Babs Hightower's Blog, page 110
March 16, 2015
Release day for Shade by Jamie Begley & Giveaway
Enter to Win a
$25.00 Amazon eGift Card
Want, need, pain, and joy were emotions Shade had never known existed before Lily. He knew the first time he saw her face that she was going to change his life forever. The thing he hadn’t expected was how hard it would be to hide who and what he was from her. Each step he took out of the shadows revealed more of himself, until only one secret remained. Shade arrogantly believed he could help heal the wounds from her past, but now it was his own past that was trying to tear them apart. To keep Lily, Shade would have to use the very skills he had been trying to hide from her. The skills that made him a killer … a soulless monster.
Find Jamie’s Books Here
Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo
“I was born in a small town in Kentucky. My family began poor, but worked their way to owning a restaurant. My mother was one of the best cooks I have ever known, and she instilled in all her children the value of hard work, and education.
Taking after my mother, I’ve always love to cook, and became pretty good if I do say so myself. I love to experiment and my unfortunate family has suffered through many. They now have learned to steer clear of those dishes. I absolutely love the holidays and my family puts up with my zany decorations.
For now, my days are spent writing, writing, and writing. I have two children who both graduated this year from college. My daughter does my book covers, and my son just tries not to blush when someone asks him about my books.
Currently I am writing five series of books- The Last Riders, The VIP Room, Predators MC, Biker Bitches, and The Dark Souls.
All my books are written for one purpose- the enjoyment others find in them, and the expectations of my fans that inspire me to give it my best.”
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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The Assassin Series by Tara Crescent- Cover Reveal
The Assassin’s Revenge series by Tara Crescent
COVER REVEAL
March 16, 2015
I have a mission. Kill the man who kidnapped me. Kill the guards who raped me. I have guns and knives and I’m not afraid to use them. Nothing will stop me.
Then I walk into a bar and I notice him. He is gorgeous.
For four long years, my only response to anything sexual has been revulsion and fear. This time, it feels different.
I could use him. I want to use him. I could sleep with him and make a pleasurable memory as a counterpoint to the painful ones. I’m not a frightened young girl anymore. I’m a trained assassin, capable of killing him with my bare hands. This time, I’ll be in control.
He’s just supposed to be a distraction, this mysterious man in the bar that I have a one-night stand with. But I can’t predict the secrets he is hiding… secrets that are about to intersect my world in painful, unanticipated, and dangerous ways.
~*~ABOUT TARA CRESCENT~*~
Hello, I’m Tara Crescent. I’ve always fantasized about being a mysterious spy, leading a secret double-life, and now, I find that that’s come true!
Sort of.
By day, I’m a mild-mannered corporate drone in Toronto, but by night, I’m limited only by my imagination; I sit, and I type, and I am a daring writer of BDSM, erotica and romance.
In my spare time, I write of course. I also read, garden, travel, cook, and almost never clean. I just started watching Walking Dead on Netflix (zombie erotica, anyone?), and I’m impatiently awaiting the next episode of Doctor Who. (I would kill for a TARDIS.)
I’ve scribbled bits and pieces all my life, chiefly inspired by what I’m reading, which tends to be mainly science-fiction and fantasy, with a healthy sprinkling of romance and erotica thrown in.
The post The Assassin Series by Tara Crescent- Cover Reveal appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
March 15, 2015
Release day for Vincent by Sarah Brianne & Giveaway
Enter to Win a
$25.00 Amazon eGift Card
Vincent
knows the glamorous side of the Mafia, being born a soldier.
Lake
lives on the opposite side of the tracks, born the daughter of a soldier.
The
light and dark side of him are at constant war, but he is letting his darkness
reign.
She
is trying to find peace, and she will soon be far enough away to find it.
Discovering
that his boss owns her, showed him how little he knew her.
Knowing
all about him only makes her want to hate him.
I’m a fu**ing made man.
I’m just fu**ing trailer trash.
Buy Sarah’s Book’s Here
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Hey! My name is Sarah Brianne and after living for twenty-two years the characters in my head told me enough was enough and I have finally put pen to paper (or is it finger to keyboard?) to tell their stories. Since I was a little girl I have watched every chick flick I could get my hands on, then when I became older I discovered a whole new world of romance novels. To me there is nothing better then a tale of true love and those are the stories that have inspired me to write. Like everything else in my life I have put my own spin on two lovers destined to be together.
Next to my books my prized possession are my two beautiful fur babies, Kalypso and Khaleesi. I know what you’re thinking, do you pack them in your purse? Yep, right next to my kindle.
Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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March 14, 2015
GRAND FINALE BLITZ: Rough Edges by Kimberly Krey
On tour with Pristm Book Tours.
