Heather Blanton's Blog, page 28
January 17, 2016
Grace be a Lady AUDIBLE BOOK GIVEAWAY #LadiesInDefiance
January 15, 2016
In Time for Christmas AUDIBLE BOOK GIVEAWAY #LadiesInDefiance
January 3, 2016
Grace be a Lady BOOK #GIVEAWAY #LadiesInDefiance
Happy New Year to all and blessings to you for a wonderful 2016!
I’m joining up with http://thekidsdidit.com & http://themommyisland.blogspot.com to offer another fun blog hop here at my site. There are LOTS of exciting items that you can WIN!
Banished to the dusty cow town of Misery for an alleged affair, Grace Hendrick wants nothing more than to get her son away from the clutches of his abusive father Bull, back in Chicago. But if she dares to return home, Bull has promised Grace she’ll never see their son again. She has no choice but to accept her situation—temporarily. Struggling to figure a way to survive, Grace refuses to consider prostitution. The hamlet of Misery, however, isn’t brimming over with jobs for respectable women. Fueled by hate and desperation, she concocts a shocking plan to find work. After all, what does she have to lose?
Thad Walker is the middle son of the oldest, most successful cattle baron in Wyoming and he always puts the ranch first. One chance meeting with Grace Hendrick, though, batters his focus like a hail storm in July. When Grace’s brother Greg is hired by a local widow, Thad figures the kid is the straightest path to Grace’s heart. As friendship and love blossom, so do the lies, some in unexpected hearts. When deceit catches fire and threatens everything Grace and Thad hold dear, will love conquer all?
Set amidst the bloody Johnson County Range War of 1890’s Wyoming, Misery may well prove more explosive than the mean streets of Chicago … and Grace is right in the middle of the fight.
The Giveaway
The giveaway of Grace be a Lady is open internationally. A US winner will have a choice of paperback or e-copy, and an international winner will receive an ebook. Enter through the Rafflecopter below:
If you’d like to find other blogs offering giveaways, click the link below for the list, and start “hopping!”
December 28, 2015
Never Take A Whale Bone Corset to an Indian Fight
Doing research for my new book, I came across an amazing story of a woman with a steel backbone … and ribs to match!
Juliet Constance Ewing was born in Ireland, date unknown. On September 17, 1839, she and her brother, William G. Ewing, entered Texas as immigrants. And it was women like her who gave the state its reputation.
Juliet had the misfortune to suffer firsthand Texas’ change in policy toward Indians. Under the earlier leadership of Sam Houston, the Republic had few problems with the tribes, as he understood and respected them. His successor, Mirabeau B. Lamar, did not. He promised the extermination of the Comanches.
On July 18, 1840, Juliet married station manager Hugh Oren Watts. This same year, talks with the Comanches broke down and 35 braves were massacred by US troops. The tribe hit the warpath with a vengeance. Shockingly brutal attacks ensued, ending with the “Great Comanche Raid” that Texans still talk about today.
Just like Sherman would march through Georgia decades later, the Comanche thundered across Texas, burning, scalping, raping, and pillaging. When they attacked the small community of Linnville, where Juliet and William resided, the town was completely unprepared. Panicked, running for their lives, the townsfolk made a bee line for the boats in the bay, thinking to float out of reach of the marauders.
Only, William suddenly realized he’d left behind a gold watch. And went back for it. Juliet in tow. I don’t know which one was dumber.
William was killed and scalped. Juliet was taken captive. The Comanche spent most of the day pillaging the community, setting ransacked buildings on fire, and, no kidding, trying to figure out how to get Juliet out of her steel-boned corset.
Running out of time and exasperated by the infernal garment, the Indians tied Juliet to a tree and shot an arrow into her breast. Only, the steel ribbing and thick material slowed the arrow down enough so that it didn’t kill her. Merely lodged in her breast bone.
From his eye witness report, Robert Hall recalled, “A little further on I found Mrs. Watts. They had shot an arrow at her breast, but her steel corset saved her life. It had entered her body, but Isham Good and I fastened a big pocket knife on the arrow and pulled it out. She possessed great fortitude, for she never flinched, though we could hear the breastbone crack when the arrow came out.”
Ooooouch.
Clearly, Juliet was one tough customer. This should have been a big hint to her second husband.
She married Dr. James Stanton in 1842, but divorced him five years later – the first divorce in the new state of Texas. Oddly, the woman demanded nothing short of complete fidelity from her husband. He didn’t see it her way and for the disagreement, got to hand over to her the hotel the couple had opened. One of his better decisions.
