Rebecca Sinclair's Blog: Rebecca Sinclair, page 2

HELP REBECCA BRING MONTANA WILDFIRE TO YOU FOR FREE~~~~

 

HELLO EVERYONE, REBECCA NEEDS YOUR HELP~~~~SEE BELOW FOR WHAT YOU CAN DO!!!! How to Drive the Price of Montana Wildfire Down Until Ultimately it Goes to Free-Status on Amazon — All In About 5 Gazillion Easy Steps.  ;) Here’s the how-to: 1. Go to Amazon's Montana Wildfire sales page.  Here’s the link:  http://www.amazon.com/Montana-Wildfire-ebook/dp/B0055X0E6C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318543971&sr=1-1 2. Scroll down to PRODUCT DETAILS and click on tell us about a lower price. 3. On the next screen, click the circle nest to Website (Online) 4. In the box next to URL: past this link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/montana-wildfire-rebecca-sinclair/1103428083?ean=2940012955517 5. In the price box enter 0.00 6. Click Submit Feedback 7. When the Close Window button appears, click it. 8. Repeat starting with step 2.  There is no charge to do this and can be done over and over again. KINDLY LEAVE REVIEW FOR MONTANA WILDFIRE IF YOU PURCHASE~~~ For those who purchase the book first, Amazon will give the option to mark the review as “Amazon verified”, which always looks better.

I Can't Help It, It's in My Blood...

I try to be good,to concentrate solely on what I am doing.Really I do. But time passes, and I get bored.Then the next thing I know, without my permission,I'm staring off into space, while my mind wanders—to this...

[image error]

And I grin (wickedly?),
and think to myself, "Self?
"Your life could be worse.
"You've got the best job in the world,
"and that is has to be—
"writing romance novels!"

Happy Saturday!Anybody got a towel? Nah!  ;)


(Hunk via my Holdin Out for a Hero board on Pinterest. If you're ever in the area, stop by for a bit and join the fun! Just tell them Reb sent you.)

SIZZLING SUMMER READS PARTY 2012!

Hi everyone!

I’m participating in the SIZZLING SUMMER READS PARTY 2012!* event over on The Romance Reviews website.* My question day is July 17th—come and WIN what I'm giving away! All month long you'll find lots of really great giveaways by some of your favorite romance authors.

If you get a chance, please stop by and join me! Oh, and before I forget, you can Click Here to visit my personal page there. (I know—it seems like I'm everywhere these days, doesn't it? lol!)

Check out:

SIZZLING SUMMER READS PARTY 2012! *

* FYI: Participants must register at The Romance Reviews website!

Sizzling Summer Reads Event at The Romance Reviews

Hello everyone, I’m participating Sizzling Summer Reads. My question day is July 17th, 2012 but all month you will find some great giveaways. Participants must register at The Romance Reviews which is quick and easy.

Click to check out the Sizzling Summer Reads Event

Perfect Strangers ~ Excerpt

© 1996, 2011 Rebecca SinclairPublisher: ePublishingWorks!  ~ ISBN: 978-1-61417-074-7Cover: Kim Killion @ HotDamnDesigns.com

