Kimberly Lewis's Blog, page 42

"The Five Dangers of Wrangling Ladies" A Guest Post by MK McClintock

The Five Dangers of Wrangling Ladies By Gabriel Gallagher
I happen to know from experience that wrangling ladies takes finesse and truth be told it’s darn near impossible. I’d just a soon wrangle cattle or step in front of a stampeding herd of mustangs. I’m here to share with you what I’ve learned the hard way, so fellas beware and ladies…don’t worry because we still haven’t figured you out.
1. They wrangle back. Push them in the direction you want them to go and you’ll end up right where they want you.2. They’re too darn smart for us. We’re ready to ride and they just won’t budge. When they’re ready to ride, we hop on the saddle and hold on for dear life.3. As a group, they’re a mite easier to maneuver, but you cut one out of the herd and you’d better be ready to be outrun, outsmarted and face first in a mud hole.4. With wrangling comes branding. You try and brand a sweet little filly and you’ll end up with a hot poker in the eye. 5. The biggest danger of all is thinking you could ever wrangle a lady. 


The One Danger of Writing a Post Like This By MK McClintock
1. People might for a moment stop and think you’re serious.



Gallagher’s Hope Synopsis
She sought a new beginning.He sought what he didn’t know was missing.Together they would discover hope in unlikely places. places.
Isabelle Rousseu must escape New Orleans and the memory of her family’s tragic loss. With her younger brother in tow, she accepts a position as the new schoolteacher in Briarwood, Montana. Desperate to keep what’s left of her family together, Isabelle joins her life with a stranger only to discover that trust and hope go hand in hand.
Gabriel Gallagher lived each day as it came believing he had everything he could possibly want...until a determined woman and her brother arrive with a little luggage and a lot of secrets.
It will take a drastic choice to protect her and give them both, hope for the future.


Formats: Paperback and KindlePublisher: Trappers Peak Publishing ISBN-13: 978-0615638799ISBN-10: 0615638791 Release Date: August 1, 2012 Series: The Montana Gallaghers
Please enjoy this excerpt from "Gallagher's Hope":


“You promised Gabriel, you promised!” Gabriel wasn’t a light sleeper. In fact it often took a great deal to wake him from a pleasant slumber and last night had been one heck of a night’s sleep. He enjoyed waking with Isabelle in the room. What he didn’t enjoy was being yelled at and falsely accused before he’d even had his first cup of coffee. Her words though, did enough to bring him about. “Good grief, Isabelle it’s too early for yelling and I didn’t break my promise.” Gabriel moved around the side of the bed until he located his boots and slipped them on. His happy memories of holding her in his arms the night before were quickly replaced by anger and irritation. “What do you call waking up next to me then Gabriel?” “If you’ll take a good look at yourself, and me for that matter, you’ll see we’re both fully dressed. More’s the pity.”


   
The Virtual Book Tour Cafe July 31st - Aug 30th

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MK McClintock Website: http://www.mkmcclintock.com
Official Blog: http://mkmcclintock.blogspot.com
Goodreads Profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5438837.M_K_McClintock
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/mkmcclintock
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MK-McClintock/454576274571336
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MKMcClintockMT or @MKMcClintockMT
Kindlegraph: http://www.kindlegraph.com/authors/MKMcClintockMT



Giveaway!Three signed paperbacks and a gift card using the same Rafflecopter widget (below) for each tour stop. Drawing takes place end of tour. (If a winner is not in the US, an ebook will be given instead of print).


a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Zane" Virtual Book Tour Kick-off!

Today's the day! It's the kick-off of my virtual book tour for Zane! I'm over at the Black Lion Tour Blog today for the introduction to my book. I've posted the rest of the stops below and will make sure I post a link to those particular blogs on the day I visit them:) I hope you all follow the tour and make sure you leave a comment if you stop by! I'll be giving away a FREE ebook to one lucky commentor during the tour! Hope to see you all there!


