VBT: Blood on the Pen by David W. Huffstetler

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BLURB:
A modern-day Ranger, Jack Harden, and a young, Mexican-American reporter, Elise Rodriguez, team up to find a serial killer, and they get more than they bargained for in a desperate chase across Texas. Jack grieves over the loss of his wife to a drunk driver, while Elsie tries to pull him from the edge of sanity in an action-packed thriller.


A Few Words From the Author:
I asked David to write a few words about his research on the Texas Rangers for his book,
I have long been a history buff and I am especially fond of the very rich history of Texas. I read the autobiography of John Wesley Hardin, once called the deadliest man in Texas, and he talked about his friend Creed Taylor. So, I read about Creed Taylor, a fascinating man and Ranger, who named his first son Hayes after his Ranger captain, John Coffee Hayes, one of the first Rangers, affectionately known as Captain Jack. In the second book, Blood on the Cards, the reader learns that Jack Harden's middle name is Hayes.

After researching the early Rangers, from their beginning through the Mexican-American War, I was hooked. I consumed anything I could get my hands on - books, documentaries, whatever told me more. Then I looked into their current operations. While the Rangers don't roam the prairie checking on the Comanche anymore, they still represent that strong character their forebearers showed. For the physical settings, I went to Texas, visiting all the places that you find in Blood on the Pen, from the Riverwalk in San Antonio to the limestone caverns of Sonora. It was a great trip, one I hope to make again sooner rather than later. Researching these books was a lot of fun.

EXCERPT

His knock had become familiar. She slipped on a light robe and opened the door. “Well, I see he loaned you a car. I never thought he would. Did you come to show it off to me?”

“Actually I came to bring you something,” he replied. He took the pistol from his pocket and held it out.

“What’s this about? Come inside before someone sees you and thinks I’m in the gun business.” She closed the door behind him, and he laid the pistol on her nightstand.

“Moses told me the investigators have been looking for this. I thought it would be better if they got it from you since, well, you shot the guy with it.”

“Okay, I guess I could go down there in the morning. Why don’t you go with me? You could say hello to your friends.”

Harden recoiled sharply. “I don’t need to see those guys. I’m doing fine without them.”

“What is it with you, Jack? How long are you going to torture yourself over something you can’t change? How long will you shut your friends out, everyone out? I’d just like to know.”

“Maybe you don’t need to know. Maybe you should mind your own life and butt out of mine.”

Her heart hadn’t felt such pain since her father’s death. She turned away and forced out a tearful answer. “Maybe I should.”

Then he spun her around and pulled her hard against his chest, nearly lifting her off the floor, and said, “Maybe not.” He kissed her full and deep on the lips. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back with parted lips and felt the heat of his pain and loneliness pouring through her. They burned with raw emotion, unleashed without a thought to where it would take them. They pulled at each other’s clothes until they lay flesh on flesh, wrapped around each other with just their passion to cover them. Only they knew exactly what happened that night, but it was deep and genuine, and neither of them regretted it.



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Educated in Dallas, North Carolina, David Huffstetler holds degrees in Engineering and Business Administration. He has worked in the area of human relations and spent fourteen years weaving through the maze of politics, including participating in a Federal Law suit with a sitting governor over issues of separation of powers. David has served on Boards of Directors for numerous professional organizations including. He has advised governors and legislators on matters of public policy and legislation. His wealth of experience is broad and brings deep insight to his writing.
David’s work as a senior manager with a major industrial concern took him to international venues and exposures that helped feed his urge to write Disposable People, a dramatic expose of the working conditions and politics that engulf undocumented workers. Disposable People is a top-ten “Suggested Book” at Tufts University in Boston, MA

He turned the frustrations and rejection that plagues thousands of yet-to-be-published authors into the heralded mystery/thriller Blood on the Pen, with a serial killer disposing of literary agents. David, an avid history buff, led him to write Dead in Utah, the story of Joe Hill, the controversial musician and union organizer accused of a double murder in 1914.

As an editor, public speaker, and seasoned professional, David has appeared on television and radio, and has lectured on the East Coast, California, Canada and Mexico.

David currently lives in Lexington, South Carolina with his wife, Trudy.


http://www.davidhuffstetler.com
https://www.facebook.com/#!/BloodOnThePen