Zina Abbott's Blog

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

Mail-Order Barber

Mail-Order Husbands-Hopeful Husbands, Book 29

by Zina Abbott 

 

...“Excuse me, sir, but do you mind if I take a quick look at your newspaper?”

          The man spun around and eyed Bairdlike he was something found at the bottom of a trash barrel. “Not finished withit yet.”

          “I’m not asking to have it. If youdon’t mind, I’d like to read a few headlines to see if it would be worthwhileto buy my own copy.” Baird pushed his spectacles higher on his nose.

          The man’s gaze shifted from Baird’seyeglasses, to the shirt he wore that needed a good scrubbing, to the glass ofsarsaparilla. “Yeah, you can take a look-see until I’m ready to go. Just makesure you don’t walk off with it.”

          “Thanks.” Baird picked up thenewssheet and began to peruse the headlines. Like most editions he’d read, theadvertisements were intermingled among the articles—as if the editor used themto fill the empty spaces in each column. He turned the paper to the insidepages and then took another sip of the drink that reminded him of licorice andmanaged to be both sweet and bitter at the same time.

          “Look for the advert for a barber totake over a shop. Too high an asking price, as far as I’m concerned.” The manon the opposite side of Baird chuckled as he tapped the paper. Then he lifted afull glass of beer to his lips.

          Annoyed about the man possibly tearingor wrinkling the borrowed newspaper—which might cause trouble with the owner—Bairdturned toward him with a furrowed brow. Then the words struck his awareness. Barber to take over a shop? “What do youmean, too high of a price?”

          “What I said.” The man drank anotherswig of his beer. “From what I recollect, a barber up in Columbia got himselfkilled about a month ago. My guess is, the advert is by the widow looking for anew husband.” He turned to look Baird full in the face. “You remember that? Itwas all the talk for a week or so. Wasn’t even his fight. Now, I couldunderstand someone trying to hold the gent up while he still had his deposit onhim. But, he was walking home from the assay office and the bank when he gotcaught in the crossfire.”

          “First I’ve heard about it. I don’tget to town all that often.” Baird turned his gaze back to the page. “Now she’sadvertising for a new husband?” He began to focus on the smaller advertisements,the ones that looked like personals.

          “Yep. Got to be able to cut hair,though. Either that, or if a man’s a silver-tongued devil, maybe he canconvince her she don’t need a barber to remarry. Me, I don’t like the partsabout it being a marriage of convenience and her already having a brat.”

          “Most widows do already have a childor two.” As he searched, Baird tamped down his annoyance at the man’sself-serving attitude. He finally found it at the bottom of the second page. Heread it twice. “Reputable widow withchild…” He wondered how old the child was. For that matter, how old was thewidow? She could be twenty-five, or she could be forty. “…marriage of convenience to last up to ten years…” He blinked. That is enough to make a man pause.

          Like many men who had not allowedtheir character and sense of morals to sink to that less than most animals, if Bairdever did wed, he preferred a fully committed marriage with a family-mindedwife—not one who planned to end things within a matter of years.

          Baird continued reading. “…must be willing to train widow’s son tosomeday take over his father’s barber business.” He shook his head. Ifthere was any part of that advertisement designed to make the entire prospectunappealing, that was it. Why on earth would any man wish to work at a businesshe did not own—would not even eventually own—in order to train someone’s son toone day take over?

          “That there advert, it’s a right hoot, ain’t it?” The saloon patron on Baird’s right offered another chuckle. “Newwidow or not, can’t believe some woman was addlebrained enough to put out anoffer like that.”

          Baird turned in time to see the manshake his head as he lifted his beer glass to his lips. “I don’t know that sheis the one who placed the advertisement in the newspaper. It ends with 'Interested parties please respond to M.Delaney, Esq., Columbia Post Office.' Isn’t e-s-q short for esquire, thetitle lawyers call themselves by?”

          The beer-drinker shrugged. “Don’tknow. Never had no use for the likes.”

          The thought did prompt Baird toconsider the advertisement in a new light. Whoever this woman was, she wasbeing guided by an attorney. He again read the requirements—including the specific manner of man—she sought forthe marriage of convenience. “…anexperienced barber in exchange for his use of established barber shop,equipment, and living quarters.” He leaned back and wiped his palm acrosshis mouth. I qualify.

