Friday, February 23, 2018

Blurb Blitz & #Giveaway for Havana Blues by David Pereda


Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Book Tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. David Pereda will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The year is 1952 and Ramon Rodriguez’s life as a teenager in fun-loving Havana is filled with typical activities and concerns: girls, education, religion, baseball, parties, and hanging out with friends. The country is enjoying a period of prosperity and happiness--until General Batista stages a coup that topples the government and Ramon’s life is flung into chaos.

In a few short years, the carefree fifties morph into a vicious and repressive dictatorship highlighted by corruption, organized gambling, school closures, student demonstrations, police brutality, and assassinations.

As Ramon experiences the thrills of his first romantic relationship, graduates from school, and struggles to plan for an uncertain future, he is forced to make important decisions that may be dangerous to him, his family, his friends, and his girlfriend – the beautiful Sonia -- and could turn deadly.

Buy Links:  Amazon     Barnes and Noble



Excerpt

A car turned the corner with a screeching of tires. With mechanical harmony, another creeching echoed from the opposite direction.

Siren noises combined to wreck the peacefulness and drown my father’s voice as two cars skidded face to face in front of my house. I recognized the blue and white stripes. Car doors opened and slammed. A stream of policemen armed with rifles and machine guns crashed through the garden door and spilled over our garden like insects.

My mother shrieked once. My father stood paralyzed.

I stared in growing disbelief at the bulk who loped into the garden and stopped just outside the bright range of the porch lights. The clean-shaven face, the brittle smile, were familiar to me. So was the voice.

‘Buenas noches,’ Santana said. ‘Lovely night, isn’t it?’

Even with a veneer of politeness, Santana’s voice made the hair in the back of my neck stand on end.

‘What's the meaning of this?’ my father asked, surprising me. ‘Crashing into our house, as if we were common criminals.’

Santana’s stare was cold. ‘Just doing my duty, SeƱor Rodriguez.’

He turned to me, smoothing out the front of my dinner jacket with his hand. ‘You're very elegant tonight,’ he said. ‘Don’t tell me, let me guess. You were at the Club Profesionales, weren’t you?’

‘Yes, we were,’ my mother said sharply, ‘and we had to leave because of some terrorists. Disgusting. And on his graduation dance night too.’ She glared at Santana.

He gave her a polite smile, more of a smirk, and turned to me.

‘Being in the building as you were, you could have planted that bomb very easily, couldn’t you?’

‘What? You think I…? No!’

‘No what?’

‘No, I couldn’t.’ My heart pounded in my chest. ‘My mother can testify to that.’

My mother had turned a chalky white and her lips were open and round like an O. She seemed at a loss for words.

About the Author:
David Pereda was born in Havana, Cuba. The award-winning author of seven previous novels, he enjoys crafting political thrillers and edgy mainstream novels with unique characters placed in exotic settings. He has traveled to more than thirty countries and speaks four languages. Before devoting his time solely to writing and teaching, David had a successful international consulting career with global giant Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked with the governments of Mexico, Venezuela, Peru and Qatar, among others.

A member of MENSA, David earned his MBA from Pepperdine University in California. He earned bachelor degrees in English literature and mathematics at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

He lives in artistic Asheville, North Carolina, with his youngest daughter Sophia, where he teaches mathematics and English at the Asheville-Buncombe Community College. He loves sports and is an accomplished competitor in track and show-jumping equestrian events.

Website: http://davidpereda.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Pereda-Writer/345490998614
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidPeredaAVL





Book Beginnings & Friday 56 - #102


Book Beginnings on Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader. Every Friday we share the first sentence (or so) of the book we’re currently reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.


My Book Beginning:  


Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 1) by Frank Herbert



A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct.  This every sister of the Bene Gesserite knows.  To begin your study of the life of Maud’Dib, then, take care that you first place him in his time born in the 57th year of the Padishah Emporer, Shaddam IV.  And take the most special care that you locate Maud’Dib in his place; the planet Arrakis.  Do not be deceived by the fact that he was born on Caladan and lived his first fifteen years there. Arrakis, the planet known as Dune, is forever his place. 

