Sidda Lee Rain's Blog, page 27

Coming soon!

Hi All,

Sorry I’ve been so neglectful of this blog post. I keep forgetting about it until it’s way past time to post. My day is the 15th. Today is the 15th. I just remembered to post so here it is.

I have some great news!

I will be a part of the upcoming Kindle World of Ruth Cardello’s Lone Star Burn. My contribution to this world is a book called Lost Soul.

Blurb

Brock Callahan has spent the last fifteen years in federal prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Hardened beyond redemption, he heads back to Bard Texas to find the person who framed him only to run into the one woman he hasn’t been able to forget. Today, his world began to turn again.

Libby Reynolds loved and lost at the tender age of sixteen when the man of her dreams was tried and convicted of murder. Unable to believe he could ever hurt someone, she’s always held out the hope that someday he would come back to her. That day is today.

Can Brock and Libby find their way back to each other when the truth is revealed? Murder, lies, and broken hearts are the name of the game when the sun sets and the web of corruption is exposed.

 

This book should be coming soon as in like the end of the month, I believe. I don’t have a firm upload date yet though.

Stay tuned for more to come as I am also working on a book for Desiree Holt’s Kindle World Omega Team with a book called SEALed by Love.

I am also going to be writing something for Sable Hunter’s Hell Yeah Kindle World as well for later this year or early next year.

For now, thank you all for being so patient with me. I hope to see you all at a conference soon. I will be attending KallypsoCon in Casper, WY at the end of this month. Authors at the Opry in Nashville September 17, 2016 and Romcon in Denver at the end of September.

See you soon!

Sandy

e digital shelves today!

I can’t tell you how excited I am to be a part of Sable Hunter’s Hell Yeah! Kindle World. Not only does she have an outstanding, best selling series in Hell Yeah! but she also haas an incredible lineup of authors for this launch.

For my story, MAN OF MY HEART, I went back to my music industry roots with a hefty dose of Texas Hill country thrown in. While my hero may not be a cowboys he’s the next best thing, and my heroine is a country rock star. And, I’ve gone back to my romantic suspense roots, so come along for the ride.

Blurb:

Jasmine Grey is an up and coming country rock star, just completing a successful tour opening for a top country rock group. If only her bass player, Slick would leave her alone. When he attacks her the last night of the tour she is so shaken she retreats from everything and buys a home in the Texas Hill Country. She is still spooked, however, by memories of Slick and his vows of vengeance. Her cousin, Libby McCoy, Aron’s wife, insists she needs protection. Enter Caleb Branam, former Delta Force now an agent for The Omega Team. Caleb took himself off the active roster after a hostage rescue went wrong and members of his team were killed, but Aron manages to persuade him to take on the job of Jasmine’s bodyguard. As the days go by and she is writing music for her new album, the attraction between them grows more and more intense. When she returns to the road and Slick begins his campaign of harassment, it will be up to Caleb to stop it for good and for both of them to realize what they feel for each other is the real deal. But will they be able to?

Excerpt:

Caleb grumbled to himself as he drove down the two-lane country highway toward the address Carson Wagner had given him. He still couldn’t figure out how this happened so fast. Or how it even happened at all. One minute, he was happily miserable in his self-imposed isolation. He’d even learned to live without sex except for the occasional connection with his hand. The next, Aron McCoy had turned his life upside down. He’d thought it the fickle finger of fate they bumped into each other in Kerrville and nothing would do but they have coffee together. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Aron had managed to connect with him again on the one day he came into town to pick up stuff at the hardware store.

He’d been happy not having to talk to people. Be with people. He could wallow in his misery up in his isolated cabin and feel as sorry for himself as he wanted to. But that damn Aron had trekked up to his cabin, banged on his door, and told him to get himself cleaned up, he had a job for him. He should have flat out told the man no when the subject came up, but the man just wouldn’t take that for an answer anyway. He’d said yes to shut him up and get rid of him. He figured he could take the meeting, tell them he’d consider it, go home, call Aron, and tell him not no, but hell, no, and gone back to his misery.

So then how the hell did he find himself on this road driving to some rock star’s home?

A female rock star. He grunted. Okay, not a rock star. A country rock singer. What the fuck was the difference? He’d handled bodyguard detail for a couple of them while still on The Omega Team, and he hadn’t thought they were all that. One of them hadn’t been too bad, but the other was a real pain in his ass. Conceited, demanding, overdone on the makeup and lacking in the brains department. If this Jasmine Grey turned out to be like the latter, he’d be out of there so fast, his tires would be smoking.

“Take the next left and go one point four miles.”

The voice of his GPS had been giving him directions since he left the cabin, although he’d realized he hadn’t needed them. At least not much. His destination lay about five miles from where he lived.

“In point two miles turn left.”

The turn was just past where the road crossed over the Guadalupe River and took him along a narrow, winding road up, up, and up. He’d wondered what was way back here, and now he knew. Large plots of land with gorgeous homes, some large, some small. No sidewalks and— Wait! Someone riding a horse along the road?

Two more turns and he was at his destination—a big white house set way back from the road, with windows and a long porch across the front. As he followed the upper curve of the driveway, he looked out across the vista and saw the porch had a view covering miles of scenery, including the two giant hills called the Twin Sisters. He came to a stop in the parking area just to the right of the garage entrance. Aron’s truck was already there. Good. He’d promised to be there and he’d kept his word. No way did Caleb want to walk into this thing cold.

He climbed the porch steps, glad there were only three of them since his leg still didn’t work properly on stairs. He lifted a hand to ring the doorbell next to a double door, but Aron was already there, opening the door for him.

“Glad to see you made it, Ace.” He grinned and held out his hand.

“It’s not like you gave me a lot of choice,” he grumbled. The man had threatened to hogtie him and haul him bodily out of his cabin.

“Could you manage to get that scowl off your face before I introduce you to the client?”

“Client? I didn’t say yet I’d take the job.” Already, he got his back up.

“You will.” Aron grinned at him. “Come on inside.”

