Guest Author: Elizabeth Lane

This week we're welcoming Harlequin Historicals author and Unusual Historicals contributor, Elizabeth Lane, as she celebrates her latest release, THE HORSEMAN'S BRIDE, set in 1919 Colorado!

A magnificent man on a splendid stallion. Fiery Clara Seavers is determined to have them both. At nineteen, Clara is accustomed to getting her own way. But there's more to the handsome stranger than meets the eye. Jace Denby is a man of deep and troubling secrets--a man who can never promise her his love.

Clara is a rich man's daughter. Jace knows she's trouble, but he can't seem to keep his hands off her, especially when Clara seems so willing. It would be all too easy to fall in love with her. But Jace is a man on the run--a man who has to keep moving or die at the end of a rope.

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Four Blue Ribbons! "Clara is a strong heroine who instantly feels like a friend, and Jace comes to a life as the perfect protective and loving hero. He puts Clara's safety before anything else. Every character is important in THE HORSEMAN'S BRIDE, a great ensemble piece. If you enjoy Westerns, you won't want to miss this one." ~ Romance Junkies

Five Spurs!!!!! "Elizabeth Lane has written an emotion packed story about the consequences of lies, the necessity of trust, and the strength of love. Not only did the reader get to catch up with characters from previous books, but the story takes place twenty years later in the series, when the Wild West was supposedly tamer. Ms. Lane's story demonstrates that human nature doesn't vary much, regardless of the century." ~ Love Western Romance

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Tell us about yourself.

I'm a westerner by birth and upbringing. My grandparents lived like pioneers and my great-grandparents were pioneers. I grew up in a small town, in a family of people who loved the outdoors. Maybe that's why writing Western romance comes so naturally to me. But I can and do write other things. My earliest books were big historical sagas. Then the market changed and I found a new home at Harlequin Historicals. Counting a couple of ghost writing projects, I'm coming up on 35 books. Twenty-eight of those books have been for Harlequin--three of them contemporaries, the rest historicals.

Tell us about your new book, THE HORSEMAN'S BRIDE.

My new historical, THE HORSEMAN'S BRIDE, is an April 2009 release from Harlequin Historicals. Although the story can stand on its own for new readers, those of you who've met the Seavers and Gustavson families in THE BORROWED BRIDE and HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE will be happy to know that Clara, now 19, finally gets her own story.

Why did you set this story in 1919, instead of the traditional Old West?

My first reason was practical. Clara, my heroine, was a newborn in THE BORROWED BRIDE (set in 1899) and a young child in HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE (set in 1906). She deserved her own story. But first she needed time to grow up. There are other reasons as well. I find the early 1900s fascinating. The world was changing so fast, with the old ways and new ways existing side by side. If you've seen the movie Legends of the Fall you'll understand why I love this time period for a Western setting. I also feel strongly connected to this time because I've known people who were alive then. Jace and Clara could have been the ages of my grandparents.

What can your readers expect next?

I'd planned to end this series with THE HORSEMAN'S BRIDE. Then a stunning, strong-willed woman strode into the last chapter of the book, and I knew I wasn't finished. Those of you who've read, or will read THE HORSEMAN'S BRIDE, will be happy to know that Ruby gets her story. Look for my next "Bride" title in late 2010 or early 2011.

After that, I'll be leaving Dutchman's Creek, Colorado for the northern California coast and a haunting post-gold rush story that I can't wait to write.

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Thanks for stopping by, Elizabeth! She will be here all week to answer questions about her latest historical romance novel. In particular, what do you think of the 1919 setting? Does it evoke feelings of Legends of the Fall (featuring one very young and steamy Brad Pitt) or is it too "modern" for a western historical? I'll draw the random winner next Sunday. Void where prohibited. Best of luck!

From THE HORSEMAN'S BRIDE by Elizabeth Lane; Copyright ©2010.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. The edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

Humor: Will Rogers

By Elizabeth Lane

Will Rogers died before I was born. I never saw any of his movies or heard his voice on the radio. But I feel as if I knew him because he was my dad's favorite movie star. Dad talked about him a lot, especially on long car trips.

Most movie cowboys were city boys with pretty faces. Born in 1879 on the Dog Iron Ranch in Oklahoma's Indian Territory, Will was the real thing. Both his parents were part Cherokee (Will once quipped that his ancestors didn't come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat). The youngest of eight children, Will quit school after the 10th grade. He was more interested in being a cowboy than in reading, writing and arithmetic.