FROM “MANUAL OF MAUD’DIB”
BY THE PRINCESS IRULAN

In the week before their departure to Arrakis, when all the final scurrying about had reached a nearly a nearly unbearable frenzy, an old crone to visit the mother of the boy, Paul..
My Thoughts:  I originally read this book 30 some years ago - yes I'm that old - when the movie first came out.  I recently rewatched the movie and decided to re-read the book.  The beginning is not like the movie and I actually like the beginning of the book better.  Also, this is the cover the paperback had when I read it the first time - the cover has changed numerous times since the book was first published in the 1960's.  

What do you think?  Don't forget to leave your book beginning below and to link-up at Rose City Reader.  





**************


Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda at Freda’s Voice on every Friday.

To Play along here are the Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.
*Add your post below. 
*Don’t forget to add your post URL (not your blog url) at Freda’s Voice.  
*It's that simple.

My 56 (Also from Dune by Frank Herbert – about 56% on Kindle):  

Paul stood beside Chani in the shadows of the inner cave.  He could still taste the morsel she had fed him – bird flesh and grain bound with spice honey and encased in a leaf.  In tasting it he had realized he never before had eaten such a concentration of spice essence and there had been a moment of fear. He knew what this essence could do to him – the spice change that pushed his mind into prescient awareness.  


My Thoughts:  For some reason I am having a difficult time re-reading this book.  It seems to be dragging for me and I'm about ready to pull my hair out.  The book is much better than the movie but it is very slowly paced and I find myself liking Paul less in the book than in the movie.  

So what do you think? Do the teasers tempt you? Don’t forget to leave your link below and to link up at Freda’s Voice.





About Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 1) by Frank Herbert


Frank Herbert’s classic masterpiece—a triumph of the imagination and one of the bestselling science fiction novels of all time.

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides—who would become known as Muad’Dib—and of a great family’s ambition to bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.

A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune won the first Nebula Award, shared the Hugo Award, and formed the basis of what is undoubtedly the grandest epic in science fiction.  



Don't forget to post your meme's and link up at both host locations.  

Have a great Friday! 
Maria

Monday, February 19, 2018

Book Tour & #Giveaway for the Ways of Love Series by Tabetha Waite


Welcome to my stop on the Book Tour, presented by Silver Dagger Book Tours, for the Ways of Love series by Tabetha Waite.  Please leave a comment or question for Tabetha to let her know you stopped by.  You may enter her tour wide giveaway by filling out the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck!
Why the Earl is After the Girl
by Tabetha Waite
Ways of Love, Book 1 
Etopia Press
Genre: Historical Romance
277 pages




A missing heirloom. A stolen inheritance. Can love conquer mistrust?

Athena Hawthorne never imagined that she would lose everything she'd ever had. But after the death of her father, his prosperous jewellery store is sold off to pay his supposed debts. Athena, now destitute, embarks on a mission to discover the truth, but circumstances force her to accept an offer from a handsome stranger to work as a governess. She's determined to clear her father's name, but a certain earl is making matters far more difficult than necessary. And she can't be in danger of losing her heart to a member of the aristocracy...

Orion Ashcroft, the Earl of Rockford, is convinced that Athena is a grasping thief who stole a priceless family heirloom, the rare sapphire known as the Couleur Magnifique. When he offers her the position of governess to his sister's children, he only intends to catch her in some nefarious scheme and get back the sapphire—his grandmother's dying wish. But he soon discovers that keeping his distance—and his sanity—around the beautiful Athena isn't as easy as he'd planned. It certainly doesn't help that his sister and his best friend plead her innocence at every frustrating turn. Soon he's struggling between honoring his promise and his growing attraction to Athena.

But there's danger closer than either expect. Even a masquerade can't hide Athena from the curiosity of the ton forever...and there's a threat hiding among the highest members of society...

