Ginger's Round-Robin Blog Entry - Why I Read (genre) and Why

I'm honored to have been invited to participate in a round-robin blog, and this picture is a big reason why I love my favorite genre:

Why I Love Westerns by Ginger Simpson

I truly think I was a pioneer woman or an Indian wife in another life...that's my best guess as to why my passion for writing and reading always lands me in the old west.  If I have to come up with another reason, the time I spent in the grammar school library checking out anything and everything written by Laura Ingalls Wilder influenced my passion.  I was the oldest of four kids in my family, and younger siblings can really get on your nerves.  With the Little House series, I was whisked away to a different time and place that I developed a kinship with and learned to love.  Although I've written cross genres, I always seem to migrate back to westerns, and even in my time-travel, I managed to use a modern-day heroine who changed places with a pioneer wife.

Of course, when I write in the romance genre, it's understandable why I wouldn't mention the fact that Cowboys rarely bathed or changed their clothes, and they must certainly have worked up a sweat with all the hard work they did.  I doubt very many of them look as polished as the picture I've provided.  Still, in my mind's eye, he's what I conjure up when I write about my cowboy heroes.

Two of my books focus on Indians, specifically the Lakota Sioux.  Why that particular tribe?  I have no idea, except that I have a real fascination for their history and learning more about them.  I find the lives they lived, dependent totally upon nature and its bounty to be fascinating.  I'm amazed at how much one buffalo provided for a family, their rituals, and reverence for  their God, Wakan Takan.

One of my latest releases is a re-release of my debut novel.  I published with a small company long before Kindles and Nooks came along, and I didn't feel the story got the attention it deserved despite receiving a four-star review from Romantic Times at a time when ebooks were treated like a "red-headed stepchild."  No offense to red-heads...I have no idea where that saying originated, but it does fit at times. *smile*  Destiny's Bride is available now, and like all other historical authors, I've researched my facts and woven history into my story.  Here's a sample to whet your appetite:

Lone Eagle heard sobbing coming from inside the lodge as he approached. He quickened his steps, his heart pounding in panic. His first thought was of the child… was it time for the birth?  “Green Eyes, are you okay?” He called out as he came closer.

He ducked inside, his eyes widening at what he saw. Everything was in total disarray, and a sickening odor assaulted his nose. He scanned the tepee for the source, but it was difficult in the dim light.

When he was satisfied Green Eyes was physically okay, he hurried to build a fire. The tepee lacked warmth, but he needed to see the carnage more clearly. Surely she didn’t destroy her own belongings. Only moments before, she was full of happiness and glad to be home. His mind spun with questions.

When the fire flickered to life, he knelt and took his new wife in his arms. “Green Eyes, what happened? Did you do this?”

“Why would I do this?” Her voice broke into sobs. “I loved these things. Who hates me this much?”

  He knew the answer immediately, and suspected Green Eyes knew, too.  Despite the warm homecoming they received, only one person would do something so horrible.

“Spotted Doe!” Lone Eagle yelled her name and stormed out of the lodge, his jaw tensed.

His strides across the compound quickened as his anger grew. How dare Spotted Doe destroy their homecoming and cause such sadness on this special day. Racing toward her tepee, he spied her returning from the stream, carrying a basket of laundry. He stopped directly in her path, arms folded across his chest.

She looked up at him and smiled. “Lone Eagle, it is nice to see you,” she purred.

He knocked the basket from her hands and grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her. “I know you were in our lodge. I know you destroyed our gifts. Understand this, I will not tolerate anymore of this craziness. I am married to the woman I love, and you will accept this. I forbid you to come near Green Eyes or me, or you will suffer my wrath. Do you understand?”

Spotted Doe took hold of one of his hands and held it to her breast. “I know you don’t mean that. I can make you happier than the one with the fiery hair. Can you compare her pale skin to mine? Come, sample my love and decide who is best.”

Had she not heard a word he said? He jerked his hand away. “Listen well, Spotted Doe. I do not love you. I do not want you, and you will honor my words.”

Spotted Doe’s eyes narrowed, her lips quivered as she angrily picked up pieces of clothing and threw them back into her basket. “How dare you treat me like that,” she muttered. “You will regret this day.”

Despite her threat, Lone Eagle spun on his heel and strode away.

If you want to know how my white heroine ended up with a handsome Lakota Brave, you'll need to read the blurb.  Conveniently, it's located with the buy link on Amazon.  http://www.amazon.com/Destinys-Bride-ebook/dp/B00BUTLY3W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1370743674&sr=1-1&keywords=Destiny%27s+Bride

If you, like me, enjoy reading this genre, please visit http://cowboykisses.blogspot.com where I'm part of a large group of authors who provide awesome research information and links to outstanding books.

  To keep the interest going in this round-robin, please make sure and hop over to the next participant's blog at http://beverleybateman.blogspot.com/ to continue reading on the topic, "Why I Like to Read ____ and Why."