Welcome to Snippet Sunday.
If you missed the last weeks snippet from
The Gryphon & His Thief, here’s the link.
For this week and in honor of Mother’s Day, I thought I would share a snippet from my western romance, WANTED.
Set up for this week: Sheriff Jace Kelly’s wife died birthing his remarkable daughter, Emma. At six years old, Emma’s inherited seer abilities blossom. Her recent premonition: marriage for her father and a new mother for her. Emma enters the jailhouse to find her mother-to-be behind bars.
This scene opens in JoBeth’s (the outlaw behind bars) POV.
*The excerpt may have been modified to fit the 10 sentence limit. 
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“Please do tell, Sheriff, why would such a sweet angel think I’m her mother?” she asked as her fingers feathered down her dirt-worn threads. She hadn’t heard a good story in a long time and this one ought to be good.
Mrs. Gunthry appeared uncomfortable with the conversation or, at the very least, her apprehension stemmed from the child believing her mother stood behind bars. Either way the effect proved the same and Mrs. Gunthry reached for the child and drew her close to her bosom.
JoBeth couldn’t help herself and she laughed even harder until tears stung her eyes and her side ached. If she’d known being behind bars would prove such a hoot, she would have turned herself in a long time ago. “My, my, do you think I can slink through the bars here and steal the child away?”
Emma shrugged out of Mrs. Gunthry’s arms. “Can you truly slink through bars?” she asked and her eyes widened with awe, “‘Cause that would be somethin’ to see.”
For a moment, JoBeth lost her haughty disposition, wondering if she’d ever been so innocent.
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I know JoBeth doesn’t appear to be mother material. lol But Emma has a way of bringing out the best in people and revealing their true nature. 
Hope you enjoyed the snippet of WANTED.
Until next week, take care. Hugs and Happy Mother’s Day to all those wonderful mothers out there.
About the Book:
Sheriff Jace Kelly’s wife died birthing his remarkable daughter, Emma. She inherited the families’ seer abilities. At six years old, she can’t tell the difference between a vision and an ordinary dream. So Jace doesn’t put much faith in Emma’s recent premonition: marriage for him and a new mother for her.
When JoBeth Riley arrives, Emma is convinced she’s the woman in her dream: dark hair, green eyes, and shamrocks in her pocket. There’s one problem – she’s the notorious outlaw, Baby Face Jo. Her stay in town is meant to keep Shane Maverick, the leader of the outlaw gang, from finding her before the authorities devise a plan to capture him.
JoBeth finds the Kellys a strange lot. A little girl, who believes her dreams are tales of the future and the rugged sheriff whose kindness proves a distraction. She’s an outlaw, for heaven’s sake, but Jace is bound and determined to steal her heart.
E-book Available at:
Amazon Kindle
Print: Amazon/Barnes and Noble
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Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday
Love the idea of the book. great snippet today.
Thanks, Iris.
This one promises to be interesting.
Linda,
I’m glad you’re intrigued.
She’s stolen my heart, this little girl. Fascinating premise, Karen. Wonderful snippet.
Charmaine,
Thanks so much. Emma is a certainly a sweety.
I love that JoBeth is actually a criminal and not just framed or forced. It’s such a wonderful change from the usual and it puts her in an odd position of strength, I think.
One more for the TBR pile! 😀
Sarah,
So glad you’re intrigued and like the idea of the woman being the outlaw. 🙂
That was pure awesomesauce, Karen. I loved how the kid just shocked her out of her shell. Great snippet. 🙂
Good question! I think she can slink through those bars. Lovely snippet!
Frank,
It is a very good question. lol So glad you enjoyed the snippet. 🙂
I love the personality of JoBeth. I’m going to love seeing how this all unfolds!
Cecilia,
So glad you enjoyed the snippet. 🙂
Loved it!
Aurora,
Thanks so much.
Aw, that was so cute! I love Emma and I think she’ll be good for JoBeth.
PT,
Yes, she will. 🙂
I love how the excerpt ends on a note of uncertainty in JoBeth’s mood… She suddenly wonders, she cares about how she may have been different. It’s a good sign.
Eden,
So glad you liked the snippet. 🙂
I’m sure she was that innocent once. The poor little girl is reaching out to be loved, who could resist?
Gemma,
Emma will be hard to resist. 🙂
Very unusual premise – I like it! Thoroughly enjoyed the excerpt, makes me want to read the rest right away.
Veronica,
Thanks so much. So glad you’re intrigued. 🙂
I love her response to the girl’s innocent question. Gives us a glimpse at her heart. Terrific excerpt.
Joanne,
Thank yo so much. So glad you enjoyed the snippet. 🙂
Oh that child is going to have JoBeth wrapped around her fingers in no time. 🙂
Jennifer,
You have that right. 🙂
I’d like to see her slink between the bars, too.
Edward,
Wouldn’t that be something? lol
This sounds so good. I think this outlaw girl might be a good mom eventually.
Elaine,
She’s a little rough around the edges, but she has a good heart. 🙂
Great snippet! That would be something to see all right. 🙂
Charley,
I agree.
Ir’s all about priorities and from a childish innocence. Lovely snippet.
Chelle,
Thanks so much.
This makes me want to go out and grab a Western. I love the premise. I love that it’s Jo who is the outlaw. 🙂
Kate,
So glad you were intrigued. 🙂
You know… I think she actually *could* slink through the bars and steal that child away. Nice snippet!
I loved this snippet. I really like romances which involve a child, since it brings such an interesting angle to the couple’s overall story.