Christmas in July. 99 Cent sale and a $100 Amazon card

 Promise Me Christmas

 Only 99 Cents. 

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 $100 Amazon gift card.  

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                                    5+ stars from N.N.Light 

                            Colorado Authors' League Finalist 

Blurb:

    Lord Guy Blackthorne is prepared to lay down his life for his children, his wife, and all who seek his protection. But as renegades, mercenaries, and political intrigue surround his ancient family stronghold, he’s forced to stay his hand against those who would dare to attack his fortress.

  As supplies and hope dwindle, Lady Vespa fears Yule will not be one of good cheer, and the children shall have no gifts this year. At least she and Guy have one another, for that she is thankful. But there are few private moments to share their love, and every endeavor to satisfy their passion is interrupted when the enemy attempts to invade the castle.

  On Christmas Eve, when a battle to the death begins, Guy faces his greatest challenge. Now Vespa’s wish for a happy Yule celebration turns to a prayer for her beloved’s safety.

 Excerpt:

   Swallowing down the words she wished to utter, she smiled as best she could. There would be no stopping him, and she’d not send him off to battle with anything less than all her support. At times like this, he belonged to more than just her. Guy fought for everyone who had come seeking his protection. 

   She ran her hand across the front of his mail shirt, the rings bit into her fingers as apprehension prickled though her body. Every time he was away overseeing the land or doing the king’s bidding, he had always come home safe enough. Today, with aid from her brother-in-law, the odds were better and success more likely—but not assured. Was she to lose him now a stone’s throw from their castle door?  

   “Godspeed.” Her smile turned wooden, her hands cold, yet the love burning in her heart was fire enough to destroy a forest. She slipped free a thin strip of silk belting her waist. “Come back to me safe.” She tied the bright fabric to the horse’s bridle. “I’ve grown accustomed to you and do not wish to train a new husband.”

   He laughed at that, then quickly sobered. “I love you, Vespa.”

   He’d promised to tell her more often and now he had, yet the declaration near set her back on her heels. Regardless of his good intentions, this was not a statement he tossed about lightly. He showed his affection in other ways like bringing her trinkets from markets in other holdings, and when they did come together, their union was with a great passion. But this pronouncement, issued on the brink of battle where others could hear, this was special. Did it also mean he feared he may not return to her? 

  “And I love thee, Guy.” Finding her voice, she breathed out the words, but they were lost to the flurry of activity as he turned and mounted up. Her throat tightened with fear, and the tears she held back, and she couldn’t repeat the phrase.

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5+ Stars: N.N. Light A heartwarming story of love and honor and keeping one’s promise, all wrapped in a medieval adventure sprinkled with humor and sweet romantic moments. 

5 Stars: Still Moments Magazine: “The plot and characters were well-developed, giving the story a smooth reading flow. The author has a great descriptive voice that places you in the scenes.” 

 5 Stars: Mistress of Book Reviews: “With little at hand, but faith that is strong, the Blackthorns' of Darkenwald fight to leave a legacy for their children.” 

5 Stars: Reader’s Café: “The relationship between Vespa and Guy is subtle yet passionate-the characters are determined and dynamic. A fast paced, yet sweet storyline of love and determination, betrayal and vengeance.” 

5 Stars: Anthionette Ejimofor In a nutshell, this book is an embodiment of every ingredient required for a good book; love, friendship, pain, and a spice of romance. 

               For Lady Vespa and Lord Guy Blackthorne, 

                   their wedding was only the beginning

                   of the love and romance they share.

                                                

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Vicky said: "I loved this. Vespa and Edith are hilarious in their “shenanigans”. Guy and Thomas are perfect brothers in arms - and perfect for Vespa and Edith. Having them already married works in the story."

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A Cowboy's Fate and a chance to win an Amazon gift card.

          I’m thrilled to be a part of N.N.Light's audio book event. 

   My story, A Cowboy's Fate, is featured today (6-29). My narrator (the much sought after Richard L. Walton) nails the characters and I’m so proud of how it turned out. 

A Cowboy's Fate received 5 Stars from N.N.Light, Net Galley, and Still Moments Magazine, and is the winner of the Maple Leaf Award. So please stop by, order your copy and sign up for a chance at an Amazon gift card. 

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    Colorado, 1880

   Kicked out of England for offending the Queen, Britania Rule heads for Leadville, in the Colorado backcountry. Passing herself off as a highborn lady, she pursues her dream of opening a parlor of spiritual enlightenment. 

