Review: Remembering Joy by Jenni Moen

Blurb
Alexis doesn't believe in fairytales. She knows first hand that life can turn on a dime - that one stupid mistake can shatter dreams and irrevocably shape the future. Even though her memory of that day is hazy, she has spent the last ten years trying to put it behind her and focus on the future. Armed with the knowledge that her career will be her only legacy, Alexis works night and day to prove that she is more than just her last name. It's not only that she doesn't have time for love - she doesn't have the heart for it. After all, there's no point in starting something that you can't finish. However, when she meets Adam, she's drawn to him in a way even she can't deny. He is dark and brooding and strangely charming. He's the perfect distraction from the mundane life she's created for herself. And, as if fate is pushing them together, he seems to be around every corner. It's enough to almost make her entirely forget about her past and take a chance. Unfortunately, Adam's memory isn't hazy...not in the least. And, what she doesn't remember, he can't forget.

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Author Bio: 

Jenni Moen lives in her hometown in Oklahoma with her husband and three crazy, exuberant kids that have the potential to burn the house down at any moment.

When she's not chauffeuring kids around town, performing her mom duties as a short order cook and maid, or vacuuming for her fastidious husband, she hammers away at her keyboard at her big girl job as a patent attorney. While vodka and exercise have provided some relief from the daily grind, it is reading...and now writing...that are her true escapes.

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My Review
The blurb for the book intrigued me when I first read it. A woman running from a past she can't remember becoming involved with a man from that past. An interesting idea. And in reading Remembering Joy, I was very impressed by the whole concept. From the start, it's clear that Adam is holding some kind of grudge against Alexis, though you could only begin to guess at what it was. Doling out only small snippets at a time, the author strings you along until the big reveal, at which point as a reader, you're convinced that there's no way this can end well.

It's a strong debut novel, with writing that is, for the most part, technically sound. Alexis is a character that you instantly feel for, even though you don't know what her entire story is, and it's easy to see how she's torn about her burgeoning relationship with the handsome stranger.

I had one really big issue with the book though, and maybe it's just me, but for the entire first half of the book, I hated Adam. I mean he was a total asshole and had very few redeeming qualities. The way the story was written, we are privy to some of his thoughts and actions that Alexis has no clue about. And they're not nice. Not at all. I love a bad boy as much as the next girl, but there has to be something right from the start, that convinces me that beneath that exterior is someone I want the heroine to care about, and I didn't get that here. By the second half of the book, we get that information, but in the beginning it's just not there. I can't help thinking that it might have been more effective if the whole first half of the book was told from Alexis's POV, with the reader knowing only what she does, because she has no idea how bad he really is.

Don't fret though - Adam proves himself a worthy hero in the end, though not all the threads were tied up, because there is a sequel planned, and I, for one, intend to pick it up!

New Release: Little Bird by Liza Gaines

Little Bird (The Tangled Series) by Liza Gaines 
Romantic Suspense. Includes BDSM. 


Summary

In his bonds, she learns to soar.

Lee Jackson is bad news for a girl like Savannah Alderton. At least, that’s what everyone keeps telling her when her boss tasks her with assisting Lee in the search for his missing ex-wife. But despite all the warnings and Lee’s overbearing attitude, she’s attracted to him from the start. Wanting more than the casual sex he readily offers, Savannah fears she is bound to get hurt. Can she take that risk?

After a dysfunctional marriage and demoralizing divorce, Lee doesn’t do relationships. Casual sex with women who don’t expect more is enough to meet his needs; especially if those women share his appetite for handcuffs and crops. Which means Savannah is all wrong for him. She isn’t his type, she’s naïve and inexperienced, and worst of all, she’s exactly the kind of woman who will want more than a rough tumble between his sheets. Still, Lee can’t seem to stay away and he can’t help but wonder if maybe he’s underestimated her.

As the situation with his ex-wife becomes more desperate, Lee and Savannah struggle to overcome their fears and begin to imagine a life together. Will they live long enough to see those dreams become reality?

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About the Author

Liza Gaines grew up in Michigan before moving to Northern Virginia in 2007. She misses her family and the Great Lakes but has otherwise fallen in love with her adopted home state.

