Mashed ‘taters, cow ponies, and meet Alma-May
Aug 12, 2021 7:15 pm
Howdy pard,
I’m as happy as a longhorn in a mud-wallow to be writing to you again today. We’ve got a winner of our ‘create a character’ competition, and I’ve found some great summer reading suggestions to share.
Darn it, just let me hitch my horse out front and I’ll meet you at the saloon. Bartender, fetch me two glasses and a bottle of your best redeye!
Congratulations Carolyn – and meet ‘Alma-May’!
I’m pleased as punch to announce that Sol Redding fan Carolyn has won the ‘create a character for Sol Redding’s next western’ competition with her character ‘Alma-May’.
Thank you so much to everyone who sent me a suggestion - I was really impressed with the number of characters you all submitted. We had everything from ornery gunslingers to mean cardsharps and even a pious padre in the mix.
However Carolyn’s character ‘Alma-May’ almost jumped off the screen and chose herself. Carolyn not only provided name, occupation, she added a short backstory for Alma-May and her brother Tom which left me very impressed.
Here’s a snapshot from Carolyn’s entry:
“Alma May and her brother Tom live in a sod shack a fair distance out of town. They take care of the scrub farm, raising just enough to get by since their paw and maw died of the fever a few years back.
Alma May is as brown as a nut from helping scratch a living from the poor soil. She can shoot the wings of a nat and does all the hunting for extra meat. She's a good tracker--has to be if they want to eat meat.
Most of the townsfolk leave the two alone since Alma May whipped the mayor's son, Rodney, for making fun of Tom in school.”
Great work, Carolyn, Alma-May will play a fun and interesting role in the next Sol Redding western, which is already underway.
And for going to so much trouble with your entry, I’m going to send you a free copy of the ebook when it is finished. I’ll be in touch!
Summer suspense and thriller novels
Do yourself a favor and check out this bundle of free thriller and suspense novels by a group of really talented authors. There’s something for everyone --here’s a couple of titles to whet your interest:
- The Reluctant Coroner, by Paul Austin Ardoin
- My Dark Decline by Diane Ezzard
- The Chosen Drone, by Eoin McDonald
- Troll, by Jon Biddle
I’ve been sharing more details about these books on my Facebook and Twitter accounts – head on over to find out more.
Best mashed ‘taters
Mashed ‘taters taste so good they should be illegal., Well no, I’m just kidding – but genuine cowboy cooking legend Kent Rollins has a way with open range mashed potatoes that will open your eyes.
Kent will show you how to kick up your mashed potatoes in a cast-iron pot, just like they did back in the good old days.
Get his traditional mashed ‘taters recipe here, watch Kent cook it up here!
Did you know?
The cow ponies of the 1880’s were four-year-old mustangs that lived on the open range, survived on grass, and rarely topped 12 to 14 hands. They weighed 700 to 900 pounds -- compared to today’s modern horses that are 14 to 16 hands tall and weigh more than 1,000 pounds.
While I’m at it, take a look at this bundle of free ‘wild and wonderful’ adventures penned by some really talented authors who are offering some of their best work for your try absolutely free.
Here’s a couple of titles to whet your interest:
- Straight Shot for Crooked Thoughts, by James Livingood
- Mandrill, PI by Christopher Brimmage
- Blood Animus, by Kyle McKeon
- Tempered Steel: Power Ascending, by Paul J Bennett
I’ve been sharing more details about these books on my Facebook and Twitter accounts – head on over to find out more.
Happy trails,
Nick
