Kristy McCaffrey's Blog: Author Kristy McCaffrey, page 11
March 12, 2017
Fun Facts About Kristy McCaffrey's Wings of the West Series
By Kristy McCaffrey
The characters in THE WREN came to me when I was 15 years old. I saw a girl and two brothers. This grew into the characters of Molly Hart and Matt Ryan (and his brother Logan).
When I was 23, I moved across the country to attend graduate school in Pennsylvania. I drove with my mom and sister, and during a rest stop in Amarillo, Texas, I looked out over the flat rolling plains and ‘saw’ a young Molly running among the tall grass.
Although it felt like Molly was stalking me to tell her story, I didn’t publish THE WREN until I was 37 years old. I wrote it while I had four kids under the age of 5 underfoot. Despite that I’d been compelled to write since I was a young girl, it took me that long to finally do something about it.
The character of Molly was named after my paternal great-grandmother—Mary Agnes “Molly” O’Rourke Kearney, who emigrated from Ireland. ‘Hart’ is a family name on my mother’s side.
While writing THE DOVE, I traveled to Las Vegas, New Mexico, and was able to find local research books that helped immensely in the layout of the town in 1877. If you’re a writer, do this. Often, local research isn’t available on the internet or Amazon.
THE SPARROW took the longest for me to write—about 6 years. While I took a lengthy break to focus on raising my children, I also became stuck in the story at the halfway point. This book employed my most intuitive writing, guiding me toward shamanism, a discipline I knew nothing about. I spent over two years attempting to understand the skills and techniques utilized in this ancient healing modality.
THE SPARROW is my most mixed-reviewed book. Readers either love it or hate it. For me, personally, it was a labor of love, albeit a painful labor at times. While I’ve considered cutting portions of the story to make it more marketable, it encompasses an interior emotional journey that has spoken to similar kindred souls. When a writer is pushed by some unknown force toward a work that makes little sense to her, sometimes the best thing to do is to step out of the way and let it be what it needs to be.
Although I now live in Arizona (outside Phoenix), I wrote THE BLACKBIRD without ever visiting southern Arizona (the location of the story). Clearly this goes against my earlier advice of visiting the setting of a book; however, I’m a very detail-oriented person (probably why I studied engineering in college) and I always immerse myself in intensive research whenever I write a book. I did my homework.
While writing THE BLUEBIRD, I lost the file twice. The first time, the manuscript was two-thirds complete and I had no backup. It was a rude awakening about my lazy computer habits. I quickly cleaned up my act, but it took me a week before I could bring myself to sit down and write the book again. And then, near the end, I lost the file again. Thankfully, this time, I did have a backup. But my disillusionment with technology runs fairly deep now and I no longer trust ANY source completely, whether it be a computer hard drive, an external hard drive, a flashdrive, or Dropbox. These days, I backup in four places every day.
The entire series, including the short novella ECHO OF THE PLAINS, is now available at the following platforms:
AMAZON
NOOK
iBOOKS
KOBO
GOOGLE PLAY
Paperbacks
and digital copies of THE WREN are currently FREE during March!!
****
Over the years, I've taken a bit of teasing about my bird books from fellow authors, friends, and family. So, I offer this little known series for your enjoyment that I've kept secret until now.
*****
Connect with Kristy
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
The characters in THE WREN came to me when I was 15 years old. I saw a girl and two brothers. This grew into the characters of Molly Hart and Matt Ryan (and his brother Logan).
When I was 23, I moved across the country to attend graduate school in Pennsylvania. I drove with my mom and sister, and during a rest stop in Amarillo, Texas, I looked out over the flat rolling plains and ‘saw’ a young Molly running among the tall grass.
Although it felt like Molly was stalking me to tell her story, I didn’t publish THE WREN until I was 37 years old. I wrote it while I had four kids under the age of 5 underfoot. Despite that I’d been compelled to write since I was a young girl, it took me that long to finally do something about it.
The character of Molly was named after my paternal great-grandmother—Mary Agnes “Molly” O’Rourke Kearney, who emigrated from Ireland. ‘Hart’ is a family name on my mother’s side.
While writing THE DOVE, I traveled to Las Vegas, New Mexico, and was able to find local research books that helped immensely in the layout of the town in 1877. If you’re a writer, do this. Often, local research isn’t available on the internet or Amazon.
THE SPARROW took the longest for me to write—about 6 years. While I took a lengthy break to focus on raising my children, I also became stuck in the story at the halfway point. This book employed my most intuitive writing, guiding me toward shamanism, a discipline I knew nothing about. I spent over two years attempting to understand the skills and techniques utilized in this ancient healing modality.
THE SPARROW is my most mixed-reviewed book. Readers either love it or hate it. For me, personally, it was a labor of love, albeit a painful labor at times. While I’ve considered cutting portions of the story to make it more marketable, it encompasses an interior emotional journey that has spoken to similar kindred souls. When a writer is pushed by some unknown force toward a work that makes little sense to her, sometimes the best thing to do is to step out of the way and let it be what it needs to be.
Although I now live in Arizona (outside Phoenix), I wrote THE BLACKBIRD without ever visiting southern Arizona (the location of the story). Clearly this goes against my earlier advice of visiting the setting of a book; however, I’m a very detail-oriented person (probably why I studied engineering in college) and I always immerse myself in intensive research whenever I write a book. I did my homework.
While writing THE BLUEBIRD, I lost the file twice. The first time, the manuscript was two-thirds complete and I had no backup. It was a rude awakening about my lazy computer habits. I quickly cleaned up my act, but it took me a week before I could bring myself to sit down and write the book again. And then, near the end, I lost the file again. Thankfully, this time, I did have a backup. But my disillusionment with technology runs fairly deep now and I no longer trust ANY source completely, whether it be a computer hard drive, an external hard drive, a flashdrive, or Dropbox. These days, I backup in four places every day.
The entire series, including the short novella ECHO OF THE PLAINS, is now available at the following platforms:
AMAZON
NOOK
iBOOKS
KOBO
GOOGLE PLAY
Paperbacks
and digital copies of THE WREN are currently FREE during March!!
****
Over the years, I've taken a bit of teasing about my bird books from fellow authors, friends, and family. So, I offer this little known series for your enjoyment that I've kept secret until now.
*****
Connect with Kristy
Website
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
March 1, 2017
Reading Recommendations
All Reviews by Kristy McCaffrey
Wool
by Hugh Howey
In this epic dystopian novel, we’re introduced to a world in which mankind is now living underground in a silo. Memories of why or how it came to be are lost, and life in Silo 18 is rigorously controlled by the threat of ‘cleaning’, a punishment for those who break the rules. When a member of society commits a crime, they are sent outside, to an earth filled with poisonous air and unlivable conditions. Despite being outfitted in a protective suit, cleaners ultimately die, but not before they’re expected to clean the viewfinders with a strip of wool, to ensure that those inside can still see the world outside. While the novel follows many characters, at the center is Juliette, a woman who works as a mechanic deep in the bowels of the silo. This is her story, of her rise to the upper levels as the new sheriff, and the realization that there is much more than just the confined world in which they all reside. A well-written and complex tale of fear and the suppression of ideas, brainwashing, and, ultimately, the will to live. I was enthralled.
