RONE Nominee, Two Giveaways, and Book News

By Kristy McCaffrey

I've got a few fun book-related items to share!!

THE BLUEBIRD is a RONE Nominee. Yippee!! This award is given by InD'Tale Magazine. To qualify, a book must receive a 4-star or higher review. I was honored that InD'Tale gave The Bluebird 4-1/2 stars, saying,

"The reader will find themselves often sitting on the edge of their seats...a quick and exciting read!"

But now I need your help. Readers must vote for a book to progress to the finals. The only requirement is that you need an account, but it's free to sign-up. One perk is that you'll now have access to InD'tale's monthly digital magazine. It's a wonderful publication, especially if you're an avid reader, and each issue highlights many reviews of different genres.

Click here to vote.

My many thanks!!

I'm participating in a fun giveaway this month. To be entered, participants follow authors on Amazon or BookBub. All this means is that either of these sites (or both) will drop you an email when an author has a new release (and in BookBub's case, when a book is on sale - speaking of which, if you're not subscribed to BookBub you ought to be!! It's free to sign-up and each day you'll receive an email with current discounted and/or FREE books in only genres that you prefer.)

What can you win? A bundle of historical romances, giftcards, and a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet.

Enter this contest here.

Sign up for BookBub here.

I've got a giveaway at Goodreads for 2 print copies of THE BLACKBIRD.

Ends May 28.

Enter this giveaway here.

And finally, here's a sneak peak of the cover for my new release coming June 1!!

I'm excited to be a part of this contemporary western romance anthology with a passel of talented authors.

Featuring my story

Blue Sage (A Long Novella)

Braden Delaney has taken over the family cattle business after the death of his father, but faced with difficult financial decisions, he contemplates selling a portion of the massive Delaney ranch holdings known as Whisper Rock. Archaeologist Audrey Driggs arrives in the remote wilderness of Northern Arizona for clues to a life-altering experience from her childhood. Together, they’ll uncover a long-lost secret.

Pre-order link coming shortly!!

For the most up-to-date news from me, check out my Facebook page.

Fort Bowie, Arizona

By Kristy McCaffrey

Fort Bowie—located in southeastern Arizona—would become one of the most important military posts in the Arizona Territory. It not only guarded Apache Pass and its important water supply, it was situated directly in Chiricahua Apache country.

Fort Bowie

Apache Pass is a shallow saddle that separates the southeastern Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains from the Dos Cabezas. When the United States acquired the area from Mexico, they inherited a corridor that became nationally prominent as the Southern Overland Mail Road, connecting the eastern U.S. to California. Unfortunately, Apache Pass lay in the heart of Apacheria. Because there was a fairly reliable water source at Apache Springs (at the pass), this location was frequented by the Chiricahua Apache Indians.

Apache Pass

The first Fort Bowie—named for Colonel George Washington Bowie, commander of the regiment that established the fort—was built at Apache Pass in 1862, consisting of a 4-foot high stone wall that was 412 feet long. The wall surrounded tents and a stone guard house. During the next six years, patrols attempted to subdue the Apache, who raided and killed travelers not escorted by the military. Living conditions at the fort were undesirable: isolation, bad food, sickness, crude quarters, and the constant threat of Apaches led to low morale and frequent troop rotation.

In 1868, construction began on a second Fort Bowie and encompassed barracks, houses, corrals, a trading post and a hospital. In 1876, most of the Chiricahua Indians were taken to the San Carlos Reservation, but Geronimo escaped, launching the start of a 10-year battle known as the Geronimo War. During this time, Fort Bowie was the center of military operations against the Chiricahua. Geronimo’s final surrender came in 1886. After that, Fort Bowie settled into a more peaceful existence. It was finally closed in 1894.

Fort Bowie, 1893.

Geronimo departing for Florida from Fort Bowie, 1895.

*****

My book THE BLACKBIRD features Fort Bowie and was a Laramie Winner in Western Romance.