Caleb let his friend haul him into the house. He stepped into a huge room, like a family room, with living room, dining room, and kitchen all in one big space. Sunlight from the many windows cast a warm glow on the hardwood floor. But it wasn’t the room that made the big impression on him. It was the woman who came out from behind the island counter setting off the kitchen.

Sucker punched didn’t come close to how he felt.

He faced no snotty Miss Glitz. Quite the opposite. He guessed her to be about five foot eight, with auburn hair the color of fall leaves tied back in a neat ponytail. She wore not a stitch of makeup except something slick on her full lips, but, with her forest-green eyes, insanely thick lashes, and peaches-and-cream complexion, she didn’t need any. At least to his way of thinking.

Her simple green T-shirt fell just right across the slope of her breasts, and her jeans clung to her hips and long legs.

For the first time in more months than he cared to count, Caleb felt a stirring in his cock, a tingle in his balls. More than a year had passed since a woman appealed to him on any level. Now his body was going to get him into trouble when he least needed it to. He wanted to run his tongue over those full lips, maybe bite the lower one a little and swallow her tiny moan of pain.

He wanted to run his hands over that tempting body, cradle the breasts whose fullness the T-shirt hinted at. Stroke the silky-looking skin. Feel those legs wrapped around him while he buried himself in—

Fuck!

 

Release Day – TOMORROW! Hell Yeah!

Along with ten other authors, I’m releasing a new story tomorrow in Sable Hunter’s Hell Yeah! Kindle World.

What does this mean? It means you’ll see glimpses of Sables beloved characters from her Hell Yeah! books appearing in each of these new books.

In my story, Saddle and a Siren, which is book 3 of the Heroes in the Saddle Series, I’ve brought Ms. Pepper McCoy in for a visit all the way from Highlands Ranch. Here’s an excerpt of what Pepper is up to, (and you can read the whole first chapter on my website http://randialexander.com/books/saddle-and-a-siren/)

*~*~*~*

Excerpt from Saddle and a Siren:

The headlights of a fast-approaching car caught their attention, and one of the officers shone his flashlight toward it, waving it to warn the driver.

The low-slung vehicle slowed but still skidded a few feet when it stopped.

“Holy shit.” A firefighter wandered over to the blue, foreign sports car.

It was a custom-made model Clint had only seen on television and in magazines. Worth half a million, at least.

The car door opened, shining the interior light on the blonde woman behind the wheel.

“Oh, no.” Ms. Kally sat up straighter. “Is that…? How did she…?”

“Someone you know?” Clint watched a slender woman emerge from the driver’s door, her cutoff shorts, old T-shirt, and flip-flops incongruous with the pricey sports car. The woman’s long blonde hair flew as she looked around quickly.

“Pepper.” His patient called to the woman, who stormed toward Clint and Ms. Kally, securing her big red purse with a strap across her body.

“Damn it, Kally, you don’t just call a girl and say you were in a wreck and need help, then not say anything else.” Storming right up to Ms. Kally, the young woman gave her a quick hug and a brief full-body glance. “Anything broken?”

“I called you?” His patient squinted.

“Hmm.” Clint pulled his small flashlight from his chest pocket and clicked it on.

The newest arrival cocked her hip. “Oh great, now you’re going to get a flashlight shone in your eyes.” She looked at Clint. “I’m Pepper McCoy from out by Lake Buchanan. Kally called me, said her truck had been hit a few miles west of Wild Oak on the main highway through town, and would I mind coming and helping her with the cows.” The blonde widened her eyes at him. “She actually called them cows.”

“I did not.” Ms. Kally’s lips tightened, then went soft. “Did I really?”

Clint checked his patient’s pupils. Equal and dilated.

Ms. Pepper spoke to Clint. “She said to bring a gun.” The woman reached into her purse. “Because the men that had run into her were outside the truck cab.”

Clint looked at Ms. Pepper’s purse, her hand tucked inside it and presumably gripping a pistol. “Ah, ma’am, would you mind…?”

She removed her hand from her purse and held it up, flipping it back and forth to show that she wasn’t going to shoot anyone – not right then, anyway. “That’s when I called the sheriff, the fire department, and—”

“Oh, God.” Ms. Kally jerked forward and grabbed Ms. Pepper’s arm, smearing blood on it. “You didn’t call Norris, did you?”

“No. Hellfire.” The blonde looked offended. “I know the game we’re playing. I’m not stupid enough to rile him up.”

Ms. Kally released her and sat back, looking more worried than she had before the mention of this Norris guy.

Trying not to look too interested in the private conversation, Clint eased Ms. Kally back against the raised section of the stretcher and worked bandaging her cut as the two women spoke in coded language that made no sense to him.

“What’s with the new hair color?” Kally finally said something he understood. “I mean, it’s very pretty, but it was nice when it was brown, too.”

Pepper glanced at Clint, then away, shaking her head. “I did it for a man.” She held up a finger toward Ms. Kally. “And don’t ask.” They went back to speaking in code.

Clint finished bandaging her head. The cut would need stitches, but would wait until the hospital. He took the bloody cloth from her hand and dropped it in a red biohazard bag, cleaned the blood from her hand, and dropped the wipe into the bag along with his gloves.

The emergency crew kept an eye on the stabilized trailer, and someone reported that the first tow truck was three miles away.

Clint didn’t care to get involved in a patient’s business, but there was something no one was considering. “Ms. Kally?”

“Please just call me Kally.” Her blue gaze caught his again, and that strange zip ran wild inside him. “The Ms. thing is too formal.”

“Uh, Kally.” Her name felt almost too personal, too intimate. Clint cleared his throat. “Once your trailer is pulled up out of the ditch, it won’t be much use, not the way the hitch is bent.”

“Aw, shit.” Kally hefted out a long breath and looked at Pepper.

“Don’t look at me.” She gestured toward the fancy sports car. “That thing is not going to haul any cows.”

Kally frowned. “I didn’t think of that. I should have told you to bring a rig and a trailer.”

“Sister-girl.” Ms. Pepper crossed her arms. “The way you were blathering, I just wanted to get here and figure out what was wrong with you.” She looked toward the sports car. “That thing was sitting in the middle of our driveway with the keys in it, so…” The woman shrugged.