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo



Walking casually into the front parlor where his sister and Gregory sat enjoying a round of piquet, he found himself looking around for Athena before feeling a surge of disappointment when she didn’t appear.

“It seems rather quiet tonight,” he noted, to which he was ignored. With a frown, he walked over to a large globe in a corner of the room. Giving it a haphazard spin, he tried to keep his tone neutral when he asked, “Has Athena already retired?”

Cassie didn’t even look up but merely kept playing. “No.”      

More was obviously not forthcoming, so he turned to his sister and put his hands on his hips. “Is she with the twins?”

“No.” This time the obscure reply came from Gregory.

Rion instantly froze. Something wasn’t right here…”Then where is she?”
         
“Out.” Cassie shrugged as she laid down another card.

He blinked, not sure that he’d heard correctly. “Do you mean she’s gone?”

“That’s what ‘out’ usually means, yes.” His sister rolled her eyes at Gregory as though she was worried about the welfare of Rion’s mind.
         
It was the last straw. “Does someone want to tell me what the hell is going on?”   Gregory finally glanced up, his green eyes full of censure. “Friend or brother, I will thank you not to use that sort of language around my wife.”

“Then can we quit dancing around the subject of Athena?” Rion shot back irritably.
         
\“Athena, is it?” Cassie said almost silkily, as she finally – finally – laid down her hand and turned to face him fully. When Rion didn’t reply, but merely kept his expression mutinous, she lifted her chin and said in the most casual manner imaginable, “She’s at a masquerade ball with Lord Eversleigh.”

Athena was with -- Roarke? “Wait.” Holding up a hand, he asked firmly,

“How does she even know him?”
“The viscount paid us a call this afternoon.” Gregory replied, his full attention on the exchange now.  

“To see Athena?” Rion asked, doubly confused.

Again, Cassie rolled her eyes, and damned if she wasn’t pregnant or even blood relation he would have called her out at that moment, regardless of the fact she was a woman. “No. He came to see Gregory and myself, but after meeting Athena, he thought she would be the perfect choice to take to the ball. So, I helped her choose one of my gowns…”
         
“You mean you were a party to this debacle?” Rion groaned in disbelief. Surely he was dreaming and he was only imagining this entire nightmare.
         
“I didn’t see where it hurt that she had a night to herself.” Cassie shrugged.

“She is a young woman of age after all and she has been working quite hard.”

Rion felt a tic begin in his jaw. “Who, pray tell, was her chaperone?”

“Oh, good heavens! She just went out with Eversleigh!” Cassie replied, as if it was perfectly commonplace to allow a single governess to go about London in the middle of the night with a known rogue. 

Rion didn’t even think. Before Cassie had even caught up to him, he had stalked back into the foyer and was shrugging on his greatcoat.


Where the Viscount Met His Match
Ways of Love, Book 2
Etopia Press
380 pages



Secrets. Lies. And a second chance at love...

Torn from the only man she'd ever loved by a tragic secret, Mara Miller has travelled a long and difficult road. From poverty and the workhouses, she's finally made a life for herself as the owner of a small haberdashery in London. With her companion, Big B, an African slave she'd helped escape from a Brazilian slaver, she's made a fresh start. But when the past walks into her shop—in the form of the ever-handsome Roarke Garrott, Viscount Eversleigh—Mara feels her whole world crash to her feet. Thrust back into a web of lies, deceit, and manipulation, Mara is forced to face the one man she'd sworn to forget.

For the past seven years, Roarke had sequestered himself in India to mourn Mara's death. Vowing to move on and put the past behind him, he returns to London, only to find himself gazing into those beautiful green eyes he believed he'd never see again. Now he's found her—alive and trying to deny who she was. A million feelings wash over him. Joy. Fury. Heartbreak. He would have the truth from her—of where she'd gone, and why—but when trouble from the past finds Mara and Big B, the truth becomes secondary to saving Mara's life. After just learning that the woman he'd loved is alive, Roarke is not about to lose her again...