*****
Fire Eyes
by Cheryl Pierson
Marshal Kaed Turner is left at Jessica’s doorstep near death. As she nurses him back to health, they soon fall hard for one another. But the renegade band of men perpetrating heinous crimes must be stopped, and soon Kaed and a band of marshals must hunt them down, leaving Jessica and a child not her own exposed. Ms. Pierson has crafted a deeply romantic tale with one of the most vile villains I’ve ever come across. Andrew Fallon is crazy, and you’ll keep reading to the end—despite the requisite happy-ending of a romance novel—to know exactly how he gets his just rewards, as well as be assured of Kaed and Jessica’s future. Great historical details and a steamy love story will have you reading into the night. A wonderful read!
*****
Come Back
by Melissa Maygrove
Rebecca Garvey is on a wagon train bound for California when she is inadvertently left behind in the wilderness of New Mexico Territory. She mistakenly believes that no one searched for her and, as days turn into months, she remains in the wilderness and fends for herself rather than attempting to make her way to a town. When she comes across an injured man, she’s compelled to help him, but in doing so she can no longer hide from the pain of her presumed abandonment.
Seth Emerson is battling demons of his own, but he becomes determined to reunite Rebecca with her family, along with the man to whom she’s betrothed. During the journey, affection turns to love between Seth and Rebecca, and they must both grapple with doing the right thing.
This is a quiet book with a slow-building romance. Both Seth and Rebecca are stubborn in their misguided decisions regarding the course of their lives, and Ms. Maygrove beautifully handles their blossoming maturity. Grab a cup of tea and a blanket and settle in for a romance filled with grit, sweetness, and passion. You won’t be disappointed.
*****
Miles From Nowhere
by Barbara Savage
In the late 1970’s, Barbara and her husband bicycled around the world. This book is still readable today and offers amazing insights into the cultures of other countries (Egypt was especially dangerous and jaw-dropping in their treatment of the couple) as well as the U.S. This journey was, in some ways, beyond comprehension. They rode a total of 23,000 miles over the course of two years through places such as the U.K., India, and Tibet. Barbara is a wonderful writer. A bittersweet endnote was her death in a cycling accident near her home in California just before the publication of the book. Hers is a voice lost much too soon.
*****
Bliss
An Anthology of Novellas
by S.K. McClafferty, Marcy Waldenville, Jamie Denton, Kathleen Shoop, and J.D. Wylde
This wonderful collection of stories will keep you captivated from the start. Each centers around Bliss, a sprawling plantation home located in North Carolina.
In S.K. McClafferty’s A Long Road Home, Livie Harrington must confront her husband, a northerner who left her to fight in the Civil War and now wants her back.
Marcy Waldenville’s The Healing Garden brings together newly pregnant Jane Harrington, widowed in the sinking of the Titanic, and Irishman Brennan Brown, on the run from aiding his brothers escape their crimes.
Jamie Denton’s Spellbound tells the steamy, romantic story of Colin Harrington, injured in World War II, and Mary Elizabeth Callahan, also Irish. She becomes housekeeper at Bliss, tending both the house and the reclusive Colin himself.
Kathleen Shoop’s Home Again finds April Harrington on the run from a ditched wedding. At Bliss, her family home, she encounters childhood friend Hale Abercrombie, suffering PTSD from Vietnam and haunted by the death of April’s brother.
And J.D. Wylde’s Beyond the Checkered Flag brings the action to modern day and Nascar-driver Bobby Wayne. This story doesn’t feature a Harrington, but Wayne buys the house for his beloved wife Lauren, whom he’s trying to win back after an estrangement. Their reunion at Bliss sends sparks flying as they hash out their differences and grievances. The rating for this one is definitely hot.
Each story is vivid in historical and modern details and will have you wanting to visit Bliss yourself. The characters come to life, making you fall in love with each and every couple, rooting for them to make it. A wonderful collection by five talented authors.
*****
Yellowstone Heart Song
by Peggy L. Henderson
Aimee Donovan is a modern-day nurse transported to 1810 Yellowstone. Once there, she meets trapper Daniel Osborne. Aimee’s curiosity and delight in experiencing the past is soon overshadowed by the harsh realities of the land and the people in it. The growing relationship between her and Daniel fills the first half of the story, while the second half deals with the dilemma of Aimee returning to her own time after developing strong feelings for the rugged mountain man. This is a romance novel in the truest sense, so a happily-ever-after is guaranteed, but I was nevertheless spellbound until the end. These characters will grab a hold of you. This is a fresh take on time-travel romance, and Ms. Henderson’s descriptions of a historical Yellowstone will make you yearn to see it for yourself. A heartfelt and engrossing journey of a romance for the ages.
*****
The Atlantis Gene
by A.G. Riddle
In this fast-paced thriller, Dr. Kate Warner is seeking a cure for autism when she is attacked and two of her young patients—just children—are abducted. She soon finds herself immersed in circumstances both dangerous and unbelievable. David Vale is a covert operative who has uncovered clues to the evolution of mankind and a current threat that could wipe out the human race. Kate’s research holds the key. This story is a blend of action-adventure and science fiction wrapped around historical facts from World War I and II. There’s an alien race, hidden artifacts, evil henchmen, and romance. It won't disappoint.
*****
Round The Bend
by Rain Trueax
In 1851, childhood friends Amy Stevens and Matthew Kane travel with their families in a large wagon train bound for Oregon. Matt has long known he loves Amy, but she’s only ever harbored brotherly feelings for him. As the massive trek begins, Matt makes his intentions known, but Amy rebuffs him. However, once the seeds of awareness are planted, Amy discovers that her attachment to Matt gradually begins to change. When Matt’s vengeful brother starts trouble, Amy is forced to hide the budding relationship because Matt insists on protecting her reputation. With compelling and likeable main characters, colorful and well-drawn secondary characters, and immersive descriptions of the Oregon Trail, Ms.Trueax has crafted an epic novel that will pull you in, slowly but surely. You won’t soon forget Matt and Amy, or their bumpy path to a happily-ever-after.
*****
Higher Love: Skiing the Seven Summits
by Kit DesLauriers
Ms. DesLauriers is the first person to ski the highest summit on each continent, also known as the Seven Summits. In this revealing and compelling memoir, she shares her journey from inception to completion. The summits include Denali, Elbrus, Vinson Massif, Kosciuszko, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro and Everest. Each presented unique challenges and skill sets, and yet she managed to finish within a two-year period. This is a wonderful read, offering insights into the mind of a woman who engages in dangerous pursuits while also detailing the risk minimization that she practices diligently. Still, the Everest portion will leave you dangling on the edge of your seat. I especially enjoyed the side-stories about her wolf dog. Well-written and fascinating, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
*****
Deep
by James Nestor
This nonfiction book explores how humans interact with the ocean and the creatures within, and Nestor reveals some amazing insights. For instance, the human body is uniquely equipped to function underwater, with adaptations that can be triggered with proper training. He explores the world of freediving, both competitive (and the high rate of fatalities and mishaps) as well as people who use it to relate to the ocean and the creatures within in a more intimate way. The deeper he goes, the more we learn about renegade scientists who are trying to decipher cetacean language and the multitude of life at depths that never see any light. He also touches on deep sea heating vents and a very promising theory that life on earth began in these high-pressure, super-heated locations. Well-researched and highly personal, Deep will open your eyes to a world more vast than the one we currently know.
