Between Heaven and Hell

BETWEEN HEAVEN & HELL (Lonesome Hearts, book 1)

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas – 1850

Hannah knows one thing the moment she enters Fort Leavenworth—she’s arrived in Hell. But inside the fort is the means to a new life, a position as a scout on a wagon train bound for the Western Territories. All Hannah has to do is convince the wagon master, Paden Callahan, she’s the right person for the job.

After his wife was murdered by the Comanche, Paden let his work as a Texas Ranger consume him. Now he wants nothing more than to forget his past and disappear into the West. Unfortunately, the one man he can’t refuse has asked him to guide a wagon train full of tenderfoots across thousands of miles of Indian land. But Paden’s greatest challenge turns out to be Hannah, a woman his heart won’t allow him to ignore even though she’s been raised by an enemy he hates.

On a trail full of danger, will he guide her to heaven or hell?

STEAM LEVEL: Spicy

STORY LENGTH: A long novel (362 pages)

AWARDS

2010 RWA® Golden Heart® – Historical Romance Winner
2014 Chanticleer Laramie® – Western Romance Drama Winner

LONESOME HEARTS SERIES: Between Heaven & Hell (Oregon Trail, 1850), Following Faith (Oregon, 1852), Choosing Bravery (Oregon, 1868), Rescuing Raven (Deadwood, 1876). This series follows the frontiersmen and women who meet on the Oregon Trail and afterward. Each story includes one or more of the characters from the other books but is also a standalone read.

REVIEWS

“From the first page to the last paragraph, Between Heaven & Hell was action packed with pure suspense. Jacqui Nelson is phenomenal in her writing style and delivery of this down to earth, gritty western that isn’t just for women.” ~ Tonya L.
“A perfect, steady-paced book with poetic descriptions of romance and easy-to-follow fluidity of Callahan and Hannah’s journeys. Those who love romance and hot sensual scenes, along with the Western historical fiction, will find themselves enamored with this novel.” ~ Chanticleer Book Reviews
“A fire-cracker of a love story with the perfect blend of fascinating characters, intense emotion, historical drama and fast-paced action.” ~ Scarlett Penn
“A must read! Be prepared to take an adventure into the wild west and to fall in love with some very remarkable characters.” ~ Heather C.
“Beautiful writing and flawed characters it was easy to care about. A thoroughly engaging story I enjoyed tremendously.” ~ Lark
“From the beginning, I was hooked by the author’s unique voice and writing style.” ~ Stephany
“An exciting journey filled with perilous adventure, this is an original interesting tale with a woven plot line that comes full circle.” ~ InD’tale Magazine

EXCERPT

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas—Spring 1850

Lord help her, for she had entered Hell. That Hannah had sought guidance from the God of her past made her loneliness increase tenfold. She should’ve prayed to Grandfather Spider.

“Well, what’a we got here?” someone yelled from behind her. The voice was rough with malicious undertones.

“Don’t reckon I know,” replied another man. “Though she be a purty lil’ yellow-haired thing.”

“Maybe, but we’d hafta get them injun’ clothes off her to tell fer sure.”

Hannah stiffened in her saddle but kept her buckskin-clad knees tight against White Cloud’s sides, urging him forward. She fought the need to tug down the frayed cuffs of her wool coat or touch the beads and feathers in her belt for comfort.

Don’t react, she told herself. Don’t make eye contact. Don’t turn back.

A mountain man, the size of a bear, spat a foul-smelling stream of brown chewing tobacco in front of White Cloud’s path. He sneered at Hannah with lips stretched over rotting teeth.

Behind him on a saloon porch, a trio of dusty cowhands rose from their card game, waved their whiskey bottles at her and hollered, “Ooh-wee, lovey! Come on down from yer horse. Let us show you a good time.”

Strident feminine laughter filled the air. Hannah’s gaze darted heavenward to discover a row of women dressed in corsets and short calico skirts. They leaned over the balcony railing, watching her with black-rimmed eyes full of disdain.

If she ignored them, maybe they’d leave her alone. Or maybe coming to Fort Leavenworth hadn’t been such a good idea. She had no choice. She couldn’t turn back.