Western Archives - Tena Stetler

Mar 17th An Angel’s Wylder Assignment – Sunday Snippet

Yippee!! Sunday Snippets presents a award winning An Angel’s Wylder Assignment my paranormal romance/mystery. WooHoo! It takes a Warrior Angel and Native American Shifter to save the past and create their future. Join the #adventure, grab your copy today!

Pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about An Angel’s Wylder Assignment, part of the award winning A Demon’s Witch’ Series. All books can be read as stand alone.

What inspired An Angle’s Wylder Assignment. I guess you’d say I decided to try something different. What a Wyld Ride.

Have you ever started a project only to discover it’s not going to be anything like you envisioned? Such is the constant situation of a writer who writes by the seat of her pants. The characters involved in the story take over and run with the plot, character arc, and anything else within their grasp.

Because I can’t plot my way out of a paper bag, and I’ve tried, I endure the escapades of my characters. Nine times out of ten, I end up with an imaginative and well-written book. Such is the case of, An Angel’s Wylder Assignment, part of The Wild Rose Press multi-author Wyld West series. My first attempt at a paranormal western, time travel, historical. There was a lot of research involved. How do they heat the house back in 1878? What do they cook on? You should grab a copy and see if I pulled it off. LOL

Creating a fictional community with other authors is fun if a little daunting. So many individuals’ points of view and writing technics melded into one world. Sharing characters in the many storylines and making it all cohesive can be challenging but fun for all. Readers get to engage with characters they already know and love, then discover new characters added to the mix in a town or community familiar to them.

What is An Angel’s Wylder Assignment is all about.

Warrior Angel Killian Dugan’s annual trip to the family castle in Scotland is shattered by the arrival of Legion Commander North. Killian’s skills are needed for an urgent time travel assignment. A rogue demon has escaped back in time. He must discover the why and where and stop the demon before it can damage the past and change the future.

Killian’s girlfriend Chinoah Grace, a Native American shapeshifter is included in the mission which takes them to the wild west town of Wylder, Wyoming in the year 1878. She will have her hands full fitting in and making friends.

Nothing is as it seems. They encounter visions, spirit quests, and a mysterious shaman. On top of it all, blending in as a blacksmith is more physically difficult than he imagined. But not as challenging as keeping his hands off his undercover wife. Will they complete their assignment or run out of time?

Sneak peek between the pages of An Angel’s Wylder Assignment:

Inside the family castle in Scotland, Killian put aside his warrior angel duties and relaxed in front of a roaring fire with Chinoah, a Native American wolf shifter.

He idly swirled wine in a cut crystal glass, watching the flames glint off the burgundy liquid. It was his duty to take care of the property while his cousin, Tavish, and his family were on holiday before the highland’s harsh winter weather set in.

This year he’d be staying through the holidays, though Chinoah didn’t know it yet.

Who says a battle-ready warrior angel couldn’t handle both duty and family. Bollocks to that. His best friend, Caden, did it. Well, kinda. Legion Commander Nathanial North balanced both just fine.

He slipped an arm around Chinoah. She cuddled into him as he pulled the patchwork quilt Jalen, Tavish’s wife, had made and given them to celebrate their hard-won relationship status of dating. One step at a time, Chinoah had requested.

The brass door knocker echoed through the castle announcing visitors.

With a raised brow, he peered at Chinoah. “Expecting guests, are we?”

“Not as far as I know.” She got to her feet and padded across the stone floor.

“Wait.” Grumbling, he pushed up from the cozy warm couch, slipped his socked feet back into his boots, and clomped toward her. “Best let me answer the door since we don’t know who’s waiting on the other side.”

She slowed her pace to allow him to catch up with her. “This castle is huge. By the time we get to the door, the visitors may be gone.” She giggled.

“Way to keep in shape.” Chuckling, he kissed her. “Apparently, my cousin made the original great hall into their family living space.”

“God help us if we’re in the bed-chamber when someone comes calling.” She snickered. “We’d have to sprint down the balcony hallway, across the split staircase, and through the great hall. By then, the visitors would have decided no one was home.”

“Which could have been Tavish’s plan.” He smiled at the thought. “Besides, I didn’t hear you complain last evening when you thundered through the castle for a couple of hours on four paws.”

“That was different. My wolf needed the exercise, and you didn’t want me to go outside.” Her lips formed a pout that he found irresistible.

“Didn’t want to spring you from a trap.” He turned his attention out the window where the snow swirled in the howling wind. “Besides, who in bloody hell would be calling at this time of night and in this weather?”

She raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “Only one group of individuals I know.”

“Oh, no. I’m on leave. They didn’t know where I was going. Besides, they wouldn’t expect me to be here.” The ancient wooden door groaned then made a squeeing sound when Killian yanked it open. “What in tarnation are you doing here?”