 Cody James, her guide, thinks he must be half-crazy to hire-out to a female. But his luck at the gaming tables has run dry, and she’s his meal-ticket out of town. Betrayed by the only woman he ever loved, and shot and left for dead by a man he once called friend, Cody declares himself a loner. 

   Traveling together, they deny their desire for one another, but the Tarot cards say otherwise—and their hot night of passion confirms the prediction. Will love be waiting at the end of the trail?

Or could Cody’s past destroy their future? 

                                    E-book also available

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Excerpt: 

   Cody burst out laughing, this time even harder.  

   Glancing around the back of the wagon, the reason became clear and Britania gasped in alarm. One of her trunks had burst open, spewing lacy be-ribboned undergarments hither and yon. These were not items worn by the type of lady she pretended to be. They were outrageous dainties, a jezebel’s delight, couture de jour for a whore. 

  “Oh, bloody `ell.” 

   She clamped a hand over her mouth wishing she could call back the words as her upper-class accent gave way to East End twang. On hands and knees, she scurried around gathering up the incriminating garments and stuffing them back into the trunk.

     Using only thumb and forefinger, Cody carefully disengaged a pink rosebud-covered corset dangling off the back of the wagon. “Interesting choice of underclothing, Miss Rule. Can’t say as I’ve seen such pretties outside a bordello.” He offered up the garment, the garters taunting and swinging back and forth in front of her nose.

   “They were gifts, if you must know,” she said, wresting it from his grasp, “going away presents from my girlfriends. And since I nearly met my death a moment ago, I would think you would be more worried about me, rather than the contents of my wardrobe.” 

   “Sorry,” he said, his tone indicating he wasn’t—his half-smile reinforcing the point. 

     He rummaged around in another pack, and extracted a bottle of liquor. “I guess you being such a lady, it would be foolish of me to offer you a snort of whiskey. I know I could sure use one.” Uncorking it, he took a large swig.

   Her mouth watered. She had done her share of elbow bending, and right now, a drink sounded just the thing.

                       I hope you'll give A Cowboy's Fate a listen!

 She believes in the Tarot cards. Four-of-a-kind is more his style.                              Either way—the cards never lie. 
  

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Alfred Packer, an infamous name our Colorado history

   One hundred and fifty years ago, during a brutal winter in the San Juan mountains of Colorado, legend states Alfred Packer survived by eating at least some of his five companions. 

  What exactly took place, only Packer knew, and over his lifetime, the details of his story changed making the account of what happened read like a novel. 

   Alfred G. Packer was born in Pennsylvania in 1842. As a young man, he was a shoemaker by trade. When the Civil War broke out, he joined company F, 16th U.S. Infantry.  Afflicted with epilepsy he was discharge a few months later. Having a feel for army life, he then enlisted in an Iowa regiment, but was soon let go for the same reason. 

   Heading west to search for gold, by 1873 he was working as a guide in the wilds of Utah and Colorado. During the winter in question, he was employed to lead twenty-one men to the gold fields of Breckenridge Co. 

   After three harrowing months of deadly storms, the group was saved when they located the camp of Ute Indian Chief Ouray. This was near Montrose, Co.  

   The Chief generously provided food and shelter and advised the men to wait out the weather. Ignoring the sage wisdom, Packer and five men left on their own. Sixty six days later, Alfred Packer came out of the mountains alone. 

                                

   Parker stated he got separated from the others and survived on rabbits and rose buds. The fact he carried a good amount of cash and personal possessions of the other five men, raised questions. When pressed, he changed his story stating along their travels, one man after another succumbed to the treacherous weather, and to survive, each man in turn was eaten by the rest. Finally when only he and a man named Shannon Bell were left, Bell went crazy and Packer had to kill him in self-defense. 

                                

   Although a horrible tale, cannibalism was not unheard of (the Donner party of 1846–1847), and the story would have been taken as truth until the skeletons of the five men were eventually found and they were all together not strung out along a trail indicating they had not died one by one. 

  Israel Swan's body showed signs of struggle, and Parker was charged with his murder, but he escaped jail the very night of his arrest, and remained at larger for nine years.             

   Finally recognized in Wyoming, Parker was captured and returned to Colorado. His ever changing story now stated all the men were alive in camp when he took off alone seeking a useful trail. Returning after several hours, he found Shannon Bell had gone mad and killed the others. Then Bell attacked Parker who shot Bell in self-defense at which time he resorted to eating the dead. 

   This time a jury convicted Packer of the single murder and he was sentenced to hang. Due to some typed of legislation error the conviction was over turned, but then at a new trial he was charged with five counts of manslaughter and was convicted and sentenced to forty years in prison. He was remanded to the State Prison in Canon City in 1886. 