A freed slave taught him how to use a lasso to work Texas Longhorn cattle on the family ranch. As he grew older, Will's roping skills were so remarkable that he was listed in the Guinness Book of Records for throwing three lassos at the same time: One rope caught the running horse's neck, the other would hoop around the rider and the third swooped up under the horse to loop all four legs. After some early adventures abroad, will returned to America and went into show business as "The Cherokee Kid." His skills won him jobs trick roping in wild west shows and on the vaudeville stages where, soon, he started telling small jokes.

Quickly, his wisecracks and folksy observations became more prized by audiences than his expert roping. He became known as an informed philosopher, telling the truth in simple words so that everyone could understand. Here are some examples:

"A fool and his money are soon elected."

"Advertising is the art of convincing people to spend money they don't have for something they don't need."

"Buy land. They ain't making any more of the stuff."

"Even if you're on the right track you'll get run over if you just sit there."

"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"

"Never let yesterday use up too much of today."

"We are all here for a spell. Get all the good laughs you can."

Will starred on Broadway and in 71 movies and was also a radio broadcaster. He wrote more than 4,000 newspaper columns and six books. Presidents, senators and kings sought his opinions. Inside himself, Will Rogers remained a simple Oklahoma cowboy. "I never met a man I didn't like," was his credo of genuine love and respect for humanity and all people everywhere. He gave his own money to disaster victims and raised thousands for the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Will was also a devoted husband and father of four. He married Betty Blake in 1908 after an 8 year courtship. He would say, "When I roped her, that was the star performance of my life."

In 1935, at the age of 55, Will took off on a flight around the world with a legendary pilot named Wiley Post. The plane crashed in Alaska. Both men lost their lives. The outpouring of national grief over Will Rogers's passing is generally regarded to be the greatest such show of national mourning since the death of Lincoln some seventy years earlier. Will has been honored with postage stamps and monuments, including a statue in the U.S. Capitol building. And his wise, simple words are still with us.

My upcoming book is set at a time when Will Rogers was popular. THE HORSEMAN'S BRIDE is the third book of the series that began with THE BORROWED BRIDE and continued with HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE. Watch for it in March 2010.

Book Party: Elizabeth Lane

It's Sunday on Unusual Historicals, which means time to talk with another wonderful author and try to win a free book. Weekends, they are good! This week we're featuring contributor Elizabeth Lane as she celebrates the release of her latest book, HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE, set during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

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Dashing but cynical Quint Seavers lives for danger. A past betrayal has made him wary of love, and he has no idea that independent, practical Annie Gustavson holds a secret longtime passion for him. Nor does he realize that the only reason Annie has traveled to San Francisco is to win his love--or walk away forever. When disaster strikes the city, Annie's courage and determination match his own--and suddenly Quint knows that she's exactly what has been missing from his life all along...

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Tell us about yourself, Elizabeth!

I'm a westerner by birth and upbringing. My grandparents lived like pioneers and my great-grandparents were pioneers. I grew up in a small town, in a family of people who loved the outdoors. Maybe that's why writing Western romance comes so naturally to me. But I can and do write other things. My earliest books were historical sagas. Then the market changed and I found a new home at Harlequin Historicals. Counting a couple of ghost writing projects, I'm coming up on 33 books. Twenty-six of those have been for Harlequin--three contemporaries, but the rest historicals.

What can you tell us about your newest book, HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE?

HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE is an April 2009 release from Harlequin Historicals. Those of you who met the Seavers brothers, Judd and Quint, in THE BORROWED BRIDE will be happy to know that in this sequel, set six years later, Quint and Annie finally get their chance to fall in love.

The story takes place in 1906 San Francisco in the days prior to the catastrophic earthquake and fire. Quint, a crusading reporter, has invited Annie to bring Clara, the little girl he fathered in the previous book, to San Francisco for a visit. The three of them become enmeshed in a web of intrigue and danger--a danger that will demand the ultimate sacrifice.

What was it like to research this book?

Researching HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE was fascinating work. The 1906 earthquake and fire are so well documented that I had no excuse for not getting it right. I found some wonderful books filled with authentic photographs and personal accounts. There are so many stories about the quake, so many tales of tragedy, irony and heroism. In addition to the books I read, I found a couple of excellent documentary films. Even the old movie San Francisco with Clark Gable and Jeanette McDonald gave me some ideas to add to the flavor of the book.

