First, thank you, Ms. Light, for inviting me to your nine-year party event. Congratulations on your success!
I’d describe myself as a Western historical romance author, but I’ve also written a time travel story.
As a kid, I thought my dad was the best storyteller ever. Dad wore a black Stetson, and he had one of those voices that reminded me of a trail-tough cowboy. He always kept me thoroughly intrigued. His stories also helped influence why I write about the Old West. My folks hailed from southeastern Kansas, where we lived for several years. The Dalton Gang, the Benders, and the James Gang came up often in Dad’s stories. As an adult, I wish I had written more of those stories down before he passed.
What kind of stories? Well, my favorite is about my great-grandfather. He was born in 1860. One day, when he was ten (or so), he was instructed to go down by the road and wait for a neighbor to bring the mail. While he waited, he passed the time playing with a deck of cards. It wasn’t long before a man rode up and inquired what my great-grandfather was doing. As he explained, the stranger dismounted and asked if he might play cards, too. After a while, the fellow mounted up, but before he left, my great-grandfather asked him his name.
The stranger stared back. “You can tell your friends you played cards with Jesse James.”
Was he the outlaw Jesse James? I believe so. Can I prove it? Uh, no, but I always keep that simple story in mind when writing. I like to picture this kid wearing tattered pants and playing with bent cards that amounted to half a deck. Tall grass, fields, and hedge post fences surround the rutted road. It’s easy to imagine the emotions crossing the kid’s suntanned face as the stranger galloped away. That story prompts my imagination and makes me think, if only for a moment, that I’m on that dusty road, watching my great-grandfather and the desperado, Jesse James.
From as early as I can remember, my folks also loved antiquing. They taught me how to haggle and to enjoy the hunt. If you read Christmas Once Again, you’ll see how antiquing found its way into the story.
My goal is to entertain you, the reader, and I hope my writing will take you on an adventure. If you love cowboys, saddle up for action and romance in the Old West with The Texan’s Favor.
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Title: Christmas Once Again
Author: D. K. Deters
Genre: Holiday Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb
She's dead broke. And eviction looms. On Christmas Eve antique consultant Madison Knight takes a phone call from local rancher Zach Murdock. Through a mix-up at an estate sale, Madison's company purchased his grandmother's beloved painting. He offers double the money for its return.Madison risks her job to track down the artwork, but success falls short when she's stuck in a blizzard. Stranded, she seeks help from a frontier family. Are they living off the grid, or did she somehow travel through time?Zach's the only person who knows her plan. He also knows a secret about his gran's painting. It's up to him to rescue Madison, but maybe he's not cut out to be a hero.
Excerpt
An upbeat Christmas tune blared from her cell phone. She set the laptop on the coffee table and tapped the phone’s speaker button. “Once Again Antiques. Madison Knight.”
“Ms. Knight, this is Zachary Murdock.”
With those few words, he had, by far, the sexiest phone voice she’d ever heard. “Yes?” she prompted, pushing her unruly locks behind her ears.
“Savannah Charm directed me to you.”
Madison sat up straight. It wasn’t unusual for her boss to refer customers with issues; troubleshooting, no matter how unpleasant, came with the job.
“My grandmother had an estate sale last week, and she didn’t want it sold, unfortu—”
“Oh?” She should’ve kept quiet. Run-ins with greedy family members happened in the antique business, and a judging attitude didn’t increase revenues.
“It wasn’t on purpose,” he said. “The day was chaotic, and someone had shuffled around the artwork. We didn’t realize it was missing until a couple of days ago, and it took this long to sort out the mix-up and discover your shop bought it.”
She felt guilty for jumping to the wrong conclusion. “I see how that could happen. It’s obvious the piece is treasured by your grandmother. If it becomes necessary, we have the resources to find a similar style. Is there a specific artist or significance?”
Held hostage by the slow computer response and trying not to rush him, she picked up one of the hand weights, intending to fit in a few curls.
“Keep in mind Gran’s ninety-two, and she thinks…”
“Uh-huh.” With her free hand, she grabbed the latte and took a sip.
“Gran thinks it holds a special power.”
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Author Biography
D. K. Deters is an award-winning Western Historical Romance author. She was a communications consultant before turning to a writing career. Like many historical romance authors, she's always had a deep interest in history, and the nineteenth century is her favorite. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her adult children and their families. DK also restores old dollhouses. The Wild Rose Press published her debut story, Christmas Once Again, in 2018.
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Title: The Texan’s Favor
Author: D. K. Deters
Genre: Western Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb
Ambushed, Texas Ranger Jake Fontaine's a dead man until a Kansas spinster raises her shotgun in his defense. Despite the rogue lawman's obsession to bring in his brother's killer, duty demands he escort her to the next town.
Kat Collins is a thief, though an honorable one. She's on the run from controlling kin and aims to escape her past. Traveling with Jake offers the perfect cover—until her uncle finds them sharing a campfire and imposes his own kind of justice—a wedding.
Marriage will cost Jake his freedom, but refusing may cost him his life. Kat figures he's bound to recognize her on a wanted poster. Would sharing passionate nights in his arms be worth the peril?
Excerpt
“Not that it’s any of your affair, Ranger, but I’m goin’ to St. Louis. I didn’t plan for any delays. You were in trouble, and I tried to help.” She lifted her chin. “Although you bein’ a Texas Ranger and all, I’d think you would’ve had the upper hand.”
He stuffed his hat back on. Contrary to his usual confidence around women, she baffled him. “Lady, you’re riding a horse to St. Louis, alone?” Stubborn woman, someone should be responsible for her welfare. Was Emmett involved with her decision?
She slammed the coffeepot to the smoking fire and a moment later stomped across the ground separating them. At over five-and-a-half feet tall and her boot heels adding an extra inch, she dug her forefinger into his chest. “Ranger, you question where I’m going? Don’t forget you’re in Kansas. Don’t Texas Rangers ride in—Texas?” She stretched the word Texas and placed her hands on her hips. “Did you lose your way?”
Her words strained his good intentions. He leaned forward, wrapped his hands around her thin wrists, and murmured, “Honey, it’ll be a cold day in hell before I ever lose my way to Texas.”
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