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When a Duke Pursues a Lady
Ways of Love, Book 3
Etopia Press



An innocent woman. A loyal agent to the Crown. A path of deception that tests the bonds of love.

Lyra Coventry, Lady Weston, has spent the past three years trapped in an abusive and loveless marriage. But just when she believes she’s free, she’s charged with the murder of her husband. With no one to turn to for help, her judgment seems rather dire, until the Duke of Albright comes forward to offer his aid. With no choice but to put her trust in him, she doesn’t know that he has an ulterior motive for helping her – to prove her guilty of treason. It isn’t until the true villain comes to light that she discovers a strength she never knew existed – and a love she never thought was possible.

Alister Ayles, Duke of Albright, might be the subject of ton ridicule, but as a highly respected agent for the Crown, he discovered a higher purpose. However, when he’s faced with his toughest investigation to date, he has to travel a difficult path. Years ago, he’d made a mistake and let Lyra slip through his fingers. Now, he has a chance to make it right by clearing her name. But when it comes down to a test of loyalty, will he stand strong, or fall prey to his desires?

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo



Tabetha Waite is the award winning author of "Why the Earl is After the Girl," her debut novel and the first installment of her Ways of Love series. Raised in Missouri by her paternal grandparents, she always had a love of reading. Her early influences were the Gothic romances of the 60s, the Janet Dailey Americana series, and "Midnight Bride" by Kathleen Drymon. She continues to make her home in the Midwest with her husband and two daughters.






Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!


Book Tour & #Giveaway for the Qing Dynasty Mysteries by Amanda Roberts


Welcome to my stop on the Book Tour, presented by Silver Dagger Book Tours, for the Qing Dynasty Mysteries by Amanda Roberts.  Please leave a comment or question for Amanda to let her know you stopped by.  You may enter her tour wide giveaway by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.  Good Luck!

Murder in the Forbidden City
by Amanda Roberts
Qing Dynasty Mysteries, Book 1
Red Empress Publishing
Genre: Historical Mystery
216 pages



Peking, 1867

When one of the Empress’s ladies-in-waiting is killed in the Forbidden City, she orders Inspector Gong to find the killer. Unfortunately, as a man, he is forbidden from entering the Inner Court. How is he supposed to solve a murder when he cannot visit the scene of the crime or talk to the women in the victim’s life? He won’t be able to solve this crime alone.

The widowed Lady Li is devastated when she finds out about the murder of her sister-in-law, who was serving as the Empress’s lady-in-waiting. She is determined to discover who killed her, even if it means assisting the rude and obnoxious Inspector Gong and going undercover in the Forbidden City.

Together, will Lady Li and Inspector Gong be able to find the murderer before he – or she – strikes again?



Murder in the British Quarter
Qing Dynasty Mysteries, Book 2





When a young Chinese woman is murdered within the British Quarter of the foreign legation, Inspector Gong is ordered by the Imperial Court to solve the crime before the incident escalates into war between China and the foreign powers. The only problem? Inspector Gong doesn’t speak English. And he is hardly the type of man to be accepted by the British elite living in Peking.

Once again, he must turn to the one woman who can help him. The woman he can’t stop thinking about.

Lady Li is trying to forget about Inspector Gong. He’s a danger to herself, her position, and her children’s future. But when he comes once again knocking on her door and asking for her assistance in solving a case, she can’t resist, despite her better judgment.

Lady Li’s language and diplomatic abilities allow her to freely enter the world of the Western visitors, but tensions between the foreigners and local people are increasing by the hour.

Will Lady Li and Inspector Gong be able to solve the crime without the answer leading China to war?



“What are your orders, Your Highness?” the inspector asked.

“Find the killer,” he said.

The inspector sighed. “In a walled city where I don’t speak the language?” he asked, only half-joking.

“Well, you do know one person who speaks English, aside from me,” the prince said.

“Who is that?”

“Lady Li.”

