Straight Browsing from the Library - DeAnn Smallwood

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. A commenter will win a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Everyone knew Lil Wentfield would never marry. What man would want her? Granted she was a real beauty.

A woman with too much knowledge was at risk for insanity. Their fragile mind couldn’t handle it. That’s what Lil had been told when she went against convention and became an attorney. The 1800’s had fewer women lawyers than women doctors. Her pride knew no bounds when she hung her shingle— L.M. Wentfield, Attorney At Law.

Drew was a struggling cattle rancher, building a fledging Hereford empire. He was working toward that goal when he was accused of rustling and faced possible hanging. He needed a lawyer—a good one— a man. Chesterfield had one lawyer—a new one—L.M. Wentfield. He wasn’t prepared for a beautiful blonde with a sharp tongue and fiercely won independence.

Lil had no homemaking abilities. Her love was the law. And if the thoughts of the gray-eyed cowboy, who had the audacity to refuse her legal help stayed in her mind, she’d push them aside. She had nothing to offer a rancher . Even her wealth wouldn’t be considered an asset to a prideful man. And Drew Jackson was proud. So proud, he knew he couldn’t ask a woman of Lil’s stature to share his life— but he wanted to—from the moment he’d stolen that first kiss.

READ AN EXCERPT

A loud knock broke into her thoughts. “Come in,” she called out.

Nothing happened, then another knock. “Please, come in,” she called again.

Getting no response, Lil came around her desk and, with some irritation at the interruption, jerked open the door, nearly toppling the tall man who held the doorknob on the other side. He muttered something under his breath, and tried to regain his balance only to bump into Lil, throwing her off stride. She stumbled backwards and would have fallen if not for the man’s quick reaction. He grabbed Lil and, wrapping both arms around, pulled her to him. Then, in a parody of the two-step, he danced her to safety.

Lil felt herself falling, then rescued by two strong arms. Not only was she pulled up short, but she was wrapped tightly against a rock hard chest, her nose buried in the man’s damp shirt. A very pleasant smell greeted her nose. The scent of summer rain and witch hazel. She found the masculine odor intoxicating.

Neither moved. Then Lil raised her head and looked into a pair of dancing gray eyes. His arms never relaxed their grip; in fact, they seemed to tighten around her as his mouth twitched, then broke into a smile.

“Didn’t expect to end up with a beautiful woman in my arms. For a moment there, I expected to land on the rug, Ma’am. With you alongside me,” he added with a chuckle.

He loosened his grip and gently pushed her away from the warmth and safety of his chest. Lil stepped back, feeling as though she’d just had something precious taken from her. She realized her hands still gripped his arms. Like a hot potato, she dropped them and turned away from the man’s disturbing presence. Like a fox heading for her den, Lil scurried behind her desk and gratefully lowered her trembling body onto the waiting chair.

With the desk between them, she was once again in charge. “May I help you?” she asked coolly, hoping the tremble in her voice went unnoticed. “I called come in not once but twice.”

“Sorry, Ma’am. Guess I didn’t hear you. I was just fixing to open the door when you did just that. Are you okay?”

“Yes.” Lil answered with no desire to elaborate. “I—I appreciate you catching me. Now,” she hurried away from that topic, “to repeat myself, how may I help you?”

He smiled, as if knowing her thoughts. Walking over to the desk, he removed his hat and stood with it in his hands. “I apologize for dripping on your floor, but it’s raining like hel—, uh, like heck out there.”

Lil tried not to look at how the ends of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. She focused instead on his hair, black and shiny with rain drops glistening on the wavy strands not covered by his hat. She didn’t realize she was staring at him until he shifted from foot to foot.

“Ma’am?”

“Yes,” Lil answered, pulling herself back to reality.

“What I’m here for is to see L.M. Wentfield, Attorney At Law.” He pointed at the window, in the direction of the sign.

Lil nodded. “Yes,” she said again. At this rate, he’d think she only had a one word vocabulary.

The man tilted his head to one side. “Could you direct me to L. M. Wentfield, Ma’am?”

“Of course I can. How may I help you?”

Two small furrows appeared between the man’s eyes. He peered closer at her. Perhaps he needed to try another approach.

“Ma’am, could I speak with your husband?”

“There is no husband,” Lil said with a hint of asperity.

