Meet Carrie Lang from First Degree Innocence

Hi There.  My name is Carrie Lang and my story isn't exactly what you might expect.  I was sentenced to ten years in prison for a crime I truly didn't commit.  You may be sitting in your house, thinking you're safe and sound, just like I was the day I called in sick, but a bank camera caught a fuzzy picture of a car identical to mine and a shadowed face, and that's all it took to convict me.  No one cared that I screamed I didn't do it. In record time, I was hauled out of my house, handcuffed, finger-printed, tried, and convicted.  Boy, how my life changed.

I've always been kind of a loner.  My mother passed away and my dad left us a long time ago.  I didn't even know where he was until he showed up one visiting day.  He has a whole new family and life, so I don't know why he wanted to butt into mine after all these years. He must have a reason.

  I suppose some could also call me naive.  Like I said, I stayed to myself, went to my job, and then came home. Until I went to prison, I didn't know much about the world, but let me tell you being incarcerated is a real eye opener.  Even though I stayed in my apartment most of the time, I still enjoyed freedoms taken from me here.  No pillows, no choice of clothing, no TV whenever you want it, and only a few hours a week in the rec. room.  Believe me, it's not fun.

People talk about bullies. It's no different on the outside than on the inside.  Jet is the plague here.  She runs the joint, and even the matrons seem to turn a blind eye to anything she does wrong.  For some reason, she has her eye on me, and she doesn't like that I've found a friend in my cellie.  I have to do something to get away from her, so I'm hoping I get picked to work on the garden brigade.  At least I'll have a few hours of free time and fresh air.  The smell of this place is horrid.  Imagine bleach, sweat, blood, and pee mixed together.  Not a very refreshing scent.

Most of the female guards here a just plain mean, but there is one male officer who's been very attentive.  I know he could really get into trouble if he's even seen talking to me, but for some reason, we've connected, and I think he may be the only one who believes my story.  If I get picked for garden duty, maybe I'll get a chance to talk a little more to him since he's the person in charge.  Wish me luck!

What the heck?   Now Jet wants to involve me in some stupid plot to get even with someone.  Why me, oh Lord.

First Degree Innocence available on my Amazon Author's Page.

Meet Ellie Fountain #hitoricalromance

Hi, my name is Ellie...and that's what I'm called despite my birth name bein' Roselle Fountain.  Some how, I don't figure to measure up to that fancy name ever, because I prefer ropin' and ridin' to dressin' and actin' a lady.  Pa would like me to learn all about keepin' house, but since we have Cook to tend to all those chores, I keep busy with the hired hands, preferrin' to spend my time with them over pourin' tea and holdin' out my pinkie finger.  Oh, I wear a dress, but nothing fancy.  I'd much rather have on pants and chaps, but...

What has my dander up right now is the new ranch foreman, Tyler Bishop.  Pa hired him and I have no idea why.  We were doing just fine without him, but now he's here and thinks he's the boss of everything, including me.  I think Pa wanted some added security against the polecats that live on the neighboring land...the Bryants.  They haven't said as much, but it's clear they aim to own everything they can grab onto.  I'll be danged if they'll ever get their claws into Fountainhead.  My pa built this ranch and it's going to be mine some day, and I aim to run it as I see fit.  

I suppose Pa always wanted a son, but he got me instead. Now, he's treatin' Ty like he's the boy he always wanted.  Ticks me off a bit. 

 My ma's been gone since I was real small, and everyone tells me I'm her spittin' image.  I often wonder if I would be different if she was still around, but then I guess I'll never know. Some people think I'm spoiled, and I reckon I am  That's what happens when you're treated like a storybook princess.  If I could just learn to keep my mouth closed, I probably wouldn't get into so much trouble.  

My goal right now is to show Ty that I can do everything he can do, and even better.  I secretly bought myself a gun at the mercantile, and I've been practicing well out of earshot of the ranch to prove I can defend myself and our land.  I worry that nosy ol' Tyler will come snooping around and butt into my business like he always does.  I might be able to stay mad at him if he wasn't so dang good lookin'.  When I'm good and ready, I aim to show him my new skills

He had the nerve to ask me to a dance in town.  Oh, I'm no dummy...I know it was Pa's idea to make me more ladylike, and even though I'm not hankerin' to go, I said I would.  I've had a couple of brushes with the Bryant boys, so I hope they won't be there.  It would be just like Ty to come to my rescue and spoil everything.

Ellie's Legacy available on my Author's Amazon Page.