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

Check back next week for another Sunday Snippet paranormal adventure/romance/mystery!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged An Angel's Wylder Assignment, Historical, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Shapeshifters, Sunday Snippet, Tena Stetler, Time travel, Western by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.

Dec 18th The Bull Rider’s Heart by Betty Derr May

Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Betty Derr May, author of Bull Rider’s Heart her debut novel.

Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets see what Betty’s Bull Riders Heart is all about. Thanks for joining us!

Betty, I have a few questions for you.

What inspired The Bull Rider’s Heart?

I grew up riding horses and going to rodeos all my life. I still have a love of both, and would own a ranch and raise Quarter horses if I had a chance. This story is a combination of all my childhood experiences. This is a part of a series I write of a fictional town in Oklahoma called Marigold.

If I had it to do all over again, what would I do differently?

I believe I would start writing earlier in life. I waited as the stories kept building in my head. Today my job is to try to get them all written.

What does Success mean to me?

Well, believe it or not, success does not me how much money I can make selling my books, although that’s a nice dividend, however, I truly believe for me success is knowing I have put out books that people enjoy reading.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

To tell you the truth, I consider writing my full-time job. I spend usually 8 hours a day writing. By the time my characters stop talking to me it’s time for dinner and I then get some time with my family and my dog. I do like to do puzzles and of course I read as much as I can.

Why do you write what you write?

I write contemporary romance with a twist. Sometimes the twist is suspense, action, even a touch of paranormal thrown into the mix. I do love to read historical romances and even follow a vampire family. So, you could say I am a mixture of all that I write.

Any tips to share with fellow authors?

I believe if you want to succeed you have to sit in your chair and write. Let your characters flow and soon your story will take on it’s own personality.

Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>

Favorite movie: Dances with Wolves

Favorite book: Identity

Last book I read : Bad Luck Vampire

Favorite Color: red

Stilettos or flip flops: flip flops

Coffee or tea: both

Ebook, audiobook, or paperback: I like them all

Pencil or pen: pen

Favorite Song: Flowers

Streak or not: NOT

Favorite dessert: German Chocolate Cake

Favorite junk food: chocolate covered cherries

Favorite thing to do to relax: watch a movie

Champagne or gin: Champagne

Paranormal or Historical: Both

Wonder woman or top model: Wonder woman

Favorite TV show: Yellowstone

Hot or cold: Hot

I’d die if I don’t have: Diet Pepsi

Review or not: review

Tell us a little about Bull Rider’s Heart

The Bull Rider’s Heart is a heartwarming story about finding purpose and hope in unexpected places and learning to let go of the past in order to embrace the future. Whether you are a fan of rodeo or simple looking for a compelling, emotional read, this book is sure to capture your heart and leave you inspired. Cash Maguire had always lived for the thrill of the ride. He was a bull rider, through and through. But when a devastating injury halts his career, Cash finds himself lost and directionless. That is until a surprise appears on his doorstep – a daughter he never knew he had. As Cash navigate the ups and downs of fatherhood, he’s forced to to reevaluate his entire life and start down a new path in the form of his lovely neighbor. Along the way he’ll discover that the greatest ride of his life might not be on the back of a bull, but in the love and sacrifices of being a parent and husband.

A sneak peek between the pages of The Bull Rider’s Heart:

Leaning against the fence, Cash took a moment to gather himself. Drawing in a deep breath, he felt a single bead of sweat trickle down his spine. The weight of his family’s ranch rested squarely on his shoulders, and he understood the enormity of the situation. Realizing he couldn’t continue riding bulls indefinitely, Cash acknowledged the limitations of his own body.

Cash listened intently as the announcer captivated the crowd, building their anticipation for the upcoming bull riding event. With determination, he stood tall and inspected his equipment. Everything needed to be in perfect condition, as it would be his lifeline during the ride.

Entering the staging area, Cash was hit by a potent mix of unpleasant aromas – cow dung, sweat, and the unmistakable scent of fear. The atmosphere was heavy with tension. Drawing the notorious bull Cat Ballou, known for its vicious nature, Cash understood this ride could either result in a high score or a devastating failure would impact his finances.

As he sipped water, he became aware that the lump lodged in his throat refused to go down. Suddenly, his mouth felt parched, and his heartbeat intensified. A shudder coursed through Cash’s spine, accompanied by a single bead of sweat.

Not one to be intimidated, Cash decided to channel energy and took a daring leap onto the chute railing. His determined fingers curled around the rope tightly as he slid his hand up and down, testing his grip for maximum security.