*****
Connect with Kristy
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
Wool
by Hugh Howey
In this epic dystopian novel, we’re introduced to a world in which mankind is now living underground in a silo. Memories of why or how it came to be are lost, and life in Silo 18 is rigorously controlled by the threat of ‘cleaning’, a punishment for those who break the rules. When a member of society commits a crime, they are sent outside, to an earth filled with poisonous air and unlivable conditions. Despite being outfitted in a protective suit, cleaners ultimately die, but not before they’re expected to clean the viewfinders with a strip of wool, to ensure that those inside can still see the world outside. While the novel follows many characters, at the center is Juliette, a woman who works as a mechanic deep in the bowels of the silo. This is her story, of her rise to the upper levels as the new sheriff, and the realization that there is much more than just the confined world in which they all reside. A well-written and complex tale of fear and the suppression of ideas, brainwashing, and, ultimately, the will to live. I was enthralled.
*****
Fire Eyes
by Cheryl Pierson
Marshal Kaed Turner is left at Jessica’s doorstep near death. As she nurses him back to health, they soon fall hard for one another. But the renegade band of men perpetrating heinous crimes must be stopped, and soon Kaed and a band of marshals must hunt them down, leaving Jessica and a child not her own exposed. Ms. Pierson has crafted a deeply romantic tale with one of the most vile villains I’ve ever come across. Andrew Fallon is crazy, and you’ll keep reading to the end—despite the requisite happy-ending of a romance novel—to know exactly how he gets his just rewards, as well as be assured of Kaed and Jessica’s future. Great historical details and a steamy love story will have you reading into the night. A wonderful read!
*****
Come Back
by Melissa Maygrove
Rebecca Garvey is on a wagon train bound for California when she is inadvertently left behind in the wilderness of New Mexico Territory. She mistakenly believes that no one searched for her and, as days turn into months, she remains in the wilderness and fends for herself rather than attempting to make her way to a town. When she comes across an injured man, she’s compelled to help him, but in doing so she can no longer hide from the pain of her presumed abandonment.
Seth Emerson is battling demons of his own, but he becomes determined to reunite Rebecca with her family, along with the man to whom she’s betrothed. During the journey, affection turns to love between Seth and Rebecca, and they must both grapple with doing the right thing.
This is a quiet book with a slow-building romance. Both Seth and Rebecca are stubborn in their misguided decisions regarding the course of their lives, and Ms. Maygrove beautifully handles their blossoming maturity. Grab a cup of tea and a blanket and settle in for a romance filled with grit, sweetness, and passion. You won’t be disappointed.
*****
Miles From Nowhere
by Barbara Savage
In the late 1970’s, Barbara and her husband bicycled around the world. This book is still readable today and offers amazing insights into the cultures of other countries (Egypt was especially dangerous and jaw-dropping in their treatment of the couple) as well as the U.S. This journey was, in some ways, beyond comprehension. They rode a total of 23,000 miles over the course of two years through places such as the U.K., India, and Tibet. Barbara is a wonderful writer. A bittersweet endnote was her death in a cycling accident near her home in California just before the publication of the book. Hers is a voice lost much too soon.
*****
Bliss
An Anthology of Novellas
by S.K. McClafferty, Marcy Waldenville, Jamie Denton, Kathleen Shoop, and J.D. Wylde
This wonderful collection of stories will keep you captivated from the start. Each centers around Bliss, a sprawling plantation home located in North Carolina.
In S.K. McClafferty’s A Long Road Home, Livie Harrington must confront her husband, a northerner who left her to fight in the Civil War and now wants her back.
Marcy Waldenville’s The Healing Garden brings together newly pregnant Jane Harrington, widowed in the sinking of the Titanic, and Irishman Brennan Brown, on the run from aiding his brothers escape their crimes.
Jamie Denton’s Spellbound tells the steamy, romantic story of Colin Harrington, injured in World War II, and Mary Elizabeth Callahan, also Irish. She becomes housekeeper at Bliss, tending both the house and the reclusive Colin himself.
Kathleen Shoop’s Home Again finds April Harrington on the run from a ditched wedding. At Bliss, her family home, she encounters childhood friend Hale Abercrombie, suffering PTSD from Vietnam and haunted by the death of April’s brother.
And J.D. Wylde’s Beyond the Checkered Flag brings the action to modern day and Nascar-driver Bobby Wayne. This story doesn’t feature a Harrington, but Wayne buys the house for his beloved wife Lauren, whom he’s trying to win back after an estrangement. Their reunion at Bliss sends sparks flying as they hash out their differences and grievances. The rating for this one is definitely hot.
Each story is vivid in historical and modern details and will have you wanting to visit Bliss yourself. The characters come to life, making you fall in love with each and every couple, rooting for them to make it. A wonderful collection by five talented authors.
*****
Yellowstone Heart Song
by Peggy L. Henderson
Aimee Donovan is a modern-day nurse transported to 1810 Yellowstone. Once there, she meets trapper Daniel Osborne. Aimee’s curiosity and delight in experiencing the past is soon overshadowed by the harsh realities of the land and the people in it. The growing relationship between her and Daniel fills the first half of the story, while the second half deals with the dilemma of Aimee returning to her own time after developing strong feelings for the rugged mountain man. This is a romance novel in the truest sense, so a happily-ever-after is guaranteed, but I was nevertheless spellbound until the end. These characters will grab a hold of you. This is a fresh take on time-travel romance, and Ms. Henderson’s descriptions of a historical Yellowstone will make you yearn to see it for yourself. A heartfelt and engrossing journey of a romance for the ages.
*****
The Atlantis Gene
by A.G. Riddle
In this fast-paced thriller, Dr. Kate Warner is seeking a cure for autism when she is attacked and two of her young patients—just children—are abducted. She soon finds herself immersed in circumstances both dangerous and unbelievable. David Vale is a covert operative who has uncovered clues to the evolution of mankind and a current threat that could wipe out the human race. Kate’s research holds the key. This story is a blend of action-adventure and science fiction wrapped around historical facts from World War I and II. There’s an alien race, hidden artifacts, evil henchmen, and romance. It won't disappoint.
*****
Round The Bend
by Rain Trueax
In 1851, childhood friends Amy Stevens and Matthew Kane travel with their families in a large wagon train bound for Oregon. Matt has long known he loves Amy, but she’s only ever harbored brotherly feelings for him. As the massive trek begins, Matt makes his intentions known, but Amy rebuffs him. However, once the seeds of awareness are planted, Amy discovers that her attachment to Matt gradually begins to change. When Matt’s vengeful brother starts trouble, Amy is forced to hide the budding relationship because Matt insists on protecting her reputation. With compelling and likeable main characters, colorful and well-drawn secondary characters, and immersive descriptions of the Oregon Trail, Ms.Trueax has crafted an epic novel that will pull you in, slowly but surely. You won’t soon forget Matt and Amy, or their bumpy path to a happily-ever-after.
