✯BOOK BLITZ:✯ Holding On by Allie Everhart {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

 Holding On by Allie Everhart

Release Date: August 28th 2017

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Up until that night, everything was perfect. I’d just finished my junior year, been named one of the best college football players in the country, and had a smokin’ hot girl on my lap in the back of my buddy’s SUV on our way to a party at the cabin.

Now I’m living in my own personal hell, reliving that night, my busted-up leg a constant reminder of what I’m trying to forget. Everyone in this damn town is holding their breath to see if I’ll play again, as if that even matters anymore. My future in the pros? The money? The media attention? I don’t give a shit about any of it anymore.

All I want is to be left alone, so I’m pissed when my mom goes and hires some damn cleaning lady for the house I’ve been renting. I’m expecting some old lady and that’s who I get until one day she doesn’t show up. Instead I get a girl with a beautiful face, soulful eyes, and a body I can’t stop looking at. 

Her name is Becca and she’s hot as hell but the girl asks a lot of damn questions. Questions I don’t want to answer. But when she’s gone, I miss her like you wouldn’t believe. Sometimes I’ll make the house extra messy just so she’ll stay longer. It’s pathetic, I know, but this is what I’ve become.

I’m Ethan Baxter. And I’m barely holding on.

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{EXCERPT}

Becca

“Raincoat or umbrella?” Ethan asks.

“I don’t get the question.”

“When it rains, would you rather have a raincoat or an umbrella? Assuming you could only have one.”

“Raincoat,” I say, not even needing to think about it. “I like the feel of rain on my face. But being in soaking wet clothes isn’t fun. And even with an umbrella, your clothes still end up getting wet. So raincoat. Definitely. Which would you pick? Raincoat or umbrella?”

“Neither. I don’t mind if I get soaked in the rain, as long as I’m not wearing jeans. Wet jeans suck.”

“Totally. So you’re saying if you were wearing jeans, you’d pick the raincoat.”

“Correct. Okay, next question. Chocolate or fruity? Which type of cereal do you prefer?”

“Hmm. Depends on my mood. In the morning I tend to like fruity but if I’m having it later in the day, I like chocolate. How about you?”

“Fruity. Any time of day.” He takes a drink of his pop, then says, “Lights on or off?”

I feel my face heating up, but I smile and pretend his bold question doesn’t bother me. “That’s kind of personal, don’t you think?”

“Why is it personal? I was talking about what you like when you’re watching TV. Do you like it dark or would you rather have the lights on? What’d you think I meant?”

He’s such a liar. He definitely meant sex not TV, but I play along. “Lights on, but not too many. And not too bright.”

“Same here. Next question. Rough or gentle?” He says it with a straight face.

This time I don’t question what he means and just answer, “A mix of both.”

“That doesn’t really work. Most cars are either one or the other.”

“We’re talking about cars?”

He nods. “Specifically, what kind of ride you like. A rough ride, like a truck.” He says ‘rough’ in a sexy tone, his eyes on mine. “Or a smooth, gentle ride, like a luxury sedan.” Again, he says it flirtatiously.

I’m suddenly feeling very warm, imagining what it would be like to have sex with him. Would it be rough? Gentle? What would his body feel like? Those hard muscles. Those large hands.

“You sticking with your answer?” he asks.

I wake from my fantasy. “Um, yeah. A mix of both.”

He smiles, knowing his words got to me.

“Is it my turn?” I ask.

“Go ahead.”

“Top or bottom?”

As expected, my question doesn’t faze him. He’s very confident. I think it takes a lot to embarrass him.

“Are we talking bunkbeds?” he asks.

Damn, he’s good. A quick thinker.

“Yeah, bunkbeds,” I say. “Do you like the top or bottom bunk?”

“Both. Preferably, I like to try both in the course of a night.”

I swallow, my mind once again imagining the two of us together. We need to get off this naughty line of questioning before this night turns into more than just two friends hanging out. Not that I wouldn’t like more than that, but I shouldn’t go there. He’s my boss. And he’s Ethan Baxter, who admitted he’s not looking for a committed relationship. Then again, neither am I so maybe a quick fling wouldn’t be so bad.