It’s the Grand Finale for THE SWEET ROMANCE TOUR:
Rough Edges
By Kimberly Krey
Did you miss any of the sweet EXCLUSIVE CONTENT from this tour?
If you did, go back and learn more about this book and series now!
Brooke Blogs – Excerpt
Their eyes met once more, and a shot of heat flooded his chest like a liquid bolt of lightening, forcing his pulse to rush. “I’ve missed you,” he blurted.
Her eyes widened in response, and Braden wondered if he’d been too bold. He’d hardly meant to speak it. It’d been more of a thought. A longing, really.
Pieces of Whimsy – Braden’s Workshop
I thought it might be fun to take a look at Braden’s workshop, or at least the way I picture it…
(Photo Details ID 11628233 © Gleb Semenov | Dreamstime.com http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo...)
Beck Valley Books – The Second Chances Series
Now for a peek into the rest of the Second Chances Series:
Rough Edges
(Second Chances #1)
by Kimberly Krey
Paperbook & ebook, 322 Pages
January 23rd 2015
Rough Edges starts off my newest series, Second Chances – a companion to the Sweet Montana Bride series. Featuring some of the characters you know and love, this series will give Allie, Logan, and a new character, Bree, (you’ll meet her in Allie’s story) a second chance at romance. If you haven’t read the Sweet Montana Bride series, no worries. This series, as well as each book within, will stand alone just fine. Now for a bit about the book.
Divorced mother, Allie Emerson, never imagined she’d be raising two teenage girls on her own. Between parenting and paying the bills, she hasn’t even thought about meeting a man. That changes once she hears local carpenter, Braden Fox, is in need of a secretary. Back in high school, Allie had done all she could to deny the sparks burning between her and Braden; but would the chemistry still be there after all this time?
Braden has heard all about what Terrance did to Allie and the girls. He’s been planning to stop by and see how she’s getting along, but Allie beats him to it by showing up at his shop in search of a job. Her unexpected visit reignites the old flame Braden used to torch for her; trouble is, old feelings of resentment return as well. Allie did choose Terrance over him, after all. And as much as Braden wants Allie in his life, he’s not sure he can open his heart to her again.
With a second chance at romance, will the bumps in their relationship be too much to get over, or will this carpenter learn to smooth out the past?
Allie Emerson gets her happy ending at last in my new release, Rough Edges, available now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
About Kimberly Krey
Writing Romance That’s Clean Without Losing the Steam!
I’m a reader of good, clean romance, a lover of family time and Diet Coke, and the ultimate hater of laundry.
I’m not patient enough to enjoy yoga, or tall enough to be great at basketball, but I do love to run – anywhere but on a treadmill. I love the sound of a rainstorm when I have no place to go, the feel of Soft Lips chap Stick on my lips, and the first peek of blue water as we round the mountains toward our favorite getaway in Bear Lake.
Website – Blog – Facebook – Twitter
Tour Giveaway
To celebrate the release of Rough Edges, the author is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to one winner, and a paperback of Rough Edges to another. Good luck, all!
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Jane Ashford Married to a Perfect Stranger – Newlyweds Spotlight + Giveaway
Title: Married to a Perfect Stranger
Author: Jane Ashford
Publication Date: March 3rd, 2015
ISBN: 9781492601906
Time and distance have changed them both…
Quiet and obliging, Mary Fleming and John Bexley marry to please their families and John immediately leaves on a two-year diplomatic mission. Now John is back, and everything they thought they knew about each other was wrong…
It’s disconcerting, irritating—and somehow all very exciting…
Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was captivated by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. Her romances have been published all over the world. Jane has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews. She lives in Los Angeles, California.
Rafflecoptor Giveaway Link:
***
Today we are pleased to sit down with John and Mary Bexley, the protagonists from Jane Ashford’s Married to a Perfect Stranger (March 2015). From February 23rd through March 20th the Bexleys will be answering questions about their relationship at each stop in their tour!
If you had a hundred pounds you could spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy?
John: There’s a framed map of China at a bookseller’s…
Mary: Can’t we get it for you?
John: Too much. And there were those silver candlesticks you wanted.
Mary: We have perfectly serviceable candlesticks.
John: (smiles) But not a hundred pounds to spare.
An Excerpt
John Bexley reined in his hired horse on a slight rise and gazed down at the red brick manor, somnolent under the August sun. Eager as he was to get to London, he’d felt he must detour west into Somerset to fetch Mary. Her family’s decision to put her under the care of a great-aunt while he was away just showed he was right to fear that such a shy, quiet girl couldn’t arrange a journey on her own. And now that he was here, the sight of this place soothed him; it looked the very essence of English country comfort and peace.
