"A romance in the middle of a really good Western novel."
- Roundup Magazine
- Roundup Magazine
THE STAR IN THE MEADOW
Carla Kelly
Series: The Spanish Brand, Book 4
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Camel Press
Publication Date: February 14, 2017
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Camel Press
Publication Date: February 14, 2017
Will Marco choose love or duty?
Marco Mondragón and his wife Paloma are living hectic but happy lives at the Double Cross, on the edge of Comanchería. Five years after the death of Comanche leader Cuerno Verde, cautious diplomacy between the tribe and the colonists is underway to end Comanche raids into New Mexico. Paloma's time has been fully consumed by her two toddlers and newborn son and Marco's by spring planting.
The Seven Year Audit of 1784 arrives and with it comes auditor Fernando Ygnacio. After years of incarceration for a crime he did not commit, Señor Ygnacio is a broken man. Although his daughter Catalina is bitter about his mistreatment by his superiors, her storytelling abilities captivate the household, including a frequent visitor from the nearby presidio, El Teniente Joaquim Gasca, who has been undergoing his own reformation from rascal to leader.
Unknown to him, Marco has peculiar enemies plotting his downfall. When Paloma and Catalina set out on a visit to Marco's sister, meant to give Paloma relief from her busy life, the women are kidnapped. Devastated, Marco is torn between love and duty. He yearns to search for his wife, but feels bound by colonial duties to accompany his friend Toshua to Río Napestle, where Comanches have gathered to debate the region's fragile peace. In his absence from the Double Cross, will Joaquim Gasca and Toshua's wife Eckapeta be able to find the missing women?
Excerpt:
Excerpt:
Excerpt from Chapter Thirty – “In which La Llorona wails for her children and Paloma sees things”
(Catalina has frightened their captors by pretending to be La Llorona, while Paloma has been digging an escape route from the shed where they are incarcerated)
Paloma laughed, but maybe a little too long, because Catalina pulled her close. “We’re getting out of here tonight, Paloma. I promise.”
“Let’s go right now,” Paloma said, and tried to rise.
“Catalina held her more gently now. “We have to wait a little long for Old Maria – no, Maria Brava, to toss a bloody sheet over the wall.”
“If she doesn’t?” Paloma asked, alert, her senses sharp again as the fog lifted from her overtaxed brain. “What will we do?”
She wanted Catalina to tell her that all would be well, wanted to hear some reassurance. Her friend remained silent.
Paloma dug deeper into her heart and soul, deeper than she had ever dig before. Every lovely moment of her life since she had come to Valle del Sol seemed to pass in review. Maybe she was just hungry, maybe her mind was beginning to wander again, but somehow she saw more – three little ones plating by the acequia instead of two, a fourth baby at her breast, full now and flowing with milk. And there was Marco standing by her, his hand on her head as he ruffled her hair so carelessly as he liked to do. She leaned against his leg and he bent down enough to whisper in her ear. “Happy?”
“Oh, yes,” she whispered back.
“What?” It was Catalina, recalling her to a reeking hut and starvation and fear that a beaten-down, worn-out laundress might not fulfill her vital part. “What?”
Paloma tucked the lovely little vision back into her heart. “Catalina, we’re getting out. This hole…you first, or me?”
Carla Kelly’s writing is masterful, and I can wholeheartedly recommend this whole series, and I believe you would enjoy each book more if you read them all. STAR IN THE MEADOW is a stellar conclusion which will reside on my keeper shelf.
- Roses Are Blue Blog
- Roses Are Blue Blog
I love this series... Carla Kelly is my favorite modern author... She writes from accurate historical research and facts…plus the lady knows how to weave romance into her stories for my girly-side!"
- Patti, Goodreads Reviewer
- Patti, Goodreads Reviewer
Purchase Links
Other Books by the Author
Don't miss the other books in The Spanish Brand series by Carla Kelly.
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THE DOUBLE CROSS
Series: The Spanish Brand, Book 1
In the royal colony of New Mexico, 1780, Marco Mondragón is a brand inspector living next to the fierce Comanche. On a trip to Santa Fe, he meets Paloma Vega and rescues her from cruel relatives. He vows to find out if they stole the brand belonging to her parents.
"Carla Kelly's vivid storytelling plunges the reader into a tense, hypnotic tale of love and courage in The Double Cross."
- Diane Farr, bestselling author, Regency Romance and Young Adult fiction |
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MARCO AND THE DEVIL'S BARGAIN
Series: The Spanish Brand, Book 2
Marco and his wife Paloma fight the scourge of smallpox by bravely venturing onto the Staked Plains, stronghold of the Comanche. As part of a devil’s bargain, they must put themselves at the mercy of these dangerous enemies and try to inoculate them.
"Though I didn’t read The Double Cross first, I still managed to fall head over heels for Marco and Paloma. That is a good testament to Ms. Kelly’s amazing writing."
- Alexandra Anderson, All About Romance |
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PALOMA AND THE HORSE TRADERS
Series: The Spanish Brand, Book 3
At the end of the 18th century in the Spanish Colony of New Mexico, Marco and Paloma face a new threat to their ranch. To defeat Great Owl, a renegade Comanche, they form a ragtag army that includes a ghost from Paloma’s past.
"This book will take one’s breath away with the deep, emotional romance and highly likable characters."
- RT Reviews |
Giveaway
WIN
Be one of three lucky winners:
$15 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble)
2 x print copy of The Star in the Meadow
$15 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble)
2 x print copy of The Star in the Meadow
Contest runs from May 16 - June 5, 2017.
About Carla Kelly
A well-known veteran of the romance writing field, Carla Kelly is the author of thirty-seven novels and three non-fiction works, as well as numerous short stories and articles for various publications. Carla’s interest in historical fiction is a byproduct of her lifelong study of history. She has a BA in Latin American History from Brigham Young University and an MA in Indian Wars History from University of Louisiana-Monroe.
Official website: http://www.carlakellyauthor.com
Tour Schedule
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