The magic of getting lost in a book is one of her favorite things and is what led her to begin writing. She also loves cooking, baking and visiting the many historical sites in the Mid-Atlantic with her history buff husband and their two dogs.

For more information about Liza and what she's working on next, please visit http://www.lizagaines.com.

LGBT Blog Hop

Click here to visit the blog host, and find the other participants in this hop!

I’m excited to be part of this blog hop because I think it’s great that someone is highlighting LGBT romance.

*steps on soapbox*

These books are great because they demonstrate that LOVE is at the heart of these relationships. Love knows no gender. And I’m a firm believer that there is no choice about who you fall in love with. If you happen to fall in love with someone of the opposite gender, that’s great. But if it’s someone of the same gender? Just as great. We are in the 21^st century and the narrow definition of “family” we’ve been accustomed to just isn’t applicable anymore. A family is a group of people who love each other.

*steps off soapbox*

Okay, now that that’s said, I love romance. And for me it doesn’t matter who’s involved. I write ménage romance! It’s fun to explore the dynamics between a group of three or more people (not to mention the sex). My first book was MFM – no sexual involvement with the men. But I got to thinking that there could still be jealousy and competition and I explored that in my second book. It seemed like it would be simpler if everyone could be involved with everyone, so I wrote my third book as an FFM. I am happily married to man I love very much. But I’m bisexual and I’ll confess to missing sex with women. We have played around a bit, but I wondered what it would be like to have another woman in a relationship with us. That’s how the idea for Training the Help was born.

Training the Help is being released on April 27, and I’m thrilled to unveil the cover, blurb, and an exclusive excerpt as part of this blog hop. I hope you enjoy it! To say thank you for stopping by, I’m giving away an ebook! Use the rafflecopter below to enter. Then, hop around to all the other hop participants and check out their work, too. There’s another rafflecopter for the grand prize, so make sure you enter that too.

Unemployed and running out of resources, Sophie LaPlante is desperate for a job, when the perfect one appears before her. A wealthy couple from Hedon Falls requires a live-in housekeeper, and Sophie is just what they’re looking for.

Jack Sullivan, a powerful CEO and Dom, is married to actress Kendra Hughes.  He immediately senses submissive tendencies in his new housekeeper. His wife can never be the sub he needs, so while Kendra is away on a film shoot, he begins to train Sophie. When Kendra returns, she joins the training to explore her own Dominant desires. While their sessions were not intended to involve sex, they find themselves fighting a losing battle against their mutual attraction.

The three of them are caught up in a web of lust, guilt, and infidelity, all complicated by an ex-boyfriend who can’t leave Sophie alone.

ADULT EXCERPT

Sophie loved the feel of Kendra’s breasts and nipples and she paid quite a lot of attention to them. She had never been with a woman and tits fascinated her. She bent her head to lick at the hard tips, smiling when Kendra moaned and grabbed her hair, forcing her closer. Sophie sucked the nipple up into her mouth while she pinched the other one between her fingers. Then she switched.

“Sophie,” Kendra said softly and pulled on her hair to raise her up.

“Yes, Mistress?” Sophie said, looking up into Kendra’s beautiful blue eyes.

“You’re amazing.” Sophie smiled widely, feeling a glow within her at the praise. “I want us to come together. Lie on your back again.”

Sophie did as she was told. Kendra straddled her again, facing her feet this time. She bent over on all fours and backed up until her pussy was just above Sophie’s face. Sophie inhaled deeply, the musky scent arousing her. She remembered sucking her own juices off Kendra’s fingers and wanted to taste her. She darted her tongue out and ran it across Kendra’s lips. The other woman shuddered and buried her own face between Sophie’s legs. Sophie cried out as Kendra began licking her clit. She almost forgot about the pussy above her until Kendra cried, “Lick my pussy, sub!”

Sophie answered by lifting her head and burying her tongue into Kendra’s cunt. She could feel the erect bud at the top of Kendra’s slit and focused her efforts there. When Kendra moaned against her pussy, Sophie shivered. She licked as quickly as she could, trying to match the rhythm of Kendra’s tongue in her own slit. The pleasure was unbelievable. When a man went down on her, no matter how recently shaved, his skin seemed rough, but Kendra’s mouth was soft and warm and smooth. And it felt fucking fantastic. Sophie remembered how good it felt when she had a finger in her pussy as she was being licked. She moved her hand up and tentatively slid a finger into Kendra’s cunt.

