Lily Graison's Blog, page 19

Friday First Kiss #31 :: Lydia’s Gunslinger by Julie Lence – Historical Western Romance

 

The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.

Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.

 

This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from, Lydia’s Gunslinger by Julie Lence.

“Damn that woman!” Roth stormed inside the livery and went to the stall housing his horse. How the hell did Lydia expect to thwart Cooper on her own? She was too damn small. Too proper. Too much of a lady to do battle with a snake like Cooper and win.

Sonofabitch! She should have married me and let me help her.

He yanked open the stall gate and led his horse out. Tied him to a rail at the back of the barn then fetched his saddle and gear from the tack room.

Whether she liked it or not, Lydia was going to accept his help. He’d made that decision before she’d cleared the threshold when she’d run out on him at Miller’s earlier. Where the hell she’d gone, he had no idea. She’d disappeared from sight when he’d followed after her.

He’d thought she’d gone to the orphanage and had cut a quick path to the Rio, but she hadn’t been there. The boardinghouse had come to mind, but he couldn’t barge into Suzanna’s home. She’d flay his hide, so he’d come to the livery to fetch his horse and ride out to see how Kemp and Shadow occupied their time.

He made quick work of saddling the mustang and adjusting the stirrups. Taking up the reins, he led the horse out of the livery and mounted.

“Roth!” a female called.

Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Lydia walking toward him. “Where the hell have you been?” He slid out of the saddle.

“I went to the Belknap’s bank. I promised the mayor I’d send for the money for the library and hotel today.” She halted beside him.

Err.

“I would like to apologize.” Her gaze slid toward his horse. “I shouldn’t have run out on you. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah.” He clenched his teeth and studied her, noted an odd look in her eyes. She wasn’t mad. But she wasn’t happy either.

“Are you leaving town?” she asked, hesitant and still unwilling to meet his gaze.

“Do you care?”

“I–” She wiped at the corner of her eye.

“Sonofabitch, Lydia.” He grasped her hand and pulled her inside the livery. “Ginger means nothing to me. I haven’t been with her or anyone since before I met you.” He settled his hands on her waist and drew her to him. “That ain’t no bullshit.” He lowered his head and touched his lips to hers, deepening the kiss when she entwined her hands around his neck, and tore his mouth from hers a long moment later and sucked in a ragged breath.

“I-I would miss you if you left.” She touched a shaky hand to her breast.

“I ain’t leaving.” He searched her face, saw her cat-like eyes filled with warmth for him and something inside of him breathed easy. “Got something here worth staying for.” He caressed her cheek and reveled in the softness of her skin.

“Am I that something?”

“What do you think?” He threaded his fingers through her hair. “I’ve never been good with words, not the kind you want to hear.” He watched her eyes cloud with emotion. “I ain’t giving up my guns. Or clobbering someone who needs clobbering. Can you live with that?”

“I can try.”

The sincerity in her gaze damn near caused his heart to stop beating. It was more than a hardened sonofabitch like him had a right to. She should have someone better than him. A man equal to her in manners and social status.

He turned from her and went to the nearest stall, rested his arms over the gate to still their trembling. “Til now I never had a hankering to stay in one place,” he said quietly. “My sister can tell ya that. So can that horse out there.”

“I never trusted men. Most want to own a woman. Papa dictates orders to Mama. Uncle Albert does the same with Aunt Mary.” She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him.

“You can trust me. I ain’t gonna run roughshod over you. Or your tots.” He covered her hands with his palm.

“I sensed that about you the day we met.” She rested her cheek against his back.

He closed his eyes a moment and savored the feel of her warm body pressed against him. “Tell me I got a claim on you, Lydia.” He turned to face her and took her in his arms. “I see it in your eyes, but I want to hear you say the words.”

“Do you extend the same to me?”

“Been yours all this time.” He tightened his hold on her. “Come for a ride with me.”

“I can’t. I’ve been gone most of the morning. Sheriff Grayson doesn’t approve of Suzanna looking after the children.” She stepped out of his arms and moved toward the livery door.

“I’ll walk you back.”

“Why? The boardinghouse is two doors up.”

“You really have to ask?” He grasped her arm and halted her steps. “The words, Lydia. Say them.”

She gazed up at him, cupped his cheek with her small palm and smiled. “You have a claim on me.”

Damn! He slid his arm around her waist. “Til I know more about Cooper, you stay at the boardinghouse with Suzanna. Grayson’s always in and out of there checking up on her. You’ll be safe. So will the tots. And don’t let Cooper know we saw him at Miller’s.”