John’s knock was answered by an aged butler. He gave his name, stepped in, and inhaled the familiar scents of beeswax polish and potpourri. The place reminded him of his own home farther north. Golden light pooled on the wooden floor and gleamed on the stair rail. In the rooms on either side of the entry, the furnishings were classic and inviting. Mary had certainly had a beautiful and serene spot in which to wait for him. “Mary’s husband,” he added when it seemed as if the old man didn’t know what to do with him. “I believe I am expected.”
“Yes, si…”
A filthy, hysterical chicken shot through the rear door of the dining parlor on his left, skidded in a turn around the table, and raced past him, neck extended, screeching, flapping its mottled wings. A little boy slathered with mud came racing after it, careened off the doorjamb, and staggered across the entryway, leaving streaks and globs of dirt in his wake. The old butler stiffened in horror.
The bird hopped across a flowered sofa in the front parlor, stitching it with muddy tracks, circled the delicate carpet, and looped back toward John. The boy in pursuit slipped, fell, jumped up, and turned to follow. He flapped muddy hands at the fowl in an inept attempt to trap it.
What seemed like a herd of adults jostled into the dining parlor, then surged forward. “Arthur!” snapped a young woman, her voice crackling with authority.
“It isn’t my fault,” the boy shouted over the wild squawking. “I pulled her from the mire. Fox was after her. I never shot her or nothing.”
As the crazed chicken surged past him, John bent, reached, and snatched hold of its legs. When he straightened, he held the muddy bird upside down, at arm’s length, well away from his clothing. It flapped and protested; flakes of dirt dropped to the floor.
“Good!” said the managing female, striding from the dining room into the hall. “Take it from him, Alice, and put it outside at once.”
The middle-aged maid jumped to obey like a subaltern responding to a commanding general. The butler relaxed. The boy stood to attention. “It wasn’t me, I swear,” he repeated. “I rescued ’er. I killed three rats as well. Would have been four, but I…”
“Very well, Arthur,” the woman replied. “Go now and get cleaned up.”
The boy finally noticed the mud sliding from his clothes to the polished floor. His face shifted from defensive to horrified, and he slunk out. In the same moment, John realized that the woman with a voice like a sergeant major was his meek little sparrow of a wife.
Buy Links:
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March 13, 2015
Cover reveal Samantha’s Secret by Betty Bolie & Giveaway
Samantha’s Secret
by Betty Bolté
Series: A More Perfect Union, #3
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: April 21, 2015
Midwife and healer, Samantha McAlester returns from the front lines to find Charles Towne under British siege and the town’s new doctor at war with its citizens.
Dr. Trent Cunningham intends to build a hospital staffed solely with educated doctors. What he doesn’t need is a raven-haired charlatan spooning out herbs and false promises to his patients, while tempting him at every turn.
Then a mutual friend develops a mysterious infection. Trenton is stumped. Samantha suspects the cure but knows treatment will expose her long-guarded secret, risking all she holds dear… including Trenton.
“My darling, you look beautiful this evening.” Samantha’s father stopped before her and glanced at her mother. “Don’t you agree?”
“Yes, of course.” Cynthia sipped her wine, cutting off any further comment she may have made.
“Thank you. I’m so pleased that the weather cooperated so we could enjoy the garden tonight.” Samantha let her gaze roam the mingling crowd. “Another week and it will be too chilly to entertain out of doors.”
“Indeed, indeed.” Aaron’s smile faded as he scanned the area, finally focusing on the two-story home. “This house has served us well for many years. It would be hard to find another as fine.”
Samantha darted a look at her father, then noted her mother’s harsh glance and quick squeeze of his arm. “It is a good thing, then, that won’t be necessary. The British will pull out ere long and the town can return to normal.”
“How is Evelyn?” Cynthia asked, abruptly changing the subject. “Pray tell me she is not still crying over that man.”
“It is to be expected she’d grieve the death of the father of her child,” Samantha said, shaking her head, “even if he did treat her abysmally in the end. At one time, she must have felt something for him.”
“Ah, you’re being sought out.” Aaron motioned for her to precede him down the path. “Time for your annual salute. Are you ready?”
She nodded, aware of a sense of relief emanating from her parents, and made her way down the path, her shoes crunching the shells with each step.
Benjamin handed her a flute of sparkling wine when she reached the group of people gathered by the banquet table. She frowned, worry blooming inside. His mouth was pinched as though he fought pain. Not surprising after receiving a gunshot wound to the shoulder that morning when he fought off the last of the renegades with a little help from Amy. She peered closer.
“Benjamin, are you feeling well?” Samantha studied his expression.
“I’m fine, a touch tired after the day’s exertions.” He wiped his hand down his dove gray evening coat then raised his gaze to look over Samantha’s head. “You made it!”