“Yes!” she cried. “Oh, Sophie, fuck me!”

Clearly she was doing something right, so Sophie slid another finger in to join the first and began pumping her fingers in and out in time with her tongue. Kendra did the same thing to her and Sophie could feel another orgasm building up in her. She lost track of what she was doing, and in desperation, latched onto Kendra’s clit with her lips, sucking the hard little bud.

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Follow This! Kelly Whitley

Kelly Whitley is my guest today on Follow This! Her new book, Into the Red is a must-read if you love vampires, romance, and suspense. Read on to learn more about her and and an excerpt from her book.

What got you started in writing?  

I work in the medical field, and an idea about the way I saw vampires wouldn’t go away. I saw them as being similar to humans—born, not made—but with some key paranormal differences. After being an avid reader for years, I decided to give it a shot and try my hand at writing.

How did you feel when you got that first acceptance?   

Excited, and then scared. Could I bring this thing to fruition with an editor and a publisher?

What’s your biggest challenge as a brand new author?    

The promotion. Although I’d set up a platform before I ever submitted my first manuscript, the day-to-day reality of promo remains a challenge.

What’s next for you? I’m working on a couple of novels and two short stories right now. At some point, I hope to write the story of a couple of the secondary characters in Into the Red.      

Where can fans find you?

Website: http://www.kellywhitley.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kwhitleybooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellywhitleybooks

Blog: http://kellywhitleybooks.blogspot.com/

BLURB:

Human blood is an illicit and highly addictive drug--if you're a vampire. Known as Red, its side effects are insanity, and eventual death. A group of Red-addicted vampires known as Poisoners are killing women as part of an extortion plot involving a lost ancient vampiric tome, and they’re leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. The discovery of each new victim risks exposure of the entire vampire race to humans. Then one victim survives…

Dr. Evan Nichols, oncologist and vampire, lives a monk-like existence, by his own choice, focusing on patient care and research to benefit his vampire brethren. It’s been twenty-five years since his world turned upside down—the night he lost his fiancée and discovered his hidden vampire heritage. Now his government has ordered him to take a mate—or they’ll choose one for him. It’s a horrible prospect, and one that might push him over the edge—until Fate throws him together with a human female.

Wary of relationships, Tara West has poured her energies into work and inventing cutting edge climbing equipment. She doesn’t like the gorgeous Dr. Nichols, yet finds herself unaccountably drawn to him.

When a crazed vampire attacks and poisons Tara, Evan rescues her. With time running out, he has to create an antidote to the poison before he loses his chance at love.

In order to make the vaccine which might cure her, he has to find the bastards who poisoned her and take their venom—before they die of their addiction. If he doesn’t reach them in time, saving her will be impossible.

Thus the journey begins—into the Red!

Buy Links:  Muse It Up        Amazon  

EXCERPT:

The caged light above the emergency exit cast a pallid purple glow over the alley and the pair coupling against the brick wall. Barely twenty feet away he watched, hunkered down in the murk of the shadows, thinking about the merits of killing them both, or waiting for the girl to be alone.

The bar catered to the darker element; men who came to drink, drug, and fornicate. Dangerous men. Men who committed violent crimes as easily as they breathed. Few women frequented this establishment. Most of the females present worked there as waitresses with benefits for purchase, for the men with sex on their minds.

Management took a cut of everything—the liquor, the drugs, and the sex. He also knew the management dictated who did what to whom and when, so it had been just a matter of time before a pair left the bar for the privacy of the alley.

The guy from inside the bar was clean, well-dressed in something other than biker gear and blue jeans, and wasn’t drunk or high.

Which was better than usual.

Hidden, he watched while the man finished and then disappeared back inside. The girl stayed in the alley. A match flared as she lit a cigarette and walked in tight circles by the back door. Based on his observations, he knew she wanted to attract a customer who didn’t come from the bar.