About the Author:

I live in Colorado with my husband and my two Yorkie kid dogs: Stormy, four pounds, and Eli, six pounds. I’m a native of Colorado, but I’ve lived several years in Wyoming and Montana. I draw from these beautiful states for most of my books. My Western Historical Romances are: Montana Star, Sapphire Blue, Unconquerable Callie, Wyoming Heather and One Shingle To Hang. Tears In The Wind is a contemporary romance. Then I changed genres from my beloved romances and wrote, under the pen name of D. M. Woods, my first suspense/thriller: Death Crosses The Finish Line. The second book in this ‘death’ series, Death Is A Habit, came out January 8, 2014. I am currently working on the third book in the ‘death’ series, Death Walks C Dock. I am also working on another Western Historical Romance, Montana Man. It features the characters readers came to know and love in Montana Star. Truly, I mean it when I say my greatest pleasure next to writing is having my books read and enjoyed. There are many more stories just waiting to be written.

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Straight Chatting at the Library: DeAnn Smallwood

DeAnn Smallwood, author of Unconquerable Callie, has stopped by The Library today to chat with us as part of her virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. DeAnn will be awarding a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour and more chances to enter!


READ THE INTERVIEW

What is the favorite book you remember as a child?

My favorite book as a child was Little Women. The characters were very much alive and well known to me as if they were family or friends. I laughed and cried with them. Wasn’t their mother wonderful?

What is your favorite book today?

Wow! That’s a hard one. I read about a book a day so I’ve got lots to choose from. The Thornbirds was a book that sticks in my mind as being a favorite. I also love James Patterson’s books about Alex Cross. Then there is Nora Roberts, Jude Deveraux, Sandra Brown…all great reads.

Tell us about your current book in 10 words.

It’s informative, exciting, believable, funny, engrossing, tender, with lovable characters.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading Patterson’s Cross My Heart. I just finished Nora Roberts and Danielle Steel books. I read several romances, then read a suspense/thriller. Guess that’s why I’ve written two romantic/suspense novels under my pen name of D.M. Woods. They’re part of my ‘Death’ series.

What books do you have on hold at the library?

None. I tend to buy my books, get them at yard sales, trade with friends, or 2nd hand stores.

Do you have any bad book habits?

Yes. I’m ashamed to admit I dog-ear pages. I forget to use bookmarks. I also read while I eat if I’m eating alone. Messy, messy.

E-Reader or print? and why?

I prefer print. Guess it’s because I’m old fashioned. I love the smell of books, especially vintage ones. I love holding them in my hand, turning the pages. I use a lot of old medical books for research and their smell is musty but comforting. I do read e-books and when I do, I enjoy them. It’s a great way to take lots of books on a trip without loading down with print ones.

One book at a time or multiples?

One book at a time. My mind is going fast enough with all my writing. I’m afraid I’d get lost if I read multiple books. But remember, while I’m reading mainly to shut off my mind and relax, I’m spending a lot of my day writing and editing my books. So, I guess that would classify as multiple.

Dog-ear or bookmark? (don't worry—Librarian Judith won't hold it against you—much)

Dog-ear. Sorry Madame Librarian. It’s a nasty habit. I wouldn’t do it to a library book, honest! Growing up, libraries were my life-savers. They were a treasure chest for a lonely child.

Least favorite book you've read this year?

Can’t remember the name, but it was so full of sex, the story-line was lost. I’m all for romance, but when it’s page after page, explicit sex scene after sex scene, the story takes the back seat. I read about half of the book, then put it in the give-away pile. Rarely do I do that.

Favorite book you've read this year?

You know, I have so many it would be hard to pick just one. I am partial to all books written by DeAnn Smallwood. (wink, wink) I really favor John Sandford’s character Virgil Flowers. He’s one of my favorite reads. And Nora Roberts can’t be beat. She pulls me in with the first sentence. Maeve Binchy is a classic read. She’s delightful.

When do you do most of your reading?

I get up early, around 5:30am and read for an hour or so. Then I read while eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunch, unless my husband’s eating with me. I love to read out on our patio or in my little Scamp camper. I always read before going to bed at night.

Favorite place to read?

Oops, guess I answered that above. Favorite might be in my recliner with my feet up, sandwich in hand, diet drink close by, and my Yorkie son or daughter on my lap. However, another favorite is reading on our patio or, like I said, in my little Scamp camper. You know, I can read anywhere. I just shut everything else out and enter another world. Noise and conversation fade away.

Favorite genre?