I also paid a visit to present day San Francisco. Since my daughter lives in the Bay area, I was able to combine my research with a family visit. She and I trekked all over the city, looking for historic spots and having a wonderful time.

One of my biggest challenges was finding an accurate map of 1906 San Francisco. The street layout was much the same as it is today, but entire neighborhoods and many important sites were destroyed by the earthquake and fire. When I finally found the map that could help me I kept it in front of me the entire time I was writing the book. Since setting plays such an important role in this story, I hope my research will add to the reader's understanding and enjoyment.

What do you do when you're not writing?

I love adventure. Over the years I've lived in Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Germany and traveled to such exotic spots as China, Nepal, Tanzania and Peru. I've chased whales in a rubber boat, rafted the grand canyon and taken a flying lesson. When I'm not writing I like to be moving--I belly dance, hike and do yoga. I also volunteer as a zoo docent and enjoy teaching children about animals. After 23 years working as an educational software designer, I finally get to write full time. I like to think my writing career is just getting started!

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REVIEW QUOTES:

HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE is a beautifully written story about discovering the true gift of love. Annie has loved Quint for so long it was heartbreaking to think that her dream would never come to be, but in the end Quint proved what a true hero he is. Elizabeth Lane first introduced Annie and Quint in the previous story THE BORROWED BRIDE and since that time I have been anxiously waiting for Annie and Quint's story. As impatient as I am I have to say that HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE was well worth the wait and truly deserving the five blue ribbon rating that I am giving it.
--Dina Smith, Romance Junkies

"...Author Elizabeth Lane has set a first rate suspense against the background of 1906 San Francisco and the earthquake that defined that city. She's also created a sensual romance where secrets won't stay buried. With a hero who has to learn boundaries and a heroine who needs to spread her wings, Ms. Lane gives readers characters who tug at your heart strings as they face danger around every corner. Especially poignant is the little girl Clara, blissfully unaware of the threats swirling about her. A captivating romance, an intriguing suspense and characters that make you care."
Carol, Love Western Romance

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Thanks for being with us, Elizabeth!

If you'd like a shot at winning a copy of HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE, leave a comment or question for Elizabeth. I'm particularly interested in what Elizabeth's done by setting a novel in the urban West, which is hardly ever seen. Would you be interested in Westerns set in cities? Or are you a ranch-and-cowboys sort of reader? Open up! Let us know! We'll draw a winner at random next Sunday.

Weekly Announcements - 15 Nov 08

Michelle Styles has been featured in The Hexham Courant, her local paper, about her latest book, A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY

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Erastes has done an interview with Romance at Heart magazine and received a nice review for FROST FAIR:

The historical details are obviously very accurate, you can always picture the nineteen century London in which is set the story, and I bet that you can still follow the steps of Gideon around the city still now and seeing the same view he saw. The nice description of the FROST FAIR, an impromptu fair held on the frozen Thames, is the same you can see in some prints of the time.

FROST FAIR was released today, so you can pick up a copy here.

Gideon Frost is willing to do whatever it takes to earn enough money to save the printing shop that was left to him by his father. But when faced with the prospect of having to engage in acts society deems unnatural and the law declares punishable by death, he realized there are limits as to how far he'll go. Then he meets the privileged and handsome Joshua Redfern, the one man who tempts Gideon to break his own rules.

Joshua Redfern has no title or important relations, but his independent fortune allows him a life that is more than comfortable. And more importantly, it enables him to offer assistance to the unfortunate but beautiful Gideon just when the man needs it most. Joshua realizes his interest in Gideon is far more than charitable, but is the man similarly attracted or merely indebted?

When the Thames freezes over and London hosts the great Frost Fair of 1814, trouble and necessity bring Gideon and Joshua together. But just as ice is destined to eventually crack, will the circumstances break these two men as they learn that life isn't always fair?

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Elizabeth Lane received two reviews for THE BORROWED BRIDE from The Good, the Bad and the Unread. Wendy the Super Librarian wrote, "THE BORROWED BRIDE is an emotional read, and Judd is just the ticket for readers who adore haunted, wounded heroes," while Devon said, "The chemistry was good and the tension was involving. I was waiting for that first kiss."

