Dear Readers, I was
privileged to read Gabriel’s Atonement
for endorsement. Here’s what I said:
“I’ve long known
about Vickie McDonough’s interest in Oklahoma
history, especially the Oklahoma
land runs. She took the details of history and skillfully worked them into the
lives of her characters, who leapt off the page and grabbed my heart. Using
several plot lines that could have been ripped from the pages of Oklahoma history, she
wove them carefully together to give an interesting and thoroughly satisfying
tale. You won’t want to miss this wonderful read.”
Welcome back, Vickie.
You have a lot of books out now. What is your favorite setting to use in your
books?
I’ve enjoyed writing about my home state of Oklahoma in my Land Rush Dreams series, but I keep going
back to Texas
for book settings. Texas has a much longer
history than Oklahoma ,
and it’s a great setting for a story and popular with readers.
What do you look for
when you’re shopping for a book to buy for yourself?
I usually gravitate to the historical fiction section and
look for something with a western setting or cowboy on the cover. I fell in
love with cowboys and westerns when I watched TV with my dad when I was a kid.
I prefer stories set in the late 1800s.
Give us a little tour
of the setting for this book.
Gabriel’s Atonement, Book 1 in my Land Rush Dreams series,
starts out in southern Kansas , but moves into the
Oklahoma Territory
when my hero and my heroine’s family prepare to ride in the first Oklahoma land run. Readers
also get a glimpse of the settling of the city of Guthrie ,
which was the first Oklahoma
capital. The town was a prairie water station for trains on the morning of
April 22, 1889, but by evening, it was a massive tent city with a population around
10,000 people. It was a fascinating time in America ’s history.
What other books do
you have coming out soon?
In June, I have a novella releasing called The County Fair Bride, which is part of The 12 Brides of Summer Collection. In
September, the print version of The 12
Brides of Christmas will be available. It includes my novella, The Fruitcake Bride. The ebook version
was released last fall. Then in November, Joline’s
Redemption, Book 2 in my Land Rush Dreams series releases.
Please give us a glimpse
inside your home.
I’m currently sitting in my living room in my recliner,
using my laptop, which sits on a lap desk. My couch and pair of recliners are
gray. I have teal pillows on the couch and dark teal valances on the windows
and a dark teal glider rocker sitting next to our TV. The Berber carpeting is a
dark green and white. There’s a fireplace on one wall. You pass through the
living room to get to our kitchen and dining room, which are at the back of the
house. Our house is two-story with a vaulted ceiling that goes all the way up
to the second-story ceiling in the living room. The staircase has a curved
wall, giving the room added character. One bedroom is downstairs and two more
and an office are upstairs. The people who lived here before us built a
third-story loft in the attic, which now serves as my husband’s office.
Is this novel part of
a series or a stand-alone book?
Actually, it is both. Gabriel’s Atonement is part of the
Land Rush Dreams series, but it is a complete story on its own. Book 2 features
Jo, who in Book 1, is the bratty younger of Lara, the heroine. I’ve just
started Book 3, which features characters you’ll meet in the Joline’s Redemption.
I love it when a
series has stand alone stories in them. Tell my readers about the story.
Gabe Coulter has a successful night gambling, but a drunken
cowboy who wants his money back confronts him in a dark alley. Gabe refuses to
returns the man’s money, and a gunfight ensues. The dying man tells Gabe the
money was for his wife and son. Though the shooting was self-defense, Gabe
wrestles with guilt. The only way he knows to get rid of it is to return the
money he fairly won to the man’s wife.
Lara Talbot sees Gabe as a derelict like her husband and
wants nothing to do with him. But as she struggles to feed her family, she
wonders if God might have sent the gambler to help.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
The cool metal of the Morgan silver dollar warmed as it
rolled over Gabe’s knuckles and between his fingers. One thing he’d learned in
the last nine years was how to read people, and the cocky cowpoke at the bar
looked ripe for the picking.
Like an early morning fog, hazy smoke floated in the
saloon’s tepid air. The cowpoke swigged back his drink and slammed his shot
glass onto the counter, patted his pocket, and looked in the direction of the
gaming tables. Gabe caught his gaze and nodded.
With a leering grin, the cowboy brushed past Trudy, one of
the buxom saloon girls, and strode across the room toward Gabe. “I’m of a mind
to double my money.”