Romance. But after several romance novels, I cleanse my palette with a thriller, then back to my romances.

Do you loan your books?

Yes, but I’m careful who I lend to. If they are some of my favorites, I only lend them to certain friends…with the promise I’ll get them back.

Favorite book to recommend?

I think we all pick our favorite authors. I would recommend books from any of my favorite authors. LaVyrle Spencer is a favorite author and I would highly recommend any of her books. She is retired, but her books were great. And for a change of genre, I’d recommend any John D. McDonald books. Unfortunately, he’s deceased, but his work lives on. I’d recommend Nora Roberts, but I’m not a real fan of her J.D. Robb books. I read some Danielle Steel and would recommend the few I’ve read. I’d recommend Sandra Brown, too.

How do you keep your books organized?

My office is also my library. I have several bookcases full to the brim of books. I try to organize them by author, but I get pushed for time, and they get out of order as I grab one.

Re-reader or not?

Sometimes I re-read but not by choice. I read so fast, I can re-read without realizing I’ve read this before until I’m into the first few chapters. Usually, I finish it. I don’t really like to re-read a book.

What would make you not finish a book?

If it had torture or cruelty, in it or if it was sad. I don’t read animal books because so many of them are sad. I like happy-ever-after reads. I wouldn’t read a book against Christianity or if it were about witchcraft, or devil worship. Love my romances.

Keep books or give them away?

I keep them. The quick read paperbacks by unknown authors I give away unless the book touched me in some way. My books become friends and I need to be surrounded by them. I’m happiest in their company.


READ THE BLURB

Callie Collins, a proud woman in the late 1800’s is a liar and a darned good one, a master of the dubious art. She is also a dreamer. Her greatest hope is to reach a new life in South Pass City Wyoming, where she can open a bakery and live an independent life. To be successful, she will need her greatest gifts of deception to date. As a woman alone, she has to prove to Seth McCalister, the wagon master, that she has the wherewithal (a wagon and a set of oxen), the stamina to survive months of drought, dust, hardships and even risk of death, and a mythical fiancé who waits at the end of the line. McCallister is uneasy, but also mystified by the audacity and determination of the young woman. He allows her to join the train west. What he doesn’t realize is there is no fiancé. To make matters worse, Callie is in love with Seth McCallister, too. For the first time, the lies that have brought her so far in life threaten to keep her from her one, true love. McCallister is a man of strong character and Callie feels certain that once he realizes her deception, he’ll turn away, ashamed of his love and trust in her.

MEET THE AUTHOR

I live in Colorado with my husband and my two Yorkie kid dogs: Stormy, four pounds, and Eli, six pounds. I’m a native of Colorado, but I’ve lived several years in Wyoming and Montana. I draw from these beautiful states for most of my books. My historical romances are: Montana Star, Sapphire Blue, Unconquerable Callie, and Wyoming Heather. Tears In The Wind is a contemporary romance. I have just contracted for another historical romance, One Shingle To Hang. It will be published fall of 2014. Then I changed genres from my beloved romances and wrote, under the pen name of D. M. Woods, my first suspense/thriller: Death Crosses The Finish Line. The second book in this ‘death’ series, Death Is A Habit, came out January 8th, this year. I am currently working on the third book in the ‘death’ series, Death Walks C Dock. I am also working on another historical romance, Montana Man. Truly, I mean it when I say my greatest pleasure next to writing is having my books read and enjoyed. There are many more stories just waiting to be written.

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Straight Chatting from the Library: DeAnn Smallwood

A special welcome to DeAnn Smallwood who has stopped by The Library to tell us about her characters' careers. Leave a comment or ask a question to be entered into a drawing for a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card. You can also see the other stops on her tour here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/10/virtual-nbtm-tour-wyoming-heather-by.html.

Read the Guest Blog

Character Careers: Why what they do shows who they are When I retired from being a health care administrator, I went through months of not knowing who I was. Sounds crazy, huh? But I wasn’t DeAnn Smallwood. I was, and had been for seventeen years, DeAnn Smallwood, Administrator. What I did identified who I was. You have to, or at least I did, dig to find the real you buried beneath the career. The same is true of my characters. Before I start a new book, the idea comes to me to write about a doctor, midwife, lawyer, teacher, or rancher. Then I explore the career and voila out comes the character.