Inspector Gong felt his breath hitch in his throat. Lady Li. She had helped him solve a case a couple of months previously. Her sister-in-law had been murdered in the Inner Court, the court of the ladies, in the Forbidden City. As a man, he could not be permitted into the Inner Court. However, Lady Li agreed to help him and went in his stead.

They had solved the crime and also discovered a passion for one another, spending one incredible night together in her quarters in the Forbidden City. But he had not seen her since her sister-in-law was formally laid to rest after they solved the crime. He wanted to see her, and had fought the urge to call on her many times, but nothing could ever come of it. She was Manchu; he was Han. Legally, they could not marry. Plus, she was a widow, and society dictated she remain as such for the rest of her life in reverence to her husband, even though she was only in her twenties. There were other considerations as well, but they all added up to the same thing—Lady Li was a woman he should stay away from, for both their sakes.

“Are you suggesting I ask Lady Li for her help?” Inspector Gong finally asked. “Again?”

“You worked well together last time,” the prince said, without a hint of irony. The prince knew that Inspector Gong and Lady Li spent the night together, and he knew that they could not have a future together. So why was he so quick to encourage Inspector Gong to call on her?

“Is there something else going on here?” the inspector asked.

The prince shook his head. “It was only a suggestion. I suppose I could find another translator for you…”

“I didn’t say you needed to do that,” the inspector interrupted.

Prince Kung smiled. “I just think she can help you in more ways than as just a translator.”

“What do you mean?” the inspector asked.

“Just call on her,” the prince said. “You won’t be disappointed.”


Amanda Roberts is a writer and editor who has been living in China since 2010. Amanda has an MA in English from the University of Central Missouri. She has been published in magazines, newspapers, and anthologies around the world and she regularly contributes to numerous blogs. Amanda can be found all over the Internet, but her home is TwoAmericansinChina.com.




 Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!




Release Day Blitz for Forbidden Lyrics by Jodie Larson

We are thrilled to be bringing you Jodie Larson's FORBIDDEN LYRICS, the third standalone in her Lightning Strikes rockstar series. Fans of contemporary romance are not going to want to miss this one--be sure to grab your copy today! 


About FORBIDDEN LYRICS

Falling in love with your best friend's sister is never a good idea. Getting caught kissing her, that's even worse. I watched Lizzie Donovan grow up - from pigtails and scraped knees to pouty lips and lush curves. It wasn't until one night nine years ago in the front seat of her car, with her lips on mine, that I realized what I was feeling was far more than friendship.

Of course, I felt her brother's wicked left hook shortly after. One promise was all it took to push her away. Not anymore. This is my chance. I have three months to convince her that she's the song in my heart and we're more than just forbidden lyrics.

Add FORBIDDEN LYRICS to your Goodreads shelf here! 


Grab your copy of FORBIDDEN LYRICS on Amazon today!

 

Read an excerpt from FORBIDDEN LYRICS

The house lights dim, leaving the whole place practically in darkness.

A hush falls over the crowd as if the lack of light was in control of their voices.

Pretty sure we’re the only table that knows what’s about to happen.

The steady beat of a drum, counting out a punishing rhythm break through the silence. A bass guitar joins in, followed closely by two more guitars.

It’s a pattern I’ve heard all my life.

Each instrument getting its turn to take the spotlight before coming together as a whole.

A spotlight cuts through the darkness and every girl in the room loses their mind before rushing the stage.

Flashes from cell phones compete against the swirling lights illuminating the dance floor.

The four of them stand there, perfectly comfortable in their surroundings, taking command of the area.

Kade winds at the girls in front while Myles struts his stuff along the right side of the stage. You can barely see Pax’s head above the drum set, but every once in a while, you sneak a glimpse of his smile.

But that’s not what I’m focusing on.

No, I’m drawn to the one standing off to the side, keeping a constant rhythm and not drawing as much attention to himself.

Damn.

If I thought Breck looked good sitting on a bar stool, he looks a million times better with a spotlight shining directly on him.   
  

Don't miss the other LIGHTNING STRIKES books! 


 


SERENADING THE SHADOWS

No one should have their life planned out at the age of three.

