Today marks the release of my Kensington Brava historical western, The Stranger’s Secrets. It’s not just the third book in a series (with a kickin’ hot cowboy on the cover), it’s a book that brings to life a different kind of heroine.

One of the things I like to do as a writer is to write unusual characters. Many of my heroes and heroines have shall we say, unusual features, out of the ordinary for something they’ve done, or perhaps odd because of how they choose to live.

As a reader and as a writer, I can identify with people who aren’t perfect, who have flaws (real or imagined), and who struggle for triumphs. Not knocking those perfect, beautiful or handsome folks out there because hey, it takes all kinds, right?

But as someone with flaws, imperfections and downright issues (I may have to capitalize the word issues), I feel closer to my heroine if she’s more real to me. I’ve had heroines who are scarred, scared, fearless, and even a homeless heroine. It’s not about what they are, but who they are.

This brings me to my Sarah Spalding, my heroine in The Stranger’s Secrets. Sarah is my first disabled heroine–she walks with a cane because her leg was disfigured (you’ll have to read the book to find out why, lol).

She’s a bit of a ball-buster too. The fantastic Lori reviewed The Stranger’s Secrets on her blog I Just Finished Reading… and I think she hit it on the head when she said Sarah is “brash, bold, and sassy, yet extremely vulnerable and fragile at the same time.”

Sarah is not afraid to tell it like it is, give it back as good as she gets, and take what she wants. Yet all of that hides what is beneath the surface, a woman who needs love so badly even the reader can taste it.

I love the fact that Sarah stood up, knocked me on the head with her cane, and told me to get my ass in gear and write her like she really was. Strong, outspoken, sarcastic and intelligent.

Yeah, a different kind of heroine…

Below is an excerpt for your reading pleasure! Enjoy!

***

Sarah eyed the cursed shoe with a sneer. Damn thing was deliberately being difficult and she was having a hell of a time getting it on her foot, much less laced. The gray light of dawn coated the room as she tried to hurry and get ready.

Whitman would be there any minute and there’s no way she wanted him to see her helpless to the point of being unable to get her shoes on. Her clothes were made specifically for her so she didn’t have a problem getting those on. However the boots were an extravagance she bought two days before the trip.

She regretted that impulse now.

When the knock at the door came, she dropped the shoe with a thunk. Damn.

“Sarah, are you ready?” Whit at least didn’t sound chipper. She was not a morning person herself, and God forbid she got trapped with someone who was.

“Not quite.” She bent down and picked up the shoe again. “I need five minutes.”

“We don’t have five minutes. You were supposed to be downstairs half an hour ago. The train leaves in fifteen minutes.” He paused. “Do you need help?”

The dreaded question dropped on her pride like a rock. As Sarah wrestled with whether or not missing the train was more important than her stubbornness, Whit grew impatient.

“Look I don’t care what you need, what you’re doing or anything like that, but if you make me miss the train, I…”

When he didn’t continue, Sarah got the shoe on. Finally.

“What will you do?” she egged him on.

He opened the door and charged in, which made her wonder what he would’ve done if she was nude. The thought made her entire body clench, not what she wanted of course, since she refused to be attracted to him.

“What are you waiting for?” He looked her up and down, noting the packed bags. “Were you hoping to challenge your walking skills this morning or my patience?”

She raised one brow. “Neither. I was hoping to actually walk in shoes this morning.”

He glanced down and grimaced. Before she could stop him, he’d dropped to his knees and started lacing the boots.

Instead of resenting his interference, Sarah simply gazed at the top of his head, noting the still damp waves of his chocolate hair, and the lovely clean smell from his skin. Having him at her feet was the most unique, delicious experience.

The urge to feel his hair made her fingers twitch. The fact he was lacing her shoes up sent a tingle up her legs straight to her pussy. If it had been another situation, another man, she might have followed her instincts and take him into her bed.

Yet, it wasn’t the right man or the right time. When she got to Denver, Sarah must focus on finding someone who was the right person to play with. For certain, she wouldn’t have a husband in her bed permanently. She’d made that decision long ago.

That didn’t mean she couldn’t have someone in her bed occasionally though. She had needs and even if her body was damaged, parts of her worked perfectly.

One part was humming right then for a man she should never have in her bed.

He glanced up and met her gaze. Those green orbs were unreadable. The moment stretched on for so long, Sarah started to learn toward him. What she would do when she reached him, she had no idea.

“Let’s get moving. We’re going to miss the train.” He rose and held out his hand. “If I’m going to be your traveling companion, you and I are going to have to set some ground rules.”

Sarah’s arousal ended as abruptly as it began. With Whit.

She accepted his help and stood. “Don’t think I will simply accept your rules without argument.” She hobbled toward the door, the stiffness in her legs almost excruciating that morning. Even after she’d massaged in the liniment Vickie had found for her. Damn it, she hated being crippled.

“We’ll see about that.” Whitman picked up her bags as they headed towards the door. “I can be just as pigheaded as you.”

Of that, Sarah had no doubt. One thing was certain, their trip would never be boring.

***