Fresh Book Friday: The Complete Owen Family Saga

There's so much going on out my way, that I don't really know where to start. I guess Fresh Book Friday is a good Starting Place.

Title: The Complete Owen Family Saga
Author: Marsha Ward
Genre: Civil War and Western Historical Fiction
POD Publication Date: April 28, 2017
Promotional Price: $24.95

Purchase Links: CreateSpace | Amazon 

Book Description:
Marsha Ward did not write the five novels of The Owen Family Saga in order, but there is definitely an optimal reading order, and here it is in one grand box set collection.

The Complete Owen Family Saga is a chronological ordering for optimal reading pleasure and understanding of the five novels within: Gone for a Soldier, The Man from Shenandoah, Spinster's Folly, Ride to Raton, and Trail of Storms.

The Owen Family is headed by Rod Owen, with his wife Julia at his side to hand him a daily dose of love and humility. Their sons and daughters are fun-loving and a bit rowdy, but intensely loyal to God, Virginia, and family. Not even the Civil War and its hardships can quell their spirits, but in quiet times, the losses seem overwhelming.

Join Rod and Julia Owen, their sons, daughters, and neighbors in Colorado Territory and beyond for action, adventure and romance in 19th Century America.

Author's Note:
This box set was first published as an ebook collection, but I was persuaded that some people might like the set in print. Here it is, all 798 pages of it.

The Promotional Price will increase to the Regular Price of $34.95 on June 1, so get the collection while you can at a discount of over $50.00 off the cost of the novels purchased individually.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In other news, Western Stories: Four Tales of the West is now available in both ebook and print, with a brand new cover:

Purchase Links: Print: CreateSpace | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | E-Books: Smashwords (all formats) | Kindle | NOOK | Kobo | Apple iTunes Bookstore

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In addition, I'm in the process of changing the cover for Spinster's Folly due to re-numbering issues with the original print cover that I couldn't overcome. I hope you will like it when it trickles down through the system:

In the next few days I'll have a brand new book for writers available! Keep watch for THE CHECKLIST: Indie Publishing My Way.

New Reading Order for Owen Family Saga?

by Marsha Ward @MarshaWard

July was such a stressful month. Some of the stress was bad and some was good. I'm just very happy to have survived it!

* I've been mulling over a re-vamp of the suggested order of reading the books of the Owen Family Saga. I'll let you know my thoughts on order below, then you can tell me YOUR thoughts.

* The first step of doing a re-order would be to go into the back end at Kindle and change the book number designations on the five books so they would show up on Amazon with a new order.

* The second thing to do (at my leisure, as I don't want to take away from writing time and effort) is remove all references to book number on the ebook covers, just in case I change my mind and want to change to some other order. Sheesh!

* That's simple enough to do for THE MAN FROM SHENANDOAH, RIDE TO RATON, and TRAIL OF STORMS. GONE FOR A SOLDIER already gives only the series title. I would have to contact the designer of the cover of SPINSTER'S FOLLY to take the book number off and send me revised covers.

* Some of the paperback covers never were numbered, fortunately. I can do new covers for a couple of them, but SPINSTER'S FOLLY, as I said above, requires contacting the designer.

Here's the reading order I've been thinking about:

1. Gone for a Soldier

2. The Man from Shenandoah

3. Spinster's Folly

4. Ride to Raton

5. Trail of Storms

If you've read them all, or even only a few of them, what do YOU think about changing to this new suggested reading order?