A quickie.

She didn’t realize she’d just sealed her own fate. It would be a quickie. A hell of a quickie.

He separated from the shadows and approached her from the end of the alley. He wasn’t clean, well dressed, or sober.

Which was worse than usual.

But he did have fifty bucks. He bit back a laugh as he caught the expression on her face—half victory, half revulsion. She took his money, tucking it into her bra before turning to face the rough brick of the building.

He leaned into her, pressing her chest against the alley wall and inhaling the smell of her neck as he yanked up her skirt and entered her from behind. He ran his hands over her body, relishing the feel of her soft skin as he plunged into her, ignoring her little yips of pain.

As he slammed into her and finished, the leech of his addiction demanded satisfaction, and he snaked an arm around her throat. For a moment she didn’t react, then the fragrance of her relief gave way to the smoky scent of panic. She lashed out, connecting with the unforgiving brick wall. Her struggles kicked his anticipation into overdrive, and he sank his teeth into the exploding pulse of her fear.

Within a few seconds, her legs gave out, leaving her limp against the wall; he supported her around the waist. Anyone encountering the scene would assume they’d not yet concluded their transaction. The ache of withdrawal eased its way into euphoria as the Red hit his bloodstream.

With jerky movements, he laid the body out of sight behind the filthy packing boxes before grafting himself to the shadows.

Soon, another couple would exit the bar for an outdoor tryst.

And he’d be watching.

Really Random Wednesday: The Perfect Man

Image from www.freedigitalphotos.net

I heard John Tesh on the radio last night talking about how media has created this version of the "perfect man" which makes women feel that no matter how good their man is, they're settling.

The truth is, the perfect man doesn't exist!

Shocking, I know.

I think romance writers can be guilty of contributing to the delusions. In romance books, the men are wealthy, handsome studs, who are capable of unlimited sexual encounters, and leave their heroines paralyzed by their multiple orgasms from the best sex they've ever had in their lives. Surely, though, women are intelligent enough to realize that these men are mere fantasy. Aren't they?

On an intellectual level, we are. But it can be nice to dream. The trick is to make sure you know that no man is perfect. In fact, many are deeply flawed, and it takes good communication and understanding to make a relationship work. Apparently there is a greater trend in romance for the heroes to be flawed, which is a nice reality check for those of us who get too caught up with our fantasy men.

Image from www.freedigitalphotos.net

I have to say I'm guilty of making my heroes a bit too perfect. I try to give them flaws, but it's hard. This is something I'd like to work on more, since flaws are a good source of conflict, and without conflict, your story fizzles out pretty quickly. Plus I'm one of those women who has a thing for the bad boys. It doesn't mean I don't get frustrated when hubby doesn't act the way I want him to! He's not perfect, but he does have one huge thing going for him (get your minds out of the gutter!).

He loves me.

True Confessions with Nicole Morgan

Author Nicole Morgan is my guest today and she's confessing to a naughty habit - writing erotic romance! Check out her latest books!

Hi Michelle, thanks for having me as a guest here today on your blog! I’m super excited to be here and to talk about my newest release, Impetuous [Incessant Passions 1]. Since I love a good series, most of my stories are connected and this one is no different. . The 2^nd book in the Incessant Passions series will be released on January 24^th.

Without further adieu, here is my new baby, Impetuous…

BLURB

The Callaway Corporation recently bought the high-end resort property Jenny Jacobson manages. In that time, they have micromanaged both her and it into the ground. With no budget for repairs she does most of the work herself. She proves to be pretty handy with most of the daily mishaps, until she meets the mysterious drifter, Thomas Beck. 

In the middle of a plumbing emergency, Beck comes to her rescue and fixes the problem, saving her from further disaster and costly repairs. Despite her best attempts, she cannot seem to get away from this man who shows up at every turn.

Regardless of her cold treatment toward him, he turns on his charms. Will his cocky arrogance mixed with his sexy smile break down her tough exterior? If so, what secrets is Beck keeping that could ultimately ruin any chance they have to find happiness together?

PURCHASE LINK:  http://bookstrand.com/impetuous

PG EXCERPT

She had an edge to her, that was for sure, and he had no doubt she could be a savvy businesswoman, but something told him she wasn’t as tough as she was letting on.