Juliet’s third, and, thankfully, final, husband was a Dr. Richard Fretwell. They were married until her death in 1878.
I’ve no doubt Juliet was buried wearing her corset. Steel ribs to match her steel spine.
#LadiesinDefiance
December 20, 2015
In Time for Christmas by Heather Blanton BOOK GIVEAWAY #LadiesInDefiance
Who’s ready for another giveaway??!?!?!
Charlene needs a miracle. God has one waiting … a hundred years in the past.
A time travel romance with a Christian spin, In Time for Christmas — a Novella, is the story of Charlene Williams, a woman trapped in a dangerously abusive marriage. When her husband Dale becomes suspicious of her daily chats with the mailman, he whisks her out of town and abandons her on his family’s ranch–an isolated, dilapidated place no one has lived on for over forty years. With the promise that he’ll be back in a few days, he knocks her unconscious and leaves. Charlene wakes up on the ranch–a hundred years in the past.
Almost instantly she is drawn to Billy Page, Dale’s great grandfather. The connection is powerful and mysterious, but should she risk falling in love with a ghost? What’s going on here? Is Charlene dead, dreaming, in a coma, or simply experiencing a gift from her heavenly Father?
She’ll learn one thing for certain: God is in control, even of the very fabric of time.
The Giveaways!
(BONUS GIVEAWAY…For anyone that is interested, check out my Contests page for another awesome giveaway I’m holding!!!)
The giveaway of In Time for Christmas is open internationally. A US winner will have a choice of paperback or e-copy, and an international winner will receive an ebook. Enter through the Rafflecopter below:
If you’d like to find other blogs offering book giveaways, below is the list, so start “hopping!”
http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=263493
December 16, 2015
Christmas comes early and a #LadiesInDefiance #Giveaway!
I’ve got a little somethin’ something going on over on my Contests page. Who wants to win some pretty cool stuff?
Copies of my books, Audio-books, and Book tote-bags? Oh my……!!!
I’m so appreciative to all of my readers and those who have taken the time to review my books. Sincerely, THANK YOU.
Stop on over. Check it out and Merry early Christmas to all and a very blessed New Year!
December 10, 2015
Hang Your Heart on Christmas BOOK GIVEAWAY #LadiesInDefiance
Howdy Ya’ll!
How about a little book giveaway to get everyone in the Christmas mood??!?!?!
Up for grabs is my Western Romance Novella, Hang Your Heart on Christmas!
About the book
The quiet little town of Evergreen, WY is the last place U.S. Marshal “Dent” Hernandez wants to be stuck. Not only does his hometown hold some bad memories, but he should be out on the trail running down vicious killers, not scolding candy thieves. And he most certainly should not be escorting the very pretty, but jittery, schoolteacher around. What is she so afraid of?
When the bank is robbed and Dent has to do what he does best, choices will be made, lies will be exposed, and hearts will break. Can Christmas bring hope, love, and healing to Evergreen? To Dent?
BONUS MATERIAL– Includes a special vintage Christmas recipe, and the true story behind the fictional Dent Hernandez! A clean western romance with action and adventure. The whole family will enjoy it!
The Giveaways
(BONUS GIVEAWAY…For anyone that is interested, check out my Contests page for another awesome giveaway I’m holding!!!)
The giveaway is open internationally to anyone that can receive an e-format of the book, Hang Your Heart on Christmas. Enter through the Rafflecopter below:
If you’d like to find other blogs offering book giveaways, below is the list, so start “hopping!”
http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=263494
Hang Your Heart on Christmas BOOK GIVEAWAY #BlogHop
Howdy Ya’ll!
How about a little book giveaway to get everyone in the Christmas mood??!?!?!
Up for grabs is my Western Romance Novella, Hang Your Heart on Christmas!
About the book
The quiet little town of Evergreen, WY is the last place U.S. Marshal “Dent” Hernandez wants to be stuck. Not only does his hometown hold some bad memories, but he should be out on the trail running down vicious killers, not scolding candy thieves. And he most certainly should not be escorting the very pretty, but jittery, schoolteacher around. What is she so afraid of?
When the bank is robbed and Dent has to do what he does best, choices will be made, lies will be exposed, and hearts will break. Can Christmas bring hope, love, and healing to Evergreen? To Dent?
BONUS MATERIAL– Includes a special vintage Christmas recipe, and the true story behind the fictional Dent Hernandez! A clean western romance with action and adventure. The whole family will enjoy it!
