Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is one of my favorite suspense authors, Sally Brandle. She’ll be sharing an excerpt from her newest book, The Targeted Pawn, and talking about a research aspect that she feels made a big difference in her books. Welcome, Sally!
Asking for Help Garners Wonderful Contacts
by Sally Brandle
Engaging sensitivity readers prior to publishing helps writers craft authentic books. In The Targeted Pawn, my hero’s grandmother asked him to protect their ancestral Blackfeet cemetery, on land adjacent to his ranch. To ensure the accuracy of several scenes, I sought guidance from an acquaintance belonging to The Blackfeet Nation and Thomas Smittle, from the Oglala Lakota tribe. I’m fortunate that a horse owner at my barn put me in touch with Tom, who’s offered a wealth of information. He participated in the program depicted in The Mustang (2019), and then portrayed a lead character in the film. It’s a powerful picture worth viewing by adults, and a win/win for inmates and wild horses. Along with corrections on terminology, Tom provided insight into the teasing banter between him and his friends, which enriched my character, Rane Calderon. I strive for realistic portrayals and am thankful to my ‘herd.’
The Targeted Pawn
by Sally Brandle
Threats forced her to flee Seattle. Honor binds him to Montana. A second chance at love tethers them together.
Elon Hardy’s romance skills are rusty after a loveless marriage ends, but upon meeting hunky rancher, Rane Calderon, sparks blaze hotter than her welding torch. To support her collegiate sons, she’s determined to acquiesce to the bullheaded, female-phobic boss until her divorce finalizes from her deceitful husband.
A woman Rane trusted ruined his life, and at forty, he won’t be fooled again. Blisteringly mad he’s hired a female bearing a man’s name, he fights attraction for the curvy, determined brunette while thwarting efforts to build a private prison atop his Blackfeet ancestors’ burial ground.
Can Elon and Rane realize love doesn’t have a “best used before date”? If you enjoy smoldering romance, mercenary villains, and rescued animals, you’ll love escaping again to Emma Springs, Montana.
Excerpt:
Fired before she started? No, the Bull Boss couldn’t do that to her. Elon gripped the underside of the table edge, willing him to give her a trial run. One stinking opportunity to prove she wasn’t as worthless as Tim maintained. She bit her lip. There wasn’t enough cash to return to Seattle. “I drove here in good faith. Give me a chance, Mr. Calderon.”
Rane took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “You did me a favor helping my bull, so I’ll do the same.” He folded her letter and rested his fist on it. “Wasn’t expecting to accommodate a woman.” His glance flicked outside and back to her. “There’s an unused bedroom and attached bath down that hall.” His face softened for a split second before he flipped his thumb over his shoulder. “You may bunk in my grandma’s room. She didn’t handle stairs either.”
She’d handle him all right. Her fingers relaxed. “Sounds ideal. You have an MIG welder?”
He glanced around the kitchen, as if noticing the mess for the first time. “Yup. Welding can wait until tomorrow. Start by feeding the men at five o’clock. Plenty of grub in the storeroom through the door by the sink.”
“I’ll fix a hearty meal.” She palmed her locket. “I don’t have a cell phone. May I call my sons to tell them I arrived?”
“House phone’s on my desk in the far corner of the living room. No incoming calls after ten at night, Montana time. Anything else?”
“When do you cut checks?”
“On the fourth and the twenty-eighth.” He rifled through the stack and pulled out a photocopied timesheet. “Normally the men hand in hours three days earlier. I can take yours that morning.”
“Thank you. I can work through the weekend to catch you up.”
“Good. Other questions?”
Angel needed an advocate. “Just tell me where to park my car and oh…I, ah, have a dog.”
“Your car’s ok where it’s parked. Didn’t realize you brought a guest,” he said, in a voice turned soft as suede.
The calm before the storm? “Hadn’t planned to adopt a pet. A jerk tossed her from a truck on the highway an hour ago.” She clenched her fist. “I won’t abandon Angel. That’s what I named her.”
