Shannon here: Denise M. Colby shares insight into her hero in her Historical Romance, No Plan at All. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Dec 2nd – 13th to enter the drawing for an e-book copy, plus 3 other titles in my Dec Book Bundle #1. Deadline: Dec 20th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Denise:
Meet the hero of No Plan at All
No Plan at All is part of the Best-laid Plans series and is set two years before When Plans Go Awry, my debut novel.
I thought it would be fun to meet Mr. Alex Sinclair, the Scottish hero in No Plan at All, before reading an excerpt from his perspective.
Alex is from Scotland. He has come to America for eight years to live on his own, before he’s to return and marry. He speaks with a brogue and uses words such as lass, aye, and nae. He’s a peddler selling wares to small communities he travels through, in his wagon with his best friend – his horse Berrymin. He also plays the guitar, reads his Bible, and writes in a journal every day.
When he meets Sarah, she is drenched from the rain, her hair hanging in her eyes.
And she only knows him as Mr. Smith. Because he doesn’t want anyone to know he’s Lord Berrymin from the town of Bruin (yes I went with an entire bear theme as a nod to our dog Bear, who was still with us when I wrote the first draft).
I had a lot of fun writing a Scottish hero. Particularly Alex. He’s kind, good-hearted, and wants to help people, including protecting Sarah’s reputation.
I thought I’d share an excerpt from the first chapter, when Alex realizes he will have a traveling companion for the near future.
Excerpt from No Plan at all by Denise M. Colby:
Chapter 1, Scene 2
ALEXANDER SINCLAIR, known in these parts as the peddler Mr. Smith, stared at the terror in Miss Baker’s eyes. The lass was spooked, otherwise she wouldn’t be standing before him soaked with her hair drooping in her eyes like a highland cow.
She glanced over her shoulder, then back at him. “I promise I won’t cause you any trouble or be in your way.”
The movement wasn’t lost on Alex. And the pleading in her eyes caused a knot to form in his stomach. “Have you been hurt?” He couldn’t tolerate any man who used their physical strength over a woman.
Silence stretched between them, broken only by the steady patter of the rain, which started again. When she finally spoke, her voice was a whisper. “I’m okay. But if I go back, my life will be over.”
The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears. Alex’s protective instincts flared. He couldn’t say no to a lass in trouble. He’d met plenty of people out west who’d run from their homes—he was a prime example. Whatever this lass was leaving behind, it scared the wits out of her.
Despite her wide-eyed desperation and her trembling body, he’d give her points for bravery. She barely knew him, and even though California was less strict about propriety, an unmarried woman did not travel alone with an unmarried man. Whatever she was running from, she felt the risk was a better option.
“Give me a minute,” he said before pulling his head back inside, where it was warm and dry.
He hadn’t given her a chance to answer, but relief swept across her face.
With a heartfelt sigh, he donned a few layers of clothing, his boots, and hat. So much for a few hours of shuteye before he pulled out.
He glanced around his crowded wagon. What would he do with her? There was barely enough room even for him with all the goods he carried. Not to mention the extra supplies needed for two people would cut into what he could sell.
Alex rubbed the back of his neck. Sometimes going with the unplanned was the best course of action. He had extensive experience with adapting to new circumstances. He would figure out the details later. For now, getting her out of town before dawn seemed the wisest decision.
Would her father or any brothers search for her? Was she even of an age? And with that thought, he stuck his head out again. “Och, Miss?”
She raised her head and their eyes met. “Yes?”
“Might I ask how old ye are?” He cringed. Asking a young lady her age wasn’t proper, but he needed to know.
“I’m nineteen.” She answered matter-of-factly, unfazed. Her stance reminded him of a startled deer who wouldn’t move when spooked.
“Aye. I’ll be oot in a moment.” And he pulled back inside a second time.
“Okay.” Her voice quivered. “It’s quite cold out here.”
He wanted to tell her to get used to it because every night was cold when you didn’t have a building with windows and doors to secure you. But she would realize that soon enough. The gentleman in him couldn’t be rude.
He finished layering on his travel clothes and climbed out of the wagon, his boots splashing in a small puddle as he jumped down. Water sloshed onto Miss Baker’s skirts, but she didn’t seem to notice.
She eyed him warily as he rose to his full six-foot-two-inch frame. Taller than most men, the bulk of his arms and chest added to his size. He had his Scottish heritage to thank. Which was one reason he came out west to try his hand at hard labor, engaging both his body and mind in productive work. There wasn’t much for him to do back home except play a role he wanted no part of.
