About me
Hi, I'm Barbara Sue Sweetwood a Kansas woman who grew up in a small farming community twenty miles southwest of Kansas City. I have been an avid writer since I was a young girl. My parents both worked and made a normal and happy childhood for myself and my older sister. I have tried many different occupations in my life. I ran heavy equipment, managed nightclubs, convenience stores and did secretarial work. I spent most of my working career as a food technician in a worldwide food ingredient company. After my experience of many years in the laboratories I was moved to corporate headquarter reception and switchboard operator. I will tell you though that my most happy and fulfilling position was that as operation manager at a luxury western guest ranch located between Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. This is where I was inspired to write my books of strong independent women of the west. I have always enjoyed western books, television programs and the cowboy ways.
I not only fantasized about the cowboy ways I lived them while working on the guest ranch.
While at the ranch one of our guests was the author Danielle Steel. I took personal care of her and her family while she stayed there and became enamored by her talents as a writer.
I enjoy music of all genres but am especially moved by blues and bluegrass music. I am a huge Elvis Presley fan and own almost all of his recordings and movies plus have many Elvis pictures and artifacts throughout my home. I am also a loyal Harley Davidson motorcycle fan and ride my own 1978 Shovelhead which I purchased new. I still ride that same bike today.
I am blessed with three granddaughters and a step grandson.
My ancestry, from what I can find out, is mostly German and Cherokee Indian.
I play a little guitar, drums, and harmonica. This may be the reason my only child, Christopher Locke, has become a master at playing guitar and writing original music for his band Sixteen Penny located in Topeka, KS.
I have written poetry since I was at a young age and have had several of my works posted on Poetry.com in the archives section. I have written many published newspaper articles and had many of my writings and poetry published in the worldwide newsletter at my job at the food ingredient company.
I hope that you will enjoy my books. I reach down deep inside my soul to write and the words just come flowing out of my fingers on the keyboard without any explanation. Most of the time I don't know what direction the story is going until I have typed it on the page. I feel quite blessed that God has given me this talent and I use it to write books that are all age appropriate. There is no harsh language or sexual content to my writings. I have also completed a nine chapter children's books entitled The Adventures of Susie and Dandy. Each chapter is another episode of the places and adventures that Susie, a six year old, and her kitten Dandy experience in their everyday life. It is a fun book with a little education for children ages toddler to eight or nine years old. It is available now online.
I have published a sequel to "One Woman's Courage" by popular demand. It is ten years later and a new episode in the life of "Emma Woods" takes place. Indians and war prevail in this story of a classy but strong woman who knows what she wants and will not stop until she finds it.
My third book is "A Rapid Heartbeat" about a middle aged woman finding herself in the mountains of Montana. It is a modern western about a woman who travels to Montana to spend time with a man she has met. This story is all about love and horses.
My fourth book "Another Mile" is about a southern belle who has traveled to the west for the first time. She is a spoiled, young widow who has no clue what she is getting into. She is not happy with what is waiting for her but she has found out that she has more courage than she ever dreamed of.This book has a lot of humor in it and I absolutley love this character, Katie Davis.
My fifth book is "Cassie's Gold" about a young couple from Mississippi going to California to find their fortune during the "Gold Rush". There is adventure around every corner including bandits, Indians and homesteaders. "Cassie's Gold" is a wonderful book for all ages and was a joy to write.
My sixth book entitled "The Storm Tracker" is a fascinating read about a young married woman living in the mountains of Montana with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Pete. Her Husband is a major in the cavalry stationed at Fort Keogh shortly after the Battle of Little Big Horn. Daniel and Abigail Sterling have not seen each other in sometime and it is the most brutal winter on record in Montana. An unexpected visitor comes to call on Abigail.
The story is about her and her dog trying to escape their captor through the harsh blizzards and the perilous circumstances she encounters. This is a real "edge of your seat" type of book and I know it will capture your attention until the end.
My seventh book is called "Ace In The Hole". It is about a young dandy who enters a town in Texas and tries to take advantage of a young strong woman. He ends up breaking her heart in more ways than one. The story is about her chasing him clear to Mexico to get her revenge. There are many animated characters in this book and some real belly laughs. I enjoyed writing this book and hope you will find it enchanting also.
My eighth book is "The Long Ride" sub-titled "Elijah Rivers and the Pony Express". It is the story of the hardships and encounters of a young man who rides for the Pony Express and the young gal, Tess, that he falls in love with. There are bad guys you will hate and good guys you will love in this story and a lot of history about the Pony Express. You will find all kind of adventures in this book but a sweet ending.
Thank you to all of the folks that read and enjoy my books.
With much appreciation and best wishes,
Barbara Sue Sweetwood