheel as Zoe steadily increased the distance between them.
In truth, they weren’t enemies, these two senior women, they were competitors.
Five months ago, the pair had made a deal: whoever got to the prison first, got to see Tommy first. A game of rock, paper, scissors, decided who got conjugal rights when it was allowed. It wasn’t that Tommy was a dream come true or even that he was particularly handsome, but a woman had needs, whatever their age, and Tommy fulfilled both Zoe’s and Maggie’s needs at regular intervals without the ladies having to make a lifelong commitment. It suited all concerned or so they thought.
They had met Tommy Cortez after his plane went down in the mountains close to the Montana’s ranch. A huge manhunt had ensued. Tommy was a wanted felon – drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder. He had retired but that didn’t matter to the law. Justice had been swift. The ladies pounced on the opportunity.
The sheriff’s brown and white Suburban passed her going in the other direction.
“Damn it,” Zoe swore, glancing in the rear view mirror as the sheriff came to a screeching halt and spun the SUV around, red and white lights flashing.
Behind her, the minivan with the family of five in it and Maggie in the one ton dually pickup truck pulled over to let the sheriff pass.
“Darn. Darn. Darn. Darn,” the seventy-three year-old woman fumed.
Zoe pulled over to the side of the road, the sheriff pulling his vehicle in behind her. She rolled down the window and waited for her just desserts.
She could argue the ticket and turn on the charm, but that would take time. If she burned rubber, she still might be able to beat Maggie to the prison. The best recourse was to plead guilty and be done with it. What was the worst that could happen? Her insurance would go up and she’d lose some points on her driver’s license? She had dressed up for nothing? Ugh. Decisions, decisions, she groaned inwardly.
“Mrs Puddicombe, you got a fire to put out,” Sheriff Cole Train drawled as he leaned in the window.
Maggie drove by slowly, a cat that ate the cream grin on her face. She waved regally and pulled away.
“I hate that woman,” Zoe spat. “She’s never going to let me live this down.”
“What woman,” the clean shaven good natured sheriff asked.
“Maggie,” Zoe simmered.
“Ah, you ladies are off to see Cortez again,” Cole grinned, noticing the white dually accelerating up the highway. “What’s the appeal? Bad boys and ugly dudes simply turn you on?”
“Oh, Cole,” Zoe rolled her eyes and shook her head in exasperation. “You wouldn’t understand. You’re a handsome young man with a pretty sweetheart and your whole life ahead of you. Once you get to my age you realize that all men are ugly so you may as well choose one that adds a little spice to your trysts.”
Cole roared with laughter, his grey eyes twinkling.
Cole reminded Zoe of a young Matt Damon. He was handsome in that boy next door sort of way.
“I have to give you a ticket, Mrs Puddicombe,” he said, writing her up. “Next time, either leave a little earlier, lock Miss Carroll in her room, or better yet, find someone else better suited for a spicy tryst. I suggest you come to the next barn dance, I can think of a few fellas there who would be happy to accommodate you.”
Zoe snorted in disdain as she plucked the ticket from Cole’s outstretched hand.
“See you Sunday,” the sheriff grinned as he walked away.
It was starting to get annoying having the law over for dinner every Sunday, but then the sheriff was dating Stacey Montana so there was nothing she could do about it.
Zoe waved to the sheriff as she pulled sedately back onto the highway. Cole waved back and followed behind her up the highway. “Seniors don’t get any respect anymore,” she whined, her eyes narrowing, her foot itching to put the pedal to the floor.
December 16, 2020
Free & Discounted Children’s Christmas book promos
Starting today, December 16th until December 20th, the children’s short bedtime story, GUS, is FREE on Amazon worldwide. It is a wonderful little story about a girl who gets lost in a corn maze and befriends a unicorn named Gus who takes her on an adventure to meet the Spirit Bear who guards the corn maze from a pumpkin stealing rat. Written in an easy to read play format.
For children and middle grade, get the popular holiday family classic, One Frosty Christmas, from December 23 to 30th, for just $0.99. This Hallmark hanky waving Christmas story is perfect for horse lovers ages 8 – 98. Join Hannah Storey on her quest to save a frostbitten mustang from freezing to death and to teach a town about the true miracle of Christmas. Read more at Amazon.com and Amazon.uk. (FREE on Kindle Unlimited). You can also join Laura Hesse on Facebook for the 10 day reading of One Frosty Christmas on her author’s page here: https://www.facebook.com/LauraHessewriter. It has already started but don’t worry, the videos are up.
December 12, 2020
Join me for a holiday reading of One Frosty Christmas
Please feel free to join me for a holiday reading of the classic Christmas story, One Frosty Christmas, beginning on Sunday, December 13th at 7:00 pm pacific standard time (Vancouver Island, B.C.).
One Frosty Christmas is a Hallmark style Christmas story for ages 8 – 98. It is about a lonely handicapped teen’s struggle to fit into a small rural farming community fallen on hard times. Hope, friendship & perseverance are the cornerstones of this story and, of course, it has a hanky waving happy ending. Hey, it is a Christmas story.
You can join me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LauraHessewriter/ for the nightly reading – I will be doing one chapter a night for ten days.
Peace and wellness.
November 26, 2020
Middle Grade/Children’s trio of holiday horse stories – on sale now
Join Hannah Storey on her quest to save a frostbitten old mustang from its cruel owner in One Frosty Christmas, unravel the mystery behind a strange ring of stones Hannah and her friends discover in the woods in The Great Pumpkin Ride, and take on Mother Nature to help little Linda McCloud save Easter and her unborn foal in A Filly Called Easter.
Audio book: Audible.com Audible.UK
Read more on Amazon.com, Amazon.uk,
November 13, 2020
FREE on Amazon Nov 13 – 17th only!
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Gertrude & The Sorcerer’s Gold – inspired by the true story of Brother XII, Canada’s first cult leader. Free on Amazon Worldwide but only for 5 days!
A cop, a pig, & a sorcerer know all that glitters is gold.
A pot-bellied pig and a Jersey cow with a nose for trouble… A retired RCMP Sergeant and her partner, a drug sniffing German shepherd afraid of crowds, determined to preserve law and order on an island where no one takes any guff including the blind old lady who just got flashed and the young mother bothered by a ghost in the attic.
What could possibly go wrong?
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