“Taming Julia” by Jodie Wolfe

 

Jodie is here to share a bit about her latest release, Taming Julia.  She has offered to give away an electronic copy of the book. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends May 5, 2020 If you are the randomly chosen winner, I’ll contact you.)

 

Back Cover Blurb for Taming Julia…

In 1875, Kansas bachelor Drew Montgomery’s sole desire is to serve God, but his congregation’s ultimatum that he marry or leave, forces him to advertise for a wife by proxy.

Jules Walker strides into Drew’s life wearing breeches and toting a gun and saddle–more cowboy than bride. After years on the trail, she’s not exactly wife material, but she longs for home and family, and will do anything to ensure Drew never discovers what she really is.

 

The Story Behind the Story

By Jodie Wolfe

 I’ve always loved mail-order bride stories. I think they are such fun because there are so many different scenarios possible. They can be about a woman who is desperate to leave her current situation, or perhaps a man who has lost his first wife and is trying to raise his children on his own and he needs help. Sometimes it was purely a business arrangement and love didn’t play a part at all. I recently saw one of the advertisements from long ago and the guy was seeking an ugly wife. My mind immediately starts whirring with possible story ideas for that topic. 🙂

I came up with my idea for Taming Julia by wondering what would happen if a man advertised for a genteel wife and who showed up was completely opposite of that. What would he do, especially if they’d been married by proxy before she arrived? I threw another wrench in the works by having her being someone who doesn’t really know anything about faith, and she’s married to a preacher. My tagline for the book gives you an immediate snapshot: A gun-toting, breeches-wearing wife wasn’t what the minister ordered.

Then I threw in a quirky, naïve heroine and it makes for a lot of fun and humor. I love quirky characters because they usually are memorable for the readers. I hope readers will find Jules Montgomery to be one of those. I so enjoyed writing about her.

Thank you for allowing me to introduce Taming Julia to your audience today!

 

Excerpt…

Matrimony News, February 6, 1875 edition

Minister bachelor aged 27, height 5 feet 10 inches seeks genteel, honest and first-rate homemaker with a desire to serve God. Must be willing to marry by proxy and arrive in Burrton Springs, Kansas by May 1.

~*~

Burrton Springs, Kansas, Saturday, May 1, 1875

            Dear Lord, please don’t let that creature be my new wife. Drew Montgomery swiped the sweat trickling a path down his neck and shoved the new hat back on his head. He squinted, taking in the lone passenger stepping from the stagecoach. At least, he thought it was a woman. He shielded his eyes from the sun, taking in the britches.

            Britches? A gun belt strapped to a slim waist. He gulped. A rifle rested on her shoulder, and she wore a Stetson situated low on her brow. The figure shifted sideways, and Drew groaned, fearing his proxy mail-order bride had arrived by the look of all the curves. He squared his shoulders and crossed the street.

            “Are you Montgomery?” Her coffee-brown gaze seared through him.

            He snapped his gaping mouth shut and nodded. “Y-yes.”

            “Name’s Jules Walker.” She shoved her hand into his and shook it so hard his teeth clattered. “I reckon, Jules Montgomery since we’re hitched.” She waved a slip of paper in his face. “Got the paper here to prove it. So are you my husband or not?”

            Drew caught a whiff of dirt. He coughed and cleared his throat.

            She peered at him as if he were a chicken with one leg.

            “I’m Drew.” He managed to choke the words out. “Isn’t your name Julia?”

            She scrunched her face, pushed her Stetson from her head, and allowed it to dangle from the string around her neck. Her brown hair scattered in disarray, slipping from a shoulder-length braid. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve been called Julia. Like I said, name’s Jules.”

            “But…” Drew let the word hang between them. No matter. “Where’re your things?”

            “Got my knapsack and that there.” She pointed to the top of the stagecoach. He expected to see a trunk, but a saddle rested there instead. What kind of woman brought a saddle into a marriage? What kind of woman showed up dressed like a man? No. No. Something was terribly wrong.

Amazon purchase link

 

About Jodie…

 

 

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), and COMPEL Training. She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. She’s a contributor and co-founder of Stitches Thru Time blog. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.

 

Social Media Links…

Website: https://www.jodiewolfe.com

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15220520.Jodie_Wolfe

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