My second western romance book, Treasures of the Heart will soon be available in ebook, softcover, and audiobook formats.

Here are a brief description and sample:

Treasures of the Heart

A quiet quirky loner rides into Bent Fork on a horse named Sweet Pea to visit an old friend. He receives devastating news from his friend’s widow who says her husband died under mysterious circumstances and everything they’d worked for was stolen from them. Sparks soon fly as five people risk their lives to try to make things right. But Aloysius “Wolverine” McLean and Amanda Goodson discover the biggest challenge of all has less to do with guns and gold and everything to do with love.

Catherine and the Comanche

Cultures and genders clash as a courageous, young white woman and wily Comanche brave battle each other before finding themselves on a desperate mission to stop a war that would pit their peoples against each other. They soon learn their only hope is to work together against a tribe of treacherous warriors who’ll stop at nothing to ensure the pair don’t reach the fort alive. Does romance have a chance to take root and bloom in such brutal conditions?

Snippet:

McLean found a dull ax, sharpened it, and, stripping off his shirt, chopped a large pile of wood. He’d held off the noisy chore until he was sure Amanda was awake. The young man enjoyed the exercise and it felt good to earn his keep.

Amanda peeked out the window at his lean, masculine form and couldn’t help but admire how his muscles rippled as he worked. What a good man he is to try to help us with Pelton and to chop firewood for us. Thank you, Henry, for making such a friend. We sure could use his help. I hope he doesn’t get beat up or worse. He proved he can handle himself in a fair fight with that monster at the mercantile, but Pelton never fights fair. He’s likely to send men to shoot him in the back or something. With that thought, the young widow said a silent prayer for his protection. 

Amanda finished cooking and sent Tommy to fetch him for breakfast. Aloysius washed up using the hand basin on the small crudely made unfinished table on the tiny porch and put his shirt back on. A man worth his salt didn’t sit bare-chested at the table. The enticing aroma of coffee and bacon blended with the smell of freshly baked biscuits promised a delicious start to his day. With the addition of fried eggs, it was a filling meal that was every bit as delicious as the aromas had promised.

Amanda noticed how pleasant it was to once again have a good man at the table interacting with her and the children.

Looking at the large feast, Tommy’s eyes grew wide and he said, “Thank you for the bacon, Mama. It’s been so long since …”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full, young man!”

“But I swallowed first, Mama.”

“Well, best hush up and eat. Don’t want the food getting cold, and you two have chores to do.”

At Tommy’s comment and his mother’s reaction, McLean realized the family hadn’t had bacon—or probably any other meat—for quite a while. He seethed at the thought of what Pelton had done to this family.

McLean wiped his mouth and said, “Thank you, Amanda. I reckon that’s about the best meal I’ve had in way too long.” He meant every word of it. Henry had truly been a lucky man. A pretty wife and good woman who’s an excellent cook and mother of two great kids! Henry had treasure long before he found gold, and he was wise enough to know and appreciate it.

McLean said to the children, “I fed the livestock and milked the cows. I hope you don’t mind if I did some of your chores.”

They beamed as Sarah said, “We don’t mind.”

Tommy graciously added, “You can do them any time you want.”

McLean grinned, “Well, that’s mighty thoughtful of you two. I’ll keep your offer in mind. Thank you.”

Amanda prompted, “What do you say to Mr. McLean?”

The children replied in unison, “You’re welcome.”

The adults looked at each other and laughed.

After the dishes had been cleared, Amanda sent the children out to feed the chickens., collect eggs, and take care of their other chores.

“Well, I better hit the trail.”

“Please be careful, Aloysius. Rafe Pelton never fights fairly. He has a lot of thugs, bushwhackers, thieves, and other lowlifes to do his dirty work for him.”

The young man gave her a reassuring smile and said, “Don’t worry, I was born careful. I’ll try to avoid trouble if I can, or at least until we’re ready to make our move. Thank you for the delicious breakfast, Amanda.”

“I hope I made enough. I’ve forgotten how much to cook when a man is around.” Her eyes misted.

“There was plenty. Thank you.”

**

With love,

Russ