She turned to see who Benjamin greeted and froze, her flute trembling in her fingers, the liquid sloshing within the fragile crystal. Dr. Trenton Cunningham. His sandy blond hair waved back from his open expression, his crystal blue eyes echoing the wide smile revealing even white teeth. Broad shoulders filled the dark blue evening coat he wore, a canary yellow cravat neatly tied at his throat and tucked into an elaborately embroidered waistcoat. Creamy breeches and black leather boots completed his attire. Despite the formality of his clothes, Dr. Trent appeared as though he’d recently arrived on board a ship from some distant port. Fresh and windblown and ready for adventure.
Trent was a gorgeous man, strong and clever, and extraordinarily dangerous to her sense of wellbeing. Her breath hitched and she forced herself to remain still, appear calm, even as her heart raced. This feeling of imbalance and rushing emotions had never happened to her before.
She turned back to face the remaining guests, and raised her glass.
“My friends, we gather this evening as in years past to rejoice in the bounty we’ve realized this year. As our country begins to define our government and create a new society, consider the wise words from the lauded Anna Bradstreet, some called the Tenth Muse back in her day, in her wonderful Meditations, Divine and Moral.”
Trent locked eyes with her, disconcerting her already roiling thoughts. She took a breath and smiled at the gathering.
“She reminded us that, ‘Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish.’ Pray keep this thought in mind as the year draws to a close and we face new challenges. Our governor and other state leaders will need our support and God’s guidance.”
Glasses clinked all around her to the accompaniment of “Huzza! Huzza!”
She sipped her wine, the cheer of the moment echoing inside her heart. Scanning the crowd, she watched as others mimicked her actions. All but two of her guests anyway. A chill froze her smile into place.
Book 1: Emily’s Vow
Book 2: Amy’s Choice
Betty Bolté writes both historical and contemporary stories featuring strong, loving women and brave, compassionate men. No matter whether the stories are set in the past or the present, she loves to include a touch of the paranormal. In addition to her romantic fiction, she’s the author of several nonfiction books and earned a Master’s in English in 2008. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Historical Novel Society, the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and the Authors Guild. Get to know her at www.bettybolte.com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Cowboy Heaven by Cheryl Brooks, Giveaway & Review
Howdy! In honor of the launch of Cheryl Brooks’ new erotic western series here’s a little intro to a few of the sexy cowboys – and one cowgirl – that appear in the first book in the series, COWBOY HEAVEN.
Angela McClure
Born and raised on a Wyoming cattle ranch, Angela Kincaid McClure had to grow up fast following the death of her mother at a young age. An only child, she has been the lone woman on the Circle Bar K for most of her life, and her father has always discouraged fraternization with the cowboys employed on the ranch. Angela married her high school sweetheart, Cody McClure, and enjoyed a very happy marriage, raising two sons who have no interest in ranching. With her father aging rapidly, Angela and Cody took over the running of the ranch until Cody was killed in a fall from his horse. Recovering from his loss has taken some time, but after two years, Angela’s interest is once again focused on male companionship. Unfortunately, no one seems the slightest bit interested in taking on her forty-two-year-old self or the ranch. Her father believes she should marry the ranch foreman, Rufus Bentley, but though Angela had a crush on him in her youth and the sixty-year-old foreman is still attractive, his total lack of personality and stern attitude leaves her cold. She’s had her eye on Dusty Jackson, a handsome cowboy employed on the ranch, but she has never received the slightest hint that he might see her as a love interest. Love-starved and lonely, Angela finally finds solace when she picks up stranded rodeo cowboy Troy Whitmore and makes him an offer he can’t refuse.
Dusty Jackson
Born Dustin David Jackson on a ranch in eastern Wyoming, Dusty has never been anything but a cowboy. Something of a loner, after graduating high school, he drifted from ranch to ranch, eventually ending up on the Circle Bar K. He likes the people he works with but there are other reasons for staying on, and just as many reasons to leave. Blessed with good looks and a ready wit, he’s more than a match for the men he works alongside, but when he’s around Angela McClure, words fail him. He knows exactly what he wants, but he also knows that once he takes that first step, there will be no turning back.
Troy Whitmore
Troy Whitmore was born and raised on a ranch in western Oklahoma. He could ride almost before he could walk and was winning prizes at the junior rodeos by the age of six. Too handsome for his own good, women have always been plentiful, but with a tendency to hop from woman to woman and live just a teensy bit beyond his means, by the age of thirty, he needs a woman with enough money to sponsor his rodeo career. When his last “sponsor” dumps him on the side of the highway while en route to the rodeo in Jackson Hole, he’s picked up by Angela McClure, a forty-something widow with an eye for a handsome cowboy and an imagination that fills in where reality leaves off. He’s more than willing to add the perk of sex with the boss to his new job on Angela’s ranch, but soon discovers that the rodeo circuit isn’t the only place where he faces some stiff competition.