AUTHOR BIO:

Allie Everhart started writing romance three years ago with Choosing You, the first book in the bestselling Jade Series. Since then, she’s published eighteen books. Allie writes romance because she loves watching a relationship develop between her characters, from those first flirty encounters to the point they realize they’re in love. Allie's always been a romantic, as evidenced by her early years as a wedding singer, her obsession with dating shows, and the fact that she still watches reruns of The Love Boat.

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✴ Freebie Tuesday (Edition #186) ✴

🌠 Happy Tuesday! 🌠 

Thanks for stopping by! As always I will be tweeting random freebies that I can find on any given day so if you're looking for more free books make sure to follow me on twitter @JackieBookWorld. :)

***Note that there will be some books that will be free for limited time only, so make sure to download them as soon as you can. Also if there is any specific genre that you guys want me to find books of, let me know in the comment section below. (:  Enjoy! 

*Older Editions will be linked on the menu section (above) under Freebie Tuesday:)

Thirty-Eight Days 
by Len Webster

Release Date: June 16th 2014 by Len Webster
Series: Thirty-Eight #1
Pages: 385

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary

Author's Links: Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook

Ask yourself, how many days does it take to fall in love? 

Nolan Parker and Clara Lawrence never saw eye to eye. In fact, if you asked Clara she would tell you that Nolan hated every thing about her. They never shared any form of connection besides Alex Lawrence. 

She was Alex’s bratty sister and he was Alex’s best friend, they never stood a chance. 

Five years have passed and almost 12,000 miles have kept them separated, both living completely different lives. Unchanged perceptions and expectations should have kept them apart but when Nolan returns, the foundations of their ‘relationship’ is sure to change. 

Their story was meant to end the day Nolan left for Stanford. But what if seeing each other after five years was the game changer? What if this was their one chance to rewrite their relationship or were they always destined to never be more?

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

       

Maliciously Obedient 

by Julia Kent

Release Date: March 5th 2013
Series: Obedient #1
Pages: 245

Genres: Romance, Adult Fiction

Author's Links: Goodreads, Website, Twitter

Getting caught reading Fifty Shades of Grey in the parking lot at work wasn't the best way for 25-year-old Lydia Charles to meet her boss. A boss she didn't know she had. Matt Jones now had the job she had been waiting to apply for (and win) for the past year, and to add insult to injury, he's the kind of guy her parents would adore.

Damn it.

The only kid of six to choose to run off to Boston and leave behind her idyllic family in Maine, Lydia's determined to prove herself in the big city, but she has to keep Matt at arm's length. After a steamy elevator encounter that leaves her missing her panties – and most of her resolve – she decides that maybe it's time to let him get inside her. 

In more ways than one. 

But when Matt suddenly closes off she's upset and confused. When he also acts like he owns the place, she decides that malicious obedience – following his every command to the letter – will prove how much the department needs her creativity after he insists he knows best.

What Lydia doesn't know is that “Matt” is really Michael Bournham, the CEO of the company, part of an undercover reality television stunt. Keeping his hands off Lydia's luscious curves was becoming an exercise in restraint, but what was harder? Keeping his heart from her. 

For Michael, Lydia's malicious obedience ignited a night of unbridled passion in the office that made him forget everything – including the rolling cameras – until it was too late. When unscrupulous producers make their lovemaking viral, Michael pulls out all the stops and calls in every favor as Lydia...maliciously obeys.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

        

Happy Reading! :)

✯BOOK BLITZ:✯ Undressed by Kimberly Derting {TEASER + GIVEAWAY!}

Undressed by Kimberly Derting

Release Date: August 27th 2017 by Kingsley Books

Pages: 315

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Can two people whose dreams have been cast aside find a new passion...together?

No one ever expected straight-A student Lauren Taylor to make waves. But that was the old Lauren, before she went to college and became an online stripper to make ends meet. Now, Lauren is on the run with a secret and a bag of cash, fleeing landlocked Arizona for the beaches of California. 

