Thursday, September 05, 2019

The Story Behind THE LADY & THE LAWMAN

Howdy y’all. The name’s Jodie Ross, but my big brother calls me “Jo.” Now don’t go getting the wrong idea about a gal like me sitting behind bars. Sure, I may be dressed like a man and not keep the best of company, but I can explain. What the handsome new greenhorn of a marshal doesn’t know is that I didn’t realize what I was getting into when I went to live with my brother after our folks died. I was only ten at the time after all.

You see, Jerry’s fourteen years older than me, so he’s seemed more of an uncle to me than a brother. We get along pretty well. He taught me lots of things Mama never would’ve allowed, like shootin’, ‘n’ trappin’, ‘n’ fishin’—things I really enjoyed. Only after I got good at it, he started takin’ trips for work. I hated it. He always left me behind. He said a neighbor would check on me, but they hardly ever did. He’d leave me alone in our cabin for days, then sometimes weeks at a time.

When he missed our first Christmas together without Mama and Papa, that was it. I’d had enough of being alone. I demanded he start taking me on his work trips. For a time, Jerry kept his line of work hidden from me, just asked me to mind the camp and occasionally hold the horses for him and his buddies.

Once I got used to having a full belly again, I started asking more questions. He said he did work like Robin Hood, taking from the rich to feed the poor. Considering the hard winter I’d endured alone, I didn’t want anyone, including myself, to ever have to go through such an experience again. I guess that’s why I never said anything. Although, I think deep down I knew my brother didn’t really care about helping other people, but he never complained when I’d share my portion of the spoils with those I saw who were down on their luck.

Lately, however, I’ve been rather longing to cut out on my own and put down some roots, instead of hopping around from abandoned shack to empty cavern or sleeping out under the stars, or cooking for slovenly men who only keep their hands off me because I’m better with a gun than they are and the fact my brother nearly killed the last guy who tried to get, shall we say, “fresh” with me.

Sigh. Maybe one day my life will get better, but from where I’m sitting, I don’t see how. Maybe the God my mama taught me about can help, but would He even hear a cry from a gal like me?

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My Story Title:   Mistaken Marshal
The Lady and the Lawman: 4 Historical Stories of Lawmen and the Ladies Who Love Them


My Story Genre:  Historical Romance

My Story Releases:   August 2019

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The Author of My Story:    Crystal L Barnes
Other Authors in the collection include: Vickie McDonough, Annette O’Hare, Kathleen Y’Barbo

A best-selling author, bona fide country girl, and former competitive gymnast, Crystal L Barnes tells stories of fun, faith, and friction that allow her to share her love of Texas, old-fashioned things, and the Lord—not necessarily in that order. When she's not writing, reading, or singing, Crystal enjoys spending time with family, exploring on road-trips, and watching old movies/sitcoms. I Love Lucy and Little House on the Prairie are two of her favorites. You can find out more and connect with Crystal at www.crystal-barnes.com.

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  Get Connected:

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

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The author will be honored to gift a winner a signed copy of
THE LADY & THE LAWMAN.
(Contiguous US Addresses only. Sorry.)
Be sure to leave a comment with an email address where you can be reached should you win.
DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ September 11, 2019.

26 comments:

journeystojoy.net said...

Welcome to journeystojoy, Crystal.

So glad you brought Jodie in to tell her story BEFORE the story.
Enjoy your week here - Praying it's a blessed one!

Much love,
Joy

Jodie Wolfe said...

Love the name of your character, Crystal. :)

Ruth DeMaat said...

Even though this is fiction, I can imagine there must have been several situations in history like this! I love to read historical fiction from any era. The early west stories are especially interesting because they originate from places we can still visit while traveling in this country.
Often, while looking at the mountains or Great Plains of the West my mind wanders to those who first settled in that territory. And what their life must have been like. And how I now live with such gratitude to God for not having been born back then! (Although God is so good that I believe He would give me the strength to face the challenges of that day, too. 😊. I hope I win this one!

HeidiDruKortman said...

Ah, another story just waiting to ambush me from doing all those pesky chores that yowl in the night. Thanks for the peek behind the scenes.

Crystal L Barnes said...

Thanks, Jodie. ;)

Crystal L Barnes said...

Thanks, Joy. I appreciate you letting us drop in on you. :)

Crystal L Barnes said...

Howdy, Ruth! My mind wanders to those things too even where I live in the south.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Crystal L Barnes said...

Hi, Heidi! I hope you find many happy moments with this book. :)
Thanks for stopping by.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I loved learning about Jodie "Jo" and I hope she finds a way to get out of the life she is now experiencing! Thanks for sharing.'
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Wendy Newcomb said...

Thank you for bringing this to my attention and the chance to win a copy, it is now on my wish list.

wfnren at aol dot com

Brenda W said...

This sounds like quite a story. A little different from most stories. I love historic westerns!

Melanie Backus said...

I am intrigued by this book and would love to know more about Jo.
mauback55 at gmail dot com

Crystal L Barnes said...

Hi, Connie! Glad you enjoyed learning about Jodie. I hope you get a chance to read more of her tale. Thanks for dropping by.

Crystal L Barnes said...

You're so welcome, Wendy. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

KayeDean said...

Sounds like one I can't put down. Looking forward to reading it.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an exciting read.
Marion

Crystal L Barnes said...

Thanks, Brenda. I love historic westerns too. Thanks for stopping by.

Crystal L Barnes said...

Hi, Melanie! I hope you get to read her whole story. Thanks for stopping by!

Crystal L Barnes said...

That's the hope. :)
Thanks for stopping by, Saundra!

Crystal L Barnes said...

Thanks, Marion. I hope you get to enjoy the whole thing.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to read this book. Susan Campbell steveac@bellsouth.net

Crystal L Barnes said...

I hope you enjoy it when you do, Susan. Thanks for stopping by.

journeystojoy.net said...

Congrat-YOU-lations goes out to CONNIE PORTER SAUNDERS

I DO HOPE YOU ENJOY CRYSTAL'S STORY


THANK YOU, CONNIE, FOR PARTICIPATING!

Blessings!

Crystal L Barnes said...

Congratulations, Connie!

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Joy and Crystal, thank you so much!
Connie

journeystojoy.net said...

I'm so glad you did the comment and entered the drawing, Connie!

ENJOY!