Sample Saturday - Book 4

In Spinster's Folly, Book 4 of The Owen Family Saga, Marie Owen is fearful of becoming an old maid (aka spinster), due to the lack of suitable men in her new neighborhood, She has convinced her father that he should make a match for her with someone, and he has decided to do it.
~~~

The night before Pa trailed his beef cows to the Cuchara, Marie tossed and turned. Jule elbowed her once, then went back into slumberland, but Marie’s mind seemed to bubble with imaginings like a pot boiling over on a too-hot stove. It wouldn’t allow her the relief of sleep.

She wondered whether she dreaded or anticipated the next few days. If Pa liked Tom’s prospects and proposed to add him to the family, the young man’s reaction would play a big part in Marie’s future. He might have given up thinking about Ellen by now. He might accept Pa’s suggestion with enthusiasm. He might jump into making and carrying out plans for a wedding and a life together. On the other hand, he might have no notion of marrying her, and his disinclination could doom her to spinsterhood.

Who else was there for her to marry? She lay very still, searching every nook and cranny of her brain for prospects. She’d seen the Dominguez brothers several times when they stopped by to water their horses on their way to Pueblo Town or back. Patricio and Enrique Dominguez cut blazingly romantic figures, with their wide-brimmed hats and differently-styled clothes, their teeth-flashing smiles and flirtatious comments. She thought the pair of them was tremendously exciting. Given the chance, which one would she choose to wed?

After thinking on the exotic brothers for a time, she sighed and discarded the wild idea of being courted by such a man, knowing Pa was dead set against any marriage in that direction. That left her with a suitor pool made up of Tom Morgan, grubby freighters from Pueblo Town, hard rock miners from the north and the west, or her father’s cowhands.

Tom had his distinctions. Despite being a farmer, he washed his hands before eating and wore fresh clothing to social events. He kept his medium brown hair trimmed above his collar, and it was never greasy. He had his moments of merriment, but he’d always treated her with respect. Or maybe it was diffidence.

Marie turned on her side, and let her mind examine that topic. Tom had never sought her out as an object of courtship, although she now suspected his pa and her own had intended for some years for them to marry one day. She and Tom, though, had never discussed marrying. Never once.
~~~

Is the law of unintended consequences in play? Will Marie regret pressuring Pa to act? To find out, read Spinster's Folly.

Spinster's Folly: Book 4 - in print and ebook formats
Print: CreateSpace | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | ebooks: Smashwords all formats | Kindle | nook | Kobo | iTunes Bookstore 

You may purchase an autographed print copy at this site. 

Sample Saturday - October 4, 2014

Welcome to Sample Saturday. First, a shoutout to my late father, O. G. Williams, who was the best storyteller ever! Today is his birthday. This week's sample shows the interaction of several women in a stressful situation. It's from my award-winning novel, Spinster's Folly.
~~~ 

Julia stopped stirring the pot hanging over the fire and returned to her seat. Gripping one hand with the other, she set her mouth and waited, her head inclined so she could see an area on the floor about fifteen inches in front of her shoes.

“It won’t do to fret, Julia,” Elizabeth said. “If Mr. Morgan catches up to them today, we’ll know by nightfall.”

“Leave her be, Lizzie.” Muriel Bates stood from her chair and went to Julia’s side, gave her a pat on the shoulder, then turned to remonstrate with Elizabeth, whose face had turned ashen. “Yes, you know I call you 'Lizzie' whenever I’ve a mind to. This is one of those times when a body ought to be allowed to fret all she wants, and I’ll stand here and tell you so to your face.”

“Well! I never heard the like in all my days! I’ve a mind to get in my wagon and go home, if this is the treatment I can expect hereabouts.”

“You know you’re blowing hot air, dearie. You’ve never hitched up a team in your life. Mind your manners and leave Julia to have as many dark thoughts as she’s willing to bear.”

“You really are being dreadful to her, Muriel,” Julia said, not moving a muscle beyond those necessary to talk. “I grieve in the open. Elizabeth hides her feelings behind charitable acts.”

“Charitable acts? Pshaw!” Muriel strode to the fireplace and stirred the pot. Then she rounded on Elizabeth again. “I don’t blame the girl for running off when her expectations were wrapped up in living her life under your thumb.”

“Stop it, Muriel!” Julia arose and felt her cheeks burning. “I don’t reckon quarreling will help me or you or Elizabeth abide the waitin’ with any hope of decorum or calm. It’s not your dog in this fight, much as I value your friendship and good sense.” Seeing Muriel’s crestfallen countenance, she took two steps and folded her in a tight embrace. “Oh, you know I mean you no ill will. I do need all the peace I can muster.” As the gravity of the night’s events overcame her again, she dropped her arms from around her friend and moaned, her voice breaking, “My girl. My girl! Will I ever see you again?” Her shoulders slumped and her head hung forward. “Please, pray with me.”

A voice came from the doorway. “I will join you. It is but the least thing I can do for you, Julia.”

Julia turned and saw Amanda Hilbrands coming toward her, and she swiped at her eyes. “Yes. Thank you. Ladies, please pray for my girl, and for my wounded boy, for that matter. And for Lizzie’s boy. His feelin’s must be mighty raw, Marie treatin’ him thataway.”
~~~