 

My most recent release, Mail Order Barber,  is the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently available as an ebook for purchase or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please  CLICK HERE

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue , is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

 

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

Watch for Anthelia Yosemite Bride, coming soon. No link yet.

Christian and Clean Western Romance

Includes my own MINE OWNER’S RESCUE, A WATCHMAN FORWILLOW, and LAUREN

Please CLICK HERE 

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

Mail-Order Barber

Mail-Order Husbands-Hopeful Husbands, Book 29

by Zina Abbott 

 

           Now, that loft would become useful foranother purpose. Assuming she and Mr. Delaney could find a barber willing toagree to their terms, he could use the loft as his sleeping quarters and aplace to store his clothing and personal belongings. The potbelly stove on themain floor Edward used for heating could also provide hot water for washing andperhaps morning coffee. Other than offering for him to take his meals in thehouse with her and Tobias, Rowena could enjoy the privacy of her own home.

          “Mama! Mama! Wait up!”

          Upon hearing Tobias’s voice behindher, Rowena turned around. “Tobias! Why are you home for lunch so early?” Fistsagainst each side of her waist, she leaned slightly forward. “Did somethinghappen at school?” Please say you did notget into trouble with the teacher.

          “No. Mrs. Chamberlain let us out earlyfor lunch, Mama.” Tobias shrugged. She said the way we were all behaving, sheneeded to take a breath. Something about spring fever, but I think it was mostlyMick O’Malley mouthing off after Andy teased him about having trouble with hisreading out loud. Mick threatened Andy, said he’d catch him later and make himpay. That’s when Mrs. Chamberlain said she felt a case of the vapors coming onand told everyone but Mick and Andy to leave early for lunch.”

          “I see. To be clear, you weren’tsaying anything rude to Mick, were you?” Dropping her hands to her sides as shestraightened, Rowena pressed her chin against her neck and gave her son a pointedlook.

          “No. Well…” Tobias lowered his gaze tothe ground and scuffed the dirt at the side of the road with the toe of hisshoe. “I might have laughed. But I didn’t say anything bad to Mick. He’s twiceas big as I am, so I don’t want him to beat me up. He’s too big to be inschool, anyway.” Screwing his face into a scowl, Tobias huffed. “That’s whatAndy says. Mick already turned fourteen back in January.”

          “If he was still thirteen when hestarted eighth grade, then it does not matter when he turned fourteen. He needsto finish the school year. You will turn ten on July fifteenth, so you will be almostfourteen when you leave eighth grade.” Gently raking her fingertips through hishair, Rowena softened her tone. Smiling, she watched her son’s gaze shift sideto side while he considered her words.

          “Oh. I didn’t think of that.” Tobiaswrinkled his brow and shifted his pressed-shut lips from side to side. “All Iknow is, Mick keeps saying he sees no reason to graduate from eighth grade. Heplans to start working as a miner, just like his pa. He doesn’t need anyschooling for that.”

 

My most recent release, Mail Order Barber,  is the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently available as an ebook for purchase or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please  CLICK HERE

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue , is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

 

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

Watch for Anthelia Yosemite Bride, coming soon. No link yet.

Christian and Clean Western Romance

Includes my own MINE OWNER’S RESCUE, A WATCHMAN FORWILLOW, and LAUREN

Please CLICK HERE 

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

Mail-Order Barber

Mail-Order Husbands-Hopeful Husbands, Book 29

by Zina Abbott 

 

Columbia, California – June8, 1859

Sittingin the chair across the desk from the man who suggested she seek a new husband,Rowena Healy stared at the advertisement in the Sonora Herald. Her mind blanked out the words. Her circumstances ofthe past three-and-a-half weeks had resulted in her thoughts often straying, asthey did now. After leaning forward, she read again.

          Reputablewidow with child seeking marriage of convenience to last up to ten years withan experienced barber in exchange for his use of established shop, equipment, andliving quarters. He must be willing to train widow’s son to someday take over thebarber business.