AVAILABLE NOW!!!
1i!
~ Perfect Strangers ~
by Rebecca Sinclair~ excerpt ~

Gabrielle sneezed, sniffled, and then wiped her eyes and nose on the cloth. Distracted, it took a second for the reality of the situation to seep in. Sweet Lord, she was alone in the chamber with none other than The Black Douglas.
Her heartbeat accelerated, heating the already fevered blood in her veins. She shivered and yanked the blanket up protectively close beneath her chin. 
"Cold?" Connor asked as he eased himself onto Mairghread's recently vacated seat. The wooden chair legs groaned beneath his weight. 
"Aye, a bit chilly," Gabrielle lied. Her shiver had nothing to do with the damp night air and everything to do with this man's commanding presence. However, there was no reason he should know that. 
"Then Mairghread was right for once.’Tis maun soup ye be needing to warm ye up on the inside and chase away those fever chills." Gabrielle watched, transfixed, as he dipped the spoon into the soup, coming up with a hearty mouthful. 
Compared to the gnarled old hand that had so recently held it, Connor's big hand dwarfed the spoon handle until the utensil looked sized for a child. "Here ye go, lass. Eat up and get well. The preacher will not wait fore'er, don't ye ken?" 
"If you're thinking... Oh, nay, I will not. I—" Her words were cut short as, seizing the opportunity of her open mouth, Connor shoved the spoonful of soup past her lips. He used the bowl of the spoon to not only catch the drop of broth that trickled down her chin but to also nudge her gaping mouth shut before more broth could spill out. 
Gabrielle chewed swiftly, barely noticing that the once-tasty soup now had the flavor of mud. A wave of irritation swept through her. Oh, but it was difficult to suppress the urge to finish what she'd started, and tell this heathen exactly what she thought of him and his impatient preacher. 
She swallowed down the soup and was in the process of opening her mouth to vent her mounting ire... only to find she had no breath left in her lungs to vent it with. Her breathing had paused just beneath her hammering heart when Connor plucked the cloth from her hand and wiped the residue of broth from her chin. 
Gabrielle stared at him. The gesture left her speechless. Nay, that was wrong. It wasn't the gesture that stunned her so much as the gentleness with which he'd accomplished it. 
While The Black Douglas was known for many things, consideration wasn't one of them. Was it possible the rumors and ballads about this man were wrong? That he wasn't in truth the heartless, barbaric monster they all painted him? 
Gabrielle suppressed a groan. Dear Lord, she must be sicker than she originally thought to even be considering such a notion. Was this not, after all, the same man who'd flagrantly—and much too easily, as far as she was concerned—stolen her, his brother's fiancée, right out from under the other man's nose?     
Was this not the same man who claimed it a rightful theft, the same man who'd then boldly bragged about marrying her himself? 
Aye, it was. But, Gabrielle found all of those misdeeds hard to remember when the feel of Connor's strong, cloth-covered fingers gently skimming her jaw still lingered and tingled in her veins. 
"Here, lass, swallow down another bite.’Tis good and hearty fare, just the thing for a sick wench." He'd dipped the spoon back into the bowl and now held it close to her tightly compressed lips. 
Gabrielle shook her head. She was wise enough this time not to open her mouth to voice the protest that itched the tip of her tongue. 
Her attention had been locked on the closed door at the foot of the bed. It now lifted to his face. From a distance, his eyes had looked... well, merely gray. Up close, she saw that there was nothing "merely" about them. The irises were predominantly slate colored, yet now she noticed they were also flecked with intriguing shards of brilliant blue. The darkness of his eyebrows, and the uncommonly long, thick black eyelashes, contrasted sharply, complementing and enhancing their color. 
She shook her head to clear it, ignoring the way the gesture set her temples to throbbing anew. "I'll not be marrying you, Connor Douglas, so get that notion out of your head right now." 
This time, Gabrielle was prepared. She kept her teeth clenched together as she talked, giving him no opportunity to shove more food into her mouth. Connor frowned and looked vaguely disappointed.
Gabrielle gritted her teeth until her jaw hurt almost as much as her pounding head and aching throat. Did he truly think her so stupid she would fall for that trick more than once? If so, the man had a good deal to learn about Careltons and their intelligence... not to mention their stubborn determination! 
"Right now me main concern is nursing ye back to health. What's done is done, and cannot be undone. What happens after ye're well will happen. There's naught ye can do aboot it. Ye're... er, a robust lass, I'll grant ye that, but naught more than a lass all the same. If I chose to wed ye, there's not a thing ye can do to stop me."  
"That's where you're wrong. There are several things I can, and will, do," Gabrielle replied tightly, even as her fevered mind scrambled to think of what even one of those things might be. "You realize that..."—ah-ha!—"that Elizabeth will have your head when she finds out what you've done, do you not?" 
"Elizabeth isn't my sovereign, she's yers." Connor replaced the spoon in the bowl, and then sat back in the chair, his shrewd gray gaze never leaving her. 
"And aye, the messenger she sent this afternoon did mention something aboot separating me head from me shoulders, but I paid the threat no heed." 
She sucked in a quick breath. The Queen had sent a messenger? And The Black Douglas had blatantly ignored the threat the messenger carried? Was the man insane?! Did he not know that, while Elizabeth could ignore much, never could the woman stand to be ignored herself?
"What about your young king?" Gabrielle asked, and winced. Even to her own ears, her voice sounded weak, shaky, lacking its previous conviction. "Methinks James will be equally displeased with what you've done." 
A reckless grin that made Gabrielle's heart skip a beat tugged at one corner of Connor's mouth. "Och! But there's the rub. Ye're right aboot him not being pleased, but I've gotten him angrier in the past. Jamie threatens only a fine." 
When she regarded him suspiciously, he shrugged and added, "His messenger arrived as the Queen's was leaving, and shortly a'fore twa sent by the March Wardens. Squeezed in between those was a messenger from the Maxwell. Er, I think that be the order. Truth to tell, I dinny remember exactly, there were so many messengers coming and going. 'Tis been a busy afternoon." 
That even one messenger had come was music to Gabrielle's ears. Surely with so many protests and threats The Black Douglas would have to let her go now. Wouldn't he? 
Her gaze raked his face; Connor's features were ruggedly carved, his expression decisive. A glint of persistence shimmered like liquid gray fire in his eyes. 
An uneasy feeling prickled along the nape of Gabrielle's neck. The Black Douglas looked more determined than ever to keep and wed her. 
She shuddered. This would never do!

