GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY
Fools Rush
(A Prospector's Novel Book 1)
(A Prospector's Novel Book 1)
by Ciara Knight
This book blitz and giveaway for Fools Rush is brought to you by Xpresso Book Tours.
Description
To avert an impending life of servitude, Bethany Cook seeks freedom on a wagon train bound for gold country. Disguised as a young boy she secures work as a travel companion with Thomas Nolan, a rich New Yorker who is on his own quest to distance himself from the nightmare of a fraudulent marriage.
A cross-country journey by Thomas’ side proves more difficult than Bethany anticipated when he becomes obsessed with her true identity - the golden haired beauty he shared one night of passion with. Bethany attempts to confess the truth, but a bounty hunter exposes her as a devious woman that lied to Thomas for months for her own evil gain. Her life and her heart now rest in the hands of Thomas, who must decide if he can forgive and marry her or leave her to the fate she’s brought upon herself.
Excerpt
“Listen. I’m sorry. You obviously had a rough time growing up, and I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do about drinking.” Thomas rubbed the back of his neck. “I know you probably don’t believe me, but I never really drank before. I never wanted to be the man that beat my sister.”
Bethany rolled her eyes at his words.
“Trust me. I’m a man who likes to be in control at all times. It was just that— ”
“There is always an excuse,” she said under her breath.
“I know. That girl, though … she did something to me. Have you ever not wanted to think about someone but that same person haunts your dreams?” Thomas blew out a long breath. “Of course not.”
“Yes.” The man sitting by her side tied her stomach in knots and she wanted to hate him more than anything, but the way he gingerly tended her wounds stirred an ache for him to touch her more. She didn’t want him, she didn’t want any man controlling her. “I know you believe that woman are dumb for sticking around when their husbands beat them. You think your sister had a choice to leave, but you’re wrong. Men do things to control their wives.”
Thomas retrieved the reins and wrapped them around the brake. “Perhaps. I can’t do anything about that, though. Neither can you. All we can do is be better men.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “You know the girl … Bethany, right?”
She couldn’t deny it now. Not after being accused of stealing and saying Bethany gave the stuff to her. How did things get so confusing? “Yes.”
“Do you know if she’s married?” His voice trailed off, as did his gaze.
“No.”
He sat up straight, a smile crossing his lips that screamed danger. “She’s not?”
A lifetime was revealed in that smile—a lifetime of serving and being abused by a man who would tire of her and turn to the bottle. He’d already shown the bottle was his friend.
“I … I don’t know.” Tell him she’s married. Tell him he can never have her. The words wouldn’t flow.
He beat his palm against his head. “Stupid. This is stupid, Thomas.”
“Do you always talk to yourself?”
“Too often lately.” Thomas sat back and moved his hat over his eyes and crossed his arms. “If you don’t know, then I’m going to find out.”
“Why? We’ve got a good thing going. What if she’s married to a man like Sarah’s husband? A drunk who beats her all the time. You going to get involved in that?” Bethany needed to stop him from searching for her. Especially if it meant examining her closer. Since they’d left he’d barely looked at her, and when he did he commented on her strange ways. No. This couldn’t happen.
He stiffened and sat up, dropping his hat at his feet. “I don’t know what I’d do.”
“I know what you’d do. You’d give her hope then turn the other way because you don’t want to get involved, leaving her to face a worse beating than before you stepped into her life. Let it be.” Bethany grabbed the reins, ignoring the sting in her hands, and slapped the rear of the closest horse, brooking no more conversation. Not when her heart quickened and her thoughts betrayed her. Not when two little words that would end her life rolled to the tip of her tongue. I’m Bethany.
Praise for the Book
"Bethany Cook seeks freedom from her slave like duties. She decides to pose as a young boy and travel cross country in search of her freedom. She hooks up as a travel companion for the rich Thomas Nolan. As the trip progresses it gets harder and harder for Bethany to keep her identity a secret. Read the book today to see how it all ends." ~ Gail on Goodreads
Guest Post by the Author
Chuckwagon Recipe and Etiquette
Bethany Cook must earn her keep by cookin’ and providing companionship for Thomas Nolan, all while dressed as a man.
On the trail, she soon discovers that resources are limited and the customs of cowboys are foreign to her.
One of her everyday food items are biscuits. She thought she’d share a recipe with you all. You know, in case you ever have to dress as a man, cook for a hot guy, and all the time mind the ways of the cowboys.
Soda Biscuit recipe:
Take 1lb flour, and mix it with enough milk to make a stiff dough;
dissolve 1tsp carbonate of soda in a little milk;
add to dough with a teaspoon of salt.
Work it well together and roll out thin;
cut into round biscuits, and bake them in a moderate oven.
The yolk of an egg is sometimes added.
dissolve 1tsp carbonate of soda in a little milk;
add to dough with a teaspoon of salt.
Work it well together and roll out thin;
cut into round biscuits, and bake them in a moderate oven.
The yolk of an egg is sometimes added.
Also, she thought she’d share a few things about proper manners, or lack thereof, while on the trail.
Chuckwagon Etiquette:
1. The cook is named Cookie.
2. No one eats until Cookie calls.
3. Cowboys eat first, talk later.
4. Hungry cowboys wait for no man. They fill their plates, bellies, and then move on so stragglers can fill their plates
5. Eat with your fingers, the food’s clean.
6. Don't take the last serving unless you’re sure you're the last man.
7. Food left on the plate is an insult to the cook.
8. No running or saddling a horse near the wagon. And when you ride off, always ride down wind from the wagon.
9. If you come across any decent firewood, bring it back to the wagon
I hope you’re ready for an adventure full of food, hot guys and dangerous times. Join Bethany and Thomas for their cross-country adventure in Fools Rush!
About the Author
Ciara Knight writes to 'Defy the Dark' with her young adult speculative fiction and sweet romance books. Her most recent international best-seller, Pendulum, scored 4 stars from RT Book Reviews, accolades from InD’Tale Magazine, and Night Owl Top Pick. Her young adult paranormal series, Battle for Souls, received 5 stars from Paranormal Romance Guild and Night Owl’s Top Pick, among other praises.
When not writing, she enjoys reading all types of fiction. Some great literary influences in her life include Edgar Allan Poe, Shakespeare, Francine Rivers, and J. K. Rowling.
Her first love - besides her family, reading, and writing - is travel. She's backpacked through Europe, visited orphanages in China, and landed in a helicopter on a glacier in Alaska.
Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win an ebook copy of Fools Rush by Ciara Knight. The prize will be sent out after 11 May.
Plus, everyone can download a FREE copy of Romance Me box set, featuring Winter in Sweetwater County by Ciara Knight.
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