          She had not worded the solicitation orsubmitted it to the newspaper. That had been the work of her late husband’s attorney—MarcusDelaney, Esquire. As the man Edward Healy trusted to advise him on his businessaffairs, he had been one of her first visitors after Edward’s funeral. Sighing,Rowena folded the newspaper in half with the listing visible. After running herfingers over it, she raised her palm as if to sweep across her forehead. Mindfulthat her mourning black gloves might not show any ink smudges, but they couldeasily transfer black smears to her skin, she dropped her hand in her lap. How silly for me to agree to this. Why did Iever come here? Even as the thought occurred, she knew why. She wasdesperate.

          Men were the heads of households. Asof the time they married, Edward Healy had been in legal control of theirfamily. It had not mattered that his leaving her and their child behind togallivant off to the wilds of California had never been considered or discussedprior to their wedding. Once the vows were spoken, she was bound to do as hewilled. She still recalled the dismay she experienced when Edward announced hisintention to leave their home on the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio, to find hisfortune.

          Before they married, Rowena knew he intendedto turn his back on barbering, his father’s life’s work. He refused to jockeyfor position with his brother over the eventual control of the family businessonce their father passed. However, not long after their son entered the world, Edwardannounced he did not like being employed by her father in his apothecary shop,either. Since he had no training in the proper use of herbs and other medicinalconcoctions, he could not see any future in working as a clerk, bookkeeper, andall-around handyman. She tried to be supportive when—opposed to working againunder his father—he entered into a partnership with another local barber on theother end of the business district. Unfortunately, like many joint ventures, hesoon grew disgruntled with said partner and sold his interest.

          Rowena struggled to encourage hisefforts to find fulfilling employment. However, she found it shocking when hechose to use the proceeds from the sale of his half of the Cleveland barbershopbusiness to desert his family in order to chase after a dream built on rumorsand speculation. ...Untouched by her unhappiness, he gleefully studied severalbooklets detailing everything he would need to succeed in the gold fields andthen went about procuring his steamship tickets and said supplies….

          Before she ever agreed to leave herparents’ home, her husband had assured her that, for a city in a wild, goldmining region, Columbia was fairly settled. That had been a little over twoyears earlier. After she arrived in the city—rustic though it was—shegrudgingly agreed. She had quickly learned there were still rough elements in town,which was why she kept a careful eye on Tobias. She never allowed him outsidealone after dinnertime—whether it was dark or still light during a summer’sevening.

          That changed the day Edward hadvisited Mr. Molior’s assay office to have the gold dust he had accumulated aspayment for his barbering services smelted down and converted into small coinsin lieu of the gold being sent loose to a government mint. Until she arrived inCalifornia, she had never heard of such a thing. However, due to theextenuating circumstances of the remoteness of the region, such a practice wasallowed. The coin or ingots stamped with their true gold weight were locallyaccepted as legal tender.

          While returning home and passing theDouglass Saloon the tragedy occurred. A dispute broke out between two minersinside. One of their stray bullets had flown out the open door and struckEdward in the chest. In spite of Dr. Baldwin’s best efforts to save him, Edwarddied the following morning…. 

          “What do you think, Mrs. Healy? As youcan see, I set the process up so replies will come in care of me. I will handall of them to you and let you read through them—the ridiculous andself-serving, as well as those that might be from legitimate respondents. Ifyou prefer, I will be happy to review the letters first and pull those I deemtotally inappropriate.”

          Blinking, Rowena turned her attentionto the middle-aged attorney—slightly overweight and with liberal swaths of grayadorning the temples of his dark hair. Marcus Delaney was one of the few men inColumbia who dressed like a professional—tailored three-piece suite, dressshirt to which he attached a collar, cravat, and derby—no matter the weather. Arush of gratitude for his patience while she worked through this situationfilled her. She inhaled and met his gaze. “My preference at this time, Mr.Delaney, is that I do not wish to read inappropriate responses. I prefer you tofirst look them over and forward those that appear to be legitimate responses.If it will not cost too much, I wish you to advise me if any that appearfeasible on the surface contain conditions or offers that are not suitable.”

          “I planned to do that anyway, assumingyou approve, Mrs. Healy. Since this advertisement was my suggestion, I feelmorally bound to help you avoid difficulties.”

