ZINA ABBOTT
is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her adult Golden Oaks series which
includes Family Secrets, the first book in the series, and her historical
novels.
Except for
the first year of her life, Robyn has lived in California. She started her
young life in San Diego and has had gradually moved northward. She has been
writing since she was in junior high school.
After
working several jobs, including that of being a rural carrier and union steward
for the California Rural Letter Carriers' Association, she has spent years
learning and teaching family history topics. She enjoys focusing on history
from a genealogist's perspective by seeking out the details of everyday life in
the past. Several of her family history articles have been published in
genealogy magazines.
She resides with her husband in California near the "Gateway to Yosemite." When she is not piecing together novel plots and characters, she enjoys piecing together quilt blocks.
Connect with the Author here:
In 1868, Otto Atwell has a 160 acre
homestead near Abilene, Kansas and a limp as a result of an arrow shot in his
low back while with the 16th Kansas Cavalry on the Powder River Expedition in
1865. What he doesn’t have is a wife. Then again, what woman would want to
marry a cripple?
Libby Jones comes to Junction City as a mail order bride. Not
only does the man who sent for her reject her, he tries to sell her to the
local brothel to recoup his fee. Otto offers to marry her, but she rejects him
in favor of a job with his relatives.
Will Otto’s offer still stand when trouble from Libby’s past catches up with her?
Will Otto’s offer still stand when trouble from Libby’s past catches up with her?
Snippet:
“Mr. Atwell, like your brother, you asked me to call you by your first
name. I will do so only if you call me Libby. And to answer your question, I
don’t think most women like hearing tales of pain and suffering, especially
about their kin, or if it’s only for the sake of glorifying in such matters.
Otherwise, I think women are stronger than you realize. I believe your mother
would want to know what you’ve been through, especially if it still affects
your life, rather than being kept in the dark.”
In the silence that
followed, Libby took another sip. “I appreciate knowing your story, Mr.
Atwell…”
“Otto. I just hope it
doesn’t give you nightmares.”
“I doubt it will.”
I suffer my own
nightmares.
Libby swallowed and
chose her words carefully. “I appreciate knowing your attitude about tribal
people. As you can see, my native heritage is written on my face. There are
many people who look down on me because of it.”
“I hope you don’t
think I’m one of them.”
To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page