*****
Higher Love: Skiing the Seven Summits
by Kit DesLauriers
Ms. DesLauriers is the first person to ski the highest summit on each continent, also known as the Seven Summits. In this revealing and compelling memoir, she shares her journey from inception to completion. The summits include Denali, Elbrus, Vinson Massif, Kosciuszko, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro and Everest. Each presented unique challenges and skill sets, and yet she managed to finish within a two-year period. This is a wonderful read, offering insights into the mind of a woman who engages in dangerous pursuits while also detailing the risk minimization that she practices diligently. Still, the Everest portion will leave you dangling on the edge of your seat. I especially enjoyed the side-stories about her wolf dog. Well-written and fascinating, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
*****
Deep
by James Nestor
This nonfiction book explores how humans interact with the ocean and the creatures within, and Nestor reveals some amazing insights. For instance, the human body is uniquely equipped to function underwater, with adaptations that can be triggered with proper training. He explores the world of freediving, both competitive (and the high rate of fatalities and mishaps) as well as people who use it to relate to the ocean and the creatures within in a more intimate way. The deeper he goes, the more we learn about renegade scientists who are trying to decipher cetacean language and the multitude of life at depths that never see any light. He also touches on deep sea heating vents and a very promising theory that life on earth began in these high-pressure, super-heated locations. Well-researched and highly personal, Deep will open your eyes to a world more vast than the one we currently know.
*****
Connect with Kristy
Website
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
February 9, 2017
Enter to win 50+ Historical Western Romances
Today, I have a fun surprise that I’d like to share with you.
I’ve teamed up with 50 fantastic historical western romance authors to give away a huge collection of novels, PLUS a Kindle Fire to one lucky winner!
You can win my novel THE WREN, plus books from authors like Jacquie Rogers, Debra Holland, Peggy L. Henderson and Linda Broday.
Enter the giveaway by clicking here
Good luck, and enjoy!
Kristy
I’ve teamed up with 50 fantastic historical western romance authors to give away a huge collection of novels, PLUS a Kindle Fire to one lucky winner!
You can win my novel THE WREN, plus books from authors like Jacquie Rogers, Debra Holland, Peggy L. Henderson and Linda Broday.
Enter the giveaway by clicking here
Good luck, and enjoy!
Kristy
February 7, 2017
FREE Brand New Wings novella - Download it today!!
Sign up for Kristy's newsletter and receive a FREE brand new short e-novella -
Song of the Wren
.
I wrote this for the fans. I hope you enjoy it! Revisit Matt and Molly, along with Nathan and Emma, and even hunky Cale makes an appearance.
Two years after THE WREN, Matt Ryan finds more than rustlers when his cattle begin disappearing. Forced to confront an enemy he thought long gone, he must ready for a fight, but he’s never faced a battlefield like this before, and only his wife, Molly, can save him this time.
Please note: If you're already signed up, check your inbox (including the promo and/or spam folders) for the most recent newsletter, which went out yesterday. It contains the download code.
Connect with Kristy
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
I wrote this for the fans. I hope you enjoy it! Revisit Matt and Molly, along with Nathan and Emma, and even hunky Cale makes an appearance.
Two years after THE WREN, Matt Ryan finds more than rustlers when his cattle begin disappearing. Forced to confront an enemy he thought long gone, he must ready for a fight, but he’s never faced a battlefield like this before, and only his wife, Molly, can save him this time.
Please note: If you're already signed up, check your inbox (including the promo and/or spam folders) for the most recent newsletter, which went out yesterday. It contains the download code.
Connect with Kristy
Website
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
January 20, 2017
Monkey Jungle
By Kristy McCaffrey
Over Christmas, my family and I went on our first-ever cruise. My husband and I were celebrating our silver anniversary and wanted a way to bring our college-aged children, significant others, and grandparents together in an easy way. One of our stops was the Dominican Republic, where we visited Monkey Jungle, a sanctuary for squirrel and capuchin monkeys who have been rescued from the exotic pet trade and the inevitable abuse that occurs from it.
A squirrel monkey mama and her baby.
Squirrel monkeys.
We first entered a large enclosure with each of us bearing a plate of banana slices and raisins. Although we were told not to touch the squirrel monkeys, the monkeys didn’t get the memo. While they have little affinity for humans, they’ve been conditioned to approach for food, and to everyone’s delight they hopped all over us. It was a unique opportunity to see these little creatures up close.
My mom making a new friend.
My daughter Kate making an offering.
The mamas were quite agile with the babies on their backs.
My son Ben.
My son Sam.
Sam's girlfriend, Alex. I think she got this little
guy to pose.
This is me, trying not to startle them, although they certainly startled us.
My dad.
In a smaller enclosure nested inside the larger one, the sanctuary also housed several capuchin monkeys. These much bigger primates were so aggressive that we were cautioned not to approach the cage. Capuchins can be quite manipulative and will entice you close with air kisses and the waving of their hands only to steal your iPhone and break it.
Capuchin monkeys.
The capuchins, unfortunately, were all severely abused and bear long-term emotional scars. Our lively guide—a young biology student from Minnesota—shared that socially they are all a bit off. For instance, one of the males has no interest in female capuchins and has instead imprinted his romantic longings on the human biologist. She says there are times when their interactions become a bit weird.
Another male, who is the largest and should therefore be the alpha, has no idea how to attain that position, so a smaller male has filled that spot. Apparently, one day the larger one accidently fought back and by rights became the alpha. He was so distraught that he cried all day because he had no idea what to do. Within a day, the group of females had turned away from him and given alpha status back to the smaller male.
Monkey Jungle is a well-run facility and their work in helping these challenged monkeys is admirable.
Over Christmas, my family and I went on our first-ever cruise. My husband and I were celebrating our silver anniversary and wanted a way to bring our college-aged children, significant others, and grandparents together in an easy way. One of our stops was the Dominican Republic, where we visited Monkey Jungle, a sanctuary for squirrel and capuchin monkeys who have been rescued from the exotic pet trade and the inevitable abuse that occurs from it.
A squirrel monkey mama and her baby.
Squirrel monkeys.
We first entered a large enclosure with each of us bearing a plate of banana slices and raisins. Although we were told not to touch the squirrel monkeys, the monkeys didn’t get the memo. While they have little affinity for humans, they’ve been conditioned to approach for food, and to everyone’s delight they hopped all over us. It was a unique opportunity to see these little creatures up close.
My mom making a new friend.
My daughter Kate making an offering.
The mamas were quite agile with the babies on their backs.
My son Ben.
My son Sam.
Sam's girlfriend, Alex. I think she got this little
guy to pose.
This is me, trying not to startle them, although they certainly startled us.
My dad.
In a smaller enclosure nested inside the larger one, the sanctuary also housed several capuchin monkeys. These much bigger primates were so aggressive that we were cautioned not to approach the cage. Capuchins can be quite manipulative and will entice you close with air kisses and the waving of their hands only to steal your iPhone and break it.
Capuchin monkeys.
The capuchins, unfortunately, were all severely abused and bear long-term emotional scars. Our lively guide—a young biology student from Minnesota—shared that socially they are all a bit off. For instance, one of the males has no interest in female capuchins and has instead imprinted his romantic longings on the human biologist. She says there are times when their interactions become a bit weird.