What is your favorite color?
Angela: Blue—the kind of turquoise blue on the horizon at sunset.
Dusty: Purple
Troy: Green
Cowboy Heaven
By Cheryl Brooks
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Erotic Western Romance
March 3, 2015
ISBN: 9781492607458
Trade Paperback $13.99
Buy: Amazon | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | Kobo
When you find yourself in cowboy heaven…
When lonely widow Angela McClure hires a gorgeous hitchhiking cowboy with an affair in mind, she knows they’ll have to be discreet: her old-fashioned father and the stern ranch foreman adamantly discourage any interaction between her and the ranch hands.
Things can get hot as hell…
Despite their attempts at secrecy, the heat between them is undeniable. To divert suspicion, Angela forms a new plan: she’ll flirt with all of the ranch hands. Suddenly Angela has a whole stable full of sexy-as-sin cowboys to play with, but only one can win her heart.
Cheryl Brooks is a former critical care nurse turned romance writer. Her Cat Star Chronicles series includes Slave, Warrior, Rogue, Outcast, Fugitive, Hero, Virgin, Stud, Wildcat, and the newest release, Rebel. She is a member of the RWA and IRWA and lives with her husband and sons near Bloomfield, Indiana.
Connect with Cheryl Brooks: Facebook | Twitter | Website
My thoughts:
Let me just say how much this book rocks. I did not want it to end. The pages were turning to fast it was like a whirlwind reading it. I loved it.
Angela and her boy toy Troy are cute she picks him up and learns his girlfriend has drove off from the last Rodeo with out him. On the ride towards her home she has all kinds of hot day dreams and wants them to come true.
Little does Angela know Dusty her foreman likes her as well and does not like Troy coming around. Sparks start to happen for everyone and what will happen with the boy toy?
Lovely read enjoyed it and can will be reading other books.
Praise for Cheryl Brooks:
“Really sexy. Sizzling kind of sexy. Honestly, only Cheryl Brooks can deliver a line like, ‘I can give you joy unlike any you have ever known’ and make you want to melt.”
—Bitten by Books
“Ms. Brooks delivers plenty of sexual tension, suspense, and pleasure in simply being alive.”
—Romance Junkies
“Incredibly sexy and wonderful to read all around.”
—Night Owl Romance
“Fun…unique…and wicked sexy! Cheryl Brooks knows how to keep the heat on and the
reader turning pages!” —Sydney Croft
Rafflecopter Giveaway – 3 copies of COWBOY HEAVEN by Cheryl Brooks
(Rafflecopter will run from February 21-April 6)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Excerpt from Cowboy Heaven by Cheryl Brooks – Chapter 1
There he was again. That same cowboy I’d seen on the drive into town, still walking, still carrying a big green duffel bag on one shoulder and a saddle slung over the other. He’d been traveling in the opposite direction and hadn’t bothered to look up as I’d passed him earlier. I’d barely glimpsed his face then, but I saw it quite clearly now. A glance over his shoulder revealed his bleak, exhausted expression. He might have been near the point of collapse, but he obviously wasn’t prepared to admit defeat.
Not yet, anyway.
I couldn’t believe no one had picked him up in the three hours since I’d last seen him. He hadn’t looked very fresh even then. I had no idea where he was headed, but in the middle of Wyoming, there wasn’t much within walking distance, no matter where you were going.
He turned toward me, sticking out a halfhearted thumb as I came closer, his face streaked with dirt and sweat and what might have been tears. A black Stetson shadowed his eyes, and his boots and jeans were dusty and worn. His sweat-soaked denim shirt clung to his chest, unbuttoned halfway to his waist, the sleeves ripped out. He probably wasn’t trying to look cool, even though he did. No, he was likely trying to get cool, in any way he possibly could. My truck was air-conditioned and comfortable, and there was plenty of room for him and his meager belongings. I could no more have left him there than I could have ignored a starving child.
As I pulled over to stop, his eyes closed and his lips moved as though uttering a prayer of thanks. His knees buckled slightly, and for a moment, I thought he truly would collapse. Instead, he took a deep breath and stood up straight. Lifting his chin, he aimed luminous blue eyes at me and flashed a dazzling smile. His silver belt buckle suggested this man was no ordinary ranch hand but a down-on-his-luck rodeo cowboy who, unless I missed my guess, was heading for Jackson Hole.