No. Just beneath her tough exterior lay a woman, a sensitive and vulnerable woman. It wasn’t just in the moisture filling her eyes. It was the sadness he saw in them.

“Beck, are you listening to me?” Her annoyance came across loud and clear in her tone.

“Uh, yeah.”

“Good, because while I won’t be hiring you, I do appreciate the assistance. So, seeing as how you worked about an hour, how does thirty dollars sound?” She opened the folio and began writing out a business check.

He couldn’t hold back. He burst into laughter at what she considered to be a fair price for plumbing services. Thirty dollars? She couldn’t be serious, could she? The glare in her eye told him she was quite serious, though. Laughing at her probably wasn’t the best idea right now, but the scowl on her face was just too cute!

She cleared her throat as she closed the leather checkbook. “Beck, have I said something to amuse you?”

Quickly he closed his mouth and pursed his lips together. She wasn’t just annoyed—she seemed furious. Giving himself a few moments to contain himself, he shook his head in shocked denial.

“No. No, I’m sorry. It’s just that thirty dollars is hardly the going rate for plumbing services.”

She didn’t seem satisfied with his explanation, and he still couldn’t get past how damn cute she looked. Making it obvious she was angry with him, she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. It struck him then that on any other woman her demeanor would seem bitchy—somehow, though, he saw something else.

“Look, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. Seriously, though, Miss…” He waited for her to introduce herself, despite already knowing her name from Marianne.

“Jacobson.” She held her hand out to him. “Jenny Jacobson, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Grinning when she shook his hand and squeezed hard, he wondered if this little, five-foot-nothing, brunette cutie could be any more adorable. While her manners were impeccable, she was a horrible liar. She was no more pleased to meet him than a fly would be to meet a spider.

EROTIC EXCERPT:

Her creamy skin looked flawless against the backdrop of the crisp white sheets.

With both hands, he firmly held her legs apart and loomed just above her already slick folds. He could see the glistening moisture already building up and coating her slit. Her excitement and anticipation was evident.

Hesitating for a moment, he looked up at her. His eyes met hers for a fire-charged flash in time. Gently he blew on her. From her pussy on up to her nipples he caressed her with nothing more than a gush of air. His actions were rewarded by her moans as she squirmed under the warm tickle of his breath.

“Sugar, I hope you’re ready and rested. Because I’m going to lick you, taste you, and suck up every last succulent drop you have to offer me.”

This time he didn’t hesitate. His hunger wouldn’t allow it. Dropping his head down, he darted his tongue out and slid it between her moistened lips. Her slit was even wetter than he expected. And so fucking hot he thought his tongue might catch fire.

He had been right in his earlier prediction. She was the sweetest of all the fruits. Like candied ambrosia, her flavor just seeped into his soul and took hold of him.

His tongue moved up and down several times at her slick entrance. As good as she tasted, he enjoyed the tease it provided. She was already fighting him and writhing beneath his ministrations as soft whimpers escaped her. Judging from her body’s response last night and today, he knew she was already getting close. As much as he wanted to taste the honeyed nectar she’d surely provide him in orgasm, he wanted to slow down and prolong her pleasure.

Removing his tongue, he traced small circles around the outer part of her pussy, from one inner thigh to the other, the whole time touching her delicately, taunting her with featherlike kisses.

Her skin was so smooth under his tongue he wondered if she was even real. Maybe she was a goddess that he dreamed up. Some sort of muse sent down from a mythical land to seduce him in his wildest dreams. He fought back a laugh at the thought. If she were, she was damn good at what she did, but even his deepest fantasies had never been this good.

Her fingers ran through his hair, and she whispered, “Beck, please…”

He was never one to watch a woman suffer, but he had to admit his ego did swell almost as big as his cock from her pleas. It turned him on to know she needed it so badly she wasn’t afraid to beg.

And here’s a sneak peek at Tempestuous, which is now available for pre-sale!!

