Another Manuscript Finished

It is always such a relief and a feeling of accomplishment to get a book turned in. August 15 was the deadline for Book 2 in my Hanger’s Horseman series. I’m pleased to report that The Heart’s Charge is in my editors’ hands. This book was challenging but so rewarding to write. I can’t wait to share it with you!

This is my longest book to date at just under 103,000 words. The editing process might change that number, but I usually stay pretty close to my initial word count. This needed to be a bigger book with 4 POV characters and 2 full love stories going on side-by-side.

There are still several layers of polishing to be done before it is ready for public consumption, but the largest chunk of work is done. Hooray!

I received my editorial feedback letter last Friday, so I’ll be diving into rewrites soon, but for now, I’m enjoying a peaceful moment of accomplishment. OK . . . Maybe not so peaceful seeing as how I’m in the midst of plotting my next novella, writing a short story to promote my upcoming fall release, and getting all my kids moved out of the house to start college in the middle of a pandemic. But hey, I’m a fiction writer, so I can pretend the peaceful moment lasted for more than a day.

If you are interested in a brief sneak peek of the upcoming story featuring Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks and the women who capture their hearts, see below to read the first page.

What big project have you accomplished lately that gives you a feeling of satisfaction?

Chapter 1

Llano County, TX
Spring, 1894

When Mark Wallace left Gringolet two days ago to deliver a prize gelding to a wealthy rancher west of Llano, he never dreamed he’d be called upon to deliver a baby, too. Or that the mother of said baby would be waving a pistol back and forth between him and Jonah as if trying to decide which fellow to shoot first.

“Get outa here! I don’t want your help.” Her face contorted, and a muffled groan escaped as she wrapped her left arm around her swollen belly.

She might not want their help, but she sure as shootin’ needed it. The woman looked as wrung out as yesterday’s washrag.

Mark, palms out in front of him, took a step forward. “Easy, now, ma’am. I’m not going to hurt y—”

The pistol exploded. Mark flinched. Noted the barrel pointing toward the sky. Tossed a look over his shoulder, anyway, to make sure his friend wasn’t sporting any new holes. Jonah gave him a nod, his hand curling around the handle of his own revolver, ready to defend them if necessary.

Mark prayed it wouldn’t be necessary. The lady in front of him might be a few cards short of a full deck at the moment, but she was still a woman. And a gentleman never abandoned a woman in need. Even if she shot at him. The sound of the gunshot seemed to startle her as much as it had him. Her eyes widened and her gun arm quivered. Seizing the opportunity, Mark rushed forward, grabbed her wrist, and knocked the pistol from her hand. She shouted, kicked, and pounded his chest and chin with her fists, but Mark ignored the pummeling. Well, until she nearly gouged his left eye from its socket. Couldn’t ignore that. A man needed to be able to see, after all. Especially when dealing with a woman in a delicate condition who seemed to have taken leave of her senses.