Effie’s Outlaw by Karen Lopp‏

Steeped in a rich family history, Karen Lopp has always been drawn to the courageous lives of the women who lived through the hardships of the past and triumphed.

A transplant from Oklahoma where she grew up on a farm just one mile away from where her great-grandparents settled in the land run, Karen now lives in the enchanted land of New Mexico and has a running competition with her dad on who can grow the tallest hollyhocks. Books and tales of ancestors were staples in her life and she fell in love with history. Enthralled with the short stories her grandmother wrote and passed down, she took the plunge (with encouragement from hubby and kids) into the world of writing. Her inspiration comes from research into her family tree and their interesting lives.

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Boston heiress, Effie Sheridan, takes matters into her own hands when her fortune is being stolen. The last thing she expects is to be kidnapped by a gang of train robbers. Forced to pretend to be an outlaw's lover to stay alive, she questions her sanity when she is drawn to the gruff, yet charming bandit who risks everything to save her.

U.S. Deputy, Alex Marshall is mad enough to spit nails when the beautiful, city-bred girl lands in his arms. Unable to abandon her to the cruelties of the gang, he searches for a way out of the responsibility. But her courage and sweet kisses begin to chip away at the bitterness inside his heart and he must choose between revenge on the gang that slaughtered everyone he loved or redemption for saving a women he can never have.

Q) What inspired you to write this story? 

I am lucky enough to have had several great (and great-great!) grandparents who wrote down their stories and the stories of their parent’s struggles as they made a life in the West. It is such a huge inspiration to see what they had to overcome that has led to my life now! Also, all the drives my husband and I took while we lived in Arizona really gave me some great ideas with all the scenery that just begs to be filled with rugged cowboys and outlaw hideouts.

Q) How long did it take you to write? 

Around six months – after I figured out who Effie was going to be.

Q) What is your favorite thing about writing? 

Honestly, being able to live in a different time or see the world through my character’s eyes is my favorite part. It can be challenging at times, especially when I write I character that comes from a different background than me. Effie was at times difficult because she has always been VERY wealthy – I haven’t made my fortune and bought my own island yet ;)

Q) What is your least favorite thing about writing? 

The marketing side is not something I enjoy. Talking about myself feels like it must be far less interesting for my readers, especially when I try to fill my books full of adventure! I would far rather learn about other people.

Q) If you could be any famous person for one day, who would you be and why? 

I think Neil Armstrong… It must have been one of the most frightening and awe-inspiring moments ever felt by a human when he stepped out onto the moon for the first time. I wonder what it was like when he realized his footprints would never blow away?

Q) What is the oldest thing in your fridge and how old is it? 

I hate to admit it but I just checked and it is a carton of Yoplait that expired on Aug 16th. I do try to clean the fridge out once a week on trash day. But I missed this one. Can I blame it on being wrapped up in writing my latest story?

Q) What can readers expect from you in the future? 

I have my next Western 75% written and am also branching out with a romantic suspense that I hope to have finished soon.

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