Will Gabaldon was one of the hottest surfers on the circuit, but fate had something else in mind. When a surfing accident shattered his budding career, Will was forced into a life of tending bar and doing odd jobs just to survive. 

A swim instructor with secrets like Will is the last thing Lauren wants. A distraction like Lauren is the last thing Will needs. 

But soon, both discover there’s one thing more dangerous than the wave that ended Will's career: Love.

Purchase: Amazon

{TEASER}

His brow wrinkled and his thumbs twitched, setting my skin on fire beneath his touch. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”

I looked up and opened my mouth, trying to formulate an answer, something to explain what I’d done, or to explain it in a way that would keep him out of my problems—keep him safe. But I didn’t have to.

His mouth, when it descended on mine, was predatory. And I responded. It was as if he’d set a torch to me. I’d spent too many weeks thinking about this . . . about him.

I threw my arms around his shoulders, clinging to the back of his shirt.

He was my lifeline and I refused to let him go.

AUTHOR BIO:

Kimberly has been in love with LOVE since the first grade, when she would make “boyfriends” hold her hand during recess . . . whether they wanted to or not. In high school, she discovered romance novels and she’s been hooked ever since!

She is the author of the award-winning THE BODY FINDER series, THE PLEDGE trilogy, THE TAKING trilogy, and UNDRESSED (her first book in The Men Of West Beach series). She's also co-written the soon-to-be-released picture books about a girl who loves science! Her books have been translated into 15 languages, and both THE BODY FINDER and THE PLEDGE were YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selections.

These days, she spends entirely too much time ordering stuff off the Internet, binge-watching Netflix, and holding hands with a guy who doesn’t have to be forced (her husband).

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✯BOOK BLITZ:✯ Seven Ways to Lose Your Heart by Tiffany Truitt {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

Seven Ways to Lose Your Heart by Tiffany Truitt

Release Date: July 18th 2016 by Entangled Publishing, LLC (Embrace)

Genres: New Adult, Romance

In the span of seven days, Annabel Lee will lose her heart.

Kennedy Harrison, as reckless with life as Annabel is obsessed with order, never could commit to anything—not to a person, not to a job, not to a path. But he’s got a history with Annabel, and for once Kennedy doesn’t want to run. Determined to spend time with her before she leaves for college, Kennedy dares her to join him on a road trip to a music festival.

And neither of them could ever say no to a dare.

But Annabel’s got a plan. She’ll complete seven dares in seven days—if Kennedy applies for one writing internship per dare. Because Kennedy needs to be pushed just as much as she does.

What follows is a dizzying week of music, shady hotels, comical dares, and a passion neither one knew existed. But when it ends, Annabel and Kennedy will realize the biggest dare of all might just be falling for each other. 

Purchase: Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo

{EXCERPT}

I try to ignore the way my heart skips a beat at being so close to him. How it panics. It’s not the erratic beating of a girl in a romance novel. More like a horror film. My heart senses it before the rest of me does: DANGER—this boy will hurt you. He has hurt you. Worse than any other boy ever will. RUN!

“Good afternoon, Annabel,” he almost sings as he moves next to me at the sink, pulling down bottles from the cabinet above our heads. I have to duck not to bang my forehead into his arm during my decidedly not verbal nod in response to his very verbal greeting. Despite the dimmed red glare of the darkroom, I can’t help but notice the dimple that appears on his left cheek as a smirk crawls across his face. I didn’t even know he was capable of dimpling. It seems like an action reserved for quarterbacks and farmers’ sons. I’m sure that dimple wasn’t there when we were children.

Kennedy chuckles softly, and I realize he’s caught me staring. I can’t be blamed. Not really. That dimple keeps going off like a lighthouse. There should be studies on this phenomenon. I must have looked at this boy a thousand times as a child. Shaggy dirty-blond hair that always screamed for a haircut. Piercing blue eyes that reminded me of the aqua-colored crystal candy you could buy from the Air and Space Museum in DC. Never in all those times staring do I remember seeing those dimples.

Not that it matters. He doesn’t get to walk in and dimple at me just because he decided ten years was long enough to avoid me for no reason.