Another male, who is the largest and should therefore be the alpha, has no idea how to attain that position, so a smaller male has filled that spot. Apparently, one day the larger one accidently fought back and by rights became the alpha. He was so distraught that he cried all day because he had no idea what to do. Within a day, the group of females had turned away from him and given alpha status back to the smaller male.
Monkey Jungle is a well-run facility and their work in helping these challenged monkeys is admirable.
January 16, 2017
A Massive Giveaway
Lit Ring Giveaway
I’m participating with over 300 authors for a huge promotion this month and there are awesome prizes!!
All you need to do is answer a few questions on a very fun quiz. You’ll discover new-to-you books based on your answers.
And what can you win?
1 ~ $500 gift card
4 ~ $100 gift cards
1 Kindle Fire
1 Nook Color
1 iPad Mini
1 Kobo Aura
Don’t wait - enter today!
I’m participating with over 300 authors for a huge promotion this month and there are awesome prizes!!
All you need to do is answer a few questions on a very fun quiz. You’ll discover new-to-you books based on your answers.
And what can you win?
1 ~ $500 gift card
4 ~ $100 gift cards
1 Kindle Fire
1 Nook Color
1 iPad Mini
1 Kobo Aura
Don’t wait - enter today!
January 3, 2017
Resolve Your Resolutions
By Kristy McCaffrey
It’s that time of year again.
I recently came across the concept of Sankalpa from the yoga tradition. A sankalpa practice begins with the premise that you are already enough to fulfill your life’s dharma. The trick, then, is to focus your mind, connect to your most heartfelt desires, and channel the divine energy within. Sounds easy enough. Hah.
My writing goals last year were lofty and I didn’t reach them. My latest release (The Bluebird) was a cool ten months late. So, as I look at what I want to accomplish in 2017, I’m feeling both ambitious and cautiously guarded, knowing how easy it is for such plans to go out the window.
A few items on my to-do list for 2017:
**A new website.
**Distribute my Wings series at multiple vendors (they are currently exclusive on Amazon and the Kindle Unlimited program, but that will end this week; my goal has always been for wider distribution).
**Create an audio option of Alice: Bride of Rhode Island (if all goes well with this book, I’ll move on to the Wings series).
**Create a newsletter-exclusive novella tied to my Wings series (this is almost complete and is titled Song Of The Wren—it features Matt, Molly, Nathan, and Emma two years after The Wren and The Sparrow, with a cameo from Cale—be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get all the deets as soon as they’re available—this story will be FREE to newsletter subscribers).
**Release the first book in a new contemporary series. The first novel is titled Deep Blue and features a marine biologist studying great white sharks. It’s a sexy, adventurous story that I hope to release in the spring. It will be followed by two more books, tentatively titled Cold Horizon (about high-altitude mountain climbers on K2) and Ancient Winds (a female archaeologist in Bolivia). These three titles will be tied together with siblings, but I hope to write more books that will be loosely linked to these characters as well. I’ve been sitting on these story ideas for quite a while; with my Wings series now complete, I decided it was finally time to focus on these books. Creative concepts tend to gnaw on a writer and make them irritable if not eventually released.
I have a few more goals, but I’m not going to overload myself. I owe it to my husband to not be so burdened by work that I’m a grump all the time. So, I will focus on the new books, which are truly a desire of my heart, thus allowing the writing muse an easier path (and maybe an easier flow during the first drafts).
If we accept that we already have the tools we need to succeed, then the inner path of resistance can be quieted and we can simply get to work.
Here's to a productive 2017!
Connect with Kristy
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
It’s that time of year again.
I recently came across the concept of Sankalpa from the yoga tradition. A sankalpa practice begins with the premise that you are already enough to fulfill your life’s dharma. The trick, then, is to focus your mind, connect to your most heartfelt desires, and channel the divine energy within. Sounds easy enough. Hah.
My writing goals last year were lofty and I didn’t reach them. My latest release (The Bluebird) was a cool ten months late. So, as I look at what I want to accomplish in 2017, I’m feeling both ambitious and cautiously guarded, knowing how easy it is for such plans to go out the window.
A few items on my to-do list for 2017:
**A new website.
**Distribute my Wings series at multiple vendors (they are currently exclusive on Amazon and the Kindle Unlimited program, but that will end this week; my goal has always been for wider distribution).
**Create an audio option of Alice: Bride of Rhode Island (if all goes well with this book, I’ll move on to the Wings series).
**Create a newsletter-exclusive novella tied to my Wings series (this is almost complete and is titled Song Of The Wren—it features Matt, Molly, Nathan, and Emma two years after The Wren and The Sparrow, with a cameo from Cale—be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get all the deets as soon as they’re available—this story will be FREE to newsletter subscribers).
**Release the first book in a new contemporary series. The first novel is titled Deep Blue and features a marine biologist studying great white sharks. It’s a sexy, adventurous story that I hope to release in the spring. It will be followed by two more books, tentatively titled Cold Horizon (about high-altitude mountain climbers on K2) and Ancient Winds (a female archaeologist in Bolivia). These three titles will be tied together with siblings, but I hope to write more books that will be loosely linked to these characters as well. I’ve been sitting on these story ideas for quite a while; with my Wings series now complete, I decided it was finally time to focus on these books. Creative concepts tend to gnaw on a writer and make them irritable if not eventually released.
I have a few more goals, but I’m not going to overload myself. I owe it to my husband to not be so burdened by work that I’m a grump all the time. So, I will focus on the new books, which are truly a desire of my heart, thus allowing the writing muse an easier path (and maybe an easier flow during the first drafts).
If we accept that we already have the tools we need to succeed, then the inner path of resistance can be quieted and we can simply get to work.
Here's to a productive 2017!
Connect with Kristy
Website
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
December 19, 2016
A Few Of My Favorite Things
By Kristy McCaffrey
As 2016 comes to a close, it's natural to think about the hardships we've endured, but I thought I'd share some of my favorite things. Not to sound cliche, but an 'attitude of gratitude' can move mountains, big and small.
1. Eggnog. Creamy, sweet...in short, the perfect beverage.
2. Space Opera Novels.
3. Catalog Shopping.
4. Family Feud. It airs when we eat dinner. The husband and I get quite involved.
5. Great White Sharks.
6. My husband's sense of humor.
7. Going to yoga class with my dad.
8. Achieving my Goodreads reading goal.
9. Running in the desert.
10. Popcorn at the movies.
11. Instagram. My favorite app. Ever.
12. The week after coloring my hair - no gray.
13. The bird feeder outside my home office window - visited by sparrows, rock wrens, finches, mourning doves, gilded flickers, and a gorgeous pair of red cardinals.
14. Autumn squash soup sprinkled with pumpkin seeds.
15. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - making a difference by saving one orphaned baby elephant at a time.
16. Apple and cinnamon air freshener.
17. Jumble puzzles.
18. Blueberry pie.
19. Hearing 'Sleigh Ride' on the radio.
20. Having all my children at home at the same time.
Happy Holidays to you and yours!!
*****
Connect with Kristy
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
As 2016 comes to a close, it's natural to think about the hardships we've endured, but I thought I'd share some of my favorite things. Not to sound cliche, but an 'attitude of gratitude' can move mountains, big and small.