    Due to the efforts of Denver Post editors and reporter Polly Pry, who were convinced of his innocence, he was paroled in 1901 and went to work briefly as a guard at the Post building in downtown Denver.    

        Packer spent the final years of his life living in and around Littleton —on Harrison Avenue and on west Hampden. According to Littleton historian Dave Hicks, "He was described as a kindly man who would take children on his lap and tell them of his early days in the old west."  

  He died April 24, 1907, evidently of liver and stomach troubles. Because he was a Civil War veteran, the military paid for the funeral and provided the tombstone, which reads: "Alfred Packer, Co. F, 16 U.S. Inf." His dying words, according to the Littleton Independent, were "I'm not guilty of the charge."        

                                       

On a dark humorous note, CU Boulder has a the Alferd Pacer restaurant & Grill. (His first name was occasionally spelled Alferd due to the misspelling of a tattoo he got.)

https://www.museum.littletonco.gov/Research/Littleton-History/Biographies/Packer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_PackerWikipedia 

                

My Stories: 

Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate*Special Delivery. 

Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall

Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart        *Promise Me Christmas. 

Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream 

Fantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence 

Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

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Special Delivery and a chance to win an $100 Amazon gift card.

                 Find your next audiobook,

               including Special Delivery  

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               5 stars from N.N.Light and Fall into Reading,  
               Publishers pick from Still Moment Magazine.

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   Clover City, Colorado—1888
   A mysterious letter and the drop-dead handsome town marshal, are the last things Mariah expects to find making rounds as a midwife.   

   Mariah McAllister plans to be married before her next birthday. Too bad Marshal Virgil Kincaid barely knows she’s alive. Not one to give up easily, she’s determined to show him she has an abiding passion for more than her work.
    Virgil Kincaid loved a woman once—after she broke his heart, he spent three years in prison. Women can’t be trusted, no matter how good they look. He’s sworn off relationships in favor of Saturday night poker games. 

    Life is simple---the way he wants it---until a stranger turns up dead in the road. Forced to work side by side with Mariah, Virgil begins to wonder if she might be his second chance at love. 

   As they trade kisses and oh so much more, he’s willing to take the gamble. But when a killer threatens their once peaceful town, all bets are off.  

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 Excerpt:

        Virgil Kincaid was a prime cut of man. Over six feet tall, he made Mariah’s five-foot seven height seem less gawky and awkward. And he was built for action, long and lean with broad shoulders—shoulders she hankered to hold onto—and with narrow hips—hips she could easily envision pressed up against her own. 
      And then there were his eyes. Grey as the sky in winter, full of secrets, revealing nothing. Virgil had been the town Marshal for nearly three years, yet no one knew where he’d come from or how long he intended to stay. What would it take to light a fire in those eyes and put settling down in his thoughts? 
       Her gaze drifted lower and latched onto the front of his denim trousers. A picture of what he might look like naked skittered across her mind and her cheeks grew hot at the imagining. 
       “You done lookin?” he asked.
        Her gaze snapped up to meet his and the heat of humiliation replaced the lustful warmth. 
        “Yes,” she babbled, “there doesn’t seem to be anything of interest here.”  
        “Really?” he challenged, with a cocky grin and a raised brow. 
         He stepped closer and stood so near she could smell the man sent of him as she tried to ratchet her breathing down to a more normal rate. 
        “You’re a very unusual woman, Miss McAllister.” 
        “Is that good or bad?” she dared to ask.
        “I’m not sure yet.”  

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The Fort in Morrison Colorado

 The Fort restaurant, in Morrison, Colorado, opened for business in February 1963. But the story of how it got there started a few years before. 

 In 1961,  Elizabeth Arnold decided she wanted to raise her children outside the city. As she was reading a book about Bents Fort, she got the idea to make it an "adobe castle".  They hired William Lumpkins, a top architect in adobe construction from Santa Fe, and using 80,000 mud and straw bricks, weighing 40 pounds each, the main building evolved. When the budget was surpassed, the idea for using part of the structure for a restaurant was suggested and The Fort restaurant opened for business.

 

   That same year the family adopted a black bear named Sissy. They raised their big furry pet, beloved by tourists, for 19 years until she died of old age. 

  Now an historic site, you can visit and eat at The Fort located in Morrison, Colorado and/or sign up for a one-hour tour to discover how this adobe building came to be. (Tours can be booked for groups of ten or more.)