In Wyoming Heather, my character, Heather, is first and foremost a rancher. She is also a woman, a desirable woman. However, that is secondary to her love for her ranch, her animals, and her determination to succeed as a woman alone in this male dominated arena. In chapter 2 you can see Heather struggling with being both woman and rancher. But you can also see her pride in who she is.

Heather brushed the dirt from the front of her pants. Rising, she gave the rope a practiced jerk and freed the calf’s hoofs, releasing the bawling animal to find its mother. Her mouth was dry, her clothes filthy. She was wearing not only the dust of the land, but hair and blood from the calves she’d spent the morning branding. Hair, blood, and dust.

Some perfume, she thought with disdain. I’m a real lady.

Still, a part of her burst with pride as she surveyed the small herd of calves and cows milling in the field.

Heather is strong and will need a strong man who can not only love her, but also love and admire her strength. Whip Johnson is just the man who can do this. He’s a former Texas Ranger who has spent the last five years hunting the man who killed his wife. A Texas Ranger with a broken past who meets the woman that will change his future.

They meet on the banks of the Powder River. A river that runs through a ranch that Whip turned his back on five years ago. Heather has been diverting water from Whip’s land to hers. Needless to say, they clash:

“Doesn’t matter.” Heather walked over to the man, slamming her sweat-stained hat down over the mass of auburn curls framing her face. Her hazel eyes shot green sparks as she narrowed them at the tall cowboy. “Like I said, doesn’t matter. I need the water and you don’t. The little bit I’m diverting won’t matter one little bit to you. Not one damn little bit!”

“Who are you, lady? You dress like a man, you talk like a man, and if you just hadn’t had a bath in that river, I’d bet you’d smell like a man.”

Their love for ranching, blossoms into love for each other. Two strong people formed by their chosen careers. Whip treasures this determined woman and delights in teasing her and letting her think he’s bending to her will. His favorite response to her is a drawled: “Well now, Heather.”

He cushioned her body with his as he rode back to his ranch. Tears formed in his eyes as the realization of how close he’d come to losing this woman that held his heart and his reason for being. He tenderly brushed his lips across her forehead.

I love writing about strong characters that made their careers vital to carving out a life in the harsh and unforgiving west. I hope you’ll enjoy Wyoming Heather and see that heather and love does flourish on the Wyoming plains. MEET THE AUTHOR

I live in Colorado with my husband and my two Yorkie kid dogs: Stormy, four pounds, and Eli, six pounds. I’m a native of Colorado, but I lived several years in Wyoming and Montana. I draw from these beautiful states for much of my material. My historical romances are: Montana Star, Sapphire Blue, Unconquerable Callie, and Wyoming Heather. Tears In The Wind is a contemporary romance. Then I changed genres from my beloved romances and wrote, under the pen name of D. M. Woods, my first suspense/thriller: Death Crosses The Finish Line. The second book in this ‘death’ series, Death Is A Habit, will be out later this year. Truly, I mean it when I say my greatest pleasure next to writing is having my books read and enjoyed. There are many more stories just waiting to be written and enjoyed.

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READ THE BLURB

Heather is a spirited, independent woman living alone on a ranch left to her by her parents. She is also a healer of animals, domestic and wild. A woman doing a man's work, running a ranch that everyone said couldn't be done, not in this untamed, vastly unsettled land, in the mid 1800's. The ranch had everything she needed except water. She stole that from a neighboring abandoned ranch watched over by a lonely cabin and a grave.

He rode alone, coming back after five years to an empty cabin, a run-down ranch, and a grave on a hill. A former Texas Ranger burnt out on life and afraid to love. Whip had spent five years hunting the man that took his wife's life and left him to die.

Whip and Heather meet in an explosive moment on the banks of the Powder River. Both lonely, both drawn to one another, and both stubbornly fighting the attraction.

Whip vowed he would take up his dream abandoned five years ago and make his beloved ranch profit and to put aside the sweet linger of all memories shared by him and his wife. The ranch would be a jealous mistress occupying his every thought and every minute. He had no time or desire for a woman much less a pair of runaways from The Orphan Train, stowaways in Whip’s wagon and onto the Powder River Ranch.

But fate heeds no one or no thing. The criminal from Whip’s past reemerges in the present. Now, Heather is in danger and Whip stand, once again on the cusp of loss. Fate shows a strong, willful woman, full of love and compassion, just what she’s been missing in her life. And it shows a calloused Texas Ranger that Heather and love does flourish on the Wyoming plains.

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