Break Heart Canyon by Gini Rifkin is a Western Fiction/Romance Event pick #historicalwestern #historicalromance #western #giveaway
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  • N. N. Light
    • Apr 25
    • 5 min read

Break Heart Canyon by Gini Rifkin is a Western Fiction/Romance Event pick #historicalwestern #historicalromance #western #giveaway



Title: Break Heart Canyon

 

Author: Gini Rifkin

 

Genre: Historical Western Romance

 

Book Blurb:

 

   Unearthing artifacts in Colorado sounded like easy money to Ryker Landry. Then he met the woman who owned the land.

 

   Una MacLaren vows no fortune hunter will desecrate the ancient relics of BreakHeart Canyon—even if the man is a handsome scoundrel. Fighting to keep her goat farm afloat as local cattlemen hatch deadly schemes to make sure she fails, Una has enough to worry about.

 

   Captivated by the courageous redhead, Ryker joins forces with Una and her deerhound, MacTavish. But what does he desire most—the woman or the artifacts?

 

   When the mythical white cougar again prowls the rocky cliffs, the legend of BreakHeart Canyon draws them into a web of danger. Now only daring and blind trust can save them.

 

Excerpt:

 

July, 1878, near Caňon City, Colorado

 

  “Come oot right now. Are you hearin’ me?”

 

Ryker Landry kept to the shadows. The voice ordering him out of the cave was female—one with a bit of a Scottish brogue. Maybe if he remained silent, calling her bluff, she’d go away.

 

   “I said come oot. I ken you’re in there.”

 

   So much for that idea.

 

   “You got three shakes of a billy goat’s tail to decide. Then I’m a sendin’ in MacTavish.”

 

   MacTavish? The image of a brawny Scotsman wrapped in a kilt and a nasty disposition took form in Ryker’s mind. He wasn’t in the mood today for a fight. Besides, other than a little trespassing, he hadn’t done anything wrong—yet.

 

   Seeing no other option, he eased from the darkness of the cave into the daylight, squinting as the glare of the sun hit him full force. The female pointing a battered Winchester rifle at his chest stepped back, keeping a safe distance between them. Caught by the breeze, her hair fluttered and curled like a handful of ginger-colored ribbons. The no-nonsense glare in her eyes, as green as the grass upon which she stood, held him in place.

 

    He glanced around for the person she’d called MacTavish, but saw no one other than her dog. So far, the fearsome creature kept to her side—a deerhound by the looks of him. Ryker had seen such animals in the Highlands of Scotland.

 

   “Good morning, madam.” Ryker doffed his hat and showered her with his most radiant smile. The woman didn’t respond to either affectation.

 

    “Dinnae good morning me. Besides, it’s after the noon hour. You need to get off me property, and don’t be lookin’ back.” As if on cue, the dog growled, emphasizing the woman’s stern words. “Be still, MacTavish, he’s leaving.”

 

    So, MacTavish was the dog. A dubious relief. He’d rather tangle with a man than this beast.

 

   “Before I take my leave, might I know by whom I’m being held at gunpoint.”

 

   “Ma name’s Una MacLaren, and this is my land.” She raised her chin in a stubborn tilt as if she challenged the whole world with her words, not just him.

 

     Inclined to beg forgiveness, rather than ask for permission, Ryker saw he had little choice but to admit to his indiscretion of trespass. “Pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m Ryker Landry, on expedition in search of dinosaur artifacts. I meant no harm. There are rumors unusual specimens can be found in the surrounding canyon, especially this cave.”

 

   He nodded over his shoulder. He’d been searching out west for several hot dusty weeks. This was the closest he’d come to tracking down the item he’d been paid to find.

 

   “So, you decided to just come trapsin’ in here and help yourself?” Outrage seemed to resonate through her body, setting the fringe on her plaid shawl quaking.

 

   “I was merely taking a gander around. I’ll gladly pay a decent price for anything I find.”

 

   “You can’t put a price on hallowed items. And to the ancient people of this land, those bones and relics are sacred. I’m inclined to think they should be staying right where they are—undisturbed. Next thing you’ll be setting loose the spunkies and wulvers, or bringin’ the curse of the canyon down upon us.”

 

   The curse of the what? She seemed serious. He hadn’t recalled any legend about the canyon being haunted. And what in tarnation were those other things she mentioned? Was she trying to scare him off?  Although, come to think of it, he had experienced a sudden chill while in the cave—along with the distinct feeling he wasn’t alone. He’d attributed both sensations to the high altitude found in Colorado.

 

    Upon his arrival, he’d gotten dizzy on a few occasions. Remaining silent, he considered this Scottish lass who appeared to believe in legends and myths. How could he use her superstitious nature to his advantage?

 

   “A curse you say. Even more fascinating. I can well imagine the unusual abounds in this dark canyon. I’m willing to pay for information about the surrounding area as well as about the artifacts.” By all appearances, especially the state of the tattered barn roof, her finances were lacking. Would she take the bait for the money she appeared to need?

 

   “We don’t want your coinage, Mr. Landry.” The beast of a hound growled menacingly. “MacTavish is getting annoyed, so you’d best take your leave as asked.”

 

    “Yes, of course. Wouldn’t want to upset your dog.”

 

    Unless staring at his mistress whom he seemed to adore, the animal had malice in his fearsome golden eyes. “Nice to have met you, Una MacLaren, I’ll just mosey along then.”

 

    Never lowering the rifle, she encouraged his departure. “My property ends a good way beyond the creek. Keep moseying until you reach there.”

 

    He couldn’t resist one more try at gaining access to her land. “Please consider my offer. Perhaps we could meet again at your convenience, and you can enlighten me regarding the folklore around here.”

 

   “Have ya cornflowers in your ears? I said get out and dinnae come back.”

 

   Retreat sounding the better part of valor, Ryker grabbed the knapsack he’d left by the cave entrance and followed her instructions. The hound barked and snapped at the air, encouraging him to step lively.

 

Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):

 

 

 

 

What makes your featured book a must-read?

 

It’s an exciting time in the Old West. Dinosaur bones have been discovered in Colorado, and the total eclipse of the sun is predicted. Break Heart Canyon has romance, action, and history with an endearing, brave heroine, and a bad boy hero who changes his ways to win the heart of a woman. And just for fun, there’s a wonderful deerhound and two helpful donkeys! Judged Best Historical of the Year from the Colorado Authors’ League, I hope you will try my story.   

 

Giveaway –

 

Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card:

 

 

Open Internationally.

 

Runs April 23 – April 30, 2024.

 

Winner will be drawn on May 1, 2024.

 

Author Biography:

 

Gini Rifkin writes stories of love and adventure. Her settings include the American West, Medieval England, Victorian England, and Contemporary thriller and fantasy. When not reading or writing, she has the privilege of caring for a menagerie of rescue animals including ducks, goats, donkeys, and cats. Born in Illinois, when struck by wanderlust, she moved to Colorado and met her husband, Gary. They have spent many a vacation canoeing, doing Mountain Man reenacting, and traveling around this great country. Among other honors, she has received two Excellence In Writing awards from The Colorado Author’s League, and The Beverley Award from Romance Writers of the Rockies. When not reading or writing, she is trying to master the art of spinning and weaving goat hair and wool. Her writing keeps her hungry to learn new things, and she considers family and friends her most treasured of gifts.

 

Social Media Links:

 

Amazon author  https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

Goodreads   http://bit.ly/2OnHbrK

Barnes and Noble   http://bit.ly/2xPs9S4

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