Wednesday Wonders: SPECIAL DELIVERY BABY

This week's Wednesday Wonders features 

Special Delivery Baby 

by Sherri Schackelford

About Special Delivery Baby:

Instant Daddy 

An abandoned baby is the last thing town founder Will Canfield expects on his doorstep. He's not the father—and the mother's unknown. But the precious little girl needs a protector. And Will never backs down from a challenge, even if it means caring for a newborn…or dealing with spitfire cattle driver Tomasina Stone. 

With her father gone, Tomasina's trail life has ended. Yet becoming a polished city lady feels far out of her reach. All she wants is a place where she'll be appreciated, respected…maybe loved. And the more time she spends helping Will care for the baby, the more she wonders if she's found it. She's never wanted to settle down…but Cowboy Creek—by Will's side—might finally give her heart a lasting home. 

Cowboy Creek: Bringing mail-order brides, and new beginnings, to a Kansas boomtown.

Excerpt:  

      There was something awful endearing about a man strolling through the stockyards with a babe in his arms. She'd seen little softness from the men in her life. She's always had to work harder, ride longer and take more licks than the men. A woman in a man's job always had something to prove.
      He jabbed her poster with the tip of his cane. "This Texas Tom person cannot stage a rodeo in this town," he declared. "Those posters will have to be removed immediately."
     I don't know who put a burr under your saddle, Daddy Canfield, but you sure are a cranky fellow. Maybe fatherhood doesn't suit you.
     "Fatherhood suits me find." He shook his head. "I told you before I'm not a father. This isn't my baby."
     "Whatever you say, Mr. Canfield. But you sure are getting comfortable with that babe in your arms."
     "I'll speak with Texas Tom myself. When you see your boss, tell him I'm looking for him."
     "I might be able to save you some time," Tomasina declared with a wink. "I'm Texas Tom."



You may purchase Special Delivery Baby from the following:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble


My Book Review:

This was a delightful story with a great collection of characters--each unique and enjoyable to read about. Set in a fictional Kansas cow town laced with all the details of a real city of its day, it could have been Abilene in 1871. 

My only complaint--and I don't know if this was the author or her big-city, non-country, editor--but in one scene, the words bull and steer were used as synonyms. When it comes to cattle, a bull is a male that continues to have all the equipment needed to reproduce. A steer is a male which has had its reproduction equipment removed. The two words, bull and steer, are not interchangeable. Once you get past that, the story feels like the old West in action.

The plot was clever and multi-dimensional. There were some twists that kept me guessing for several pages, then on the edge of my seat as I waited to find out if I guessed correctly.

Tomasina was an interesting character. She struggled to find herself since the person who had defined her most of her life, her father, had died on the trail. She knew the men around her would not accept her for herself or tolerate her chosen lifestyle if she continued doing what she knew best. I enjoyed watching her work through her self-discovery.

As for that baby, she was a heart-warmer. This was a sweet romance I would recommend to anyone.    

About Sherri Shackelford:

 
A wife and mother of three, Sherri's hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning, and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, "Why did I just come in here?" A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast-paced, with plenty of heart and soul. She loves to hear from readers.

Connect with Sherri Shackelford:

Website | Facebook |Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page




 

Wednesday Wonders: MISCHIEF & MANORS

Today's Wednesday Wonders features 

Mischief & Manors 

by Ashtyn Newbold

About Mischief & Manors:

“Although his voice was gentle, his words struck me with the panic ridden feeling of being unarmed. He was uncovering buried truths from the deepest recesses of my heart, and I felt completely exposed by it.”

When Annette Downing and her mischievous little brothers were orphaned, Annette closed her heart off, dedicating her life to raising her brothers and protecting them from her abusive aunt. But when her wicked aunt sends them to Kellaway Manor for the summer to reform the boys’ bad behavior, Annette is reunited with the handsome Owen Kellaway, a childhood friend just as mischievous as her brothers. She soon finds her closeted heart in jeopardy in the battle between fear and desire. Does she have room in her heart for another?

