1) She has traveled to Liechtenstein,
2) Been a buyer of infant and toddler products for two major department stores,
3) bats right-handed though she's a lefty,
4) loves John Wayne movies
and
5) released her first book with Prism Book Group called A Bride for the Sheriff this week!
Jewell Tweedt was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska,
the setting for A Bride for the Sheriff
and the other Nebraska Brides books.
She lives in western Iowa and divides her time
between teaching middle school students and writing.
In her spare time she reads, gardens and walks
while plotting out new stories.
Readers can learn more about Jewell and her books
at www.tweedtjewell.blogspot.com
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A BRIDE FOR THE SHERIFF
After four years of waiting for fiancé Cal Davidson to return,
Claire Secord moves to frontier Omaha to start a new life. After
all, many men did disappear during The War Between the States.
Running the family mercantile keeps her busy days but at night
she dreams of Cal and the life they’d planned.
Handsome sheriff Tom Maxwell befriends Claire and they begin a
warm yet casual romance. When Claire is kidnapped and carried
off, she must employ all her faith, skills and intellect to
survive until Tom can find her.
Reuniting they discover their true feelings and become engaged.
Back in Omaha, Claire discovers Cal waiting and expecting her to
return east as his bride.
Now she must decide between honor and commitment with her first
love or a future of passion and excitement with her true love.
EXCERPT
Copyright
2014 © Jewell Tweedt
“Omaha!
Ommaaaaha!” the conductor bellowed as he strode through the
railcar. Claire opened her eyes, squinting in the early
afternoon light. People rose, stretched and gathered their
belongings.
I’m here; I’m finally
here! After a quick prayer of thanks for her safe
deliverance, she reached for her trunk and hatboxes.
The weight of
her pistol, hidden deeply in a skirt pocket, banged against her
thigh. I might be young
like Mrs. Buckley said, but I am
a crackerjack shot thanks to Daddy’s instruction. No one
would get the best of his little girl. Claire had secretly kept
up with her shooting and found great pleasure in her very
unladylike skill.
She clambered
down the steps to the boardwalk outside the depot and swiveled
her head. Surely Gin would meet the arrival of her train. Ten
minutes passed, then twenty. The other passengers had departed,
and the porter was nowhere in sight.
Perhaps Ginny
was busy at the store. That must be it. No bother, I shall ask directions. It can’t be far.
She set her
chin, squared her shoulders, and drew her belongings near. Just
then, a young man sporting a silver badge stepped up to her.
“Miss Secord?”
“Yes?” Claire
jumped hearing her name.
“Miss Secord,
I am Sheriff Thomas Maxwell, and I’d like to welcome you to
Omaha.” He smiled, revealing perfect teeth and deep dimples.
“Well, thank
you, but I was expecting my aunt, Virginia Weikert.”
“Yes, I know,
that’s why I’m here.” He looked everywhere but Claire’s face. He
twisted his Stetson in his large, calloused hands and gazed over
her shoulder. Taking a deep breath, he tried again. This time he
gazed into her eyes and spoke in a gentle voice that Claire
imagined he used to soothe his horses.
“Miss Secord,
I’m sorry to tell you this, but we buried your aunt about six
hours ago.”
Claire
gasped, her vision blurred, and her knees buckled. She was
barely aware of strong arms wrapping around her waist.
Tom eased the
woman to a bench, supported her with one arm, and fanned her
face. “Miss Secord, are you all right?”
Darn, what do I do now?
Darn! Wake up, lady! Wake up! He stopped fanning and gazed
at her. Long lashes fluttered against creamy skin. Silky auburn
tendrils framed her face. He reached out to stroke her cheek and
yanked his hand back just in time.
Slowly,
Claire opened her eyes, and he was struck by her anguish. He
released his grip on her waist, and she slumped a bit. Grasping
for his broad shoulder, she pulled herself up against the hard
bench.
“Oh. Excuse
me.” She jerked her hand back as if it were on fire and huddled
on the bench.
“Think
nothing of it. Miss Secord, two days ago your aunt was struck
down by a team of runaway horses. She died instantly. If it’s
any consolation, it was a right nice service. Pastor Stevens did
a fine job and many townsfolk turned out to pay their respects.
The cemetery is just a mile or so from here. And she has a
lovely resting place.”
A sob escaped
from the woman. She cast her eyes down and struggled to speak.
“I’m sure it is, Sheriff Maxwell. I’m indebted to you and the
town.” Claire suddenly stared up at him, eyes brimming with
tears. “Please, please take me to her gravesite.” She stood then
staggered as if she might fall over again any second. Tom wasn’t
quite certain how to react to the distraught woman. He cleared
his throat. “Perhaps you should rest a bit more. There’ll be
time for that tomorrow.” He glanced at the sun’s position. “No
doubt you’ve had a long day. It’s nearly dusk and time for me to
be getting you home and settled.”
“I’ll be all right now.” She wiped away
a tear with the back of her gloved hand. “But I don’t have a
home.”
Howdy, pilgrim (my best John Wayne impersonation), congratulations on your new release!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jewell. Great novel.
ReplyDeleteA Bride for the Sheriff sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThat hanks Anna and Victoria. I liked the John Wayne voice and am glad you liked the book.
ReplyDeleteI really like the title and know the book will be good too.
ReplyDeleteLiechtenstein sounds idyllic. There's probably food for more books there! On the other hand, who can beat a cowboy hero?
ReplyDeleteVery enjoyable read, Jewell. I'm left-handed, but also use my right hand a lot. We're ambidextrous! :)
ReplyDelete