Birdie's Nest is now available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Birdie's Nest, my latest historical time travel, is now available in E-book format at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Blurb:

Texas Ranger, Birdie Braxton boards the Brazos Belle to attend a costume party, gets tossed into the Brazos and when she's pulled from the river she's told the year is 1890. She can't accept that fact… until she looks across the river to see Birdie’s Nest, her ancestral home, no longer exists.

Tad Lockhart is a content man—a prosperous rancher with a ladylove in Waco. He's not interested in marriage and family, yet… until he pulls an unconscious woman from the Brazos who insists she's a Texas Ranger from the year 2012.

As romance blooms between Tad and Birdie, she struggles to earn enough money to build Birdie’s Nest, and Tad strives to mold Birdie into a Victorian lady suitable to be his wife. Can Birdie give up dabbling in police work and other unladylike pursuits yet stay true to herself? When faced with an indiscretion from Tad's past, is Birdie's love strong enough to support her man and be the woman he needs?

Excerpt:

June 1, 2012, Waco, Texas

            “Why Birdie, where’ve you been hiding all that… bounty?” Sergeant Ted Weaver, Birdie’s co-worker, whipped off his Stetson and laid the hat over his heart. His gaze raked her from head to toe, finally settling on her breasts. Birdie wanted to smack his grinning face. She snorted and covered the bare skin above the red strapless dress with her oversized handbag. It’d taken all the nerve she could garner to exit the ladies restroom in the sleazy garb. Tonight’s Victorian costume party dress paled in comparison to her current get-up. Everyone in the unit was counting on her to succeed this afternoon. But tonight her family home was at stake. She couldn’t afford to fail at either assignment.

            “Watch yourself, Weaver.” She slapped her thigh, where her thigh holster held her Ruger, with her free hand. “I can still pierce your ear for you.”

            His howls of laughter bounced off the walls. At least the other men in the office were courteous enough to bend their heads and try to hide their snickers.

            Being a woman in the Texas Rangers wasn’t easy. While some tolerated her, others ignored her. If she pulled off this afternoon’s assignment, where several male rangers had failed, maybe the stigma of being a woman in their ranks would lose some of its stink.

            Captain Smith barreled out of his office, face reddening. “Watch your step, Weaver. I’d be happy to write you up for sexual harassment of a fellow officer.”

            Ted sobered. “Sorry, Birdie. It’s just you so look the part.”

            “That’s the idea,” said the captain. He walked around Birdie taking in her teased hairdo with numerous colorful feathers woven into little braids. Red and gold rhinestone earrings bounced off her shoulders with each sigh and huff of indignation. The form-fitting scarlet dress barely covered her butt, and her breasts threatened to flop out of the neckline. She’d been so worried, she’d used spray-on body glue to insure what little dignity she had remained unexposed.

            “Great job, Sergeant.” He glanced down at her red rhinestone stiletto heels. “Can you walk in those things?”

            “Yes, though it won’t be pretty.”

I hope you'll pick up a copy of Birdie's Nest and enjoy her journey through time.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda
www.lindalaroque.com

Welcome to the Cowboys and Lawmen Blog Hop

My first perception of lawmen in the old west was from the television show Gunsmoke. Marshal Dillion always got his man and Miss Kitty was always there to help and pour him a drink. As a girl I often wondered what I would be if I lived in the old west--a farmer's wife or a dance hall girl like Miss Kitty. Of course I didn't have a clue what girls in saloons did.

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a Marshal and a Sheriff? I have and while writing My Heart Will Find Yours, I decided it was time to find out. A sheriff is an elected official of the county, and a marshal is an appointed officer, either federal or state. A marshal covered a large territory and deputy marshals were placed under his command. A town could also appoint a Marshall and often deputized men to form a posse.

Typically, a sheriff would want o keep his constituents happy. And on occasion wealthy ranchers helped someone get elected and expected favors in return. How many movies have we seen where the town sheriff was in the pockets of the guys trying to take small landowner's land, tear down fences or run off homesteaders? Who did the town call on if the sheriff was crooked. A state or federal marshal.

Here is a blurb of the short time travel in PDF Format, A Marshal of Her Own. I'll be giving away a copy to one person who comments and leaves their email address.

Despite rumors of “strange doings” at a cabin in Fredericksburg, investigative reporter Dessa Wade books the cottage from which lawyer, Charity Dawson, disappeared in 2008. Dessa is intent on solving the mystery. Instead, she is caught in the mystery that surrounds the cabin and finds herself in 1890 in a shootout between the Faraday Gang and a US Marshal.