“So you stole a car? Perfect.” Kally dropped her head back onto the stretcher, flinching at the pain it had to have caused her left temple.

“It probably belongs to a lady friend of Philip’s.” Ms. Pepper shrugged. “Or maybe someone just visiting the ranch. I’m not sure—”

“Anyway…” Clint brought the conversation back to the current issue. “I’ve got two buddies who live close by. I can ask them each to bring a trailer.” Could he ask them to haul the cattle to wherever she lived? “Where are you from…Kally?”

“She’s from Santa Anna, but she can’t go home until she has the truck and trailer fixed, because her brother—”

“Pepper!” Kally nearly shouted the name. “Can we try to keep some of my personal life personal?”

*~*~*~*

Be sure to head to Sable’s Kindle World tomorrow and check out all the new stories we’ve written for you. I know you’ll have a fun time reading each and every one of them. https://kindleworlds.amazon.com/worlds

Catch the Hell Yeah! fever!

Randi

“Rode Hard and Put Up Satisfied”

RandiAlexander.com

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Winning the RITA with Sarah M. Anderson + prizes!

Hi everyone! SUPER EXCITING NEWS!

The Nanny Plan won the RITA® for Best Contemporary Novel: Short!! The RITA® is the Oscar of the Romance industry, handed out by the Romance Writers of America every year at their annual conference. This year was sunny San Diego! Here are some pictures!

The banner advertising the RITA® ceremony (Day one of the conference!)

With my dear friend, Blythe Gifford!

I WON! I gave a speech I barely remember and then Stacy said nice things about me.

Look at that. I won that!!!

At the ceremony–this is where I stopped breathing!

Team Anderson! Me, my amazing editor Stacy Boyd and my lovely assistant, Mel Jolly, at the Harlequin VIP Lounge

What do RITA® winners do the day after they win? They hit the beach!!

It was an amazing conference and I’m so very glad that everyone loves The Nanny Plan as much as I did. Here’s a link to the RWA Youtube video of my speech (and also better visuals of my dress). My category starts at 38:48 and goes for about six minutes or so. I quoted Kermit the Frog, so it’s worth watching!

To celebrate the conference and the RITA®, I’m giving away books! I got a bunch of books at the conference and have a whole stack of westerns, including brand new books from Melissa Cutler, Janette Kenny, Lindsey MacKenna, Nicole Helm, Maisey Yates and more! I’ll also include my upcoming release, Claimed by the Cowboy! It’ll be a potpourri of books! To enter, just leave a comment telling me about a special award you won.

Claimed by the Cowboy Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iBooks | Kobo | Powell’s | Indiebound | Google | Harlequin

Oh! Last month’s winner was Jackie Wisherd! Jackie, email me at message@sarahmanderson.com to claim your copy of NotMy1stRodeo.com!

HAVE A GREAT AUGUST, EVERYONE!  And stay cool! School starts soon!

The Final Circle Eight by Beth Williamson

Hey y’all, Beth Williamson here!

In case you missed my news, I’m proud as can be to announce the release of CIRCLE EIGHT: BENJAMIN in both ebook and print. This is the 8th and final book in the Graham family series. I put my heart and soul in this story – I struggled to find the right HEA for Benjy. He deserved much more than he was handed in his life so I set out to right that wrong. I’m hoping y’all agree I succeeded!

It wasn’t, however, an easy path. I hope y’all enjoy his story and getting to know Grace, the woman who yanks him back into life and her tragedy is the catalyst for everything that happens to them. She’s had a rough road of her own to travel. Now they’re going to travel together.

I’m including an excerpt below – links after that![image error]

****

Grace had spent the last year sleeping, eating, bathing, and riding alone. She thrived on that loneliness. It fed her fury and filled her empty belly. It kept her going day after day and night after night.

Now she was no longer alone and she wasn’t sure she liked it. No, she was sure she didn’t. Riding beside Ben Graham was disconcerting and uncomfortable. She kept glancing at him, as though he wasn’t supposed to be there. However the only reason he was there was because of her.

She’d forced him to help her by turning herself inside out and exposing the gaping wound in her heart. He knew her deepest secrets and she knew very little about him. That made the situation worse. It was as though she were naked and he fully clothed. The scar on her neck itched from the sweat that pooled at her collar. It only added to the misery of the situation.

Therefore, her mood couldn’t be worse. He didn’t speak or even acknowledge her presence as they rode, but his very presence annoyed her. It was nonsensical, but true.

Grace wasn’t a social creature by nature. She’d always gone her own way, no matter if no one else liked it or approved of it. That kind of behavior led her to little choice for a husband, not that Alfred wasn’t a good man. He ended up being the perfect mate for her because he’d respected her and let her be that odd duck.

Now he was gone and she was alone once more. Or she was until she convinced Ben Graham to help her. She was the one who had to adjust to not being alone, but then again, so did he. Two people who were desperate to shun company forced by circumstance to be together. That would’ve made her laugh at the absurdity of the situation if hadn’t been her cross to bear.

The sun was no more than an orange wink in the western horizon when she remembered she’d be spending the night with Ben. Every night. Until they found Henry at least.

Well, shit.

She didn’t want to spend the night with him. She wanted her privacy, and a stranger’s eyes on her wouldn’t allow her any time alone. During the year she spent living as a man, she still managed to keep herself separated from others. Now there was no choice.

Being with other people made her feel and brought her emotions to the surface. Control slipped through her fingers and she had to let it happen.

She started searching their surroundings for a likely place to spend the night. Regardless of whether she wanted to, they couldn’t continue in the dark or risk their horses.

The one thing she could do was find a safe place to sleep for the night. After spotting an ideal spot, she headed for the grassy spot under some trees. A large rock separated it from a larger open space, which would be a good wind block.

“Where the hell are you going?”

She didn’t slow her pace. “Setting up camp.”

“I thought you were in a hurry.”

She pulled her horse to a stop and dismounted without responding. The man must know they couldn’t proceed at night. He wasn’t an idiot. Or all least, she hoped he wasn’t. Given how smart his sister was, it seemed likely he was intelligent as well. Besides, Grace wasn’t used to telling anyone what she was doing or why.

