Amazon gift card at Audio book party.

 

Available here

Enter contest here

Special Delivery
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.  

****
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.”  

             

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 

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

Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

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

Amazon author  https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

Pinterest             https://www.pinterest.com/ginirifkin/pins/

Goodreads                     http://bit.ly/2OnHbrK

Barnes and Noble          http://bit.ly/2xPs9S4

AudioBooks                  https://adbl.co/2OlWbGJ

LinkedIn                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-rifkin-15950489/

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

The wild rose press     https://wildrosepress.com/?s=rifkin&post_type=product&type_aws=true

Amazon gift card giveaway during Audio Book Month

 

    A Cowboy’s Fate by Gini Rifkin is a Celebrate Audiobook Month pick with giveaway. Imagine a Wild West road-trip from Denver to Leadville, filled with danger, humor, and the predictions from the Tarot cards.

Book Blurb:

Colorado, 1880

  Kicked out of England for offending the Royal Family, 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 side by side, they deny their desire for one another, but the Tarot cards say otherwise—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?

                           Enter giveaway here

Author Biography:

Gini Rifkin writes stories of romance and adventure. Her settings include the American West, Medieval & Victorian England, and Contemporary thriller & fantasy. The Colorado Authors’ League honored Gini with two prestigious awards- Best Historical Romance of the Year and Best Romantic Thriller of the Year. She has also won The Beverley Award from Colorado Romance Writers, the Reviewer’s Choice Award from the Paranormal Romance Guild, the Reader’s Choice Award from Still Moments Magazine, and Best Thriller of the year from N.N. Light. Her new passion is spinning and weaving fleeces from her friend’s rescue sheep. Her lifelong passion is caring for her own rescue animals, including donkeys, goats, ducks, and one demanding cat.

   

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 

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

Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

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

Amazon author  https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

Pinterest             https://www.pinterest.com/ginirifkin/pins/

Goodreads                     http://bit.ly/2OnHbrK

Barnes and Noble          http://bit.ly/2xPs9S4

AudioBooks                  https://adbl.co/2OlWbGJ

LinkedIn                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-rifkin-15950489/

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

The wild rose press     https://wildrosepress.com/?s=rifkin&post_type=product&type_aws=true

Lady Gallant. The original Crimean War.

 The Crimean peninsula is often in the news of late. With ports on the Black Sea, it has historically been a desirable piece of land and a hot spot for war. 

My book Lady Gallant takes you to the heart of the action, where Florence Nightingale, the first British war correspondent, Tolstoy, Mary Seacole, and Nurse Posey, all fight to survive in the turmoil of war. 

                               Available here

Blurb: 

   Disowned by her father and still mourning the death of her fiancé, Josephine Posey joins Florence Nightingale’s brigade of nurses bound for the Black Sea. Thousands of British soldiers desperately await these angels of mercy and a new life awaits Josie. Amidst the chaos of death and despair, she finds a spark of hope, lighting the flame once more inside her soul.

   In search of the truth, Garrick Allen, one of Britain’s first war correspondents also journeys to the Crimean Peninsula. To him the soldiers seem all but abandoned by Queen and country, and as he smokes his cheroots and makes friends with a bottle, he writes his bold but honest dispatches for The Times. Not wanting anything more than to finish his job and go home, Garrick is blindsided by a nurse with attitude who offers him a new slant on life and a reason to love.

                             Available here

Long and Short Reviews says:

  Josie was prepared for many things when she decided to go to the Crimean Peninsula, but she was not prepared for Garrick Allen. Josie’s first meeting with Garrick is less then cordial. His manners and appearance are more than a little rough, but something about him intrigues Josie. After the death of her fiancé, she never expected her heart to be stirred by another man. Is Garrick her second chance for love?

  Garrick Allen doesn’t want anything to do with women and romance. He lives his life as a loner, free from attachments of any kind, and that’s the way he likes it. He was completely unprepared for a woman like Josie. She’s beautiful, smart, strong, and more than a match for him. Garrick soon finds himself thinking about her more then he’d care to admit. Will Garrick open his heart to Josie or close it off forever?

  As if life on the Crimean Peninsula wasn’t complicated enough for Josie, Danford Smythe enters the picture. Danford is wealthy and makes it clear that he is interested in Josie. While Danford seems like a perfect gentleman, something about him makes Josie uncomfortable. Is Danford more then he seems, or is just Josie’s imagination?

  I truly enjoyed getting to know Josie as a character. Her devotion to her soldiers and all human beings is admirable. She manages to thrive in an environment that has defeated many others. Garrick is the perfect hero for Josie. He is the classic tough guy with a soft heart. I loved watching his tough exterior slowly melt away to reveal the caring man underneath.

  Danford Smythe also proved to be an interesting villain. Throughout the story, I thought I had his character figured out. However, at the end of the story, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Danford still had a few tricks up his sleeve.

  When I first picked up Lady Gallant, I have to admit that I was only vaguely familiar with the Crimean War. I have read many stories set against the back drop of various wars throughout history. I was intrigued at the possibility that this story might offer something fresh. I was not disappointed. It is clear throughout the text and the notes at the end of the story that Ms. Rifkin researched her setting in order to make it as clear to the reader as possible.

  I must also add that I enjoyed reading the quotes from various historical figures at the beginning of each chapter. I found them interesting and thought-provoking and they all seemed to fit the tone of the story well.

 Available here

 

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 

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

Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

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

Amazon author  https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

Pinterest             https://www.pinterest.com/ginirifkin/pins/

Goodreads                     http://bit.ly/2OnHbrK

Barnes and Noble          http://bit.ly/2xPs9S4

AudioBooks                  https://adbl.co/2OlWbGJ

LinkedIn                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-rifkin-15950489/

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

The wild rose press     https://wildrosepress.com/?s=rifkin&post_type=product&type_aws=true

 

A bit about Leadville, Colorado

    Leadville, the highest incorporated city in North America, even the name sounds dangerous, and the town was. Fortunes were made and lost in a heartbeat. And some heartbeats were cut short by mine cave-ins, gun fights, starvation, and cold weather. 
    The characters in my book A Cowboy’s Fate, take an 1800’s road trip from Denver to Leadville. Despite being occasionally called Cloud City, it was a rough and tumble place, with flashes of cultural enlightenment and high living.  

  The town definitely had its ups and downs. In 1860 gold was discovered, but that played out quickly. Then in 1877 silver became the magnet drawing thousands back up the mountain. 
  During its peak, Leadville bragged over 30,000 residents. It became the second largest town in Colorado. With 100 saloons and gambling places, multiple daily and weekly newspapers, and 36 brothels. It was even slated at one time to be the capital.

                             

   Hardscrabble miners, and ruffians of every nature “settled” the town, but the wealth amassed soon drew all manner of folk to the city, both the famous and infamous. They made the daunting trip by foot, by mule, and finally by train. 
   The Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railway still follows the headwaters of the Arkansas River route.

                                                    

   And the French Gulch Water Tower is still standing, amidst terrific views of Mount Elbert, Colorado's highest snow-capped peak.
                                            
         One of the most famous stories associated with Leadville is the saga of Baby Doe Tabor, and it reads like a tragic soap opera. 

   Previously married and divorced, Elizbeth (Lizzie) McCourt, had already acquired the name Baby Doe and when Horace Tabor saw her, he was enchanted.                    

   Tabor built a grand theater in Denver, and an opera house in Leadville. 

    The Leadville structure was touted as being the best between Chicago and San Francisco. 

   John Phillips Sousa performed there, Jack Dempsey boxed on the same stage...the stage which still features a trap door Houdini allegedly used during his famous disappearing act. Susan B. Anthony and Oscar Wilde also tread the boards.
                                          

    Infamous characters like ...Doc Holliday, Frank and Jesse James, Buffalo Bill, Tom Horn, Bob and Cole Younger and the Daltons passed through Leadville. And stories of Wyatt Earp shooting a marble off the piano at the famous Pastime Saloon (still in operation) are a part of what has made Leadville one of the last remaining authentic early western towns.

                               
   With the repeal of the Silver Act and the panic of 1893 the Tabor’s fortunes were wiped out. Horace died in Denver. Baby Doe returned to Leadville, and although she found religion, she could find no investors for the Matchless Mine.                 

   Out of sheer guts and determination, she survived another 35 years, visited only on occasion by her two daughters. During the winter of 1935, after a severe snow storm, she froze to death, surrounded by her ramblings and journal entries. Some called her a madwoman—she was definitely a woman from which legends are born, and Leadville claims her as their own.

  In 1895, in an attempt to draw tourists to their town to bolster their flagging economy, Leadville constructed a mammoth ice castle. It opened January 1st 1896. Encompassing 58,000 square feet, it was dubbed the Crystal Palace. The palatial building included an ice skating rink, a merry-go-round, a toboggan run, and several social enterprises, including gambling, restaurants, and dance rooms.   