Marshal Cole Jeffers doesn’t believe Miss Wade is a time traveler. He admits she’s innocent of being an outlaw, but thinks she knows more about the gang than she’s telling. When she’s kidnapped by Zeke Faraday, Cole is determined to rescue her. He’s longed for a woman of his own, and Dessa Wade just might be the one—if she’ll commit to the past.

Excerpt:

Dessa stood still and watched as they conversed. Something stank to high heaven about this entire situation.Why were the cops chasing robbers on horseback? It’s not like Fredericksburg was that isolated. She glanced at the captured men. The boy moaned, and she made a step to go over and help him. The Marshal spun, and the expression in his eye froze her in place.

 “He needs first aid.”

 “He’s fine. The Doc will tend to him when we get to the jail.”

“You could at least call 911 and let them patch him up for you.” She nodded to the man lying so still with his eyes closed. “Your other prisoner doesn’t look so good. He’s going to die on you if you don’t start CPR or get him some help.”

“Lady, no one is going to hear a yell from out here. Never heard of any 911 or CPR.” He propped the hand not holding the shotgun on his hip and threw her a disgusted look. “Are you blind? That man is dead, shot through the heart.”

Her head swam for a moment, and she struggled not to give in to the sensation and faint. She drew in deep gulps of air. “Well...well..., what about the coroner and the meat wagon, not to mention the CSI folks? If you don’t get them to record the scene, how are you going to cover your butt? The authorities might say you shot him in cold blood.”

He looked at her like she’d sprouted an extra head. “I don’t know what the hell you are talking about woman. No one will question my authority. I’m the law in this county. Now, be quiet, or I’m going to gag you.”

A Marshal of Her Own is available now at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and other online book stores. It is the sequel to A Law of Her Own available at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble.com and other online book stores. A Love of His Own, the third story in the Prairie, Texas series, and is also available at the above stores.

Visit me on May 4th on Sweethearts of the West where I'll be posting about "Tumbleweed Wagons" and the "Three Guardians".

My newest time travel is Birdie's Nest. It's available at 

http://www.amazon.com/Birdies-Nest- ebook/dp/B00CKM8GZ2

Don't forget to leave me a comment to be entered in my drawing as well as the grand prize drawing. YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

Use this link to return to Cowboy Charm so you can continue your journey.

Good luck and Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda

www.lindalaroque.com

Birdie's Nest - My Western Historical Time Travel Is on Amazon for .99 May 1, 2013

I'm thrilled to announce Birdie's Nest is up for sale. Well, actually it's in review tonight but should be
on sale for .99 Thursday morning of May 1st. On the 2nd it will go back up to $4.99 so get your copy tomorrow!

http://www.amazon.com/Birdies-Nest-ebook/dp/B00CKM8GZ2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367346536&sr=1-1

Blurb:

Texas Ranger, Birdie Braxton boards the Brazos Belle to attend a costume party, gets tossed into the Brazos and when she's pulled from the river she's told the year is 1890. She can't accept that fact… until she looks across the river to see Birdie’s Nest, her ancestral home, no longer exists.

Tad Lockhart is a content man—a prosperous rancher with a ladylove in Waco. He's not interested in marriage and family, yet… until he pulls an unconscious woman from the Brazos who insists she's a Texas Ranger from the year 2012.

As romance blooms between Tad and Birdie, she struggles to earn enough money to build Birdie’s Nest, and Tad strives to mold Birdie into a Victorian lady suitable to be his wife. Can Birdie give up dabbling in police work and other unladylike pursuits yet stay true to herself? When faced with an indiscretion from Tad's past, is Birdie's love strong enough to support her man and be the woman he needs?

Thank you for reading and writing! Please, if you're so inclined, leave a short review.

Linda

www.lindalaroque.com

On the Road Again - Fort Stockton and Houston

My husband and I lived in Fort Stockton for five years. We'd still be there today if his job hadn't been
too stressful. The climate, the people and the terrain are beautiful. I taught school there for four years and must stay they were some of my happiest 30 teaching years.

Paisano Pete greets you as you enter the downtown area.

We moved away in February of 2002. Of course back then we didn't have E-readers. Cell phones were available but they certainly were not smart phones, ones you could read books on. We still have Larry's old bag phone somewhere. During the summers, I spent many hours in the Fort Stockton Library browsing and checking out their new books.