She pulled the saddle off the gelding she now thought of as Swift. She grimaced at the idea that Ben had named the horse. She hadn’t given it a moniker because she assumed she wouldn’t have it for long. She didn’t want to get attached since nothing in her life had ever seemed permanent. Yet it’d been a year. Swift didn’t have the speed of the horse she’d lost when she raced and lost to Catherine Graham. Yet the gelding had heart and a gentle temperament.

She was rubbing down Swift when Ben spoke again. She’d heard him ride on, then ride back. She almost wanted to grin but it wasn’t really a victory. They would be spending the night together, the one thing she didn’t want. But she would endure. Grace was a survivor. There was much she could get through. Sleeping near this man was minor compared to other things she’d endured. She ran a finger along the scar on her neck.

Minor for certain.

“We could’ve ridden another hour.” His tone was accusatory.

She set the cloth down on the saddle and led the gelding to the very tiny creek that was barely more than a puddle. Swift lapped up the water with an enthusiastic horse sigh.

“Damn it.” He had more to say but it was under his breath and no more than a murmur. She didn’t want to hear it anyway.

Paladin nudged his way beside the other horse to drink. Grace was pushed in turn by Swift and landed on her behind. Hard. Her teeth clacked together, sending a sharp pain up into her skull.

She got to her feet and wiped off her trousers. Ben didn’t glance at her as he unsaddled his horse. Just as well; she didn’t need his concern. She’d disguised herself as a man for a year and not once did anyone offer to pick her up off the ground. Why would today be any different?

A small ache echoed through her lower back. Figured she’d hurt herself and would have to sit on a horse for days with a sore behind. Damn.

“I’ll get a fire started.”

A grunt was the only sign he acknowledged her words. With less than charitable thoughts about Ben Graham, she gathered kindling and set about constructing a small fire pit in the shelter of the large boulder. The winds were calm and it was ideal to build a small blaze.

Grace took some solace in the mundane task. She was proud of the skills she’d learned to take care of herself. There wasn’t anything she was hesitant to do, even if it meant bloodying her hands. She’d long since given up on feeling anything but hate, desperation, and revenge.

There wasn’t room for anything else.

“A fire isn’t a smart idea.” Ben dropped his saddle on the ground.

“It’s gonna be cool tonight, a taste of fall I think. We need hot food and coffee.” She dug into her saddlebags for the dented coffee pot. It had a leak right below the spout but she learned to pour out a little sideways, although she’d burned herself several times.

“I thought you were tough. Lived like a real man for a year.” Ben sat, crossing his ankles and leaning against the saddle. From three feet away, he was enormous. The shadows beneath the brim of his hat hid his expression.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t get cold.” She fed more kindling into the fire.

“You’re sending out a signal in the dark.”

She narrowed her gaze. “A signal to who?”

“Whoever is following us.”

Her heart slammed against her ribs. “No one is following us.” She resisted the urge to peer into the twilight. She had always been careful, almost too careful, and to her knowledge, no one had ever been able to track her.

He didn’t respond except to continue to spear her with an eerie gaze.

Keeping her outward calm, although her stomach danced with anxiety, Grace used a rock to crush coffee beans, then scooped them into the pot. As the fire grew larger, she got to her feet to scout for larger pieces of wood.

“Where are you going?”

She decided that the man chose to annoy her. To keep her off balance. She huffed an impatient breath and went about her task.

“Somebody has to gather wood for the fire.”

She stomped around in the dark, finding sticks and larger chunks of wood and filled her arms. She’d be damned if she let him tell her when to build camp or if she could have a fire. Grace was a grown woman who’d taken care of herself all her life. Ben didn’t need to worry about her or how she did things.

Grace returned with an armload of wood to find him kicking dirt on the fire. Anger ripped through her. How dare he?

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Get down and shut up.” He yanked her to the ground, spilling the wood everywhere. His hard body covered hers and pushed her into the loamy earth.

****

Ebooks:

Kindle: http://amzn.to/1PuGVh3

Nook: http://bit.ly/28Vz3WT

iBooks: http://apple.co/29fPajL

Kobo: http://bit.ly/28Xvft7

Kindle AU: http://amzn.to/28Xr2mf

Kindle UK: http://amzn.to/28Y2rMy

Kindle Canada: http://amzn.to/28YjrnT

ARe: http://bit.ly/29sZc4X

Google play: http://bit.ly/29J6b7s

Paperback:

Amazon paperback: http://amzn.to/2a3HF1b

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2aJHqqL

Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/6401031

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/291y0sa

Baby, It’s You (Contest)

Have you ordered your copy? Do you love Navy SEALs? Cowboys? Reunion stories? Well, if you do, Baby, It’s You should please you. I’ve included an excerpt below, just in case you’re waffling.

The story will release in the early morning hours on Friday. And yes, it’s every bit as sexy its cover. So, take the plunge. Have I ever steered you wrong?

Contest

Baby, It’s You is the 5th story in my Uncharted SEALs series. For a chance to win one of the four prequel stories in the series, answer me this…

Which do you prefer—Navy SEALs or Cowboys? And why?

Baby, It’s You

Carter Vance, Jr. stands at the fork in the road. Wounded in action, the Navy SEAL has a decision to make: whether to find work with a spec ops unit, or return to his family ranch in Texas and repair his fractured relationship with his dying father and the woman he wronged. Complicating the decision is his reignited attraction to Melanie Schaeffer and his confusion over his feelings for his dead brother’s little girl, whom Melanie has raised since his brother’s and her sister’s deaths by a terrorist’s bomb.

Get your copy now!

Read an excerpt

Carter walked into the house and had to remove his glasses due to the dimness inside. Nothing appeared to have changed, save for a new carpet atop the oak floors in the family room. He supposed his father had replaced the raggedy Navajo rug his mother had chosen due to Melanie’s influence. His father had always had a soft spot for women and girls.

Footsteps flew from the kitchen, so fast he tensed until he realized the person wasn’t some insurgent, but instead a slender little girl in blue jeans and boots. Emmy.

Carter didn’t want to feel it, but his chest filled with a sudden indrawn breath as he stared for the first time at the little girl with the red-gold curls. Daniel’s child. His now, by law. Despite his best effort to thwart his brother’s will by simply ignoring the lawyer’s letters.