Thank you for visiting. Stay tuned for information about the Blog Book Tour that I'm having from October 6 through 12.

Click the "My Books" tab at the top of the page for more information about my books and short stories, including the newest story, Happy Halloween. Purchase links are included. The "Special Collections" tab includes information and links to my novella, Faith and the Foreman, and a short story in the Owenverse, Bloodied Leather, which gives a glimpse into the future of the Owen Family. Don't forget to come back next Saturday for another sample of my writing.

Bestselling author Marsha Ward wrote the novella, Faith and the Foreman, in the Timeless Romance Anthology Old West Collection. She is the author of an acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. Book 4, Spinster's Folly, won the 2013 USA Best Book Award for Western Fiction, and recently was named Finalist in Western Fiction in the 2014 International Book Awards. A former journalist, Ward has published over 900 articles, columns, poems and short stories. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association, a.k.a. ANWA.

Facebook | Twitter | marshaward.com

Welcome News about Spinster's Folly

I woke up this morning all ready to finish the build/assembly for my computer desk, but first I had to check my email.

That's when I saw this:

"Congratulations!

"The results of the 2014 International Book Awards have been announced.

"Your book has been honored as a "Finalist" in the "Fiction: Western" category."

"Your book" is my novel, Spinster's Folly, which now has received recognition in three different Literary Award programs.

It was a Finalist in Historical Fiction in the 2012 Whitney Awards;

It was the Winner in Western Fiction in the USA Best Books Awards for 2013;

And now, it's a Finalist in Western Fiction in the 2014 International Book Awards.

Okay, exclamation point time: !!!!!!!!!

Thank you. That felt good.

Needless to say, my plans for the day were slightly derailed (can anything be "slightly" derailed?). It's been another publicity day, spreading the word about my incredible good fortune!

I'm feelin' good!

Madcap Monday - May 5, 2014 - Mother's Day Sale!

It's Madcap Monday!

Happy Cinco de Mayo, for all my American friends who celebrate it. NOT Mexican Independence Day, BTW. That's September 16th.

Announcements, announcements, announcements!

Spinster's Folly, by Marsha Ward

All this week (which begins with Cinco de Mayo - the 5th of May), I'm having a Special E-Book Sale in honor of our Mothers.

The electronic book version of Spinster's Folly is on sale all week long for 99¢. Yes, you read that correctly:

99 cents!

When I was fashioning this sale, I wondered which of my novels was most appropriately tied to Mothers, and determined that Spinster's Folly fits the bill. Some of the scenes show Marie and Julia Owen interacting, some show Julia's anxiety over her daughter, and some show Marie's anxiety over her parent's reaction to her choices. Perfect!

Go to Amazon or Smashwords to get your copy (or your gift copy for your mom, yes?) of the Winner of the 2013 USA Best Books Award for Western Fiction, Spinster's Folly, for the rock-bottom price of 99 cents!

Here's a description, and some kind words a top bunch of Western authors said about Spinster's Folly:

Winner of the 2013 USA Best Books Award for Western Fiction.

