Saturday Snippet: We're Not Gentlemen

The following snippet is taken from 

Madeline

Cupids & Cowboys series Book 14

by Zina Abbott

(A little insight into the two "cupids" in this story...)

          “Pleasure’s mine. I hoped to catch your family at the celebration. By chance, did Miss Denham come?” James craned his neck as he searched the grounds.

          “Which one? There’s two.”

          “He means Madeline, stupid.” Rob shoved his brother’s upper arm. “Papa just said he met Mr. Hennessy when he picked her up at the train station.”

          “He could have met Essie, too, so there!” Bert shoved back.

          “That’s enough, you two.” Sighing as he shook his head, Kendrick turned to James. “Mr. Hennessy, please allow me to introduce you to my two youngest. This is Bertram, whom we call Bert, and this is Robert, better known as Rob.”

          “It’s a pleasure to meet you two young gentlemen.” James stepped forward and, leaning over slightly, held out his hand toward Bert.

          “We’re not gentlemen. We’re going to grow up to be cowboys.” Wearing a serious expression, Bert nodded as he shook James’s hand.

          “Cowboys can be gentlemen, too, Bert.” James turned to Rob. “And your name is Rob, correct? It’s a pleasure meeting you, too.”

          “Thank you, sir.” Rob shook his hand but continued to hold it as he tipped his head to the side and studied the man. “Papa said you already met Madeline. Are you going to court her? Because if not, we need to start looking for another man.”

          “Boys, I warned you...”

          “I know, Papa, but we got to find someone to marry her, and soon.” Rob nodded several times. His glasses slid down his nose and he pushed them in place.

          “Yeah. We’re safe this year, because the school didn’t need any new teachers. But if we don’t find her a husband soon, she’ll try to get a job at our school next year. With our luck, she’ll end up being our teacher.”

          “What would be so bad about having your sister as your teacher?” Eyebrows raised and hands on his hips, James shifted his gaze between the two boys.

          “She’s our sister.” Bert heaved a martyr’s sigh. “She won’t let us get away with nothing.

 

My second Cupids and Cowboys book, Madeline, is now available for both purchase, free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription, and in print.

You may find the book description and purchase link by CLICKING HERE.

 

 

 

 

My Old Timey Holiday Kitchen romance,

Figgy Pudding by Francine

will publish on November 22, 2021. It is available for preorder. Please CLICK HERE 

 

 

My second Christmas book for the year, Mail Order Letitia, is scheduled for release on December 7, 2021. It is now available on pre-order. To find the book description and link, please

CLICK HERE.

 

 

A Bride for Devlin is now available in both ebook and print formats. To find the book description and purchase link, please find the book on the following promotion.

 Enjoy Old West lawmen romances? You may find more here:

Squeaky Clean Historical Lawmen Romance: includes my A Bride for Devlin.

Please CLICK HERE.

 

 

Discover new authors.

Christian Romance Giveaways are All I Want for Thanksgiving

Includes a free sampler of five of my Sweet Historical Western Romances.

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 Clean Romance Pre-order Promotion

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Saturday Snippet: I Don't Want to Lose Track of You

The following snippet is from 

 Madeline 

by Zina Abbott 

Cupids & Cowboys Book 14

 

As the train began to slow, Madeline turned to peer outside the window. “It looks like we’ve arrived in Peters. I’ll have to change trains here.” She again found the handle of her carpetbag.

“I will, too.” James closed his journal and put it in his satchel before latching the straps shut.

“Oh. I thought you planned to visit family not far from here?”

“I did. I think, instead, I’ll continue on to Oak Dale and check for telegrams. Also, how did you plan to travel from Oak Dale to Buena Vista? Is someone coming for you?”

“Yes. My father.”

“Good.” James smiled as his gaze searched her face. “I wish to meet him, for several reasons. Depending on what happens next time I meet with the school board, I wish to mention the possibility of you for the school position. Although I know it is your choice, there is some remote territory between here and there. I prefer you have someone travel with you, should you wish to investigate in person. In addition, I suspect your father has connections with people in the agricultural community.” His smile widened. “I always try to broaden my base of potential clients.” He next dropped the smile and, as he leaned toward Madeline, his expression grew serious. “Last, but certainly not least, Miss Denham, I personally don’t want to lose track of you.”

 

My second Cupids and Cowboys book, Madeline, is now available for both purchase and free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.

You may find the book description and purchase link by CLICKING HERE.

 

 

My Old Timey Holiday Kitchen romance,

Figgy Pudding by Francine

will publish on November 22, 2021. It is available for preorder. Please CLICK HERE 

 

To find the Old Timey Holiday Kitchen series page on Amazon, please CLICK HERE.

 

 

My second Christmas book for the year, Mail Order Letitia, is scheduled for release on December 7, 2021. It is now available on pre-order. To find the book description and link, please

CLICK HERE.

To find all the books in the An Impostor for Christmas series, please  CLICK HERE.

 

 A Bride for Devlin is now available in both ebook and print formats. To find the book description and purchase link, please CLICK HERE. 