Commander Callahan had stepped in and forced him to acknowledge his duty. And although he’d decided not to take her himself, Carter had changed his will, signed over his life insurance, and had payments removed from his checks to provide for her support although she hardly needed it.

Lastly, he’d assigned guardianship to Melanie Schaeffer, knowing he was giving the little girl her best chance.

Emmy stopped only a foot away and chewed on her bottom lip as she frowned up at him. “You the seffish bastard who won’ come see Gampa?”

“Emmy!” Melanie’s voice came from behind him as she hurried past to kneel beside the girl. “That’s not a word we use.”

“But Tildy said I was seffish for eatin’ all the snickerdoodles.”

“The B word, Emmy.” Melanie blew out a breath. “We don’t use that word.”

“But Unca Lee says it all the time.”

“Uncle Lee needs to be more careful with his words,” Melanie muttered. She lifted her gaze to Carter. “Sorry about that. This one hears everything and repeats it. Be warned.”

Carter couldn’t help freeing the grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Sounds like she’s a Vance, through and through.”

Melanie slowly rose to face him.

Without the shield of his sunglasses, he hoped his gaze didn’t give him away. She was still lovely, despite the white scar that trailed down one cheek. Her face was still rounded and youthful. Her curves every bit as lush as they’d been the first day they’d met. He felt a stirring in his groin and grimaced. “I should unpack,” he said, lifting his duffel bag.

“Sure,” she said, tucking a lock of thick red-gold hair behind her ear. Still flustered, she barely met his gaze.

Seeing her fingers freeze beside her ear, he knew she remembered how he’d tucked her hair there, right before he’d kissed her. Or was she pausing because she’d forgotten the hair hid the worst of the scar. His chest tightened.

“You should see your father,” she said softly.

“That’s why I’m here,” he said, knowing his tone had roughened. From sympathy for the pain she’d suffered. Not because her tone chided him to move along. His relationship with his father, or rather, the lack of, wasn’t her business. Dropping his gaze, he bent toward Emmy and reached out, lifting her small chin with a finger. “Good to meet you, Emmy.”

Her green eyes flashed, and a coy smile plumped her small doll’s mouth. “Nice to meet you, Unca Carter.”

As he walked away, he acknowledged the shard of pain that stabbed at his gut. He’d been an ass ignoring her existence. But that could change. If he took the job in Dallas, rather than return to his unit, they’d all have to put up with his regular visits.

He climbed the stairs, slower than he would have liked. The repaired ligaments surrounding his knee were still tender and would be for months. His knee worked well enough, but he hadn’t gone to therapy in a week, and stiffness was setting in. Once he reached the upstairs landing, he strode toward the door at the end—the master suite his father had shared with his mother.

The door opened. An older woman, her face lined, her hair iron-gray, and wearing scrubs exited, and her eyebrows rose. “Took your time,” she chided.

“Hey there, Miz Davis.” She’d been the school nurse when he’d attended middle school and had bandaged many of his scraped knuckles. “He awake?”

“I saw you come up the drive. He’s waiting.”

Carter set his duffel beside the door and entered. Stepping inside was like stepping into a museum. Every artifact carefully reflecting the era of Susan Vance. Her vanity still stood in front of the window with her mirrored tray filled with perfume bottles and a silver-backed hairbrush. Framed photographs, all featuring her smiling face, lined the dresser. While there were pictures of her with his father or his brother Daniel, not surprisingly, there wasn’t one featuring him. As he approached the bed, he hardened his jaw.

His father’s long frame dominated the king-sized four-poster. His eyes were closed, tubing stretched one ear to the other, stubs disappearing into his nose. God, he must hate that. Being seen like this. An invalid. Carter cleared his throat.

His father’s eyes slowly blinked open. “Didn’t think you’d come.”

The man spoke in a voice that wasn’t his. Too raspy, too frail. Carter didn’t want to feel pain, but he couldn’t help it. He lowered into the chair beside the bed. “Hi, Dad.”

His father’s gaze roamed his body, dipping down to his legs. “Heard you tussled with a roadside bomb.”

Carter let one side of his mouth slide upward in a wry grin. “Left a crater. Only tore up my knee. I think I won.”

His father’s grunt was familiar, if weak. “Can you still sit a horse?”

Carter narrowed his eyes. “Why? Will I be useless if I can’t?”

A frown deepened the wrinkles stretched across his forehead. “You liked riding. Would hate it if you lost that, too.”

The look he gave Carter said he understood what loss of mobility was like. Carter swallowed, not wanting to feel any sympathy for the old man, but his dad had always been a force of nature. He was thinner. Shockingly so. Now, he looked as though a breeze would blow him away. “You make it sound like I plan to stick around,” he said, his voice thicker than before.

Carter, Sr.’s blue gaze was as icy as ever. “Aren’t you?”

Before he answered, Carter glanced toward the window. “I’m considering job offers. Maybe one with an outfit in Dallas. I might still finish my last tour. If the docs will clear me.”

His dad’s gaze went to his knee again. “You end up in Dallas, you gonna be a weekend cowboy?”

Carter shook his head. “Won’t be weekends. But I would spend my downtime here. If I’m welcome.”

His father’s face turned away.

Carter thought he might have gone to sleep, and he shifted in his chair, preparing to rise.

“Man has a lot of time to think…when he’s stuck in a bed.”

Something Carter knew to be all too true. Sensing where the conversation might be heading, Carter tensed, his fingers digging into the faded flower upholstery covering the chair.

“I’m not sayin’ it wasn’t your fault,” his father said. “I’m sayin’…I forgive you.”

Carter squeezed his eyes shut. How long had he waited to hear those words? Spoken in a voice as raspy as fine sandpaper, his father’s statement didn’t give him the rush of relief he’d always dreamed about. Instead, anger flooded his veins. Remembering his dad was sick—he wasn’t about to upset him and have yet another death on his hands—Carter stood.

“Got someplace to be?” his father asked, turning his head slowly to lock his gaze with Carter’s.