Marie Owen yearns for a loving husband, but Colorado Territory is long on rough characters and short on fitting suitors, so a future of spinsterhood seems more likely than wedded bliss. Her best friend says cowboy Bill Henry is a likely candidate, but Marie knows her class-conscious father would not allow such a pairing. When she challenges her father to find her a suitable husband before she becomes a spinster, he arranges a match with a neighbor's son. Then Marie discovers Tom Morgan would be an unloving, abusive mate and his mother holds a grudge against the Owen family. Marie's mounting despair at the prospect of being trapped in such a dismal marriage drives her into the arms of a sweet-talking predator, landing her in unimaginable dangers. This fourth book in the Owen Family saga is infused with potent heart and intense grit.

"When Marsha Ward presents the reader with a new book about the Owen family, you can bet it will rivet your interest all the way to the end. You can’t help but become totally immersed in the character’s lives. Spinster’s Folly features oldest daughter Marie, afraid that at eighteen she’s already on the shelf, and only too eager to be wed. Her trouble, and trouble it is, comes in selecting the right man. Charming and earthy, Spinster’s Folly is a grand addition to the Owen’s saga." 
~C.K.Crigger, author of the China Bohannon historical mystery series

"If you want accurate time and place, wonderful lexicon of the time, and a touching, compelling read, don't miss Marsha Ward's Spinster's Folly."
~L. J. Martin, author of Nemesis and other western novels

"The harrowing experiences in early-day Colorado of 18-year-old spinster, Marie Owen, the result of her simple wish for a husband, held me spellbound from start to finish. I couldn't put the book down. An incredible story, Spinster's Folly is one of the best women's novels of the west I've had the pleasure to read. Ever!"
~Irene Bennett Brown, award-winning author of Before the Lark; the Women of Paragon Springs series and Celia Landrey Mysteries.

"Frustrated by her pending arranged marriage to a callous farm boy and confused by feelings for a cowboy in her father’s employ, Marie Owen falls into the arms of a smooth-talking city man whose intentions are anything but honorable. Too late, she realizes her folly and hope fades as the abusive kidnapper she thought she loved drags her far away from home and family. But the cowboy, Bill Henry, follows her cold trail, fighting weariness and weather in a determined effort to save Marie and her reputation. In Spinster’s Folly, author Marsha Ward spins a suspenseful, fast-paced tale of undeclared love, cowardly deception, and gallant heroism."
~Rod Miller, Spur Award-winning author

"With a great sense of time and place, crackerjack dialogue and rich characters, Marsha Ward delivers Spinster's Folly, a romance, Western and historical novel rolled into one—and one fun read."
~Johnny D. Boggs, six-time Spur Award-winning author of Camp Ford and Legacy of a Lawman

Holy Week (Semana Santa) Contest

In commemoration of the events that changed the world 2000-odd years ago, I'm holding a

HOLY WEEK CONTEST

which begins today (Palm Sunday) and ends at noon on Monday, April 21 (Easter Monday in Canada). The prize for the

HOLY WEEK CONTEST

is an autographed copy of one of my Owen Family Saga novels, The Man from Shenandoah, Ride to Raton, Trail of Storms, or Spinster's Folly.

If the winner is not from the United States, I will email him or her instructions for downloading a free copy of the novel of their choice as an e-book. They then can go to Authorgraph.com and put in a request for a digital autograph (or they can do it from the gadget over in the left sidebar).

Each person who follows the rules below and comments on this post with the desired information will have his or her name placed in my ten-gallon contest-drawing hat. The winner's name will be drawn from the hat on Easter Monday, April 21, at 12:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (because, you know, I live in Arizona).

Here are the Rules: 

1. Think about the novels you have read from the Owen Family Saga. 
2. Determine which is your favorite character.
3. Figure out why they are your favorite character.
4. Comment on this post and tell me who that character is and why he or she is your favorite.
5. Tell which book you want autographed and sent to you if you win.
6. Include your email address for winner notification.
7. You may only enter the HOLY WEEK CONTEST one time (but see the Bonus Rules below).

Bonus Rules:

• If you also include in your comment which book made you like this character best, I will put your name into the hat a second time.
• If you include a favorite passage from one of the novels that is no longer than three paragraphs long and is pertinent to why you like your favorite character, I will put your name into the hat a third time.