 

 

  

 

   

Lighthouse Escape is now available for sale or for no additional cost with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. 

It is also available in print format. 

You may find the book description by CLICKING HERE. 

 Clean Romance Pre-order Promotion

Includes my Figgy Pudding by Francine & Mail Order Letitia.

Please Click Here.

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday Snippet: He Came for the Gold

The following snippet is from 

 Madeline 

by Zina Abbott 

Cupids & Cowboys Book 14

 

Madeline studied James’s expression. Based on his grimace and the way he looked off to the side once more, she suspected she must have brought up a sore subject. Did his community face the same problem? She cleared her throat. “Once your family decided to give up mining, why did they stay in the foothills? I know many people who originally came to California for the gold ended up going back to farming, which was what they knew from living back east. Most moved here in the valley, where the land is flatter.”

 James blinked and snapped his gaze back to Madeline. “I’m sorry. My family, and many others from the same region who came here, found that the foothills were much like the land they left in Liguria. Once they realized the days of placer mining were mostly over, most chose other occupations. There are businesses run by Italians all through the foothill cities and towns, but most are farmers. They cultivate vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, and vineyards.”

“And your father, did he also farm, or was he a miner?”

“He came for the gold.” James flashed her a grin and nodded. “Also, the Irish found they did not run into the same level of discrimination in California that they did back east. Eventually, he and several other Irish moved to the valley and started a hotel and livery at Twenty-Six Mile House. That was after he met and married my mother. In case you’re wondering how my Irish father and Italian mother met, it was at church.” James’s eyes crinkled as his shoulders shook with silent laughter. “Both are Catholic. That doesn’t mean, though, the families of either were overly enthusiastic about their union.”

Madeline offered a gentle smile. It did not occur to her to question how parents newly-arrived to the United States from two different European countries met, but she did find it interesting. She also found rather intriguing that this man was so quick to share many details about himself. He knows so much about his family, yet I know very little.

 

My second Cupids and Cowboys book, Madeline, is now available for both purchase and on Kindle Unlimited. It will soon be available in print.

You may find the book description and purchase link by CLICKING HERE.

 A Bride for Devlin is now available in both ebook and print formats. To find the book description and purchase link, please 

CLICK HERE. 

 

 

All of the books in The Sheriff's Mail Order Bride series have been published. Please CLICK HERE to find the series page on Amazon.

 

My second Christmas book for the year, Mail Order Letitia, is scheduled for release on December 7, 2021. It is now available on pre-order. To find the book description and link, please

CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

My Old Timey Holiday Kitchen romance,

Figgy Pudding by Francine

will publish on November 22, 2021. It is available for preorder. Please CLICK HERE 

 

 

To find the Old Timey Holiday Kitchen series page on Amazon, please CLICK HERE.

Saturday Snippet: What she just experienced was not what she wanted

 The following snippet is from 

 Madeline 

by Zina Abbott 

Cupids & Cowboys Book 14

 

Madeline sighed with relief when the two walked down the aisle and left the entry to her bench open. Like the tales told by some of the other female students at the normal school, she had often wondered what it would be like to have men hover around her, seeking her attention. However, what she just experienced was not what she wanted. Perhaps it was better to remain unnoticed and unpursued.

Madeline looked up as James Hennessy approached the bench in front of her. He picked up the satchel and stepped next to the window before he sat. He turned to face her. “Miss, I apologize if my conduct added to what I perceived to be your discomfort. I know it was forward of me to approach you as I did, but I had a feeling he was inebriated enough to be beyond sound reasoning. I doubted he would show you basic courtesy or respect. I don’t want you to feel that, by me interfering, you have traded one difficulty with another. If you would like me to resume my original seat, please say so, and I’ll move.”

Madeline again read the calling card. “No, Mr. Hennessy. You are fine where you are. I had hoped to occupy a bench by myself or, perhaps, with another woman. I do thank you for persuading the other gentleman to move. I’m...my name is Madeline Denham.” Hesitantly, Madeline extended her hand over the back of the bench separating them. “In spite of the rather unique introduction, it is a pleasure meeting you.”

 

My second Cupids and Cowboys book, Madeline, is now available for both purchase and on Kindle Unlimited. It will soon be available in print.

You may find the book description and purchase link by CLICKING HERE.

 A Bride for Devlin is now available in both ebook and print formats. To find the book description and purchase link, please 

CLICK HERE. 

 

 

All of the books in The Sheriff's Mail Order Bride series have been published. Please CLICK HERE to find the series page on Amazon.

 

 I will be revealing the cover and book description of my final book for the year. It will be a Christmas novella. Please watch this blog as well as the Sweet Historical Romance group on Facebook.

 

 

My Old Timey Holiday Kitchen romance,

Figgy Pudding by Francine

will publish on November 22, 2021. It is available for preorder. Please CLICK HERE 

 

 

To find the Old Timey Holiday Kitchen series page on Amazon, please CLICK HERE.

 

  Lighthouse Escape is now available for sale or for no additional cost with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. 

It is also available in print format. 

You may find the book description by CLICKING HERE.