Yet that’s exactly what happened to Adrienne Carmichael. Paving the way as the “piano prodigy” was all her parents wanted…Only she didn’t.

All she wished for was to be normal, to be a regular teenager and everything that came with it—including the decisions that would shape her life.

Wish granted.

Ten years later, scarred and broken, she knows that being alone isn’t everything she imagined. The piano is finally everything, except nobody will ever hear her play again.

All that changes when a sexy-as-sin rock god blows into her life. Tall and tattooed with jet-black hair and a dangerous bad boy smile…he’s every girl’s fantasy.

To her, he's a distraction, yet Kade Evans is everything she shouldn't want. Instinct tells her to run, but she can’t get him out of her mind. But may, just maybe he can be the one to pull her from the shadows before the darkness swallows her…for good.



 

NOTES OF THE PAST

I love women.

And it’s easy to see why. Being the lead guitarist for the country’s hottest band, Lightning Strikes, has them practically jumping into my bed and walking out the door just as quick. Which is perfect for me. Emotions complicate things, and I don’t do complicated.

Not anymore.

Sure, I was in love once, and it was great. Then it was gone. That’s when I vowed never again. Life is better without empty, broken promises.

After five years of hard work, sacrifices, and determination, everything I’ve ever wanted is in my grasp: a successful career, touring city after city and being accountable to no one.

Then she starts appearing in the crowds. The girl I once loved, and who walked away.

Only, Tatum Mitchell wasn’t just any girl; she was my girl.

Will she be the wedge that drives the last part of my heart away, or will she break down the walls I’ve built. We’re connected through the lyrics of our heart and the notes of our past, but is that enough?



   

About JODIE LARSON

Jodie Larson is a wife and mother to four beautiful girls, making their home in northern Minnesota along the shore of Lake Superior. When she isn't running around to various activities or working her regular job, you can find her sitting in her favorite spot reading her new favorite book or camped out somewhere quiet trying to write her next manuscript. She's addicted to reading (just ask her kids or husband) and loves talking books even more so with her friends. She's also a lover of all things romance and happily ever afters, whether in movies or in books, as shown in her extensive collection of both.




Spotlight & #Giveaway for The Cowboy Who Came Calling by Linda Broday


Welcome to my Spotlight for The Cowboy Who Came Calling by Linda Broday.  Please leave a comment or question for Linda to let her know you stopped by.  You may enter the Sourcebook Casablanca Giveaway by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.  Good Luck!

The Cowboy Who Came Calling
By Linda Broday
Texas Heroes, Book 2

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Pub Date: February 6, 2018
Genre: Historical Western Romance
Length: 320 Pages
ISBN: 9781492646471
ASIN: B0748MDZZB

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | IndieBound



About the book:

He’ll do what it takes
To win
Her heart

Glory Day may be losing her vision, but that doesn’t mean she’ll ever stop fighting. Determined to provide for her struggling family, she confronts an outlaw with a price on his head. But when a mysterious cowboy gets between her and her target, Glory accidentally shoots him instead. Flustered, she has no option but to take the handsome stranger home to treat his wounds.

Former Texas Ranger Luke McClain didn’t plan to fall in love, but there’s no denying the strength of Glory’s will or the sweetness of her heart. But Glory’s been burned before, and Luke will have to reach into the depths of his own battered soul to convince her to take a chance...

And trust that love is worth fighting for.



EXCERPT

A light touch on Glory’s shoulder gave her a start. The hand surely belonged to Luke, for only he could loosen this flurry inside. She blinked several times, cursing the inability to see what he held. At last the item came into view.

A toothbrush. A real one.

Glory whirled. Every well-planned, scathing remark vanished, not even the mere footprint of one remained in her head. She cradled the treasure with wonder.

“You hankered for one of these the first time I saw you in the emporium. I also recall how you had to bite your tongue to keep from giving those girls their comeuppance.” Quiet challenge lay beneath Luke’s words. He dared her to refuse something she so desired. If she could.

