texas forsaken | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book

The man who destroyed her life may be the only one who can save it.

Seven years ago, Maggie Logan (Eyes-Like-Sky) lost everything she knew when a raid on a wagon train tore her from her family. As the memories of her past faded to nothing more than vague shadows, Maggie adapted, marrying a Comanche warrior, having a baby, and rebuilding her life. But in one terrible battle, the U.S. Cavalry destroys that life and she is taken captive again, this time by those who call themselves her people. Forced into a world she wants nothing to do with, Eyes-Like-Sky’s only hope at protecting her child may be an engagement to the man who killed her husband.

Enrolled in West Point to escape his overbearing father, Captain Garret Ramsey finds himself assigned to the Texas frontier, witnessing the brutal Indian War in which both sides commit atrocities. Plagued by guilt for his own role, Garret seeks redemption by taking responsibility for the woman he widowed and her baby. Though he is determined to do whatever it takes to protect them, is he willing to risk everything for a woman whose heart is buried in a grave?

publisher: wild heart books

release date: may 21, 2024

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excerpt

The baby puckered her face and wheezed out a pitiful whimper.

Eyes-Like-Sky’s gaze scoured her surroundings. A small slope slanted toward the intersection of two pock-marked walls. Halfway down, a sagging hole exposed the gnarled roots of a juniper. An animal’s burrow?

It didn’t matter. Eyes-Like-Sky’s moccasins slid on the loose gravel as she scurried downward. Dropping to her knees, she clawed at the hole, widening the opening. If something bit her, so be it. Dear God, don’t let it be snakes. Dear God, help me. Help me. Don’t let them find us.

Horse hooves.

She jerked the knapsack off and tossed it into the dark, damp cavity. Wide enough for her and Little Star. It had to be. With her knife, she sliced the cocoon’s lacings.

The baby gasped, sucked in a huge breath, and—

Eyes-Like-Sky yanked up her deerskin blouse and jabbed Little Star’s open mouth to her breast before the baby mustered a scream. Feet first, she pushed her way into the burrow, shoving away root tentacles and curling into a ball. Dirt in her face and nose, she squirmed until her back pressed against clay and root, and she could see shards of light.

Pounding hooves. Voices.

Sniffling, precious child at her chest.

Dear God, let them go past. Please, help us.

Would He listen?

about the author

Originally from Tennessee, Sherry Shindelar loves to take her readers into the past. She is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West, and she is a romantic at heart. When she is not busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2023 Genesis finalist, Maggie finalist, and Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of thirty-eight years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren.

Connect with Sherry at sherryshindelar.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

giveaway

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of Texas Forsaken, and a Texas Bluebonnet mug!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 21, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 28, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

tour schedule

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