“Anywhere but here,” Carter whispered, then turned on his heel a little too sharply and bit down hard to keep from groaning. With his dignity drawn tightly around him, he limped away. Stomping down the hallway, he nearly missed the sight of the slim body charging up the last steps.

Emmy glanced upward and gave him a smile. “Gampa wants a story.”

“You read?” he asked, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice. What was she? Four?

“Nah. But he likes my stories. ’Specially ones about me and the dragon.”

“You know a dragon?”

Her eyebrows lowered into a fiercely funny frown. “Don’t you know anything? Dragons aren’t real.” She jammed both hands on her hips.

He would have chuckled, but he sensed she’d be affronted, and he didn’t want her angry at him. A pang hit him square in the chest. He’d missed so much of her growing-up years. Done it purposely, but he hadn’t considered how he’d feel about the child. He’d also thought she was likely better off never knowing him. It wasn’t like he’d ever planned to leave the SEALs. Not until he was on the verge of being mustered out against his will.

But here he stood. Facing down a child who, despite her cherubic features, looked every inch a Vance with her stubborn stance and scowl. Daniel’s child. Not for the first time, he felt regret his brother would never have the chance to know her like this.

But he was here. Now. And perhaps, ready to take on the challenge.

Footsteps hurried up the stairs. He glanced beyond Emmy to Melanie as she climbed toward him. Another regret in a lovely package. He’d wronged her as well. “He’s awake. We spoke.”

“I take it that didn’t go well?” Her gaze was wary.

He shrugged. “Depends on your definition of well.”

A frown dug a line between her brows. “Whatever it is between the two of you, you need to get over yourself. You might not love him, but plenty of people inside this house do.”

A small hand tugged at the leg of his jeans. “You don’t love Gampa?”

Melanie arched a brow in warning.

He quickly smoothed his expression, knowing he had to be a little scary-looking to a child when he was angry. “Course I do, Emmy. But your Gampa and I haven’t seen each other in a while.”

She rocked back and forth on her boot heels. “I ain’t seen Petey Whitehead in a month. I might wanna punch him when I do.”

“Emmy…” Shaking her head, Melanie blew out a breath. “She spends too much time with Lee and the hands.”

Carter grunted. “She’s gonna inherit this place. It’s not a bad thing she’s got a bit of a bite.”

Melanie darted him a glance. “Dinner’s at six. Don’t be late. Tilda won’t like it.”

He narrowed his gaze. “Do not let her set my plate. She might spit in my food.”

Melanie shook her head and anger flashed in her green eyes. “Does every word have to be negative or sarcastic?”

“If ya can’t say somepin’ nice…” came a soft mutter from below.

Carter guessed he did deserve a lecture from a kid. “I’m sorry, Mel. I’ll do better.”

She stepped closer and tilted her head to meet his gaze. “This isn’t easy for anyone. We were doing fine. Emmy was happy. Things are about to change…again.”

Seeing the shimmer of tears in her eyes pitched his stomach to his toes. He didn’t know what to say, because every word that formed in his head would have been another unkind deflection. So, Carter did the only thing he could think of to escape her glossy, leaf-green eyes. He reached out one arm and pulled her against his chest.

For a moment, she stiffened, but then she gave him her weight, sagging against him. Her hands smoothed around his sides, and fingertips dug gently into his back as she returned the embrace.

And just as it had happened all those years ago, something settled into place inside Carter’s heart. He felt warmth. Yearning. He felt home.

GETTING TO KNOW VICTORIA VANE …

Hi Everyone! Last weekend I had a great time doing my first live Facebook video feed during an event called SUMMERFEST: Ask the Authors.  I talked about how I started writing, a little but about my sewing projects and took live questions. For those of you who don’t know me, I thought I would share my video posts which included this live Q&A.

PART ONE

PART TWO

I hope you enjoy the videos!

If you have not yet read any of my books, TWO TO WRANGLE, book #2 in my Smart & Sexy HOTEL RODEO series is currently on sale for $.99!

READ A PREVIEW:

 

GIVEAWAY: One e-book copy of HELL ON HEELS to a random commentor on my videos!

Cowboy Sale! Rhonda Lee Carver

Got kids? If you’re like me, this is an expensive time of the year as we get closer to school starting. That means one thing…new clothes! If your kids are anything like mine, they can do some damage at the mall in a matter of minutes. All I can hear is ch-ching…ch-ching…ch-ching! Over and over, like a mantra.Or a bad rap song. As parents, we’re in this together. I feel your pain. So, let me help you out. After shopping till you drop, you deserve to come home and be sent through a gateway into a fantasy where the cowboys are mighty fine and the cowgirls will make you want to slip into boots and Daisy Dukes. You deserve it. I’ve got you covered…

A gift for you…My Rhinestone Cowgirls Series is on sale. Each book is ONLY 99 cents. That’s right…ONLY 99 cents. 5 books/99c each. Two Days!

UNDER PRESSURE: Amazon US  UK  CA  AU

PRESSURE RISING: Amazon US  UK  CA  AU

PRESSURE POINT: Amazon US  UK  CA  AU

SECRET PRESSURE: Amazon US  UK  CA  AU

RESISTING PRESSURE: Amazon US  UK  CA  AU

EXCERPT from UNDER PRESSURE (Book #1)

Opening both eyes, he blinked the fuzziness away and lifted his head. His arms were stretched high above his head and his wrists ached. He darted a glimpse above him.

He was tied to the headboard. Acid gurgled in his stomach. “What the hell!” He gave his hands a jerk, but the rope held them tight. “Fuck!”

Jerking a glance around the room…there she was…sitting in the chair, her legs crossed and a look of satisfaction covering her pretty features.

“What the fuck is this?” Now he understood why Ms. Stone had been throwing herself at him. “Talk to me!” he demanded.

A sticky, tingly sensation brought his gaze lower and on his legs. He squinted. Both legs were covered with some sort of pink, glossy paper.  “And what in God’s creation are those?”

She got up, stood at the end of the bed, a smirk curving her lips. “Wax strips.”

“Get them off me and let me the hell out of this bed!” he snarled

“Are you sure you want me to help you with the strips?” One thin brow curved maliciously.

