Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Anna Schmidt to HJ!
From acclaimed author Anna Schmidt comes a sweeping historical Western romance about the unbreakable bonds of family, second chances, and a whole lot of heart in the Wild West.
THE LAWMAN is the second in my Last Chance Cowboys series. Readers of 
book one will remember the character of Addie Wilcox, a feisty young woman determined to focus on her career as a frontier doctor and forget all about Jess Porterfield, who chose a life in the city over staying in Arizona with her. She’s doing just fine until Jess decides city life is not for him, returns, pins on a badge and becomes the local marshal.
These two, hot-blooded (and hot-tempered), set off fireworks in more ways than one on their way to figuring out what the whole town has always known: they were meant for each other.
How would Jess and Addie, the characters from Last Chance Cowboys: The Lawman, spend the holidays?
Well, that depends on whether or not they are speaking to each other.
This is a fiery pair and neither hesitates to state an opinion. BUT assuming all was well (and probably even if it weren’t), family would come first. They might spend Christmas Eve in town attending midnight church services after supper with Addie’s family. On Christmas morning they would take a wagon outfitted with runners (if it had snowed and since this is fiction—it will have snowed) and ride out to the Porterfield ranch to share a Christmas Day feast with his family.
There were/are many traditions tied to Mexican culture that blend with the German/English traditions more common across America. Almost every ranch would have farolitos—candles placed in tin cans or paper bags that line walkways leading to the house or that lined the streets of town. If tin cans were used they might be punctured in a design to allow the light to shine out. Another tradition was the posada—where people re-enact the journey of Mary and Joseph to the inn by going to several houses where they are turned away until they arrive at the house where the party takes place and they are welcomed in. Party food is likely to include empanadas, tamales (that can be unwrapped like gifts!) and Mexican hot chocolate.
Mexican hot chocolate recipe:
- The secret to Mexican Hot Chocolate is the addition of cinnamon—and yes, chili powder!
- 3 tablespoons instant hot chocolate mix
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch chili powder
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup boiling water
- In a large mug, mix the hot chocolate mix, chocolate syrup, cinnamon, and chili powder. Pour in the milk. Add the boiling water and stir. ENJOY!!!
Giveaway: Print copy of LAST CHANCE COWBOYS: The Drifter (Where the Trail Ends) by Anna Schmidt
To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and post a comment to this Q: Besides trying a steaming mug of Mexican Hot Chocolate, how do you plan to spend the holidays?
Book Info:Â
Caught between a greedy corporation and a desperate love of the land, Maria Porterfield barely has time to mourn her father’s death. If her family is to survive, it’ll be up to her to take charge-but she can’t do it alone. When a mysterious drifter rides into town, the handsome cowboy seems like an answer to her prayers. But Chet isn’t interested in settling down, no matter how tempting the offer…
Chet made his way West looking for a fresh start-the last thing he wants is to get involved in someone else’s fight. But something about Maria awakens a powerful need to protect the fierce beauty at all costs. He never thought he’d find love, but as danger presses in, he may find there’s more beyond the next horizon than just another long and dusty trail.
Buy Links: http://www.booksbyanna.com/The_Lawman.php
Meet the Author:
Award-winning author Anna Schmidt delights in creating stories where her characters must wrestle with the challenges of their times. Critics have consistently praised Schmidt for her ability to seamlessly integrate actual events with her fictional characters to produce strong tales of hope and love in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. She resides in Wisconsin.
Website: www.booksbyanna.com
Diane Sallans
probably go see a movie – as long as the weather isn’t bad
Natasha Persaud
Sleep I’m sleep deprived!
Marion
Stay home and watch TV and read a book or magazine.
Marion
Mary Preston
Read mostly & catch up with loved ones.
Chey
Bake.
Tonya Lucas
Spend it watching great Christmas movies on Hallmark & reading Christmas books. This books sounds wonderful.
Teresa Williams
We are spending time with our 2 grandchildren.We will be eating a lot of good food also
debby236
I like to make butter beer for everyone.
martha lawson
With family and friends!
Banana cake
With my family, my brother is driving to Texas where I live from Minnesota.
Colleen C.
Time with family… opening gifts, enjoying dinner together, eating some yummy pies!
bn100
with family
lraines78
I plan to spend it with family and my first grandchild.
kermitsgirl
This is the year we visit my family (my husband and I switch off), so we’ll be flying across the country to see them 🙂
Tammy Y
With my family
Amy Rickman
At home with my family.
Kathleen O
It’s just a quiet time now. I will be reading and I will also be packing up some stuff in my home as renovations are going to start in January..
kim hansen
Watch season 2 of both sleepy hollow and the last ship on dvd and eat pizza christmas eve night.
rachael constant
onesie, book and chocolate. and opening some xmas and birthday pressies!
Joye
One of the things we always do at this time of year is ride the Christmas train from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon-it is awesome when viewed with snow on the different layers of the canyon.
A visit anytime of the year to this natural wonder should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Debbi Wellenstein
I’m spending the holidays with my family.
BookLady
Celebrating the holidays with family and friends
Glenda
Relaxing with immediate family on Christmas day after big extended family get together (after work) on Christmas Eve,
Bonny
I don’t plan to spend the holidays! My heart is too broken to celebrate this year. I was diagnosed with MS and my “fiancee” decided he couldn’t handle it. He broke off our engagement and kicked me out of his (was my house in theory since I lived with him for six plus years!) So now I am steps from homelessness… I have no reason to celebrate. I just want to sleep away this year… and until my heart heals!
Irma
I will be spending this holidays with my family. It has always been a family holiday to us.
Nancy Luebke
Since we don’t have any family here this year, I hope to get time to read. All these big giveaways have flooded my inbox and I can’t get caught up and very little time to read.
Meredith Miller
A quiet day at home with family. A few presents and some food. Nothing fancy.