Remember: This contest starts today and runs through Monday, April 21. Each commenter may enter only one time, as you know, favorite is favorite, after all... even if your opinion of your favorite character will change next time you re-read one of the Owen Family Saga novels... or read the next one, Gone for a Soldier, coming later this summer.

Good luck to all of you!

Saturday Sample - April 5, 2014

Welcome back to my Saturday Sample. In today's brief scene from Spinster's Folly, Bill Henry is on the hunt, but he's also getting discouraged by circumstances beyond his control.
~~~

Old Man Owen was as good as Rulon’s word, Bill reflected as he saddled up by lantern light. He had no pocket watch, and could only guess at the hour, but from the aching in his limbs, he figured he hadn’t slept very long. Midnight, maybe? It could be later, but he was sure it wasn’t nigh on to dawn.

His horse was just about played out, as were the other mounts. The thought that they couldn’t go at the speed he would have liked galled him. There was nothing he could do about the situation. Thorne was getting away from them.

“Steady there,” Sourdough spoke from behind him.

Bill thought he was talking to his horse, but when the man’s hand settled on his shoulder, he knew the advice was for him.

He glanced around, and yes, the old-timer was looking at him.

“I know you’re in a rough spot, Henry. Keep in mind, the girl has spunk.”

~~~

Buy Spinster's Folly here:
Print: CreateSpace | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

E-books: Smashwords all formats | Kindle | nook | Kobo | iTunes Bookstore

Bill's friend Sourdough is trying to keep Bill's spirits up. How do you think Bill is going to react to his efforts? How would you try to encourage a friend during a tough time? When a friend has tried to cheer you up, how did you react?

I hope you enjoyed this tidbit from Spinster's Folly. Thank you for visiting. I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I eventually read what you write and will reply, if needed. Questions? I'm open to them, too.

Please come back next Saturday for another sample. Thank you!

Marsha Ward is the award-winning author of an acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. Her latest book, Spinster's Folly, won the 2013 USA Best Book Award for Western Fiction. A former journalist, Ward has published over 900 articles, columns, poems and short stories. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association aka ANWA.

Facebook | Twitter | marshaward.com

Saturday Sample - March 29, 2014

Welcome back to my Saturday Sample! Today's brief scene from Spinster's Folly takes place after Marie Owen has taken matters into her own hands and run away with a man who seems to love her.
~~~

Within an hour, Marie was thirsty, and leaned over the pommel to retrieve her canteen. Not knowing how long Mr. Thorne had it in mind to travel that night, she took only a shallow sip of water. That served to refresh her though, and she continued to follow the man ahead of her on the moonlit road.

Finding herself yawning, Marie closed her eyes for a moment and let Bess follow the other horse. The gentle gait of her mount soon had her fighting to stay awake.

She must have slept, because the next time she opened her eyes, the moon had risen higher in the sky than it had been before. The flat landscape, broken by the occasional stream bed and butte, glistened here and there where minerals lay exposed on the earth. Marie gave herself a little shake as she endeavored to awaken, but soon, she was nodding in concert with the horse’s easy movement.

Bill Henry soon joined her, in a dream so vivid that she might have said his name in her surprise. He talked of her Pa’s heavy-handed ways, and Marie could only nod vigorously, given the recent events that had caused her such grief. He lifted his hat and raked back his hair, and then reseated the head gear. Suddenly, she was rebuking him for calling her foolish. The light in his eyes faded and his expression grew guarded. His grave voice echoed in her mind, “I didn’t mean you, I didn’t mean you, I didn’t mean you.”

The next thing she knew, Marie opened her eyes to find Mr. Thorne standing beside her stirrup, shaking her shoulder and muttering her name.

“Come on, wake up. I don’t have all night to stand here.”

Marie pulled away at the frank irritation in her lover’s voice, straightening her torso from her sleepy crouch. Guilt at dreaming of another man at the very onset of her elopement made her cautious, and she replied tersely, “I’m awake. Are we camping here?” Did I speak his name aloud? Did Mr. Thorne hear? Did I upset him?

“No. We’ll rest the horses for a spell, then travel along for a while longer.” The irritation had left his voice, and he smiled at Marie. “I apologize for being short with you. I fear I’m not at my best tonight. It must be nerves from the anticipation of having trouble getting away.” He helped her dismount, then continued. “I must say, I’m vastly relieved that no one was about to stop us from leaving.”

Marie nodded, feeling a release of her anxiety, and smiled back. “I reckon I’m a bit unsettled myself. It was quite unnerving riding between the camps. I feared a dog would bark and set up an alarm.”

“We’ve had luck on our side tonight. That is sure.” He kissed her on the brow, gently, tenderly, briefly.

Marie yearned for a further expression of affection from the man, but Mr. Thorne took himself away to tend to the horses. She found a suitable place on the ground to sit and rest, a hummock of earth crowned by a sparse grassy growth, and lowered herself onto it. She reminded herself that she must bridle her passions, as the Bible counseled, until she was a married woman. When that moment came, she could enjoy all the expressions of affection with which Mr. Thorne chose to favor her.
~~~