“Hell yeah!”

She reached down, grabbed the corner of one strip and pulled.

“Ow!” he squealed as a fire like none other raced through his leg. Clenching his teeth, he looked at her through narrowed gaze. “What the hell was that for?’

“You did ask me to help you. So I did.”

“I’m talking about all of this—the rope, the shit on my legs.” He forced a breath through tight lips.

Smugly, she crossed her arms. “This is a lesson earned.”

He popped up a brow. “A lesson? For what?” Bringing his gaze back to his rope twined wrists, he visually examined the headboard. The cord was wrapped around his wrists, fashioned through the five-inch gap into the wooden detail, then pulled back through and tied in a knot. From what he could see, and with another tug, it wasn’t a bad knot.

“I’m sorry, but I have plans so I must hurry. I won’t spend much time with my explanation. You played my sister. Therefore, I’m showing you what it’s like to be played.”

He perused his brain, trying to find a clue as to what she was referring too. He came up blank. This had to be a joke! “Lady, the only one of us who is a player and a manipulator is you.” Seeing a flicker of confusion, he chuckled. “Yes, that’s right, Jewels Stone.”

One brow snapped up and her hands clenched into fists. “So…so, you knew who I was all along?” Her lips thinned. Good thing she didn’t have a weapon, otherwise he’d be dead, he was certain.

“What? You don’t like being caught at your sordid game? Pot. Kettle. Black.” He gave his arms a jerk and the bed creaked.

She darted her glance to his bound wrists, but only a mere flash. “Don’t talk or I’ll have to get the tape and cover your mouth.”

Anger sliced through his gut. Damn, woman! He didn’t doubt for a minute that she’d do as she threatened.

With a cold glance in his direction, she bent and grabbed something. His jeans! She dipped her hand into the back pocket and withdrew his cell. Now what was she doing?

“Be thankful that I’m not cruel, otherwise I’d leave you tied up here until the cleaning lady came, and considering I rented this room for two days, that’d be a long time to stay bound to the bed. Imagine the laugh the employees here would have.”

“Letting me go would be the best decision you’ve made, before things got out of hand.”

“Are you threatening me?” She shook her head. “Tsk, Tsk.”

“You have a warped mind, don’t you?” Pulling himself up, he heard the wood crack and the springs pop. It wouldn’t take much pressure for him to break the bed, but he’d have no way of getting the rope undone. Apparently, she was thinking the same thing because her eyes widened.

“Let’s get this over with, shall we?” She came to stand beside the bed. “Who would you like to call to ask for help?”

“9-1-1,” he grumbled.

“And imagine the story you’d tell. You were sleeping so hard that a woman tied you to the bed and placed hot wax strips on your legs. That’d be another group finding the humor in this scenario. So, would you like to change your contact person?”

He hated it, but she was right. How the hell had he slept so soundly. He guessed after being awake for twenty-four hours, he had been tuckered. He’d have a hard time explaining how a big man like him was tied up by a woman who wasn’t even half his size. Some would probably think he was stupid for complaining.

Hell, he knew he wouldn’t bother with the police anyway. As peeved as she looked, he didn’t feel like his life was in danger.

“Call Clay Silver. He’s in my contacts.” She clicked through his phone. Thankfully, he didn’t have anything secret. Clay would also get a good laugh from this crazy shit. Usually, his buddy got into messes. A thought made his lungs cease. “Wait.”

She looked at him over the phone. “Change your mind again?”

“No. I want to know, what makes you think I’m the cowboy who played your sister?”

“Spark Ryder. You hang out at Two Step. And don’t even try suggesting that Spark isn’t your name. The bartender pointed you out and I looked at your driver’s license. Nice snapshot, by the way. I think I’ve seen some just like yours on the funniest ID pictures ever taken. Were you having a bad hair day? I also saw your age. I never would have thought my sister would find an older man attractive. Old enough to know better.” She rolled her eyes.

Every hair on his body lifted as realization broke through him. He wanted to laugh, but this was far from an amusing predicament. “I can explain. I’m not who you think I am.”

“Like I said, don’t say a word.” She reached down, grabbed one of the strips and ripped it off.

Spark considered himself a tough guy. He’d ridden five-hundred pound bulls who could toss a rider as easily as a paper doll. He’d served four years in the military, went through boot camp and dangerous conditions in the Middle East without blinking an eye. He could wrestle a cow with his bare hands. But never in his life had tears come to his eyes from physical pain. His rough and tough reputation was taking a hard hit. He doubted his ego would ever be the same—and he was an innocent man.

Knowing he could face the wrath of a waxing strip again, he needed to clear the air. “I’m not from around here. I’ve only been in town for less than two weeks—”

“Don’t waste my time.” Her hand moved over the phone and then she held it out. “It’s ringing.”

Hearing Clay pick up, Spark held Jewels’ gaze. “I need you to come get me. The motel down the road from Two Step. Room 250. And pal, you’re dead meat.”

Have you grabbed The Discreet Cowboy (#6, Cowboys of Nirvana)?

What reviewers are saying…

“The Discreet Cowboy by Rhonda Lee Carver….I love Nirvana….Hot Cowboys and a place of paradise, where you can find the Cowboy of your dreams. This book is Dade’s story a young hot Cowboy that was injured and trying to recover, so he becomes a babysitter to the bosses sister Felicia. Felicia is the forbidden fruit, do not mess with your bosses sister. I absolutely loved this story, Rhonda Lee Carver is one of my all time favorite authors. I highly suggest reading this book or any book by her, she is an amazing storyteller.”–reviewer

“This book has just sealed the deal for me!!! I was already a huge fan of this series and this author to begin with and then after this book, she just wrapped it up and tied a big fat bow on it for me!!! I was totally surprised by the turns that this book took and I am so looking forward to more books coming from Nirvana because it is definitely one of my favorite places to visit, in my head and in my heart!!!”–reviewer

“You know it is going to be a really good book when you are laughing on the very first page. Even though this is not a comedy but a romance, the first few times Dade and Felicia meet up face to face, their actions and conversations are hilarious. The lake scene was sexy and sooo funny and also the bar scene and their first “attempt” at sex: “Forbidden” because of Chase being Dade’s boss and Felicia’s brother. But OMG, when they finally have sex for the first time, can we say “Spontaneous Combustion”!! And it doesn’t stop with that one time, it gets even hotter than that. I absolutely love the Nirvana series and Dade and Felicia’s story was sooo good. If you want to find out how this ends for them, just get the book and read it for yourself, you won’t be disappointed. Heck, go back to the first book and get them all.”–reviewer

Buy here

 

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Wild Card – Mari Carr

Wild Card released this month, which means the final chapters in the Boys of Fall series are here. Be sure to look for Cari Quinn’s Going Hard and Erin Nicholas’ Full Coverage – also available!

