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Monday, November 16, 2009

Why Read a Western? By Gem Sivad


My friend and fellow author, Savanna Kougar invited me to do this guest blog today, and I hesitated. I couldn’t think of anything to tell you that I was sure you would be interested in hearing. And then, I had to assemble a promo for my latest western romance that premieres today from Liquid Silver Books (*g*) and I found a lot of reasons why I enjoy writing historical westerns that I thought I’d share. The biggest reason is one that might surprise you. I love the information I’ve found about the nineteenth century American West.

For instance, did you know that honey is a simple medicine that really is good for more than sweetening tea? Honey is an antimicrobial agent. No, *grin*, I didn’t know what that meant either, so I looked it up. It means that most bacteria and other microorganisms cannot grow or reproduce in honey. For a lot of reasons, the elements in honey prevent the growth of bacteria.

So, when your mother or grandmother insisted on a cup of tea with honey in it, they were reflecting ancestral knowledge handed down, (often without explanation) from one mother to the next. Honey has been found effective in treating everything from a sore throat to athlete’s foot.

It was while doing research for Hellcat, Deacon McCallister’s story in the third Bounty Hunters book that I stumbled upon the use of honey as an ointment. Lol, Deacon finds himself staked-out over an anthill after having his back flayed with a knife. Strips of skin had been removed during two days of torture.

He’s ready to kill the woman who slathers honey on his back and keeps it on there even when the ants come marching too. Come to find out, honey is also a topical ointment, that seals out bacteria, promotes healing, and in my story, saves Deacon’s life (with the help of female bounty hunter Miracle Beaumont).

I don’t like to read any book that leaves me knowing no more after, than I did before I picked it up. I’m serious. Whether it’s a new word, a new style, an incredible sexual position *smile*, or an historical fact, I like books that entertain and educate me too.

That’s why I write western romance. I don’t know a lot, but with the vast array of researched information that the internet makes available, nineteenth century America is a visit to yesterday without the inconveniences that were actually there.

If you haven’t tried a western romance, there are so many great authors now who are beginning to discover the Old West. Try one. Sample the adventure and romance in a land and time where women and men needed each other to survive.
~~~
I append this blog with a final note:
Intimate Strangers, my western romance novel that begins the Eclipse, Texas seven book series, is a finalist in the 2010 EPPIE AWARDS, nominated in the Best Western Romance of 2009 category.
~~~

*** GEM ~ Wahoooo! Congrats on being a finalist! Big Sky Smiles, Savanna ***
~~~

Wolf’s Tender ~ Western Erotic Romance

Presenting the second release by Gem Sivad from Liquid Silver Books.

Wolf’s Tender

Blurb:

Book One: in the Bounty Hunters series

Rough and tough Charlie Wolf McCallister knows he needs to get laid, when even a spinster school teacher with a sharp tongue, starts looking good to him. But, cad that he is, he operates on the philosophy that a bird in hand is better than no bird at all. And so he offers to trade service for—servicing.

When Naomi Parker's students are snatched from their school by marauding Comancheros, she can't believe that she hid like a coward and let it happen. The only way to ease her conscience, and get the girls home safely, is to hire half-Kiowa bounty hunter, Charlie Wolf McCallister. His price seems a bit steep, to prim and proper Naomi who must choose between her virtue and her students’ lives.

When one straight-laced spinster, tenders her body, to one cynical sometimes savage, the unexpected bounty, is love.
~~~

EXCERPT FOR WOLF’S TENDER:

“You’ve been following me all over town.” The woman didn’t even deny it, leaning toward him instead, patiently waiting as he took her measure—thin face with brown hair skinned into a tight knot, straight teeth, and nose spattered with freckles across burned skin. Deep exotic cornflower-blue eyes met his.

Charlie’s gaze came back to the eyes for a second look.

“My name is Naomi Parker.” If it weren’t for the unusual shade of her eyes, Miss Naomi Parker would be written off as old-maid material. She was a tall, skinny female, past the first flush of maidenhood, with prim and proper written all over her.

Not being a prize himself, nor considered civilized, he rarely came in contact with females of social standing, but he recognized one now. He intended to run this one off as quick as possible and get on with his bath. Knowing what he did of her kind, he didn’t think it would take much.

She held out her hand and for a moment he wasn’t sure what she wanted. Then he realized she intended it as a greeting. He grabbed the extended limb and pulled hard, rolling her down his arm, and into his embrace before she realized she’d been captured.

He pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her like bands of steel, pulling her so close her chin brushed his bare chest. The contact sent a frisson of heat coursing through him which made no sense since her body was encased in iron, or at least something that felt like it.

“What the hell kind of contraption do you have on, Miss Parker?” His hands automatically fell to her hips, holding her against the swell of his erection, stealing a moment’s pleasure.

Accept for the slight mound of her breasts, she had the body of a fifteen year old boy—thin for his age—but a tall stripling. He noted all of this unconsciously, surprised that his cock had roused with fierce interest. Jesus, I need a woman.

His shirt and handkerchief were smashed between them. She tilted her head to glare at him as she struggled against his hold. Her hips moved in his hands and in her struggle, she accidentally rubbed against his arousal. She froze.

“Stupid to offer your hand to someone you don’t know,” he admonished her even as he blatantly rubbed his swollen flesh against her hip.

Her breasts that were, as near as he could tell, about the size of robin’s eggs, were nevertheless heaving, and she was pissed not scared, as he stared into eyes that had darkened. He wondered what color they would be when she came, and then flinched at the thought.

Jesus, all pussy’s the same in the dark. What the hell difference if she’s a dried up old prune. His cock demanded, Fuck her.

Old maid material or not, his cock was erect and urging him to make friends.

“You’re lucky you survived the raid. Think about that, instead of wallowing in guilt, and let the law take care of your friends.”

He had a cigar and the rest of a bottle of good whiskey waiting for him and minutes before he’d thought that was enough.

He’d meant to scare her away so he could climb into that tub of hot water while it still had some steam coming from it. Instead he had a woman wrapped in his arms and his body seemed determined to keep her. His cock said this woman could service him just fine—and she could do it now.

It was pleasing the way she fit up against him, hip to hip, thigh to thigh. His first assessment that she was skinny, gave way to new knowledge. She was a slender armful, her softness hidden under the iron casing she’d wrapped around her flesh. The thought of her long white legs sliding around his hips while he sank into her, filled his mind.

He let his thoughts play over the impossible possibilities for a second, before he let her go, allowing inches between them and dropping his hand that had been stroking her back.

“I’m planning on being in that tub of water in two minutes, naked as the day I was born, whether you get out of here or not.”

He released her abruptly, expecting her to hurry from the barn. Instead, she continued the connection between them, pressing her body against his, her unwavering blue eyes staring up at him. Her lips trembled for a moment, and then she repeated her request.

“I need your help.”
~~~~~~

For more information about Gem Sivad, visit me at ~ http://gemsivad.com/ ~
You can also hang out with Gem Sivad and her stable of sexy ranch hands at her webbie place ~ http://gemsivad.wordpress.com/ ~

9 comments:

Savanna Kougar said...

Gem, thanks for blogging with us. I'm all excited about your new release!

Lindsay Townsend said...

Super blog, Gem! Excellent excerpt, full of relationship tension. Congrats to you on being an Eppie finalist and on your new release - its sounds fab!

I love all those fascinating facts that you get from history - bring it on, I say!

Thanks so much for blogging here today.

Gem Sivad said...

Ladies, strange enough to have a second book come out on the exact anniversary of the contract for Intimate Strangers, add the Eppie nomination and I'm just about speechless.

And thanks Savanna, for sharing today and your readers with me. It means a lot.

gem

Kathleen O said...

That's why I read historical and westerns because it educates me to thing I didn't learn in school..

Kaye Manro said...

Nice excerpt, Gem! And congrats on the Eppie final! Good luck with your new release.

Savanna Kougar said...

Wow! Gem, that is super cool. The contract for INTIMATE STRANGERS anniversary, the Eppie and your new release!

Serena Shay said...

Woot, Gem, Congrats on the Eppie final and of course the release of Wolf's Tender ~sigh~ I can't wait to get my hands on it!!

Gem Sivad said...

Yesterday was a day filled with bounty:
The Eppie nomination
My anniversary as a published author

The release of *Wolf's Tender*
The print copy of *Intimate Strangers* arrived by snail mail

And an hour later,my bookcover for *Breed True* arrived by email.

Sheesh, my head is still spinning.

Charlie says thanks for the great party. (And Lozen says, "we'll do it again *g*.")

Thanks for the invitation. I love guest blogging here and hanging out with the cool cats.

gem

Savanna Kougar said...

Gem, I think you need to bottle some of that author's mojo... though, I bet Lozen had her sorceress hand involved...
What a head-spinning wonderful day, indeed! Meow....