Meet Odessa Clay

Today is Historical day on the blog, and I'm going to sweep you away to the old west.  My books are almost all created by characters who come invade my thoughts and bring their story ideas with them.  In the case, the gal nagging me was Odessa Clay, so Odessa seemed like a proper title for the book.  Here's a blurb, then an interview so you can better get to know her:

The wagon carrying Odessa Clay and her father overturns, killing him.  Alone and scared in the middle of the desert, she faces finding her way to Phoenix and Aunt Susan. Food and water run out, and Odessa is near death when Zach Johnson finds her.  Squinting up into his tanned and handsome face, Dessie believes she’s died and gone to heaven. 

Would-be-outlaw, Zach Johnson finds an unconscious woman alone in the middle of nowhere.  Where did she come from?  First glance: she appears young, but the curves beneath the dusty gingham say otherwise.  He didn’t plan to become someone’s hero, but how can he leave her stranded?

Will the promise of Odessa’s sweet lips lure Zach from the secret mission that has his gut twisted into a knot?  His father’s ranch isn’t the only thing at stake—now it’s his heart.

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Now, on with the interview, but you have to use a little imagination...

Picture a modern-day man in a suit, seated on stool adjacent to a pretty blonde woman dressed in a long gingham gown with a bonnet hanging down her back.  The sides of her hair are drawn to her head’s crown in a blue ribbon that matches her dress, and she twists a handkerchief in nervous hands.  Bright lights shine on them and cameras are ready to roll.  

 Action!

Interviewer: “Through the magic of character development, we have a heroine straight from Ginger Simpson’s western historical novel, Odessa, here with us today.  Please welcome Miss Odessa Clay.  It still is Miss, isn’t it?”

Odessa:  Lowers her gaze.  “Well, not for long. If Zach has his way.”

Interviewer:  “Tell us about Zach.  How did you meet him?  Was it love at first sight?”

Odessa: Cocks her head.  “Hardly.  He might be a tall good-lookin’ drink of water, but I thirsted for the real thing when I first opened my eyes.”  Notices raised brow of interviewer. I had just left my father, dead and pinned beneath our wagon, to try to save my own skin.  When Zach found me, I had collapsed from heat exhaustion and thirst in the middle of the trail I think led to Phoenix.”

Interviewer:  “Why were you headed to Phoenix?”  He shuffles through the papers in his lap.

Odessa:  “I suppose you mean literally?  I wasn’t about to spend another night staring eye-to-eye with a coyote and waiting for a snake to curl up next to me.  Of course, I was devastated to lose Pa, but I sure wasn’t ready to meet my maker.  My aunt, Susan, lives in Phoenix, and with her being my last living relation, I planned to reach her just like Pa planned before he died.  He didn’t like the idea of me living in a town as wild as Tucson had become.”

Interviewer:  Crosses his long legs. “What brought Zach to the middle of the desert?”

Odessa:  “His horse, of course.”

Interviewer:  Smiles and chuckles.  “I know he was on a horse, but I mean where was he headed…why was he there to find you at the opportune moment?”

Odessa:  Raises hand to heated cheek.  “Oh.  Zach’s pa was in danger of losing his land to the bank, so Zach had to make a very difficult decision.  He was on his way to Charleston to join up with a notorious band of outlaws and rob the stage carrying the local miners’ wages. “  She holds up a hand before the interviewer can speak.  “Now mind you, Zach is a law-abidin’ man put into a terrible situation.  You might be surprised at how things worked out for him.”

Interviewer:  “Sounds like he had quite an adventure.  Did you?”

Odessa:  She flutters her eye and shakes her head. “I honestly don’t want to dwell on it.  Let’s just say that I should have listened to Zach and steered clear of the job in the saloon.  It’s definitely not a place for ladies.”

Interviewer:  Glances at his wrist.  “Sadly, time is up for today.  I wish we could have discussed your story further, but I guess people will have to buy Odessa if they want to know how things turn out.”  Holds up a copy. “It says here that Eternal Press published the book.”

Odessa:  “Yes, and it’s available in other places, too.  Amazon and Barnes and something.  You’ll have to forgive me.  I’m not at all familiar with your new-fangled computers and such.”

Interviewer:  Chuckles again. “I can only imagine.  Thank you so much for joining us today, Ms. Clay.  Best of luck in your new life.”

The lights dim, men step from behind the cameras and where silence prevailed, voices chatter.  The man who asked the questions walks away, and Odessa is left to wonder what to do now.  Zach steps from the shadows and offers his hand.  “Time to go home, Dessie.  You did a fine job.”

Like Odessa said, her book is offered right here at Eternal Press.  It's currently up on the Preditor and Editor's vote under "other" novels.  I'm not sure how it got there, but I guess it's because there isn't an historical category.  Lots of wonderful authors, covers, sites, and books are up for your votes.  Please visit if you can and make someone's day.  http://critters.org/predpoll 

Voting only lasts a few more days.  :)  I'll be back next Historical day with another interview...this time of multiple characters.  :)