1. Eggnog. Creamy, sweet...in short, the perfect beverage.
2. Space Opera Novels.
3. Catalog Shopping.
4. Family Feud. It airs when we eat dinner. The husband and I get quite involved.
5. Great White Sharks.
6. My husband's sense of humor.
7. Going to yoga class with my dad.
8. Achieving my Goodreads reading goal.
9. Running in the desert.
10. Popcorn at the movies.
11. Instagram. My favorite app. Ever.
12. The week after coloring my hair - no gray.
13. The bird feeder outside my home office window - visited by sparrows, rock wrens, finches, mourning doves, gilded flickers, and a gorgeous pair of red cardinals.
14. Autumn squash soup sprinkled with pumpkin seeds.
15. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - making a difference by saving one orphaned baby elephant at a time.
16. Apple and cinnamon air freshener.
17. Jumble puzzles.
18. Blueberry pie.
19. Hearing 'Sleigh Ride' on the radio.
20. Having all my children at home at the same time.
Happy Holidays to you and yours!!
*****
Connect with Kristy
Website
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
December 5, 2016
NaNoWriMo
By Kristy McCaffrey
NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. Each November, writers everywhere attempt to write a novel in 30 days. To ‘win’, you must write 50,000 words. This is approximately the length of a long novella. My books tend to run between 70,000 and 85,000 words, so this endeavor doesn’t yield a complete novel for me, however, I’ve always made an effort to get to THE END by skipping scenes and lengthy descriptions along the way.
I’ve just completed my second NaNo and I’m happy to report that I met the goal of 50K. But it wasn’t easy. NaNo never is. That’s the point. It pushes a writer to their creative limits and beyond.
To reach 50K in 30 days, a writer must punch out 1667 words per day. Since there’s a U.S. holiday smack-dab in November (Thanksgiving), I set a goal of 2000 words per day. This would give me some cushion and allow me to take a few days off while I had a house filled with family. It also provided a buffer for those days when the words just weren’t flowing, as well as the unexpected event (mid-November my husband and I had to transfer our youngest daughter rather abruptly from boarding school, throwing a stressful wrench into my schedule).
NaNo teaches discipline. For me, writing 2000 words (4 single-spaced, typed pages) often takes several hours. And some days, it was so bleepin’ hard. I knew my story, I knew the main characters (well, kinda), and I knew the pathos I was searching for, but writing them down is always something entirely different. Scenes veer off-course and characters behave differently than imagined, and because of the pace of NaNo there’s no time to breathe. No editing, no languishing in research books searching for ideas to spark my ideas. In some ways, it’s a bulldozer approach. But it is effective.
I now have a beautiful, somewhat messy, first draft. Even better, I know my hero and heroine in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I’ve been in the trenches with them. I’ve found their strengths as well as their weaknesses. Now, I can revise and use these to the advantage of the story. But there’s also a slew of inconsistent plot points, repetition, characters who serve no purpose at all, and what I call ‘pivoting’, when I made a major change mid-story but didn’t go back to fix the earlier parts—I moved forward as if I’d already changed them. If anyone was to read this first draft, they would surely say: What were you thinking? But this process is highly productive, which is why so many writers participate each year, logging into our accounts each day to post our progress, reading motivating messages from big-time authors, and tracking the momentum of our writing buddies. NaNo brings out our competitive nature and that’s not a bad thing. It’s the Ironman event for writers.
The manuscript I produced isn’t my usual stuff. With the conclusion of my Wings of the West series this year, I decided to take a break from historical western romances and write something else I love—women exploring the world. Tentatively titled DEEP BLUE, this first book in a new series is a contemporary romance set against the backdrop of great white shark research. My heroine, Grace, is a marine biologist who likes to get up close and personal with her subjects. The hero, Alec, is hired to film a documentary about her, to aid Grace in her quest to provide conservation measures for the sharks, but he’s also haunted by a previous expedition that went horribly wrong. His growing feelings for Grace leave him conflicted about how far to push the boundaries between humans and the great whites that inhabit the waters around Guadalupe Island in Baja California.
It’s my hope to have a revised manuscript completed in the next several weeks and release it in the spring of 2017, if all goes well. Thanks to NaNo, the most challenging part is complete—the first draft. Facing the unknown abyss of a story can be disconcerting. NaNo forces a writer into those murky depths. It’s true—creative undertakings can be frightening and writers often develop sly little evasion mechanisms to avoid facing a blank page and the daunting task of writing an entire book. But there’s no magic formula—it’s all in the baby steps and steady progress, and NaNo provides that in a very compressed and intense atmosphere.
Are you a writer? Wanna give NaNo a try? Check out their website and finish your book at last.
Connect with Kristy
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. Each November, writers everywhere attempt to write a novel in 30 days. To ‘win’, you must write 50,000 words. This is approximately the length of a long novella. My books tend to run between 70,000 and 85,000 words, so this endeavor doesn’t yield a complete novel for me, however, I’ve always made an effort to get to THE END by skipping scenes and lengthy descriptions along the way.
I’ve just completed my second NaNo and I’m happy to report that I met the goal of 50K. But it wasn’t easy. NaNo never is. That’s the point. It pushes a writer to their creative limits and beyond.
To reach 50K in 30 days, a writer must punch out 1667 words per day. Since there’s a U.S. holiday smack-dab in November (Thanksgiving), I set a goal of 2000 words per day. This would give me some cushion and allow me to take a few days off while I had a house filled with family. It also provided a buffer for those days when the words just weren’t flowing, as well as the unexpected event (mid-November my husband and I had to transfer our youngest daughter rather abruptly from boarding school, throwing a stressful wrench into my schedule).
NaNo teaches discipline. For me, writing 2000 words (4 single-spaced, typed pages) often takes several hours. And some days, it was so bleepin’ hard. I knew my story, I knew the main characters (well, kinda), and I knew the pathos I was searching for, but writing them down is always something entirely different. Scenes veer off-course and characters behave differently than imagined, and because of the pace of NaNo there’s no time to breathe. No editing, no languishing in research books searching for ideas to spark my ideas. In some ways, it’s a bulldozer approach. But it is effective.
I now have a beautiful, somewhat messy, first draft. Even better, I know my hero and heroine in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I’ve been in the trenches with them. I’ve found their strengths as well as their weaknesses. Now, I can revise and use these to the advantage of the story. But there’s also a slew of inconsistent plot points, repetition, characters who serve no purpose at all, and what I call ‘pivoting’, when I made a major change mid-story but didn’t go back to fix the earlier parts—I moved forward as if I’d already changed them. If anyone was to read this first draft, they would surely say: What were you thinking? But this process is highly productive, which is why so many writers participate each year, logging into our accounts each day to post our progress, reading motivating messages from big-time authors, and tracking the momentum of our writing buddies. NaNo brings out our competitive nature and that’s not a bad thing. It’s the Ironman event for writers.