Michelle finally has her dream job working in a tropical paradise. Forced into a leave of absence by his father, Brad checks into the island resort. A chance encounter has them both walking a fine line between casual friendship and lascivious intentions. Will they throw caution to the wind and be…tempestuous?
Purchase Link: http://bookstrand.com/tempestuous
This title is offered at a 10% discount. Offer ends midnight CST, January 31st.

Nicole Morgan Bio:

Nicole Morgan is a multi-published author of erotic romantic novels, which more often than not have a suspenseful back story. Erotic romance mixed with a good old-fashioned whodunit. While she's written everything from contemporary to paranormal her leading men will more than likely be wearing a uniform of some kind. From military to police officers, she has a love for writing about those who protect and serve. From her very first novel (which turned into a four book series) about Navy SEALs to her more recent releases you will be sure to find a few twists and turns you were not expecting.

In additional to her books, Nicole also has a recurring column called, "Sex and the Single Woman" in BT Showcase's online eMagazine. Also, she has recently partnered up with three of her author friends and became Four Seduced Muses, a blog dedicated to the steamier side of romance.

Nicole’s website: http://nicolemorgan1.webs.com

Nicole’s blog: http://nicolemorganauthor.blogspot.com

Happily Ever After Giveaway Hop

And they lived happily ever after...

Ah, happy endings. Something I love! I don't know why. Perhaps I watched too many Disney films as a child. Anyway, for this giveaway hop, we're supposed to write about a personal happy ending.

Thankfully, I've had many so far. The first (and one that had to precede some others) was meeting and marrying my husband. We worked together at a Wal-Mart, and I always found excuses to go in when he was working, till my friends got sick of me dragging them in and told him to ask me out. Which he did! We moved in together a year later, and got married three years after that. 

That led to two more happy endings - the births of my children. My son and then my daughter a few years later. Some other happy endings would be getting my degrees, getting a job, launching my writing career, and getting a position at work I had thought was out of reach.

Of course, the stories are never really over are they? My stories are still being written. It hasn't always been perfect. Like everyone else, I have my ups and downs. And I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Since this is a giveaway hop, it has a happy ending for someone, too! I have a copy of my book, Landing the Big Ones for someone who visits my blog! Use the Rafflecopter entry below and I'll draw a winner on January 27th! Don't forget to visit the other sites on the hop - everyone has something to give! Good luck!

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Follow This! Jill Blair

Today on Follow This! I'd like to introduce you to Bookstrand author, Jill Blair. Her steamy book, The Thirty-Day Gamble, is now available and definitely worth the investment!

What got you started in writing?

My earliest memory of writing was from childhood.  I sat at the kitchen table while my mother cooked dinner and wrote stories using paper towels for the pages.  My illustrations weren’t very good, but my mom would staple the pages together to make books and put them on the bookcase with her other books.  In my twenties, I started my first romance novel.

How did you feel when you got that first acceptance?

I didn’t believe what I was reading.  I was so used to receiving the standard rejection letter I ran into my girlfriend’s office (we were at work) with my iPad and had her verify what it said.  After jumping up and down, I called my husband.

What’s your biggest challenge as a brand new author?

Promotion.  When I started writing seriously three years ago, I was half way through my third book before I even told my husband I was writing.  Now I carry business cards with my book cover and web site to hand out to anyone willing to take it.

What’s next for you?

Using the lessons from working with my editor at Bookstrand, I’m editing (again!) a novel I completed before The Thirty Day Gamble.   I have also started a sequel to The Thirty Day Gamble and plan to eventually complete the trilogy. 

Where can fans find you?

https://twitter.com/BlairRomance

www.Facebook.com/BlairRomance

www.BlairRomance.com

Jill's book, is now available! Click the cover to buy!

Blurb:

Oil broker Simone Banks desperately needs money—and lots of it—to finance her sister’s escape from a violent husband. Her only hope is to persuade the sexy owner of the Talbot Ranch to give her company, Plains Oil, the leases to the massive oil reserve beneath his ranch.

Brent Talbot is a renowned architect who fled his harried life in Los Angeles for an isolated North Dakota cattle ranch. He abhors the recent oil rush that has consumed most of Southwestern North Dakota and continually refuses all offers to extract the oil underneath his property, including those from Plains Oil.