 

My most recent release, Mail Order Barber,  is the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently available as an ebook for purchase or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please  CLICK HERE

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue , is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

 

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

Watch for Anthelia Yosemite Bride, coming soon. No link yet.

New joint-author promotion for August 

Christian and Clean Western Romance

Includes my own MINE OWNER’S RESCUE, A WATCHMAN FORWILLOW, and LAUREN

Please CLICK HERE 

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

Sue

Prairie Roses Collection, Book 55

by Zina Abbott 

 

          “Still don’t understand why youthought it so important, lass. Life would have been a lot safer and far morecomfortable if you had stayed with Lucy and Malachi. Then again, you begging togo to cook and be everyone’s nursemaid helped stop most of Caroline’s fretting.That woman was itching to come but knew she couldn’t. The worry tore her in twodirections.” Robbie shook his head. “Hope you don’t end up being frightened outof your wits before this is all over.”

          “I won’t be, not with you along. Andyou don’t scare me, either.” Grinning, Susan gave Robbie a sideways glance.“Papa Jack sometimes joked about you being grumpy, but you were always nice tous children.”

          “When I start tossing out insults,that’s how I show folks I like them, lass. Have a tendency to cuss a bluestreak when working with an ornery mule. Had to start watching my language onceI married Caroline, though. Life for this old bachelor sure changed, especiallyonce I realized I’d suddenly inherited more family than I thought.” Robbieshook his head.

          “I don’t recall you using bad languagearound us those times you came to the farm to transport Mama’s and Papa Jack’sapples.” Wearing a hint of a smile, Susan bent her upper body forward andcraned her neck to study Robbie’s face.

          “Knew better, lass. It was a trial,but I wasn’t about to say anything in front of your ma and the wee ones she’dtake offense to. And here you all end up as family—in a roundabout,step-relation sort of way.” Robbie looked down and met Susan’s gaze.

          “You aren’t sorry about it, are you?”

          “No, lass. After the time of it I hadin the war with Mexico that left me with this bad knee, I wasn’t fit to bearound neither man nor beast, let alone sweet, young women like you. Well, likeI’ve been known to say, I get along with mules okay because we both share thesame temperament. I’ll always be grateful that, in spite of it all, the Lordsent Caroline my way. Now, I can’t get away from family. Looks like anotherlivery there, lass.” Robbie pointed. “Let’s hope he’s here so we don’t have tosearch through every stable in Omaha.”

          “If Thomas is waiting there, then youwill soon be meeting one more family member.” Pressing her lips together, Susanturned her gaze forward. “Aunt Caroline told me about some of the difficultiesThomas endured because of the last war. Do you think he has gotten over theworst by now?”

          “Don’t know, lass. It’s different foreveryone. My experiences kept me angry with the world and everyone in it foryears. Others get past the worst of it sooner, even if they still havenightmares now and again. Hopefully, Thomas has mostly recovered.”

          “For his sake, I hope so.” Catchingsight of a man walking out of the livery barn, who turned and stared at her andRobbie, Susan jutted her chin forward and squinted. “Do you think that could behim?”

          “Have no idea, lass. Just before Ileft Genoa, Caroline showed me the daguerreotype of him and Frederick they hadtaken once they received their uniforms. She described him to me more thanonce. Keep in mind, lass, she’s relying on memory, and the last time she sawhim was almost six years ago. With him being her own son, she might recognize him, no matter how much he’s changed. I’venever seen the lad. With that hat on, I can’t even tell the color of his hair.”Robbie inhaled deeply and puffed out his chest. “One way to find out. We’ll goask him.”

          Glancing at Robbie, Susan suspectedthat for all his bluff and bravado, he felt uneasy about this first meetingwith Caroline’s son—a man who was his stepson, as well as a stranger. 

 

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue , is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

Coming on August 7th is my book, Mail Order Barber,  the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently on pre-order. To find the book description and purchase options, please  CLICK HERE

 

 

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

Watch for Anthelia Yosemite Bride, coming soon. No link yet.