The manuscript I produced isn’t my usual stuff. With the conclusion of my Wings of the West series this year, I decided to take a break from historical western romances and write something else I love—women exploring the world. Tentatively titled DEEP BLUE, this first book in a new series is a contemporary romance set against the backdrop of great white shark research. My heroine, Grace, is a marine biologist who likes to get up close and personal with her subjects. The hero, Alec, is hired to film a documentary about her, to aid Grace in her quest to provide conservation measures for the sharks, but he’s also haunted by a previous expedition that went horribly wrong. His growing feelings for Grace leave him conflicted about how far to push the boundaries between humans and the great whites that inhabit the waters around Guadalupe Island in Baja California.
It’s my hope to have a revised manuscript completed in the next several weeks and release it in the spring of 2017, if all goes well. Thanks to NaNo, the most challenging part is complete—the first draft. Facing the unknown abyss of a story can be disconcerting. NaNo forces a writer into those murky depths. It’s true—creative undertakings can be frightening and writers often develop sly little evasion mechanisms to avoid facing a blank page and the daunting task of writing an entire book. But there’s no magic formula—it’s all in the baby steps and steady progress, and NaNo provides that in a very compressed and intense atmosphere.
Are you a writer? Wanna give NaNo a try? Check out their website and finish your book at last.
Connect with Kristy
Website
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
October 31, 2016
Release Day ~ THE BLUEBIRD
By Kristy McCaffrey
I'm thrilled to announce THE BLUEBIRD, Wings of the West Book 5, is now available.
Amazon
FREE in Kindle Unlimited.
Paperback copies coming shortly.
Molly Rose Simms departs the Arizona Territory, eager for adventure, and travels to Colorado to visit her brother. Robert left two years ago to make his fortune in the booming silver town of Creede, and now Molly Rose hopes to convince him to accompany her to San Francisco, New York City, or even Europe. But Robert is nowhere to be found. All Molly Rose finds is his partner, a mysterious man known as The Jackal.
Jake McKenna has traveled the bustling streets of Istanbul, exotic ports in China, and the deserts of Morocco. His restless desire to explore has been the only constant in his life. When his search for the elusive and mythical Bluebird mining claim lands him a new partner, he must decide how far he’ll go to protect the stunning young woman who’s clearly in over her head. A home and hearth has never been on The Jackal’s agenda, but Molly Rose Simms is about to change his world in every conceivable way.
A sensuous historical western romance set in 1892 Colorado.
Excerpt
“Aren’t you cold?”
Molly jumped at the sound of Jake’s voice, holding the goblet away from her gown so the fluid didn’t spill. “A little.”
He strode toward her, removed his jacket, then placed it onto her shoulders.
Immediately she was engulfed in McKenna’s smell—musky and wild and distinctive. “Thank you.” A wave of longing swept through her, primal and fierce. It was as if she were a coyote who’d just caught the scent of her mate…or a jackal.
He sat beside her although the post holding the railing divided them. His white shirt all but glowed in the dark night that embraced them. He loosened his tie and undid the top button.
Molly watched from the corner of her eye, trying not to stare.
How could she even consider some boy named Carl when she’d already met a man like Jake?
She took another gulp of wine and stared straight ahead. Had Esme spoken the truth? Was Jake courting her?
“Go easy,” Jake said, his voice a caress in the night air.
“Why?”
“Because you’ll regret it tomorrow.”
She considered his advice then stared at the corral. “Did you tell Esme Patterson that you kissed me?”
“No. Is she spreading rumors?”
His voice sounded amused, which emboldened Molly to move forward. Or was it the alcohol? “There seems to be talk that you…and I…that we…”
She glanced at him, and his tenacious gaze caught her attention. She couldn’t look away.
“That we what?” His voice, deep and hypnotic, washed over her like a warm rainstorm.
She shook her head, suddenly bashful. “Never mind.” She was being silly. Jake McKenna wasn’t courting her. She needed to remember his reputation. Swallowing another sip of wine, she forged ahead. “You apparently have the distinction of being a scamp around these parts. I was cautioned to avoid you, by more than one woman, I should add.”
“I’m a what? A scamp? That’s a new one.” Shaking his head, he chuckled. “What do you think, Molly Rose?”
“I don’t think anything. I don’t know you.”
“Don’t you?”
Confused, she reiterated, “No, I don’t. Isn’t that what I just said?” Her muddled thoughts swirled in her head. Damn the wine.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me, you know.”
“I’m not.”
He grinned. “I spent some time in Istanbul, and while I was there, I studied a poet and philosopher named Rumi. He was a great observer of life, of how important the smallest thing can be. What you seek is seeking you.”
She watched him, perplexed.
“Maybe we’ve been searching for each other,” he added.
She laughed, but it was more of a snort. Embarrassed, she straightened, trying to sound indifferent as she asked, “Is this how you sweet-talk women?”
“No. Just you.”
“I think I’ve had too much to drink.”
He reached over and took the goblet from her. His fingers brushed hers, sending a shiver through her, and, for a moment, she thought he might kiss her again. Did she just swoon toward him?
As he downed the remainder of the liquid, she stared at his mouth. “How did you get away from Winston?”
“I’m The Jackal.”
A smile stretched clear across her face before she could rein it in. “You’re full of bluster, just like every other man.”
His expression sobered. “And how many men have you known?”
“Some. A few.” She nodded. “Some. Beatrice Perkins has me all but engaged to her son Carl.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. He tensed and turned his face from her. She didn’t like it. Had she offended him? She lifted her hand to touch his arm, but when he swung his gaze back to her, she hid the gesture by pretending to swat at a nonexistent fly.
“I want to check out the Chigger. Since you’re my partner, do you want to come?”
She giggled. Heavens, she needed to curb her drinking. “How scandalous. You’d really let me go with you?” Don’t sound so eager, Molly. Act like a woman. She sought to compose herself.
“Yes. You can stay with Ivan and Pearl Krupin. They have a place in the hills.”
“Where will you be?”
“I’ll use the Krupin’s place as a base to go scouting. I’ll see you every night.”
“Can I scout with you? Will you teach me?”
He nodded, his gaze softening. “Yes, I’ll teach you.”
Molly had the oddest feeling that they spoke of more than just prospecting. “Should I tell Robert?” she asked softly.
He hesitated. “Probably. He’ll worry if you don’t.”
“You think he’ll stop me?”
“I think you’re his sister, and he loves you very much. He’ll always have a need to keep you safe and sound.”
She considered the situation. “How long would we be gone?”
“Not more than a few days.”
“Alright. When do we leave?”
“I can get horses and supplies together tonight,” he said. “But I’m not sure how to get you out of this house.”
Archie came to mind. “I think I might have a way. I’ll meet you at the dip in the road beyond the entrance to the ranch.”
“When?”
“Before sunup,” she answered.
He nodded. “Should I ask how?”
“No.”
Jake’s body exuded warmth and Molly swayed. He was a heady combination of rugged male physique—broad shoulders, rolled sleeves revealing muscled forearms, a freshly-shaved chiseled jaw. She had to force herself not to reach out and touch the smooth skin of his cheek.
“You’re not that irresistible.” Had she just uttered the words aloud?
He grinned. “Are you sure about that?”
No. I’m not sure at all. “Why did you kiss me in the tunnel?”
The amusement left his eyes, replaced by a penetrating gaze that awakened an ancient feminine part of herself, always present but never acknowledged. Until now. Until Jake. The Jackal.