“Are you now?” He leaned back in his seat, one arm over the
back of the chair, and waved a hand. “Have a seat,” he hollered to be heard
over the din of the crowd. He recognized the man from a month ago when he lost
his paycheck at Tricky Dan’s table. If he remembered right, the cowboy worked for
Walt Whiteman, owner of the largest cattle ranch in the area—and the best
paying one.
“The name’s Tom Talbot.” He nodded and pulled a pouch of
coins from his pants pocket.
“Gabe Coulter. What’s your game?”
“Five Card Stud.”
Slim Trenton
and Will McDaniels, two other regulars, pulled out chairs and joined them. The
tinny music of the piano mixed with masculine laughter and chatter as men at
each table talked loud enough to be heard over the racket. With his thumb and
forefinger,
Gabe slowly pulled his pistol out of his jacket holster as
usual and laid it on the table—a sign that he brokered no funny business. Two
hours later, the cockiness had gone out of Talbot’s blue eyes, replaced by
disbelief at the first hand he lost, and then simmering anger as he tossed the
last of his coins into the pot. Gabe had seen that look many times in his years
as a gambler, even felt it himself often in the beginning of his career. But he
couldn’t tell who Talbot was angry at—himself or Gabe.
Talbot ran a shaky hand through his disheveled, curly blond
hair and shoved away from the table. “That’s it. I’m broke.” Slim pushed up
from the table. “Guess that pretty wife of yours ain’t gettin’ no money again
this month.”
Talbot grabbed the man by the collar. Gabe rested his hand on
his pistol and watched. With a loud growl, Talbot heaved Slim backward into the
wall. Then he turned and sidestepped, bumping into a barmaid, and wove his way
to the exit. The double saloon doors banged and remained swinging as Talbot
lurched outside.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Website: www.vickiemcdonough.com
(There’s a sign-up link for my newsletter on the Home page)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VickieMcDonough
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vickiemcdonough
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/VickieMcDonough/
Heroes, Heroines, and History blog: http://HHHistory.com
Thank you, Vickie, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers will love it as much as I do.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Gabriel's Atonement - Christianbook.comGabriel's Atonement: (Land Rush Dreams) - Amazon
Gabriel's Atonement (Land Rush Dreams Book 1) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
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18 comments:
A gambler with a conscience? Sounds like an interesting premise for the story. Would love to win this book!
Pam in Ohio
I think you'll love Gabe's story, Pam. Good luck!
Sounds so good! I live in NW Washington State! :) jenalunde at yahoo.com
Sounds like a good story.
J.C. -Indiana-
Jenalunde and J.C., If you enjoyed the movie Far and Away, you'll probably like Gabriel's Atonement.
I've been reading such good things about this book. Lot's of good comments too. I'd so wanting to read this book :)
dkstevensneAToutlookD OtDo M
Dee from NE
A fascinating story line thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I would love to win a copy of Gabriel's Atonement. Thank you for the chance to win.
I live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
Lena, has anyone told you lately that YOU ROCK?!!! You feature the most interesting authors. I loved her room! Thanks for the opportunity to win this novel. I've been reading novellas set during this time and am fascinated about it.
Marianne
Arizona
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTc
Sounds like an interesting story! Thanks for the chance to win.
Beth in Montana
Thanks, everybody, for your kinds comments about Gabriel's Atonement. The Oklahoma land runs were an interesting and unique part of American history.
I just went and checked out the reviews for this book. Everyone seems to love it. I must admit that I have not read anything by this author but would be delighted to give her a try.
Please enter my name in the drawing to win a copy of Gabriel's Atonement.
Thanks!!
Cindi Altman from Pennsylvania.
Marianne, thanks for thinking I rock.
Cindi, you'll be glad you checked her out, and I'm sure you'll become a big fan.
I love reading historical fiction, especially those books about the settling of the American West. I think this fits the bill.
Patty in SC
Enter me for your awesome book!!! You are one of my favorite authors.
Conway, SC.
Oh my! I am hooked and definitely want to read this story!
Tennessee
Thanks for visiting Lena's blog and checking out my interview, everyone. Gabriel's Atonement has been well received among those who've read it. The land rush days in Oklahoma Territory were an interesting and exciting time.
For anyone who's interested, I'd love to have you sign-up to receive my newsletter. You can do so by visiting the Home page on my website and clicking on the wanted poster.
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