His boots scraped the floor as he pulled them in. He rose to his full height. “Angel can bunk inside, or I’ll find her a temporary doghouse.”
“I won’t let her bother you.”
“Dogs never do. If she needs kibbles, ask for Fred. He’ll find someone headed to town.”
The man did have a heart. For the first time today, she smiled. “Thank you. I’ll find something to feed her tonight,” Elon said.
Rane leaned over her, close enough to show dark stubble on his perfectly sculpted jaw. The guy’s black lashes appeared thick as paint brushes. His eyes glowed a deep shade of russet.
Flutters swirled in her belly. She blinked several times and leaned back.
With one fist braced on the papers, his chest stiffened into a shield. “Animals I trust, Ms. Hardy. Women are another story. A month’s trial, then we’ll talk.” He straightened and walked out, leaving a trail of spice-scented annoyance.
The front door slammed shut. Elon flinched.
So much for the misconception of a kindly old rancher. Nope. Her fortyish boss possessed the ability to morph into a hardened commander with one scowl from his squint-eyed, condemning looks.
She fingered the buttons on her blouse. How gracious of him to give her a month’s trial run. The divorce might take a year.
Rescuing Angel had helped win him over. They both needed a home until she got the settlement check, and she’d use the pup’s plight again if necessary. She removed a crusty saucepot from the sink. Stacking dirty fry pans cleared a space under the faucet to scour a water bowl for her dog.
Stagnant air surrounded her. “Uggh.” The place needed an open window and a stiff breeze. A metal ring hung from the middle of the lowered roller shade. Tugging it sent the blind snapping upward. She shoved open the pane of grimy glass on a window that faced her car. Dust particles danced in the filtered sunlight. Outside, the men gathered in the corral around the bull.
She collected Rane’s papers, crossed into the living room, and dropped them onto a desk capable of seating six. Angel would think she’d been abandoned again, but first she’d phone her boys.
Brandon didn’t have late classes. She punched in his number and smiled to hear his voice. “Hi. Hoped to catch you. Made it to the beautiful ranch. Cowboys and cattle.”
“Glad to hear, Mom. Beats deadbeat dads.”
She couldn’t agree more but wasn’t going to bad-mouth Tim. “Did Jeremy tell you the cost of his book?”
“I think he said two-fifty for a stupid, newly minted, print-only book. I’ll look for a part time job online tonight.”
The shameful practice of overcharging for a college book hadn’t ceased. “I’ll send him the money next week. I’d prefer you concentrate fully on schoolwork.”
“Okay. I’ll tell him. Thanks for leaving the freezer full.”
“You’re welcome. Tuesday’s my first payday. It won’t be a windfall, but we’ll manage. I’m sorry about the divorce drama.”
“We’re all better off without Dr. Deceitful judging our every move. We think he’s gone off the deep end.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions. I’ll open a bank account tomorrow so I can transfer money to you, okay?”
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Please be careful. Did you smash your phone?”
Her eyes teared from pride of their protective instincts and sadness at the reason. “I did. You boys mean the world to me. I’ll be back in Seattle soon. Love you.”
“Back at you.”
Her stalwart Brandon sounded worried. The handset wobbled into the cradle. “Damn you, Tim,” she whispered.
Want to read more?
You can find Targeted Pawn at Amazon:
About the Author:
Multi-award winning author, Sally Brandle, weaves slow-burning, clean romance into edgy suspense, motivating readers to trust their instincts. Growing up as a tomboy alongside brothers prepared her to work in a male-centric industry, raise sons, and create action packed stories featuring capable women. She thrives on creating unintentional heroines who conquer their vulnerabilities and partner with heroes to outwit cunning villains.
Social Media:
Website: http://http://www.sallybrandle.com/
Sally’s Blog link: https://smpauthors.wordpress.com/author/sallygfrog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012840931763