Aug 22 - Black Lion Tour Blog/introductionAug 23 - Cait Lavender, Cowgirl Writer/review
Aug 24 - Caroline Clemmons Blog/interviewAug 26 - A Novel Idea/live interview (airs 1:00 PM MST)Aug 28 - Coffee Addicted Writer/guest postAug 30 - Books, Books, the Magical Fruit/guest post
Sept 7 - MK McClintock Blog/review and spotlightSept 10 - Nothing Better than a Book/review
Sept 11 - The Book Nook/reviewSept 13 - Reviews by Molly/review
Sept 14 - Black Lion Tour Blog/wrap-up

Exciting day tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the first day of my virtual book tour for "Zane"! So excited! I'll be visiting with the wonderful MK McClintock, so make sure you stop by her blog and check it out (I'll post the link tomorrow when it's available). I'll also be giving away a free ebook copy of "Zane" to one lucky commentor during the tour! So if you happen to stop by leave a comment on any of the hosting blogs for your chance to win. I hope to see you all there:-)

And don't forget about my "Name a Cowboy" contest! All you need to do is pick a name from the list on the post below and if you would like a chance to win a $10 giftcard to Amazon OR Barnes & Noble then you can add your name and email. I'm really excited to see which of these names will win:-)

Have a great day!

Name a Cowboy Contest!

Now that the first book in my “McKades of Texas” series is available I decided it was time to pick up where I left off with the second book in the series, which is Norah’s story. I had a name all picked out for the cowboy who steals her heart, but I’m starting to second guess whether I should name him this particular name or not.
So that’s where you all come in! I’m enlisting in your much needed help in choosing a name for my cowboy.
Now I know you’re probably saying, “But Kimberly, how can we pick a name if we don’t know what this cowboy looks like?” Well I’m so happy you asked:) This particular cowboy has thick, dark hair, a strong, masculine jaw, and killer green eyes. In all honesty, I sort of imagine him to look like the actor Henry Cavill. If you have no idea who he is then shame on you! LOL, just kidding, but seriously you’ve been missing out. If you’d like to get a visual then click here (I’d love to just post a picture of him on my blog but I keep hearing to many stories of bloggers getting sued for that kind of stuff...so I’m not taking any chances).
Now, back to the contest. The contest itself will run from August 20th through August 26th. Not only will you have a chance of your cowboy name being chosen for my next book but you may just win a $10 gift card to Amazon OR Barnes & Noble as well! Good luck and thanks in advance for your help!

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Country Music Friday "Walkaway Joe" by Trisha Yearwood ft Don Henley

This is one of my favorite Trisha Yearwood songs. And if you're wondering who that handsome devil is that plays "Walkaway Joe" you'd be correct in guessing Matthew McConaughey:)

My "Gallagher's Hope" by MK McClinktock Review

Isabelle Rousseu must escape New Orleans and the memory of her family’s tragic loss. With her younger brother in tow, she accepts a position as the new schoolteacher in Briarwood, Montana. Desperate to keep what’s left of her family together, Isabelle joins her life with a stranger only to discover that trust and hope go hand in hand.
Gabriel Gallagher lived each day as it came believing he had everything he could possibly want...until a determined woman and her brother arrive with a little luggage and a lot of secrets.
It will take a drastic choice to protect her and give them both, hope for the future.

My Review:
When I first read "Gallagher's Pride" (the first novel in this series) I must admit that Gabriel was one of my favorite characters. So I was thrilled when I learned that the second novel in the series was going to be his story and I couldn't wait for it to come out. I tend to get nervous sometimes about being too excited for novels because, what if they don't live up to my expectations? What if they lose my interest and I don't really want to read the next installment? Well, I am happy to announce that this book did not fail me in those categories:) 
Gabriel is such a likable guy--kind-hearted, gentleman, and easy on the eyes. I enjoyed getting to know his character better in this novel as well as visit with the rest of the Gallagher clan (Ethan, Brenna, Eliza, and Mabel) and also meet some new characters (Isabelle and Andrew). The story begins when Isabelle moves away from New Orleans with her younger brother after a family tragedy that left them with both of their parents deceased. She takes a teaching job in Montana where she is greeted with open arms by the community and one Gabriel Gallagher. He provides housing for her and helps her settles in, as he is instantly attracted to her. Isabelle keeps her guard up, not wanting to get to attached to anyone, but can't help feeling an attraction to him as well. When Isabelle is hit with a bombshell that threatens to tear her apart from the only family member she has left, Gabriel steps up to the plate and offers her his hand in marriage to keep her and her brother together. It was sweet watching these two grow from a marriage of convenience to a marriage of lasting love. And this book contains one of the most simple, sweetest, romantic lines I have ever read in a novel. Maybe it's just me but I absolutely LOVED the part where Isabelle and Gabriel are alone in his room and he wraps his arms around her from behind, cradling her to his chest and asks, "Isabelle, will you keep me?" I literally "Awed" out loud when I read that. It was just so sweet and it made me fall in love with Gabriel even more.
Now for those of you who have read "Gallagher's Pride" you know that Ms. McClintock left us with a bit of a cliff hanger with Brenna and her search for her brother. We learn more about that in "Gallagher's Hope" as well as deal with more trouble from the Gallagher's evil rancher neighbor (and Brenna's grandfather) Nathan Hunter. I swear, what he does in this novel makes me hate him even more than I did in the first book and I can't wait until the third book in this series comes out so I can find out if he gets what's coming to him. 
All in all this was a really great read and I enjoyed it so much that I had a hard time putting it down--a.k.a. I read it in one day:) If you enjoy historical westerns with a little bit of romance, a little bit of mystery and suspense and a whole lot of twists and turns than you are sure to enjoy this book.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Book Content: Contains very mild language that is used sparingly throughout the novel, very mild violence and all sexual situations happen behind closed doors.

