Judy Howard Archives - Tena Stetler

Oct 21st Three Widows of Wylder by Julie Howard

Give a Spooktacular welcome to Julie Howard, author of Three Widows of Wylder, part of the wildly popular Wylder West Series. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cauldron. Take your choice of a bat wing Chocolate Chip or Pumpkin, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Judy and her Three Widows of Wylder.

Okay Julie, what was the hardest decision you ever made?

To go back to work after I had children. I loved my job but was so torn about leaving my kids in someone else’s care. I ended up quitting that job three different times to stay home with my children for a while. It was a stretch financially but we made it work. My employer was soooo patient with me and always took me back.

Who would you recommend this book to and what should readers be aware of before reading it?

This has appeal to lovers of historical fiction, those interested in the American Old West, and women who enjoy stories about strong women who overcome the odds. There is a dark theme in this story – each woman has a terrible secret in her past. This isn’t a light read, though there’s plenty of humor, but it is a story of redemption and survival.

What inspired you to write?

I’m inspired by all the wonderful books I’ve enjoyed over the years. I always wanted to be a writer too and create stories others would enjoy. Books are a gift – I so appreciate the wonderful authors out there who have produced their stories.

Do you see yourself in your characters?

There’s a bit of me in all my characters, even the bad ones. I’m not sure how it could be otherwise. I don’t mean I’ve done the things my characters have, but I can dig deep and find a glimmer of understanding how a character might react a certain way. I try to get inside their mind (strange, because they are literally in my mind) and become them while I’m writing their scenes.

Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your heroine’s bed?

Great question! I have three main characters. There wouldn’t be anything under Clara’s bed as she’s an impeccable housewife. Mary Rose will have an old corset, a boxful of ribbons, two pairs of knickers, five pairs of shoes and a box of stale candy under hers. Emma will store several rabbit snares under her bed, along with a bag of marbles she won five years ago from a boy in a bet at school.

SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:

Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>

Favorite movie: Squid Game (current series)
Favorite book: The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck
Last book read: Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
Favorite color: Green
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Coffee
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Anything
Pencil or pen: Pen

Favorite song: Imagine by John Lennon

Favorite dessert: Anything chocolate

Favorite junk food: Nachos

Favorite thing to do to relax: Read!

Champagne or gin: Gin

Paranormal or Historical: Tough one, but maybe historical has the edge

Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman

Favorite TV show: Seinfeld

Hot or cold: Cold

I’d die if I don’t have: My family

Now tell us a little about Three Widows of Wylder.

After the death of her husband, Clara flees a hanging judge and seeks refuge with her brother in Wylder, Wyoming.

With secrets of her own and good reasons to flee, spoiled and vain Mary Rose joins Clara on the trek to Wyoming. Surely a suitable man exists somewhere.

Emma is a mystery. A crack shot and expert horsewoman, her harrowing past seeps out in a steady drip. She’s on the run from something, but what?

After the three women descend on Wylder, a budding romance leads to exposure of their pasts. As disaster looms, will any of them escape?

Sneak peek between the pages of Three Widows of Wyyder.

Emma stood, legs apart, one hand on the pistol at her hip. The covered wagon was the type used years ago by pioneers, before trains tamed the prairie, and they still lumbered across areas where tracks hadn’t been laid. Two women sat side-by-side, too focused on their argument to yet notice the camp they entered. Their one horse, overmatched by the heavy wagon, was damp with sweat, its mouth flecked with froth.

“We should have stayed on the main road.” The peevish one appeared much younger, curly gold hair topped by a large straw hat. She wore a light-yellow dress with lace at her wrists and throat, a perfectly inadequate outfit for travel. “Someone could have provided directions.”

The older woman had finely-drawn features, a few strands of gray threaded through her dark, uncovered hair. Dressed in sensible blue calico, she gripped the reins too tight and the poor horse gave a pathetic shake of its head. “The whole point was to avoid people,” she sniped.

Emma strode forward and seized the reins. “For God’s sake, you’re killing him.”

The two women gaped as though at an apparition. The horse, released from harsh hands, lowered its head and halted. Its sides heaved as flies drank at its sweaty flanks.

“Whomever let you two fools handle a horse should be whipped.” Tempted to dispatch the women to hell for their cruelty, Emma rested her hand on the pistol’s handle.

They two travelers spoke in tandem. “Who are you?” and “How dare you call me a fool.”

As Emma crooned into in the horse’s ear, her expert fingers undid the buckles at its shoulders and haunches. By the time the older of the two women climbed to the ground, the horse was unhitched and Emma led it to the creek.

“That’s our horse,” cried the one in yellow. “Clara, what is that insane girl doing? She’s stealing him.”

Emma halted, shoulders stiff. She turned and pointed the pistol at the one with lace at her throat. “I’m no horse thief.” She cocked the hammer. “Apologize.”

Buy Links: Amazon. iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Bookbub, and Goodreads.

About the author:

Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime mystery series and Spirited Quest paranormal mystery series. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild and editor of the Potato Soup Journal. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.

Website: http://juliemhoward.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/juliemhowardauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Howard/e/B07D6CS4NQ/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-howard?list=author_books

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JulieMHoward

Follow her on Instagram: @authorjuliehoward

It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with Three Widows of Wylder. I’ll be grabbing my copy. I’ve read and loved all the Wylder West Series!

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