**Welcome again, Jacqui, with your beautiful cover for your newest release. I Can’t wait to get it in my pudgy little fingers!!!
Thank you once again, Mimi, for hosting me on your blog during the two-day reveal of my upcoming new release! Yesterday, I shared the cover for my newest Western historical romance available this June. Today it’s excerpt time.
I’m delighted to share with you this never-before-seen excerpt from Between Heaven & Hell. I hope you’ll leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the story that earned me a Golden Heart® for Historical Romance.
Excerpt
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas – 1850
Paden Callahan lifted his gaze skyward. High above him, the pale blue arc didn’t even come close to rivaling the eyes of the woman standing beside him. How on earth had she made that shot? He knew only a handful of men capable of the feat she’d accomplished. Most of them were seasoned Rangers. Men from a life he’d left far behind.
He shook his head. A woman couldn’t be a scout. The job was chockfull of hazards. But the competition had been dangerous as well. Why had he allowed her to stand off against a brute like Dawson? Why had he behaved so impulsively?
Dawson looked none too pleased either. He clutched his rifle against his chest in a white-knuckled grip. “If you hire her instead of me, you’ll be sorry.” The scout’s voice was as close to a hiss as any Paden had heard. The man wasn’t going to leave quietly.
Paden suppressed a growl of impatience. He hadn’t shot anyone in years and meant to keep it that way. He strove for an even tone. “I’ve got a whole saddle bag full of sorrys. Adding another won’t make much difference.”
Dawson lowered his spent rifle until it hung by his side. His free hand twitched, inching toward the loaded pistol strapped to his hip.
Paden drew his revolver, cocking it on the upswing and leveling it at Dawson. The feminine gasp close beside him made him freeze. He suppressed the urge to tell her he wasn’t a killer. Why lie? He’d pulled the trigger in the past, and Dawson needed to believe he’d do it again. “Keep the supplies we advanced you. That’s more generous than I have to be. But this is the last time I’ll tell you—leave.”
Dawson slunk off with his two cronies dogging his heels. Paden released the hammer and shoved his revolver back into its holster. Then he spun to face the woman.
This time she didn’t retreat, but every bone in her slender body leaned away from him. He shouldn’t have reached for her earlier when she swayed on her feet. Being almost grabbed by a lout like himself had only added to the storm of emotions he sensed in her: caution warred with curiosity…and something more.
Cover Blurb
Welcome to a new Old West…
Hannah knows one thing the moment she enters Fort Leavenworth—she’s arrived in Hell. But inside is the means to a new life, a position as a scout on a wagon train bound for the Western Territories. All she has to do is convince the wagon master, Paden Callahan, she’s the right person for the job.
After his wife was murdered by the Comanche, Paden let his work as a Texas Ranger consume him. Now he wants nothing more than to disappear into the West. Unfortunately, the one man he can’t refuse has asked him to guide a wagon train full of tenderfoots across thousands of miles of Indian land. But Paden’s greatest challenge turns out to be Hannah, a woman his heart won’t allow him to ignore even though she was raised by an enemy he hates.
Release Date
June 2014
Author Bio
Jacqui Nelson writes historical romantic adventures set in the American West and Victorian London. Her love for the Old West came from watching classic Western movies while growing up on a cattle farm. Her passion for Victorian London wasn’t far behind and only increased when she worked in England and explored the nooks and crannies of London on her weekends. She now lives on the west coast of Canada where she works in a bookstore. She is a Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® winner and three-time finalist.
Jacqui’s debut release was Adella’s Enemy, a novella featuring a feisty female spy and an Irish railroad foreman. Adella’s Enemy can be read on its own or as part of the Passion’s Prize anthology inspired by the hit Western TV series Hell on Wheels.
Jacqui’s Golden Heart® nominated novels—Between Heaven & Hell (set on the Oregon Trail) and Between Love & Lies(set in Dodge City during the heyday of the cattle drives)—will be released this summer.
Awards for Between Heaven & Hell
Great Expectations, Gotcha, Gateway to the Best finalist and winner of the 2010 Golden Heart® for Historical Romance.
Praise for the previous work of Jacqui Nelson
“A great tale with subterfuge, saboteurs and sweet romance.” – Nora (Adella’s Enemy on Amazon.com)
“A fantastic read that has you turning the pages faster with every sentence.” – Lisa (Adella’s Enemy on Amazon.com)
Today’s Giveaway
Be the first to receive Between Heaven & Hell as a gift directly from the author! Leave a comment below (with your e-mail address) and you’ll be entered in a draw to win a free e-book (for your Kindle or your computer).
Thank you everyone who visited yesterday and left comments!
To learn more about Jacqui and her writing, please visit…
Good luck with this Jacqui. I remember reading the opening scene when you entered it in a VIC contest. It was wonderful then and it is now too.
Looks like another awesome book Jacqui! I look forward to reading it!
Great excerpt Jacqui!! You've got me hooked 🙂 It reminds me of Lonesome Dove.
I've been wanting to read this book ever since I read an excerpt on your website. Hooked me right away! So yes please enter me in the contest – I'm on the loop. 😉
Thanks, Alice! The VIC-RWA chapter contest & prep-group was instrumental in helping me hone my first pages and give me the best shot possible for the Golden Heart awards.
Thanks, Gael! I cherish the lovely review you gave me for ADELLA'S ENMEY. Loved when you said "Pulled me into the American West faster than a shot of whiskey could be downed on a hot day." Still makes me smile when I read it 🙂
Oh my! What a lovely comparison. I adore Lonesome Dove. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment!
Yay, Amanda! So happy to see you hear! I love posting excerpts on my website, and it's good to know that people actually read them 🙂 Thanks for dropping by and commenting!
Can't wait to read the rest, Jacqui! Way to go!
Great excerpt Jacqui. This novel sounds like a fascinating read.
Can't wait to see how the plot unfolds.
You've got me hooked Jacqui. I'm really wondering where she learned to shoot and if she's going to get the job! 😀
Thanks, Clare! Eating chocolate from England as I type this. Thank you for the gift 🙂
Well…they'll definitely be going down the Oregon Trail (until they reach Fort Bridger) that's as much of the plot as I'll give away 🙂 Thanks for dropping by, Jodie!
Hannah is my little Annie Oakley sharpshooter & horse rider extraordinaire. All skills she learned from… I'll have to share another excerpt and let you know 🙂 Thanks for visiting and commenting, T. Rae!
Thank you again Mimi for letting me hang out with you and your guests!
And day 2's winner of the free e-copy of BETWEEN HEAVEN & HELL is…Amanda Bidnall! Will be contacting you soon, Amanda, to coordinate sending you Paden and Hannah's story.
Come back anytime, Jacqui – especially when the next release is planned :-)))
Congratulations Amanda – you're in for a real treat 🙂
Well done, Jacqui,
The excerpt was great and the cover caught my eye right away. Good luck with it,
Sylvie