   The food is, of course, historic as well, starting with Rocky Mountain Oysters, Buffalo Empanadas, Bison Eggs, and an array of Mountain Man boudins (sausages) made from Antelope, Rattlesnake, Rabbit, and buffalo.

   Also, a real delicacy, they have roasted Bison Marrow Bones. I'm not sure you'd find this on the menu any place else.  

   Main courses include buffalo served many styles, as well as beef, antelope, duck, elk, quail---with gluten free and vegetarian selections also available. 

 

                                              The IMM in Vail, Co. 

 Years ago, I had the joyful opportunity of eating at the fort with the group to which we belonged, The Independent Mountain Men. We came dressed in period costume and had a magical evening, truly a step back in time. 

   The Fort Restaurant is keeping history alive. They have wonderful cultural events, live music, and murder mystery dinners.    

 https://www.thefort.com/the-history-of-the-fort/

For obvious reasons, my book Trapper's Moon, winner of the Reader's Choice award from Still Moments Magazine, is close to my heart. 

Blurb: 

  As a free trapper, mountain man Kade McCauley is wary of the Hudson Bay Company. Their form of vengeance against those who are not part of the company can be deadly. When he and his partner are attacked, he fights back, only to discover one of his shots struck an innocent. A woman who touches his soul, and he will do anything to keep her safe. 

   While searching for her Native American tribe, Blind Deer crosses paths with Kade—with near fatal results. Once she is patched up, she decides it is safer to travel with him than alone Their uneasy alliance turns to genuine caring, but Blind Deer's past gets in the way, and she must choose between her new love or her old obligations. 

   But nothing in life is carved in stone except the mountains, and those formidable peaks have been known to change the course of a man's life or a woman's.

              

 

My Mountain Man. .

 

My Stories: 

Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate*Special Delivery. 

Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall

Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart        *Promise Me Christmas. 

Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream 

Fantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence 

Blog   www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

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The cowboy's second favorite drink.

 Cowboys usually asked for whiskey when they bellied up to the bar, but tequila came in a close second. It became popular after the 1840's, especially in the South West area.

 Last summer, the Berthoud Conservation Gardens had a special plant blooming, the Parry's Agave.      

                               Each flowering plant has a giant stalk up to 20 feet tall, with 20 to 30 side branches. Each side branch produces hundreds of flowers.                            Often called century plants, agaves live many years before flowering, after which they sadly die. This succulent (not really a cacti) has been a source of human food and beverage for at least 9,000 years. 

                             
 When an agave’s central bud is removed, the cavity fills with fluid. This nutritious juice is called aguamiel (honey water). When aguamiel is allowed to ferment it becomes an alcoholic beverage called pulque. The Aztecs fermented pulque from 1000 B.C. to 200 A.D.. 

                                    

When pulque is distilled it becomes mescal. But while all tequilas are technically mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas. Tequila is a high quality mescal produced only from the blue agave plant and grown only in limited regions of Mexico.  

Sugars concentrate in the core of an agave just before flowering. If the leaves are trimmed away, the core can be baked or roasted. Native Americans of many Southwestern tribes pit-roasted agaves in an elaborate process that took three or four days of cooking!

 Chunks of roasted agave were chewed and the tough fibers discarded. Roasted agave could also be pounded into cakes and dried for later use.

Agave leaves have strong fibers good for many uses. Sisal fiber derived from Agave sisalana is grown worldwide and used for inexpensive twine, rope, paper, fabric, filters, mattresses, and carpets.

******************************************************

  Around 1936, in Tijuana, Irishman called Madden, was known around the area for his Tequila Daisy. Though Madden admitted that the creation of the drink was a lucky mistake, it’s become one of the most celebrated in the U.S. (margarita in Spanish means daisy).

In 1974 the Mexican government declared the term tequila, intellectual property. This made it necessary for tequila to be made and aged in certain areas of Mexico, and it also made it illegal for other countries to produce or sell their own “tequila. 

"Hey, Waiter. What's that worm doing in my drink? And please don't say the backstroke."

   In the 1950's, when a mezcal maker discovered a moth larvae in a batch of his liquor, he decided the stowaway improved its taste. Since then, he started adding “worms” to all his bottles as a marketing strategy. The larva is usually either a red worm or a maguey worm. The red worm is typically considered tastier.

               

This weekend, why not sip a Sunrise or Margarita 

                                and get lost in a good western story!  

           

 My Stories: 

Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate*Special Delivery. 

Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall

Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart        *Promise Me Christmas. 

Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream 

Fantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence 

Blog   www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/people/Gini-Rifkin-Author/100001680213365

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                   Universal link             https://books2read.com/u/3JLGMv