“Because I wanted to.”
Copyright © 2016 K. McCaffrey LLC
*************************
I'm pleased to share that all the books in my Wings series are now available in print.
The Wren
The Dove
The Sparrow
The Blackbird
The Bluebird (coming)
I'm giving away two autographed sets of the series at my Facebook page. Be sure to enter!! If you'd like an autographed set at a reduced price, contact me directly at kristy@kristymccaffrey.com.
**********************
Connect with Kristy
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog ~ Pathways
Newsletter
I'm thrilled to announce THE BLUEBIRD, Wings of the West Book 5, is now available.
Amazon
FREE in Kindle Unlimited.
Paperback copies coming shortly.
Molly Rose Simms departs the Arizona Territory, eager for adventure, and travels to Colorado to visit her brother. Robert left two years ago to make his fortune in the booming silver town of Creede, and now Molly Rose hopes to convince him to accompany her to San Francisco, New York City, or even Europe. But Robert is nowhere to be found. All Molly Rose finds is his partner, a mysterious man known as The Jackal.
Jake McKenna has traveled the bustling streets of Istanbul, exotic ports in China, and the deserts of Morocco. His restless desire to explore has been the only constant in his life. When his search for the elusive and mythical Bluebird mining claim lands him a new partner, he must decide how far he’ll go to protect the stunning young woman who’s clearly in over her head. A home and hearth has never been on The Jackal’s agenda, but Molly Rose Simms is about to change his world in every conceivable way.
A sensuous historical western romance set in 1892 Colorado.
Excerpt
“Aren’t you cold?”
Molly jumped at the sound of Jake’s voice, holding the goblet away from her gown so the fluid didn’t spill. “A little.”
He strode toward her, removed his jacket, then placed it onto her shoulders.
Immediately she was engulfed in McKenna’s smell—musky and wild and distinctive. “Thank you.” A wave of longing swept through her, primal and fierce. It was as if she were a coyote who’d just caught the scent of her mate…or a jackal.
He sat beside her although the post holding the railing divided them. His white shirt all but glowed in the dark night that embraced them. He loosened his tie and undid the top button.
Molly watched from the corner of her eye, trying not to stare.
How could she even consider some boy named Carl when she’d already met a man like Jake?
She took another gulp of wine and stared straight ahead. Had Esme spoken the truth? Was Jake courting her?
“Go easy,” Jake said, his voice a caress in the night air.
“Why?”
“Because you’ll regret it tomorrow.”
She considered his advice then stared at the corral. “Did you tell Esme Patterson that you kissed me?”
“No. Is she spreading rumors?”
His voice sounded amused, which emboldened Molly to move forward. Or was it the alcohol? “There seems to be talk that you…and I…that we…”
She glanced at him, and his tenacious gaze caught her attention. She couldn’t look away.
“That we what?” His voice, deep and hypnotic, washed over her like a warm rainstorm.
She shook her head, suddenly bashful. “Never mind.” She was being silly. Jake McKenna wasn’t courting her. She needed to remember his reputation. Swallowing another sip of wine, she forged ahead. “You apparently have the distinction of being a scamp around these parts. I was cautioned to avoid you, by more than one woman, I should add.”
“I’m a what? A scamp? That’s a new one.” Shaking his head, he chuckled. “What do you think, Molly Rose?”
“I don’t think anything. I don’t know you.”
“Don’t you?”
Confused, she reiterated, “No, I don’t. Isn’t that what I just said?” Her muddled thoughts swirled in her head. Damn the wine.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me, you know.”
“I’m not.”
He grinned. “I spent some time in Istanbul, and while I was there, I studied a poet and philosopher named Rumi. He was a great observer of life, of how important the smallest thing can be. What you seek is seeking you.”
She watched him, perplexed.
“Maybe we’ve been searching for each other,” he added.
She laughed, but it was more of a snort. Embarrassed, she straightened, trying to sound indifferent as she asked, “Is this how you sweet-talk women?”
“No. Just you.”
“I think I’ve had too much to drink.”
He reached over and took the goblet from her. His fingers brushed hers, sending a shiver through her, and, for a moment, she thought he might kiss her again. Did she just swoon toward him?
As he downed the remainder of the liquid, she stared at his mouth. “How did you get away from Winston?”
“I’m The Jackal.”
A smile stretched clear across her face before she could rein it in. “You’re full of bluster, just like every other man.”
His expression sobered. “And how many men have you known?”
“Some. A few.” She nodded. “Some. Beatrice Perkins has me all but engaged to her son Carl.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. He tensed and turned his face from her. She didn’t like it. Had she offended him? She lifted her hand to touch his arm, but when he swung his gaze back to her, she hid the gesture by pretending to swat at a nonexistent fly.
“I want to check out the Chigger. Since you’re my partner, do you want to come?”
She giggled. Heavens, she needed to curb her drinking. “How scandalous. You’d really let me go with you?” Don’t sound so eager, Molly. Act like a woman. She sought to compose herself.
“Yes. You can stay with Ivan and Pearl Krupin. They have a place in the hills.”
“Where will you be?”
“I’ll use the Krupin’s place as a base to go scouting. I’ll see you every night.”
“Can I scout with you? Will you teach me?”
He nodded, his gaze softening. “Yes, I’ll teach you.”
Molly had the oddest feeling that they spoke of more than just prospecting. “Should I tell Robert?” she asked softly.
He hesitated. “Probably. He’ll worry if you don’t.”
“You think he’ll stop me?”
“I think you’re his sister, and he loves you very much. He’ll always have a need to keep you safe and sound.”
She considered the situation. “How long would we be gone?”
“Not more than a few days.”
“Alright. When do we leave?”
“I can get horses and supplies together tonight,” he said. “But I’m not sure how to get you out of this house.”
Archie came to mind. “I think I might have a way. I’ll meet you at the dip in the road beyond the entrance to the ranch.”
“When?”
“Before sunup,” she answered.
He nodded. “Should I ask how?”
“No.”
Jake’s body exuded warmth and Molly swayed. He was a heady combination of rugged male physique—broad shoulders, rolled sleeves revealing muscled forearms, a freshly-shaved chiseled jaw. She had to force herself not to reach out and touch the smooth skin of his cheek.
“You’re not that irresistible.” Had she just uttered the words aloud?
He grinned. “Are you sure about that?”
No. I’m not sure at all. “Why did you kiss me in the tunnel?”
The amusement left his eyes, replaced by a penetrating gaze that awakened an ancient feminine part of herself, always present but never acknowledged. Until now. Until Jake. The Jackal.
“Because I wanted to.”
Copyright © 2016 K. McCaffrey LLC
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I'm pleased to share that all the books in my Wings series are now available in print.
The Wren
The Dove
The Sparrow
The Blackbird
The Bluebird (coming)
I'm giving away two autographed sets of the series at my Facebook page. Be sure to enter!! If you'd like an autographed set at a reduced price, contact me directly at kristy@kristymccaffrey.com.
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Author Kristy McCaffrey
Kristy McCaffrey writes western historical and contemporary romances. She and her husband live in Arizona with their two dogs. Visit her online at kristymccaffrey.com.
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