AUTHOR BIO:

Tiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in Cuba. Since her time on the island of one McDonalds and Banana Rats (don't ask), she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).

Besides traveling, Tiffany has always been an avid reader. The earliest books she remembers reading belong to The Little House on the Prairie Series. First book she read in one day? Little Woman (5th grade). First author she fell in love with? Jane Austen in middle school. Tiffany spent most of her high school and college career as a literary snob. She refused to read anything considered "low brow" or outside the "classics."

Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature. Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her classroom.

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✯BOOK BLITZ:✯ His To Keep by Vivian Wood {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

His To Keep by Vivian Wood

Release Date: August 19th 2017 by KDP

Pages: 270

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

From Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller Vivian Wood

Nothing this fake should feel so good.

CEO Connor Cavanaugh is a man in charge. He dominates in meeting rooms and at the gym, and his sinfully sexy body is proof. His upcoming wedding is supposed to seal the deal, putting his company in the spotlight and making it rain.

That all goes down in flames when he walks in on his bride-to-be with another man.

No one can know that a woman tried to make a fool of Connor Cavanaugh.

Cancelling the wedding is the only option… until he spots a gorgeous brunette at the wedding planner’s office. Samantha. The perfect fake fiancée.

She has a body that makes him want to walk her over the threshold, but she’s sweet. Harmless. She’ll suit the position perfectly.

The only problem? Samantha has a wicked smile that keeps him up at night. Every day, she’s more tempting than the last.

He swore he wouldn’t f*ck around with his fake fiancée. He signed a contract. He paid. But the more he sees, the more he wants… too bad Sam has plans of her own.

Purchase: Amazon

{EXCERPT}

He took her empty hand and began to forge a path through the crowd. Huddled at the end of the bar was his small, but usual crew. His three buds from high school, two of them with their short-term girlfriends. Connor couldn’t be bothered to learn their names, they moved through them so quickly.

“Hey, guys,” he shouted over the music. “This is Sam. My girlfriend.”

One of his friends didn’t even bother to stop his mouth from dropping open. “Girlfriend? But didn’t you just—”

“Didn’t I just what?” he asked quickly.

“Nothing, man. Hey, Sam. I’m Chase, and this is Jay and Dan. We’ve known Connor forever, so feel free to ask us for any embarrassing stories about him. And this is my girlfriend, Anna, and Eve over there.”

“Hi,” Sam said smoothly to each of them. She worked her usual magic with ease. Connor was aware of the girls as they sized her up, on edge because of the clear competition. However, Sam had a way of putting snark to bed and lavished compliments on them.

“I have to say,” Chase said. “You’re, uh, not what I expected.”

“No? What did you expect?” she asked.

Chase downed the last of his drink. “To be honest, Connor’s type is usually blonde and dumb as a brick.”

“Chase!” his girlfriend said, and smacked him on the chest.

“What! It’s a compliment,” he said. “I mean, I don’t know you, Sam, but I can tell you’re a smart girl.”

“Since when is my type dumb and blonde?” Connor asked, honestly confused. Sandra hadn’t been blonde. Was that really what his friends thought of him? He knew Chase could be an ass at times, but he was also brutally honest when he was drunk. And he was plenty drunk now.

“Uh, since THOT was all up on your junk,” Chase said. He pointed to the girl who hanged off the male model. “Don’t worry,” he said to Sam. “Connor walked right away from that trainwreck.”

“He can dance with whomever he wants to,” Sam said with a smile. “It’s who he comes home to that I care about.”

Amidst whoops and hollers, Connor put an arm around her, and felt her stiffen. “You got yourself a good one for once,” Jay said.

“Yeah,” Eve slurred. “You should kiss her!”

Somehow, the little group rallied their thoughts enough to start a chant of, “Kiss her!” over and over. “C’mon, man, we’re doing you a favor,” Dan said.

Unable to think of a way out of it, Connor leaned down to meet Sam’s lips. Why not? She should be expecting this anyway. It’s not like I’m asking her to sleep with me.

