Title: Rainbow Man
Author: Gifford MacShane
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Book Blurb:
He’d follow her anywhere, regardless of danger, but her recklessness might lead to his doom.
1880s Arizona Territory: Renowned silversmith and accomplished woodsman Alec Twelve Trees is arrested and beaten by a rogue US Cavalry patrol. This act of blatant racism invokes the ire not only of his father, but of the entire village of White’s Station. While the town’s leading citizens try to force the Army out, Alec is nursed back to health by Irene Donovan.
A young woman ruled by her passions, Irene is a gifted herbalist. Indulged by her father and seven older brothers, she often lets her willfulness trump her better nature. But Alec understands her: he’s been her best friend since their school days, and loved her almost as long. He’s never revealed his feelings, certain her family will not accept him. It’s not the only thing he’s wrong about.
An intensely private man, Alec refuses to relive his torment at a court-martial of his assailants, but Irene begs him to reconsider. Alec honors her wishes, and realizes he is powerless to escape her charms, even though he believes she will never give him the love he craves.
As a parade of suitors marches through her father’s door, Alec’s agony is sometimes overwhelming. At the same time, Irene’s frivolous nature rears its ugly head again. She escapes one hazard with her honor barely intact. The experience leaves her shaken, but even Alec can't predict her next reckless act.
With intriguing characters and meticulous period details, this novel reveals the best and worst of human nature, and will reaffirm your belief in the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.
When Irene charges headlong into danger, will Alec risk everything to save her from herself, or has he finally had enough?
Excerpt:
“Adam?”
Irene stood at his elbow. She was tall for a girl of eighteen, slender and graceful. Like his, her hair was black as coal, her face broad at the brow, tapering to a pointed chin. Her skin was perfectly white and flawless, her eyes a deep blue flecked with green. He marveled that this sister who looked so much like him could be so feminine, so beautiful.
“Jake said you wanted me,” she continued when he didn’t respond.
“Have you got anything with you to use on bruises?”
“Are you hurt?” Her eyebrows drew together, but the graceful arches on her face bore no semblance to the straight black lines on his.
“No, mavourneen, but Alec’s had a rough time. I think he had a bad fall.”
“He got back?”
“A few minutes ago. Do you have anything with you?”
“No. Maybe we could get something at Wang Shen’s. They have some herbs for sale.”
“Let’s go.” Adam led her down a narrow side street. Wang Shen’s wife had inherited the knowledge of herbal medicines, just as Irene had done. They found her in the shop, but encountered some difficulty in explaining what they needed. Irene’s temper was fraying when her brother interrupted.
“Is Jenny here?” Adam knew the Wang’s youngest daughter had been tutored in English by Alec. Mrs. Wang nodded and hurried out. When she came back with Jenny, Adam explained what he needed.
“Bruises? Black and blues?”
“Do you have something good for black and blues?” Irene asked eagerly. “Adam, how much do we need?”
“Quite a lot.”
His sister stared hard at him. “Is he bleeding?”
“Some.”
“Adam, how bad is he?”
“Get as much of everything as you can.”
Irene turned back to Jenny, who was offering a bunch of dried leaves.
“Ev-er-las-ting,” the girl said. “Good for black and blues.”
“Thank you. Do you have any more?” Two more bunches of the same size were produced. It didn’t seem like enough to Adam, who said so.
“Jenny,” said Irene, “please ask your mother if she has any snakeweed, too. Or arnica.”
The answer was negative. After obtaining some long linen bandages and thanking Mrs. Wang, Adam hurried his sister away.
“Adam, what really happened?”
“I’m not sure. He didn’t have the energy to tell me. It doesn’t really matter, does it?”
“I guess not. He’ll be OK, won’t he?”
“He’ll be all right,” he assured her. It’s funny the way she changes. Some days you’d swear there wasn’t a thought in her head but herself, but as soon as something happens she’s right there to help. Daniel says we’ve spoiled her rotten. I guess having seven brothers is enough to spoil any girl. Not to mention that she’s got Dad wrapped around her little finger so tight he can’t breathe. But she’s got a good heart.
