Harper Impulse Fortnight: Guest Post by Lori Connelly

Today I am very pleased to host another fabulous Harper Impulse author here on the Book Nook as part of Harper Impulse Fortnight, Lori Connelly. Lori writes Western Historical Romances for HI. (Check out Books With Bunny for more about Harper Impulse Fortnight, or follow the #HIfortnight hashtag on Twitter!)

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Hi. Have you ever seen Little House on the Prairie and the original Battlestar Galactica? They were my favorite TV shows growing up. I’d make up a scenario and in the woods outside of our home, my sister and I played at being everything from pioneers to space warriors. Everything I watched, read, or felt inspired those games and the stories I made up then for my sibling. Years have passed since I played among those trees but I’m still frequently lost in a story or the potential of one, seeing everything as fodder for my imagination.

Although I write Western Historical Romance for HarperImpulse, I love a variety of genres both to read and write. My interest is reflected in Written Fireside, round robin style written, short stories. I always write part 1 then other authors, often from HarperImpulse, join in.

But no matter how far my imagination wanders, the women and cowboys of the old American west mosey in and stubbornly set up camp until I tell their tales. Living in Oregon I’m surrounded by inspiration for settings. There are places in my home state a person can still see the wagon ruts left from countless wheels rolling over the Oregon Wagon Trail.

The Barlow Road site is near Hood River Oregon and Fir Mountain, the place that inspired the fictional town of my series the Men of Fir Mountain. I’m excited to say more books in the series are coming this fall.

“OLD RUTS – Oregon Trail buffs can walk west toward Pioneer Woman’s Grave or east toward Devil’s Half Acre and see traces of the original wagon ruts. Some are nearly 5 feet deep.” *quote from the marker in the picture

Here is an exclusive snippet from the yet to be titled Men of Fir Mountain Prequel:

’Mary stepped around and helped her, heavy with child, cousin out of the buggy.

Maggie didn’t head for the house. Instead she stood by the buggy and called out for her husband. In less than a minute, James emerged from their barn. His huge smile caused a twinge of jealously within Mary.

Not because she wanted the man for herself, Mary didn’t. It was the way he so obviously treasured his wife she envied. As the lovebirds, which had only been apart since the day before, embraced, Mary turned toward her horse. She edged back a couple of steps, allowing them some privacy.

Footsteps sounded from behind her. Curious about who it could be, because the McConkeys lived alone, Mary turned to look and her jaw dropped. She stared at the tall man in silence, certain she was gazing upon a ghost until he spoke.

“Hi Mary, it’s-”

“Jeremiah,” she interrupted as her simmering temper threatened to burst into flame. The last few weeks had been an enormous strain and the last person on earth she expected to see again, ever, was this man.’

The Men of Fir Mountain books available now:

The Outlaw of Cedar Ridge
Amazon – iTunes – Nook – Sainburys – Kobo – Google Play

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The Lawman of Silver Creek
Amazon – iTunes – Nook – Sainburys – Kobo – Google Play

Free reads from Written Fireside:
http://writtenfireside.blogspot.com/
Or if you’d prefer some are available on Amazon:
Naughty or Nice?
Loving Winter Nights, Love Romance
A Witch by Chance

About Lori

I was born and still live in Oregon.
Despite being a good student, my teachers complained about my tendency to daydream. The tales dancing through my imagination were frequently far more entertaining than real life. As far back as I can remember I made up stories, to calm my sister after a nightmare, entertain myself in boring classes and write in countless notebooks, many never again to see the light of day.
author1 I married my best friend almost twenty years ago. I’ve three brilliant, handsome sons, one amazing daughter-in-law, a beautiful granddaughter and two spoiled dogs. When not writing I love to read, hike, camp, rock hound, and take long walks with my husband just after it rains.
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