On Facebook, a teaching friend from Fort Stockton and renewed our acquaintance and I learned about their writer's group the Critique Cafe. Ideas progressed and I was invited to speak to their group. Their meetings are held in the conference room of the library and I felt right at home. As part of the engagement, I offered to critique 10 pages from each member. What fun to see their different interests and styles.

We left Fort Stockton on Tuesday morning, just in time to pick up Molly. As usual she was excited to see us.

The following Friday I drove to Houston for the Houston Indie Book Festival. Thank goodness for OnStar or I'd still be looking for the hotel where we'd booked a room. I was born in Houston, but that is my only claim on the town. I'd much rather drive in Dallas.

It's a pretty big event held at Menil Park under the overhangs at the Menil Museum. It's a great place as if it rains most everyone can stay dry. The weather was beautiful except for a cool breeze and there was a big turnout. I sold several books, traded for one and met some interesting people.

Here is a young woman in costume for the children's book she wrote. I can't read the title but obviously it's about butterflies. Many children attended the event and had room to run and play on the beautiful lawn as well as take a look at books for their age group.

Fellow author Ciara Gold and I shared a table and represented our publisher Champagne Group Books. Several people were interested in the new drop card, a method of buying an Ebook at a book signing. The customer buys the card, goes to the website on back, enters the customer code and downloads the format they prefer--Kindle, Nook, or etc.

 Later at the hotel Ciara and I had a fun time sharing story ideas and enjoying a wonderful dinner in the hotel of crab cakes, dinner salad and dessert. Yum! 

I may have a negative attitude about Houston traffic, but it wouldn't let it keep me home if I had the chance to attend the Indie Festival again.

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda
www.lindalaroque.com

Champagne Group Books will be represented at the Houston Indie Book Festival

If you're in the Houston area, come and visit with Ciara Gold and myself. Jamie writes both historical westerns and fantasy/sci-fi. I write contemporary westerns, time travel and futuristic stories. Come sit a spell and visit! We'd love to see you.

HOUSTON INDIE BOOK FESTIVAL, APRIL 20, 2013
The Sixth Annual Houston Indie Book Fest Celebrates Small Presses, Magazines, and Independent Bookstores in Houston, Austin, and beyond.

[Houston, TX] – Celebrate the sixth annual Houston Indie Book Festival along with dozens of locally- and nationally-distributed literary journals, local booksellers, publishers, small presses, literary organizations, and writers at Menil Park on Saturday, April 20th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Founded through collaboration between NANO Fiction and Gulf Coast in 2008, this year’s festival is sponsored by Gulf Coast and The Menil Community Arts Festival. The event functions as a spotlight on the writers, artists, journals, presses, independent bookstores, and organizations that are committed to preserving and promoting the arts and humanities within Houston, Austin, Louisiana, and the entire Gulf Coast region.

The festival is free and open to the public, and is scheduled to correspond with the Menil Community Arts Festival, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide variety of panels, workshops, outdoor art exhibits, tours of the Menil, live music, food trucks, and more. In addition, Inprint and Gulf Coast will host a reading every hour from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., featuring University of Houston students Sophie Klahr, Adam Peterson, and Austin Tremblay; nationally-recognized Houston writer and graphic novelist Mat Johnson; Austin-based poets Derrick Brown and Jason Bayani; and a special performance by BooTown Theater.

Since its inception, the festival has grown from a small gathering of local bookstores and journals to a full-scale regional event. In 2012, over seventy vendors from all over the Gulf Coast area exhibited to over 2,500 people throughout the course of the day.

More information about the Houston Indie Book Festival may be found online at www.indiebookfest.org.

The Houston Indie Book Festival is supported by New Leaf Real Estate, the Sicardi Gallery, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and Texas Tea. 

I hope to see you there.

Linda LaRoque

A Love of His Own - A Five Angel Review

Today I received this wonderful review for A Love of His Own, the third story in my western time travels. Oh man, I'd love to write another series set in Prairie, Texas but guess I better stop while on a high note.

Thank you Linda L for the review. And I promise folks I AM NOT the Linda L who does book reviews.

"Linda LaRogue tells a story that explodes in the pages. She molds characters and fashions them to give the reader genuine people in places that feel absolutely real. This reader loves how she intensifies each story and makes it better than the last, pulling the audience in with every visual aspect."

If you haven't read this series, I hope you'll pick it up--A Law of Her Own, A Marshal of Her Own and A Love of His Own. Available at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com and B&N.com/

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda