Monday, December 29, 2014

Women's Clubs of the 1800s by Linda Brody

Women’s Clubs of the 1800s

Thank you so much, Sarah, for having me here at the Romance Room. It’s a great place to talk about books—my favorite subject.

I’m very excited about my new western historical, TEXAS MAIL ORDER BRIDE, that will be out in a week because it shows how desperate women were to find a sense of worth and be involved in worthwhile projects.

Women’s clubs sort of took off in the early 1800s. They provided an acceptable social outlet into which they could throw their desires to contribute outside the home. Benevolent societies, garden clubs, church groups that helped the needy and others sprang up. Women often banded together to improve social problems.

That’s what my character Delta Dandridge did after she spent every cent she has to come to Battle Creek, Texas only to find that Cooper Thorne has no plans to marry her, not only now, but ever. Going back to Georgia is also out.

So she digs in her heels and refuses to leave. She looks at the shabby, dying town and decides that it needs her as much as she needs it.

After settling in, she gathers the women and they form a club called Women of Vision.
Their purpose is to fix up the town, start a school and a library and become a vital part of the community. Of course, they are met with plenty of opposition.

I think you’ll enjoy how innovative and determined Delta is to help the people of Battle Creek and in doing so, discovers things she never knew about herself.

Take this journey with me as Cooper and Delta sort out their differences and decide that possibly they’re more alike than they care to admit. All’s fair in love and war. And when the dust settles, the only place they want to be is in each other’s arms.

Have you ever been a member of a club or maybe wanted to be?

I’m giving away a copy of Texas Mail Order Bride to one person who leaves a comment. Winner can choose either print or e-book!!!

   

Logline:

When a woman claims to be the bride Cooper Thorne sent for, he scrambles to set her straight. But then, she refuses to leave and he's left wondering just who the joke is on.

Blurb:

Deep-rooted scars left by an orphanage bear the blame for Cooper Thorne's vow to never marry. He'll live and die a bachelor. He's so committed that he founds the Battle Creek Bachelors' Club.

So when Delta Dandridge steps off the stagecoach claiming she’s the mail order bride he sent for, he's fit to be tied. She challenges him in ways he finds both irritating and exciting.
Brash and quick-witted, the meddling Southern Belle is everything Cooper thought he never wanted…and everything his heart is telling him he needs.

Then demons from his past return to threaten everything…and everyone…he holds dear. He knows this will be a fight he can’t afford to lose.

Excerpt:

    Delta covered the space between them and glared up into eyes that reminded her of a cold winter’s day. “I can’t believe this. You have a lot of gall, Mr. Thorne. The way I see it, you gave up your right to meddle in my affairs when you told me in no uncertain terms that you weren’t looking for a wife. Therefore, what I do is none of your concern. If I want to—”

    “Do what?” Cooper brushed her cheek with a fingertip. “Women like you won’t throw your reputation to the wind. You want it all or nothing.”

    She glared. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”

“I know more than you think.” His words were soft. “I see the yearning for permanence in your eyes. Dear God, you’re a difficult woman to forget.”

Cooper tugged her against his lean body, lowered his head, and pressed his sensual lips firmly on hers. Her knees grew weak and she clutched the shirt covering his broad chest to keep from falling.

As the kiss deepened, their breaths mingled in a heated flurry while blood pounded in her ears. She heard a low moan and realized it came from her. Strange how it sounded so very far away.

Her stomach whirled and dipped as though she’d fallen from a great height. Tingles raced up her spine in some kind of mindless confusion. The anger that had propelled her into dangerous territory melted away and left a strange desire in its wake. Before she could unclench her hands from his shirt to take a step back, he released her.

    Cooper’s sinful half smile turned her knees to jelly. “And that, Miss Delta, is how we do things here in Texas.”

Buy Links:


Barnes and Noble: http://goo.gl/DEi3B3




About Linda Broday:


I'm a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of western historical romance. I can spend hours scouring history books and the internet for little known details to add to my stories. I've been accused, and quite unjustly I might add, of making myself a nuisance at museums and libraries here in the Texas Panhandle. My books are known for humble roots and the love of family. I hope you like the stories I endeavor to bring to you and that you'll try my new Bachelors of Battle Creek series.

30 comments:

Linda Broday said...

Hi Sarah, thanks for having me here. I love the wonderful atmosphere. I can almost smell the books; kinda like being in a library. It's an excellent place to launch Texas Mail Order Bride, the first of my Bachelors of Battle Creek series. I love taking a god-awful stubborn man and having a determined woman make him eat his words. The chemistry between Cooper and Delta was so explosive. I'd love for readers to give this book a try. Hopefully, they'll win one.

Jan Sikes said...

LOVE this blog and run down on Delta and Texas Mail Order Bride! So proud of you, sister!

Unknown said...

I'm sure you're tired of hearing me say "I'm looking forward to this release," but I'm looking forward to this release! :-D (There's a spot all cleaned out and waiting for it on my Kindle, so please don't put my name in the hat.)

I've never figured out why we don't read more about benevolent women's societies. Temperance leagues and quilting circles, yes, but not groups of strong women who take on the task of positive change in positive ways. What a wonderful idea for a plot.

Did I mention I'm looking forward to this release? ;-)

HUGS!!!!

Linda Broday said...

Hi Jan! Thanks for coming over. I appreciate your support and love more than you know. I hope you like this story. It was so much fun to write. Delta was the type of person who saw potential everywhere and she didn't sit around. She got busy and got everyone to work. Give her lemons and she'll make a pitcher of sweet lemonade. Just like you.

Linda Broday said...

Hi Kathleen! You're such a dear friend. In a way you remind me of Delta Dandridge. You're both doers. No sitting around for you. And you both have a whole lot of gumption. I'm sorry it's taking so long to get this story to you. Blame it Father Time. He's mighty slow sometimes.

Sarah J. McNeal said...

It's a delight to have you here at the TRR blog, Linda.
I love Delta already. Boy, talk about a woman with a vision and a backbone. If Cooper doesn't fall deeply and madly in love with her, I will be sorely disappointed in him. Of course, when it comes to strong heroes, it really takes a heap of a man to deal with a woman with gumption. If Cooper comes around, I will think him one of the best heroes out there.
I wish you every success and happiness.

TracyG said...

Good morning, Linda. I really love your strong ladies and Delta is going to be a joy to get to know.
Congratulations on "Texas Mail-Order Bride!"

Charlene Sands said...

Loved the excerpt Linda. Sounds like a fun, delightful story. I love mail order brides. I was in club once, a high school girls club, called the Phi Dels sorta like the Pink Ladies from Grease. Ha!

Linda Broday said...

Hi Tracy! Thanks for coming over. You know, of the reviews I've gotten so far, most of the comments have been about my strong heroine. Book lovers really like strong women with backbone and grit. Delta is all of that and more.

Renaissance Women said...

Oh my, the blurb left me breathless. Sigh! This sounds right up my alley. But I do admit most of your books are.

Best to you on this story. Now back to the ever growing reading list, along with some catch up writing. Doris

Linda Broday said...

Hi Sarah! Thanks again for having me here. I'm really enjoying talking about books. Are you kidding? Cooper is fascinated by Delta even though it makes him madder than heck. He simply can't take his eyes off her. And of course, scamp that she is...she finds ways to constantly remind him of all that he has spurned.

I wish you much success also and a very Happy New Year!

Linda Broday said...

Hi Charlene! Thanks so much for coming over. It's great to have the company. I'm glad you enjoyed the excerpt. You know, I can see you in a women's club. That's because you're a doer. You don't like to be idle. And you love to give of yourself. Clubs can be and give you so many things. I think they enrich our lives.

Happy New Year!

Linda Broday said...

Hi Renaissance Women! Thanks, Doris, for stopping by. I appreciate it. I'm glad my short excerpt caught your fancy. This story was so much fun. Delta and Cooper really lit up the page with their strong personalities.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!!

Tanya Hanson said...

Congratulations on the new book, Linda.,what a great excerpt! I sure get how women spread out on the prairie and far apart ranches needed some kind of glue to,stick together. Love the post.

Linda Broday said...

Hi Tanya! Thanks for coming by. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. You're exactly right. Women on the frontier craved for more than being a wife and mother. They wanted to make a difference and make people's lives better. They had so much to give and give they did. It was women who brought schools and libraries and, in many ways, civilization to the West.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Winnie Griggs said...

Hi Linda - I LOVE mail order bride stories and this sounds like a fun twist on it. The blurb has me hooked and I'm ready to order it NOW!

Cheryl Pierson said...

Oh. My. Lord. What a kiss! What a great excerpt! LOL Linda, you know I'm a huge fan of yours and this book is one I'm SO anxious to get my hands on. It's hard to find a likable strong, determined heroine sometimes, and Delta is all those things. Love the name, too. Great premise! I know I'm going to enjoy this one so much!
Cheryl

Margaret Brownley said...

Hi Linda, I love, love, LOVE mail order bride stories and so this is right up my alley. Can't wait to read it.

Have a happy,happy New Year!

Kirsten Lynn said...

Linda, I'm so excited to read about Delta and Cooper. Women's Clubs are and interesting topic in history, and I love that you have Delta starting one. She sounds like a real go-getter...poor Cooper. :)

Linda Broday said...

Hi Winnie! Thanks for coming over. I'm so glad my blurb interests you. I always like hearing that. But really, this book is not the typical mail order bride stories. It focuses on lots of problems that women had to deal with back then. I honestly don't think the west would be settled today if it hadn't been for the women with backbone.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Linda Broday said...

Hi Cheryl! Thanks for your wonderful comments that thrilled my heart. I'm glad my kissing scene struck a chord with you. It was a lot of fun to write. My Southern belle sure gave Cooper a run for his money. He just thought he wanted to be a bachelor! LOL

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Linda Broday said...

Hi Margaret! I'm thrilled you came by. I hope you enjoy my book. It's not your typical mail order bride story. It deals with some serious issues that were pretty common back then. Women played such a huge role in settling the West. I doubt it would be too civilized today if the women hadn't taken a hand in its development. Delta wasn't one to sit around when she saw need.

Wishing you much success with your new one!

Happy New Year!

Linda Broday said...

Hi Kirsten! Thanks for your comments. I'm so glad you came over. I agree that women's clubs back then aren't written about much and that's a shame. When they got the freedom to be involved in change, they took the bull by the horns. There was real need everywhere on the frontier. And that Delta named her women's club Women of Vision was so accurate. They were. These women were forward-thinkers.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Alisab8888 said...

Hi LInda,

The cover is awesome. And I know the book will be even better. Congrats!

Linda Broday said...

Hi Alisa! Thank you for coming by. I'm glad you enjoyed my blog. Thank you for the compliment on my cover. I, too, think it's very pretty. My publisher does a wonderful job in designing these.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Linda Broday said...

The WINNER of my book is Alisa Boisclair. Woo-Hoo!! Alisa, I'll contact you on either Facebook or Google+. I'm so excited for you. I hope you enjoy the book.

My best,
Linda

Unknown said...

Hello Linda, that is a very interesting and informative article about women clubs. I for one belong to many in my area of Ohio. It sounds like your book has a happy ending. I think Cooper is going to marry Delta, he just doesnt know it in the beginning. Who doesnt love a western romance. All the best with the book.

Robyn Echols said...

Sure sounds like a winner, Linda. I look forward to reading it.

Back in the day, church, charitable or benevolent clubs and societies were the limit of what was considered socially acceptable for female involvement in public or community affairs. But, they did serve as a powerful force for good, sometimes to the chagrin of the men. Although women have many more options for community service and governance today, the more people stay involved in those types of societies, the stronger our communities remain.

Best wishes on success of your book--
Robyn Echols writing as Zina Abbott

Sarah J. McNeal said...

Congratulations, Alisa!

Unknown said...

Looking forward to read your new book. Awesome cover! I hope I have that chance. Blessings!