ABOUT PENNY
Good morning everybody. I’d like to thank Diana for allowing me to barge in on her blog today. I have a series I am working on called the Thornton Trilogy. This is how it all started….
I write for all ages, from the early reader to adults. My books range from pictures books for the
little ones, to fantasy, time-travel adventures for ages 9 to 13. I also write
adult stories, including a family drama and contemporary, paranormal and
historical westerns romances, under P. A. Estelle.
I was a school secretary for 21 years. My husband and I moved to our retirement home
in Kingman, AZ, on very rural 54 acres, living on solar and wind only.
IN THE BEGINNING…..well, about 40 years ago, was when I
actually started reading! I never read as a kid – had waaaaay better things to
do! The big awakening came after I had my first baby and was up 24/7. Picked up my first…what did they call
them…”smut” novels. I was hooked. Who knew reading could transport you out of
your own reality to someplace other than dirty diapers and bottles! After reading that FIRST book, I told my
hubby – “I can do that!” and started writing the Great American Novel. Took me 5 years on my electric Brotherstypewriter. Almost 400 pages. I was going to be so rich! I wrote a few queries, sent them out and
waited for all the offers to come in.
Reality hit as I ripped open the rejection letters. I packed up my novel, put it in a box and it
lived in my closet for over 40 years.
Just before I retired from a school district, I wrote my
very first tween fantasy and was thrilled when it was picked up. After getting several other kid/YA stories
accepted, I decided to try my hand at writing for the older crowd. I was lucky enough to have a family drama and
a few romances picked up by a few different publishing companies.
Then I figured the time had come. With shaky fingers I pulled out the Great
American Novel I had written so long ago.
It was HORRIBLE writing. Ugh! I
practically rewrote the whole thing and gave it another shot! WOOO HOOO – Rooster and Pig Publishing picked
it up! Revenge, the Cowboy Way was
published. This is a historical western
romance that tells the love/hate relationship between Joanna Simmons and Brian
Thornton.
Now, I’m only telling you about my gut-wrenching,
disappointing, rip your heart out story of rejection……(do any of you have your
hankies out yet – LOL) because the story I’m spotlighting today is Gabe, The
Thornton Trilogy, Book 1. Yep, you
guessed it. Gabe is the #1 son of Joanna
and Brian.
After all this – I hope you enjoy my blurb and excerpt from
my newest book!
Gabe Thornton inherits the Double Bar Ranch from good friend
and neighbor Bill (Pappy) Thomas, but there are conditions. Last Will and Testament states five hundred
acres have been set aside for his only niece, or interested heirs. The property must be lived on for a year or
said acreage will revert back to Gabe.
Molly Blackburn shows up in Bastrop, Texas, to claim the
land her great uncle has left her.
Though she knows nothing about cattle ranching, she has no other choice
when her father passes away.
Gabe is sure she won’t last a month and he tells her so, but
greenhorn or not, she swears she will be there till the bitter end, no matter
what!
Will she give up her land or will she find more than just a
cattle ranch in Bastrop?
Excerpt
I
happen to also own a hand gun but..well I didn’t think to purchase bullets for
it.”
“Perfect!”
Gabe said, shaking his head. “There’s
also wood to be cut and hay and water to be hauled plus a million other
things.” He laid the gun against the
wall, opening the door. “You won’t last
the week and if you had half a brain you’d know it!”
“Get
out of my house,” she hollered. He
walked out into the cold morning but she was right on his heels, taking his
coat off. “Wait!” He turned and she threw his coat in his
face. “Thank you for the use of your
coat but I’ll thank you to stay off my property!”
Gabe
advanced a step her way but a discreet cough stopped him. There were his mother and sister, sitting on
their horses. He swung up on his horse,
staring at his new neighbor. “See if you
can’t talk some sense into her!” he ground out before riding away.
* * * *
The
book that started it all, Revenge, the Cowboy Way, is also available wherever
ebooks are sold. This one also comes in
print. (FYI – This story has a steamy
side to it!)
For more information about me and my stories check out the
following links:
