Robbing the Races Release Week Party and Giveaway!

Welcome to the release week party for my 1940s Robin Hood retelling!

Robin and Marian were the perfect couple in this tale of a Robin who jockeys in the big races and a Marian who wants nothing more than to prove that female reporters can do as good a job as any man.

For today’s adventure, I’m going to kick off the mystery of the missing bag of gold.

Ready? Here we go!

Robin tucked his head close into his elbow to block the shower of dirt peppering his face and blocking his vision. He spit grit off to the side amid thundering hooves and edged Shadow to the rail, ducking between two horses.

The crowd cheered, but Robin scarcely heard them over the pounding beat of a dozen horses tearing down the track. They approached the finish line. Robin released an inch of tension from the leather reins. Shadow burst forward with a grunt and heaved himself to the front of the line. They flashed past the finish line.

First place.

Robin allowed a smile and patted Shadow’s neck. “Good job, old man.”

The stallion snorted and bobbed his head, prancing his way to the winner’s circle. His owner waited there and took the horse’s reins while posing for a picture.

Marian stood off to the side of the camera. She shot him a grin and scribbled in her ever-present notebook before slapping it shut and folding her hands together over her stomach.

Robin leaped from Shadow’s back and rushed over to her. “How was it?”

“You were extraordinary.” Marian pecked his cheek in a quick kiss. “I’ll meet you at the dance hall.” She flounced away before he could argue.

Robin raced through a shower and change of clothes, already planning everything he wanted to say to Marian tonight when they danced. This was his chance. A chance at happily ever after.

A rotund man shoved past Robin on his way out of the raceway. The jingle of coins pulled Robin’s attention from the annoyance flaring to life. The man darted left and right, pushing people out of the way and puffing as he hurried away. The pouch of coins at his waist fell to the ground, spilling gold across the packed dirt.

Robin’s mouth dried at the sight of so much money. What good could he do with that amount of coin? He’d be able to take care of his mother, his brothers and sister. Countless others who struggled thanks to the war. Robin dashed through the crowd and scooped the money back into the bag. He tightened the drawstring and shoved it into his pocket. He’d promised Marian he was done with all that. Done with stealing from the rich. But not done giving to the poor.

He searched for the man, but his short stature–while perfect for jockeying–made it difficult to see through the crowd.

Sighing, he made his way to his car and drove to the dance hall where Marian waited for him.

He’d hardly made it inside when Marian grabbed his arm and pulled him onto the dance floor. He shoved aside the thoughts of finding the man and enjoyed his time with Marian.

They danced until his feet ached and he’d lost his breath. Sweat trickled down his face and he swiped it away while leading Marian to one of the tall tables. He helped her onto a chair. “I’ll grab our drinks.”

Robin shoved a hand into his pocket. Empty. His pulse ratcheted up, and he searched the other pocket.

Also empty.

Where was the pouch of coins? Where was the money from today’s winnings that he’d hidden away?

Head over to Nancy’s blog to get the next installment of the story.

Giveaway!

Click HERE for your chance to win!

Follow the other authors along their blog stops for more giveaways and more chances to win:

July 4: Tabitha Bouldin

July 5: Nancy Williams

July 6: Denise L. Barela

July 7: Kathleen J. Robison

July 8: Liz Tolsma