A real heartbreaker of a rodeo cowboy, too. Up close, he was even more handsome than he’d been from a distance. Long and lean with tanned, muscular arms, dimples creased his cheeks and black hair curled enticingly from the open edges of his shirt. Several days’ growth of dark beard surrounded full, sensuous lips, darkening a jaw that my fingertips ached to caress. More ebony curls peeked from beneath his hat, making me long to yank off that Stetson to discover what else it was hiding. Oh yes, there was enough gorgeous cowboy to sway a much stronger woman than I ever claimed to be. Tears stung my eyes as something in his expression reminded me of Cody.
My dear, sweet Cody… He’d been gone for two years now, but I hadn’t forgotten that look, and I doubted I ever would.
Determined to mask my roiling emotions, I searched for something amusing to say as I rolled down my window. “Lost your horse?”
My clever tongue was rewarded with another heart-stopping smile. Cody used to say funny things just to make me giggle—which wasn’t difficult since I tend to find humor in nearly any situation—but brushing up on my own repertoire of one-liners to keep this guy smiling seemed like an excellent idea.
His grin was sheepish as he tipped up the brim of his hat. “He sort of drove off without me.”
“Drove off?” I scoffed. “Somehow I doubt that. Seems like he would’ve needed help.”
My handsome cowboy gave me a grim nod. “Oh, he had help all right. My girlfriend dumped me on the highway and took off with the truck, the trailer, and the horse—all of which were actually hers, by the way. She was kind enough to leave me my saddle and my clothes, although a cell phone would’ve been nice.”
I shook my head. “Nice, yes. Helpful, no. They don’t work very well around here. Which kinda makes me mad—I mean, where would you need a phone more than if you were stranded out in the middle of nowhere?”
He glanced around at the vast expanse of sunbaked rangeland. “Is that the name of this place? Nowhere?”
“Sure is.” I couldn’t help giggling. “Want to get out of nowhere?”
“Yes, please,” he replied. “And as quickly as possible.”
“Throw your stuff in the back and hop in,” I said. “We’ll leave nowhere and go…somewhere.”
He did as I suggested, and suddenly the interior of my truck was filled with the pungent aroma of hot, sweaty, dusty—but cologned—cowboy. He’d most likely showered that morning, but it had been one helluva day. The forecast called for the upper nineties—quite a heat wave even for mid-August—and though the humidity was low, some temperatures are best avoided no matter how dry the air.
“You’re a lifesaver,” he said. “I thought that sun was gonna roast me alive.”
“As hot as it gets in these parts, I never go anywhere without water, enough food for a couple of meals, and an umbrella in case I’m ever forced to hike. Want a sandwich?”
“You bet.”
I tossed a nod over my shoulder. “The cooler’s on the backseat. Help yourself. There’s plenty of water.” Although, at that point, a cold beer probably would have been his first choice.
He pulled out two bottles of water and a sandwich, downing the first bottle in three swallows.
“Better now?”
“Much.”
“Let’s see now…” I said as he unwrapped the sandwich. “A cowboy dumped in the middle of nowhere with a saddle and no horse. There’s got to be a country song in that.”
“If you mean a song about a guy bein’ picked up by a girl in a flatbed Ford, I think the Eagles already did that one.”
“I love that song,” I said wistfully. “Guess I always wanted to be that girl.”
“Well, now you are.” He took a bite of the sandwich, chewing it quickly. “How does it feel?”
“Not much different.” This wasn’t entirely true. I wasn’t in the habit of picking up gorgeous cowboys—and this particular cowboy’s presence had me feeling strangely excited. Oh yes, I was very aware of him, and if my brain hadn’t noticed him, my erogenous zones were there to remind me. “For one thing, this isn’t a flatbed Ford, and I’m not what anyone would call a girl anymore.”
He paused in mid-bite. “Why? Have you had a sex-change operation?”
“Nope,” I replied with another giggle. “You can’t call a forty-two-year-old a girl. Well, maybe you could if you happened to be eighty-two yourself, but I’m pretty sure I outgrew the girl category a long time ago—about the time that song was popular.”
Despite the fact that I never once took my eyes off the road, I was aware of his prolonged scrutiny—an assessing gaze that left delightful tingles in its wake.
“Some things improve with age.” He turned toward the window. “You don’t seem like the type to dump a guy in the middle of nowhere.”
Having heard the catch in his voice, I did my best to keep my tone light. Bursting into tears in front of a perfect stranger probably wasn’t on his bucket list. “True—unless he was really obnoxious.”
This particular cowboy would have to have been homicidal or, at the very least, abusive for me to throw him out. He was the most adorable cowboy I’d ever laid eyes on, including the one I’d married.
“I wasn’t being obnoxious.” He fairly bristled with indignation, which seemed to have won out over heartbreak. “I was asleep. I thought she was stopping for gas when I felt the truck slow down. She asked me to take a look at the tires on the trailer, said she thought one had gone flat. While I was checking the tires, she dumped my saddle and duffel bag on the side of the road and drove off. I found this tucked into the saddle.” Reaching into his shirt pocket, he handed me a torn, sweat-soaked scrap of paper.