The Giveaway
The giveaway is open internationally to anyone that can receive an e-format of the book, Hang Your Heart on Christmas. Enter through the Rafflecopter below:
If you’d like to find other blogs offering book giveaways, below is the list, so start “hopping!”
http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=263494
November 30, 2015
If She Could Drink and Wear a Badge, She Sure as Heck Should be Able to Vote
Phoebe Wilson Couzins was, to say the least, a trailblazer for women. She was one of the first female lawyers in the United States, the first female U.S. marshal, and, not surprising, an outspoken supporter of the suffragist movement. But temperance, not so much …
Phoebe was born on September 8, 1842 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father John E. D. Couzins was an architect, builder, and a natural leader. Traits he passed to his daughter. During the Civil War, John served as the city’s chief of police and sought to keep Missouri in the . Adaline, Phoebe’s mother, was a member of the Ladies’ Union Aid Society in St. Louis and volunteered as a battlefield nurse.
After the war, Phoebe, inspired by her parents, joined the St. Louis Woman Suffrage Association. The inability of a woman to vote incensed her, considering all the things a woman could do. She made a name for herself in the organization and, encouraged by a family friend, applied and was admitted to Washington University Law School in St. Louis.
In 1871, Phoebe became the first female law graduate from GWU! She practiced law for two months but the suffragette movement called her name. She began traveling across the country to give speeches in favor of women’s rights.
In 1884, Phoebe’s father was appointed U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri and he swore her in as one of his deputies. When he died three years later, she served as the interim U.S. marshal, appointed by President Grover Cleveland. She was the first woman to serve in the position.
Not interested in being a lawman, though, she eventually moved to Washington, DC. She made a modest living as a writer, but maintained her involvement with the women’s rights movement. New blood entered into the suffragette arena, though, and Phoebe’s contributions, as well her Old Iron Pants attitude, tended to alienate the more politically-savvy ladies. Not to mention, Phoebe liked her high balls, and many of the suffragettes were passionate about the evils of alcohol. Hence, these last years were stormy ones for Phoebe. She hung in there, fighting the good fight, while, ironically, working as a lobbyist for a brewery.
Phoebe died in St. Louis in 1913 and was buried wearing her US marshal’s badge. Here’s to you, Phoebe!
By Heather Blanton
https://www.facebook.com/heatherfreyblanton
copyright 2015
November 5, 2015
The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Vote
By Heather Blanton
https://www.facebook.com/heatherfreyblanton
copyright 2015
Recently, many cities and towns across America held municipal elections. The turn-out is abysmally low for these. If you did not vote for your mayor or town council, Abigail Scott Duniway might just have a few choice words for you.
Abigail was the second daughter in a family of nine children. In 1852 she and her parents emigrated to Oregon from Illinois. In 1853, after teaching school for a bit, she married Benjamin Duniway. The couple would have six children.
Benjamin was a decent farmer but not much of a businessman. They sold their first farm in Clackamas County, OR and moved to a new one in Lafayette. During this time, Benjamin co-signed on a note for a friend, putting his farm up for collateral. Abbigail, to say the least, was not on board with this plan. The friend defaulted and the Duniways lost their farm. In the throes of eviction, financial chaos, and finding a new place to live, Benjamin was severely disabled in a wagon accident, and upkeep of the family fell to Abigail.
She ran a boarding school and taught for a spell, and eventually opened her own business. In her attempts to keep a roof over her family’s head, Abigail was frustrated on occasion by the necessity to involve Benjamin in even simple legal decisions. Being the man in the house, his signature was often required on documents.
For five years Abigail ran a millinery. She heard countless stories there of other women disenfranchised by the legal system, powerless to fight for their rights, especially in regards to personal property. Just based on her own experiences, it’s easy to see why she thought the system was stupid. Hence, she became loudly and eloquently vocal about the injustices. Recognizing her passion, Benjamin encouraged Abigail to open a newspaper focused on women’s rights and suffrage. The Duniways knew that without the right to vote, nothing would ever change for the women of Oregon.
Interestingly, Abigail’s brother Harvey was the editor for The Oregonian and the siblings butted heads, or columns, vehemently over voting rights for women. Harvey was against them and his opposition was instrumental in seeing the motions defeated time and again.
But the women of Oregon persisted. In 1912 the state finally passed a women’s suffrage amendment. The governor himself asked Abigail to write the Equal Suffrage Proclamation sharing the news.
She was 78 years young.
Abigail voting in 1914
http://www.ohs.org/education/oregonhistory/Oregon-Biographies-Abigail-Scott-Duniway.cfm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oregon_Encyclopedia
http://www.ohs.org/education/oregonhistory/narratives/subtopic.cfm?subtopic_ID=206
