When I began writing TEXAS BLUE I knew I wanted to write two stories that ran at stampede pace through one novel. I’ve written 23 Historical Romances and Sagas, but this time I wanted the stories to be equal. No plot and subplot, just two full stories. I opened in 1875, with two friends parting ways one stormy night in Austin. Duncan McMurray, a Texas Ranger, is off to fight at the border and Lewt, a gambler, plans to find a wife while his friend is away. He thinks he wants a quiet, wealthy lady, unfortunately in Emily McMurray, Duncan’s cousin, he finds far more than he bargained for.
Duncan is all a hero in a western romance should be, he’s wild, loyal and intelligent. He leaves his law practice to go fight with the Texas Rangers. Lewt, on the other hand never wants to get involved in fights of any kind. He plays his life like a game based on luck. Duncan wants to do what’s right, but his friend, Lewt, only wants to live a normal, quite life. When the stories collide, Duncan must depend on Lewt’s bravery and trust his life to their friendship.
I’ve been setting books in Texas history for almost twenty years. As a fifth generation Texan, the world seems very real to me. People sometimes ask if I’d like to go back there, and I always say no, I just love living there in my imagination. While writing this book I felt like I was returning to a much loved ranch I’d written about before called Whispering Mountain. My hero, Duncan, was rescued as a boy from an outlaw camp and adopted by the McMurrays. He’s been raised with three girl cousins and feels very protective of them. When they think he sent men to the ranch hoping to marry them off, the girls declare war on Duncan.
I know my readers are going to love this story as much as I loved writing it. For those of you who would like more about what was happening at the ranch before Lewt arrives, check my website www.jodithomas.com and read two chapters that had to be cut from early in the book. Remember, they haven’t been edited so jump over the misspellings.
Thanks for reading and I’d love to hear from you.
Jodi Thomas
www.facebook.com/JodiThomasAuthor
Thanks, Jodi!
I’d like to invite readers to come back tomorrow
for my review of Texas Blue and a giveaway
Bookfan 