New joint-author promotion for August 

Christian and Clean Western Romance

Includes my own MINE OWNER’S RESCUE, A WATCHMAN FORWILLOW, and LAUREN

Please CLICK HERE 

Featuring "Christmas in July" Books 

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

A Surprise for Christmas

Confederate Widows, Spinsters and Proxy Brides series

by Zina Abbott 

          Pouringout the last of the coffee, Jeffrey placed the cup on the table before hehooked the cane on the top rung of the ladderback chair and eased his body intothe seat. He stretched out his leg and shifted it to find a comfortableposition. Then he opened the letter. 

 

          Jeffrey read with sorrow that thedoctor assured Analia that her mother had less than a month to live. His griefwas not for his own loss, but for that of the woman whose hand he intended toask for in his next letter. However, when he read the next paragraph, his browscrunched.

 

          “It is with gratitude that I read your agreement to aproxy marriage to be completed prior to my departure. Upon receiving yourletter, I took it to my pastor and made arrangements. I look forward to thetime I am able to travel to Kansas and meet you in person. I will explain thereason behind my haste once I arrive in Topeka.

 

          “Themarriage ceremony on my end took place this past Friday with a church deaconstanding in as proxy, and the pastor’s wife and the church groundskeeperserving as witnesses. I am including a duplicate copy of the marriagecertificate, which the pastor so graciously provided, and the witnesses agreedto sign in triplicate. According to him, he will file the original with thecounty clerk. I have one copy, and the third is enclosed. The marriage is nowvalid and binding. At least, it is upon me. I do understand and accept youropinion shared in your last letter you prefer the idea of us having a secondceremony once I arrive to reaffirm our vows before those of the society inwhich we will live. However, I ask that you have your proxy wedding performedin advance of my leaving Baltimore so the marriage is legal and in full effect.

 

          “Ianxiously await your reply, which I trust will include funds for my travel andthe date your proxy wedding took place.”

 

          As he stared at the second sheet ofpaper he pulled to the side to view, Jeffrey felt a surge of emotion well upwithin. He was unable to determine if what he felt was amazement, anger, orindignation—or a combination of all three. All he knew was, it almost took hisbreath away. There it was—a marriage record including his name and that ofAnalia Cantrell—signed with a signature along with a notation that theofficiator held the position of pastor. The signatures and spelled-out names oftwo witnesses were also present. I am a married man? At least, on her end?

 

          Although he wrote he was agreeable toa proxy marriage, what had prompted the woman to conclude that amounted to aproposal? He did not recall actually asking her to marry him. Why did she havethe proxy marriage performed so quickly?

 

          It was good he already decided she washis choice for a bride. After draining his coffee and shoving his cup to jointhe other dirty dishes on the table, Jeffrey pushed himself to his feet. Heturned toward the desk. It was time to write a letter officially asking for her hand in marriage. Sincehe planned to go into Topeka for a haircut, anyway, he might as well followthrough with everything. Before he sealed and mailed it, he would visit thebank and withdraw enough money to purchase train tickets from Baltimore toTopeka, plus enough extra to provide for travel expenses. 

 

          After walking to his desk in thecorner of the small room—an oversized closet with a window—that passed for hisoffice, he sat, pulled out a sheet of paper, ink, and writing nib. Shaking hishead, he began his response. He hoped the woman was not this impulsive abouteverything. What am Igetting myself into?

 

A Surprise for Christmas  is currently on a Kindle Countdown sale through Sunday, July 20th. Customers in the U.S. and U.K. may purchase the book for 99c. It is also available at no extra cost for those with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE   

Coming in August is my book, Mail Order Barber,  the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently on pre-order. To find the book description and purchase options, please  CLICK HERE

 

 

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue, is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

  

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

A Holiday Christmas in July

Includes my own VINEGAR PIE BY VARINIA, LEMON COOKIES BYLISBETH, MARIGOLD, and PHOEBE

Please CLICK HERE 

 

Watch for Anthelia Yosemite Bride, coming soon. 

No link yet.

Featuring "Christmas in July" Books 

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

Vinegar Pie by Varinia

Old Timey Holiday Kitchen, Book 25

by Zina Abbott 

          “I like it, too. Pa saw opportunity.Actually, after my ma died, I think he sought an excuse for a change. Heclaimed that even after the train brought people here, they would still needeither saddle or carriage horses to get them around.”