He meant it to just be a peck, but as soon as their lips met he couldn’t pull away. Her lips, though he knew they’d be soft and supple, were also magnetic. She tasted like just the faintest trace of scotch and her own sweet, natural self. Sam responded, and parted her lips.

She turned to face him, and he slid his hand from her shoulder to the back of her head. He traced her jaw with his thumb and pressed himself against her. He felt one of her hands on his back, and her breasts squeezed against him. Connor couldn’t help it. He grew hard against her stomach.

Sam pulled back, startled and wide-eyed. His friends hollered some more, but simultaneously turned back to the bar as they realized their drinks needed refreshing.

“Sam!” The redhead, Ellie, was suddenly by their side. “We couldn’t find you. We looked and—who’s this?” she asked, and turned to Connor. Her big doe eyes searched his.

“Um, this is Connor,” she said. Sam dabbed at her lips. “My, uh, my boyfriend.”

“Your boyfriend?” Ellie asked. “Then who the hell was the guy you came—”

“Just a friend,” Sam said.

“He didn’t act like just a friend,” Ellie said suspiciously as Henry approached from behind.

“He’s gay,” Sam said.

“Oh. Well, nice to meet you, Connor,” she said. “This is my boyfriend, Henry.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Connor said to him. It was rare to meet a man in civilian life that matched his height and brawn.

“We haven’t heard a thing about you,” Ellie said. He saw Henry nudge her.

“Sam likes her privacy,” Connor said.

“Thanks for the tip. I’ve only known her for five years,” Ellie said.

“As fun as this is,” Sam interrupted, “I think I’m about to head out. I have a massive headache.”

“Justin Bieber will do that to you,” Henry said, clearly happy for the excuse to leave. “Ready?” he asked Ellie. Ellie looked out to the crowd with a pout.

“I guess. If my boyfriend and best friend are leaving, it would be pretty awkward for me to stay.”

Sam gave Connor a look, said her goodbyes to his friends, and left with Ellie and Henry in tow.

“Damn, Connor, how’d you pull that?” Chase asked as soon as she was out of earshot.

“What, you think she’s out of my league?” Connor asked. He took another sip of his scotch.

“Uh, yeah,” Chase said as Anna rolled her eyes.

“She seems nice, Connor,” Anna said. “Good for you.”

“So are you hitting that, like, on the regular?” Dan asked.

“Oh my God! Could you be any hornier?” Eve asked. “Do you want, like, a play by play or something?”

“More like a blow by blow, if he can be bothered. Everyone here is getting laid besides me. Cut me a little slack!”

Connor remained quiet as his friends continued to talk about how much they liked Sam. “So, hey,” Anna said as she slipped between him and Chase. “What was up with you on the dance floor with that girl, then? I mean, I’m guessing you and Sam are a new thing, but still—”

“Why don’t you worry about your own relationship?” he asked and nodded toward Chase.

“Asshole,” she said, and moved away from him.

AUTHOR BIO:

Get a FREE Vivian Wood secret office romance by copying and pasting this into your browser window: http://vivian-wood.com/get-news.

Vivian likes to write about troubled, deeply flawed alpha males and the fiery, kick-ass women who bring them to their knees.

Vivian's lasting motto in romance is a quote from a favorite song: "Soulmates never die."

Be sure to follow Vivian through her Vivian's Vixens mailing list or Facebook group to keep up with all the awesome giveaways, author videos, ARC opportunities, and more!

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✯BOOK BLITZ:✯ The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride by Laurie LeClair {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride by Laurie LeClair

Release Date: August 24th 2017 by Tule Publishing

Series: The McCall Brothers Book 3

Genres: Adult, Romance

When Dallas society bride Elizabeth Eve Barrington discovers her intended’s financial ulterior motives for marriage, she hightails it out of the church in her wedding gown and hops in the back of a parked and beat-up pickup truck.

Happy to leave the big city, sexy cowboy Connor McCall jumps in his truck, revs up his engine, and then heads home to Honor, Texas with the goal of saving his family's failing ranch. Hours later and miles down country roads, Connor discovers the stowaway bride, and he’s pretty sure she’s feigning amnesia.

