Refuge by Willa J. Brand

It’s always a pleasure to find new books to read and adventures to explore, but it’s especially nice when you get to meet the author. Today I’m delighted to welcome new-to-me author Willa J. Brand to Thoughts to tell us about her book, REFUGE, a Mountain Ranch novel.

Welcome, Willa.

First, I would like to thank Mason so much for hosting me here on the blog. As an author, I am always grateful to be given any opportunity to post to a new audience.

My first book, REFUGE, was released in May of this year. It is a contemporary fiction novel with a little dash of western romance to spice things up. Although my work is self-published, I have employed a professional editor and I work hard to be sure that the finished product is up to standard. I just received back the final edit of the second novel in the series, SWITCHBACK, and it is set to release this month.

Here’s a bit about REFUGE:

Taylor is a mother on the run from an abusive husband, searching for a safe place for she and her young son. Convinced that her possessive spouse is hunting them, she is paranoid, exhausted, and virtually penniless. Finding herself stranded in rural Montana, she is taken in by a couple who help her not knowing her past, and she is able to find work on their ranch.

She intends on staying only long enough to save the money needed to move on to a large city where she believes they will be safer. But as time passes friendships develop, as does a love interest, and Taylor struggles to hold on to her secrets. Inevitably, her past catches up with her and her worst fears will become reality.

Now here’s an excerpt from REFUGE for your reading pleasure.

“I thought we could head out east and check some fence while we see if you and Tex are a good match. Let the two of you get to know each other a bit.”

Taylor nodded as she tightened up her cinch and led the gelding into the small pen near the barn. She circled him each way before climbing up into the borrowed saddle, and then she laughed.

“I forgot how much shorter Dana is than me! I’ll have to lengthen these stirrups quite a bit…”

But Owen had followed her into the arena and handed her his gelding’s reins as he took hold of the stirrup and began to let them out for her while she sat on Tex. She was taken aback by his nearness and the unexpected gesture that for some reason seemed intimate. When he had adjusted the stirrup to where he thought would work, he gave it a jerk to be sure the fit was snug and guided her boot back into the stirrup. He looked up at her with his hand still resting on her leg and their eyes met for a moment.

“Feel right?” he asked.

The way he said it gave her the impression that he was referring to something other than her stirrup length and gave her a little chill.

“Um. Yeah. Thank you,” she answered a little breathlessly.

He moved to the other side of the horse and adjusted the other stirrup, and

then took back his reins before swinging up onto the big boned sorrel.

REFUGE is available to purchase at: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=willa+j+brand+refuge&crid=1TXAS0FZXYKL6&sprefix=willa+j+brand+%2Caps%2C253&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_14

Willa, thanks for joining us today and sharing this intriguing excerpt of your book. I especially like the setting.

Meet the Author

Author Willa J. Brand

Willa J. Brand is a pen name for my alter ego, and although she is much more creative than I am in my daily life, we share many of the same interests.  

I am a wife, mother of four children and three angels, and lover of the outdoors. I have been an avid reader from an early age and lover of all forms of literature since before I can remember. Busy as life is helping out on our family farm and caring for children, I craved some kind of creative outlet, and writing was a natural fit for me.

I love all animals and enjoy working with cattle and spending time with my horses and dogs. In more recent years I have found a love for chickens that I never knew I had, and my flock is constantly growing! 

I would love to hear any feedback or questions you may have for me and I will do my best to answer any and all questions. Please feel free to reach out via the CONTACT portion of my site. 

For more on Willa and her writing, you can connect with her on the following sites:

https://www.willajbrand.com

https://www.facebook.com/Willa-J-Brand-108291024196020/

Thanks so much for joining me today. Finding a place that makes you feel secure. Doesn’t this sound like the perfect read for our stressful times?