Hello, dear readers. I hope and pray you're doing well and enjoying the waning days of summer. I'm back in school and teaching away--year 31 at Charleston Southern University and 33 total (so far)! Where are you in this career pattern?
Please join me in welcoming Jodie back--not a new author to this site, but maybe a new author to you? Let's make her feel very welcome. :)
Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet
you.
Hi! I’m Jodie Wolfe, and I live in southcentral PA. My husband would say the first thing he noticed about me when we first met was my smile. ��
Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb?
Convincing Lou
How hard can it be to round up one delinquent groom?
Ellie Lou Williams will do just about anything to save her ranch, even going undercover as a
man to round up a fella who is late to his own wedding. The reward will more than cover the
money she owes the bank and solve all her problems.
Caleb Dawson agrees to one final job as a deputy US Marshal before he starts his new life away
from the trail and tracking criminals. What he isn’t counting on is a mysterious bounty hunter
who’s determined to undermine his every step.
Will one reach their goal first? Or will they learn to lean on God and work together?
Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book.
The theme of this book is trusting God even in the midst of the storms, fires, or waters you’re going through. Just like my heroine, God led my husband and I through difficult waters we never dreamt to encounter. But through it all, He’s faithful!
Share an excerpt?
1
Burrton Springs, Kansas
December 3, 1877
Four weeks. Four weeks until Ellie Lou Williams lost everything her late husband had worked so
hard to achieve. Her chest constricted and a sharp pain shot the length of her left arm. Where was her deep faith in God when she needed it the most? Dried up and crumpled like a dull, brown leaf separated from the tree in fall. Useless. Ground under a shoe until it became pulverized. No good to anyone. Where was the elusive peace she’d talked about with others, pointing them to scripture? Why did she feel like the Israelites during the years in the Bible where God was silent in between the Old and New Testament?
Her words from a few months ago rose to haunt her. “My life is in His hands to do with how He sees fit. I will do whatever I can to keep this ranch because it’s what Charles would’ve wanted, but if it somehow gets taken away, I still must trust God has a plan even when I can’t see it.” She snorted. That was easy to say until she had to actually live it. I feel as if I’ve lived a lifetime since I said those words, God. If I lose the ranch, I have nowhere to go. Nobody alive to rely on. She toed her boot in the thick dust along the street. Are you listening, God?
“Hi, Ellie Lou.” Mary Scott waved. “I haven’t seen you in town since all that excitement at your
ranch a few months back.”
She wouldn’t call being held at gun point ‘excitement’. Too bad there hadn’t been any reward
money for the capture of the outlaws who’d held her. If there had been she wouldn’t be in this
mess.
“Were you planning to stop by Betty’s shop?” The elderly woman slipped her arm through Ellie
Lou’s. “Or perhaps you were going to see Gertrude at her place instead.”
Ellie Lou glanced at the shop marked ‘Ruffles and Stitches’. She hadn’t seen much of her newly
wedded friend, Gertrude Valentine, but a visit could wait until another time. “I can come in for a
few moments to see Betty."
“Oh, good. She’s been in such a dither.” Mary tugged her in the direction of her niece’s shop.
Ellie Lou held back a sigh. Best to focus on someone else’s troubles instead of her own for a bit.
“What’s got her upset?”
The bell above the door chimed as they entered the ladies dress shop.
“There you are, Aunt Mary.” Betty Hadler fanned her flushed cheeks. “We’ve got to do
something.”
Mary released Ellie Lou’s arm and patted her niece’s hand. “Now, dear, I’m sure your fiancé will
show soon.”
“But he was supposed to be here weeks ago. He said he only had to make a short stop in Topeka. I’m afraid something’s happened to him.” Betty withdrew a handkerchief from the pocket in her skirt and dabbed her moist eyes. “The stagecoach has been coming regularly so he couldn’t have been delayed because of that.”
“Now, now. Don’t you fret.”