It’s not working out. Sorry.
“Ouch,” I said with a sympathetic wince. “That’s pretty hard.”
“Yeah.” With an absent nod, he stuffed the note back into his pocket. “I don’t even know what I did wrong. Don’t guess I ever will.”
He seemed nice enough, and he certainly wasn’t ugly. Maybe his girl had breakup issues. As irresistible as he was, I couldn’t imagine breaking his heart while gazing into those eyes of his, and I didn’t even know his name.
She’d probably gone about it the best way possible—a quick, clean break before losing her nerve completely. One glance, one smile, and she’d have forgotten why their relationship wasn’t working. I wasn’t looking forward to dropping him off at the crossroad to the ranch, myself. I had a sudden, overwhelming urge to take him home and wash him, feed him, and tuck him into bed—my bed, to be precise.
I had my doubts about that part. He couldn’t have been more than thirty, and young men generally didn’t seek solace from older women—not that kind of solace, anyway. Consoling him seemed impossible, so I changed the subject.
“Where were you headed?”
“The rodeo in Jackson Hole,” he replied. “I’m a rodeo cowboy.”
“No shit,” I drawled. “I’d never have guessed that. I don’t suppose your girl left you with any money, did she? I mean, I’m not going to charge you for the ride or the lunch, but I’m not going all the way to Jackson Hole, either.”
“I didn’t figure you were.” His downcast expression suggested his hope that he’d been wrong about that. “But at the time, I didn’t really care.”
“Neither did I. I wouldn’t have left you there no matter where you were going. It was…well, let’s just say it was something I couldn’t bring myself to do.”
“Pick up lots of strays, do you?” Turning sideways, he leaned back against the door, a move that not only drew my eye, but also gave me a full-frontal view that made my breath catch in my throat. Oh yes, I’d taken in lots of strays, but none that were anywhere near as attractive.
I shook my head. “Actually picking them up usually isn’t necessary. They all seem to know where I live.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, where do you live? I mean, are we close?”
Obviously, he hoped I lived somewhere near Jackson Hole. I hated to disappoint him. “It’s about another twenty miles—most of which are not on the main highway. I’ll let you out at the turnoff, if that’s okay with you.”
His face fell, but he nodded, apparently resigned to the fact that this ride wasn’t going to be more than a brief respite. “Not much choice, is there?” He gave a fatalistic shrug. “I don’t have enough money on me to pay you to take me to Jackson Hole. I really should pay you for what you’ve already done.”
I caught myself wishing that he did have enough money—or that he would ask me to run off with him and follow the rodeo circuit, never going home at all. I would have loved to throw caution to the wind and do just that, but I had too many responsibilities. Not only did I have a ranch to run, but I also had my father and my kids to look after.
No, scratch that. Chris and Will were both in college. I had a hard time remembering that except when confronted with the sight of their empty rooms as I passed by them every day. Out on the highway I could pretend they were both there at home waiting for me—and Cody, too.
No, regardless of how much money this man might offer to pay me, I couldn’t shirk my duties and simply up and disappear. Nor would I accept his money. He obviously needed to hold on to what little he had stashed in those jeans.
“I couldn’t possibly take money from you,” I protested. “I wouldn’t be much of a Good Samaritan if I did, would I?”
“I suppose not.”
He shrugged again and we drove on in silence. Remaining slouched against the door, he draped his left arm across the headrest and bent up one knee, stretching his legs apart enough that my eyes were continually landing on that section of blue jeans due south of that big, silver belt buckle. From time to time he shifted his hips as though my glances made him uncomfortable, and while I did try to keep my eyes on the road, every once in a while they would stray back to him—and that enticing bulge in his jeans…
“What would it take to get you to drive me all the way to Jackson Hole?” The hint of suggestion in his voice startled me almost as much as the abrupt nature of his query.
Suddenly, my mouth was as dry as a gulch. Reaching for my bottle of water, I took a sip and stole another peek at him. Those luminous eyes peered at me from beneath lids that were heavy with sensuous intent.
His lips curled into a provocative smile. “I’d be willing to bet there’s something I could do for you that would pay you back—or at least make it worth your while.”
COWBOY DELIGHT
By Cheryl Brooks
Erotic Western Romance e-novella
FREE on all retailers: Kindle | Kobo | Nook
“Out-of-this-world sexy… Brooks’ writing brings the eroticism to life.” —Long and Short Reviews
Getting stranded has never felt so good…
Lauren Allen is on her way to meet her future in-laws when her car breaks down on a scorching, dusty Texas highway. There’s no shortage of handsome cowboys turning up to save the day, but she puts her trust in local rancher Steve Williams. From the moment she shakes his hand, his warm, calloused grip makes her hotter than she knows what to do with…
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March 12, 2015
Professional Pet Deshedding & Grooming Tool Review
We have been needing a new pet grooming tool with 11 dogs and 1 cat. I was thrilled with this arrived in the mail for us to review. Katie our cat doesn’t like to be brushed she thinks we ware crazy to come near her. I was surprised when we tried this on her. She never tried to leave and started to purr. One thing I love most about this tool, the the eject button for the comb end for easy clean and also the easy clean function. Makes it a lot faster to groom these pets.
The dogs feel in love and 3 left coming back to push themselves in front of the other dog we were working on. Always amazes me when we find that right product for our pets.
Easy grip and cleaning are a plus for this grooming brush.
Product Description
The FurMaster® – Here’s Why our Customers Are Happy:
“I’ve tried many Deshedding Tools for Dogs and Cats. After purchasing the FurMaster I have realized that this is truly the only Pet De Sheeding Tool I will ever need.” ~ John Wilkins, FurMaster Customer
About The FurMaster® Deshedding Tool for Dogs and Cats.
The FurMaster works by removing up to 95% of unwanted fur and undercoat. The FurMaster is truly a one of a kind deshedding tool that helps both you and your pet benefit from the amazing results. No More Loose Hair!
This tool is specially designed for large, medium and small pets. The Ergonomical and light weight design makes the FurMaster the perfect choice for Pet Deshedding and Grooming. Compare our product to any Pet Grooming Deshedder
on the Market and find out quickly why the FurMaster® is better and provides longer lasting results!
The Benefits of The FurMaster® Dog Brush Deshedding Tool
* Innovative Design For Long And Short Haired Dogs And Cats
* Superior Construction for Years of Usage.
* Ergonomical Light Weight Design for Maximum Hair Removal
* Designed by a Groomer for Professional Long Lasting Results.
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Ultra Curl Defining Cream with Argan Oil Review
I have wavy hair and need to use moose or gel to help the curls stay in place and not look so frizzy. I have not found a product I like until now.The Ultra Curl Defining Cream works wonders. You don’t have to use to much and it honestly works all day for me. I have been out in the rain and wind even snow and nothing changes my hair like some of the other products.
The Argan Oil for Hair Treatment is really nice. You can use before or after you shampoo your hair. It made my hair feel stronger and healthier.
I have really enjoyed these products and will be using them again.
Product Description
Arvazallia Ultra Curl Defining Cream with Argan Oil is an Advanced Professional Curl Cream that Deeply Penetrates and Conditions wavy and curly hair to Restore its definition and Activate curls. It Eliminates Frizz and provides the Perfect Combination of Hold, Smoothing, and Shine to give you Beautiful, Healthy looking, Bouncy curls.
Salon Stylists and Customers Love Our Ultra Curl Defining Cream because it Gives Waves and Curls Maximum Definition and The Perfect Amount of Hold While Leaving Your Hair Soft, Natural Looking, and Frizz Free. Its Unique All-in-One Formulation Conditions, Moisturizes, and Adds Shine Eliminating the Need to use additional products.
The Advanced Curl Activation Formula Provides Relaxed Natural Looking Curls without Heat or can be Heat Activated to provide Deeper Curl Definition. It is Infused with Cosmetic Grade Argan Oil and Vitamin E to Nourish and Enrich Your Hair with Essential Nutrients. Your Curls Will Look, Feel, And Smell Better Than Ever!
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Advanced Hair Repair Shampo & Conditioner Review
I don’t know how much one can enjoy and love a shampoo and conditioner combo but this person done. Arvazallia has a wonderful line of products and I have a couple of more reviews to come for them as well. I have fine wavy hair that gets frizzy with the weather. Not to mention dead ends. I was worried about coloring my hair and if this shampoo would strip anything. Not one problem. I could tell from the first shampoo my hair would be different. My hair did not feel sticky or slimy from the conditioner either.
I love this product and be sure to see my other posts here in a few about the other things I got to try. Be sure to get you a bottle and try for yourself.
Product Description
Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair Moisturizing Shampoo and Repair Daily Conditioner are Members of the Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair System. These products are specially formulated to work in combination to Restore, Strengthen, and Revitalize hair that is dry or that has been damaged or weakened by heat styling, chemical processing, or coloring.
The advanced proprietary formulas, which are infused with both the highest quality cosmetic grade Argan oil and Macadamia oil, nourishes hair with essential nutrients while fortifying and strengthening each strand of hair by sealing dents and divots found in dry and damaged hair. This promotes natural hair growth and improves the texture, elasticity, and manageability of your hair giving it a beautiful healthy look and a luminous shine.
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