HUSBAND HUNTING - Crystal L Barnes - A Chance to Win a Copy

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

Oh, I’ve done a lot of different ones, whatever God lays on my heart for the story. Win, Love, or Draw carried a theme of forgiveness/unforgiveness. Love, Stock, and Barrel dealt with finding and relying on God in the darkest of times. My newest release, Husband Hunting, bore a theme that even surprised me. It deals with obedience. We’re often plagued on every side by demands, even from people we know and love. It’s in those times we must remember that ultimately we only have God to answer to, and He is the One we ought to obey.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I’m working to finish book #3 in my Marriage and Mayhem series titled Hook, Line, and Suitor. This is Sally Hook and Curly Curtis’s story. If you’ll recall, Curly is the ranch hand in Win, Love, or Draw and the Texas Ranger in Love, Stock, and Barrel. His newest assignment will have him tied in knots. J

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

The first name that comes to mind is Janice Thompson. She’s a dear friend, a fellow writer, and a joy to be around. We recently went on a research trip to Martha’s Vineyard, and it was a wonderful time, especially during those unexpected moments when you take the road less traveled and find yourself on a dirt trail that keeps getting narrower and narrower and you’re laughing your head off because there’s no place to turn around and that’s all she wants to do. Here's a photo from our time in Martha's Vineyard:

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

Oh, that’s a hard one. I’d say either one of the disciples or Paul or Annie Oakley. Now there’s a vast range if there ever was one. J

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

My best advice would be to trust God. He can open doors no man can open, and if He shuts a door, He’s a got a better one for you farther down the road.

Very wise words. Tell us about the featured book.

When I originally wrote Husband Hunting, it was for a short-story contest that I felt like I should enter, so I threw caution to the wind and just had fun with the telling. I was delighted to have the adventure be one of the contest winners and become my very first printed story. Lengthening the tale into a novella was … a lesson in God’s amazing, all-sufficient grace. If you remember Roxie from Love, Stock, and Barrel, this is her story. You can currently find Husband Hunting as an individual novella or in the collection My Secret Love.

Here’s the blurb:

Roxie Montgomery is too wild for her own good, or so her father thinks. Determined to protect her from herself, he demands she settle down and find a husband or he’ll find one for her. However, Roxie’s lack of domestic skills make the task easier said than done.

Texas rancher, Garrett Husband has been sitting on a secret for years, but that might have to change if he wants to keep his childhood friend from marrying another man. When her choice becomes apparent, will he cave to her decision or do the unthinkable to make her hunt him instead?

Please give us the first page of the book for my readers. As you know, I read the book for endorsement and loved it. My readers will, too.

Crystal Falls, Texas—Spring 1870

The devil had met his match. Roxie Montgomery hung onto the saddle strapped around his back and wondered if he’d yank her arm from its socket before he realized she wasn’t giving up. Hooves slammed into the hard-packed dirt, the jolt nearly jarring her teeth loose. Stubborn horse. Another kick of his heels and Diablo nearly sent her crashing over his head. Around her, colors blurred, but the cheers of the ranch hands outside the corral egged her on.

Without warning, Diablo did another crow hop. Roxie’s seat left the saddle, and she catapulted through the air, conveniently flying right over the fence. She hit the ground rolling, tumbling to a stop…right at her father’s boot tips.

Lying on her back, she peered up with a smile. “Mornin’, Daddy. Lovely day, ain’t it?”

“Don’t you ‘mornin’’ me, young lady.” He yanked her upright. “How many times have I told you to stay away from that horse?”

“None today, Daddy.”

Folding his thick arms with a mighty huff, he glared at her. A vein throbbed in his neck. Seconds ticked by. The glare never lessened.

The icy silence ate at her smile until it disappeared. Perhaps she’d taken things a bit too far. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”

“Sorry’s not gonna cut it this time. Go to your room.”

“What?” Her mouth swung open, and she glanced about.

Heads ducked, and the half dozen cowboys who’d cheered her on scattered like leaves in the fall. How could Daddy embarrass her in front of everyone?

“I said. Go. To. Your. Room. Pack your things.”

“Pack?” Why’d she need to pack to fetch supplies from town?

“Murdock, you get that horse out of my sight and gather your things. I want you off my property before nightfall.”

Roxie stumbled backward. “But why? He hasn’t done nothing wrong.”

The old wrangler’s dark eyes widened, then with an accepting nod, he hobbled toward a lasso on the corral post.

Gripping her father’s chambray sleeve, she turned from the gut-wrenching sight of the old-timer’s drooping shoulders. “Daddy, please don’t—”

“Roxie.” In an unyielding tone Roxie hadn’t heard in years, if ever, Daddy stopped her. “I’m not gonna repeat myself again.”

Gulping, she released him. With an apologetic glance Mr. Murdock’s way, she headed toward the house, the pain in her shoulder from hitting the ground easily ignored due to the pain in her heart. Poor Mr. Murdock. She’d never intended for her actions to hurt anyone. If only she hadn’t been so foolhardy. Why hadn’t she listened? She knew Daddy hadn’t wanted her on that horse, but she’d been so pig-headed she’d just had to see if she could do what the others couldn’t. Now her hardheadedness had cost an old man his job. Would she never learn where to draw the line?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Oh, I’m in lots of places. J

My website, www.crystal-barnes.com, where readers can sign up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings.

Facebook,

Goodreads,

Google+,

Pinterest.

I’m also a contributor to the group blog Stitches Thru Time.

Thank you, Crystal, for sharing this book with us.

Readers, here are links to the books. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Husband Hunting: A Crystal Falls Novella
My Secret Love

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