As he opened the door to the silversmith’s cottage, he saw that Alec had managed to turn himself over. The marks on his back showed plainly through the dust. Irene gasped and dropped her bundles on the floor. Her hands came up to cover her mouth and she swayed on her feet, just as Alec had done.
“Don’t you go fainting on me.” Her brother’s voice was both stern and compassionate. “I need your help. He needs your help.”
She approached the couch with dragging steps and knelt beside it, put a hand gently on Alec’s head. Her fingers came away with blood on them.
“Adam...” He was picking up the herbs as she turned to him, reaching up with tears in her eyes. “Adam, what’s happened to him?”
He came to kneel beside her, put his arm around her and let her cry for a moment. “Time to pull yourself together, mavourneen. He needs your help.” She leaned back from him and sniffled. He took the bandanna from his neck and offered it to her.
“What can I do?” he asked, knowing a chore would help her settle down.
“Cool water... I’ll need cool water and towels to get this dirt off.” She shook her head helplessly. “And cut up some bandages for his head and arms. Adam, someone’s tied him up! Who could do this?”
“We’ll have to ask him when he wakes up.”
She was stroking the silversmith’s dark hair when her brother came back with a basin of water and some towels. She began to wash him, but no matter how gently she touched him, he moaned.
“I need some willow bark. Something to ease the pain.”
“There might be some whiskey here.”
“He won’t drink it―you know that,” she said. “Go see if Carolyn’s got anything.”
“I can’t leave you here alone.”
“Adam, he’s unconscious! What could possibly happen?”
“You go, and see if Carolyn can come back with you. And, Irene, don’t say anything to Jesse.” His wife’s pregnancy was advancing without incident, but they were careful with her. Too careful, she would protest, yet she’d lost one baby already.
He turned to the task his sister had abandoned, his hands as gentle as hers. But the obvious pain their patient endured made him stop. A few minutes would make no difference at all.
They were back quickly, Carolyn Griffiths bringing a small glassine envelope containing laudanum, which the doctor had given her husband for toothache.
“Jesse’s asking after you,” she told Adam. “I told her I’d see if I could find you and send you along.”
“Thanks.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek, then turned to his sister. “Everything good now?”
“Yes.” She was still shaky, but managed a smile. “We’ll take care of him.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Universal Buy Link: https://Books2Read.com/RainbowMan
What makes your featured book a must-read?
RAINBOW MAN is a multicultural adult Historical Romance set in the Old West. Book 3 of the Donovan Family Saga, it shares characters with the other books in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
"Absolutely wonderful book! The story and characters are so well written I caught myself talking, crying, laughing and yelling at them! I highly recommend this book." - BookBub Review
Giveaway –
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Winner will be drawn on March 12, 2024.
Author Biography:
Gifford MacShane is the author of historical fiction that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. Her novels feature a family of Irish immigrants who settle in the Arizona Territory. With an accessible literary style, MacShane draws out her characters' hidden flaws and strengths as they grapple with physical and emotional conflicts.
Singing almost before she could talk, MacShane always loved folk music, whether Irish, Appalachian, or the songs of cowboys. Her love of the Old West goes back to childhood, when her father introduced her to Zane Grey. She became interested in Irish history after realizing her ancestors had lived through the Great Potato Famine. She’s combined these three interests into a series of romances, each with traditional song lyrics and a dash of Celtic mysticism.
The DONOVAN FAMILY SAGA includes WHISPERS IN THE CANYON (Book 1), THE WOODSMAN’S ROSE (Book 2), RAINBOW MAN (Book 3), WITHOUT THE THUNDER (Book 4), and THE WINDS OF MORNING, a prequel novella requested by her fans.
MacShane is a member of the Historical Novel Society and is an #OwnVoices writer. An avid gardener, Giff cultivates pollinator plants and grows tomatoes (not enough) and zucchini (too much). A self-professed grammar nerd, Giff currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband Richard, the Pied Piper of stray cats.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://giffordmacshane.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorGMacShane
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