"Gallgher's Hope" by MK McClintock Tour!

Today it is my pleasure to host author MK McClintock during her book tour for "Gallagher's Hope". I have been anxiously awaiting for this second book of the Gallagher Series to come out after I read "Gallagher's Pride". Stay tuned tomorrow for my review:)


Gallagher’s Hope Synopsis
She sought a new beginning.He sought what he didn’t know was missing.Together they would discover hope in unlikely places. places.
Isabelle Rousseu must escape New Orleans and the memory of her family’s tragic loss. With her younger brother in tow, she accepts a position as the new schoolteacher in Briarwood, Montana. Desperate to keep what’s left of her family together, Isabelle joins her life with a stranger only to discover that trust and hope go hand in hand.
Gabriel Gallagher lived each day as it came believing he had everything he could possibly want...until a determined woman and her brother arrive with a little luggage and a lot of secrets.
It will take a drastic choice to protect her and give them both, hope for the future.
Teasers
(please note that the excerpts below may vary slightly in the final book)


Excerpt One: There was nothing left of the life she had known. Her slender arm wrapped around the little boy’s shoulder and pulled him closer to his side. She could feel his slight trembling and wished more than anything that she could take   his sadness. They were alone in the world. They had each other and she prayed that would be enough for them both. They stood and listened as the priest gave the final blessing and the caskets were lowered into the ground. It wasn’t something anyone should witness, but she needed the closure. She needed to know that it was over. ‘A very sad affair’ everyone called it for it wasn’t every day that a man murdered his wife and then shot himself. It wasn’t healthy to think on the possible reasons why, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. She had truly believed that they had been a happy family. One of the wealthiest in New Orleans and one of the most respected and sought out for social gatherings. The truth however, was revealed with her father’s death. No one would speak of it to them of course, but the lawyer had made it quite clear. They were penniless.
Excerpt Two: “You promised Gabriel, you promised!” Gabriel wasn’t a light sleeper. In fact it often took a great deal to wake him from a pleasant slumber and last night had been one heck of a night’s sleep. He enjoyed waking with Isabelle in the room. What he didn’t enjoy was being yelled at and falsely accused before he’d even had his first cup of coffee. Her words though, did enough to bring him about. “Criminy, Isabelle it’s too early for yelling and I didn’t break my promise.” Gabriel moved around the side of the bed until he located his boots and slipped them on. His happy memories of holding her in his arms the night before were quickly replaced by anger and irritation. “What do you call waking up next to me then Gabriel?” “If you’ll take a good look at yourself, and me for that matter, you’ll see we’re both fully dressed. More’s the pity.”

   
Gallagher's Hope August Book Tours 
The Virtual Book Tour Cafe July 31st - Aug 30th
Aug 1st - 3rd is the Book Bonanza Kick-Off
Black Lion Virtual Book Tours Aug 13 - Aug 31st 

Writing Quote of the Day

"A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading." - William Styron

Author Spotlight! "Family Ties" by Krista Kedrick

She’s all country…
He’s all city…

Grace Tucker thought she had her life put back together - with the help of her over-protective brothers.  She had a quiet, predictable life operating the family hardware store in her hometown and spending her free time with her friends, the Caldwell family.  That was… until a tragic accident took her two best friends and left their daughters orphaned.  If that wasn’t devastating enough - Dirk Caldwell, the egocentric, completely handsome brother no one’s met, blows into town.