What’s a cowboy to do? Cowboy up, of course. He takes Eve home, determined to solve her mystery. What he discovers is a lot of smoke–and where there's smoke, there's fire, with the heat generating between them hot enough to burn. Will Connor be damned if he falls for the beautiful runaway bride or will he be damned if he doesn’t?

Purchase: Amazon, B&N, iBooks

{EXCERPT}

“Look at that, Gramps. Another sucker getting hitched.” Conner McCall sat behind the wheel of his old truck in the thick, Saturday Dallas traffic.

He nodded to the long line of sleek, black limos clogging the opposite side of the lane as they inched down the busy city street.

Horns honked at the entourage taking up nearly a block and not allowing anyone to pull in or out. A few colorful shouts peppered the warm, summer air. People on the sidewalks stopped and stared.

“Pretty fancy stuff, if you ask me.” Gramps, with one hand securely on his sleeping pet miniature horse, Sweet Potato, craned his neck to see. “Maybe that will be you soon. Following in the footsteps of Cody and Caleb.”

“Oh, no. My brothers may have succumbed, but not me. Not yet. I have a long, long way to go before I settle down.” If ever. “First, we make it through this season and then we get the McCall ranch secure for the future.”

“From your lips to God’s ears. About the ol’ homestead, that is. But, you. I want for you what your Grams and I had and what your brothers found.”

“Not likely.” Conner had strong doubts their small town of Honor, Texas could provide the love of his life. Most likely he’d never find her. A little pang hit his ribs.

How many girls did he know who wanted to work and toil away on a ranch for decades to come? None he knew. And you can’t separate a cowboy from his horse, either. Not this one, at least.

Some had tried. None had succeeded. And never would.

He’d come dang close once, though, three years ago. Somewhere along the line, Conner finally figured out he’d always be her second best. Not getting stomped on again by some girl who fancies herself a cowboy for a rebound romance.

Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be for him. The love part. Somewhere deep inside, he worried he’d end up falling head over heels and losing her—like Gramps did with Grams. Conner didn’t think he could stand the crushing pain. Better to not even go there…

“Miss Peaches is single.”

His grandfather’s suggestion made him laugh. “She’s older than you, Gramps.”

“Her sister Clementine?”

Conner shook his head at his grandfather’s antics. “Not of child bearing age, may I remind you. No great-grands there.”

They shared a chuckle.

“Scratch them off the list.” Gramps grabbed an invisible pencil from behind his ear and made a horizontal line in the air.

“No matchmaking, understand?”

“Me? Why I let Cody and Caleb make up their minds, didn’t I?”

“Not that you didn’t help their romances along.”

“Now, I didn’t say that.” He admitted what they’d all known.

“Gramps, you’re a romantic at heart. Do me a favor and don’t butt in when it comes to me.” Pestering him about finding someone might just be on the top of Gramps’s list now that Conner’s brothers had tied the knot recently.

“If you say so, Conn.” Gramps sighed.

“We’ve got better things to concentrate on. I think we need to get an in with the biggest grocery store chain in Texas. We get a contract and a decent price, we can hold on to the ranch. It’s a guaranteed future income. Maybe even stop talking and start doing that more resilient breed of cattle you’ve always wanted.”

“You’re talking my language there. I like that. No exclusives, though. We need some options open. Plus, we don’t want to stop supplying the local restaurants in our own hometown. That breeding thing will take some time, though.”

The heat of the early afternoon drifted in through the open windows. And the heavy scent of fumes came with the breeze. Give Conner the country any day. “I’ve got the time and I can learn.”

“Son, hurt me something fierce when you had to drop out of college when Grams got sick.”

“Don’t dwell, Gramps. I’m working right where I want to be. The McCall ranch.” Taking care of his beloved grandfather, too, was right where Conner wanted to be.

“Light changed. They’re on the move. Uh, lookee there, must be the bride’s veil peeking out the window of the first one.”