 Unfortunately, Leadville had a very early thaw in March, which destroyed the most magnificent ice palace in history.
  

  Today, one of the winter attractions in Leadville is ski-joring, where they close off main street, build terrifying ski ramps, and pull fearless skiers behind a horse running at full-gallop.    

  For those who prefer summer sports, there is
 pack burro racing....up a mountain.                                 

I hope my characters, Cody and Britania lived a long and happy life in Leadville. A town where, if you're lucky, dreams can come true. 

Blurb: Colorado, 1880

   Kicked out of England for offending the Royal Family, 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 side by side, 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? 

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.

Buy link

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 

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

Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

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

Amazon author  https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

Pinterest             https://www.pinterest.com/ginirifkin/pins/

Goodreads                     http://bit.ly/2OnHbrK

Barnes and Noble          http://bit.ly/2xPs9S4

AudioBooks                  https://adbl.co/2OlWbGJ

LinkedIn                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-rifkin-15950489/

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

The wild rose press     https://wildrosepress.com/?s=rifkin&post_type=product&type_aws=true

Thrilled to be featured in Literal Literary.

 

So proud to have an article in Literal Literary featuring my two award winning books Fatal Recall a contemporary thriller, and Break Heart Canyon an historical romance.

A little bit about Literal Literary: We strive to shine light on excellence in writing. We are an online literary platform that promotes talented authors, and high quality books and written works. We have the privilege of helping book lovers to discover new authors and their works, while helping authors to be more visible and find new reader bases who will support their work.

Please read my article here!

Available at

Available at

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

Elk in Colorado

    Elk arrived in northern Colorado around 8,000–10,000 years ago and in southern Colorado around 4,000–5,000 years ago. 

   Elk have two canine teeth, also known as ivories, "eyeteeth," "dog teeth" or even “whistle teeth”. Because they are vestigial tusks, these teeth are made of the same material as tusks on walruses, wild boars, and elephants. As antlers evolved to be larger, the canines receded to shrunken remnants of the ivory weapons once used for defense and fighting during the rut. I am still amazed that they shed these massive sets of antlers, and grow new ones every year. 

Although sometimes called whistlers, the teeth are not involved in the elk's bugling which comes from their vocal chords and nose. 
                       Some amazing footage of elk bugling
   The ivory teeth held great significance for some of the High Plains Native American tribes such as the Cheyenne, Lakota, Apsáalooke, Dakota, Kiowa, to name a few. At only two teeth per animal they were a prized commodity. Using the teeth to decorate leather ceremonial dresses indicated status and the prowess of the wife's husband's hunting ability or his wealth for trading. If used in bargaining, 100 ivories would buy you a good horse.

                     

A Lakota legend explains the importance of the teeth: 

"Two elk teeth remain after everything else has crumbled to dust… and for that reason the elk tooth has become an emblem of long life. When a child is born, its parents desire long life for it and for this reason an elk tooth is given to a child."

 We are so fortunate to be able to see great gatherings of these beautiful creatures in Estes Park the town and surrounding area. 

If you do go there, resist the urge to get a selfie or to pet these animals. An adult male can weigh 1200 pounds and they are lightning fast when need be. Besides, they deserve our respect and to be left alone to make their way through the world. 

In my story Trapper's Moon, a Still Moments Magazine Reader's choice award, I'm sure Kade and his partner Tucket dined gratefully on elk many a time. The heroine, Blind Deer, had survival on her mind, and although she makes a shirt for Kade, she has no time to sew ivory teeth on her own clothing. 

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 love or 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.

Available here

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

Amazon author              https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

Pinterest                         https://www.pinterest.com/ginirifkin/pins/

Goodreads                     http://bit.ly/2OnHbrK

Barnes and Noble          http://bit.ly/2xPs9S4

AudioBooks                  https://adbl.co/2OlWbGJ

LinkedIn                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-rifkin-15950489/

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

   

Book sale and N.N. Light Author Spotlight.

                  Very excited to have an Author Spotlight 

                       at N.N. Lights Book Heaven site. 
            https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/post/gini-rifkin-abs

                            My award winning novela

                        Promise Me Christmas is on sale. 

                                      E-book 99 Cents 

                                     Paperback $5.00       

           

Buy link here!

   The nights are growing longer and the winter snows are coming and Darkenwald Castle is under siege.  

   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. 

                                            Buy link here!