He looked at Miss Baker and grabbed his hat brim. “Aye, let’s load up.” He stepped forward and reached for her luggage. She didn’t move, only shivered, staring at her feet where water pooled around her soaked shoes. Was she succumbing to the cold already?
Grabbing hold of the handle, he pried her chilled fingers off one by one. He shoved her bag through the fabric slit on the wagon and blindly grabbed his backup overcoat and a blanket. He wrapped both around her, keeping as much space between them as possible. “Let’s get you dried up first, then you can climb inside the wagon.” He flicked his thumb over his shoulder.
Her eyes moved in the direction he pointed and then back to him. “You’re going to let me come with you?”
“It is what you wanted, aye?”
She nodded multiple times. “Oh, yes. Please. Thank you.”
He grunted. “Okay then, let’s get you situated, and we can head out.”
She pulled at the ends of the blanket, wrapping it further around her shoulders. “Can I ride up front with you, if you don’t mind? I don’t do well when I can’t see where I’m going.”
It would be better if she remained hidden as he drove out of town. “It’s night and you won’t see much.”
“I won’t take up much room,” she pleaded. “I don’t want to become unwell and have to stop.”
He glanced at the sky. Great, she could retch from traveling in a wagon. “You’ll continue to get wet.”
“I’m already soaked. And you’ve given me a blanket and slicker to cover myself. I promise I’ll stay quiet and hidden. No one will know who I am.”
So she understood what he hadn’t said.
He sighed. “Follow me.” He strode to the front of the wagon and placed a hand out to offer assistance. Her cold, wet hand touched his as he lifted her into the wagon seat. He hoped she didn’t catch a chill.
She settled into the far end of the wooden bench and placed his overcoat over her head and the blanket around her legs. In the darkness it would be impossible to know who she was.
But he would know. Unsure if this was the wisest move, he focused on the bridle and harness in his hands rather than the stranger in his wagon. He hadn’t had a companion travel with him before. Five years of solitude and fending for himself dulled his edges. How awkward would this be?
He hoped she wasn’t expecting conversation. He expended all his energy while his shop was open, but his time afterward he spent in silence. Talking with God and his horse. Since he didn’t stay in one place long, he never developed genuine relationships. Precisely why he’d come out west in the first place.
Lord, I’m not sure what you’re doing here, but guide my ways. He wondered if he would regret allowing her to come along.
Reader Question: Have you ever traveled with people you didn’t know? Share your experience.
Dec Book Bundle #1
Every Voice Heard by Sarah Hanks, 3 author Contemporary Novella collection, e-book
No Plan at All by Denise M. Colby, Historical Romance, e-book
Failed Protocol by Cindy Bonds, Romantic Suspense, print
Feuding with the Cowboy by Louise M. Gouge, Contemporary Romance, print
About Denise: Denise M. Colby writes historical romance sweetened with faith, hope, and love. She finds history fascinating and contemplates often how it was to live in the 1800’s. Her debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, is a 2025 Carol Award finalist and placed 3rd in the Historical Romance category of the OCRW BBB contest. Learn more & connect:
Denise’s Website Denise’s Linktree Denise’s Newsletter Signup
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About the book – No Plan at All:
Two strangers. One journey. A love neither expected.
Sarah Anne Baker never wanted to be anyone’s burden. But hours after losing the Godmother who raised her, she faces an impossible choice: marry her late fiancé’s brother—or flee. With fear of being trapped her driving force, she places her trust in the one man leaving town that night—the enigmatic traveling peddler known only as Mr. Smith.
Alexander Sinclair walked away from his noble title in Scotland to live a quiet, hidden life. Peddling wares from town to town has given him peace, free from the weight of expectation. Until a desperate young woman crosses his path. He can’t turn her away… no matter the cost.
Together, Sarah and Alex set out on a journey through loss, healing, and a bond neither expected to find. But as secrets surface and choices demand to be made, both must decide: cling to the lives they planned—or risk everything to embrace the future God has written for them.
A tender tale of courage, redemption, and love strong enough to change the course of two hearts forever.
Sometimes the best life is the one we never planned.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Need more copies for gifts? Interested in Denise’s other titles? Get your copy/copies now!
No Plan at All – BarnesandNoble No Plan at All – Scrivenings Press
No Plan at All – Walmart No Plan at All – Amazon
Come back Dec 6th for Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup!
I have and I wouldn’t want a repeat lol
I’m an introvert and have a small circle of friends, so it’s hard to travel with new people. I would get to know them first.
I have never traveled with people I didn’t know.
I have a winner! Natalya Lakhno won the drawing. I appreciate Denise for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.