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Hot on the heels of her first release, Jennifer Linforth just sold book two of The Madrigals. ABENDLIED, which weaves in Philippe de Chagny's role in The Madrigals, will be a 2009 release. More details to come!

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If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...

THE BORROWED BRIDE Winner!

We have a winner for Elizabeth Lane's THE BORROWED BRIDE giveaway:

Christy H!

Contact Elizabeth to give her your address. The book must be claimed by next Sunday or another winner will be drawn. Please stop back later to let us know what you thought of her book! Congratulations!

Weekly Announcements - 08 Nov 08

Michelle Styles' A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY received a four-star review from Realms on Our Bookshelves. "Lovely is the first word that came to mind after finishing Michelle Styles' A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY. With it I reconnected with the genuine Regency historical romance, complete with the society gossips, the secretive seduction and wooing, the misinterpreted intentions and the budding feelings of love."

Also, the cover for AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE appeared on the opening credits of the BBC 4 production of Consuming Passions, a docu-drama about the history of Mills & Boon.

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Join us tomorrow when our guest author will be Unusual Historicals contributor Jennifer Linforth. Jennifer will be talking about her debut release MADRIGAL, which continues Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera.

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We'll also draw the winner of Elizabeth Lane's THE BORROWED BRIDE. There's still time to leave a comment for your shot at winning!

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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...

Book Party: Elizabeth Lane

This week we welcome one of our newest Unusual Historicals contributors, Elizabeth Lane, as she celebrates the release of her newest book from Harlequin Mills & Boon, THE BORROWED BRIDE, set in 1899 Colorado.

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Footloose young Quint Seavers runs off to the Klondike, not knowing that he's left his childhood sweetheart Hannah in a family way. When Quint can't be reached, it's up to his older brother Judd to do the right thing and marry the poor girl—in name only of course, and just until Quint comes home.

The marriage catapults Hannah into a new life. The big house on the Seavers Ranch is like a palace, ruled by Quint's antagonistic mother. Judd, her new husband, is brusque and remote. But something in his haunted eyes cries out for Hannah's understanding. What will happen when she finds herself falling in love with the husband who's vowed to treat her as a sister?

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Tell us about yourself.

I'm a westerner by birth and upbringing. My grandparents lived like pioneers, and my great-grandparents were pioneers. I grew up in a small town, in a family of people who loved the outdoors. Maybe that's why writing Western romance comes so naturally to me. But I can and do write other things. My earliest books were historical sagas. Then the market changed and I found a new home at Harlequin Historicals. Counting a couple of ghost writing projects, I'm coming up on 32 books. Twenty-five of those have been for Harlequin--three of them contemporaries, the rest historicals.

Tell us about your new book, THE BORROWED BRIDE.

THE BORROWED BRIDE is a November 2008 release from Harlequin Historicals. It has just been nominated for Best Western of 2008 by the Love Western Romances.

Since it's set in the American West, what qualifies THE BORROWED BRIDE as an unusual historical?

This classic love story could take place almost anywhere and in any time period. I chose to set it on a Colorado ranch on the cusp of the 19th and 20th Centuries. As one reviewer put it, the two brothers in the story symbolize the changing times. Quint is a throwback to the adventurous, pioneering 1800s. Judd's focus is forward, to the growth of the future and what it will do for his family.

What do you do when you're not writing?

I love adventure. Over the years I've lived in Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Germany and traveled to such exotic spots as China, Nepal, Tanzania and Peru. I've chased whales in a rubber boat, rafted the grand canyon and taken a flying lesson. When I'm not writing I like to be moving--I belly dance, hike and do yoga. I also volunteer as a zoo docent and enjoy teaching children about animals. After 23 years working as an educational software designer, I finally get to write full time. I like to think my writing career is just getting started!

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REVIEW QUOTES:

"THE BORROWED BRIDE is another breathtaking, romantic story by Elizabeth Lane. With Mrs. Lane's masterful penmanship the characters come alive weaving a flawless story the reader won't be able to put down." Dina Smith, Romance Junkies

"5 Spurs! With well-crafted characters and a difficult dilemma, this story will keep you turning the page as it captures your heart." Carol, Love Western Romances

"If you have never read one of Elizabeth Lane's books before prepare yourself for a poignant emotional attack. I am always amazed by the impact her books have on me. Without fail, she finds the perfect words to convey a complete picture. You feel the force of not only the emotions of her characters but their setting as well." Kim Swiderski, Writers Unlimited

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We posted an excerpt of THE BORROWED BRIDE last week for our Thursday Excerpts feature. Check it out.