Conner glanced in the side mirror. A gust of wind caught the sheer, white veil and sent it flying. He watched it float in the air. It landed in the crook between his truck and mirror. The lace-edged, delicate fabric fluttered and lifted.

Without thinking, he reached out, snatched it up, and then rolled it in a loose ball.

“Good catch, son.”

“I guess she’ll be wanting this back.” Conner shoved the gear in park and then undid his seat belt. “Be right back.”

In seconds, he popped open the door and then half ran down the street to catch the vehicle. His boots hit the asphalt with heavy thuds. The veil unfurled, streaming behind him. He gripped the bunched-up fabric he still held tighter. The red tail lights came on, sending a shot of relief through him.

This cowboy isn’t about to trot a mile though Dallas trailing her limo. That would be a sight to see.

He caught up to the shiny car and shoved the delicate material through the half open rear window. A feminine hand appeared at the same time, grabbed for it, and accidentally brushed her fingers along his wrist.

A current of electricity rushed through him.

Conner heard her loud gasp. She withdrew her hand instantly, along with the veil, reeling in the long fabric.

“Thank you.” Her soft voice whispered over him.

Low. Seductive. Or was the last just his imagination?

He could barely make out several shadowy figures in the dark interior before the power window rose. It shut with a smooth click.

Now, he only saw his wide eyes and slack jaw staring back at him in the reflection. He tipped his cowboy hat back and stepped away. The limo took off. The others followed.

Whoa! What the hell was that? He’d run into an electric fence with less charge than that and that was saying something.

The sound of his horn beeping over and over brought Conner back to the realization he stood in the middle of the street with moving cars charging by in front of him. Turning, he rushed back to Gramps and his truck, hopped in, slammed the door shut, and then shoved it into drive to keep up with the moving traffic.

His hand burned. He shook it, trying to rid himself of that feeling.

“You okay, Conn? About gave me a heart attack when they started up again.” Gramps calmed Sweet Potato, coming awake and rearing his head up. “Easy, little fella.”

Blowing out a breath, Conner shot his grandfather a grin, trying to smooth out the fresh worry lines gathered on the older man’s face. “Harder than dodging our charging cattle, Gramps. City folks. Never mind that, let’s get us some good barbecue before heading back home.”

“Now you’re talking. Just up ahead two blocks.” He smacked his lips. “Don’t tell your Uncle Jeb this place’s brisket is almost as good as his.”

“Not on your life. Aunt Sissy would have both our hides.”

Gramps chuckled along with him. “I appreciate you letting me ride along, son. Gives me some more time with you before you head out to the base camp tomorrow.”

“Good company. Long drive in the early hours. Picked up the part we needed—a little later and a little more than we wanted.” Conner cringed inwardly at that.

The ranch barely survived at the moment. If this season didn’t go well, they’d lose it all. Dread sat deep in his belly every time he thought about how they lived on the edge this last year. With his Grams dying, it rocked their world, especially Gramps, who kept too much from his three grandsons until it was almost too late.

Now, Caleb, Cody and he were doing everything in their power to save the family homestead and their legacy.

“Thought we’d have some daylight left to start fixing the trannie on the old rust bucket.” Conner shrugged and then quickly checked on the loose corner rope holding down the tarp covering the transmission. Tighten that baby up before we head out.

The last-minute repair on the ranch truck took more than a little coaxing this time. No, the part needed replacing and the closest place they could find the vintage model in Texas was Dallas.

Conner had volunteered since his two older brothers and their new brides either had second jobs outside the McCall ranch or were out on the range helping with the cattle. And their foreman and crew were too busy this time of year. Single, biding his time with packing up the last of the supplies to ride out on his horse tomorrow, he’d been the obvious choice.

“Should be home in time tonight to tuck in this little fella, though.” His voice held a smile. Gramps treated the miniature horse like a pet instead of a ranch animal.

“Don’t you be going and making wisecracks, too, Conn. I get enough of that from the others. He adopted me, not the other way around. You hear?”

“Loud and clear.”

“Just so we’re square and all.”

“Got it.”

