Please help us welcome Caroline Clemmons to the blog today. Caroline is here to share her historical romance, AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA. Welcome, Caroline! We are all excited to hear more about AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA today. Be sure to read all the way to the bottom to see how you may enter for a chance to win a $10 Gift Card.
Hello, Dear Readers. Thanks to Madison for inviting me to be her guest today. Don’t miss my giveaway at the end of the post.
You’d think it right if a western romance writer grew up on a ranch, wouldn’t you? I’m a city girl for the most part, but I love reading and writing western romance. I blame my dad because he used to tell fascinating tales about his family’s exploits after they arrived in Texas from Georgia. Some stories were sad, some funny, some frightening but all mesmerizing to me. Daddy made pioneer Texas come alive. Is it any wonder I love history? Usually I write historical romance but I’ve written several contemporary romances, four time travels, and a couple of mysteries. The wonderful thing about being an indie author is that I can write whatever strikes my fancy.
I love hearing from readers, especially when they tell me they loved a particular secondary character and would like to see that character have a book. For most of us, being an author is a solitary process. We enjoy hearing from fans that we’re doing a good job or that our book helped them through a bad day. I intend for my books to be uplifting entertainment that leaves readers with a smile.
If I weren’t a writer, I guess I’d go back to oil painting, learn to knit, and might even clean house. Naw, strike that last one. Currently my sweet husband, Hero, keeps the house, cooks, and does his laundry so that I have more time to write. You see why I call him Hero!
My latest release is AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA, book 37 in the Pinkerton Matchmaker Series. This is a long series that involves many authors. Books are released close together so readers don’t have long to wait between books. Mine involves a couple who pretend to be a princess and her duke husband in order to capture jewel thieves. The book begins in Denver, but most of it takes place in San Antonio, Texas, one of the favorite vacation spots of my family.
Even though I’ve been there many times, I learned a lot in my research of what the city was like in 1871. For instance, the Alamo originally had a flat roofline instead of the arched one it was given when restored. Another thing I learned was the difficulty of getting from Denver to San Antonio—the trip had to be done by stagecoach. Ouch. In San Antonio, I used the real The Menger Hotel but didn’t mention that it was haunted. Who knows, perhaps the gorgeous place wasn’t home to ghosts back then.
Another thing that surprised me was that mangos would grow in San Antonio. I thought they were a tropical fruit. They were cultivated in the Menger courtyard, so perhaps that protected them. Mary Menger used mangos in her famous mango ice cream.
Here’s a summary of AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA:
She craves adventure, but this may be too much…
His job means the world to him…
Capturing jewel thieves will test them…
Magdala leaps at the opportunity to become a Pinkerton agent. Learning the position requires a paper marriage shocks but doesn’t deter her. She plans to get an annulment before her unusual family learns of the situation. She’s determined to prove she has the grit to be an excellent investigator. But, why does she have to be partnered with the one man who has been rude to her?
Douglas “Cloud” Ryan loves being a Pinkerton agent. Otherwise, he’d never go along with his boss’ crazy plan to marry him to a female agent. He’s certain women have no business dealing with criminals. After barely surviving the stagecoach trip from Denver to San Antonio Maggie needs to stay in the background and let him solve the case. He has reasons to distrust women, especially women like Maggie.
Can Maggie and Cloud catch the jewel thieves plaguing an historic San Antonio hotel without becoming victims? Will they take a chance on the love growing between them?
AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA Buy Link:
Here’s an excerpt from AN AGENT FOR MAGDALA when they’re waiting in Santa Fe, New Mexico:
Cloud gestured to their ride. “This time we’ll be in a wider Celerity stage, sometimes called a mud wagon. Supposedly this is sturdier although the seats are not padded.”
He checked his pocket watch. “Let me leave our bags here and I’ll hurry back.” He dashed to the people selling wares in front of the governor’s palace.
He returned with a couple of blankets. “These will pad the seats at least a little.”
Johnny Rucker strode up. “Say, that’s a good idea.” He rushed to purchase one.
Mr. Stanton ambled toward them. “I gather we’re ready to get on with our travels. Oh, you’ve brought blankets?”
Maggie nodded. “To pad the seats of the Celerity stage.”
“Good heavens, one of those? I’d better do the same.” He rushed to purchase one before time to leave.
Maggie glanced at Cloud. “You started a trend. I’m glad we’ll all have blankets and won’t need to share.”
He clutched his blanket and jutted out his jaw. “I’m not sharing. Everyone has an equal chance to bring one.”
She wondered if he meant what he’d said. Perhaps he was as selfish as he’d appeared so far on their trip.
A very pregnant young woman carrying a toddler joined the line.
Maggie smiled at the child. “Your baby is precious.”
The woman cuddled her little girl and looked down. “No hablo ingles.”
Cloud whispered, “She doesn’t understand English.”
“Got that.” Maggie caressed the child’s cheek. “Tu niña es preciosa.”
The woman looked up and her eyes radiated her pleasure. “Gracias.”
Cloud darted to the woman selling blankets and purchased two more before he jogged back to where Maggie waited.
She managed to keep a straight face. “Hardhearted as ever I see. Definitely not sharing.”
He smiled sheepishly and whispered, “I didn’t know there’d be a child along or a woman… um, in her advanced condition. I’m surprised the stage company is letting her travel. She looks ready to give birth any minute. I hope she knows the ride will be rough.”
“I imagine she’s used to difficulties. Let’s hope she doesn’t give birth on the stage. I know nothing about delivering a child and would prefer to keep it that way.”
“Reckon you’re right.”
My current work in progress is A BRIDE FOR DALTON, Proxy Bride Series, which will be released on September 12. This is my second book in that series, the first being AN AGENT FOR GIDEON. The gorgeous covers for the Proxy Bride and Pinkerton Matchmaker Series are created by Virginia McKevitt. In my opinion, she does an outstanding job.
Thank you for letting me share with you today. To thank you, one reader who comments will receive a $10 Amazon gift card from me. To enter, tell me your favorite genre and time period to read.
Thanks again for having me as your guest, Maddy. I’ve promoted via Twitter and Facebook even thought the counter says 0 shares.
Love Caroline stories
Totally enjoyed Maggie! Such a warm and beautiful person both inside and out ❤️. Oh, and she is pretty darn smart too! 😋 Keep writing, you are awesome!
Hi, Caroline – I liked your research tidbits. The book sounds great. Western romance is one of my favorite genres, in both early American and contemporary.