          “Yes, there is opportunity in Cleora.”Varinia offered a closed-lipped smile. She did not clarify that, after attendingnormal college, and then teaching school in Kansas City for two years with nowedding prospects, her married friends’ expressions of pity wore on her. Shehad also felt the need for change. When her father decided to leave his jobwith the Kansas Pacific Railway—now part of the Union Pacific Railroad—for onewith the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, she had considered moving with herfamily and accepting a teaching position in Cleora as an opportunity. “Toanswer your question, when we are alone, I would be pleased to call you Arnie,if you will call me Rina.”

          “Thank you, Rina.” Arnold’s grinspread. “Pa was right about the need for a stable and feed business.” Crossinghis arms, Arnold nodded. “The railroad might have brought in an influx ofresidents, but the miners who were here before the Denver and Rio Grande arestill around. Although I don’t have enough farrier work to keep me busyfulltime, I notice I work as much on mules as I do on horses.”

          Pressing her lips together, Variniafelt her heart sink. By admitting his business was only part time, did he justanswer her question regarding being in a position to marry in the near future?“And now, there is a nice school in Cleora so those children whose fathers aremining silver or working for the railroad can get an education.” Varinia forceda smile. “I have enjoyed our visit, but I do need to get to the mercantile so Ican return home before dark.” She stepped forward but then turned back. “Areyou planning on attending the Christmas program on Friday?”

          “I wouldn’t miss it, Rina.”

 

Vinegar Pie by Varinia  is featured in the A Holiday Christmas in July joint author promotion detailed later in this post. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE   

Coming in August is my book, Mail Order Barber,  the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently on pre-order. To find the book description and purchase options, please  CLICK HERE

 

 

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue, is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

  

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

A Holiday Christmas in July

Includes my own VINEGAR PIE BY VARINIA, LEMON COOKIES BYLISBETH, MARIGOLD, and PHOEBE

Please CLICK HERE 

 

Watch for Anthelia Yosemite Bride, coming soon. No link yet.

Featuring "Christmas in July" Books 

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

Marigold

Christmas Quilt Brides, Book 2

by Zina Abbott 

          “Mari, are you all right? I was afraidwhat I said earlier upset you. It’s not what I wanted to do, but…” Georgedipped his head as he studied Marigold.

          “No, George, don’t worry about it.”Marigold shook her head. “You were right. It just caught me off-guard.I’ll…well, I’ll take care of the banking and buying fabric tomorrow, afterschool. I think I’ll visit Joey’s house on Saturday. That will give me a chanceto ask him again for directions, plus I’ll be able to rent a buggy and go inthe daytime.”

          “Are you sure, Mari?” Her browcreased, and her lips pressed together, Rose stared at her sister.

          “Yes, I’m sure.” Marigold clasped herhands together and raised her chin. “I won’t have the jacket ready, yet. Idon’t sew that fast. But, I can at least meet Joey’s mother and find outexactly what is making her sick. I can ask her what sort of help she needs.”

          “Mari, on Saturday, wait long enoughfor me to ride into town so I can go with you.” George took several steps intothe room. “I’ll be happy to drive the buggy, plus you won’t find yourself outalone, searching for a place you’ve never been to before. Maybe, if there’ssomething she needs, like more firewood chopped, I can help with that while youand she talk.”

          Marigold blinked and stared at Georgefor several seconds before answering. “Thank you, George. If it won’t keep youfrom something important, I’ll take you up on your offer.” She then saidgoodbye as everyone waved and left her house. After closing the door behindthem and finding herself alone once more, she turned and, her gaze unfocused,stared across the open room. GeorgeBurdock offered to drive me to a student’s house? She was so accustomed todoing everything herself, with possibly only Rose for company, she found itincredible that a man, who only a few months ago, had been a stranger, offeredto accompany her.

 

Marigold  is featured in the A Holiday Christmas in July joint author promotion detailed later in this post. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE  

Coming in August is my book, Mail Order Barber,  the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently on pre-order. To find the book description and purchase options, please  CLICK HERE

 

 

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue, is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

  

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

A Holiday Christmas in July

Includes my own VINEGAR PIE BY VARINIA, LEMON COOKIES BYLISBETH, MARIGOLD, and PHOEBE

Please CLICK HERE 

 

Watch for Anthelia Yosemite Bride, coming soon. 