Moral indignation that had burned so hotly before deserted her. “I thought you didn’t notice me that day. You appeared quite taken with the…other patrons.”

“Oh, I noticed.”

In a Monday that held more twists and turns than a dog’s hind leg, his barely audible reply and intent stare added yet more bewilderment. Why did he have to go and make her forget her outrage? Awfully difficult to harbor a grudge when he seemed intent on filling her head with hope.

She stared at the object in her palm, afraid it would fade into thin air as the genie in the Arabian Nights had. Fairy tales were for children, not grown women who knew better. McClain couldn’t be Aladdin—unless he whipped out a magic carpet. This night she wouldn’t rule out anything.

“Say something, Glory.” Hope gave her a sharp poke.

Patience grinned. “If you wanna kiss him, we’ll hide our eyes.”

Hell’s bells!  If she didn’t die of mortification, it would be a sheer miracle.

“I know you want to,” Patience crowed. “Leastways that’s what you wrote in your private book.”

“What kind of woman would pass up a kiss?” Luke raised her chin with the lightest of nudges.

Her legs threatened to buckle. Powerless in the spell of his gaze, she marveled at the rakish curve of his mouth. The essence of him wrapped around, over, and inside her as she gladly stepped onto his magic carpet.

One more kiss wouldn’t hurt anything.

A sudden scurry of feet seemed in the distance. Glory’s ears pounded. His frenzied heartbeat jumped through the fabric of his shirt. She sank into the curve of his arm because he stole her will to step back.

The kiss that began with tender softness deepened. She shuddered under his caress, a piece of clay in the hands of a master.

Her feverish skin throbbed with some strange need she didn’t comprehend. She only knew if she died in his arms this second, she would depart the world in a state of bliss.

When he lifted his head at last, she would have fallen without his steadying support. She rested her face on his broad chest for a moment to still the dizzying whirl.

“Thank you.” His murmur came faint as a breeze through willows. His ragged breath ruffled her hair.

A few seconds later, she remembered where they stood and the liberties she’d allowed. Never before had she been so carefree. Or so warm. “Good heavens!” She patted her hair, giving the room a sweeping glance, relieved to find it empty. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“Whatever it was, I hope it remembers the way back.”

She groaned inwardly and lowered her eyes before he saw the answer. For the cost of a handful of wind she would stand before the preacher with him.

Darn him and his magic carpet!

Fact remained, no amount of wishing could erase the truth. Her father left…and so had her mother, though each in a different way. At the end of the day, she could put faith only in herself.
What hand of fate had flung him into her life? The man seemed to take extraordinary liberty in assaulting her with his presence at every turn—with no intention of staying.

“I need to ask where you got the money to pay off our note—and buy all this.” The pain inside made her voice sound cold.

“Will it matter?”

Glory wished for things that could never be. To stifle yearnings that swept her along like a dandelion in a sudden gust would take more will than she possibly had. And even more impossible…blocking the knowledge that she could forgive all else as long as he promised to never leave. She gripped the toothbrush. “I must know.”

“In my own time.” He brushed her cheek lightly with a fingertip.

Only after she could do a sight more than melt did she dare raise her eyes. “You’ve involved us in whatever it is you do.”

“Fair enough. First tell me what you were doing with your esteemed Dr. Dalton.”

Anger put her on familiar ground. She rested her hands on her hips and jutted her chin defiantly. Magic carpet rides were for damsels without obligations and those who could afford to daydream. “He’s not my anything. And I don’t have to justify it. Don’t let us keep you from wherever it is you need to mosey on to.”

“Fire and damnation! I’m trying to help.”



At a young age, LINDA BRODAY discovered a love for storytelling, history, and anything pertaining to the Old West. After years of writing romance, it’s still tall rugged cowboys that spark her imagination. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Linda has won many awards, including the prestigious National Readers’ Choice Award and the Texas Gold. She resides in the Texas Panhandle where she’s inspired every day.

Find Linda Online:
Twitter: @LBroday



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