I’m pleased to announce that THE
KILLING LAND, a romantic Western suspense thriller is now published
by Five Star/Cengage in hardcover as well as ebooks. The novel was years in the
making and is my seventh book with Five Star--a lucky number I hope! A special note of thanks goes to Alice Duncan,
my excellent editor at Five Star.
This novel is set principally in the Arizona Territory of the early l880's
where a courageous settler from the East and an aristocratic cattle baron
become involved in a love/hate relationship. The two, although attracted to
each other, are initially distrustful and antagonistic toward one another. The
dangers they face draw them together.
Mary suspects
that Cal is responsible for trying to drive
the homesteaders and sheepherders off the land cattlemen consider rightfully
theirs. When her uncle is murdered, Mary intends to discover who is responsible
and why. In so doing, she becomes a person of interest to a vicious outlaw.
Here’s an
excerpt from near the beginning of the book:
“You’re a fool.”
Mary
MacGreggor stared up at the ice-blue eyes of the handsome cowman in front of
her with surprise bordering on shock. She simply did not believe he could be so
rude. Surely, even in the West, people must learn manners? The tall rancher
looked from Uncle Isaac to her, shook his head, and then dismounted.
“Am
I to understand you won’t do business with me?” Isaac asked in a calm, quiet
voice.
“Didn’t
say that, Mr. Stafford.” The rancher glanced over at Mary, raking her boldly
from head to toe with a single look she found embarrassing. Unconsciously, Mary’s
hand went to her head to straighten her bonnet.
“I
never discuss business in front of a lady, not even a pretty one.” His tone was
arrogant and patronizing. But then, wasn’t that just the way with rich people,
thinking and acting as if they were so much better than everyone else?
And
there was no doubt this cowboy was rich. Uncle Isaac had explained to her that
Cal Davis owned Rancho Royo and the Thunderbolt, both of which were large
spreads, and taken together, the biggest cattle ranch in Arizona. Cal Davis’s property also included much
in the way of forested acreage, which was what interested them.
“Mr.
Davis, I should introduce you to my niece, Mary MacGreggor. She is also my
partner in the farm, since half of the financial investment is hers. You’ll
also find she has a good head for business.”
The
rancher looked down at her with what she could only interpret as an amused air
of superiority. She felt the blood rising to her face and averted her gaze.
“I
was told that you planned to meet me here today to ask about buying some of my
lumber,” Davis said in a flat voice.
“That’s
right. We intend to build a permanent dwelling, and therefore, it should be the
best structure we can afford.”
“Why
don’t you join me while I pick up some things in the general store and we’ll
talk this over.” Although his voice now sounded polite, his manner was still
disdainful.
They
followed Cal Davis into a store that bore the sign “Emporium” in the front
window. Once inside, Mary looked around, noticing that harnesses hung from the
ceiling, along with saddles and bridles. The store seemed to sell a little of everything;
big sacks of sugar and flour were piled up in one corner, bolts of calico in
another.
Cal
Davis walked up to the counter and asked the store owner about checking over
some accounts. Then he turned back to them once again. Mary surveyed the man.
He seemed just as tall out of the saddle as he had looked in it. He was lean
but well-built, with broad, muscular shoulders and narrow hips. The man wore
fine black leather boots which extended to his knees. A brown work shirt,
jeans, leather vest, and brown Stetson completed his wardrobe. Strapped to his
thigh was a holstered revolver that made him look dangerous.
“There’s
plenty of good pine and fir trees up in the hills. We’ve been blessed that way.
But the fact is, I don’t think you’ll be needin’ it.”
Isaac
wrinkled his brow, looking much older than his thirty-seven years. “What makes
you say that?”
“Plain
truth is the land you’ve claimed ain’t fit for farming.”
“I
don’t understand,” Mary said. It was the first time she had spoken and both men
looked at her. Mr. Davis, in particular, seemed surprised at having a woman
comment during a business discussion.
As
he removed his hat in what seemed to be a gesture of deference to her, she
could not help but notice how sun-streaked his light brown hair was or how it
fell in waves over his long forehead. There were slight creases at the corners
of his eyes as if he were accustomed to squinting at the sun.
“
Ma’am, we’ve always used that land for grazing Thunderbolt cattle. It just ain’t
fit for anything else.”
“My
uncle thinks it could be.”
His
mouth smiled, but his eyes were anything but friendly. She met his level gaze
directly, looking up into the tanned, weather-beaten face.
* * * * *
Here’s
what the first reviewer had to say about the novel:
"The rugged West, a greedy villain, violence, and true love…Jacqueline
Seewald brings it all."
Pamela Nowak
2014 Colorado Book Award
HOLT Medallion Winner
Booklist Top 10
2010 RMFW Writer of the Year
You can check out THE KILLING LAND
at:
and many
other booksellers.
You can
also put in a request for this novel at your local library.
I am offering a print giveaway of THE
KILLING LAND. The ARCs were printed in trade paperback. Please leave an e-mail
or web address in the comments section if interested. There will be a random
drawing. The winner(s) will be announced here one week from today.
Thanks for dropping by!