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High praise for a much-anticipated Western. If you'd like a shot at winning a copy of THE BORROWED BRIDE, leave a comment or questions for Elizabeth. We'll draw the lucky winner in one week. Thanks for stopping by!

Weekly Announcements - 31 Oct 08

Carrie Lofty's article "The Trials and Triumphs of Unusual Historicals" was published this week in the RWA's Romance Writers Report. You can read the article here.

If you're a new reader joining us for the first time after seeing the article, welcome! Our readership stats have doubled since this time last year, so we hope interest in unusual historicals is growing!

To our new readers, the site schedule is as follows: themed historical posts on Monday-Wednesday; excerpts on Thursday; announcements on Friday; and interviews with book giveaways on Sundays. You can see the calendar of our upcoming posts and guest spots here. Check it out and see if your favorite unusual historical author will be interviewed soon. If you have suggestions about who to interview, or if you're an author who writes unusual historicals, please email Carrie.

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In addition, Carrie has just posted her November contest. Win a $25 gift certificate from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, plus a copy of WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS when it's released on December 2.

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Texty Ladies will be featuring a four-part workshop on plotting by Jacquie Rogers starting Monday, November 3rd, and lasting all through the month. Plot your book and win a prize!

Also, the Down Home Ever Lovin' Mule Blues pet pictures contest final round begins November 1st, so drop by Jacquie's contest page and vote for your favorite!

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Although it's not a historical, we're excited for Jean Adams as she releases A PLACE OF HEALING this week through The Wild Rose Press. Here's the blurb:

Holly Spicer has vengeance on her mind. She wants to get the men who murdered her partner and she'll see it through even if it kills her. She travels to a secluded beach to calm her mind and plan her revenge.

Sexy psychologist turned movie star, Adam Benedict, is determined to stop her. He must call on his old training to keep the courageous cop alive. But nothing, not even Adam's love can stop her.

Can Holly's troubled soul find peace? Can she find her healing place in Adam's arms?

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Anna C. Bowling's March 2009 release ORPHANS IN THE STORM has a gorgeous cover. Here's the blurb:

The Hidden Countess: A black robe brought Jonnet Killey to the Isle of Man and a black robe would take her away to the noble English family she has never known.

The King's Man: All Simon Burke wants is to carry out his mission to return Jonnet to her birth mother and secure the funds to help finance Charles Stuart’s return to British soil.

An Adventure in Exile: A new life awaits Jonnet, with a mother on the brink of madness and a treacherous uncle who will stop at nothing to keep Jonnet's inheritance to himself. While the end of exile nears, danger mounts. Can Simon and Jonnet depend on their newfound love to sustain them while the storm of treachery rages around them?

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Join us Sunday when our guest author will be new Unusual Historicals contributor Elizabeth Lane. Elizabeth will be talking about her latest release THE BORROWED BRIDE, set in Colorado in 1899.

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We'll also draw the winner of Terry Blain's KENTUCKY GREEN. There's still time to leave a comment for your shot at winning!

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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...

Excerpt Thursday: Elizabeth Lane

Thursdays on Unusual Historicals means excerpts! Here's one from Elizabeth Lane's newest release from Harlequin Mills & Boon, THE BORROWED BRIDE, set in 1899 Colorado.

Elizabeth will be doing a Q&A and a giveaway on Sunday, so make sure to stop back.

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Dutchman's Creek, Colorado,
March 2, 1899

Hannah felt the approaching train before she heard it. Her fingers groped for Quint's as the platform quivered beneath her feet. A mournful whistle pierced the rainy distance.

"It's coming!" Quint strained toward the sound like a tethered hunting dog, eager to be loosed and running. Hannah shivered beneath her shawl as the cold March wind whipped along the platform. Any second now, she would see the gray-white plume rising into mist above the bare cottonwoods. All too soon, the train would be pulling into the station. When it pulled out again, Quint would be waving goodbye from the window of the passenger car.