Boys of Fall, book 3

It’s been a tough year for Lorelie. Following her dad’s heart attack, she put her own life on hold, terrified of losing the most important person in her life. As her father’s health improves, Lorelie struggles to find her way back to life as normal. Her girlfriends insist the answer is simple. Get laid.

Enter Glen Rodgers, Wade’s former band mate. He met Lorelie briefly at a party she’d hosted for her dad and the woman made a lasting impression. When he returns several months later, intent on taking a break from his own screwed up life, it’s obvious Lorelie is just the cure for his blues.

Both determined to kick-start their stalled lives, they rev things up…in bed, the hayloft, the backseat of her car. Unfortunately, reality interferes, leaving them no choice but to show their hands, forcing them to decide if they should fold…

Or go for broke and play the wild card.

Excerpt:

“How many of those former football players are in here?” he asked.

Lorelie scanned the room and he could see her doing a mental count. “I see five. The usual suspects.”

“The guy with Tucker and Jackson?”

Lorelie shook her head. “No. Nolan didn’t play on the team. He wrote for the school newspaper. Actually, he’s in town right now working on a book about my dad.”

“And what do you think they’d do if I kissed you right now?”

A seductive smile appeared. “I don’t have a clue, but the suspense is killing me. Should we give it a try?”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as she turned to face him. “Lori.”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t give a shit about those guys. I’m kissing you because I can’t stop myself.”

She reached up to touch his cheek. It was rough from a day’s worth of growth. He was suddenly sorry he hadn’t taken a second to shave again.

They both moved forward and met in the middle. He liked that. Liked that she wanted this as much as he did. His lips touched hers softly at first. She tasted sweet and smelled like sunshine. He didn’t have a clue what sunshine actually smelled like, but she was it. Fresh air and heat and a mountain lake—all rolled into one.

Her hand remained on his face, the touch as potent as the kiss. He tilted his head slightly, pressing her mouth open with his. Her tongue was there, stroking his, driving them out of the “sweet” range and straight into “sin city” in seconds. He tightened his grip on her shoulders with one arm while his other hand cupped her cheek. Her skin was as silky soft as her hair. The woman was the epitome of sensual perfection.

After a minute or two, Lorelie broke away.

He scowled.

“Gotta breathe,” she said, placing one, then two more quick kisses on his lips.

It took Glen a few minutes to catch his bearings, to recall he was in a crowded bar with loud music and laughter, surrounded by Lorelie’s friends. All those things had faded away when he’d kissed her, leaving only the two of them in a silent world where nothing else existed. He wanted to go back there.

“Lori,” Glen whispered. His head was spinning, everything except her face blurry, gray.

“I…” she started, licking her lips. “That…”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah.”

She blinked rapidly as if trying to regain her own focus. “I’m a little rusty.”

He chuckled. “God help me when you get your sea legs back then, because that kiss rocked my world.”

She smiled and flushed slightly at his compliment. “It’s been a long time since I’ve kissed a guy. I don’t remember it ever feeling so…overwhelming.”

“That’s a good word for it. You keep talking about your lack of dates and as always, I find it hard to believe there’s not a row of guys from here to the next state waiting to ask you out. No matter how deep the defensive line of football players around you.”

He meant his words as a joke, but Lorelie sobered. “Sort of lost track of myself after my dad’s heart attack. It’s taking me a little time to bounce back.”

Glen recalled his first impression of Lorelie back in October. “Caged bird,” he murmured.

She frowned. “What?”

“First time we met, I thought you looked like a caged bird.”

Lorelie considered his description. “That’s not too far from the truth. Let’s just say my dancing shoes are dusty from lack of use. I was there the night my dad had his heart attack. To say it scared me shitless is an understatement. For months, I never strayed far from home because I was afraid it would happen again and I wouldn’t be there to save him.”

“Where’s your mom?” It was a personal question, but the more he learned about Lorelie, the more he wanted to know.

“Died when I was born. Dad raised me on his own. He’s all I have.”

His chest tightened as he thought about the stress Lorelie had been under since last June. Wade had called him shortly after finding out about Coach’s heart attack. Told him he was going back home. At the time, Glen thought Wade was a fool for leaving Nashville and he’d banked on his friend coming back. Even though they hadn’t toured together for a couple years prior to that, the two of them had found plenty of opportunities to meet for drinks at the bar and talk shop. Then Wade reconnected with Charlene in Quinn and stayed gone. Glen had missed him.

“He’s doing better though, right?” Glen asked, recalling the conversation about Coach’s doctor’s appointment.

“Oh yeah. He’s on the mend. Has been for a while.”

“But you’re still worried.”

She nodded. “That’s not going to go away. Ever. I know that. I just need to find a way to deal with it.”

“Sounds to me like you need to let go. Have some fun.”

Lorelie gave him the sexiest grin he’d ever had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of. “My friends suggested I get laid. But your idea sounds okay too.”

He cleared a throat that had suddenly gone tight. “I think you should listen to your friends. They know you better than I do.”

Lorelie laughed loudly. “Wanna help me shake off some of this rust?”

Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo

Cowboy Eye Candy

July went fast for me.  I’ve been on deadline, and there’s light at the end of the tunnel.  It will teach me not to book myself so tightly.

So I thought I’d share – this is my cowboy hero for the book I’m on deadline for.  If the publishers buys it I’ll be happy to have another cowboy book out there.

I did release Claimed by the Sheikh earlier this month, click on the title to check it out.

Have a great day!!!!