Ellie Lou cleared her throat, unsure whether to step away from the private conversation or to
remain. She took a step backward.
“I’m thinking of hiring someone to go after him.” Betty sniffed and wiped her nose.
Ellie Lou’s ears perked. Could this be an answer to her prayers? Please, Lord.
“I’m sure that’s not needed.” Mary squeezed her niece’s shoulders.
Betty shook her head, her carefully pinned brown curls bouncing with each motion. “No. I’ll see
if I can pay someone seventy-five dollars to bring Jeffrey here. Our wedding is less than a month away. Something’s happened to him. I feel it in my bones.” A tear trickled down her pale cheeks.
Ellie Lou gasped at the extravagant amount. She swallowed. The sum would more than cover the money she owed the bank. She could pay off the loan and not have to worry about her home being taken away. Surely this was God intervening in her situation.
“That’s way too much, Betty.” Mary’s lips pinched together.
“He’s worth it. I’m sure he would do the same if I was the one missing.” Betty glanced out the
window. “If you tell me more about him, perhaps I can go and find your fiancé and bring him back to Burrton Springs.” Ellie Lou’s words escaped before she had time to fully weigh the decision. “I don’t have anything going on right now and can easily get away.” She could take her two remaining horses with her, which would enable her to leave the ranch for a bit. It wasn’t as if she had fields to tend.
“Truly?” Betty’s eyes filled with additional tears.
Ellie Lou quickly calculated the mileage to Topeka. It was doable to get there and back, allow
time for the search, return to collect the compensation, and deposit it in the bank to pay off her loan before the end of the year. It had to be the Lord finally speaking to her. Finally, He was
breaking His silence.
Betty withdrew something from her pocket. “I have a tintype of my fiancé. It should help you
find him.” She handed it to Ellie Lou.
Ellie Lou studied the serious looking young man. “Do you mind if I take it along? I promise to
take good care of it.”
Betty nodded. “You can’t tell it from the tintype, but he has light brown hair and blue eyes. He’s well-to-do. We’ve known each other since childhood.” She twisted her hands. “I just don’t
understand what could be keeping him so long. I’m afraid…”
Ellie Lou touched Betty’s arm. “I’m sure he’s fine. Just hasn’t been able to get a message to you. Don’t you worry. I’ll find him for you. In fact, I’ll head home now so I can get an early start in the morning.” She tucked the tintype into her reticule.
“Are you sure it’s safe, dear?” Mary frowned. “I’ve never heard of a woman riding that far on
horse by herself.”
Her heart stalled a beat. She’d learned the hard way trouble had a way of happening when you
least expected it. Ellie Lou stood a little taller. If she took extra precautions, no harm would
come her way. But it wouldn’t work to go dressed as a woman. She’d have to don her husband’s clothes and pose as a man. If she could perform this one job, her problems would be solved.
Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two.
Are you a snow lover?
Ellie Lou and Caleb will have to deal with a blizzard or two.
Share your social media and buy links!
Social Media Links
Website: https://www.jodiewolfe.com
Christina Sinisi – interview questions
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jodie-Wolfe-553400191384913
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jodie-wolfe
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JodieAWolfe
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15220520.Jodie_Wolfe
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jodie-
Wolfe/e/B01EAWOHXO/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
MeWe: https://mewe.com/jodiewolfe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-wolfe-3955b2bb/
Purchase Links
This looks so good, and Jodie is a new to me author. I live near Cleveland so we get lots of Lake Effect snow on top of the regular kind, so snow is a part of life here!
Living in northern Indiana means dealing with the snow, but I wouldn't say I like it. I'm ready to be a snowbird.
I'm not a fan of snow--unless it involves sitting inside and looking outside at the beauty! The Lord sent me to South Carolina. :)
No not a snow lover but can deal with it if I have to. You're a new author for me and looking forward to reading your books.
Book looks and sounds like a good read from the excerpt