Search This Blog

Friday, May 20, 2016

NEW RELEASE AND A GIVEAWAY! IT TAKES A MAN by Cheryl Pierson

I've talked a bit about the Wolf Creek series before, here. It's one of my most favorite projects I've ever worked on, anywhere, anytime.

The series is the brainchild of Troy Smith, a good friend of mine and an excellent writer and "idea man". His thought was to create a bible to be used by the participants of the series to work from for the fictional post-Civil War town of Wolf Creek, Kansas. Any member of the Western Fictioneer professional writing organization could contribute when their character was called for in the plot structure.

Now, this is quite a daunting task when you think of having at least 23 (and climbing!) people who wanted to contribute, having to come up with plots that would involve at least 6 characters in each book--some of them the same as a common thread-- and keep all the books fresh and interesting. But Troy managed to do it.

Wolf Creek Book 6: Hell on the Prairie, differs. It's an anthology of short stories by some of the contributors about their characters. I loved this idea because each participant was able to write a short story featuring their character(s) and show a depth to their character they might not be able to convey in a collaborative effort such as the other books before this have been.
My story was called IT TAKES A MAN, and of course, Derrick McCain, my foremost character, is at the center of this one. When Derrick and his mother are ominously summoned to the Cherokee settlement of Briartown, Indian Territory, Derrick is determined to set things straight with the man he’s learned is his real father. But once he arrives, he’s distracted by Leah Martin, the beautiful cousin of his best friend’s wife. Leah is hiding a secret—one that could be the death of her. Once Derrick discovers it, will he walk away? Or will he save her…and possibly himself? IT TAKES A MAN to do what his heart tells him.

IT TAKES A MAN was a finalist in the 2014 Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Awards in the Short Fiction category. It was released for a brief time as a single sell story with Western Trail Blazers, and I'm proud to say IT'S BACK! And isn't this cover beautiful? I have to say, this is one of my favorite covers Livia has made for me--I love it. She is a genius when she works her cover voodoo!

I'm giving away a copy of IT TAKES A MAN to one lucky commenter today! Be sure to leave a comment and contact info for a chance to win!

If you just can't wait to see if you won, see the purchase links below--it's a bargain for only .99, and there are lots of other wonderful Wolf Creek stories out there waiting to be read!

BUY LINKS    Barnes and Noble     Smashwords     Kobo     iBooks

24 comments:

  1. Great cover indeed. You ought to include on the cover that its a Peacemaker Finalist. Wishing you great luck with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Gordo--Livia is a genius. She did put the Peacemaker Finalist logo on the front of the cover. Loved this story as it was a pivotal point in Derrick's live in many ways. Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  2. I love the cover...and the title. Yowsa, the title alone makes me want the book. I have to ask, though, how badly wounded is Derrick by the end of the book? Ha, ha. Good luck with the release.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keena, Derrick gets into a couple of serious fights by I didn't hurt him too badly...Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age...

      Delete
    2. I like the title. IT TAKES A MAN!

      Delete
    3. Charlie, thank you! This was one I didn't have to deliberate over for very long, since Derrick's father and he have a talk about this very thing, and it means so much to this story. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. Okay, so when the word "secret" appeared, I was wondering what it could be all curious and everything. I thought I'd read everything of yours, but somehow I missed this one.
    The cover is very different--no Jimmy. It took me back for a second. It's a lovely cover with that mysterious looking cowboy on it.
    Hey, congratulations on being a finalist in the 2014 Peacemaker awards. Wow!
    Wishing all the best, Cheryl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarah, I'm hoping the third time's the charm in this case. The Keepers of Camelot was a finalist in 2013, It Takes a Man in 2014, and this year my story Hidden Trails is a finalist. OH PLEASE CROSS YOUR FINGERS! LOL

      Yes, I love this cover soooo much. This guy is just perfect for the cover, just as I would have envisioned...did I mention that Livia is the woman behind the curtain who made this gorgeous cover possible? LOL PERFECTION, AGAIN!

      You probably missed this because it was in an anthology and hadn't been put out as a single. Thanks for stopping by, Sarah! I appreciate you!

      Delete
  4. This sounds like a good one! I'm a sucker for secrets, and romance, and hunky men...okay, the list keeps getting longer. Congratulations on being a finalist for the Peacemaker award!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Di. I am forever indebted to Troy Smith for coming up with this shared universe and allowing us to play in it with our characters and stories. I would most likely never have come up with these stories and characters if not for him. Wolf Creek has been a JOY.

      Thanks for the congrats!

      Delete
  5. How do you do it all, Cheryl? My goodness, I am impressed beyond words at the many stories you've written and had great success with all. If I had half your energy and talent I would be happy. You know how much I think of you...you're a wonderful person who also is a good mother, friend, author, and of course, now...publisher. Just don't burn yourself out. GO TO THE CASINO and splurge! Have a ball...life is short. Love you, dear girl...yes, girl...to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia! I have NOTHING on you. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting--it means so much to hear from you and especially, all these very kind words! I am going to the casino in June! I can't wait! I need it sooooo badly...LOL Aw, and how great to still be "girl" in someone's eyes! LOVE YOU TOO, CELIA!

      Delete
  6. Okie, I remain in awe of the remarkable undertaking known as Wolf Creek. This story is a great one...even though Derrick managed to retain all of his blood and body parts. ;-) I can't wait to read it again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah...since Keena brought that to my attention, I've been wondering about myself all day long. HOW did I let that happen? Maybe because he was hurt so badly in Showdown at Demon's Drop. It's the only thing I can think of.LOL Thanks for the kind words, Tex!

      Delete
  7. Love the cover. Looking forward to reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Alisa! Livia worked her voodoo that she does so well on that cover. I LOVE IT!

      Delete
  8. I remember reading this story in the anthology and so glad you are offering it as a stand alone. It is a stunning story. Doris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doris, thanks so much. Being part of the Wolf Creek world has been so much fun and so interesting to work on. And I have to tell you, Derrick is "one of those" characters who is full of surprises and tells ME secrets I never knew he had. LOL Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  9. MY WINNER IS.....KEENA KINCAID!

    Keena if you will contact me at fabkat_edit@yahoo.com I will see that you get your prize!

    Thanks to everyone for stopping by and reading, and commenting.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Keena, you are in for a treat! Doris

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cheryl, I'm late to the party and do apologize, but had to stop in and say how much I love the cover--oh my!--he even looks like a Derrick, and yes, the title is super too. I read the blurb and it sounds wonderful as always. Guess I missed this one too when it was an anthology. Wishing you the very best with the Peacemaker. And I'm looking forward to reading Derrick's story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, Bev, bless your heart -- better late than never, I say! LOL That's the great thing about blogs, they stick around forever. Isn't that cover phenomenal? And he's just like I pictured him. Livia does such great work. If you have not read any of the Wolf Creek books, you're missing out on some great western reading. It's not romance, but what wonderful stories! So much fun to be a part of. And I really enjoyed writing this one and getting to let Derrick show what he was made of in another direction. Thanks so much for your kind words, Bev!

      Delete