Buy Spinster's Folly here:
Print: CreateSpace | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

E-books: Smashwords all formats | Kindle | nook | Kobo | iTunes Bookstore

Why do you think Marie would elope with a man she had known for only a short time? What kind of marriage relationship is Marie likely to find with Mr. Thorne? When humans feel unloved, what kinds of misadventures might they get themselves into?

I hope you enjoyed this tidbit from Spinster's Folly. Thank you for visiting. I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I eventually read what you write and will reply, if needed. Questions? I'm open to them, too.

Please come back next Saturday for another sample. Thank you!

Marsha Ward is the award-winning author of the acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. Her latest book, Spinster's Folly, won the 2013 USA Best Book Award for Western Fiction. A former journalist, Ward has published over 900 articles, columns, poems and short stories. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association aka ANWA.

Facebook | Twitter | marshaward.com

Saturday Sample - March 22, 2014

Welcome back to my Saturday Sample! Today's brief scene from Spinster's Folly takes place after Marie Owen's father has made arrangements for her to marry a neighbor youth, Tom, after which she discovers that Tom has little interest in her as a life partner. His comments made her believe he agreed to the match for the intimate benefits.
~~~

Pa selected a campsite along the river, in a spot that lay between two fields of Mr. Morgan’s corn.

Marie didn’t particularly want to speak to anyone while the bitter memory of Tom’s behavior sat in the front parlor of her mind. She busied herself with the camp chores, building a fire, cooking a meal, and preparing a pot of beans for their dinner on the journey home.

She thought work was enough of a barrier to keep her family from talking to her, but Pa sat himself beside her while she cleaned the dishes.

“Daughter,” he began. “Did you and young Tom get your plans laid out?” He ran his hand through his beard for a moment, then added, “You were gone a long spell, so I went to seek you out. I found only the boy down at the river, chucking stones into the water.”

She swiped the tin plate in her hand with her dishrag, watching it go around and around, until she almost felt dizzy. Words had abandoned her. What could she dare tell Pa about Tom’s actions and words, his impious suggestions? Although Pa was her father, he was also a man. From the nighttime giggles she’d heard coming from below the loft, she guessed that he and Ma still had carnal relations, even though it was unlikely they wanted more children.

When she realized her father’s gaze upon her had lingered long enough to turn into an inspection, she swallowed a couple of times to raise a bit of moisture in her dry throat, but her voice still sounded like a strangled cat when she said, “We had some talk, then I went to tend to Bess.”

“Tom was a mite closemouthed. You and he didn’t flaunt the conventions, did you?”

“No!” she denied, a bit more sharply than she would have wished. “I’m a proper girl.”

Pa looked at her a long time, his gray eyes seeming to read her soul. Then he nodded and got to his feet. “I reckon your ma brought you up right.” He reached out and patted her on the shoulder. “Get to sleep. We have a long trip home.”
~~~

Buy Spinster's Folly here:
Print: CreateSpace | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

E-books: Smashwords all formats | Kindle | nook | Kobo | iTunes Bookstore

Why do you think Marie is so upset by Tom's view of her as an object to be enjoyed? She goaded her father to make her a match. Is she bound to accept the one he arranged if it doesn't meet her expectations for a happy union? Should she "settle" merely to avoid spinsterhood?

