Romancing the West's guest today hales from Down Under but writes stories set in the American Old West. She's a generous person, a friend, and a talented writer. Thanks for joining us today, Susan Horsnell! Susan ramrodded the Rawhide 'n Roses anthology, a collection of 2,000-word stories from 15 authors, herself included. It's a sampler, really--a way to get a taste of new-to-you authors' writings. You'll read about her writing journey and her stories today.
About Susan
I was a nurse, a career that spanned more than 35 years. During my career I specialised in caring for people with Alzheimer’s type Dementia, an area that fascinates me despite how heartbreaking it can be. My dear father-in-law is unfortunately afflicted with this disease and now resides in a Nursing Home. In the not too distant future I am hoping to pen a novel incorporating some of the stories I have heard from these amazing people. Part of my career was with the blind and I also cared for severely disabled children for a while too.
I was a nurse, a career that spanned more than 35 years. During my career I specialised in caring for people with Alzheimer’s type Dementia, an area that fascinates me despite how heartbreaking it can be. My dear father-in-law is unfortunately afflicted with this disease and now resides in a Nursing Home. In the not too distant future I am hoping to pen a novel incorporating some of the stories I have heard from these amazing people. Part of my career was with the blind and I also cared for severely disabled children for a while too.
When I retired four years ago I decided it was time to get the stories out of my head and onto paper. From there I just hoped my stories were interesting and well written enough to attract readers.
I am married to the love of my life, we have two wonderful adult boys, and five amazing grandchildren. We also play substitute Mum and Dad to a beautiful, adopted young lady. We reside in sunny Qld, Australia in the midst of a Blackbutt Forest. We are surrounded by the peace and quiet of Mother Nature and wildlife abounds. It is a dream come true location for us.
Here's a listing of my books:
The Glenmore’s: Deputy
The Glenmore’s: Laura
The Glenmore’s: Caught
The Stuck-Up Governess
Blind Acceptance
Blind Achievement
Mail Order Marshall
Mountain Maidens
Colonials and Cowboys
Children’s ABC of Languages
The Mystery Under the House
15 Western Romance Authors wrote a fabulous anthology which came out March 15, 2014, titled...
(A Western Romance Anthology)
Each story in the anthology is a showcase of the author’s individual writing style and will hopefully encourage the reader to purchase full length novels of the authors they like. Every story will have a Western Romance theme but there will be everything from old west romance to time travel and contemporary.
Something to suit every western reader’s taste. It will also give the reader an opportunity to discover some new authors.
I am privileged to be associated with the very best of western writers and I know readers are going to be very impressed by the high quality of this work. The anthology came about from a comment I inadvertently made on a Western Romance Writer’s forum. From this comment the idea snowballed and I found myself nominated in charge of pushing the project forward. I cannot believe I am in such esteemed company and I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented authors.
The authors will be blog hopping to promote this anthology and their own work. I hope readers will keep an eye out on blogs and social media now that the book has been officially released.
The best part? The culmination of this hard work by so many talented people – The Anthology – will be a steal at just $2.99!
Sit back, grab a coffee and enjoy the excerpt from my short story:
Petticoat Patrol
by Susan Horsnell
“Sissy, for heaven’s sake. Stop that damn wagon!” Lily screeched at the top of her voice. She crouched low over her galloping mare’s neck, reins in one hand and mane grasped in the other. As she drew alongside the wagon, which carried her sisters, she stood up in the stirrups and yelled again. “Stop that wagon now or so help me…”
Melissa, also known as Sissy, pushed her feet down hard to balance as she pulled back hard on the bay gelding’s reins. They all drew to a stop.
“How am I supposed to hear you with the sound of Buck’s hooves and these two tittering in my ear?” Sissy retorted.
The ‘two’ she referred to, as she flung her arm in the air, were their sixteen year old twin sisters – Amy and Emily. They had just discovered the appeal of two local boys and had been excitedly chattering.
“Why are you here, anyways? You’re supposed to be helpin’ Ma put a basket of food together. We gotta spend the night out with Pa watchin’ for rustlers and you know we get hungry.” Sissy pouted. She hated it when she thought her big sister was sent to watch over her. At eighteen years old she felt she was more than capable of doing things without being ‘chaperoned’.
“Ma sent me because she forgot a couple of things when she wrote out the list. It’s taken me all this time to catch up with you.”
“What else does she need?” Sissy enquired.
Lily pulled the list from her pocket and thrust it into her sister’s hand. “I might as well come with you now. It’s only another mile to town and I can help with the supplies.”
Sissy nodded before slapping the reins to get the big gelding moving. Lily urged her mount forward and they began walking at a leisurely pace.
They were in sight of town when a loud crack heralded something had gone terribly wrong on the wagon. Sissy brought Buck to a stop and glanced at her older sister in despair.
As Lily dismounted, the other girls jumped from the wagon. While the older two checked on the suspect wheel, Amy and Emily hovered nervously.
Lily crouched down and shook the wheel. It was looser than a whore in a cathouse. “Almost snapped clean off the axle,” she grumbled as she pushed herself to stand. “Sissy, unhitch Buck and we’ll walk the rest of the way. I’ll drop the horses at the livery and see what I can do about getting it fixed while you pick up the supplies.
Sissy did as requested and the girls began the short trek to town.
(A Western Romance Anthology)
Saddle up your horses and head out to the heart of the Wild West in this collection of short love stories by authors of Western Romance from all over the country and around the world.
Whether your passion is historical or contemporary, there's something inside for everyone.
Alison Bruce
Carol Spradling
Caroline Clemmons
Celia Yeary
Chad Strong
Charlene Raddon
Cheri Kay Clifton
Jacquie Rogers
Lyn Horner
Margaret Tanner
Paty Norman Jager
Peggy L Henderson
Rain Trueax
Simone Beaudelaire
Susan Horsnell