The cars ahead stopped at the quick light. Connor braked. He glanced to the side mirror, half hoping to catch a glimpse of that limo and the mystery bride. No such luck. Nothing but trucks, cars, and SUVs chugged along—brakes squealing and exhaust coughing out the tail pipes.

She was gone.

A tiny rope of disappointment went through him.

You’re sick, McCall. She’s a bride on her wedding day. Her groom is waiting for her. Or she may have even gotten married already and he’s sitting beside her.

But he couldn’t forget the sound of her sharp intake of breath.

And the current that rushed through him…

AUTHOR BIO:

Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes romantic comedies, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction. Laurie has a not-so-secret love for characters who make her laugh, cry, and who linger in her mind long after the story ends. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.

Laurie loves to write, read, bake, travel, and discover new adventures. She considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim. Laurie loves to hear from her readers.

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✯BOOK BLITZ:✯ Sexiest Dad Alive by M. Clarke {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

Sexiest Dad Alive by M. Clarke

Release Date: February 27th 2017

Series: Knight Fashion #3

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Life isn’t a fairytale. Sometimes you have to fight for happily ever after. And sometimes you just have to let go.

Josh Bennett

It was a simple offer.

I invited Isla to rent a room in my five thousand square foot home. Plenty of rooms and plenty of space. But the second she moved in, I knew I was in trouble. I could handle wanting her when there was distance between us, but once we started to play house, all my pent up desire started knocking down walls.

That was my first mistake of many.

The private investigator I hired to track down my ex found her not far from where I live. I should have locked my past behind me, but something urged me to find her. I’m glad I did. But our union left me with a situation to be reckoned with. 

When a new fire is lit and old flames rekindle, one will have to burn out. 
The decisions I’ll have to make won’t be easy.
No matter what I choose, my heart will break.

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{EXCERPT}

Shelly leaned back, her hair falling around her face while her arms still embraced the pillow. “I could agree to that. You can come over during the weekday after work if you’d like to see Emma. That way she’ll get used to you. You can’t just take her for a weekend. She’ll cry bloody murder for me. And besides, I don’t think you know how to change diapers, or feed her, or give her a bath.”

I hadn’t thought about that. To Emma, I was a total stranger. “Okay. I’ll stop by every day around this time until she’s comfortable enough for me to take her on the weekend. I don’t have a project right now, so the timing is perfect.”

I leaned closer to Emma and caressed her chubby arm. Emma’s eyes fluttered open. When her bluish-green eyes set on me, I stopped breathing. Her eyes were just like mine, so uncanny, like almost looking at a reflection. Though Shelly had told me Emma’s eyes looked like mine, seeing the truth of it took my breath away. Relishing the feeling, I studied her.

I had thought she would burst out with a cry, but instead she smiled and twisted into a crawling position. Gripping the posts, she bounced, making cute baby sounds. When she spotted Shelly, Emma held out her arms and started to whine.

Shelly picked Emma up and kissed her forehead. The love Shelly had for Emma warmed my heart. I smiled, but I kept my heart hardened. Shelly told me her intentions, but I didn’t trust her.

“Here you go.” She deposited Emma in my arms, and since I hadn’t expected it, I almost dropped her. “Emma this is your father, Josh. Josh, your daughter, Emma.”

“Hi, Emma.” I bounced her a little the way I’d seen mothers do, afraid she would whine again. I had no idea what to do next. What the hell was I thinking when I had asked Shelly if I could have Emma for the weekend? I had no idea how to change a diaper, feed her, bathe her, or whatever else an eleven-month-old baby needed. I guessed I needed to hire a nanny as soon as possible.

Emma gave me a blank face. She glanced to her mother and then back to me, uncertain. When I made a goofy face, she smiled and let out a cute noise. One of her tiny, delicate hands touched my face, and the other set of fingers wrapped around my index finger. At that moment she stole my breath and tattooed herself onto my heart. You will always be a part of me. You own my heart and my soul. I will love you, care for you, and protect you with every breath I take. I’m your father, and I promise you I’ll make up for all the time lost. I swear to you on my life, Emma.

AUTHOR BIO:

International Bestselling, Award Winning, Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.

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