Adjusting his hat, he felt rather than knew this would be challenging. ride. The bull harbored a strong dislike towards him, which Cash was aware of considering his past encounters. He knew firsthand how merciless the bull could be towards the unfortunate riders.

He expertly wound the rope through his left hand to secure his hold, ensuring it wouldn’t slip away. Feeling the surge of adrenaline, he drummed his fingers against the railing, generating some warmth before the moment of truth. The electric atmosphere created by the amused spectators and the comical performance of the clowns. Cash took a deep breath to center himself, then nodded to the official to release the bull.

A tornado in a frenzy of furious hooves and flailing horns. Cash’s grip tightened on the rope as he braced himself against the violent bucking and twisting of the beast. Cash’s determination grew more vigorous with every jolt and bone-rattling landing. He refused to let fear take hold of him, instead channeling all his focus and strength into maintaining control. As the crowd roared with adrenaline-fueled excitement, Cash dug his spurs into the sides of the massive bull, urging it on with relentless persistence. The seconds stretched like an eternity, but Cash remained resolute, refusing to succumb to the chaos beneath him.

Cash desperately clung on for dear life. The bull executed a sudden sideways jump, sending Cash into a thrilling whirlwind through the air. As the bull descended with a force comparable to a jackhammer, Cash’s body flailed uncontrollably, resembling a limp rag doll. His head narrowly missed colliding with the hindquarters of the colossal creature. In a brave display of determination, Cash held onto the line, defying gravity as the massive bull impersonated a headstand.

Cash used all his skill and training to stay on the bull’s back for the full eight seconds. Cash precisely relinquished his grip on the rope when the buzzer sounded, landing on the arena floor in a cloud of dust.

About the Author:

Betty Derr May is a Romance writer, whose books offer not only romance but a romance with a twist. She lives in beautiful Colorado amidst tall majestic trees and mountains. Originally from Oklahoma, her series about the people of a mythical town of Marigold will make you laugh, cry, and sometimes feel the hurt and joy of the characters as she brings them all to life. But they will always entertain you. Betty is the mother of three sons, and three rapidly growing granddaughters. She is also the proud owner of an English Bulldog who can most days be found asleep at her feet while she writes. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, Sorority Sisters, movies, and working puzzles.

Universal buy link:

Buy Link: Amazon

It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with The Bull-Rider’s Heart! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Until next week’s Sunday Snippet. A surprise is waiting!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Betty Derr May, Contemporary Romance, Ranch, Rodeo, The Bull Rider's Hear, Western by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.

Jan 18th #99¢ Sale An Angel’s Wylder Assignment #MFRWHooks

Yippee!! #MFRWHooks presents An Angel’s Wylder Assignment, a riveting paranormal romance, #mystery, #western, #historical, #timetravel. Psst… On sale for #99cents ! Join the #fantasy #adventure, and download a copy or two today! An impromptu assignment for a Scottish Warrior Angel and a Native American shapeshifter from present day, must time travel to 1878 in an effort to unravel a dangerous mystery

A little about An Angel’s Wylder Assignment:

Warrior Angel Killian Dugan’s annual trip to the family castle in Scotland is shattered by the arrival of Legion Commander North. Killian’s skills are needed for an urgent time travel assignment. A rogue demon has escaped back in time. He must discover the why and where and stop the demon before it can damage the past and change the future.

Killian’s girlfriend Chinoah Grace, a Native American shapeshifter is included in the mission which takes them to the wild west town of Wylder, Wyoming in the year 1878. She will have her hands full fitting in and making friends.

Nothing is as it seems. They encounter visions, spirit quests, and a mysterious shaman. On top of it all, blending in as a blacksmith is more physically difficult than he imagined. But not as challenging as keeping his hands off his undercover wife. Will they complete their assignment or run out of time?

A new peek between the pages of An Angel’s Wylder Assignment: New Hook

Rather than dispute Nat with the need or permission to carry weapons, Killian had simply slid his jewel-encrusted, magic-infused sword in its scabbard and slung it across his back. Slipping his dagger into its sheath at his ankle, he also holstered his gun at his other ankle, straightened, and shrugged into his black leather duster. The wrist arrows and other warrior weapons were sewn into the coat’s lining. After all, he was a warrior angel and must have his tools of the trade. He smirked.

Chinoah stood wide-eyed at his cache of weapons. “And I got scolded packing unapproved clothing. Do you have any idea what your commander would do if he—”

“Sure enough. Notice I waited until he left. You’re the one that chose the jeans battle with him.” He shifted one shoulder nonchalantly. “Learning curve to pick your battles.” A low chuckle rose from his throat. “Besides, he’d never ask a warrior going into battle to leave the tools of his trade behind.”

“A little advance warning would have been nice.” She crossed her arms across her chest defiantly.