Dirk Caldwell realized he wasn’t in California anymore when he stepped from the redneck, rattletrap airplane and was smacked in the face with a cold breeze laced with manure.  It was exactly what he’d expected from the backwater town his brother called home.  But going head to head with Grace Tucker was not.  The hot-headed, leggy cowgirl was almost more than he could handle.  But, oh how he’d like to give it a try.

When two worlds collide can they realize love, tame passion and form a bond strong enough to tie a family together?

So what's the book about?Dirk Caldwell is a successful PR manager with a large firm in Los Angeles he lives the life others only dream about until a phone call changes his life forever.  Now he must fly to a little town in Nebraska to attend to his brother and sister-in-law’s estate and care for his nieces.  He didn’t realize how difficult it was going to be just to get an airplane that flies to the boondocks, let alone find the location of his brother’s ranch.  He also didn’t realize how tight knit and intrusive small town people are.
He gets an education very fast on how these people operate and he’s not used to being treated as one of the “family”.   When he meets Grace Tucker for the first time he was under the impression she was a man from her nickname “Sunny” and the fact that she is halfway under the kitchen sink repairing a leak and cussing.  Imagine his surprise when a long-legged, beautiful blonde emerges with hands streaked in grime and a lecture about his manners.
Imagine Grace Tucker’s surprise when she discovers a handsome, sarcastic man in her best friend’s kitchen demanding he turn over what is clearly just a simple repair job that she could handle any day of the week.  
The two of them spend time squaring off on what’s best for the ranch, the two little girls, Maci and Sasha, and while fighting a strong attraction to each other.  Grace believes she is best suited to care for her God-daughters and manage a ranch.  She thinks it is best to keep the girls in the place they love and the only home they have ever known to keep them bonded to their parents.  Dirk announces that since his brother left everything to him then he is going to do what he thinks is best.  And that’s selling the ranch and moving his nieces to California with him.  It is the only place he can make a living and a life for them.
Through the funeral, a fire, an overwhelming attraction with an unforgettable afternoon, two overprotective brothers, a good old-fashioned branding and a welcoming community Dirk discovers there is more to life than fast paced living, wealth and fame.  He understands the value of community and lasting love.  He discovers what his brother loved so much about Wolf Creek, Nebraska and that he too has found his place in the world.
Grace finds that she isn’t the expert on herself she had thought she was and that having a man with insight and the ability to call her on her obstinacy and shortsightedness while helping her overcome deep seeded fears and scars obtained from a tragic event in her family.  She learns to trust and to love a man from a world she didn’t understand.
Together they find a way through the pain and misunderstandings, the stubbornness and misconceptions to realize a bond and a love neither could imagine possible.  They form a family with Maci and Sasha and a life living and working side by side.
Please enjoy this excerpt from Family Ties:“Push that tape down so it don’t stick to your butt.” Twelve hours ago Dirk Caldwell would’ve never imagined another man making reference to his butt.  Ever.  It just wasn’t done.  Then again, twelve hours ago he wouldn’t have pictured himself struggling to get inside a tiny, run-down, four-seater plane carrying his own luggage.   He would never have been anywhere near a man who’s idea of style was Wrangler jeans paired with scuffed cowboy boots, Nebraska Huskers t-shirt and a dusty camouflage baseball cap with the phrase “That’s Mr. Redneck to You” emblazoned on it.  He hadn’t realized people like that existed let alone were allowed to hold a pilot’s license.  Yet here he was bumping elbows, knees and any manner of body parts with him while juggling his way around the cockpit. “Just toss yer’ bag back over there.” Dirk looked in the direction the work-worn hand pointed and balked.  He was supposed to put his $4,000 Bottega Veneta on top of a pile of dirty rags, maintenance manuals and something that looked like it came straight out of the engine of this nineteen-seventy something Cessna?  Yeah right. He surveyed the tiny plane, finally resigning to set his bag on the floor beneath the mess.  The distinct sound of tape being pulled from its roll drew his attention back to the pilot in time to see him tear a strip free with his teeth.  At least they were clean and in the vicinity of white. The weathered hand held out the wide silver tape motioning towards the co-pilots seat populated by other such strips.  With a sneer, Dirk took it and laid it across the most obvious spot. “Good as new.”  