 Buy Now on Amazon (Kindle ): http://amzn.to/oIRMWd
 Buy Now at Barnes & Noble (Nook ): http://bit.ly/oIKVuJ
h
5 Star Review on Amazon.com:

“This is a story about a man and a woman who begin as strangers and enemies, to be joined into a love to survive all of time. It’s full of twists and turns, action, danger, and romance. It had the right amount of everything. I truly enjoyed reading it and I'm sure to read it several more times in the years to come.”

5 Star Review on Barnes & Noble.com:

“Historical romance at its very best, PERFECT STRANGERS delighted this reader with its proud heroine and fabulous hero. Their rocky start takes them on a conflict-filled journey, but, in the end, their love for one another cannot and will not be denied.”

h

Praise for Montana Wildfire:

"It's a wild journey with steamy passion filled chapters! I enjoyed it immensely and will read it again, and again, and again!"  
— Shawnee Poling, Just Another Face Book Review Site

Praise for California Caress:

“...filled with Passion and romance—tantalizing and titillating moments to keep your inner romantic sated...Great cast of supporting characters that...you will fall in love with. A... sexy gunslinger, damsel in distress and [a] love that may never find a way! Well balanced plot with equal amounts of love and action and suspense. A western romance that will have your heart racing and the page flipping.”  
— 

SHAMELESS SUMMER HOP JUNE 8TH-JUNE 15TH

[image error]
Special thanks to our blog tour hosts:
Jen at Red Hot Books
Brie at Romance Around the Corner 
Michelle at Michelle's Book Blog

Today, I’m one of the blog hop stops for the Shameless Summer Blog Hop, June 8th through June 15th. I’m offering 1 e-copy of my book Perfect Strangers to one lucky winner. Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below for entry to win this historical romance novel.  This is open internationally.



Gabrielle Carelton is one of Queen Elizabeth’s most devoted ladies-in-waiting. But her loyalty is put to the test when Her Majesty commands her to marry Scotsman Collin Douglas. When Gabrielle is kidnapped by Collin’s twin brother, not even Good Queen Bess can save her. Dubbed the Black Douglas, devilishly handsome Connor is known throughout the land for his magnificent feats of strength and cunning. But now he is in need of an heir. An English bride will bring peace to the warring nations — and give him the son he craves. What he doesn’t expect is a woman as passionate as she is proud … and a desire that knows no boundaries. Set against the pageantry and savage splendor of 16th-century England and Scotland, here is the story of a man and a woman who begin as enemies and strangers — and find a love that will triumph against all odds.




a Rafflecopter giveaway
Once you are done with that head over to the other blog hop stops and tell them I sent you.
 

SUMMER KICK OFF BLOG HOP

HOSTED BY CataRomance.com SensualReads.com SingleTitles.com  Hello and welcome to Rebecca Sinclair’s blog hop stop. I’m happy to be on this blog hop and hope that I find new readers and followers of my blog. For my contribution, I am giving away an e-copy of California Caress. All you need to do is fill out the Raffle-copter form below. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog and hope you enjoy checking out my other books at Rebecca Sinclair on Amazon  You can also find me at my other social media sites.
PLACES TO FIND REBECCA ONLINEBLOG: http://rebeccasinclairbooks.blogspot.comMYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/rebeccasinclairbooksFACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.sinclair1FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/rebeccasinclairbooksLINKED IN: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccasinclairbooksYOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRebSinclairTWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/RebeccaSinclairGOOGLE+ PROFILE: https://plus.google.com/112070435700031049440/postsGOOGLE+ FAN PAGE: https://plus.google.com/b/110663312174960338664/PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/rebsinclairGOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/90768.Rebecca_Sinclair  Once you fill out the Rafflecopter form below, make sure you head over to the other stops on the blog hop.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holding out for a Hero

This is on loan from my  Holding out for a Hero board on Pinterest, just in time for #ManCandyMonday.

Enjoy ... if you must!  O:)

 ~ Reb  {the irrepressibly wicked}

Perfect Strangers Excerpt

AVAILABLE NOW!!! © 1996, 2011 by Rebecca Sinclair
Published by: ePublishingWorks!  ~ ISBN: 978-1-61417-074-7

1i!
Cover by Kim Killion @ HotDamnDesigns.com

~ Perfect Strangers ~
by Rebecca Sinclair
~ excerpt ~
  Gabrielle sneezed, sniffled, and then wiped her eyes and nose on the cloth. Distracted, it took a second for the reality of the situation to seep in. Sweet Lord, she was alone in the chamber with none other than The Black Douglas.
   Her heartbeat accelerated, heating the already fevered blood in her veins. She shivered and yanked the blanket up protectively close beneath her chin.
   "Cold?" Connor asked as he eased himself onto Mairghread's recently vacated seat. The wooden chair legs groaned beneath his weight.
    "Aye, a bit chilly," Gabrielle lied. Her shiver had nothing to do with the damp night air and everything to do with this man's commanding presence. However, there was no reason he should know that. 
  "Then Mairghread was right for once.’Tis maun soup ye be needing to warm ye up on the inside and chase away those fever chills." Gabrielle watched, transfixed, as he dipped the spoon into the soup, coming up with a hearty mouthful.

  Compared to the gnarled old hand that had so recently held it, Connor's big hand dwarfed the spoon handle until the utensil looked sized for a child. "Here ye go, lass. Eat up and get well. The preacher will not wait fore'er, don't ye ken?"
  "If you're thinking... Oh, nay, I will not. I—" Her words were cut short as, seizing the opportunity of her open mouth, Connor shoved the spoonful of soup past her lips. He used the bowl of the spoon to not only catch the drop of broth that trickled down her chin but to also nudge her gaping mouth shut before more broth could spill out.
  Gabrielle chewed swiftly, barely noticing that the once-tasty soup now had the flavor of mud. A wave of irritation swept through her. Oh, but it was difficult to suppress the urge to finish what she'd started, and tell this heathen exactly what she thought of him and his impatient preacher.
   She swallowed down the soup and was in the process of opening her mouth to vent her mounting ire... only to find she had no breath left in her lungs to vent it with. Her breathing had paused just beneath her hammering heart when Connor plucked the cloth from her hand and wiped the residue of broth from her chin.

   Gabrielle stared at him. The gesture left her speechless. Nay, that was wrong. It wasn't the gesture that stunned her so much as the gentleness with which he'd accomplished it.
   While The Black Douglas was known for many things, consideration wasn't one of them. Was it possible the rumors and ballads about this man were wrong? That he wasn't in truth the heartless, barbaric monster they all painted him?
  Gabrielle suppressed a groan. Dear Lord, she must be sicker than she originally thought to even be considering such a notion. Was this not, after all, the same man who'd flagrantly—and much too easily, as far as she was concerned—stolen her, his brother's fiancée, right out from under the other man's nose?    
    Was this not the same man who claimed it a rightful theft, the same man who'd then boldly bragged about marrying her himself?
  Aye, it was. But, Gabrielle found all of those misdeeds hard to remember when the feel of Connor's strong, cloth-covered fingers gently skimming her jaw still lingered and tingled in her veins.
  "Here, lass, swallow down another bite.’Tis good and hearty fare, just the thing for a sick wench." He'd dipped the spoon back into the bowl and now held it close to her tightly compressed lips.
   Gabrielle shook her head. She was wise enough this time not to open her mouth to voice the protest that itched the tip of her tongue.
  Her attention had been locked on the closed door at the foot of the bed. It now lifted to his face. From a distance, his eyes had looked... well, merely gray. Up close, she saw that there was nothing "merely" about them. The irises were predominantly slate colored, yet now she noticed they were also flecked with intriguing shards of brilliant blue. The darkness of his eyebrows, and the uncommonly long, thick black eyelashes, contrasted sharply, complementing and enhancing their color.
 She shook her head to clear it, ignoring the way the gesture set her temples to throbbing anew. "I'll not be marrying you, Connor Douglas, so get that notion out of your head right now."
   This time, Gabrielle was prepared. She kept her teeth clenched together as she talked, giving him no opportunity to shove more food into her mouth. Connor frowned and looked vaguely disappointed.
  Gabrielle gritted her teeth until her jaw hurt almost as much as her pounding head and aching throat. Did he truly think her so stupid she would fall for that trick more than once? If so, the man had a good deal to learn about Careltons and their intelligence... not to mention their stubborn determination!
    "Right now me main concern is nursing ye back to health. What's done is done, and cannot be undone. What happens after ye're well will happen. There's naught ye can do aboot it. Ye're... er, a robust lass, I'll grant ye that, but naught more than a lass all the same. If I chose to wed ye, there's not a thing ye can do to stop me."
    "That's where you're wrong. There are several things I can, and will, do," Gabrielle replied tightly, even as her fevered mind scrambled to think of what even one of those things might be. "You realize that..."—ah-ha!—"that Elizabeth will have your head when she finds out what you've done, do you not?"
   "Elizabeth isn't my sovereign, she's yers." Connor replaced the spoon in the bowl, and then sat back in the chair, his shrewd gray gaze never leaving her.
    "And aye, the messenger she sent this afternoon did mention something aboot separating me head from me shoulders, but I paid the threat no heed."
  She sucked in a quick breath. The Queen had sent a messenger? And The Black Douglas had blatantly ignored the threat the messenger carried? Was the man insane?! Did he not know that, while Elizabeth could ignore much, never could the woman stand to be ignored herself?
  "What about your young king?" Gabrielle asked, and winced. Even to her own ears, her voice sounded weak, shaky, lacking its previous conviction. "Methinks James will be equally displeased with what you've done."
   A reckless grin that made Gabrielle's heart skip a beat tugged at one corner of Connor's mouth. "Och! But there's the rub. Ye're right aboot him not being pleased, but I've gotten him angrier in the past. Jamie threatens only a fine."
    When she regarded him suspiciously, he shrugged and added, "His messenger arrived as the Queen's was leaving, and shortly a'fore twa sent by the March Wardens. Squeezed in between those was a messenger from the Maxwell. Er, I think that be the order. Truth to tell, I dinny remember exactly, there were so many messengers coming and going. 'Tis been a busy afternoon."
  That even one messenger had come was music to Gabrielle's ears. Surely with so many protests and threats The Black Douglas would have to let her go now. Wouldn't he?
   Her gaze raked his face; Connor's features were ruggedly carved, his expression decisive. A glint of persistence shimmered like liquid gray fire in his eyes.
    An uneasy feeling prickled along the nape of Gabrielle's neck. The Black Douglas looked more determined than ever to keep and wed her.
    She shuddered. This would never do!
 Buy Now on Amazon (Kindle ):  http://amzn.to/oIRMWd
 Buy Now at Barnes & Noble (Nook ): http://bit.ly/oIKVuJ
h5 Star Review on Amazon.com:
“This is a story about a man and a woman who begin as strangers and enemies, to be joined into a love to survive all of time. It’s full of twists and turns, action, danger, and romance. It had the right amount of everything. I truly enjoyed reading it and I'm sure to read it several more times in the years to come.”
 5 Star Review on Barnes & Noble.com:
“Historical romance at its very best, PERFECT STRANGERS delighted this reader with its proud heroine and fabulous hero. Their rocky start takes them on a conflict-filled journey, but, in the end, their love for one another cannot and will not be denied.”
h
Praise for Montana Wildfire:
"It's a wild journey with steamy passion filled chapters! I enjoyed it immensely and will read it again, and again, and again!" – Shawnee Poling Owner/Webmaster of Just Another Face Book Review Site; http://justanotherfaceintheworld.blogspot.com/
 Praise for California Caress:
“...filled with Passion and romance—tantalizing and titillating moments to keep your inner romantic sated...Great cast of supporting characters that...you will fall in love with. A... sexy gunslinger, damsel in distress and [a] love that may never find a way! Well balanced plot with equal amounts of love and action and suspense. A western romance that will have your heart racing and the page flipping.” –

EXCERPT of Montana Wildfire, by Rebecca Sinclair, AVAILAB...

EXCERPT of Montana Wildfire, by Rebecca Sinclair, AVAILABLENOW!
Welcome to another Sweet Saturday Sample!Enjoy & have a great weekend!  ~ Reb

~Montana Wildfire ~ availablenow! ©1991, 2011 by Rebecca SinclairPublishedby: ePublishingWorks! ~ ISBN: 978-0821736173
Cover by KimKillion @ HotDamnDesigns.com
    1i!

"Whata book! It was the best 99¢ I'vespent in a long time! It's full ofexplicit sensual desire and heart pumping adventure that willdefinitely provoke your emotions. Ihighly recommend this book!"
 — areader @ Amazon.com

1i!
~Montana Wildfire ~historical westernEXCERPT

A shiver of heat splashed throughAmanda when the stranger's gaze raked the partially dried hairscattered around her face and shoulders. His attention dipped, lazilytaking in the water-darkened bodice of her cream-colored shirtwaist andthe dark rose skirt that clung to her hips like a clammy second skin.She'd heard rumors of men who could strip a woman bare with onesmoldering glance, but she'd never met one who would dare. Until now.
 
As the man's attention poured over her,Amanda had the unpleasant feeling he could see right through thesaturated barrier of cloth. A warm, tight sensation curled in the pitof her stomach: unfamiliar, alarming. She tipped her chin updefensively. Crossing her arms over her chest, she cut his lewdinvestigation short. His gaze took its sweet time lifting to hers.
 
His grey eyes shimmered in themid-morning sunlight, telling her it was far too late for modesty. Hisappreciative expression said something else again; that he'd alreadydecided what "type" of lady she was... and that he could tolerate hersort with little trouble.

"I suppose you'll be wanting my helpnow, ma'am?" The way his tongue wrapped around the word "ma'am" sent anodd, warm-cold tremor down Amanda's spine. Somehow, he made it soundless like a title and more like a sensual endearment.

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble,"she replied stiffly, and thought, why not? Her left leg throbbed fromsupporting her idle weight for so long. She was wet and chilled to thebone. She knew if she didn't allow this man to help her, she mightnever get out of this frigid water.

He nodded and turned his attention toRoger. "Go find some sticks and get a fire started. Don't skimp; I wantit blazing. The lady's going to need all the heat she can get onceshe's out of there. And get some blankets, too. All you can spare.There's a couple rolled and tied on my horse. Use them."

Roger's golden brows slashed high,disappearing beneath the curls that kissed his forehead. He glanced upat the stranger as though the man had lost all grip on reality.

"You want me to do what?"
 
"Get a fire started," the man gritted impatiently, even as he sank tothe ground and began yanking off his knee-high moccasins.
 
"What the hell are you waiting for, kid? I want that fire started, andI want it started now!"
 
It must have been the ring of authorityin the man's voice, Amanda decided. Either that, or the veiled threatglistening in his eyes. Whatever the reason, Roger spun on his heel andsprinted into the woods with unheard-of speed.
 
"Looks like it's just you and me,princess," the man said as, lithely pushing to his feet, he took a steptoward the river. His attention rose from the spot where the waterlapped at her hips. His gaze ascended—slowly, hotly—over her breasts,her shoulders, her chin, and lips.
 
Finally, he locked onto her fear-widenedeyes. In that instant, Amanda knew why Roger had run. If her footwasn't stuck, she would do the same thing. The savage glint in theman's eyes, coupled with his insolent perusal, had a terrifying affecton her.

"You have a name?" His question wasinstantly followed by a loud splash. He'd just taken his firstswaggering stride into the icy river.
 
"O-of course." Closing her eyes, Amandastifled a groan in the back of her throat. Her voice deserted her. Notfor all the money in the world could she have forced her eyes open atthat moment, forced herself to watch as that dangerous-looking manstalked toward her like a hungry wolf hunting down its trapped,defenseless prey.
 
You going to tell me what it is?"
 
His voice was closer. Amanda thoughtthat reason enough not to answer him. That, and the feel of the waterbeing disturbed around her. The icy current lapped at her stomach. Sherolled her lips inward and ordered herself not to shiver. It wouldn'tdo for this man to think her tremors were caused by his nearness andnot the water's numbing coldness. And he was near. She could sense it,feel it.
 
"Okay, princess, let me put it another way. You want to get out of thisriver any time soon?"
 
Amanda's eyes snapped open. A splitsecond too late, she realized it for the mistake it was. The strangerwas standing close. Too close. The span of his shoulders and chest casta chilly shadow over her, blotting out the warmth of the late morningsun, blotting out everything.
 
The water was cold, but it would haveneeded to be covered with a thick sheet of ice to counterbalance theintense male heat his lean body radiated. The earthy, leather-and-spicesmell of him surrounded her, seeped through her, seeped into her. Thescent warmed her blood, thawing what Amanda had begun to think would bean everlasting chill.
 
She didn't feel chilled right now. Justthe opposite; she'd never felt so hot in her life! The man angled hishead to look down at her, and Amanda saw that he'd removed his hat. Hisstraight black hair scattered flatteringly around his face.
 
The breeze tossed the inky strandsaround his shoulders. Her gaze picked out a thin, tight braid, nothicker than her pinkie, woven into the underside of his hair, justbehind his left ear. She trailed the braid down to a small brownfeather, anchored by a leather thong tied to the end of it. On anotherman, that braid would have looked more than odd; it would have lookedfeminine. She wondered why it didn't work that way on him.
 
"Well, what's it going to be, princess?" he asked, his warm breathpuffing over her cheeks.
     
"The way I see it, you've only got two choices. Either you stand theregawking at me all day, or you answer my question so I can dig you out.I'd say it's your call."
    
Question? she thought dazedly. Had heasked her a question? Maybe. She couldn't remember. It was hard toremember her name with him standing so close. Amanda told herself herlengthy stay in the water had warped her mind as well as herfingertips, but she wasn't convinced.

No, more likely it was seeing the man'seyes up close that robbed her of the will to speak... as well as a gooddeal of breath! His eyes weren't grey, as she'd first thought, but arich, smoky silver. The intensity of his gaze was enhanced by a fringeof thick, sooty lashes, and emphasized by his deep copper skin.

"Guess I was wrong. Looks like you don'twant out after all," he said as, tearing his gaze from hers, he pivotedand began wading back the way he'd come. Only after his body heat—thesmell of him, the confusion of him—had been removed, did Amanda shakeherself to her senses. By that time he was climbing lithely onto thegrassy riverbank.

 "Wait, Mr....!" He didn't turn around.

"Un-uh. That was my question, princess. And until you answer it, you'restaying put."

Amanda blinked hard. That was it? All hewanted was for her to tell him her name and then he'd help her out?That seemed reasonable enough. No, it wasn't reasonable at all! Agentleman would never leave a lady stranded in the middle of frigidwater merely because she hadn't supplied her name the second he'dsnapped his fingers and demanded it.

Then again... Her gaze narrowed on hisback, on the way the tough denim pants clung wetly to his heavilymuscled thighs and calves. She reassessed. This was definitely nogentleman. Her deduction had nothing to do with his native heritage. Ithad everything to do with the way he dressed—truly, those pants wereindecent!—and the way he walked—make that swaggered. His every movescreamed arrogance and authority.

Which would have been fine, were it anunintentional, spontaneous thing. It wasn't. Amanda had a gut-feelingthis man knew exactly what kind of cocky, insolent impression he madeon people, and that he played it to the hilt. When he turned his headand regarded her from over one shoulder, Amanda knew she was right. Shealso had an uneasy feeling that he knew what she was thinking.

 "Change your mind yet?" As he spoke, hesat down in the grass and reached for his moccasins, although he madeno move to tug them on. Yet. The enormity of what he was doing hitAmanda like a slap. She glared at him. "You aren't really going toleave me here, are you? Just because I wouldn't tell you my name?"

He tipped his head to one side. A lock of black hair fell forward onhis brow when he shrugged.

"What do you think?"

 "I don't think you'd dare."

"Then you don't know me very well."

Her chin tipped haughtily. "I don't know you at all."

"We could do something about that."

Was it possible for a grin to bedevastating yet emotionless at the same time? Amanda wouldn't havethought so—until she saw the proof of it with her own eyes. Her heartflipped over in her chest, its tempo hammering in her ears. Hertrembling fingers closed around the water near her hips in empty fists.

"That wasn't very nice," she snapped, and stifled a groan when his grinonly broadened.

 The smile, she noted, didn't reach his eyes. They remained narrowand frosty.

"I'm not a very nice person," he said.

"Ask anyone, they'll tell you."

As though to prove it, he startedtugging on his moccasins. When he was done, he pushed to his feet. Inthe same fluid movement he swiped up his hat and settled it atop hishead. He pinched the low-riding brim between his index finger andthumb, nodded to her in mock politeness, then turned and walked towardthe trees.

Amanda blinked hard. Dear God, the manreally was going to desert her. The rotten bastard! She didn't realizeshe'd said the words aloud until she saw him stop. His shoulderssquared. His back stiffened. Even from this distance, she could seetension pull the muscles in his back, shoulders, and arms taut.

Come again, princess?"

Since it was too late to deny it—thedamage was already done—Amanda sucked in a deep breath and repeatedherself, loudly, and clearly enough so he would have no doubt as towhat she'd just called him. "Goddamn. That's what I thought you said."

He sucked in a sigh and released it in aslow hiss. Then he shook his head—regretfully? she doubted it—andplucked off the hat. With a flick of his wrist, he sent it hurling tothe grass.

"Guess I'm going have to fetch you out of there after all."

There was something in his tone—toocalm, too leashed—that sent a shiver down her spine. Amanda couldn'tpinpoint the underlying emotion he'd stressed, and, as she watched himagain tug off the deerskin moccasins, she stopped trying.

Before she knew it, he was trudgingthrough the water toward her. Forcing herself not to shiver in dreadtook all her concentration. Wondering what had made him change hismind, she glanced up. He glanced down.

Silver and green warred, and in thatinstant Amanda knew exactly why he'd decided to free her. His eyes werenarrowed to steely slits. His jaw was bunched hard, and a muscle tickedbeneath the high copper plane of his cheekbone. As she watched, hislips thinned into a tight, uncompromising line. Calling him a bastardhad hit a sore spot with him. The man was quietly furious.

Worse—much, much worse—all that tightlyleashed anger was directed at her. The knowledge seemed a good enoughreason for Amanda to flinch when he stopped so close his chestthreatened to graze the very tips of her breasts. "I-I'll tell you myname," she offered, and winced when her voice squeaked.

"Don't bother. Where are you stuck?"

Swallowing hard, she fixed her gaze onone of the flat metal buttons trailing down his shirt. As for the tightbands of muscle rippling beneath the dark blue cloth... well, sherefused to notice them at all. "Amanda Lennox. That's my name."

"That's dandy. I repeat: Where are youstuck?" His hand came out of nowhere. His index finger hooked under herchin, dragging her gaze up. His warm, sweet breath blasted over herface when he said, "Better give some thought to answering me this time,princess. You've got exactly ten seconds to tell me what's going onunder this water. After that, my hands start doing some exploring oftheir own."

  

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1i!

(5 Stars)@Amazon.com"[Montana Wildfire] was enthralling. I couldn't put it down! This is one steamy romance you will want to read again, and again, and again!!!" 

  h 

(5 Stars)
@Barnes & Noble.com
"This book is amazing and I was riveted! Well written and definitely filled with some smokin' passion!" 

 h 

Praisefor California Caress:

"My first Rebecca Sinclair novel but definitely NOTmy last. Wowee was this ever a good read! Ms. Sinclair takes herreaders on a ride of laughs, heartache, betrayal, and intense passion.Her characters are finely chiseled and compliment her captivating storyline." 

 h

Praisefor Perfect Strangers:
"Historical romance at its very best, PERFECT STRANGERS delightedthis reader with its proud heroine and fabulous hero. Their rocky starttakes them on a conflict-filled journey, but, in the end, their lovefor one another cannot and will not be denied."    

1i!♫♬♩♫ Happy Birthday, Dear Ree—eeb! ♫♬♩♫

Reb's birthday is rolling around in April. You know what that means:she wants YOU to help her celebrate — all month long! How? Simple.She's throwing a contest, of course! Up for grabs is one very nicecoffee/tea/coca gift tower, exclusively from...  <May I have a drumroll, please?>< ... >Starbucks!Oh, yeah — it just doesn't get any better, baby!  Details on how to enter will (very soon!) be posted on this blog,Facebook, G+, Goodreads, Twitter (and Pinterest if we can figure out away <g>). So check one of these, or check all of them for evenmore chances to win!

♫♬♩♫ And many mo— oo oo re! ♫♬♩♫1i!