Darlene Franklin's "A Ranger's Trail"

Title: A Ranger’s Trail
Publisher: River North Fiction (Moody Press)

Cover blurb: This is the fourth book in a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896. Although a series, each book can be read on its own.

In 1875 Buck Morgan rode into Mason County with the Texas Rangers to quell the violence stirred up by the actions a vigilantly mob. The Hoo Doo (or bad luck) War erupted as suspected cattle rustlers were killed by an angry German mob and former ranger, Scott Cooley, gathers a gang to seek vengeance on the murders.

Suspected of cattle rustling, Let Denning's husband was murdered by the mob a year earlier. Now she is siding with the rogue ranger, Scott Cooley and refuses to help Buck Morgan stem the tide of violence. Leta prays daily that God will wreak vengeance on her enemies. Buck prays that the God of all provision will supply for the needs of the widow, her son Ricky, and her 15-year old brother, Andy. Buck lays a trap at his uncle's ranch for the suspected outlaws but the plan backfires when Andy shows up. Shots are fired and one man is down. Andy has joined the outlaw gang and is now guilty of murdering Buck's cousin.

Will their actions fuel the fire of vengeance? Or will Buck and Leta strike an accord that leads to more than just peace?

1) How did this story come to you?
When Susan Page Davis, Vickie McDonough and I brainstormed ideas for Texas Trails, we studied a timeline of Texas history for story lines that appealed to us. For me, the Mason County (Hoo Doo) War was an obvious choice—cattle rustling, range wars, feuds—plenty of drama!

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
My agent (Chip MacGregor) came up with the idea of a multi-author series in a historical Texas setting. I teamed up with Susan Page Davis and Vickie McDonough. After brainstorming, we decided on the family saga format, and put together a six-book proposal. Six months later, Moody offered us a contract! A Ranger’s Trail is my second book, the fourth overall, in the Texas Trails series. Cowgirl’s Trail (by Susan) and End of the Trail (by Vickie) will come out in April and June. Then we will say a fond farewell to the Morgan family.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
This question always throws me, because I find myself a very boring person! One thing that surprised me recently was when I totaled all books sold (not including the Texas Trails series, I don’t have those yet), more than 300,000 copies of my books have sold. Thank my losing high school football team and Jimmy Connors for my love of sports. And my favorite TV is the unscripted (lesser scripted?) reality TV. My movie-producer friend considers that hilarious.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am currently working on Calico Brides, a four novella anthology of historical romances that will come out from Barbour next year. And churning out proposals for that next contract! In addition to A Ranger’s Trail, I have four more books coming out this year: A Bridge to Love has just been released as an e-book from Truly Yours. Pride’s Fall is my last Heartsong title. And A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas and Postmark: Christmas will come out in September.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me! Check by my blog (darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com) for a weekly drawing of my older titles.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I’m on Facebook; and my website is http://www.darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com/