“Prep time was a luxury we didn’t have when this assignment was dumped on us. Wouldn’t you say? Nat had us at a disadvantage and he knew it.”

As if the words just sunk in, she blanched. “We’re not—you’re not—really going into battle. Right?”

“No way to know until we get there. Demons are not known for their negotiation skills. The Riverton skirmish is a prime example of their single-mindedness.”

“But that was a build-up of theft, deceit, and trickery by a tribe member acting as the River Winds Casino manager who was driven by power, greed, and jealousy. Ethan played into the hands of the manipulative demons. He was outmaneuvered from the beginning. In the end, he got what he deserved.”

“That‘s how it works. Evil prays on the unsuspecting. In our case, we’ll have our ducks in a row long before flushing the demon out in the open and forcing him to show us his hand. Enough of this. As Nat said, we are burning daylight.”

They waved goodbye to their friends and slipped out the back door. It was a bit of a walk to the Mists, but porting in broad daylight wouldn’t be wise.

As they walked through the eerie Scottish Mists, the silence wrapped around them like a smothering blanket. A stand of druid stones emerged from the thick fog towering above them. Chinoah shivered against him. Magic rolled of the stones in warning.

With the image of the 1878 blacksmith shop in his head and whispering spirits in his mind, their adventure began. His hands tightly wrapped around Chinoah, their duffels secured on their backs. He closed his eyes and focused his vision on Wylder, Wyoming Territory of 1878 inside Dugan’s Blacksmith shop. This was his first mistake. He was unsure of the blacksmith shop’s interior, as he’d never seen it.

Instead, they are unceremoniously dumped, what he hoped was only several yards outside the shop, in the worst blizzard he’d ever seen. He tightened his grip on Chinoah. Guess I paid too much attention to the description of the building itself and let that disrupt my landing location. The wind-driven snow swirled around them, making visibility difficult if not impossible. A large dark mass faded in and out of the sheets of snow not far from them.

About the Author:

Tena Stetler is an internationally best-selling author of award winning paranormal tales. Some call her crazy others creative. She deals with the voices in her head by writing them down and creating a fantasy world and characters you won’t soon forget. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, magic, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.

Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a fifty-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

This is a blog hop! Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks – Your next GREAT read is waiting!

Thanks for stopping in for #MFRWHooks.

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged An Angel's WYyder Assignment, fantasy, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, spirits, Tena Stetler, Time travel, Urban Fantasy, Western, Witches by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.

Jan 13th Friday the 13 & a #99cent sale

Friday, January 13^th makes a few people shiver in their boots. I’m not one of those, I long ago embraced Friday the thirteenth, and all things thirteen probably because it wasn’t done in my household. My mom was the queen of superstitious. She avoided walking under ladders, tossed salt over her shoulder when she spilled some, never broke a mirror to my recollection, and would walk or drive blocks out of her way to avoid allowing a black cat to cross her path. Until that fateful day I brought home the cutest solid black kitten with the bluest eyes. Named him Panther after my high school mascot. He blessed us with his presence for twenty-two years. I miss that cat!

FYI – For those of you with inquiring minds, The irrational fear of the number thirteen has been given a scientific name: “triskaidekaphobia”; and on analogy to this the fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia, from the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή, meaning “Friday”), and dekatreís (δεκατρείς, meaning “thirteen”). Yeah I more than you wanted to know. LOL

To celebrate, Friday the 13th An Angel’s Wylder Assignment is on sale for 99 cents. You can’t beat that with a witch’s hat or an angel’s halo. Talk about good luck! LOL

After you chase a black cat that cut in front of you under the ladder and avoid the shards of glass from a shattered mirror you dropped, leave your ordinary world behind. Change your luck and be swept away into a magical, romantic fantasy adventure with an angle and a shapeshifter you’ll never want to leave. You don’t even have to leave your house, download your copy today.

A little about An Angel’s Wylder Assignment:

Warrior Angel Killian Dugan’s annual trip to the family castle in Scotland is shattered by the arrival of Legion Commander North. Killian’s skills are needed for an urgent time travel assignment. A rogue demon has escaped back in time. He must discover the why and where and stop the demon before it can damage the past and change the future.

Killian’s girlfriend Chinoah Grace, a Native American shapeshifter is included in the mission which takes them to the wild west town of Wylder, Wyoming in the year 1878. She will have her hands full fitting in and making friends.

Nothing is as it seems. They encounter visions, spirit quests, and a mysterious shaman. On top of it all, blending in as a blacksmith is more physically difficult than he imagined. But not as challenging as keeping his hands off his undercover wife. Will they complete their assignment or run out of time?

Sneak peek between the pages of An Angels Wylder Assignement: