A RANGER KISSED & THRILLED

I’d like to welcome Angi Morgan for being my guest blogger today.  I have a special place in my heart for Angi because she presented me with my Golden Heart Award for my book The Spy in the Mirror a year and a half ago.

Thank you Angi for sharing your story!  Shout out to Lena Diaz for arranging this blog post, too.

A RANGER KISSED & THRILLED

My May hero is a Texas Ranger. Now, I’m an 11th generation Texan. Seriously. My ancestors on my mom’s side received original Spanish land grants and we don’t know when they arrived, but the first recorded death is in 1759 “by Indian arrow.” My father’s grandfather was a Texas Sheriff who owned the local saloon. So both sides of my family have been here quite a while. Die Hard Texan…that’s me.

I have no idea why I became so “Texas Proud.” My family wasn’t crazy about it. I spoke to my grandmothers to receive colorful stories and history. One that pops into my mind is from the Depression about a swinging ham in the smokehouse and my grandmother cutting some fingers off a thief. But I think my real love for Texas came because there is so much to see and write about. My books are all located in Texas and when I wanted to go west…the only logical hero was a Texas Ranger.

I was surprised to discover that the Rangers are the oldest law enforcement organization in the northern continent. Established in 1823, there could be several generations of Rangers in one family–sort of like generations of cop families. Enter Cord McCrea…he’s definitely a ‘Kiss & Thrill’ hero, loyal to a fault, good at his job, and in love with one woman–his ex-wife.

When reality strikes Cord, and his failure slams into him threatening to end his family history…well, that’s where the story begins. Kate loves all of Cord. She doesn’t want him to change or to leave the Rangers. She’s working her land and cattle, taking over the family ranch. So I guess part of my love for family history seeped into this book. I know my love for the land did.

I can’t imagine what it was like for pioneer women to see their men ride off to track hostiles, go off to war, or fight so hard for a piece of land. Never knowing IF or WHEN they’d return. We’ve definitely got it a lot easier. But then I think of those men and women still going through that today. It may be modernized, but it’s still fighting hostiles. Thank you to those that protect and serve. Whatever the badge or uniform…or whatever the year…YOUR SERVICE IS APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.

Here is the trailer for Angi’s book Dangerous Memories:

I hope you enjoy my Ranger in PROTECTING THEIR CHILD. Thanks again for having me.

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Angi Morgan writes “Intrigues where honor and danger collide with love.” She combines actual Texas settings with characters who are in realistic and dangerous situations. Angi is a finalist in the Bookseller’s Best Award, Romantic Times Best First Series, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the Daphne du Maurier.

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Is there an interesting story in your family history?  Please let us know!