“I won’t.”

“I’ll be back before the evening meal.” He slid his other arm around her and covered her mouth with his lips. Again, she entwined her hands around his neck and kissed him back. She sighed softly and Roth slid his tongue past her lips, felt a jolt to his loins when she followed his lead and suckled his tongue. “Lydia.” He gulped in a ragged breath then thoroughly ravished her mouth. Long seconds later, he ended their kiss and stared deep into her eyes. “I’ll have another of your kisses when I come for you later.”

“Yes, you will,” she said, breathless and sassy.

Anticipation shone in her gaze and a shudder ripped through him. The evening couldn’t come fast enough.

Lydia’s Gunslinger by Julie Lence

Fleeing the abusive headmaster at the St. Louis orphanage, Roth turned to gunslinging as a means for survival. Years of looting and raiding put his face on several Wanted posters, and instilled in him an aversion to settling down. That is, until he meets Lydia Tyler, the woman building the orphanage along the Rio Grande. Although he’s the deputy of Revolving Point, Lydia detests his hardened ways. She’s also got trouble on her hands; a headmaster linked to Roth’s old nemesis. Roth will do everything he can to help Lyida. And convince her he’s not as deplorable as his guns suggest.

Lydia Tyler has no use for guns and violence. All she wants is to build her orphanage and give her children a safe and loving home. Trouble is, Papa has hired a headmaster without her say-so; an arrogant man who schemes to usurp her authority, a man Deputy Roth despises. When Roth offers to rid Lydia of the troublemaker, Lydia doesn’t approve of his methods. But that doesn’t stop her from melting everytime Roth holds her hand. The more she gets to know him, the more she reconsiders his menacing ways. He may be a gunslinger, but the warmth in his gaze hints there’s more to him than his pistols.

 

BUY THE BOOK FROM

Amazon

 

About Julie Lence

Julie grew up in upstate New York. Throughout her school years, she enjoyed writing, so long as she could choose the topic. She met her husband in twelfth grade and accompanied him on his twenty-year career with the U.S. Air Force. It was during the first few months of marriage when she became and avid reader of women’s fiction and mystery. Then a friend introduced her to romance and she was instantly hooked.

Johanna Lindsey’s Malory Family series and Judith McNaught’s flawless voice inspired her to pen her own novel. She began with contemporary romance and quickly switched to western historical romance, incorporating her love for John Wayne, horses, and the television series, Dallas, into her work. To date, she has self-published two series and two short Christmas stories, available at Amazon.

Currently, Julie is a stay-at-home mom. She enjoys taking caring of her family and home, sport, and meeting fans of the romance genre.

Website | Facebook  | Goodreads

 

Authors, want to see your book featured on Friday First Kiss? Find out how HERE.

 

 

The post Friday First Kiss #31 :: Lydia’s Gunslinger by Julie Lence – Historical Western Romance appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

ManCandy Monday #28

 

It’s getting to be that time of year! My Hubby has dusted off his Harley and has been burning up the roads so I’m doing my part in reminding everyone to keep your eyes open for riders. Bikes are hard to see at times so be on the lookout for them.

Here’s two I’d be looking for…don’t tell the Hubby though! hehe

 

And as a bonus….

 

The Mother’s Day card my son gave me. His idea of ManCandy. I’m not sure if the kid needs smacked or high-fived for being such a brilliant smartass. LOL

So what do you think? Should he be punished for that or taken out to lunch?

The post ManCandy Monday #28 appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

ManCandy Monday #27

Better late than never! Its been a crazy couple of weeks and honestly, all I want to do at the moment is take a nap. If these two were in the other room, I’d forget all about the list of things I still have to do and head straight to the bedroom!

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Friday First Kiss #30 :: Gabe Kincaid (Kincaids Book Four) by Caroline Clemmons – Historical Western Romance

 

The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.

Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.

 

This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from, Gabe Kincaid by Caroline Clemmons.

She pressed her hand against his arm. “Don’t, Gabe. It’s such a nice afternoon. Don’t spoil it by prying.”

“All right. But I wish you’d trust me with all your secrets, Shimza. Damn, I feel like a fool calling you that but I don’t even know your real name.”

“Shimza will do. And I do trust you to keep me safe here.”

“But you don’t think I could if you told me more, is that it?” He gently clasped her shoulders and turned her to face him.

She met his gaze, pleading with him, “Please, it’s too . . . complicated.”