I hope you enjoyed this tidbit from Spinster's Folly. Thank you for visiting. I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I eventually read what you write and will reply, if needed. Questions? I'm open to them, too.

Please come back next Saturday for another sample. Thank you!

Marsha Ward is the award-winning author of the acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. Her latest book, Spinster's Folly, won the 2013 USA Best Book Award for Western Fiction. A former journalist, Ward has published over 900 articles, columns, poems and short stories. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association aka ANWA.

Facebook | Twitter | marshaward.com

Saturday Sample - March 15, 2014

Welcome back to my Saturday Sample! Today I'm giving you a tidbit from Chapter 2 of Spinster's Folly, my latest published novel from the Owen Family Saga. Bill Henry realizes why he has become reluctant to leave Colorado and return to his ranch in Texas.
~~

He’s gone and done it, Bill Henry thought as he saddled a horse the next morning. Defied his pa and gone off. He’s got more gumption than I thought he did.

Bill swung into the saddle, gathered the reins, and clucked to his mount, a frisky dun mustang, one of the horses Mr. Owen had bought in Texas. The animal frog-jumped and bucked for a few minutes, but Bill stuck tight and waited out the horse’s temper tantrum. The dun would settle down soon and carry him through the morning without further complaint.

Yes, James Owen had sand, he had to give him that. Who else around here was willing to go toe-to-toe and have it out with the fearsome Rod Owen? Nobody else he could name, including himself.

The dun gave a final crow-hop, then stood quiet, waiting for guidance. Bill crossed his wrists, rested them on the saddle horn, and gave himself up to a moment of reverie.

He was no coward, but he had no reason to butt heads with the Old Man, because he didn’t hanker to leave Colorado Territory at this time. He’d given his word that he’d teach the Owen men the cattle business. Even though he was without kin in this place, it suited him fine to light here a while, there being no work for him in Texas.

Besides, if I head back now, I’ll never see Miss Marie again.

There it was, finally, the hitherto unspoken reason for staying. He smoothed his moustache as he contemplated his situation. The Owen boys had caught on to every cattle-handling trick he’d taught them much faster than he’d supposed they would. Nothing kept him here beyond that obligation. Except . . . I don’t want to leave her.

Bill exhaled. Now the big bear had been flushed into the open, so to speak, and he had to face it or turn tail and run. He’d not ever admitted to himself that in the few short weeks since he’d arrived in Colorado Territory, he had grown mighty fond of the pretty, dark-haired daughter of his boss. Now he let himself acknowledge that he had grown serious feelings for the sprightly miss. Truth was, he’d taken to being on hand when she rode out each morning to exercise her horse. That way he had a glimpse of her to carry in his thoughts throughout the long hours he spent dealing with slab-sided cattle.

No point in avoiding reality. Marie Owen was the reason he was willing to stay on in this unnaturally green land beneath the mountain.

He whispered her name and smiled so broadly that his moustache tickled his cheeks. The very sound, Marie, had a sort of music in it.
~~

What makes a man fall in love? Women have pondered that question through all the generations of time. Let's ask the menfolk: What attracted you to your special lady? Was it the way she walked? The slow smile, the air of wistfulness, or the gumption she showed? Let us know which traits did that number on you.

I hope you enjoyed this tidbit from Spinster's Folly. Thank you for visiting. I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I eventually read what you write and will reply, if needed. Questions? I'm open to them, too.

Please come back next Saturday for another sample. Thank you!

Marsha Ward is the award-winning author of the acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. Her latest book, Spinster's Folly, won the 2013 USA Best Book Award for Western Fiction. A former journalist, Ward has published over 900 articles, columns, poems and short stories. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association aka ANWA.

Facebook | Twitter | marshaward.com