Excerpt:

Owen turned his attention to my brothers again, resuming his tutorial tone of voice. “Anyhow, the answer I was looking for, when I asked you what a lady likes more than anything in the world, is . . . compliments.”

Peter’s brow furrowed. “What is a compliment?”

“To compliment someone is to flatter them with kind words. To tell them of something that you like about them, whether it be of their appearance or conduct. But don’t be mistaken into thinking that you should pay a compliment to every pretty girl that passes by. Give compliments only to those who truly deserve them.”

He stood up and walked in front of me where I sat on the edge of the fountain. His body acted as a shield from the sunlight, trapping me in his shadow. I looked up at him. Nervousness fluttered in my stomach for a reason I couldn’t name.

“Now, I know your sister doesn’t particularly like compliments,” he paused to shoot me a relentless smile, “but she is certainly one who deserves them.” He waved my brothers over. “So, come here and practice your compliments. You may say something about her beauty, her kindness, or whatever it is you like about her.”

I watched with amusement as Charles trudged to his feet and stifled a giggle. There was no possible way that he would take this seriously. He stopped beside Owen in front of me and flashed me a gap-toothed smile. “Your eyes are green.” He giggled and looked at Owen for approval.

Owen laughed and knelt beside Charles on the grass. He was facing me, his line of sight directly even with mine. He looked back at Charles briefly. “Almost. But you must tell her more about her eyes.” He took a slow breath and moved his gaze to me. “Tell her how beautiful they are, and how they make the rest of the world disappear. How any man would have to be blind not to lose himself within them.”

I scolded my heart for how wildly it was jumping around in my chest. This is only another demonstration. Surely he is not serious, I told my heart.

Charles giggled again. “I don’t want to say that!”

Owen didn’t move his gaze from my face. “Don’t worry. That one was from me.”

My Book Review:

Some young women without much experience raising children might find the first chapter delightful. At first I was annoyed with this introduction to this Regency romance. Two little boys, ages 5 and 7, were involved in stealing, an act they had been guilty of several times in the past. It was passed off as mischief by the older sister, Annette, age 19. Although she convinced the boys to return the food they stole, throughout the chapter she either made light of their antics or otherwise protected them from consequences of their wrongdoings, partly because they were cute. As a mother of a couple of children who, when they were little, often tried to “cutsie” their way out of trouble, it grated.

Then, as the history of this family unfolded with the mean pie vendor, the critical townspeople, and the wicked aunt who had grudgingly taken in the orphaned trio, it was easier to understand Annette’s motivation for her over-compensating attitude and indulgent treatment of her brothers. She had been solely responsible for the love and direction they received from the time she was a young teen with no good role model to help her. She had also shut her heart down to avoid the hurt of the loss of their parents, the rejection of their remaining family, and the deprivations the trio suffered.

After the trio was sent to Kellaway Manor, supposedly as a punishment with a threat of dire consequences for the boys if they didn’t learn proper behavior, Annette came in contact with Owen, a childhood friend who sometimes acted as her nemesis. As a child he was just as mischievous as her brothers. The author handled well the growing attraction to Owen that Annette fought against because she felt falling in love with him would betray her commitment to focus her love and attention on her brothers. The author also handled Owen’s actions and responses well and consistent with his personality.

There was opposition in the form of a meddling grandmother, a neighbor intent on winning Owen’s offer of marriage more for status and wealth than for love, and a vengeful villain who threatened those at the manor. There were also shows of love and support by the supporting cast of characters, not to mention Annette learned the true nature of love. It is a sweet romance with a satisfying message and conclusion.

About Ashtyn Newbold:

Ashtyn Newbold discovered a love of writing early in high school. Inspired by regency period romance, she wrote her first novel at the age of sixteen. Because she can’t vacation in her favorite historical time periods, she writes about them instead. When not crafting handsome historical heroes, she enjoys baking, sewing, music, and spoiling her dog. She dreams of traveling to England and Ireland. Ashtyn is currently studying English and creative writing at Utah Valley University. She lives in Lehi, Utah with her family.

Purchase Links: 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books & things | Deseret Book

Connect with Ashtyn Newbold: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Amazon Author Page