Slowly he slid his hands across her shoulders, lightly up her neck, and caressed her face with his thumbs. He rested his hands gently on either side of her face. “Then let’s make it a little more complicated.” He leaned forward and claimed her lips.

She dissolved against him. His gentle kiss increased in fervor. Her arms slid around him and her fingers weaved into his hair.

His hands slid across her back. Stroking. Touching. Hugging.

One of his strong hands skimmed her ribs beneath her breast. Brazenly, she wished he’d move higher where she ached to be touched. As it was, the heat of his touch near burned through her clothing.

He broke their embrace, his chest heaving. “I’ve never kissed a client. Damn, Grandpa will have my hide.”

She rested her head against his powerful shoulder. “Mmm, I don’t think so. Perhaps you noticed we were seated next to one another at dinner. I could be wrong, but I think the Judge and Mrs. Gamble are conspiring. Judge Kincaid smiled when we left the dining room together.”

“You don’t say? Then, if it’s all right with you, I’m kissing you again.”

And he did. Not that she was an expert, but her verdict was he kissed very well indeed.

 

Gabe Kincaid by Caroline Clemmons

Gabe Kincaid has reasons to hate lies and those who tell them. He moved from Austin to Kincaid Springs and joined his great uncle’s law firm. Gabe believes he’s happy and pushes aside those moments of loneliness, of wishing for more. He strongly believes in the law, in justice, and obeying rules. Doing what’s right is fulfilling, isn’t it? Then why is he so fascinated with a circus fortuneteller who spins tales faster than a cowboy whirls his lariat?

Katie Worthington poses as Dorothy Duncan in a small-time circus. If she isn’t behind the scenes mending costumes or in the circus kitchen, she’s disguised as the fortuneteller, Maharani Shimza, Mystic of the East. Even so, she worries about being killed by the men pursuing her. She fears a brawl at her fortune telling tent that sends her into the Kincaid’s protective custody will end with her exposure and death. Then, a death at the circus implicates her. How can she escape when that attorney pops up every time she turns around?

Will Gabe and Katie let the sparks between them ignite into a passionate romance or will her secrets destroy their chance at a happily ever after?

 

BUY THE BOOK FROM

Amazon

 

About Caroline Clemmons

Caroline Clemmons is an Amazon bestselling author of historical and contemporary western romances whose books have garnered numerous awards. Her latest release is GABE KINCAID, book four of her popular Kincaid series. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, she has taught workshops on characterization, point of view, and layering a novel.

Caroline is a member of Romance Writers of America, Yellow Rose Romance Writers, From The Heart Romance Writers, and Hearts Through History Romance Writers. Her latest publications include the acclaimed historical Men of Stone Mountain series: BRAZOS BRIDE, HIGH STAKES BRIDE, and BLUEBONNET BRIDE and the audio book of BRAZOS BRIDE and HIGH STAKES BRIDE.

Caroline and her husband live in the heart of Texas cowboy country with their menagerie of rescued pets. Prior to writing full time, her jobs included stay-at-home mom (her favorite), secretary, newspaper reporter and featured columnist, assistant to the managing editor of a psychology journal, bookkeeper for the local tax assessor and—for a short and fun but unsuccessful time—an antique dealer. When she’s not indulging her passion for writing, Caroline enjoys reading, travel, antiquing, genealogy, painting, and getting together with friends.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

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Everyone is invited to a fabulous Facebook Launch Party called BAD BOYS AND COWBOYS for Caroline’s western historical romance, GABE KINCAID, and for Geri Foster’s romantic suspense, OUT OF THE PAST. They’ll have tons of fun, guest authors, and plenty of giveaways, plus a Rafflecopter for even more giveaways. The date is April 27th from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm Central Daylight Time.

 

 

Authors, want to see your book featured on Friday First Kiss? Find out how HERE.

The post Friday First Kiss #30 :: Gabe Kincaid (Kincaids Book Four) by Caroline Clemmons – Historical Western Romance appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

ManCandy Monday #26 :: Firemen

The weather is on another roller coaster as I went to bed with the A/C on and woke up freezing. Its now raining and cold and my fingers are near frozen! I don’t think anything short of a fire will help so I round up a few hunks to help incase it gets out of hand. Enjoy the EyeCandy!

The post ManCandy Monday #26 :: Firemen appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

I’m Blogging at Sweethearts of the West!

