IN A TEXAS RANGER'S ARMS - Cynthia Hickey - One Free Book

Bio: Multi-published and Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries and two novellas published through Barbour Publishing. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series, all of which stay in the top 50 of Amazon’s ebooks for their genre. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013 and 2014 through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents, and has sold more than 200,000 copies of her works. She is active on FB, twitter, and Goodreads. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs and two cats. She has five grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer.”

Welcome back, Cynthia. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

Letting go and Letting God. It’s something I struggle with in my life and like to show characters realizing things work out better when God is in control.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I will be releasing the third mystery to Anything For A Mystery and Killer Plot by the end of summer and have the last Harvey Girl book from Heartsong releasing November 1. I am signing a six book contract with Heartsong that deals with natural disasters in history.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Probably Diana Gabaldon. She is not an inspirational author, but her characterization is the best.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Hmmm. This is a hard one. Maybe Mother Theresa. She could give me an insight on patience.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

To keep writing. Persistence is the key! That and to keep learning the craft.

Tell us about the featured book?

KATIE GAMBLE IS ON THE RUN 

After her unscrupulous stepfather accuses her of being a thief, a horrified Katie hopes to hide out until she can prove otherwise. But slipping into obscurity in a small Texas town isn't so easy. Not with Texas Ranger Ward Alston on her tail.

Ward's used to getting his man—or woman. But he's not used to the accused being so resolute in her innocence or so beautifully appealing. As he uncovers the truth, Ward realizes this Harvey Girl isn't all she seems. Together, can they evade danger and obey the law of their own hearts?

Please give us the first page of the book.

1910

Katie Gamble cast one last glance over her shoulder. No Amos Moore.

With a grin, she clutched the handle of her satchel and stepped onto the train that would take her to her new home and job in Somerville, Texas. As she moved down the aisle, she found a seat next to a petite blonde with the bluest eyes Katie had ever seen.

“Howdy. I’m Sarah Chapman, and I’m a Harvey Girl.” Her eyes twinkled.

“Hello, I’m Katie.” She stashed her bag in an overhead compartment. The papers in the hidden pocket on her slip crinkled as she stretched to place the bag overhead. She peered at her companion. Had she heard? Although the papers were hidden, she still wasn’t eager to let her other belongings out of sight, even if it was the land deed that mattered the most. She didn’t want to answer any questions either. However, she need not have worried, because the girl continued to chatter to anyone willing to listen.

“You can have the window seat, if you’d like, Katie. The motion outside the window makes my stomach roll. Why did you sign on with the Harvey Company?” Sarah smoothed the skirt of her green dress. “I’m going to find a husband. As the youngest of eleven children, there isn’t much left for me back home in Missouri, and there are a lot of men along the railroad line.”

A husband? Katie hadn’t really thought of that. Maybe once Amos stopped chasing her, she could think about settling down and having a family of her own. “I joined up so I don’t have to worry about where my next meal is coming from or how I’m going to put a roof over my head.”

“You poor thing. You sound like you’ve had a rough time.” A statuesque brunette reached across Sarah and patted Katie’s hand. “I’m Rachel Warren, and while I am searching for a taste of independence, I won’t turn down the right man if he asks for my hand. After all, the Harvey women are bringing refinement to towns desperately in need of morally upright women.” She glanced around the car. “Looks like we’re the only three heading to the Santa Fe.”

Refinement? That left Katie out. Was it wrong in God’s eyes to steal back something that had been stolen from her? She didn’t know. But she would keep it pinned to her underskirts until the day she died, if need be. The deed and the document showing that oil had been discovered on her family’s land was one secret she had to keep to herself. She sat down on the upholstered seat, the cushion letting out a soft whoosh of air.

Katie leaned her elbow on the windowsill as the train pulled away from the platform with a jolt. She rested her chin in the cup of her hand, and watched the prairie speed past. Guilt over her actions warred with the idea she had done nothing wrong. Sure, the land was hers, but maybe she shouldn’t have taken the few coins left on Amos’s dresser. When the man had returned to his room after his nightly visit to the bar, had he yelled? Punched the wall? Hit someone? She didn’t know, but she knew he’d come looking for her. He would never let go of her family’s property so easily.

She tuned out the friendly chatter of her companions and touched her chin, all too familiar with the consequences of his anger. She blinked back stinging tears. Once she settled into her new job, she would evaluate her feelings. If nothing else, she could pay Amos back the money. Not that the dirty scoundrel deserved it, but because she wanted to be a better person than that.

An automobile rumbled along a dirt road beside the track. What would it be like to ride in one? Would a town the size of Somerville have automobiles? After her small mountain community, Somerville sounded like a bustling town.

She turned to the other girls. “Do any of y’all know anything about this town we’re headed to?”

“I do.” Sarah practically bounced in her seat. “It’s a cotton town. There’re some ranches, too, I think. My cousin once worked at the Harvey restaurant there, and she wrote to me all about it. Said sometimes the Texas Rangers come and stay at the hotel. She said they are all the most handsome men.” She clasped her hands together. “I want to marry one of them!”

Rangers! There couldn’t be a worse place for Katie to go.

 How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: www.cynthiahickey.com  

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cynthia-Hickey/151333448227549?ref_type=bookmark

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cynthiahickey

Thank you, Cynthia, for sharing this new book with us. I can’t wait for my copy to arrive. Harvey girls and Texas Rangers. I love reading about both.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
In a Texas Ranger's Arms - Christianbook.com
In a Texas Ranger's Arms (Heartsong Presents) - Amazon
In a Texas Ranger's Arms (Heartsong Presents) - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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