The pilot smiled and tucked the roll back under his seat. Oh Christ!  They were going to end up dead in a fiery inferno in the middle of some cornfield.  Well, then he wouldn’t be any worse off than his brother.  His chest constricted the instant he thought that.  Danny.  Tears stung his eyes, he swallowed hard and they disappeared. Dirk loosened his tie.  Not his favorite.  He normally went for a flashier style, but it was a Christmas present from his brother and it just felt right to wear it for the occasion.  The tears threatened again, he blinked rapidly, but they welled further.  Thank God for his Ray-Bans.  He quickly swiped a finger beneath them while pretending to check his pockets with the other hand. “If you’ll get buckled up, the tower said we’re next for take-off.” Dirk was grateful for the distraction.  He wondered if the seat belt was also secured with Duct Tape.  He wouldn’t be surprised.  It was amazing this rattle-trap passed inspections, but then he wasn’t sure if privately chartered planes to nowhere had to go through inspections.  Probably not. The seatbelt seemed secure enough.  At least he would be strapped in when they crashed.  The pilot adjusted his headset and communicated with the tower.  Dirk was surprised he actually used professional pilot jargon.   Instead of “Gee, y’all we’re ready to git the heck outta here now”. His estimation of a safe arrival notched up a fraction.  Even though, his full attention was on the runway and horizon until they were safely up and cruising. Dirk pulled his phone from his pocket with the intention of getting some work done, except it wasn’t working.  He poked at the screen anyway.  They hadn’t even left the state of Colorado and already he felt the constricting weakness of being disconnected from civilization.  It was like being naked in the wilderness.  He unbuttoned his top shirt button. “Sorry you won’t be able to use that for a while, probably not til you get home.” Dirk twisted his head to the pilot.  “I’m sorry….”  He honestly couldn’t remember the guy’s name. “Clive.”  The pilot nodded.  “Name’s Clive.”  He returned attention to the sky. Of course it is.  “Clive.  I can’t go two hours without contacting my clients, let alone two days.”   Dirk didn’t like the assessing once-over he got from Clive.  What did he know anyway?  He probably communicated by smoke signal.  Dirk adjusted his cuff links glancing at his watch. “I’ll getcha there on time.” Dirk looked sideways at Clive, whose concentration was still on the horizon and his gauges.  If it weren’t for the sympathetic half smile on his face, Dirk wouldn’t have known the man said anything.  He was really tired of those smiles; he had seen them on his girlfriend’s face for twelve straight hours.  At least it looked genuine on Clive’s. “Did you know Danny?” “Of course.”  Clive smiled warmly, as if remembering better times.  “He was a good man.” Dirk waited for him to say more, wanted him to say more, but Clive fell silent again.  He seemed to be a man of few words, not something Dirk was used to.  In his line of work people never shut up.  They jabbered just to hear their own voice, thinking if they stopped they might disappear from the spotlight. It was that very thing that kept him busy twenty-four hours a day covering media, defusing situations and bailing clients out of trouble or jail.  So busy, in fact, he hadn’t seen his brother in more than a year.  He hadn’t even met his youngest niece and she was nearly five.  Not that Danny hadn’t asked him to visit; there just was never a right time.  Public relations never slept. When Dirk’s phone had rung two nights ago he thought that’s what Danny was calling about.  Another trip.  A vacation to Nebraska.  Nebraska.  Not exactly the ultimate dream destination.  Corn fields and feed lots.  Seemed like a place of misery to Dirk. He had ignored the first call.  He would listen to Danny’s lighthearted message and subtle plea later.  He was making progress with a smoking hot redhead at the club and didn’t need any distractions.  Of course in L.A. you never could tell what was fake and what was real, so smoking hot was all relative, but that was part of the fun. Dirk loved his life.  He was successful; at least it appeared that way.  His bank account wasn’t too awful to look at.  He worked and played with the rich and famous.  They liked having him around and it was nice to be needed by them.  He had been gifted with the amazing talent to twist anything into an advantage.  He was the ultimate bull-shit slinger and the people loved him for it.

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Ties-ebook/dp/B0084F4NVU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344475980&sr=1-1&keywords=family+ties+by+krista+kedrick

More Technical Difficulties--Ugh!

Okay, so my home page appears to be a little messed up on the blog. I have no idea what happened. I'm hoping to get it fixed ASAP. Technology is not my friend this week, lol:D