Warrior woman

Love Waits was my first book where my heroine was a warrior. I've written books where my heroines had to step up to bat and do what they were not trained to do. I've written them where they saved the hero. I had never written one about a woman who chose and trained to be a warrior, but that's what the heroine of Love Waits is. As a bit of an adventuress, she found her purpose in working for the Pinkertons from the midst of the Civil War and then after it.

 Belle at Shearars Bridge in Oregon

There weren't a lot of women employed by the Pinkertons. They were not put in the position of being bounty hunters or in situations that would endanger them, but they did go undercover and investigate situations where a man would find it difficult to get close. Anytime you are investigating those who are doing wrong, danger has to be a possibility.

Belle Stevens Morgan was, even from early on, a brave young  woman who left home earlier than many women in her time period. She was taught woods craft by her father and then stepfather, building on those skills as a woman. She liked being independent and enjoyed taking some risks. Like many men, she felt the adrenaline rush of challenging herself. She had paid an emotional price for that in terms of staying away from her family and not having a family of her own. 

When she returns to Oregon, she is there for an assignment but she finds so much more. What comes next will require her to seriously consider her future goals. Maybe it's time for a change.

Eastern Oregon is a wonderful place to spend time and even in the midst of an Indian war, Belle finds its beauty has a strange draw for her, unlike anywhere she's previously been. Places are like that in how they can touch our souls and draw us to them. 

For Belle, it's more than the place. It's also a man and two children. It is her family. It's understanding that she can find excitement many ways, especially in a family that encourages a woman to be all she can be. Belle will find what speaks to her soul  and then must be brave enough to claim it.

The beginning is always today.      Mary Wollstonecraft.

That is true for us all. Nothing that has been before has to stop us from moving forward-- unless we let it.

I planned this book to come out with the Winter Solstice. From then on every day is just a tiny bit lighter. In the beginning, that will seem barely visible, but it grows until it takes over the sky. The Winter Solstice is when we say we are over the hump. It seemed a good day for a book to be delivered.