No link yet.

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

Ellie

Runaway Brides of the West, Book 13

by Zina Abbott 

          As the traincrossed over the Medicine Bow River, Ellie studied the ribbon of green beneaththe bridge. The more she viewed the starkness of the land past the river, themore convinced she grew that the plan to stay out of sight and wait for Rand toventure into Medicine Bow was her best—and safest—course of action. Her optionof last resort was use the tickets in her possession to board an eastboundtrain and return to Iowa City. I’m notready to give up yet.

          After she left thetrain at Medicine Bow, Ellie, tightly clutching her carpetbag, waited on theplatform for her crate to be unloaded. Once her crate landed on the platform,Ellie hooked her fingers at the cut-out Mr. Morgan fashioned at one end.Ignoring the too-curious looks directed toward her, she began dragging ittoward the ticket office.

          “Ma’am, may we helpyou with that?”

          Ellie jerked hergaze up to find the two young men who boarded at Como now stood before her. Notspeaking, she studied their faces. Although browned by the sun, neither lookedweathered. However, it was their eyes she especially noted. Neither gaze heldthat lecherous look she had witnessed more than once on Murray Karcher’s face.The expression the blond man wore was one of sincerity. The hazel eyes of theother revealed interest, but nothing disrespectful. She cleared her throat.“Thank you, but I think I’ll be fine. My current plan is to leave it with theticket agent until I get situated.”

          “There’s not muchin Medicine Bow. You planning to work here, ma’am?” The question came from thedark-haired man with the hazel eyes.

           Ellie focused her gaze on the face he keptvoid of expression. Is he asking if Iplan to work in one of the saloons? “No. I’m here to visit an acquaintance.However, rather than drag this all over town, I prefer to locate…myfriend…first.” She hoped they would not guess her friend was a man. Does Rand consider us friends?

Ellie is one of two books featured in the Sweet Summertime Books joint author promotion listed farther down in this blog post. To find the book description and purchase options for Ellie, please

CLICK HERE 

Coming in August is my book, Mail Order Barber,  the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently on pre-order. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue , is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

  

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

Sweet Summertime Books

Includes my own ELLIEand ELEANOR

PLEASE CLICK HERE 

 

Watch for Anthelia Yosemite Bride, coming soon. 

No link yet.

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

Sue

Prairie Roses Collection, Book 55

by Zina Abbott 

 

          Susan breathed a sigh of relief asRobbie pushed his way to the front of the group waiting to board thestagecoach. She felt like, after fighting a long, hard campaign for over twomonths, she had finally won the war. She was headed to Omaha, Nebraska, withRobbie, Michael Stanwyck, and Arnold Traylor.

          “You lads need to give way. We have alady traveling with us. I intend for her to sit in the middle with me on oneside and another man in our party on the other.” As she watched him swell hischest and stretch to his full height, Susan was once more impressed with howimposing the big man of Scots-Irish descent could be.

           “This ain’t no trip for a lady. If she ain’tup to finding her own spot wherever one is open, maybe she should stay home andstick to her knitting,” A fellow traveler groused. “Small thing like her wouldfit just right on that middle bench, I say.”

          Upon hearing the undertone ofgrumbling, Susan dropped her chin and studied the ground. She suddenly wishedshe had worn the fabric sunbonnet she brought. They were used by women whotraveled in wagon trains. The wide brims were designed to protect their facesfrom the sun. For this trip, Lucy had given her a narrow-brimmed straw hat witha ribbon band decorated with a small cluster of flowers on the side. Instead offastening the wide ribbon ties to frame her face, as was the style, Lucy—whodecided that much fabric on Susan’s face would be too warm and sticky much ofthe trip—fashioned the side ribbons into a bow at the back so the tails drapedover the back of the brim and down Susan’s back. A pair of long pins held thehat in place.