She gazed at his clean-chiseled profile, memorizing every feature--the chestnut curls that tumbled over his forehead, the tiny bump on the bridge of his nose, the alert hazel eyes, fixed now on the distant curve of tracks where the train would appear. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

It wasn't fair, Hannah thought. Quint was happy, and her own heart was on the verge of shattering like a mason jar dropped onto a stone floor.

Hannah had loved Quint Seavers for as long as she could remember. They'd been sweethearts since their school days, and the whole town had expected them to marry. So why couldn't he have just let nature take its course? Why had he gotten this crack-brained urge to run off and seek his fortune in the Klondike gold fields?

At first she'd hoped it was just a whim. But the Klondike was all Quint had talked about for the past year. Only one thing had kept him in Dutchman's Creek. His older brother Judd had joined the Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders and gone off to the Spanish American War, leaving Quint behind to tend the family ranch and look after their invalid mother. But that was about to change. After four months with the Rough Riders and five months in a Virginia military hospital, Judd was coming home. He'd be arriving on the train that had just appeared around the distant bend--the train that would be taking Quint away.

"Do you think he'll be changed?" Edna Seavers' white hands gripped the woven cane arms of her wheelchair. A cheerless wisp of a woman clad in widow's black, she'd been wheeled around in that chair for as long as Hannah could remember.

"War changes everybody, Mama," Quint said. "Judd's been through a bad time with his wounds and the malaria. But he'll come around once he's been home a while. You'll see."

"I wish it was you coming home and Judd leaving." Mrs. Seavers had never hidden the fact that Quint was the favorite of her two children. "Why do you have to go anyway? You're too young to go rushing off on your own."

Quint sighed. "I'm twenty-one, Mama. You promised me that I could go when Judd came home. Well, Judd's coming. And I'm going."

Hannah glanced from Quint to his mother, feeling invisible. She'd been Quint's girl for years, but Edna Seavers barely acknowledged her existence.

The train whistled again, its shrill voice a cry in Hannah's ears. She shifted her weight, conscious of the raw ache between her thighs. Her mother had lectured her about men's appetites and made her swear, with her right hand on the Bible, that she would keep herself from sin. But last night with Quint, in the darkness of the hayloft, her good intentions had unraveled like a torn sweater. She had given herself willingly. But the act had been so awkward and painful that when Quint had moaned and rolled off her, she'd been secretly relieved. Later that night, in the room she shared with her four younger sisters, Hannah had buried her face in her pillow and wept until there were no tears left.

Pistons pumping, the engine glided into the station. Half-glimpsed faces flashed past in the windows of the passenger car. For an instant Hannah held her breath, as if she could will the train to keep moving. Then the mail sack thumped onto the platform. The brakes moaned as the line of cars shuddered to a full stop.

There was a beat of silence, then a stirring inside the passenger car. A door swung open. The lone figure of a tall man in a drooping felt hat emerged onto the step. Veiled by misting rain he moved down onto the platform.

Hannah hadn't known Judd Seavers well. Eight years Quint's senior, he'd been too old to be counted among her playmates. She remembered him as a taciturn young man with somber gray eyes and hands that were always working. In the years Hannah had been coming around the Seavers place, he'd shown no more interest in her than Edna had.

Now he walked toward them, where they waited under the shelter of the eave. He moved slowly, heedless of the rain that beaded his tan coat and trickled off the brim of his hat. A battered canvas field bag, the sort that a soldier would carry, dangled loosely from one hand. He looked old, Hannah thought. Old before his time. Maybe that was what war did to people.

But why was she thinking about Judd? Minutes from now, Quint--her Quint, the love of her life--would be gone. Certainly for months. Maybe for years.

Maybe forever.
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Judd clenched his teeth against the pain that shot through him with each step. Most of the time it wasn't so bad, but the long, jarring train ride had roused every shard of metal that the doctors had left in his body. He was hurting like blazes, but he wasn't about to show it. Not with his mother and brother looking on.

The nurse had offered him laudanum to ease the trip. Judd had turned it down. He'd had enough opiates to know what they could do to a man, and he'd sworn he was finished. Still, sitting up those long nights with the rhythm of iron wheels rattling through his bones, he'd have bargained away his soul for a few hours of relief.

But never mind all that, he was home now, walking down the platform through the soft Colorado rain. Home from the war with two legs, two arms and two eyes. He could only wish to God that some of his friends had fared as well.

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©2008 Elizabeth Lane. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. For more romance information, go to E-Harlequin.