 

A few weeks ago, I made mention over on Facebook about a new monthly blogging spot I’d recieved. I was invited to join the ladies over at Sweethearts of the West, a co-op blog made up of 15 authors who write in the western romance genre. I jumped at the chance, naturally, and today is my first post over there. Its an introduction and a brief look into a hobby I don’t talk about much – Civil War Reenacting. I’ve highlighted on my period clothing and how the Willow Creek Series came about so head over there today and give the post a read. There’s plenty of pictures, even one of the hubby in his conferderate uniform.

I’ll be at Sweethearts of the West blogging on the 4th of every month but don’t wait until “my” day to visit. The other ladies there blog about the old west, the people who fill our history books and shaped our nation, and I’ve yet to read a post that didn’t teach me something I didn’t know.

So pop over and read my post, An Introduction, and an Invitation, to Willow Creek, Montana and be sure to comment and say Hi!

The post I’m Blogging at Sweethearts of the West! appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

Beach Bum

It is currently 27° outside but the sun is shining and the tempretures are ‘supposed’ to climb so… I’m doing what any sensible, “so-over winter” person would do…I’m running off to Myrtle Beach!

It’s a girl’s weekend out (we’re leaving the men-folk at home) so I’ll be chilling by a heated (indoor) pool with my mom, sister and niece until Sunday. I plan to work a bit too – or thats the plan – so I’m taking the MacBook Air along to remind me I have things to do besides lots of shopping, although, Boardwalk at the Beach will not be missed!

If you’re on Instagram follow me there as I’ll be posting pics from my weekend.

The post Beach Bum appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

Springtime in the Country Blog Hop #CowboyCharmBlogHops

 

Welcome to the Springtime in the Country Blog Hop! This hop is hosted by Cowboy Charm Blog Hops and will run March 20th – 25th.

The first signs of Spring have been popping up all over the place for a few weeks now and with tempretures in the 70′s, it hasn’t taken much to get me in the mood to ditch the coats and drag out the flip-flops! This weekend is promising highs in the 80′s and I can’t wait to get outside and enjoy some sunshine.

There are two prizes being offered for this hop. Please read the directions carefully to enter each drawing.

 



 

The 1st prize for this giveaway is “winner’s choice” of any eBook in my Willow Creek Series.
There will be 2 winner’s selected for this giveaway.

Travel back to the 1800′s and tangle with ornery town marshals, Indians and schoolmarms who are anything but docile. Willow Creek may be a sleepy little frontier town but the characters who live there are as untamed as the land itself!

 

How To Enter This Giveaway

1. Sign up for my Monthly Newsletter using the form below.

2. Mark the Rafflecopter form confirming your newsletter subscription.

3. If you’d like extra chances to win, feel free to do the additional tasks.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway



 

 

The second prize in this giveaway is being sponsered by Cowboy Charm Blog Hops, who is offering a $100.00 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card. To enter this giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for dropping by!
For more prizes, and more chances to win, click on any of the following blogs.

Comments must be approved before showing up. Its the only way I can keep the spammers out! I’ll get your posts up as soon as I recieve notification.

 





 

 

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ManCandy Monday #25 :: Summertime

We had tempertures in the 70′s again this past weekend, now, its cold and the forecast is calling for freezing rain and sleet, which I can NOW hear hitting the window. Really? Mother Nature is a touch ADHD this year, isn’t she. I’m ready for Spring and Summer, backyard BBQ’s, suntan lotion and salty sea air! And since the weather is so unagreeable, I’m bringing summer to the blog today. So enjoy the sandy beaches and the eyecandy!

Okay, this last guy has been seen here on the blog before but really…is he not worth a repeat?

Have a great week!

The post ManCandy Monday #25 :: Summertime appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

Want free eBooks?

 

I was contacted the other day about publishing my book The Lawman, on a website that host only FREE eBooks. I’d never heard of the site but I’ll be the first to say I was excited to learn about it! I may be a writer but I was a reader first, and like most readers….if its free, its for me!

Obooko.com offers free membership and has an extensive library of books in a multitude of genres. I haven’t had time to browse the site for long but I did bookmark it for later. Most books stay for a minimum of 60 days so if you see something you like, grab it while you can.

As I said, The Lawman is there, so if you haven’t read book 1 the Willow Creek Series, pick this one up. It’s a bestseller, climbing all the way to #21 on Barnes and Noble’s bestselling Nook charts back in March 2013 and hitting #2 on Amazon’s bestselling western chart. If you have read this one already, then tell your friends they can FIND THE LAWMAN HERE!

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