Candace West – Excerpt – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Candace West shares an excerpt featuring her spunky heroine from her latest Historical Romance, Among the Kindled Embers. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a signed, print copy. Deadline: Sept 28th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Candace:

Excerpt from Among the Kindled Embers by Candace West:

The sun tipped the mountaintop as the clopping of hooves reached Zeke’s ears. He scowled down at his dog Twig, sprawled at his feet.

“I reckon she’s more of a fool than I thought.” He reached for the rifle propped against the wall and set it across his lap. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he stiffened his spine against the chair.

Soon, a horse and buggy rode into view.

With a snarl, Twig snatched himself up, but Zeke thumped his ear.

“Hush. Let the busybodies approach.”

When they stopped in front of the house, Parson Shaw stepped down, followed by Miss Doyle. She’d traded her traveling duds for a work dress and apron. Her slender frame was taller than most ladies.

She paused to say something to the parson, but he didn’t seem agreeable. She protested, placing a hand on his arm.

Grimacing, he nodded. “If you insist,” he sighed, his answer reaching Zeke. “I’ll be just behind you, then.”

So, she’s not goin’ to hide behind the good parson? This oughta be interesting. A smirk curled his lips as he tucked the butt of the rifle under his left arm, an unnatural position. Miss Doyle would never guess it, though.

She took slow, steady strides toward the porch, hardly grazing him with a glance.

Zeke noted the taut muscles in her jaw. She appeared nervous, unsure—like a doe slipping into the open. He’d give it to her, though. Miss Doyle hid it well.

But not well enough.

“Hold it.” He tipped the gun slightly upward in line with her chest. “That’s far enough.”

Miss Doyle’s foot paused on the first step. Her gaze traveled the length of the rifle and up to his eyes. Deep in her regard a challenge crackled. She took the next step.

“You’d best leave. Now.” Zeke cocked the gun.

Miss Doyle never flinched. Instead, she topped the final step, her stare fixed on his.

Zeke settled his finger on the trigger. “Do you want to die?”

Her shoulders rose then fell. “It matters little. Blow a hole through my chest, Mr. Hoskin. That’s the only way you’ll stop me.”

With that, she swept past him and across the threshold as if she had every right.

Releasing the hammer of the rifle, Zeke sprang from the chair.

“Are you going to shoot her in the back?” The parson topped the steps.

Heaving, Zeke peered long and hard at him. His smug question scraped across the remnants of Zeke’s conscience.

He’d been bested by a woman.

Shoving him aside, Zeke bounded off the porch with Twig at his heels.

Question for Readers: Do you think it is possible for love to grow between Zeke and Miss Doyle after such a confrontation?

About Candace: Candace West was born in the Mississippi delta to a young minister and his wife. She grew up in small-town Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. At twelve years old, she wrote her first story, “Following Prairie River.” In 2018, she published her debut novel Lane Steen. By weaving entertaining, hope-filled stories, Candace shares the Gospel and encourages her readers. She currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and their son along with two dogs and three bossy cats. Learn more & connect:

Candace’s Website               Candace’s Bookbub

Candace’s Goodreads            Candace’s Facebook

About the book – Among the Kindled Embers:

Revenge and refuge never go together.

Brielle Doyle cannot escape the bloodstains on her hands, not even in the Ozarks. Resolved to catch a wagon train come spring, she secures a job caring for the ailing, elderly patriarch of the Hoskin family.

But Zeke Hoskin hates outside interference. What kind of woman stares down the barrel of his rifle and still barges into his family and his business? Her meddling will upend his plans to gun down the family who killed his brothers.

At any cost, Zeke will not rest until he has carved their epitaphs, one by one.

Only Brielle stands in his way. Her divided loyalties demand answers Zeke has interred deep within himself. To dredge up old wounds might crumble the barricade around his heart.

Then he discovers she harbors a secret as well.

When a fiery vengeance ambushes them, Zeke is forced to choose. Will he quench his thirst for revenge through bloodshed or truth?

Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Candace’s other titles?

Get your copy/copies now!

Among the Kindled Embers             Candace’s Books

Come back Sept 20th for R.F. Whong!