Spotlight & Giveaway: A Cowboy of Legend by Linda Broday

Posted April 13th, 2021 by in Blog, Spotlight / 38 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Linda Broday to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

 

Hi Linda and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, A Cowboy of Legend!

 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

The fun starts in the Hell’s Half Acre section of Fort Worth, Texas when the owner of the Three Deuces Saloon, Deacon Brannock, clashes with firebrand Grace Legend. She’s a passionate crusader with the Temperance Society and intends to shutter his place of business. She won’t lose another friend to alcohol. On the other hand, Deacon has worked his whole life for something to call his own and he’ll fight tooth and nail to keep the Three Deuces. But when a little orphan boy disappears from the streets, things change and they’re forced to work together to expose the dark underbelly of the city. Sparks fly each time Grace and Deacon are together and they wonder if they can ever resolve their differences long enough to fall in love.
 

Please share your favorite Quote from the book:

Distrust played across Brannock’s face. “If we can’t be friends, can we stop being enemies? Grace asked.

This is certainly pertinent to today’s climate when it seems everyone is at odds. Let’s just stop being enemies and get along. We can if we want.

 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

  • Hell’s Half Acre in Fort Texas, Texas only covered a several block area, but it had a dark and evil history. It was temporary home to the Wild Bunch Gang as well as outlaws like Sam Bass. Shootings occurred every night. I needed such a place for Deacon Brannock and his Three Deuces Saloon.
  • The Temperance Society was formed in an attempt to curb violence against women. The social reform spread across America and women jumped on the bandwagon, tired of the abusive relationships. I used one of the real life activists named Carrie Nation in my story as someone Grace Legend really admired. Carrie inspired a lot of followers who came to be known as the Hatchettes due to them ransacking saloons with hatchets. Carrie advocated violence and that didn’t sit well with many women.
  • By the turn of the century, fourteen percent of the workforce was made up of children. They toiled in the mines in Thurber, Texas at 13 years old. Reform for child laborers didn’t begin until 1905 and then it was only to limit the working hours, not set an age limit.

 

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

First, I want them to be thoroughly entertained and escape into a world that they know will end well. And second, I want them to see that people can work out their differences if they just try.

 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: A print copy of A Cowboy of Legend by Linda Broday

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: If you could travel to any time period, where would it be and why? For me I would plop myself down in Texas in the middle of the American frontier and pray to God I would survive the hardship.

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Excerpt from A Cowboy of Legend:

Towering head and shoulders above her, the saloon owner snatched the sign from her hand, broke it over his knee, and pitched the pieces aside. His eyes had darkened to a shade she’d never seen before and had no words to describe. “Care to explain why you’re running off my business, lady?”
The question came out silky and wrapped in velvet like her father’s did when he wanted to put the fear of God into someone. That frightened her far more than yelling. This cowboy saloon owner was someone to reckon with.
Although quaking inside, Grace drew herself up and thrust out her chin. “I’m asserting my God given right to free speech.”
“You tell him, Grace!” one of the women yelled.
“Free speech about?” he snapped.
“The evils of drink. It’s destroying the fabric of our society and wrecking homes.”
“And it’s your duty to straighten us men out?” he barked.
His dark glower shot a shiver of alarm up her spine, especially when he edged closer.
She inhaled a deep breath to steady herself. “As much as I’m able. I cannot turn a blind eye to hungry kids and wives bearing the scars of abuse. It’s a sin and disgrace. I’m their voice.” She clasped her hands together to hide the tremble. Her parents—and many others—had warned that she’d go too far one day. Dance to the music and eventually she’d have to pay the fiddler. Anger flashing from his eyes said this might be the time when she’d have to pay up.
The ugly moron inserted himself between them. “You gonna stand here and jaw with her all day, Brannock? Send for the sheriff. She’s breaking the damn law.”
Brannock shifted his attention to the ill-humored patron, the tense set of his shoulders reminding her of a rattler coiled to strike. “You telling me my business now, Cyril? Go home. I have this under control.”
“I came for my afternoon beer. You know I come every afternoon.”
Brannock flicked an annoyed gaze to Grace, a noise rumbling in his throat. “The saloon is temporarily closed. You’ll have to come back.”
“Just wait until the others hear about this. We’ll ruin you.” Cyril stomped away.
“You’ll have to get in line!” The saloon owner shouted then bit back a low curse and swung his icy grays on her. “I don’t want to throw you in jail, but you’ll leave me no choice if you continue down this dangerous path, Miss—”
“Grace Legend.” She smiled sweetly. “I have a—”
“God given right to free speech,” he finished for her. “I heard the first time. Didn’t anyone warn you about the danger of coming here?”
“I don’t listen to things of that nature.”
“You may regret that one day.” His deep voice vibrated across her skin. “I have a business to run and I intend to make money at it. Do I make myself clear?”
“Perfectly.” She glanced up into those dangerous eyes the color of an angry sky looming over her and before she could release a scathing retort, someone latched onto her arm.
“There you are, Sis. In trouble again I see.”
Irritated, she glanced up into her brother Crockett’s face. “Yes, here I am. I haven’t turned to a pillar of salt, landed in jail, or shot anyone.” She glanced around to find that her group of women had disappeared, left her to face the owner by herself. She realized then that if she was going to do this, she’d have to on her own. Just as she’d usually had to do.
“Well, the day’s young.”

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Famous across Texas, the Legends stand ready to take on any challenge that comes their way…

Deacon Brannock has struggled his whole life to amount to something. But when he finally saves up enough to buy the saloon that’ll put him on the map, he’s immediately challenged by the Temperance Movement. He only wants to make an honest living, but there’s no stopping the Movement’s most determined firebrand: Grace Legend.

And after one look at the fierce beauty, he’s not even sure he wants to.

Grace has always had her pet crusades, but she sees the Temperance Movement as the one thing that will bring her the deep sense of purpose she’s been missing. Yet when the owner of the new saloon turns out to be a kind and considerate man with warm eyes and a smile that leaves her breathless, she can’t help but wonder whether they could have a future together…if only they could find a way to stop being enemies long enough to become so much more.

Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | BAM |
 
 

Meet the Author:

At a young age, Linda Broday discovered a love for storytelling, history, and anything pertaining to the Old West. After years of writing romance, it’s still tall rugged cowboys that spark her imagination. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Linda has won many awards, including the prestigious National Readers’ Choice Award and the Texas Gold. She resides in the Texas Panhandle where she’s inspired every day.
 
 
 

«
»

38 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: A Cowboy of Legend by Linda Broday”

  1. Mary Preston

    Paris in the 1920’s would be exciting I feel. Women running amok.

  7. Glenda M

    Honestly, I’d love to visit a ton of time periods – I need a TARDIS or other time machine.

  9. isisthe12th

    I would take a trip to the late 1600’s to witness the Salem Witch Trials. Thank you

  18. Bonnie

    I would like to visit Vienna, Austria in the 1800s to attend an Imperial ball.

  27. Terrill R.

    I would love to travel to late 20’s/early 30’s just to witness the beginning of that defining period and it’s effect that I have personally known on my grandparents and mother.

    • lindabroday

      The Depression and Dust Bowl had quite a lasting effect on my parents and grandparents too, Terrill. I often wonder about experiencing that first hand.