When Simone is knocked off her feet by the sexy owner, both physically and carnally, in the first few minutes of meeting him, she knows she is in over her head. When she is forced to stay in the house with the seductive cowboy for thirty days in exchange for the leases, she knows she is gambling with more than money.

Excerpt:

Mothra-sized butterflies flapped inside Simone’s stomach as she pulled off the highway and under the wrought-iron pergola emblazoned with a giant TCR, the Talbot Cattle Ranch brand. As she drove down the long gravel driveway to the main house she noticed that, for as far as the eye could see, split-rail fencing caged acres of rolling yellow hills patched with occasional clumps of green bush.

She appraised the house as she approached, enthralled by the welcoming ambiance it emitted, even with its massive size. It was easy to see the architectural talent in the man who designed the two-story ranch style house.

The structure itself was a mixture of stucco and wood siding that looked as though it was part of the natural surroundings instead of an intrusion. The natural wood verandah wrapped entirely around the three sides she could see, and assumedly the back of the house as well. The gravel drive circled in front of the house and back out to the drive, creating a center area that had a water pond and patinated copper fountain bidding the weary traveler welcome.

Simone heard that Brent Talbot had designed and built the house himself. If so, she was impressed. Now if his attitude was as welcoming as his home, she had it made.

She pulled the four-wheel-drive rental Jeep in front of the plank steps leading to the wooden-and-leaded-glass front door and turned off the engine. She practiced her opening speech one more time before pulling the handle on the door and nervously leaving the safety of the Jeep.

With leaden feet, she ascended each wood stair and approached the front door. She was just raising her hand to knock on the heavy wood when it opened wide and a hard, muscled wall of a chest nearly mowed her down.

“Oh!” was all she managed before two strong arms caught her upper arms, pulling her toward the flannel-covered wall and preventing her from falling flat on her butt.

All words escaped her as she felt electricity from the two massive hands pulsate through her arms, surging shock waves through her nervous system and making her toes tingle in her shoes. The world around her dissolved as she looked up into eyes as blue as the deep ice of an arctic glacier. All thought was lost in the depths of the aqua-blue pools.

Her peripheral vision registered the handsome face behind the heart-stopping eyes. His face, tan and rugged, revealed a man who spent most of his time on the back of a horse riding the wild plains of the Dakotas. His nose was slightly bent, as though once broken and straightened just enough to add to his rugged outdoorsy handsomeness. He wore a day’s growth of beard across chiseled cheekbones and a cleft chin. His hair was surprisingly long for a cowboy, curling over the collar of his plaid shirt, and Simone fought the compelling urge to run her fingers through the sun-streaked strands.

Here stands every woman’s dream of the perfect cowboy hero, she thought. And she was in his arms. Although she had regained her balance, it did not occur to her to pull from his grasp.

“Are you all right?” His deep, masculine voice graveled delightfully across her spine, turning her knees to jelly.

“I didn’t expect anyone to be standing on my porch.” Brent Talbot didn’t recognize the woman he was holding but knew he would not have forgotten this mesmerizing woman had they met before.

She was petite, a good six inches shorter than his six-foot two-inch height, even in heels. Her hair, the color of a purebred chestnut mare, shone silkily in the morning sun. Pulled back in a clip, loose strands fell around her face, framing the fair, faultless complexion and rich brown eyes. Her small upturned nose perfectly complemented full lips colored the rich pink of the wild prairie rose.

It had been a long time since he felt the hot surge of desire rush through his bloodstream and settle in his groin. He thanked whatever deity was responsible for dropping this mesmerizing woman into his arms.

Simone finally found her voice as she whispered, “Yes, I’m fine.” She cleared the lump in her throat. “Um, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” he asked, his eyes not releasing hers.

“Yes, for being in your way.” Her mouth seemed to be talking without signals from her brain. God, I sound like such a ninny. Stop it! I’m a confident and capable businesswoman, she reminded herself. So stop acting like a silly schoolgirl with her first crush.

A lazy smile spread across his handsome face, a grin that showed white, straight teeth through lips Simone wanted desperately to feel against hers. Her breath caught in her throat and she instinctively leaned toward him, barely catching herself before actually tilting her head toward a kiss that only existed in her mind.