          “Not how it’s going to work, lads.We’ll take the rear-facing seats with the lady and leave the rest of you tofight over the forward-facing bench or the one in the middle. The lass is myniece, and I won’t tolerate anyone—and I mean anyone—insulting her, using foullanguage, being disrespectful, or touching her. Mind your manners, or you’lldeal with me.” Using his fist, Robbie thumped his chest.

          Robbie’sniece. As Robbie introduced himself as her uncle, Susan could not help butsmile as she mused about the transition in their relationship. It had beenestablished during one of the earlier planning meetings for this trip…

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue , is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

Coming in August is my book, Mail Order Barber,  the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently on pre-order. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

Sweet Summertime Books

Includes my own ELLIEand ELEANOR

PLEASE CLICK HERE 

 

Watch for Anthelia Yosemite Bride, coming soon. 

No link yet.

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

Hal's Lucky Escape

Rejected Mail-Order Grooms, Book 9

by Zina Abbott 

… Back to Kurt’s situation. Even though I cannotgo, you, on the other hand, will be off a stage route for over a month whilethat arm heals. I’m sure, once I send Kurt a telegram explaining you will go inmy place, he trusts you enough to—”

          “Whoa, whoa!” Halthrew up his hand, palm toward Ash. “Go in your place where? He trusts meenough to escort his cousin—two of them—by wagon train or steamboat where?” Herubbed his temples with his fingers and thumb of his right hand. “You knowneither one of those options appeal to me.”

          “Hal, do I haveyour word you will not discuss this with anyone?” Ash sighed. “No one at thestage company. Not your landlady or the other boarders—no one?”

          “You have my word.But no matter what I decide, I will not commit to anything unless I know what Imight be getting myself into.”

          “Think of it asdoing security work—about the same thing you do for the stagecoach company.Only, this will include an all-expenses paid, three-week steamboat cruise upthe river.”

          “Steamboat?” Hismouth hanging open, Hal dropped his right hand to his side. “Where did Kurtmove that it takes three weeks on a steamboat to get there? And what do youmean by up the river?”

          “I’m getting there. That’s three weeks after you travel by train, stagecoach, or riverboat—your choice—toget to the point of departure. Kurt already sent round-trip tickets forCheyenne to Omaha and back, so I’d choose train, if I were you. Not only that,he sent a third-class ticket for passage on the Far West.”

          “Far West…” His gaze unfocused as hestared across the room, Hal slowly muttered the words. “Isn’t that theriverboat we boarded that took us to Fort Leavenworth to get discharged?”

          “The same.” Ashslowly nodded. “I don’t think it’s contracted to transport men and supplies forthe Army anymore. I think the boat was sold to another company last year, andit has a new captain.”

          “It’s still the Far West. I have no love for thatparticular vessel.”

          “I know, buteveryone says it’s one of the fastest steamboats on the river. Kurt sent adraft, which I will get cashed. You can use the money for food, ammunition,extra supplies, and to get yourself from Omaha up to Sioux City.”

          “And why would webe leaving from Sioux City?” His brow furrowed, Hal again faced Ash. “The onlyplace I know the Far West steams tois along the mountain route of the Missouri River. Ash, you know I hated thetime we were stationed at CantonmentTongue River. And that winter campaign against theNorthern Cheyenne and Sioux just before they finally issued our dischargepapers…? I never was so cold in my life.” Staring straight ahead, he shivered.“When we left two years ago, I swore I’d never go back.” His face scrunchedinto a scowl.

          “I know. Mythoughts exactly.” His eyelids half-closed, Ash sucked in a breath and nodded.“But, that’s where this lady and her daughter are going.”

          “How far up theriver?”

          “Final port ofcall.”

          “Are you joking?Way up there?”  His mouth hanging open,Hal stared at Ash.

          “Way up there. Theywill still have a two-day stagecoach ride from there. You know as well as I do,it would not be safe for two females to travel alone in that country.”

          “Kurt should haveknown better than to invite her to live there.”

          “I don’t think heinvited. I think she told him she’s coming.”

          “Oh.” One of those women. Hal groaned as heleaned his head back and rolled his eyes. Then he straightened and met Ash’sgaze. “Are you serious?”

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

 

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue , is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

Coming in August is my book, Mail Order Barber,  the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently on pre-order. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE