tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74893948960671787552024-02-07T21:25:53.704-05:00Rhonda Lee Carver Rhonda Lee Carver...writing men who love to get their hands dirty... Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.comBlogger408125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-24931496586084167152022-11-08T00:00:00.001-05:002022-11-08T00:00:00.223-05:00Sneaky Peek At A New Cowboy Series by Rhonda Lee Carver<p> I'm over halfway through the first book in the Cowboys of Second Chances Security. I'm loving these characters so hard. I hope you'll love them too. Whiskey Ryder's Second Chance should be up for pre-order soon, releasing in January. Keep scrolling to check out an unedited excerpt and some peeks at the cowboys who'll be appearing on the covers. We had a blast the day we shot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVntaGE9YWIPDPSF8Il-4bU7mfAMcrY57wXtZb3VeGAF_HHC8JBjDq6SDHCc65PkjuSCdZ7dv39pzxpUP3BZ6sT6i7AUO7rFDeW2Fu5NH2SGs737ZZN13bU-4876JfKt5NEYof_AGoidhJrnSESe8Alxk8XNXmHfKoFTxp4M_2EsQkiat6PA-RBpZW/s2500/Whiskey%20Ryders%20Second%20Chance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVntaGE9YWIPDPSF8Il-4bU7mfAMcrY57wXtZb3VeGAF_HHC8JBjDq6SDHCc65PkjuSCdZ7dv39pzxpUP3BZ6sT6i7AUO7rFDeW2Fu5NH2SGs737ZZN13bU-4876JfKt5NEYof_AGoidhJrnSESe8Alxk8XNXmHfKoFTxp4M_2EsQkiat6PA-RBpZW/w384-h640/Whiskey%20Ryders%20Second%20Chance.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><i><b>Photo by Golden Czermak</b></i><p></p><p></p><h1 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>The
craggy mountain was cocoon quiet as Whiskey Ryder stared at the farmer sitting
on the downed tree near the edge of the ravine, his rifle laid across his lap.
He looked weathered and worn, his once wizened eyes were sad and grey. His hair
was matted to his head with what looked like dried blood and a distinctive
straw-like beard covered half his thin, wrinkled face. Some would call the
naked man a lunatic for his behavior, but Whiskey had known Newt Caskel most of
his life and nothing about the man could be described as feeble.<br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Sometimes
a statement needed to be made.<br /> </b></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Unfortunately,
Mother Nature wanted to be heard too and the temperature was dropping a couple
of degrees every minute. Good thing Newt had made it easy to find him by
leaving his saddled horse hooked to a tree close to the cliff.<br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>“Let’s
talk about this, Newt. This won’t solve a damn thing.” Whiskey had left his own
rifle back in the saddle. Another gun added to the mix would only escalate
things.<br /> </b></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>The
snapping of a twig as Dean shifted restlessly told Whiskey his brother’s
patience was thinning. They’d been out there on the trail, if one could call
the overgrown spot a path, for the last hour trying to talk some sense into the
stubborn old man.<br /> </b></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>“Go
away, boys. I got no beef with either of you.”<br /> </b></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>“How
about while we wait you put some clothes back on. We wouldn’t want you to get
frostbite in some inconvenient areas.”</b></span></h1><div><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiAC_JVCvsEaxJfKQh0vTYKSPzYGpZSoSkIMZgKCb_1cVUlSqhgI1XgaPATL13pHRc2XuFLdeRk0pOrz05p_LQTXAC1WeYKyxkkcOxib5WOVxU1FTnxP-SXlkxzlhrnL4RZEaLtvn6UVyR9SpXYjfPgG6J6kjztgTzzZzh2AoO_n0mQg-ZZhB_cj_/s3600/RhondaCarver-CoverShoot-Oct2022-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2403" data-original-width="3600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiAC_JVCvsEaxJfKQh0vTYKSPzYGpZSoSkIMZgKCb_1cVUlSqhgI1XgaPATL13pHRc2XuFLdeRk0pOrz05p_LQTXAC1WeYKyxkkcOxib5WOVxU1FTnxP-SXlkxzlhrnL4RZEaLtvn6UVyR9SpXYjfPgG6J6kjztgTzzZzh2AoO_n0mQg-ZZhB_cj_/w640-h428/RhondaCarver-CoverShoot-Oct2022-45.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>@ photo owned by Author Rhonda Lee Carver. Do Not copy or use in any capacity.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDnM7FAXK5hl7SwkWdG6owoo13R6RerPin7f3FZfbhAYegfMEW17aht8VAr5UZvWtIPYbp7JlnWFWxncoFa7VI5rfKhITb9b2qjqspewpCaucUG3jNMeMe1T7Ux_fIHf4_-0FCxQlfeKBHLvl-kpZ-OjBnLH38O5Zltzuiu7YL6s_UqpICVRHxscH/s3600/RhondaCarver-CoverShoot-Oct2022-194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2403" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDnM7FAXK5hl7SwkWdG6owoo13R6RerPin7f3FZfbhAYegfMEW17aht8VAr5UZvWtIPYbp7JlnWFWxncoFa7VI5rfKhITb9b2qjqspewpCaucUG3jNMeMe1T7Ux_fIHf4_-0FCxQlfeKBHLvl-kpZ-OjBnLH38O5Zltzuiu7YL6s_UqpICVRHxscH/w428-h640/RhondaCarver-CoverShoot-Oct2022-194.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><b>Here I am watching as the cover shoot continues with A Different Light Photography Photographer Christin Clever.</b></span></div>
<br /><p></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-68298990046200538412022-11-01T09:27:00.002-04:002022-11-01T09:27:43.524-04:00Bras and Friendships by Rhonda Lee Carver<p> As we age, two things become very important, friendships and bras...and not just any will do.</p><p>Bras (and friendships) should be comfortable, secure and supportive. If you want to throw your bra (or friend) out of a moving vehicle, then it's fair to say the bra (friend) isn't the right fit. When it comes to bras it's okay to be picky and look for the perfect match, because not all bras are created equal. A good bra can take some effort to find, and can be expensive, but when it fits, you'll never want to take it off.</p><p>There are different bras for different situations...</p><p>Some bras make you feel beautiful, sexy, confident. Some make you feel like you can run a marathon and they'll have your back--or rather, breasts. When you're lucky, you'll find one that checks all the boxes. They come far and few between.</p><p>There are many types of bras</p><p>Bralette</p><p>Nursing bra</p><p>Balconette</p><p>Corset</p><p>Underwire</p><p>Bandeau</p><p>Push-up</p><p>Full cup</p><p>Sprts</p><p>Demi</p><p>Need I go on?</p><p>The point is, why settle for something that pinches, is unsupportive, doesn't fit, wears down, and exposes your secrets to everyone?</p><p>What's always comforting? Secure? And makes you feel wonderful?</p><p>A good book...</p><p>Have you read my latest release, All Cowboy and a Holiday Bride? This is book 6 and the final book in the Brother of Dove Grey Series.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUkgMjLtCAzOPFZ9-BZkwYQJdyMeYI9OQbVWhEfc0xCvtCPVW5mkEjuQ3_Qey3kp9uH_6JeR4zuBJT5mYgQtsPQSXqu2pCviW6CyDCmpuNyvYGDOyYY-3HVdmEUBQFGiUph_rwJjQBsjxxylbLjSXqqUlHou0WPGowBoK0x2Dmk1sBt_BQaHCTP1M/s3072/AllCowboyHoliday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2059" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUkgMjLtCAzOPFZ9-BZkwYQJdyMeYI9OQbVWhEfc0xCvtCPVW5mkEjuQ3_Qey3kp9uH_6JeR4zuBJT5mYgQtsPQSXqu2pCviW6CyDCmpuNyvYGDOyYY-3HVdmEUBQFGiUph_rwJjQBsjxxylbLjSXqqUlHou0WPGowBoK0x2Dmk1sBt_BQaHCTP1M/w428-h640/AllCowboyHoliday1.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BB5CBQWH/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" target="_blank">Buy here</a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important; font-weight: 700 !important;">A Marriage of Convenience will turn into a Holiday Romance...with a surprise baby.</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sadie Locke has always been great at giving her friends relationship advice, but when it comes to her own love life not so much. That's why she's not looking for forever. She and Channing have been secretly carrying on a fling for months, but everything's about to change. And boy does Santa have his work cut out for him...<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Channing Dawson has life just the way he likes it. His business is thriving. And he and Sadie have a no-strings “friendlationship”. What more could a man want? After his brother passed away, he didn't dare risk loving and losing again. Yet, his heart is speaking a different holiday tune.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sadie pulls a fast one and makes him her husband. A marriage of convenience or not, the rules are all blurred. He isn’t sure about having a holiday bride, until he realizes he's had feelings for her all along. Sometimes the risk is worth it all. He could get used to sharing Christmas with her, but does she feel the same? Her secrets, and she has plenty, might ruin any chance they have for a future.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Then he receives the unexpected gift of a lifetime...</span><br /><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Don’t
fall in love,” Sadie Locke sashayed out of the bathroom, bringing with her the fresh
scent of soap and woman. “Now that we’ve taken our first shower together.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“That’s
what you’re worried about? I asked to take a shower with you and now I’m a risk
for falling in love?” Channing Dawson chuckled then hauled himself up out of
bed and grabbed his rumpled jeans off the floor. “Ain’t happening. I could
never love a water hog.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">She captured
him in her pale grey gaze. “I’m not worried about things going off the grid. I’m
just listing the rules. We don’t want this to get messy. And sorry, that
bathroom is as big as a broom closet and I’m claustrophobic.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“This is
an old hunting cabin. We’re lucky it has a toilet, let alone a shower. I have
an idea though.” He used his thumbnail to scratch his temple.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“You do?
What’s that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> “We could always start meeting at your house.
I bet your bathroom, and bed, is plenty big enough.” He didn’t expect a
response to his question, and she didn’t disappoint. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I’m grateful
this place has indoor plumbing. The mornings are getting nippy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Just so
we’re clear, you don’t have to recite the “rules” every time we get together
like I have a kindergarten education. Sex-only is self-explanatory. We meet up
three times a week, have a good time, and then we go about our own business.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Do I
sense some sarcasm in your tone?” She flicked an eyebrow as she recapped the
whiskey bottle they were passing between them last night.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> “Nope. I’m capable of keeping my heart, and
dick, in two different lanes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Good
news because I really like what we have here.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Channing tried to conceal his relief. He
wanted a relationship even less than she did. “Maybe you’re the one who needs reminded.
You did seem pretty in love while you were screaming my name. I guess we should
be grateful this cabin’s in the middle of nowhere otherwise the Sheriff might
fine us for disturbing the peace.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Don’t
let this,” she pointed at the bed, “go to your head, cowboy. I make lots of
noise because I’m what they call hyper-sensitive.” One corner of her mouth
played tug-of-war with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I won’t
argue that you’re sensitive, but no denying, we have chemistry.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Connect with Rhonda Lee
Carver</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rhondaleecarver.author/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.facebook.com/rhondaleecarver.author/</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/RLCarver"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.twitter.com/RLCarver</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/rhondaleecarver/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.instagram.com/rhondaleecarver/</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pinterest: </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rhondaleecarverauthor/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.pinterest.com/rhondaleecarverauthor/</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BookBub: </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/rhonda-lee-carver"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.bookbub.com/profile/rhonda-lee-carver</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Street Team:
</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/471259293018665/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.facebook.com/groups/471259293018665/</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Newsletter: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2RVPTA1"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Subscribe
here</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhondaleecarver</p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-79707111364720014952022-09-08T10:04:00.003-04:002022-09-08T10:11:10.787-04:00What I won't be doing this year...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIKGCrkkQG4G41KHe-NSULIWjM0xt-0THEq3LnUmh4KZk_xxBdp04GfsMlRz_QdRRzwDB41B3l4t0XtYFHl3SzmjjU6oOfi6c5Rn4iYzLXxpFaluwpuY_QgdIPwn1ZidHCOFriJOwwjkhDzWR5SKp8rMtJdVxZfzrdm8Y6tkZFgUmK8CCL4e041rE/s600/818plR5CXuL._SY600_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIKGCrkkQG4G41KHe-NSULIWjM0xt-0THEq3LnUmh4KZk_xxBdp04GfsMlRz_QdRRzwDB41B3l4t0XtYFHl3SzmjjU6oOfi6c5Rn4iYzLXxpFaluwpuY_QgdIPwn1ZidHCOFriJOwwjkhDzWR5SKp8rMtJdVxZfzrdm8Y6tkZFgUmK8CCL4e041rE/s320/818plR5CXuL._SY600_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b>What I won't be doing this year is...APOLOGIZING!!!</b></h1><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>This won't apply to everyone, but I'm guessing there are a few of you out there who understand the <i>over-apologizing-syndrome (OAS)</i>.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>You're at the grocery store feeling up every fruit in the case checking for ripeness and firmness, and you and the lady with the furry little dog tucked in the seat of the cart reach for the same banana. "I'm sorry," the two words slip right out of your mouth before you have a winning chance to refrain from <i>OAS.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b>You're at a restaurant munching away on your meal when you spot a BABY ROACH nestled comfortably in a bed of oatmeal. Your gag reflex starts to fire up. Your stomach rolls and the contents of breakfast are threatening to revisit the plate. When you finally gain control, you wave over the server and point out the one thing that doesn't belong on your plate, in the dining room, or near you. The server is stunned into silence. Then </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">OAS</i><b> automatically spews from your roach infested lips. "I'm sorry...it's not your fault." Fine, it might not be the server's fault, but only someone with <i>OAS</i> would feel the need to apologize. (True story: This happened to me). </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>How many times have you apologized for things that aren't your fault? To friends, family, neighbors, our kids, other peoples' kids, the stranger at the grocery store...</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I've made a real effort to pay attention to my own </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">OAS. </i><b>I'm in recovery. People, I've had the worst </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">OAS </i><b>and it has made me a doormat. Constant apologizing sets a pattern, or tone. Others naturally start to adopt the view that you are the one at fault. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I'm not saying I'll stop apologizing completely. Being humble enough to say sorry is a good trait to own. However, <i>OAS </i>needs to go bye-bye.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Check out the first chapter of my latest book that's available for pre-order, All Cowboy & Bodyguard. Here's a sneak peek...</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5YQ5GYS?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_4&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Pre-order here!</a><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIocLd_nE5AUw3MzFeOMh6zlZxy8sRHTTynpLpy_ddfdREC2o3qozfpM9kMCYPjaOJAE7rYs3_Q8gBJoLlVhl-JpTRrvmLv27rviReaQRVpwE3pCc8PQtctt3s7CTkz45oGqNBbqCfL2DCVkIoQI_29PUFL73KMwzhxfwGVs5YfVU19_sJ9HjaCN3/s2500/AllCowboyandBodyguard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1503" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIocLd_nE5AUw3MzFeOMh6zlZxy8sRHTTynpLpy_ddfdREC2o3qozfpM9kMCYPjaOJAE7rYs3_Q8gBJoLlVhl-JpTRrvmLv27rviReaQRVpwE3pCc8PQtctt3s7CTkz45oGqNBbqCfL2DCVkIoQI_29PUFL73KMwzhxfwGVs5YfVU19_sJ9HjaCN3/w240-h400/AllCowboyandBodyguard.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="WordSection1">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="break-after: avoid; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Connect with Rhonda Lee Carver</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" />
</span>
<div class="WordSection2">
<p class="CSP-ChapterTitle" style="mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">ACKNOWLEDGMENTS<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Thank
you to all my readers.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.2in;"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes.
Yes. Yes! That’s it. That’s the move. Doesn’t that feel right? Move those hips.
Make a circle.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No,
it still feels off. Too tight. I told you I wouldn’t be any good at this.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Stop
complaining and relax. Let the feeling take you. You have an amazing body, lots
of core strength and perfect rhythm, that is if you allow yourself to dig deep.
You’re a natural, but you just have to let go of all your inhibitions</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blue
Dawson shook his head at the petite brunette who was staring up at him in
complete instructor mode. Her eyes were wide, surrounded by long, thick
eyelashes, and her plump, cherry-tinted-shiny bottom lip was tucked between her
teeth while she gyrated her hips as an example.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God
help him. He’d never have enough rhythm to move his hips like she could.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Is
it too late for you to find someone else?” </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">he groaned.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
“It’</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">s
the </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">smartest idea for both of us.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With
a dismissive sigh, Maggie March sashayed across the dance studio. Her firm
bottom in the cute little shorts drew his attention. He practically salivated
and his jeans felt tighter. There were <i>some</i> benefits to dancing with
her. He’d been sweating buckets for the last hour trying to stay focused on all
the moves and their names. To him, they were all the same—awkward.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> She switched off the music and turned back to
face him with a narrowed gaze</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> as if she worked up a lecture. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maggie
had always been a confident spitfire, but the closer to the competition they
got the more stressed she became, and the more she kicked his ass in the
studio. When did she forget that he was doing this as a favor to her?</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For
a good ten seconds they had a staring contest, neither saying the obvious.
Things just weren’t working. She tapped the toe of one cowgirl boot in
annoyance. “How many times have we been through this, Blue? It’s too late for me to find another dance
partner. You’re locked in. You agreed we would perform in the Texas Amateur
Country Dance competition and share the money. This is big. If we win, we’ll be
the faces for the Master Dancing League which includes a paying contract. We’re
lucky that the video we sent in earned us a place in the dance-off. Not every
couple even makes it this far. But we have to practice. Competition will be
stiff and you can’t win this by your good looks alone.” She reached for a towel
from the stack and patted her forehead. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s
unfair, especially when you said my looks would be </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">a shoe in,</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”
</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">he
groaned, half teasing.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
lowered the towel and some of the severity left her expression. “Your complaining
and disappearing acta are two-stepping on my last nerve. Not to mention,
renting this studio is by the hour. This is serious, Blue.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And
you think I don’t get that, drill sergeant?”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There
it was…the frustration returned on her soft features. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While
she unscrewed the lid to her water canister and took a long drink, he tracked
his gaze down her damp white tank and got caught up for a second in the visible
shadows of her nipples under the thin material. He moved his attention past her
waist to the tight black shorts that landed high on her toned thighs. Her skin
glistened with sweat and her cheeks were flushed, making her eyes look more
lavender than usual. He deserved an award for maintaining control over his
body.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He'd
agreed to this lunatic dance idea for two reasons. He wanted to spend time with
the woman he’d had a crush on for years and thought she might finally see him
as something more than Coop’s kid brother. For the last three weeks their hands
had been all over each other, skin-to-skin, their hips moving in tandem, but
not exactly in the way he wanted. Although she was dressed in the least amount
of clothing she could be without being naked, he still had a hankering to strip
those tiny shorts off her amazing hips and do some waltzing with his tongue.
He’d put a new spin on the meaning “blue balls”. Her outfits drove him wild.
Hell, she could be wearing a potato sack and he’d have every intention </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">to </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">want
to explore her.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
second reason, Jack March had asked Blue to watch over his family and the March
Farm. He had no idea how long Jack would be away, but a promise was a promise
and Blue intended to keep it. Even if that included dancing, which he hated.
Passionately.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Real funny.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”
She rolled her eyes.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Just
thought you needed reminded that this is a dance competition, not boot camp.”
He strolled over to his water bottle, uncapped it and poured half of the
contents over his head and bare torso. “Why does this mean so much to you? Is
it the money? You never cared about those things before.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
lowered her gaze then dragged it back up. “It just does.” She picked up a
second towel and tossed it to him. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Swinging
the towel over his shoulder, he recapped his bottle. “It’s getting harder and
harder to sneak around.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Why
are we sneaking? You’re a grown man. You’re not allowed to dance?” </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“My
brothers would never let me live this down.” He couldn’t be completely honest
with her. They knew he never wanted to dance before and would see straight
through him. He’</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">d
kept </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">his feelings for Maggie a secret and if he told her
now—how he’d felt for nearly ten years—she might play the friend card and
reject him. Then he’d have to face her every day knowing she didn’t want him in
the same way. Yep, better to remain silent and let her make a move rather than
create an unwanted storm.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s
only dancing. Why do they care?” Her shoulders slumped. “Yeah, you’re probably
right. They would tease you. But, you have to stand up to them. They’ve always
treated you like a kid.” She looked at him down the bottle as she drank
thirstily.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I
need to get back to the ranch. Need a ride? I noticed your truck wasn’t
outside.” He reached for his shirt off the bench and dragged the faded cotton
over his head.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yeah,
that’d be great.” She dropped down onto the bench and swapped out her boots for
flip flops, then stood and swung the straps of her large bag over her shoulder.
“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’m
ready.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Your
truck broken down again?” he asked once they walked out of the studio and
across the parking lot.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“For
the second time in a month. Last time it was the alternator. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">…I
have no clue.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
wondered if she needed the prize money from the competition to buy a new
vehicle? He didn’t know her financial situation, yet a couple of years ago her
mother, Penelope, had retired from her teaching job when she was diagnosed with
cancer. His ma had told him Penelope was in remission.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jogging
ahead of Maggie, he opened the passenger door to his Dodge for her.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
dropped her bag on the floorboard then climbed in. “Thank you, Blue. I swear
when God handed out manners he spent a little more time on you than any other
man in Dove Grey.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
was less sergeant and more the sweet Maggie now. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His
heartbeat sped up, only to be zapped with her next sentence.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’ve
always been grateful for your friendship.” She clicked the belt in place and
turned her attention to her cell phone.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Always
stuck in the friend zone.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Closing
the door, he circled around, kicking up rocks and dirt with the toes of his
dusty boots. By the time he climbed into the driver’s seat, he had his smile
back into place. He started the engine, rolled the windows down, then backed
out of the parking space. Once they pulled onto the street, he headed</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> toward her farm.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maggie
tucked one leg up underneath her bottom then shifted to lean against the door,
facing him. He glanced over at her, noticing her inquisitive smile. “What?”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Are
you dating anyone?”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nope.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”
Maybe they <i>were </i>finally making some progress in the right direction.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“My
friend Brit is single. She and the deputy called it quits.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Too
bad for Brit.” He picked up his hat and pressed it down on his head. Damn, he
had a good idea where this was heading.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You’re
single too.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Last
I checked.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“How
about you let me fix you two up on a date? I can text her.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
tapped at her phone. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
there it was…the guillotine beheading all his hopes and dreams. Any idea he had
that Mags had even a modicum of feelings for him took a nosedive. All those
flirty smiles, catching her subtle stares, and kisses on the cheeks were just
his over-active </span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: IT;">imagination. He</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’d never been an expert
when it came to a woman’s intentions, but he’d thought…</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wrong.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blue
needed to get it through his thick head. She’d always see him as Coop’s little
brother. Although only a couple of years younger than her, Blue guessed she
preferred her men older.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Don’t
bother,” he said.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Come
on. I see a wedding in the future.” She wagged her brows. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“How
about we be realistic, Mags. Blind dates never work out.” He pressed on the
brake and came to a stop at the red light. A couple sitting on a bench near the
town center waved and he returned the gesture. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I
wouldn’t call it a blind date. You two already know each other.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That
only makes it weirder. You fixing me up with someone I know. I’m capable of
asking a woman out on a date when I see fit.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’m
only trying to help.” She sighed and turned to look out the window.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I
tell you what, I’ll think about it and let you know.” He had no plans of doing
any such thing, but at least his answer seemed to appease her because she let
the subject go. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Has
Carter set a date yet?”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This
was another subject he didn’t want to discuss. Blue couldn’t figure out if his
brother and Gi were faking an engagement or if they’d finally stopped denying
the feelings they have for one another. Either way, Blue kept his nose out of
the circus and had no intention of putting his two cents in where Carter’s
relationship, or lack of, was concerned. “</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nope.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Gi
is amazing. I love her show. She had a sex therapist on recently and she talked
about why women can’t reach orgasm—” </span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: IT;">Her</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
phone beeped.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Saved
by the <i>ding.</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
had no problem talking about sex and orgasms with her, but he preferred in a
different context. Like naked and in bed. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> She checked the screen and one corner of her
lips dipped. He wondered who, or what, put a damper on her mood, so he asked,
“Is there a problem?”. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No.”
She dropped her phone into the bag and an exhale of breath escaped her. They
crossed the old stone bridge and turned onto the country road that didn’t see
much traffic. “Anyway, thanks for the ride.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
truck’s tires bounced over the potholes and he slowed. “</span><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: PT;">No
problem. It</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’d have been a long walk from the studio to the farm.”
</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They
drifted into a spell of silence and Blue stared straight ahead, occasionally
glimpsing a wild animal scurrying into the ditch or scavengers feeding on carcasses.
They passed fields of knee-high timothy hay, fescue grass, and further up,
seasonal crops of barley and wheat. Then the landscape transitioned into dairy
farms where the scent of fertilizer lay pungent in the air and the grinding of
machinery announced their presence.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Around
a bend they came to the arched sign that read “</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">March Farm. Est. 1970.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”
</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
flipped on the turn signal and passed the rows of tall, thick pine trees that
lined the winding gravel lane and into a clearing where steepled barns and pastures
dotted the flat land. The hundred-acre property had lost some of its shine
since Maggie’s mother took ill, and the industry-disruption over the last few
years. Now that Jack wasn’t around, and the foreman and hands had left, the
farm had taken a hit. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
place still was a thing of beauty though and Blue could see it making a
comeback with the right TLC. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On
each side of the lane were fenced pastures where horses, goats and cows grazed.
To the left were Maggie’s boarding stables and kennels that he guessed were
what kept the farm financially afloat. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To
the right was the farmhouse that sat on a knoll overlooking the property. A
wraparound porch lined with rockers, windows adorned with flower boxes, and a
dog sprawled out on the step made the place welcoming. He parked and shut off
the engine once Maggie climbed out, and he followed.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cattle
lowed. Pigs snorted. And horses whinnied in the late morning sun. Wind chimes
greeted them with a gentle <i>ding</i> from a corner hook. The dog lifted his
head, ears perked, then lazily pushed himself up from the ground to meet Maggie
halfway. She rewarded him with a scratch behind the ears which must have been
enough for him because he then returned to his spot.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blue
searched the property and spotted the old beat-up truck parked near the </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">tool shed. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You
want to come in and say “</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">hi</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">” </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">to Mom?</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">” Maggie asked. “She’s
always tickled pink when one of you Dawsons drop by for a</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> visit.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I
figured since I’m here I might as well take a look at the truck.” He swiped off
his hat and deposited it on the mirror of his own truck.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: IT;">Maggie</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’s expression soured some. “</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’t
go to any trouble, Blue. I think she’s laid to rest.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That
ol’ Ford? Laid to rest? Nah. They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” He didn’t
wait around for more argument. He took off across the overgrown grass, popped
the hood and peeked underneath. He couldn’t be called a mechanic, but he’d
always liked tinkering with engines and old cars. He’d just bought himself a
’67 Mustang Shelby that he planned on restoring. All the unforeseen dance
lessons had sidetracked him. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Think
you can get her back on the road?”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
fished himself out from under the hood and offered Maggie a hopeful smile. “</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Can</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’t
tell yet, but right off the bat, you’re in need of an oil change.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Well
then I sure hope the store carries high performance, extra lubricant with added
energy because I certainly could use the <i>oomph</i>.” Her teasing smile made
his heart race. He always did like her ease at jokes, even if they weren’t
always funny. “</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’m
going to run in and change. How about some lemonade for your trouble?” </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sure.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”
He watched her make her way toward the house and he felt a stirring below his
belt. His body hadn’t gotten the memo. They were only friends.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
turned his attention to the dirty engine and stared into the abyss of a
mechanical nightmare. It pained Blue to agree that the old classic had used up
all her nine lives. Not even a miracle could work its magic, but just to be
sure, he put in a phone call to the mechanic shop up town</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">*<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hurrying
up to change and brush her hair, Maggie raced back downstairs and took up
residence in front of the large window that overlooked the farm, and the cowboy
who was bent over inspecting under the truck hood. She played with a tendril of
hair as she stared. He had removed his shirt at some point and used it to wipe
his brow. His torso glistened with sweat, making every masculine dip and curve
look appealing. A trail of dark hair started at his navel and disappeared under
the waist of his loose, faded jeans that sat low on his hips. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Goosebumps
scattered her skin. A telltale flush crawled through her.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What
was happening to her? Where was all this sexual tension coming from? </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her
frustration made her want to scream. In all the years she’d known Blue not once
had she thought of him as anything more than Coop’s little brother, and of
course a good friend. She was friends with all the Dawson brothers. However,
something had changed in Blue that she couldn’t ignore. Was it his confidence?
His intelligence? His kindness? When had he grown into a man? Developed
muscles? Not <i>just </i>muscles, but a strong, powerful physique that made her
conjure images that didn’t belong in her head. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
problem wasn’t that he had…aged very nicely. The trouble came with the yearning
that invaded every nook and cranny of her body when they were dancing. The
feelings were more than appreciation or respect, but a scorching attraction
that made her a stuttering uptight mess. Not only was Blue a couple of years
younger than her, which wasn’t enough to raise eyebrows, but she’d always liked
older men. And, he was Coop’s brother, the cowboy she’d had a crazy crush on
for years. Sure, the infatuation had fizzled after a couple of dates, some
heated flirtation, a kiss or two, and Melanie Jane, but Maggie had learned her
lesson and swore off Dawson men. They were all too close because they’d grown
up together. They were bound by friendships…but the frenzied heart rate and
sweaty palms </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">couldn’t
be labeled as </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">a typical reaction to a “friend”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Why
didn’t he just agree to go out with Brit? Then Maggie would get this
infatuation, or whatever it was, out of her system and she could go back to
focusing on winning the dance competition. She didn’t have time to worry about
dating.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After
her father was arrested four weeks ago, her responsibilities had tripled.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her
dog kennel and equine boarding business had flourished over the last five
years, but the debt the farm was in put her business in jeopardy. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“If
only I were twenty years younger.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maggie
almost jumped out of her skin. She hadn’t realized she was no longer alone.
“You shouldn’t sneak up on me like that, Mom. My heart is thumping out of my
chest.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Mine
would be too if I was staring at that hunky cowboy,” Penelope wagged her thin
brows. After surviving breast cancer and the rough treatment regimen required
to push back the disease, she’d come a long way. Her hair, although still short
and spiked, had grown back in vibrant silver. The glow in her eyes had returned
too, although they still had a telltale darkness underneath them. And obviously
she still had a streak of her ornery self. Thankfully, she’d started back
working on the farm, but she grew tired quicker than before so Maggie made sure
she kept her busy in the kennel instead of tending livestock.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’m
not staring.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Oh?</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">” </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
never could get anything past</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> her mom. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Okay, I <i>was</i>
staring, but I’m just wondering if he’s getting very far with the engine.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s
a waste of time. I’ve told you, to make money you have to spend money. We have
to have a running truck.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Not
this argument again. “</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mom</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">—”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yeah,
I know. I still have medical bills. The farm is in the red. Our hands have left
us. Blah, blah, blah.” She waved a slender, wrinkled hand nonchalantly in the
air.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hands
usually leave when they can’t be paid.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We
have good hands.” </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maggie
followed Penelope down the short hallway and into the bedroom turned office. “I
wouldn’t consider the Dean Brothers “good” hands, but they are willing to
accept what salary we can afford. And it’s true, we still have medical bills.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Penelope
sat down in the squeaky chair behind the desk. A sadness filled her expression.
“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’m
sorry, Mags. It seems I’ve made a mess of things.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You
mean you chose to get breast cancer and needed treatment to save your life? How
dare you.” Maggie laughed but it soon fizzled. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“If
I had known that Jack—”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You
didn’t and that’s not your fault.” </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Business is good though,
right?” Penelope reached into the drawer and took out the financial ledger</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Taking
a seat on the corner of the desk, Maggie skimmed the journal pages. She didn’t
need to look at the numbers closer to know that business wasn’t good. With the
pandemic and then her mother’s cancer, the farm had suffered, but she didn’t
want her mother to worry. “Dad made a mistake by leaving me in charge. I don’t
know how to run a farm.” Especially one that would go bankrupt in the next six
months if she didn’t find a silver lining.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Honey,
your father has all the trust in the world in you. Jack had always been a risk
taker. He had a dream for this place and took a leap. You have to learn not to
overthink things.” Penelope picked up her daughter’s hand and gave her fingers
a gentle squeeze. “This place—this farm, business—shouldn’t be a boulder on
your shoulders. It should be a home. You’re in charge and if you think we
should sell—”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No.
We can’t. If I can get Dad out of jail and back home, he’ll get us through
this.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A
knock on the front door made Maggie jump. A second later she heard, “</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Mags?</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">…I
forgot his lemonade.” She slid off the desk.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Back
here,” Penelope called out and Maggie sighed. “What?” She had an innocent
expression.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mom, don</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’t
say anything about Dad,” she whispered.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’s
good enough to ogle but not good enough to know the truth?”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Before
Maggie could explain, she heard Blue’s boots thudding outside the open door.
She lifted her chin just as he filled the threshold. Naturally, she took a slow
visual crawl down his body. His shirt was back on, but she’d seen him half
naked so much over the last few weeks that the image of his strapping torso had
been tattooed on the back of her eyelids. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
folded his arms and leaned against the doorframe, sweeping his pale blue eyes
from Penelope to Maggie. She tried to remain casual, not allowing her lack of
control to show. She’d grown up in the Dawson circle and none of them had made
her this nervous…not even Coop. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Blue Dawson. It</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’s
nice to see you, young man.” Penelope got up and made her way across the small
space of the office, pushing past Maggie, and brought Blue in for a tight hug. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maggie
rolled her eyes. Blue did have a certain undeniable charm. Not only did he rank
high on the handsome scale, he had a head full of hair and eyes that were
surrounded by a thick fringe of lashes that women paid a fortune to have. His
pillowy lips were the backdrop for even white teeth and bracketed by insanely
deep dimples. Black and silver peppered whiskers covered his powerful jaw and
faded into a dusting on his wide neck. He held his worn Stetson against his
midriff with his large, tanned hand that had surprisingly clean, short nails.
His stunning eyes landed on her for a heartbeat, leaving a mysterious tingle in
their tranquil wake.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s
good to see you, Mrs. March. Looking as lovely as ever,” Blue said in his
intoxicating Texan drawl</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Penelope</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’s
cheeks blossomed in faint color. “</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">’ve told you before. You can call me
Penelope. I’m no longer your</span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: IT;"> teacher.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes,
ma’</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">am.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”
</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maggie couldn’t help but
smile at the radiance in her mother. This time last year Maggie hadn’t been
sure if her mother would be alive, let alone happy. If it took a sexy cowboy
with a bra-dropping grin to create those fuzzy feelings then so be it.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-91608289520836819602022-08-31T08:36:00.002-04:002022-08-31T08:36:25.114-04:00Cowboy Sneak Peek...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjeQeakDTgdG-eOVHP_JUULe98nwGLdI36DDWqQlmvFBMtziKiW1evpd2BqmkyNXrHIng_2rBp2YtUjPEFQ9ZvekklRv-FazX-M6hHJx-X0UJTK1SukTplOfc7-efWhjgd4fZptC4b5NgVSIzayDsMJAy8AwbVjpWe0cZAxCXzdZfcn5SQUl3D4mN/s2500/AllCowboyandBodyguard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1503" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjeQeakDTgdG-eOVHP_JUULe98nwGLdI36DDWqQlmvFBMtziKiW1evpd2BqmkyNXrHIng_2rBp2YtUjPEFQ9ZvekklRv-FazX-M6hHJx-X0UJTK1SukTplOfc7-efWhjgd4fZptC4b5NgVSIzayDsMJAy8AwbVjpWe0cZAxCXzdZfcn5SQUl3D4mN/w384-h640/AllCowboyandBodyguard.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5YQ5GYS?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_4&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Pre-order Here!</a><br /></p><p>Blurb:</p><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700 !important;">Blue Dawson has been in love with Maggie March for as long as he can remember. When her father is arrested and asks Blue to watch over her and the farm, he jumps at the opportunity. Maybe he can finally confess his feelings to her.</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The only way Maggie can save her father is to hire the best attorney, but her savings is depleted, and the farm is in trouble. She sees a chance in raising the funds, while keeping her father’s predicament a secret from the townsfolk of Dove Grey. However, she needs a dance partner. She thinks she has found the perfect match…<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Blue isn’t a dancer. He actually hates dancing, but he’s made a promise and now he’s stuck. When things start to heat up, on and off the dance floor, he’ll do just about anything to keep the music playing. How will he transition from protector to boyfriend material? Or will he always be in the friend zone?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Maggie might have a few secrets that’ll turn Blue inside out, but nothing ever comes easy, especially not in Dove Grey.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Excerpt:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span></p><p align="center" class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Chapter One</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes. Yes. Yes! That’s it. That’s the move. Doesn’t
that feel right? Move those hips. Make a circle.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No, it still feels off. Too tight. I told you I
wouldn’t be any good at this.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Stop complaining and relax. Let the feeling take you.
You have an amazing body, lots of core strength and perfect rhythm, that is when
you dig deep. You’re a natural, but you just have to let go of all your inhibitions</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 8.0pt !msorm; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto !msorm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; mso-prop-change: "Rhonda Carver" 20220826T0950; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blue Dawson shook his head at the petite brunette who
was staring up at him in complete instructor mode. Her eyes were wide,
surrounded by long, thick eyelashes, and her plump, cherry-lip-tint-shiny
bottom lip was tucked between her teeth while she gyrated her hips as an
example.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God help him. He’d never have enough rhythm to move
his hips like she could.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Is it too late for you to find someone else?” </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">he
groaned.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “It’</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s the </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">smartest idea for both of us.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With a dismissive sigh, Maggie March sashayed across
the dance studio. Her firm bottom in the cute little shorts drew his attention.
He practically salivated and his jeans felt tighter. There were <i>some</i> benefits
to dancing with her. He’d been sweating buckets for the last hour trying to
stay focused on all the moves and their names. To him, they were all the same—awkward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She switched
off the music and turned back at him with a </span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: IT;">narowed</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">gaze as if she worked up a
lecture. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maggie had always been a confident
spitfire, but the closer to the competition they got the more stressed she
became, and the more she kicked his ass in the studio. When did she forget that
he was doing this as a favor to her?</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For a good ten seconds they had a staring contest,
neither saying the obvious. Things just weren’t working. She tapped the toe of
one cowgirl boot in annoyance. “How many times have we been through this, Blue?
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s too late for me to find another
dance partner. You’re locked in. You agreed we would perform in the Texas
Amateur Country Dance competition and share the money. This is big. If we win
we’ll be the faces for the Master Dancing League which includes a paying
contract. We’re lucky that the video we sent in earned us a place in the dance-off.
Not every couple gets this far. But we have to practice. Competition will be
stiff and you can’t win this by your good looks alone.” She reached for a towel
from the stack and patted her forehead. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s unfair, especially when you said my looks
would be </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">a shoe in,</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">” </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">he
groaned, half teasing.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She lowered the towel and some of the severity left
her expression. “The complaining and disappearing act is two-stepping on my
last nerve. Not to mention, renting this studio is by the hour. This is
serious, Blue.”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And you think I don’t get that, drill sergeant?”</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There it was…the frustration returned on her soft
features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While she unscrewed the lid to her water canister and
took a long drink, he tracked his gaze down her damp white tank and got caught
up for a second in the visible shadows of her nipples under the thin material.
He moved his attention past the sliver of her stomach the knotted waist exposed
and tight black shorts that landed high on her toned thighs. Her skin glistened
with sweat and her cheeks were flushed, making her eyes look more lavender than
usual. He deserved an award for maintaining control over his body.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He'd agreed to this
lunatic dance idea for two reasons. He wanted to spend time with the woman he’d
had a crush on for years and thought she might now see him as something more
than Coop’s kid brother. For the last three weeks their hands had been all over
each other, skin-to-skin, their hips moving in tandem, but not exactly in the
way he wanted. Although she was dressed in the least amount of clothing she
could be without being naked, he still had a hankering to strip those tiny
shorts off her amazing hips and do some waltzing with his tongue. He’d put a new
spin on the meaning “blue balls”. Her outfits drove him wild. Hell, she could
be wearing a potato sack and he’d have every intention </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">to </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">want to explore her.</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span></p><p align="center" class="Heading" style="line-height: 150%; mso-mirror-indents: yes; mso-outline-level: body-text; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><b><span style="color: black; mso-effects-shadow-align: topleft; mso-effects-shadow-alpha: 40.0%; mso-effects-shadow-angledirection: 2700000; mso-effects-shadow-anglekx: 0; mso-effects-shadow-angleky: 0; mso-effects-shadow-color: black; mso-effects-shadow-dpidistance: 1.5pt; mso-effects-shadow-dpiradius: 4.0pt; mso-effects-shadow-pctsx: 100.0%; mso-effects-shadow-pctsy: 100.0%;">Connect with Rhonda Lee Carver</span></b></span><span class="None"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-effects-shadow-align: topleft; mso-effects-shadow-alpha: 40.0%; mso-effects-shadow-angledirection: 2700000; mso-effects-shadow-anglekx: 0; mso-effects-shadow-angleky: 0; mso-effects-shadow-color: black; mso-effects-shadow-dpidistance: 1.5pt; mso-effects-shadow-dpiradius: 4.0pt; mso-effects-shadow-pctsx: 100.0%; mso-effects-shadow-pctsy: 100.0%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><a name="_Hlk92201710"><span class="None"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: NL;">Facebook: </span></span></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rhondaleecarver.author/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="Hyperlink1"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">www.facebook.com/rhondaleecarver.author/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Twitter: </span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/RLCarver"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">www.twitter.com/RLCarver</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span lang="DA" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: DA;">Instagram: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/rhondaleecarver/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="Hyperlink1"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">www.instagram.com/rhondaleecarver/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">TikTok: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@rhondaleecarver"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="Hyperlink2"><span lang="DE" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.tiktok.com/@rhondaleecarver</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Pinterest: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rhondaleecarverauthor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">www.pinterest.com/rhondaleecarverauthor/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span lang="DE" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: DE;">Amazon: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rhonda-Lee-Carver/e/B00CQLXKTO"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="Hyperlink3"><span lang="PT" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">www.amazon.com/Rhonda-Lee-Carver/e/B00CQLXKTO</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">BookBub: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/rhonda-lee-carver"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">www.bookbub.com/profile/rhonda-lee-carver</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Street Team: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/471259293018665/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">www.facebook.com/groups/471259293018665/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="None"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Newsletter: </span></span></span><a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/n8e4dz0l4c"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Subscribe here</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk92201710;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">COMING SOON!</span></h1><div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>BITE THE BULLET AUDIO!</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBG56SOkIBGO2_pMweW5YuZsDN2mmkwbpZhuGbSkAoUbHmA4vpCaN2-gqid6h8U0Uyo8V4c0qu2DmiMr_B5BomnAYUGJchVMbxFVKqnDDLHldEsnaj6mf6acSKM8XUrdoFSg0lrv_mayjPW4j_Mv4kP7nLTeoGDy9NZex5mtMJc_ERpS_kDQ8Ki1j/s2400/Bite%20the%20Bullet-Audiobook%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBG56SOkIBGO2_pMweW5YuZsDN2mmkwbpZhuGbSkAoUbHmA4vpCaN2-gqid6h8U0Uyo8V4c0qu2DmiMr_B5BomnAYUGJchVMbxFVKqnDDLHldEsnaj6mf6acSKM8XUrdoFSg0lrv_mayjPW4j_Mv4kP7nLTeoGDy9NZex5mtMJc_ERpS_kDQ8Ki1j/w640-h640/Bite%20the%20Bullet-Audiobook%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-36086958253497145232022-08-25T13:00:00.005-04:002022-08-25T13:00:45.964-04:00What I won't be doing this year (Part 2)<h1 style="text-align: center;"> What I won't be doing this year...</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96Hyo0vc-ti653-JrigRrEJYav7zJHxxYPtx24-2kfbdVeM_n-t2nZuOD_LBoMEK8wUOn5jyE53QjksiqfJwI0jMdf2457CUonaa1DpBds1hwFFnyfQdfVDyQiRh5rjz4a4l0qxV-W8ACQyX-Gb8DGEX9JhLuoUzg-CMV13qeztQgPxdO8k44K2hn/s600/818plR5CXuL._SY600_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96Hyo0vc-ti653-JrigRrEJYav7zJHxxYPtx24-2kfbdVeM_n-t2nZuOD_LBoMEK8wUOn5jyE53QjksiqfJwI0jMdf2457CUonaa1DpBds1hwFFnyfQdfVDyQiRh5rjz4a4l0qxV-W8ACQyX-Gb8DGEX9JhLuoUzg-CMV13qeztQgPxdO8k44K2hn/s320/818plR5CXuL._SY600_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>1. Stay quiet.</b></p><b>When I look back on how many times I've kept quiet when someone I care for has been mistreated I'm sickened. That's why I refuse to be bulldozed. Sitting back and going with the flow works for some people. Hats off to you, but this chic can't. I respect you for patience so please respect me for pointing out the "wrongs". This doesn't make me a bitch. Or "one of those people". </b></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b><p style="text-align: left;"><b>2. Make excuses.</b></p><b>Have you ever met someone who has an excuse for everything? Do you ever just want to shout at them to "Take accountability!" I've been there. If something is bad, it's bad. I stop making excuses for people who are doing wrong and feel they can. In our society we have a set of people, leaders possibly, that can sell a desert to an Alaskan just by using reasons and excuses as selling points. </b></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b><p style="text-align: left;"><b>3. Miss a chance to make a new friend(s).</b></p><b>As a woman, I need friendship. I crave a woman's perspective. However, maybe it's just me, but maintaining friendship can leave us stripped and vulnerable. If I'm quiet, that means I'm hurting. It doesn't mean I'm mad at you or an asshole. Many times in life I've had worries, issues, concerns, problems that I'm juggling. If our relationship is so fragile that my distance leaves you raw, then you're probably not my friend anyway. This is why I feel it's necessary to branch out. Take risks. Be the one who makes the first move. Trust me, there will be a lot of rejection, but in friendship it only takes one good one to make your world shine.</b></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b><p style="text-align: left;"><b>4. Pretend I don't need help.</b></p>This sort of is attached to number 3. I know a person who feels very vulnerable accepting help. Okay...it's me. I've always found it difficult to reach out and ask for something. There have been moments when I've been suffocating in responsibility and refused to ask someone for their advice, help, or a simple hug. When my kids were first born (I had preeclampsia with both girls) I was so sick. I had no energy. I wasn't eating (because who had time). NO sleep (I was breastfeeding). And dealing with the symptoms of a high BP because mine hung on like a feather on tape. I look back and think <i style="font-weight: bold;">why the hell didn't I ask someone for help? Or accept the help I was offered? </i>Or the times I struggled getting my kids where they needed to go. And the time I found a knot in my breast (turned out to be a cyst) and what I wouldn't have given to have the support of one my friends. Maybe I would have been rejected, or maybe I wouldn't have been. Unless we ask, we'll never know.</h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b><p style="text-align: left;"><b>5. Kiss ass.</b></p><b>Yep, and there it is. Do I need to explain further? Probably not so I'll leave that right there.</b></h4><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Rhonda Lee Carver is a bestselling author of contemporary romance novels. She is the proud mother of three wonderful children and admits on a daily basis that she "doesn't" have life figured out.</b></div>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-85205553038187007372022-05-25T00:00:00.001-04:002022-05-25T00:00:00.312-04:00Guest Author Donna Michaels<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaxVFzyCL6spXjVGiuIiPQ0Mo0uQ-UQStxQcWtOcbNE78CM9qDuauj6YqJ-EIkepoZWOSEF3afw1ADz8YT1Byms_Qwd1ar_0S44Mzuumw0gvwZ2wz-7EqpaplV9M6IzXrvgCkteNFe1HV3Csbmttna119cw7s4dZDqTNKMgHxzslOTERHCZNZIpn8/s2700/SINJIN%201800x2700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaxVFzyCL6spXjVGiuIiPQ0Mo0uQ-UQStxQcWtOcbNE78CM9qDuauj6YqJ-EIkepoZWOSEF3afw1ADz8YT1Byms_Qwd1ar_0S44Mzuumw0gvwZ2wz-7EqpaplV9M6IzXrvgCkteNFe1HV3Csbmttna119cw7s4dZDqTNKMgHxzslOTERHCZNZIpn8/s320/SINJIN%201800x2700.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbN8ApHsyCeZcZZLdCcblkZbdv8a64yuoqdIFvcoXlXr6D7sSvD0SXPHZKmVMEFlOzUP3g7wC6rXxistFVdGxbQ7cE0rtVkYiQywMOgy4DgAta6enO98XmXG9CHiF2uRjv1YrKuS2eKNipgv91j-JYrwzCy9mXus0b7WFudATAfwPTx4-9Z6vTfmI/s2600/248168123_246991720697992_6369575068342217578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbN8ApHsyCeZcZZLdCcblkZbdv8a64yuoqdIFvcoXlXr6D7sSvD0SXPHZKmVMEFlOzUP3g7wC6rXxistFVdGxbQ7cE0rtVkYiQywMOgy4DgAta6enO98XmXG9CHiF2uRjv1YrKuS2eKNipgv91j-JYrwzCy9mXus0b7WFudATAfwPTx4-9Z6vTfmI/s320/248168123_246991720697992_6369575068342217578_n.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Good morning! I’m Donna
Michaels and I write hot, humorous, heartwarming romances and I’d love to share
one with you today, and mention another. </span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">♥</span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> One is my latest release and the other is a
loosely related pre-order. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="font8" style="margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">First is SHADOW OF HOPE, my contribution to the
multi-authored Shadow SEALs series. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">What is the <i>Shadow SEALs Series</i>? <i>The Shadow SEALs</i>
were once the best of the best, recruited from obscurity after their fall from
grace to work in the shadows, enacting justice upon our enemies and protecting
those caught in the crosshairs by any means necessary. </span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Each book
is a standalone, so you can enjoy them in any order!</span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">SHADOW OF HOPE</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<i>Shadow SEALs</i><br />
by Donna Michaels<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Working with the feisty
archeologist could heal his soul…or cost more than just his trident.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hope and
Griff's story is thought provoking and contains intrigue, romance, humor,
suspense, drama, twist and turns, and a HEA! Well done, Donna! I read it three
times in two days! Highly recommend!” ~KimbaWags<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">BLURB:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">A chance to
prove his worth leads to a love worth saving…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Just when he starts to come
to terms with the fact his life as an operator is in the past and it’s time to
reinvent himself, Griffin Wolfe is pulled back into the action by a secret
shadow organization.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Just when she thought it was
safe to return to the field, Dr. Hope Jones stumbles onto a plot to use
artifacts to fund a series of terrorist attacks. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Taking this assignment and
working with the feisty archeologist could heal his soul…or cost Griff more than
just his trident. Either way, he is going to be a shadow of hope.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/345tSFX">https://amzn.to/345tSFX</a><br />
Apple: <a href="https://apple.co/3r1b0kw">https://apple.co/3r1b0kw</a><br />
B&N: <a href="https://bit.ly/3rRPFsU">https://bit.ly/3rRPFsU</a><br />
Kobo: <a href="https://bit.ly/3ACCzDH">https://bit.ly/3ACCzDH</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Website: <a href="https://www.donnamichaelsauthor.com/shadow-of-hope">https://www.donnamichaelsauthor.com/shadow-of-hope</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #565959; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BookBub: </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/shadow-of-hope-by-donna-michaels"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.bookbub.com/books/shadow-of-hope-by-donna-michaels</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #565959; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #565959; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Print: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y4WMJ6Z"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y4WMJ6Z</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #565959; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>EXCERPT:</u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“What do you want, <i>Charley</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“A minute of your time, Master Chief.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He ground his teeth. “The last time you called
me, <i>that </i>phone ended up in the drink. This one isn’t far behind.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“That would be unwise,” she said, her tone too
damn smug to suit him, but his curiosity kept him on the line.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“And why is that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Because I know you have more medals and
commendations than the letters in your name,” she replied. “I also know your
last mission went south and innocent lives were lost because a poor decision
was made by someone higher up. The same someone that threw you under the bus.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His blood ran cold. “All stuff I stated at my
court-martial. Didn’t matter then. Doesn’t matter now. Is this really what you
tracked me down to talk about? Because I think this conversation is about
over.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He stepped toward the edge of the boat,
prepared to make good on his unveiled threat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need
your help.” Her lone statement hung in the air, piquing his interest more than
he cared to admit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“My help?” He snorted. “You undoubtedly work
for one of the three-letter agencies. There are all sorts of assets at your
fingertips. Call one of them. I’m no longer one of Uncle Sam’s puppets.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Not asking you to be one,” she countered. “A
local archeologist is in trouble. She’s currently at the consulate in Merida
where she dropped a code name that put her in more danger than she could
possibly imagine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Not at all what he’d expected the woman to say.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He scratched his temple. “What code name and
what kind of trouble?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Dammit. The questions escaped before he could
stop them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“You’ll have to open the envelope before I
answer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He smirked. Figured. “Let me guess—by opening
that means what? I’m working for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He eyed the envelope on the table, his gut
telling him he should open it, while his brain insisted that he toss it
overboard along with the phone. “I’m not agreeing to anything until I know what
the job entails.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His gut won out, but with stipulations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Griff had learned long ago to always listen to
his gut. Had he listened to it on that last mission and disobeyed his orders,
things would be a little different. Oh, his damn court-martial would’ve still
happened, no doubt, but those civilians would still be alive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Fair enough,” she replied. “I need you to
rescue the archeologist and take her to a safehouse I’ve arranged.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Why me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“You’re in the vicinity.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“So are you,” he said, glancing around. “I know
you have eyes on me. You also paid a visit to Garza’s, so why not do this
yourself?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Rescues aren’t my niche,” she replied. “You,
on the other hand, are great at it. I’m looking at your record right now.
Dozens and dozens of rescues under your belt. All successful.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His spine stiffened but he controlled his
expression, refusing to show his displeasure or surprise at her ability to gain
access to his top-secret file. But he shouldn’t be surprised. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Typical spook shit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“So glad you approve,” he scoffed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Will you take the job, Master Chief?” she
asked again, ignoring his comment and his aversion to being addressed by his
old rank. “Trust me. All the incentive you need is in the envelope.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Trust her? He grunted. He didn’t trust anyone.
The last time he did that he got burned. He didn’t need to tell this woman. She
had access to his file. Hell, she probably knew more about him than he knew
himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But he did trust his intuition about the damn
envelope despite every attempt to disregard the notion. With the phone still
pressed to his ear, Griff swiped the envelope off the table and carried it into
the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He didn’t like being played and this woman was
playing him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I have bookings tomorrow,” he said, pushing
against her authority. “I can’t cancel them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A light swooshing sound came through the phone,
and he got the impression she flicked her hair over her shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I already did.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His indrawn breath did little to relieve the
white-hot anger coursing through his veins. “Who the hell gave you the right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Relax. They’ve been properly refunded, and
your marina fee for the next three months is being paid as we speak.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He blinked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Just who was this Charley?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ire lifted his chin. “I don’t recall agreeing
to anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Dr. Jones doesn’t have time for formalities,
Master Chief,” Charley said, aggravation deepening her tone. “She needs our
help now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A swift wave of remorse cooled his lingering
anger. Charley was right. The longer he took to decide, the more this
archeologist was in danger. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“If you accept the job, all evidence of your
court-martial will disappear and your pension will be reinstated,” Charley told
him as if hacking unhackable files was something she did every day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He raised a brow and lowered the phone to the
table after hitting the speaker button. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“You can rejoin the teams,” she added.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He shook his head. “Not interested in rejoining
them. I meant what I said. I’m no longer Uncle Sam’s puppet.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“But…?” she prompted. “Sounded like there was a
<i>but </i>in there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The woman had eyes on him, so she was more than
aware of his actions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Griff opened the envelope and dumped the
contents onto the table in the galley. Two sets of keys fell out of the
envelope along with two photos. The first picture was of a state-of-the-art
cabin cruiser too far out of reach of his bank account to ever enter his
fantasies, but it was the other beauty that caught and held his attention. He
picked up the photo of a familiar woman with brown hair and brown eyes whose
warm, friendly smile sent a fission of awareness down his spine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It was <i>her</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The woman from the resort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She was this archeologist, Dr. Jones?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It wasn’t lost on him that her name and
profession matched an 80s movie character, nor was the fact he couldn’t tear
his gaze from her smiling image.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“So, I take that to mean we have a deal,”
Charley said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Griff nodded, still staring at the photo. “I’ll
do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The thought of this woman being in trouble sent
an unexpected tightness through his chest. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“…keys to a black SUV in the parking lot when
you get there,” she was saying, but it barely registered as he continued to
study the photo, intrigued by the gold flecks in the brown eyes smiling up at
him. He’d never gotten close enough to notice them before. “The other set
belongs to the boat in the photo. It’s berthed at a marina in Merida. Address
is on back of the photo. Take Hope there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hope…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The name suited the beauty. Embodied her
perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Use it as a safehouse. Go to the coordinates
already programmed into the GPS then call me for further instructions,” Charley
continued. “And after the job is over, the boat is yours.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That part did register, but the uptick in his
pulse as he shoved the photos back in the envelope and pocketed the keys had
nothing to do with the cabin cruiser, and everything to do with the brown-eyed
beauty in peril.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Why is she in trouble and who is after her?”
he asked, stuffing the envelope and clothes into a duffle bag.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Powerful people looking for a treasure she and
her team leader may have stumbled upon last month,” Charley replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Damn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He removed his Sig from a safe installed in a
panel above the small dining alcove. “This is all the firepower I have,” he
told her, shoving in his lone clip of ammo.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The familiar sound echoed through the cabin and
a sense of calm washed over him. Griff refused to dissect what that meant,
instead choosing to embrace the feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“There’s plenty more waiting for you in the SUV
on the mainland in Merida,” she informed while he secured the weapon under the
waistband of his jeans. “I’m sending a portfolio on the doctor and the mission
to your phone. You can read it on your flight.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Flight?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His phone dinged, alerting him of the incoming
file, as the unmistakable whooshing sound of an approaching helicopter met his
ears.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“That’s your transport to Merida. Move. Now, Master
Chief,” Charley urged. “ETA on the north beach is less than two minutes out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Aw, shit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ten seconds later, the bag of gaskets was
secured inside his locked cabin, and he was racing down the dock, duffle bag in
hand, and his old friend—adrenaline—pumping through his veins. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Griff had already wasted precious time. He just
hoped Dr. Jones wasn’t paying the price for his hesitancy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It was time to get down to business.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">♥</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Coming June 28<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You met him in the Yucatan in <i>Shadow of Hope</i>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>now travel back to Texas with <b>Sinjin</b>
where he discovers his own HEA on June 28<sup>th</sup>!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .3in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">SINJIN<br />
HC Heroes/Book 9<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rel. 6/28/22<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">New state. New job.
Same inner demons. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sinjin moved back to
Texas to work with his D-Force brothers, counting on them to spark his
humanity. What he hasn’t counted on is for that spark—and a whole lot more—to
come from his sexy next-door neighbor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isla Watts is a
nurturer by nature so it’s natural for her to become a nurse, only fate
intervenes and delays her dream. But now she is back on track and back in
school for her final year. Too bad her sexy neighbor is a hot distraction she
can’t afford…to miss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overexposure to the
sweet angel breaks down his barriers, but when her life is threatened by a
relative of a patient who dies, Sinjin’s inner demons resurface, and he is
forced to choose a path to either save her indefinitely or save his soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pre-Order today!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amazon:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XP792TG"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XP792TG</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Apple: </span><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1618819982"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1618819982</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">KOBO: </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sinjin-7"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sinjin-7</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">B&N: </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinjin-donna-michaels/1141346641"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinjin-donna-michaels/1141346641</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">ABOUT DONNA MICHAELS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Donna Michaels is an award winning, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Times & USA Today</i>
bestselling author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Romaginative</i>
fiction. Her hot, humorous, and heartwarming stories include cowboys, men in
uniform, and some sexy primal alphas</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> who are equally matched by their heroines.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> With a husband recently retired from the military, a
household of five, four grandchildren, and several rescued cats, she never runs
out of material. From short to epic, her books entertain readers across a
variety of sub-genres, one was even hand-drawn into a Japanese translation…if
only she could read it… <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bringing you HEAs-One Hot Alpha Hero at a Time<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CONNECT WITH DONNA:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DonnaMichaelsAuthor"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.facebook.com/DonnaMichaelsAuthor</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/Donna_Michaels"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">https://twitter.com/Donna_Michaels</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pinterest:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://pinterest.com/donnamichaels/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">http://pinterest.com/donnamichaels/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Goodreads:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/Donna_Michaels"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">http://www.goodreads.com/Donna_Michaels</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BookBub:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-michaels"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-michaels</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Amazon Author Page:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Donna-Michaels/e/B008J24XR2/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">http://www.amazon.com/Donna-Michaels/e/B008J24XR2/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reader
Group:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/3083530485094737/"><span style="color: blue; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/3083530485094737/</span></a><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Newsletter:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a name="_Hlk100564343"></a><a href="https://bit.ly/3LYfwYO"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk100564343;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://bit.ly/3LYfwYO</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk100564343;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk100564343;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk100564343;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks for reading,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">~Donna<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.donnamichaelsauthor.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.DonnaMichaelsAuthor.com</span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-66311091430180529412022-05-19T00:00:00.001-04:002022-05-19T00:00:00.210-04:00Guest Author Sabrina York<p> </p><!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:
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EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin;mso-field-lock:yes'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>SHAPE <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>\* MERGEFORMAT <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:
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EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:434.15pt;height:345.45pt'>
<v:imagedata croptop="-65520f" cropbottom="65520f"/>
</v:shape><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 4.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 6.0pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.05pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 9.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ4pqj5ODMqGpjUiRyqMc2MR8ALTP_qThCiRBxA6HUg4uwuEPY1MrcaDkGAN-Gmm4jy2dB22-35Hnvlt5WdO1ckRk7pq1WNXDfTK5QNGIlSXKthlu7BhD2mWotMChprFd4cv_HU0mgrfigv091rtLEWO4sqFvHSADXUEFW3usgCzEGOfnBkg1pBDc/s300/SabrinaYork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ4pqj5ODMqGpjUiRyqMc2MR8ALTP_qThCiRBxA6HUg4uwuEPY1MrcaDkGAN-Gmm4jy2dB22-35Hnvlt5WdO1ckRk7pq1WNXDfTK5QNGIlSXKthlu7BhD2mWotMChprFd4cv_HU0mgrfigv091rtLEWO4sqFvHSADXUEFW3usgCzEGOfnBkg1pBDc/w427-h640/SabrinaYork.jpg" width="427" /></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />TEN YEARS IN THE COMING! </b><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">Sabrina York’s WIRED series is launching in bundle form for
it’s 10th Anniversary! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">Think a playful 50 Shades in an office where employee hookups
are taboo (or, supposed to be), and everyone is a little horny. What could go
wrong, right? <o:p></o:p></p>
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">THE WIRED SERIES <o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.8pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">When Tristan, Adam and Jack started their tech company, they
set one firm, unbreakable rule: Thou shalt not hook up with employees. The
problem? This company is filled with smart, sexy men and women who are single
and hungry to indulge in naughty adventures. And oh, some of the games they get
up to… even Adam, Tristan and Jack find it impossible to resist. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.1pt; margin-left: 20.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">❖<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ADAM'S
OBSESSION: </i></b>He discovers his buttoned-up co-worker is his HOT online
lover! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.75pt; margin-left: 20.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">❖<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TRISTAN'S
TEMPTATION: </i></b>What's a guy to do when his sexy-as-hell assistant wants to
play? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.1pt; margin-left: 20.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">❖<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">MAKING
OVER MARIS: </i></b>Years of yearning could be over...if only she'd let him
submit! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 8.05pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">DISCOUNT PREORDER PRICING <o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">All three award winning novels in one collection! And for
less than a buck if you move fast. The preorder price for the digital version
is 99 cents. (After release day it will be $6.99). The print book (677 pages of
steam) will be available for eager readers at a launch price of $17 (a $7
discount) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.05pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">RELEASE EXCERPTS AND GIVEAWAYS <o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">For more information on the series, to read excerpts and
extended blurbs, as well as information about Sabrina’s tiara giveaway, visit <a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://sabrinayork.com/wired</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">-</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">series</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">-</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">10th</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">anniversary</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">-</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">celebration/</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.05pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SHARE THE WORD! </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">Please help share the word on social media. Here is a quick
and easy share: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.05pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.3pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">******************************************************************************
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">Playful #50Shades #OfficeRomance
from Sabrina York releases May 17<sup>th</sup> Three book bundle for <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">99cents (preorders only). <a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://sabrinayork.com/wired</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">-</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">series</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">-</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">10th</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">-</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">anniversary</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">-</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">celebration/</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#FriendsToLovers <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#SecretIdentity <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#OnlineLover <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#BossEmployeeRomance <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#NerdRomance <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#MakoverRomance<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#KindleSelectRomance <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#HumorousRomance <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#SpankingRomance <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#Sugarkink <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">#DominationRomance <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gosh, that elevated
quickly! </i>******************************************************************************
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.05pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<br />
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 4.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.6pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5.55pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">ABOUT SABRINA YORK</span></p><h1 style="margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 124.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is
the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of award-winning hot and
humorous romance. Her heroes range from valiant SEALS to sweaty cowboys to hot
Highlanders and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 124.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 9.05pt;">Her accolades
include a RITA nomination for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Susana and
the Scot</i>, the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award and more <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">Visit her webpage at
www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and tiara giveaways. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">For more information, or to connect with Sabrina, visit
SabrinaYork.Com</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h1 style="margin-right: 0in;">BE A VIP <o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">Never miss a book, contest or opportunity!! Sign up for
Sabrina’s VIP Team today! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">Get exclusive reads, enter VIP only
contests and offers and be the first to know about coming books!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/gift"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Get a FREE book by signing up for Sabrina’s VIP
newsletter at sabrinayork.com/gift (unsubscribe</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/gift"><span style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/gift"><span style="color: #0563c1;">at any time)</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/gift"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.</span></a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h1 style="margin-right: 0in;">CONNECT <o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Website: SabrinaYork.Com</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabrinayorkhrh/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Instagram</span></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabrinayorkhrh/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sabrina-york"><span style="color: #0563c1;">BookBub</span></a><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sabrina-york"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Facebook
Author Page</span></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sabrina.york.14"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Facebook
Friend Page</span></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sabrina.york.14"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/SabrinaYorkChatAndContests/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Facebook Chat Group</span></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/SabrinaYorkChatAndContests/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/sabrina_york"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Twitter:
@sabrina_york</span></a><a href="https://twitter.com/sabrina_york"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817917.Sabrina_York"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Goodreads</span></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817917.Sabrina_York"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Pinterest</span></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h1 style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Books by Sabrina York </span><o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">*
Indicates it’s hotter than most </span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2 style="margin-right: 0in;">CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE ADVENTURES <o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.85pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wired Series—</b>Office
hi-jinx are seriously off limits. Seriously! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.85pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/adams-obsession/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Adam’s Obsession, Book 1</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/adams-obsession/"><span style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/adams-obsession/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">*</span></b></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/adams-obsession/"><span style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.8pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/tristans-temptation/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Tristan’s Temptation, Book 2</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/tristans-temptation/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">
</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/tristans-temptation/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">*</span></b></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/tristans-temptation/"><span style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.65pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/making-over-maris/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Making Over Maris, Book 3</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/making-over-maris/"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/making-over-maris/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">*</span></b></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/making-over-maris/"><span style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">SERIES BUNDLE</span></i></b></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/wired-series-10th-anniversary-celebration/"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">*</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #555555;"> </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stirling Ranch</b>—Small Town Cowboy Romance from Harlequin Special
Edition <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/accidental-homecoming-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Accidental Homecoming</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/accidental-homecoming-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/recipe-for-a-homecoming/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Recipe
for a Homecoming</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/recipe-for-a-homecoming/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/the-marines-reluctant-return-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Marine’s Reluctant Return</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/the-marines-reluctant-return-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stone Hard SEALs</b>—Action Adventure/Military Romance <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.8pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/stone-hard-seals-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stone Hard SEALs</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/stone-hard-seals-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">—</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/stone-hard-seals-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stone Hard SEALs #1 & 2 (Action</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/stone-hard-seals-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">-</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/stone-hard-seals-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Packed Military Romance Duet)</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/stone-hard-seals-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.85pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/guard-dog-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Guard Dog</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/guard-dog-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">—</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/guard-dog-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stone Hard SEALs #3</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/guard-dog-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/guard-dog-by-sabrina-york/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">*</span></b></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/guard-dog-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/herding-cat-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Herding Cat</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/herding-cat-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">—</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/herding-cat-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stone Hard SEALs #4 </span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/herding-cat-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">*</span></b> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/hot-rod-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Hot
Rod</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/hot-rod-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">—</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/hot-rod-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stone
Hard SEALs 5</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/hot-rod-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.7pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/gun-shy-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Gun Shy</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/gun-shy-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">—</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/gun-shy-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stone
Hard SEALs #6</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/gun-shy-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/stone-hard-seals-collection-by-sabrina-york/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">SERIES BUNDLE</span></i></b></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/stone-hard-seals-collection-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">*</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #555555;">Want More Military Heroes? </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.3pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #555555;">Whipped (Contemporary Romance</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #555555;">—</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #555555;">also
included in the Stone Hard SEALS Bundle as Bonus</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #555555; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #555555;">Material</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #555555;">)</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">*</span></b></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #555555; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.95pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2 style="margin-right: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Elite Metal: Warriors Box Set</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">—</span></a><span style="color: #555555; font-weight: normal;">Action Adventure Romance</span><span style="color: #555555;">
</span><o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Lithium’s Rescue</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">—</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Elite Ghosts</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Sterling’s Seduction</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">—</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Elite Metal</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.1pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Cesium’s Capture</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">—</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Elite Element</span></a><a href="https://sabrinayork.com/elite-metal-warriors-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #555555; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stripped Down Cowboys</b> From Berkley Intermix (And Prequel Novellas)—Steamy
Cowboys at a Stud Ranch! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/stud-for-hire-stripped-down-cowboys-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stud For Hire</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/stud-for-hire-stripped-down-cowboys-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
1 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/cowboy-to-command-stripped-down-cowboys-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Cowboy to Command</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/cowboy-to-command-stripped-down-cowboys-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
2 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/spurred-on-stripped-down-cowboys-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Spurred On</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/spurred-on-stripped-down-cowboys-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
3 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">Prequel Novellas <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/the-real-mccoy-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Real McCoy</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/the-real-mccoy-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a>
Prequel Book 1 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/come-hell-or-high-water-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Come Hell or High Water</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/come-hell-or-high-water-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a>
Prequel Book 2 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/protect-and-serve-cowboy-justice-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Protect and Serve,</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/protect-and-serve-cowboy-justice-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a>Prequel
Book 3 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tryst Island Series</b>—Steamy Contemporary Romance <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/rebound-book-1-of-the-tryst-island-series/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Rebound</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/rebound-book-1-of-the-tryst-island-series/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
1 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.8pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/dragonfly-kisses-book-2-in-the-tryst-island-series/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Dragonfly Kisses</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/dragonfly-kisses-book-2-in-the-tryst-island-series/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
2 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/smoking-holt/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Smoking
Holt</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/smoking-holt/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
3 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">*</span></b> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/heart-of-ash-book-4-in-the-tryst-island-series/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Heart of Ash</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/heart-of-ash-book-4-in-the-tryst-island-series/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
4 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/devlins-dare-book-5-in-the-tryst-island-series/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Devlin’s Dare</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/devlins-dare-book-5-in-the-tryst-island-series/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
5 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/parkers-passion-book-6-in-the-tryst-island-series-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Parker’s Passio</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/parkers-passion-book-6-in-the-tryst-island-series-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">n</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/parkers-passion-book-6-in-the-tryst-island-series-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
6 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2 style="margin-right: 0in;">Stand Alone Contemporary <o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.85pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/heartbreak-on-a-stick-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Heartbreak on a Stick (Contemporary Reunion Romance)</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/heartbreak-on-a-stick-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/heartbreak-on-a-stick-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.75pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/pool-man-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Pool Man (Sexy Vacation Debacle)</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/pool-man-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">*</span></b> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Whipped
(Scorching Hilarious Contemporary Romance) </span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/whipped-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">*</span></b> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/fierce-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Fierce
(One Night Stand, Contemporary Romance from Decadent Publishing)</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/fierce-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/snow-angels-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Snow Angels (Calendar Men Series Contemporary Romance
from Decadent Publishing)</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/snow-angels-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2 style="margin-right: 0in;">HISTORICAL ROMANCE <o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #555555;">James Patterson BookShots—</span></b><span style="color: #555555;">Steamy Regency Highlander<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .05pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/bedding-the-highlander-by-sabrina-york-james-pattersons-bookshots/"><span style="color: #555555;">Bedding the Highlander</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/bedding-the-highlander-by-sabrina-york-james-pattersons-bookshots/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.75pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Noble Passions Series</b>—Steamy
Regency (*Think Fifty Shades of #Bridgerton) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.65pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/dark-fancy/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Dark Fancy</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/dark-fancy/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book 1<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">*</b></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/dark-duke/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Dark Duke</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/dark-duke/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book 2<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">*</b></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/brigand/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Brigand</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/brigand/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book 3 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.6pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/defiant-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Defiant</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/defiant-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book 4 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/folly/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Folly, </span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/folly/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a>Book
5<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">*</b></span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Untamed Highlanders</b>—Hot
Highlanders from St. Martin’s Press <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/hannah-and-the-highlander-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Hannah and the Highlander</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/hannah-and-the-highlander-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
1 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/susana-and-the-scot-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Susana and the Scot</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/susana-and-the-scot-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
2 (RITA Nominee) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/lana-and-the-laird-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Lana and the Laird,</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/lana-and-the-laird-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a>Book 3
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/the-highlander-is-all-that-untamed-highlanders-from-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Highlander is All That</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/the-highlander-is-all-that-untamed-highlanders-from-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
4 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/wahgtd/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">What a Highlander’s Got to Do</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/wahgtd/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book 5 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/say-yes-to-the-scot-highlander-quartet-and-giveaway/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Say Yes to the Scot Anthology</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/say-yes-to-the-scot-highlander-quartet-and-giveaway/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2 style="margin-right: 0in;">The Dundragon Time Travel Trilogy <o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/laird-of-her-heart-book-one-in-the-dundragon-trilogy-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Laird of her Heart</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/laird-of-her-heart-book-one-in-the-dundragon-trilogy-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
1 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .15pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 266.7pt; margin-top: 0in;">Her Hot Highlander Book 2 (Coming*) His Highland Lass
Book 3 (Coming*) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">*thank you for your
patience!</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2 style="margin-right: 0in;">Waterloo Heroes<span style="font-weight: normal;">—Regency
Romance </span><o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/tarnished-honor-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Tarnished Honor</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/tarnished-honor-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">,</span></a> Book
1 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/waterloo-heroes-2-call-of-the-wild-wind-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Call of the Wild Wind, Book 2</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/waterloo-heroes-2-call-of-the-wild-wind-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">PARANORMAL/FANTASY ROMANCE <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.75pt; margin-left: .5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/wicked-enchantment-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Wicked Enchantment</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/wicked-enchantment-by-sabrina-york/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">—</span></a>Steamy
Romance Fantasy<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">*</b></span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/trickery/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Trickery</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/trickery/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">—</span></a>Steamy Romance Fantasy<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">*</b></span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Want Something Different? </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5pt;">SCI/FI SPACE OPERA (writing as SAM
YORK) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -.25pt;"><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/samyork/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Viridian
Convict</span></a><a href="http://sabrinayork.com/samyork/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-19114627440763999572022-05-17T08:23:00.000-04:002022-05-17T08:23:49.822-04:00Guest Author Cynthia D'Alba<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKGCszhx_lzTYmOtyqCKwZGinhiyndlxX1zHbbbZZsV9H6WHIL3mqZp_Xs1duosbMbsJJnaL7a2_xa8ofLjk76xOoWV0qFDFYvDF0LVCkfiMqWSfUYoLdU0zkLWEPUK3XCYA2yIdxSYverFPx_Se8FJnOMoWRHnpeoN9jeK0C6QQhf27kCIV1buWz/s2566/Rescued%20Dedication.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2566" data-original-width="1640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKGCszhx_lzTYmOtyqCKwZGinhiyndlxX1zHbbbZZsV9H6WHIL3mqZp_Xs1duosbMbsJJnaL7a2_xa8ofLjk76xOoWV0qFDFYvDF0LVCkfiMqWSfUYoLdU0zkLWEPUK3XCYA2yIdxSYverFPx_Se8FJnOMoWRHnpeoN9jeK0C6QQhf27kCIV1buWz/w410-h640/Rescued%20Dedication.png" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9msaVkKbuyrC7SznUludndrLbwlbl-DOE3GVc2In5ixlYC92sN3PdyGmwfQrZ2yCrNrj-4wppjlekX-LzsBq6BX8DyI5o0rSkAgd6BSR-nQE0BmXIf8YbOLVBH3sLoKuzBhvONdmv8Bg-KnK7GXNqpZQAKS3upJxSlGnc5f0N0Ex-hj1b_CzWvFOH/s2560/Rescued-Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9msaVkKbuyrC7SznUludndrLbwlbl-DOE3GVc2In5ixlYC92sN3PdyGmwfQrZ2yCrNrj-4wppjlekX-LzsBq6BX8DyI5o0rSkAgd6BSR-nQE0BmXIf8YbOLVBH3sLoKuzBhvONdmv8Bg-KnK7GXNqpZQAKS3upJxSlGnc5f0N0Ex-hj1b_CzWvFOH/w410-h640/Rescued-Kindle.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">Good Morning! Cynthia D’Alba here. I
(along with nine other authors!) have a new release on May 17. It’s ALL ABOUT
RESCUE DOGS!! Ten authors joined forces and wrote novellas, each one having a
rescue dog as a character in the book! The Foreword is by Roxanne St. Claire.
As our way of recognizing all our special rescues, royalties from sales on May
17 & 18 will be donated to the Alaque Animal Rescue organization. <br />
<a href="https://alaqua.org/"><b>https://alaqua.org/</b></a><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><br />
<b>ORDER HERE: </b><a href="https://books2read.com/Rescued-Dog-Anthology"><b>https://books2read.com/Rescued-Dog-Anthology</b></a><b><br />
</b><br />
So what are the stories about? Read on! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">What
happens when 10 dog-loving romance authors get together and brainstorm? Why,
books with rescue dogs, sexy heroes, dirty talking, and lots of dog treats, of
course.</span></i></b><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">From Cynthia D'Alba – <b>Hot Assets</b>- <i>A
CPA must team up with a cop to save her rescued dog from a determined dognapper</i></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">From Donna Alward - <b>Doggie on her
Doorstep </b><i>When Emily's flighty cousin leaves her dog on Em's
doorstep, she enlists the help of the sexy grouch next door.</i></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">From Jenna Bayley-Burke – <b>The Guy Next
Door -<i> </i></b><i>Fourth grade teacher has the naughtiest dog, the
punniest jokes, and perfect washboard abs...and now an angry neighbor with a
busted fence thanks to his dog.</i></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">From Mandy Harbin<i>- </i><b>Rescuing Orion
- </b><i>When undercover FBI agents foster a dog to investigate a money
launderer, ignoring their attraction becomes difficult with playing house with
a cute pooch.</i></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">From Cindy Kirk<span class="a-text-italic"><i> - </i></span><span class="a-text-bold"><b>For the Love of Ivy</b></span> - <span class="a-text-italic"><i>A city girl and the dog she rescues turns a sexy
rancher’s life upside down<br />
</i></span>From Melissa Schroeder <i>- </i><b>Last Love - </b><i>A
single mom tries to avoid her one-night stand, but her dog, Houdini, keeps
leading her to his door.</i></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">From Lexxie Couper<i> - </i><b>Who's A
Good Boy?</b> - <i>After meeting a feisty dog trainer and a 3-legged
dog, the future PM of Australia questions his future and his life.</i></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">From Shana Gray<i> – </i><b>Dogs on A
Plane-</b><i> A heavy snow strands a bush pilot and socialite with a pack
of love hungry pups. Who saves who?</i></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">From Laura Trentham<i> -</i><b>Nobody’s
Hero</b><i> - An ex-con tries to persuade an abandoned puppy and an
innocent romance author he's nobody's hero.</i></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">From Tamlyn Black <i>–</i><b> Romancing
the Grumpy Rancher -</b><i> A grumpy cowboy has his world upended by his
sister's new BFF and the stray dog she brings to his door<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">I
guarantee that for less than a buck, you WILL find more than one (if not all)
wonderful stories of dogs and love! <br />
<b><i>This past weekend, I was in Nashville for Weekend with the Authors. I brought
home a LOADED registration bag full of goodies, including books! I will pick
one person who leaves a comment to win this awesome prize!!</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">So
LEAVE A COMMENT!! Better yet, order RESCUE TODAY!! <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><b>ORDER HERE: </b><a href="https://books2read.com/Rescued-Dog-Anthology"><b>https://books2read.com/Rescued-Dog-Anthology</b></a><b><br />
<br />
I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT ENJOY THE DEDICATION PAGE! </b><i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></p></div><p><br /></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-70600687478711505352022-05-16T08:21:00.000-04:002022-05-16T08:21:05.373-04:00Cover Reveal<h1 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">New Series! New Book! Coming Soon!</span></h1><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRE0LhVU0sDPWb56RMp8tl91CH0A-r9VCVbO1NtEHG14buMFWi-E1ADPuJ27JfavUCzt8dNTMtJ9E-KjdiwakklDwDzZxFUuFehlV9vwV54jwd130M2craop1ZknBxp6ZLKjumISzYfRaM5nDY0Dmy0HGxHiJ6XfBGjwhqLxyLWvc7eWm9XPCXo0x/s2700/Bite%20the%20Bullet-1%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRE0LhVU0sDPWb56RMp8tl91CH0A-r9VCVbO1NtEHG14buMFWi-E1ADPuJ27JfavUCzt8dNTMtJ9E-KjdiwakklDwDzZxFUuFehlV9vwV54jwd130M2craop1ZknBxp6ZLKjumISzYfRaM5nDY0Dmy0HGxHiJ6XfBGjwhqLxyLWvc7eWm9XPCXo0x/w426-h640/Bite%20the%20Bullet-1%20(1).jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bite-Bullet-Delta-Blackout-Book-ebook/dp/B0B1CK88MG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CWQ8D2FIEC0U&keywords=rhonda+lee+carver+bite+the+bullet&qid=1652703624&s=audible&sprefix=rhonda+lee+carver+bite+the+bullet%2Caudible%2C88&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Pre-order here!</a><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Unedited excerpt:</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“Listen,” he said in a
whispered voice. “One wrong move and I’ll throw you off the cliff. Understand?”
She nodded. He turned her around and undid the rope. He watched her rub her
wrists. She brought one hand up to the hood and he caught her slender hand with
his tight grip. “No,” he muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“Why can’t I remove it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The woman had a lot of nerve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“Will you be pissing out of your mouth?
You don’t need your eyes to take care of business.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“I-I don’t want to go in front of you.”
Her voice was so soft he almost thought he was imagining her words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“For someone in your position you
certainly are demanding. Now take care of your business or get back in.” By now
they were both soaked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">With an agitated sigh, she said, “The rope
at my ankles…I can’t do anything. It’s too confining.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">They should have been back on the road by
now. As much as he hated to admit t, he guessed it would be a bit difficult to
go with her ankles stuck together. Reluctantly, he removed the rope. “Any more
demands?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“Well—”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“Don’t push it, princess,” he growled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></p><h1 style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></h1><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></div>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-22237154264014578872022-04-15T17:05:00.001-04:002022-04-15T17:05:47.282-04:00Interview with cover model Kevin R Davis<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG7iAQCA2R4IXIxLsvmi79F-2pml9S92dr61sQ24nEMO4ngobfCQ4JSLDBLL3ggCd_PjLAKzZRvdojgXDzRQpJy0pAWfuUhGZ8p7AODBe7iZZdN7FPyMh3FRHt67yqGzygXgwogZVs28KlCFCUL8RRl1-S7Q8xzsHHcs_Y1_MF6RXz_GYrdOhWn2J/s2500/CowboyElyfinalebookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1563" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG7iAQCA2R4IXIxLsvmi79F-2pml9S92dr61sQ24nEMO4ngobfCQ4JSLDBLL3ggCd_PjLAKzZRvdojgXDzRQpJy0pAWfuUhGZ8p7AODBe7iZZdN7FPyMh3FRHt67yqGzygXgwogZVs28KlCFCUL8RRl1-S7Q8xzsHHcs_Y1_MF6RXz_GYrdOhWn2J/w400-h640/CowboyElyfinalebookcover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09SX6VM3M/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1" target="_blank">Buy Cowboy Ely here</a><br /></p><p>In anticipation of my new release coming 3/22/22, I sat down with Cover Model Kevin R Davis to ask him a few questions. I truly admire his life story and how far he's come. Not only is he an amazing model, but he's kind and passionate about his work. Check out the amazing cover below...</p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">1. </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">How did you get into modeling for book cover?</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">Golden Czermak of FuriousFotog hit me up on Facebook and asked if I would like to do a photo shoot. I was a bit insecure about doing it, after seeing what all the other models looked like, but I didn’t want to not take the opportunity that I had been given. I’m so happy that I followed through with it. </span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">2. </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">What do you think is your greatest </span></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">strength as</span></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;"> a model?</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">I think my greatest strength has been that I take it as a serious business. I have worked on my brand and try to work hard at maintaining the standards that I’ve set for my brand. I also work hard to promote the people that I work with and the books that I’m on.</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">3. </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you just by looking at you.</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">Well, I may look like a model now, and have things going really well for me, but just 4 years ago, I was a long-term meth addict, homeless and not even sure if I had any future at all. My 4-year clean date is April 16th, and I share my story in hopes that I can inspire others who are where I was. </span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 21.6px;">4. </span><span style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">What goals have you set for yourself as a model?</span></span><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;">I’ve actually accomplished so many of the goals that I’ve set so far. My goal is to just continue to try to get better and to diversify my portfolio further. I would like to venture into some fashion modeling, as well. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">5. </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">Tell me about your best, worst, most difficult, or funniest photo shoot.</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;">I would have to say that my most difficult shoot, was my shoot with Chris Butler in Dallas. It being difficult had nothing to do with Chris. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;">When I flew into Dallas, we were going to immediately go shoot outside. It was June in Dallas, so we needed to shoot before it got too hot. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;">Well, the airline put my luggage on another plane, and I had to wait another 3 hours to get my luggage. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;">By the time we got to where we were shooting, it was so hot. On top of that, the place that his models normally changed clothes, happened to be closed that day. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;">I was changing clothes, out of my suitcase, in his car, parked on the street. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;">I’m not shy, but I was concerned about indecent exposure, if the police came by. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;">I was so drenched in sweat and my clothes were sticking to me. I was pretty stressed that I was going to look a mess.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;">Luckily, we did get some great photos, on that shoot. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px;">6. </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">Did you choose modeling or did it choose you?</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">Well, it chose me, but I wanted to model when I was younger. It didn’t work out for me then, but hey, I will take it 30 years later. <img alt="😂" aria-label="😂" class="an1" data-emoji="😂" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f602/72.png" style="height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">Find him on Facebook: </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rkevindavis" style="background-color: transparent;">(2) Kevin R Davis | Facebook</a></div><div><br /></div>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-39904358965820952412022-04-06T00:00:00.001-04:002022-04-06T00:00:00.237-04:00Guest Author Parker Kincaid<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Parker Kincade: Rescued and a Visit Back to the Ranch<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Rescued: A Collection of Contemporary Romances with
Heart, Heat, and Dog Treats</i> is a project near and dear to my heart. My
husband and I currently have our fourth rescue—a handsome Boxer dog named
Bronxx (#BronxxTheBoxer, seen here begging for some of my brunch last weekend).
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLePyIW3WatwIhKTHwZ0e5BCtfffNYq35Snd-AVOoGPrgs2oTASHzAMy2IqeSgajNCP9OZE9Yp8l6kNMW6MTYEwu64-hEk6B7PNRlfmZjj_K_IDX6Fo0dz8PmhR4OErAZFMIUNsDvGSr-LB8HktLUoUgglI1B6EQOtjDxkBqPg5t_Ly-b30oxKXRw/s1431/dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="1431" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLePyIW3WatwIhKTHwZ0e5BCtfffNYq35Snd-AVOoGPrgs2oTASHzAMy2IqeSgajNCP9OZE9Yp8l6kNMW6MTYEwu64-hEk6B7PNRlfmZjj_K_IDX6Fo0dz8PmhR4OErAZFMIUNsDvGSr-LB8HktLUoUgglI1B6EQOtjDxkBqPg5t_Ly-b30oxKXRw/w640-h640/dog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Our lives have been forever changed for the better by each
boxer we’ve had (along with one of the vainest, sassiest Husky’s to ever live),
and I don’t even want to imagine what life would be like without a dog.
Naturally, when I was invited to contribute to the Rescued anthology, I knew my
dog would be a boxer. I also knew I didn’t want to write a stand-alone story.
My mind immediately went to my Shadow Maverick Ranch series. Technically, this
series was complete. I had planned for three books, and the third one came out
seven years ago.Then, I got to thinking.
It’s been long enough for the youngest Mathis twins to have aged enough to have
stories…so…back to the ranch we go! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Rescued Cowboy</i> -- <i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A spirited foster dog is determined to make his
lovable animal rescuer and a transient cowboy into his new permanent family.</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (Featuring Jayden Mathis)</span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For preorders and for the first couple of weeks, </span><i>Rescued: A
Collection of Contemporary Romances with Heart, Heat, and Dog Treats </i>is <b>ONLY
$0.99</b> (Price will go up to $3.99 on June 1). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://books2read.com/Rescued-Dog-Anthology">https://books2read.com/Rescued-Dog-Anthology</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We are giving away so many great prizes for this release on May
17, 2022. Click the link below for details on how to enter to win our
Rafflecopter giveaway. You can enter every day!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/73980ee953">http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/73980ee953</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Proceeds
from this anthology will be donated to Alaque Animal Rescue.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our Bronxx is kind of a butt-head when it comes to other
dogs, so he’s an only child (which I think is by design…more love for him.
HAHA). Do you have pets? Let’s chat! Leave your comments below. I can’t wait to
hear from you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A big thank you to Rhonda for hosting me today! You’re the
best, sweetness!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For more information about me and/or the Shadow Maverick
Ranch, here’s my links:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Website: <a href="http://www.parkerkincade.com/">www.parkerkincade.com</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Newsletter: <a href="http://www.parkerkincade.com/newsletter">http://www.parkerkincade.com/newsletter</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/parkerkincade">www.facebook.com/parkerkincade</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/parkerkincade">www.twitter.com/parkerkincade</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6475101.Parker_Kincade">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6475101.Parker_Kincade</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Pinterest: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/parkerkincade/">https://www.pinterest.com/parkerkincade/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Amazon Author Page: <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Parker-Kincade/e/B00913EFR6/">https://smile.amazon.com/Parker-Kincade/e/B00913EFR6/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">BookBub Author Page: </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/parker-kincade">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/parker-kincade</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJg7vWQS04tY-cN21-UBmnxWmb1TCiMEwwguoa0aR78O9pDm3M4KgZMiOWeiLjLiG9NZd9oVHXkVicv0VGbLUVgpeXuxgaV_ETRqR2fTprnbo4kAXFTKQTUNYncnx0962JCW8nWgS5zoect2axmxxVPM5E8O1K6BYLJHrQNduHSLKs4mEwpaBJkzKC/s500/parkerkincaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJg7vWQS04tY-cN21-UBmnxWmb1TCiMEwwguoa0aR78O9pDm3M4KgZMiOWeiLjLiG9NZd9oVHXkVicv0VGbLUVgpeXuxgaV_ETRqR2fTprnbo4kAXFTKQTUNYncnx0962JCW8nWgS5zoect2axmxxVPM5E8O1K6BYLJHrQNduHSLKs4mEwpaBJkzKC/w410-h640/parkerkincaid.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-72493341851111767452022-03-29T00:00:00.001-04:002022-03-29T00:00:00.221-04:00Interview with Cover Model Brian Howell<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCKPI6LO9bpXwqGpIJ42YS5tzbKvqfXWzcWOS8m-WUVSYH62nmmBQL2ajoymOwfX0R6hTKQwMx7HCXftr1cXWpkBbirjl8bMUArK9qpJ-ucLHlD4QRmavDVFL2TSfGb_-sLxn6LYyAdpNmUZWCMhcUOSf_l_YfsudR457bCpkvkcCiXEvHCAlYXaU/s2509/ALLCOWBOYandCHarmFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="1506" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCKPI6LO9bpXwqGpIJ42YS5tzbKvqfXWzcWOS8m-WUVSYH62nmmBQL2ajoymOwfX0R6hTKQwMx7HCXftr1cXWpkBbirjl8bMUArK9qpJ-ucLHlD4QRmavDVFL2TSfGb_-sLxn6LYyAdpNmUZWCMhcUOSf_l_YfsudR457bCpkvkcCiXEvHCAlYXaU/s320/ALLCOWBOYandCHarmFINAL.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0979FR6ZH/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i16" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;">FREE Ebook</span></a></b></h1><p><br /></p><br /> <span style="background-color: #e4e6eb;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #0084ff; color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">How did you get into modeling for book cover?</span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well it just fell into my lap. Years back I decided I wanted to change my physique so I started to pursue bodybuilding. I had in my head at the time that I wanted to compete in the </span><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">men's</span><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> physique class. I posted some of my progress pictures on Social media, and I was contacted to do a shoot. Now here we are. </span></p><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 2. </span><span style="background-color: #0084ff; color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What do you think is your greatest strength as a model?</span><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have no idea, lol.. you should ask the ladies who buy the books. They’d give you some honest feed back I bet. I’d say either my jaw line or my chest.
3. </span><span style="background-color: #0084ff; color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you just by looking at you.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most of my life I wanted to be rockstar. I love to sing and I’ve written and performed songs in the past. So I never really thought about pursuing modeling before, however, funny story, my momma had put me in multiple pageants when I was a toddler. I was around 2 years old. I believe I have some old picture somewhere. So I guess modeling has been apart of me from the early years. Funny how life brings things back around. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 4. </span><span style="background-color: #0084ff; color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What goals have you set for yourself as a model?</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve not really set any goals for modeling. For me I just want to be the best version of myself I can be. Both inside an out. I’m 42 years old and I strive to be in the best shape of my life. I’m constantly critiquing myself an trying to be better. And whatever opportunities arise along the way, I’m open to exploring it and walk through the open doors that life brings me. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 5. </span><span style="background-color: #0084ff; color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tell me about your best, worst, most difficult, or funniest photo shoot.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The last shoot we did for the All Cowboys and Heart was by far the easiest shoot. I think most of the shots Logan took just naturally happened. I remember him saying “don’t move, hold that pose while I get the camera ready.” It was like it was just meant to be. Super easy. The most challenging shoot was probably a Boudoir scene I did with my wife Jen. We took pics in a shower with water running. They turned out amazing, but being fully naked in-front of strangers was quite the experience to say the least. I’m shy believe it or not. Lol</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 6. </span><span style="background-color: #0084ff; color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Did you choose modeling or did it choose you?</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Modeling definitely chose me. Like I said earlier I never really thought I was model material I guess. But apparently my mom thought so. Hahaha..</span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></div>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-25900069987542235572022-03-23T00:30:00.001-04:002022-03-23T00:30:00.208-04:00Guest Author Melissa Keir<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB-MBEvJsKOsvsblFKL9saxU7D6mb5SwQ4-KQGfRmGaE67GUulcorQKxsXCrGBtd7e7bhLkP11N-PMsYbFhnAf_Us3dhyp-qajXh8nrGurzYpUJKQmTQPXuhKgcPmh9iozMC9hCAdcLOJzbCwvI2w8haTwl6IblsYSR7JGxrNjbO7R-WbRIP3WqDcN=s1650" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1650" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB-MBEvJsKOsvsblFKL9saxU7D6mb5SwQ4-KQGfRmGaE67GUulcorQKxsXCrGBtd7e7bhLkP11N-PMsYbFhnAf_Us3dhyp-qajXh8nrGurzYpUJKQmTQPXuhKgcPmh9iozMC9hCAdcLOJzbCwvI2w8haTwl6IblsYSR7JGxrNjbO7R-WbRIP3WqDcN=w400-h309" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxnyS-rvIxAAUkUIn-NHgcVy_JtGIOk6gzJ3ztfaPsOtWzR2lJI17hybZjgUr91ue-YxBK8NFZWAF4rlULcgls9PvtN4IST7-nTSrAToaK8s-ToaTHVj4wR7GL1RbPEdL_7KskE6F2HfQZdQNAXNzL6QIhJXF79Ls0Hunb81lsQ4qwYA5NZ02bRJjM=s3481" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3473" data-original-width="3481" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxnyS-rvIxAAUkUIn-NHgcVy_JtGIOk6gzJ3ztfaPsOtWzR2lJI17hybZjgUr91ue-YxBK8NFZWAF4rlULcgls9PvtN4IST7-nTSrAToaK8s-ToaTHVj4wR7GL1RbPEdL_7KskE6F2HfQZdQNAXNzL6QIhJXF79Ls0Hunb81lsQ4qwYA5NZ02bRJjM=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">A Cowboy’s Whisper<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">The Cowboys of Whisper, Colorado: Books
1-3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">By Melissa Keir<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Inspiration Behind The Heartsong Cowboy<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a teacher for twenty plus years, children are a deep part
of my heart. I would do anything for them and feel very strongly about
protecting them. During my first year teaching, I was the assistant director at
a college on-site childcare facility. The children would come to our center
when their parents were in classes or studying on campus. These young children
quickly wormed their way into my heart. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My own drive to work each day was through a not so nice
town. Often I was frightened to sit too long at stoplights as I drove through
broken down and destroyed neighborhoods. Scarier to me was the fact that my
students came from these same neighborhoods and drove these same streets. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One day, a horrible event happened. One of my students was
on her way to school when at a stoplight a man jumped into their car and held a
knife at the child’s throat while demanding money from her mom. Luckily, her
mom gave over her purse and the man left without physically harming the mother
or daughter. But I’d always worried about the mental and emotional strain the
incident caused the family. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Taking that small real-life incident, I wove in a more
detailed story for my heroine in The Heartsong Cowboy. I could imagine how that
trauma would have affected her daughter and the determination a parent would
feel to try anything to “fix” her child.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course, I lost touch with the family and never got to see
how things turned out for the little girl. But I’d like to think that she’s
learned that not everyone is bad and scary…that she’s learned to trust and find
her own happiness. Who knows, maybe she’s even reading this post. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A Cowboy’s Whisper is available on Amazon and in Kindle
Unlimited. You can grab a copy for less than a cup of coffee! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Whisper-Colorado-Books-1-3-ebook/dp/B07W57SQD8<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Join three
amazing couples who look for love in a small town as they overcome obstacles
and find their happily ever after.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">The Heartsong Cowboy<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Can two people, one horse and the power of
love cure a little girl?</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Angela
French blames herself for her daughter’s lack of voice. Determined to do
anything to correct the situation, she seeks out Jake Kyncade, the owner of The
Heartsong Ranch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Jake
Kyncade hides his own sorrows behind his no-nonsense demeanor. Helping children
becomes one way to correct his past. Using equine therapy, he sets out to make
a difference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Can
Jake help Angela’s dreams come true or will Jake’s past bring more heartache?
Will love save them all?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">The Heartbroken Cowboy<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Love isn’t found at the bottom of a
bottle…</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Johnson
O’Neill joined The Heartsong Ranch to escape his addiction. One night at a
friend’s wedding, stress causes him to fall off the wagon and into the arms of
the woman of his dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Debra
Donahue lost her husband to alcohol then pulled herself up by her bootstraps
becoming a million-dollar selling real estate agent. One night with a sexy
cowboy and a bottle of whiskey, Debra falls hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Can
an alcoholic cowboy and a brokenhearted woman find love despite their fears? Or
will the bottom of a bottle claim another happily ever after?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Claiming a Cowboy’s Heart<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Even broken souls deserve a second chance
at love….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Elementary Teacher, Michelle Alt has faced untold
trials in her life, yet she continues to do what’s right to make things better
for the next generation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Cowboy Veterinarian, Preston Hall has lost
everything in order to follow his dreams and return to his grandfather’s
small-town practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recognizing each other’s pain, these two broken
souls come together to heal, but fear and misunderstandings send their
blossoming relationship into a tailspin. Will they be able to put aside their
pain to find the love of a lifetime?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Excerpt from The Heartsong Cowboy:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With Taylor asleep on the couch, Angela snuck the magazine
out of her daughter’s sleeping hands before carrying her to her bed. After
making sure her baby was tucked in, she turned out the lights and went to the
kitchen. She sat down at the table to study the article about the horse
whisperer. The photos gave off a peaceful feeling—so much so, she longed to
jump into the images. Along with the horses, there were shots of children
laughing and petting the animals. The article mentioned a little boy with
Down’s Syndrome whose language increased after a week of animal therapy. <i>The
Heartsong Ranch. Even the name sounds encouraging. Dare I get my hopes up?<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One photo in particular captured her attention. The owner,
Jake Kyncade, wore jeans and a cowboy hat as he stood next to the ranch sign.
She took a deep breath as butterflies circled in her abdomen. <i>He’s sexy.
Very different from Mike. Mr. Kyncade has this wounded look in his eyes. I
wonder what his trauma was. I’ve gotten better at noticing it in others. Still,
he’s good looking. Probably married with his own children.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">About the Author:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Growing up in a small town, Melissa created stories
in her head and lived them out with her sisters. They climbed through the
quarries, built forts among the leaves and pretended they were their favorite
television heroines. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Always trying to spread joy and happiness, Melissa
has written over 30+ stories of couples who eventually find their Happily Ever
After. Her books are filled with broken heroes and heroines who overcome
real-life obstacles and come out stronger than ever. Her children books
(written under her childhood name- Missy Watling) feature endearing tales
infused with important lessons about self-acceptance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Escaping the cold Midwest winters, she and her
husband, along with furbabies enjoy the beaches of South Carolina and can be
found talking to the gators and turtles. She posts photos of her gator friends
as well as other wildlife. After all, sometimes they have the <i>best</i>
advice!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">She’d love to hear from you!<u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://%0Dwww.melissakeir.com/"><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></a></span></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://%0Dwww.melissakeir.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.melissakeir.com</span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/melissakeir"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">http://www.facebook.com/melissakeir</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.twitter/melissa_keir"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">www.twitter/melissa_keir</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/keirmelissa/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.instagram.com/keirmelissa/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLLt8pPQCOeNEsufymAsqB4tk9KX_ARAiUBYodNuTlNbkX9pPgkXfIyfm01FH4rm_uj-ajPX-7mkyo15q1RWstZOjV1Z-MOGvuvCrh6z7x376qJlUwOHUF_P8yFB5EL38vAmfC_pv51Vb51Gi6_Lq-TYUZND_yR8Kl0OHqm6_qdJ687W61twLxSX22=s2700" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLLt8pPQCOeNEsufymAsqB4tk9KX_ARAiUBYodNuTlNbkX9pPgkXfIyfm01FH4rm_uj-ajPX-7mkyo15q1RWstZOjV1Z-MOGvuvCrh6z7x376qJlUwOHUF_P8yFB5EL38vAmfC_pv51Vb51Gi6_Lq-TYUZND_yR8Kl0OHqm6_qdJ687W61twLxSX22=s2700" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDDqxb59z26d5ImWxFNga3xgetFffsdfjrvQBDvwJPwPlQ7IATIGuWzbV_VbzibTO6_Y6LZBeGqHOi8A9PFUEozi7-8PpDd2D3cIMNWF0z5SLUtKrSa0tYnGTGwDmE-wsF2qvdWt7PSv4wG-cM8DxJLBCr3gLRQUEXstoZmGyVzV03axMgKaZjDhKo=s2700" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDDqxb59z26d5ImWxFNga3xgetFffsdfjrvQBDvwJPwPlQ7IATIGuWzbV_VbzibTO6_Y6LZBeGqHOi8A9PFUEozi7-8PpDd2D3cIMNWF0z5SLUtKrSa0tYnGTGwDmE-wsF2qvdWt7PSv4wG-cM8DxJLBCr3gLRQUEXstoZmGyVzV03axMgKaZjDhKo=s400" /></a></div><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="2147" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLLt8pPQCOeNEsufymAsqB4tk9KX_ARAiUBYodNuTlNbkX9pPgkXfIyfm01FH4rm_uj-ajPX-7mkyo15q1RWstZOjV1Z-MOGvuvCrh6z7x376qJlUwOHUF_P8yFB5EL38vAmfC_pv51Vb51Gi6_Lq-TYUZND_yR8Kl0OHqm6_qdJ687W61twLxSX22=s400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-48296323919041653072022-03-09T00:00:00.003-05:002022-03-09T00:00:00.215-05:00Guest Author D'Ann Lindun<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The word chaps is a shortened word for<i> chaparajos</i>
or<i> chaparellas</i>, Mexican or Spanish words for this garment, ultimately
derived from the Spanish word <i>chaparello</i>. They are pronounced “SHAPS” by
Western riders and “CHAPS” by English riders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The earliest form of protective leather garment worn
used by riders who herded cattle in Spain and Mexico were called <i>armas</i>
which meant shields.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Style variations adapted as vaqueros, and later,
cowboys, moved up from Mexico into the Pacific coast and northern Rockies of
what is today the United States and Canada. Mountain men also copied leather
leggings worn by Native Americans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are several variations:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Armitas</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: short legging with completely closed legs that have to be
put on in a manner similar to pants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Batwing</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">: cut wide with a
flare at the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chinks</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">: half-length
chaps that stop 2-4 inches below the knee with long fringe at the bottom and
along the sides.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Shotgun</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">: as the name
implies, straight legged.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Woolies</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> are a variation on shotgun chaps, made with fleece,
angora or with hair-on cowhide, often lined with canvas on the inside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Zamorros</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">: resemble
batwings but the leggings extend far beyond the boot with a distinctive flare.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Like old western counterparts, modern day cowboys
still wear all forms of chaps and chinks to protect their legs from livestock,
weather and brush. The flashiest chaps will be seen at horse shows and in rodeo
arenas. Farriers use them to protect their legs when shoeing horses.
Non-equestrian users include motorcycle riders, loggers and some are popular in
BDSM culture.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlnyNFM59ikem0Az3QlKUorLKbdE4o7ZbH5UR6Fz_OiK39K8JnFL90u4-1kMPEKA6-1yJhqhmhAjP04r49kI7NdXYOcCQghOu4wjRBR2TpusEZaNx35DaNXRAp8YwEzUBjPl4H25ZzHSx5Sz2B699FDKjac18iVbUK_gHBV0S2mZbY-FCr-39ACteg=s497" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="497" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlnyNFM59ikem0Az3QlKUorLKbdE4o7ZbH5UR6Fz_OiK39K8JnFL90u4-1kMPEKA6-1yJhqhmhAjP04r49kI7NdXYOcCQghOu4wjRBR2TpusEZaNx35DaNXRAp8YwEzUBjPl4H25ZzHSx5Sz2B699FDKjac18iVbUK_gHBV0S2mZbY-FCr-39ACteg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My pop L wears batwings, and his friend Jim R wears chinks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From Lily’s Summer Cowboy:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
man sat on the rocking chair, spinning a white Stetson on the toe of one of his
boots. A striped western shirt hung open over a grey t-shirt snugged against a
flat belly and faded Wranglers pulled over taut thighs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
was Maggie’s grandson?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lily
swallowed and swiped her palms down her jeans, realizing for the first time how
she must look in a dust stained tank top and jeans, her hair in tangled
ponytail pulled through the back of a ball cap. “Hello.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
smile lit up his darkly tanned face. “Howdy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I—uh,
I’m Lily.” She stood on her own steps, unsure how to proceed. “You’re Maggie’s
grandson?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes,
ma’am.” He stood and held out his hand. “Will Wainwright.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Nice
to meet you.” She took his hand and jolt of awareness went through her. Dark
brown hair, blue eyes that reminded her of ta summer sky. Chiseled cheekbones. <i>Wow.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Maggie
had led her to believe her grandson was a teenager. This man was no teen.
Probably around twenty-five. A man. About a decade younger than Lily.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I’m
sure sorry about your husband,” he said. “Gran told me what happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Thank
you.” This guy had probably never been touched by tragedy in his life. Suddenly
she felt ancient. “Would you like iced tea?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Sounds
good.” His husky voice raked over her nerves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Come
in, please.” Lily stepped by him and caught a whiff of his cologne. Woodsy,
leathery. Manly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
contrast, she needed a shower.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">He
followed her into the house and Lily cringed a little. Never a great
housekeeper, during the growing season she barely had time to dust, much less
do a thorough cleaning. She led the way into the kitchen and grabbed two
glasses from the drainer and a pitcher of tea from the fridge. After pouring
them both a glass she took a seat at the kitchen table. He took off his Stetson
and placed it next to his right elbow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They
both sipped, and for a minute Lily let herself enjoy the company of a man. The
house had been so empty since Jeff’s passing. She coughed on her tea. What?
Whoa! Will might be a man, but a very young one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You
okay?” Will grabbed her arm. “You need me to do a Heimlich?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I’m
all right,” she managed. “Just went down the wrong way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
hate when that happens.” His eyes crinkled at the corners and he released her
arm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lily’s
stomach did a little flip at that smile. God, he could be on the cover of a
magazine. What was wrong with her? Why was she getting all twisted up inside at
the sight of a pretty man? He was young enough to be her baby. Well, baby
brother anyway. Certainly not someone to get all googley-eyed over. Jeff hadn’t
been gone that long. She hadn’t even considered another man before now. Not the
right time to start.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Available:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TY9RYNP">Lonesome
Valley: The Wainwrights - Kindle edition by Lindun, D'Ann. Literature &
Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.</a><o:p></o:p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAogDZyUvVGU2ntXwXG-2PmubPGLru2umnq8CbPcJJmdg6K3bD0nU24KFacYTeHjsUhEOgY5DdDyuPfziQ2eBCajYFPFAnFRYZah2l1zS2r1w5YQLH3I5s_vdCsaTA9O4omXKSbYiNc5YYyTOv8cTS3KuvhQ9rUFOR0Fc7D5rxCfoPMyiBOSX51VXK=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAogDZyUvVGU2ntXwXG-2PmubPGLru2umnq8CbPcJJmdg6K3bD0nU24KFacYTeHjsUhEOgY5DdDyuPfziQ2eBCajYFPFAnFRYZah2l1zS2r1w5YQLH3I5s_vdCsaTA9O4omXKSbYiNc5YYyTOv8cTS3KuvhQ9rUFOR0Fc7D5rxCfoPMyiBOSX51VXK=s320" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; text-transform: uppercase;">about the AUTHOR<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVY7zLNLBegUEbeP_-V8QBHE9n5c6HtOSlKH9OWLxZvGMQ_gtnmpRXy7EnCfxukoFJQlsKXc1LXvWsGoeFvfQ-Fjj-ed7KhSLE3DPVY_HKAmVdRax7psFev5Jx3DtqFh9NjQxXetyYYEdmJYlMKJxrmYJLa7t01SRQHY9oFwESHzInv67irzvR5SuS=s269" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="269" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVY7zLNLBegUEbeP_-V8QBHE9n5c6HtOSlKH9OWLxZvGMQ_gtnmpRXy7EnCfxukoFJQlsKXc1LXvWsGoeFvfQ-Fjj-ed7KhSLE3DPVY_HKAmVdRax7psFev5Jx3DtqFh9NjQxXetyYYEdmJYlMKJxrmYJLa7t01SRQHY9oFwESHzInv67irzvR5SuS" width="269" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Falling in love with romance novels the summer before sixth grade,
D’Ann Lindun never thought about writing one until many years later when she
took a how-to class at her local college. She was hooked! She began writing and
never looked back. Sixty+ manuscripts and numerous awards later, she is an
Amazon bestseller! Romance appeals to D’Ann because there's just something so
satisfying about writing a book guaranteed to have a happy ending. Her
particular favorites usually feature cowboys and the women who love them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">D’Ann loves to hear from readers! Please contact her at: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><a href="mailto:dldauthor@frontier.net%20"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">dldauthor@frontier.net </span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DLindunAuthor%20"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.facebook.com/DLindunAuthor </span></a><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Street team—D’Ann’s
Country Girls : </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/838870409506195/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/838870409506195/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-18974776499116007412022-02-22T00:00:00.001-05:002022-02-22T00:00:00.209-05:00Guest Author Julie Lence<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ2eLlf26WI04vA1MRKQJWyFOCWXyb7Qe7jrHZtMhghaDl9kB8YQAcdzPOy1AVXFamDEC1WutO2R4bWH09BoBYThN3b5AtDCcGVuqDtU49Olg4MvZf-1PI-JfphHQfuUfP4I9kLZ2_mbVEH4TpV41pxXkmYGrdYYZ7aFdJDPC1UjzUBGZNTXhbhclN=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ2eLlf26WI04vA1MRKQJWyFOCWXyb7Qe7jrHZtMhghaDl9kB8YQAcdzPOy1AVXFamDEC1WutO2R4bWH09BoBYThN3b5AtDCcGVuqDtU49Olg4MvZf-1PI-JfphHQfuUfP4I9kLZ2_mbVEH4TpV41pxXkmYGrdYYZ7aFdJDPC1UjzUBGZNTXhbhclN=s320" width="198" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>What do the words ‘writer’s block’ mean to you?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Aggravation and frustration come to mind, but through the
years, I’ve learned that for me writer’s block means 1 of 2 things; I’m either incorrectly
starting or navigating a scene or I’m not thinking clearly on what a particular
character should be doing/saying/reacting to/feeling/remembering at the moment.
Usually, I find turning my attention to something else, such as cleaning, grocery
shopping, or eve going back and re-reading chapters, frees up whatever is
weighing me down and revives the muse toward the direction I need to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Do you read your book reviews? If yes, how do you process
negative reviews? <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I do read my reviews and I enjoy sharing some of them on my
social media platforms. For those negative reviews, at the time of reading,
they do bring on sadness, but I push through the day and after a night’s sleep,
they’re at the back of mind and I’m on to something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this business, I know I’m not going to
please everyone with my work, but as long as I please myself, I’ve done
something right. If <b>I</b> don’t like the characters or the story, I’m sure
none of you will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>If you could time travel, would you go back or forward in
time?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If I could, I’d go back in time. I’d love to experience the
old west, but more importantly, I’d love to visit with my father and
grandparents again. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In one word, describe yourself</b>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Neat-freak. My son will be the first to tell you I have OCD
issues. Think Monica on <i>Friends</i> and that’s me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Do you find yourself getting emotional when you write? Is
there a scene that sticks out as being the most emotional to write?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Most of the time, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>writing those emotional scenes is challenging.
I find myself agonizing over every word because I worry whether or not the
reader will feel the character’s grief and heartache based on the way I’ve
written the scene, on the words I’ve chosen. I think the only scene I wrote
that made me misty was from No Luck At All when Racine poured out her childhood
heartaches and her low self-esteem to Creel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What are you working on now? Can you give us a sneak
peek?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Currently, I’m not working on anything. I’m percolating an
idea in the back of my mind while I tend to other writing matters, but I did
just release the 3<sup>rd</sup> book in my Jackson Creek Series: Hunter. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hunter can be purchased here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNL43X9">www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNL43X9</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hunter Barlow is certain nothing can heal the bruises he’s
sustained, then Tawny’s bright eyes set his heart to thumping.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Sunday’s are boring,” Myrna said.
“Wipe away the doldrums, Tawny, and tell Burke about the fellow.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Burke angled his head her direction,
stared pointedly at her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“There’s nothing to tell. He saw us in
the alley, said hello and rode away.” <i>Because Myrna embarrassed him</i>.
Powerful legs encased in black trousers, stubble along his jaw and a straight
nose; he <i>is</i> dreamy and—<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You’re blushing,” Myrna giggled.
“You’re ensnared with him, as he is with you.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“He’s not ensnared with me,” Tawny
retorted. “He’s a stranger passing through.” She bit the inside of her cheek to
stem the heat staining her skin. “I think I’ll make a pot of tea. You want a
cup?” she asked Burke the same time the batwing doors flapped open. Swiveling
around, her gaze fell on a gun belt strapped around a slim waist. Looking up,
she took in a chest thick with muscle beneath a leather vest, stubble along a
square jaw, full lips and… She swallowed hard, wiped her palms on the sides of
her robe. Staring back at her were the dark eyes belonging to the handsome
stranger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Ma’am.” He touched a finger to the
brim of his hat. “Is the owner around?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are his eyes black? Or brown?</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Tawny
peered closer. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Landry ain’t here,” Burke said. “Come
back in the morning.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I will,” the stranger promised,
smiling at her. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A ribbon of warmth shimmied down her
spine and she rubbed her palms harder along her robe. And then, she sobered. <i>Forget
his eyes! And his sinew. He’s trouble.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Before I do,” he continued with
Burke, though his gaze never left her, “I need a woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Got three of them,” Burke said. “But
I think you already made your choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I did.” His smile broadened and that
ribbon of warmth wrapped around her stomach. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Seeings how this is Tawny’s night
off, her fee is double,” Burke advised.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A shiver moved through her as the
stranger’s gaze slowly traveled the length of her and then moved past her to
Burke. “I ain’t looking for a tumble. I’m a sergeant with the army, sent here
to help with the Apache. I need her to cook and clean for the captain and me.
The woman the mayor hired left town.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An army man! Needing a housekeeper</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Hope
surged through Tawny. She could begin shedding her reputation this very night,
have that freedom she craved sooner than she thought, that is if he had a job
for her at the fort from which he’d come. Or knew of someone who did. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I accept,” she said before Burke could
decline.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for having me as your guest today, Rhonda. I enjoy
a career writing western romance. I also enjoy romance readers and chatting
about the genre. If any of your readers would like to connect with me, they can
do so at the following: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.julielence.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">www.julielence.com</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Facebook
page: </span><a href="https://facebook.com/#%21/JulieLence" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://facebook.com/#!/JulieLence</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/julielence"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://twitter.com/julielence</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Book
Bub: </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-lence"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-lence</span></a><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-58395828384632735132022-02-11T10:33:00.000-05:002022-02-11T10:33:07.072-05:00To Tat or Not to Tat?<p> In a world where billions of books tempt readers with their silent calling, authors can probably agree on the importance of having a spectacular cover. A cover says a lot about what a reader will find once opening the pages.</p><br />So, the appearance of a model is important. If you're writing a sweet romance, a dressed hero and heroine would fit. If you're writing erotica, a spicy cover tells readers to hold on to their socks because it's a hot one. I'm not an expert cover artist, but for me, I like the subtle message that a cover sends. Please leave a little to the imagination. It's like the carrot dangling before my nose...entice me, tempt me, then pull out all of the stops within the story.<br /><br />For instance, take a look at the three pics below. What do they say to you? We wouldn't snub our nose at any of these models, now would we? When I posted pic #1 and pic #2 on FB, asking which model do readers prefer, #1 won by a landslide. A few found the tats to be a turn off. But tats on a cover model tells you something about the hero, something you might want to know before you buy the book. I wouldn't slap #1 (maybe on the bottom, lol) on a sweet romance, not only because of the tats but he is sending a message that he likes to get down (if you know what I mean). He'd fit fine and dandy on my WIP, a firefighter, hot romance.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0Fkf2rt2ZzPC0wQ9WDHxtZwWY2h8ZRIBWskgwhV-2f_FHRKQ0D9QSyFxR4u7cq9H-5fp1cCPQat-VEabuxLs0hdTly08TFw4Bk-Ovf14VwY8_oIbcR2AfT4AyjIE2Uln6UDNvkXV4gs/s1600/b683bde02540ce266f906346a23c4ff4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0Fkf2rt2ZzPC0wQ9WDHxtZwWY2h8ZRIBWskgwhV-2f_FHRKQ0D9QSyFxR4u7cq9H-5fp1cCPQat-VEabuxLs0hdTly08TFw4Bk-Ovf14VwY8_oIbcR2AfT4AyjIE2Uln6UDNvkXV4gs/s1600/b683bde02540ce266f906346a23c4ff4.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNMppoMemSXUqXzCPPJ9d8Q-OlvwIqMEbirZusPG8TSfcslD4RMHVdm-gRhjD2j1XkMZANk2O2bsicqS7x08Di0XDkFvueRH9tDHEop7UiIgIHqbGXyuxs3Y1JEvoahzWLrxZ37e74y8/s1600/271ee9e9c1b6d7396dd98205ec83fe59.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNMppoMemSXUqXzCPPJ9d8Q-OlvwIqMEbirZusPG8TSfcslD4RMHVdm-gRhjD2j1XkMZANk2O2bsicqS7x08Di0XDkFvueRH9tDHEop7UiIgIHqbGXyuxs3Y1JEvoahzWLrxZ37e74y8/s1600/271ee9e9c1b6d7396dd98205ec83fe59.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CcomvDo8_ajU7xHBZZnavf4C6zSDxw2LONjX9Q3asXmziZwkqc2WxqbjtPKf9oAOPUV9D2G0OxrBXx9YV9WS_9_V62_CV6xwWUuVzld1TiNqpUph6hkdmnpYnwZ1SxGXYWrjZroLZiA/s1600/73465be509d388fbf29233668b05695c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CcomvDo8_ajU7xHBZZnavf4C6zSDxw2LONjX9Q3asXmziZwkqc2WxqbjtPKf9oAOPUV9D2G0OxrBXx9YV9WS_9_V62_CV6xwWUuVzld1TiNqpUph6hkdmnpYnwZ1SxGXYWrjZroLZiA/s1600/73465be509d388fbf29233668b05695c.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>#2 would work perfectly with a cowboy hat and a big belt buckle, and used for one of my cowboy stories.<br /><br />A reader who is looking for a sweet romance doesn't want to open a cover and see "cock" "tits" "BJ" and other naughty language. Vice versa, a reader looking for hot sex will be disappointed if a story lacks in heat. And the cover, well, it sends the subtle message. In other words, "Judge a book by its cover."Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-77007676549748811172022-02-10T00:00:00.009-05:002022-02-10T10:42:17.393-05:00Guest Author Naima Simone<div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk0Nuk3VUY00YHhVfnWHVL7CLJGl3WBbu09WALzaBiFoHxf6wRafu3CHCKstWQvyTIA0sqi5U1PAOa7zxVjtbyNg6Qja00NPcIti41h2Y5vYmc-0htFKbwbjMvfqWWqMsFmfZy0ii0KspTKv4z1GpPm6XzDlwgD3hfDyUT57nTvDrj3aoLAMO6m89A=s2800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2800" data-original-width="1900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk0Nuk3VUY00YHhVfnWHVL7CLJGl3WBbu09WALzaBiFoHxf6wRafu3CHCKstWQvyTIA0sqi5U1PAOa7zxVjtbyNg6Qja00NPcIti41h2Y5vYmc-0htFKbwbjMvfqWWqMsFmfZy0ii0KspTKv4z1GpPm6XzDlwgD3hfDyUT57nTvDrj3aoLAMO6m89A=s320" width="217" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlG-BJ18e05Z_Js80SfPfJIjhM2vZArAci9aJ035Z5XW6ASfdI06Hek84ZwHDgNjvOQo8AK8tpw1bfFaQthFQXInyLlcdfqxhVAXqV18qZa1uJonUaFn5HG-pzLV9BynbSeobTUXA40SKDqg6HA4LY61jU7iN6tuR2UjyeQK56wDmbYt83zIfp-yoV=s2650" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="1675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlG-BJ18e05Z_Js80SfPfJIjhM2vZArAci9aJ035Z5XW6ASfdI06Hek84ZwHDgNjvOQo8AK8tpw1bfFaQthFQXInyLlcdfqxhVAXqV18qZa1uJonUaFn5HG-pzLV9BynbSeobTUXA40SKDqg6HA4LY61jU7iN6tuR2UjyeQK56wDmbYt83zIfp-yoV=s320" width="202" /></a></div><br /></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>What do the words ‘writer’s block’ mean to you? </b><div><br /></div><div>Pain. LOL! Seriously, I’m laughing, but at times, it can be an emotional pain because there’s a struggle to push through and get the words out. And fighting to obtain each of those words, sentences, paragraphs and pages is almost like waging a battle, and it’s a victory when I do. Yes, I do know how melodramatic I sound. LOL! I’m a writer, what can I say? I’ve experienced writer’s block a few times over my career, and it’s always been after something big and emotionally difficult occurred in my personal life. And that affected my creativity for a while. Every writer has their own way of dealing with burn out or writer’s block or exhaustion, whatever they call it. For me, it’s a painful blockage that you can’t always bulldoze your way through. Sometimes you just have to work your way through it. Whether that’s writing one hundred words a day or a thousand or three thousand. Or reading one day and writing another. Or crying one day and pouring that emotion into the book on the next. It’s whatever gets you through. As long as you don’t quit.</div><div><br /></div><div> <b>Do you read your book reviews? If yes, how do you process negative reviews?</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>I’m only human, so yes. Or should I say, I’m a glutton for punishment? LOL! Always, before a book releases, I can never resist reading the early reviews. And then the closer I get to release day, I slow down and have my sister read them for me. It’s self-preservation. Otherwise, it would be all I did, and I wouldn’t get anything else done. As far as negative reviews, I break them up into three different categories: critique, not my kind of reader and oh-you-just-mad-and-wanted-to-take-yo-ish-out-on-somebody-today reviews. The critique or critical reviews are thoughtful and insightful, and I take away something from them even if I don’t necessarily agree with their points. Still, I might consider some of those points in my next books. The “not my kind of reader” review is simply that. My writing style or the book just might not have gelled with the reader, and that’s okay. Now were they nice about relaying that? Weeeell… And the last one? Well, that’s self-explanatory, too. LOL! The critical review I don’t consider negative. But the last two? I just let them roll off my back and keep it moving. You can’t please everyone and you’ll only lose your sanity and pollute your spirit trying to.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>If you could time travel, would you go back or forward in time? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Oooh. I think I’d travel forward in time. I already know what’s in history so I’ll take my chances in the future. Like faaaar in the future. Like Robin Lovett’s sex planet future. LOL! </div><div><br /></div><div><b> In one word, describe yourself. </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Blessed. </div><div><br /></div><div> <b>Do you find yourself getting emotional when you write? Is there a scene that sticks out as being the most emotional to write? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh most definitely. I like to joke and tell people I’m emotionally stunted, but the truth is I pour so much of how I feel into my books. So yes, there are times when I’m writing, and I become swept up in whatever is happening with the characters. The scene that immediately pops out to me as one of the most emotional I’ve written was in Christmas in Rose Bend where the heroine Nessa confronted the truth about her mother, who passed from cancer several months earlier. She did it with her estranged, younger half-sister as well as with the man she’s fighting falling in love with. There were so many bruised and healing relationships there, and she’s facing that all while literally unboxing her mother’s secrets. It had sadness, hope, faith heartbreak and joy all in one scene. So it was definitely tough to write but incredibly satisfying. </div><div><br /></div><div> <b>What are you working on now? Can you give us a sneak peek? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>I sure can! I’m currently working on the fourth book in my Rose Bend series, Mr. Right Next Door. It’s a mean girl redemption story, and I’m both super scared and excited to write it. LOL! I’m also working on a novella that will be the first in my new Trapper Keeper Diaries series. All the novellas will be based on 80s songs. The first one is titled Jesse’s Girl. Because haven’t we all wondered what would’ve happened if Rick Springfield had just told his best friend’s girl he loved her? I mean, I have! LOL!</div><div><br /></div><div> So here’s a sneak peek at Jesse’s Girl!
Excerpt from Jesse’s Girl </div><div><br /></div><div><i>“You knew,” India accuses again in that hoarse voice that sounds as if a carpenter took several feet of sandpaper to it.
“It wasn’t mine to tell.” My voice, even and deep, doesn’t reveal how there’s an angry, wounded animal howling inside me. It’s demanding I go to her, wrap myself around her like a living blanket to soak up the hurt, that agony that damn near vibrates in her husky tone.
“Wasn’t yours to tell?” she repeats. A harsh, hollow bark of laughter follows as she tips her head back and stares at the ceiling for a brief moment. When she looks at me again, anger flickers, mingling bright and hot with the pain. “You were supposed to be my friend.”
“I am, India.” The fingers of my right hand curl into a fist. One I wish I could plow into the nearest wall. Or my best friend Jesse’s face. “I am your friend. Never doubt that.”
“Yeah, Asa,” she scoffs, her full, bottom lip-heavy mouth twisting into a bitter caricature of a smile. “That’s why you let me walk around with my head up my ass for how long? You let me live a lie. You let me be a fool.” She shakes her head so hard, her dark brown, tight curls brush her cheekbones. “And for the life of me, I can’t figure out which one is worse. Finding out the man I loved—the life I lived with him—was a figment of my dumb ass Pollyanna imagination. Or that I was a willfully blind idiot, and everyone I trusted was in on the joke. The joke being me.”
“Baby,” I murmur, risking her wrath, her disgust and stepping across that line in the sand to stand in front of her. To…touch her.
I’ve been very careful about touching this woman. Brief hugs. Deliberate but friendly distance. Even a fucking pat on the head. But now, with the hurt beating off of her in red-tinged waves, I can’t not put my hands on her. Even if it’s just her slim shoulders. But it might as well be on those just-less-than-a-handful and utterly perfect breasts. Or those feminine, rounded hips.
It doesn’t matter where my palms skate or where my fingertips press into her gleaming chestnut skin. It’s all sexual. It’s all dirty.
Because it’s all her.
For me, it’s always been her.
My fantasy. My sin.
My joy. My regret.
My best friend’s woman.
Jesse’s girl.
</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="http://naimasimone.com/?fbclid=IwAR01Ickb9cbnr9Xqq5omhLtrIzIRuwd5rpu-PpUMmM940Rq3fS9iFQs71yc" target="_blank">Check out Naima's books</a><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Social link:
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">To me,
they mean total frustration! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">Do you
read your book reviews? If yes, how do you process negative reviews?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">I used
to. I don’t anymore. When I did, I’d get so hurt by a bad review, but my first publisher
told me to ignore it, and to remember that not everyone will like my books. I
just think it’s better not to read them if I want to keep my sanity. It seems
that some reviewers enjoy tearing an author apart, not the story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">If you
could time travel, would you go back or forward in time?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">I would
definitely go back. I’m not sure I’d change anything, but I’d love to see my
parents again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">In one
word, describe yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">Stubborn<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">Do you
find yourself getting emotional when you write? Is there a scene that sticks
out as being the most emotional to write?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">Oh, yes.
A book I recently published. Trick Men of Clifton, Montana Book 17. The
prologue is a total tear-jerker. No matter how many times I’d go over it, I’d
just cry my eyes out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">What are
you working on now? Can you give us a sneak peek?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Well, I am always working on more than one at a
time, but the next book, which will be released at the end of December, is Colson
Men of Clifton, Montana Book 20:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">Stopping in the
driveway, she threw the door open and stepped out. Taking a deep breath, she
popped the rear hatch on her vehicle and stood there staring at the boxes.
Reaching in, she pulled one to her and struggled to lift it. She jerked when
someone reached around her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“I’ll get it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">She looked up to see
the hot cowboy from the diner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“Wait. I don’t know
you.” She pushed him away from the heavy box.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“Colson Griffin,” he
said and put his hand out to her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“Like that means
anything to me.” She planted her hands on her hips and glared up at him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">He grinned. “Well, you
must not be from around here. I’m well known and not in a good way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“I’m Lydia
Carmichael. I lived here before, and what do you mean not in a good way?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“Don’t worry. I’m not
a serial killer. I was just an unruly kid.” He shrugged his broad shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“I hope you grew out
of that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“What? You don’t like
a bad boy?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">Lydia couldn’t help
but laugh. “Maybe.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“Now, do you want my
help or not?” He grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">She stared up at him,
and her breath hitched. His eyes were grayish blue, and his teeth were white
and perfect. Deep creases appeared in his cheeks, and crow’s feet fanned out
from the corner of his eyes. She’d put him in his mid to late thirties. Damn,
he was hot, and he smelled so good. She wanted to go to bed with him. Gasping,
she threw her hand over her mouth and watched as he frowned at her. He was
trouble, but good God, she wanted to get into trouble with him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“Uh, yes, that would
be nice,” she said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">He reached for the
big box, picked it up as if it weighed nothing, and jerked his chin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">“Lead the way,
darlin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;">Lydia hesitated a
second, turned on her heel, and led him to the front door. If she got him in
the house, could she keep him?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;"><br /></span></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier, mono; font-size: 13.3333px;">Twitter: @susandavis37150</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier, mono; font-size: 13.3333px;">Instagram: susanfisherdavis_author</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier, mono; font-size: 13.3333px;">FB: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/sdromanceauthor&source=gmail&ust=1639592492173000&usg=AOvVaw3JrJ8oyU9V0h44pHZVxsrl" href="https://www.facebook.com/sdromanceauthor" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>sdromanceauthor</a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-width: 95%;"></span></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier, mono; font-size: 13.3333px;">Webpage: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.susanfisherdavisauthor.com&source=gmail&ust=1639592492173000&usg=AOvVaw2_74jqR9hwnSJUFHUxVEbD" href="https://www.susanfisherdavisauthor.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>susanfisherdavisauthor.com</a></div>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-92036241683868393842022-01-30T12:13:00.002-05:002022-01-30T12:13:55.195-05:00Date Night Wins!<div style="text-align: center;">Okay, it's date night and you and your partner are all geared up, looking forward to a night away...but then you're left scratching your heads. "What do we do?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some amazing ideas for a fab date night, and some of them you don't even have to leave the house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Sit down and make a bucket list together. Pair this with wine or a cocktail and dinner, and you'll learn more things about your partner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Pack a picnic and take it to your favorite outdoor spot for a romantic evening under the stars. For dessert, play music from the car radio and dance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Buy ingredients for dinner and spend date night cooking together. It has been said "Couples who cook together, stay together". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Take a yoga class together. Yes, you heard right. Yoga. Better yet, take a yoga class targeted for couples. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Get a couples massage. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Take a cooking class.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Do a coffee crawl. Start at one coffee shop and visit 2-3 more local shops, trying different drinks. However, if you don't want to end date night feeling like you're bouncing off the walls, go for decaf...or instead, stick with trying desserts only.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Visit a museum. You might think this isn't your thing, but you'd be surprised how many people go and find out that museums ARE their thing. A bonus, many museums are FREE or with cheap admission days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">9. Stay in and watch a movie together. Each pick out a movie and watch both.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">10. Go on a road trip. See where the road takes you. The greatest adventures sometimes are unplanned.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">11. Have your partner read a book allowed. This might seem silly, but a lot of women love when their partner reads to them, especially if the book is spicy :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLVf1KDHnzU_g-5NjiWYtKnftKEAidbHyhJ3Z5ugcPBCN-zCZ_YBnZXkV3xPpDyThxX1AILlyPLsvXFdix3sBVNpI-1sqcrRTEBtpQlw6gMmGX9Szo83GFIVz08pSZUgk0lXuEaWZ2kRPMVisD6IImb66tU1mkQB19KRf4AHksQjUgOc3ynklv-D96=s2500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1501" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLVf1KDHnzU_g-5NjiWYtKnftKEAidbHyhJ3Z5ugcPBCN-zCZ_YBnZXkV3xPpDyThxX1AILlyPLsvXFdix3sBVNpI-1sqcrRTEBtpQlw6gMmGX9Szo83GFIVz08pSZUgk0lXuEaWZ2kRPMVisD6IImb66tU1mkQB19KRf4AHksQjUgOc3ynklv-D96=s320" width="192" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Looking for a book to read? How about my latest, All Cowboy and Heart? Here's an excerpt...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KS6ZBZ6/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i8" target="_blank">Buy here</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He leaned against the edge of the dresser,
savoring her with those alluring eyes, looking mighty fine. “Dusty’s an
interesting name for a girl. Is that a nickname?”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I guess
my dad wanted a boy, but instead he got me.” She set the bottle down, cleared a
spot on the desk then lifted herself up to sit. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I have a
feeling you gave your dad a run for his money.” One thick brow popped up over
those twinkling eyes.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I
certainly surprised him a time or two. He was your traditional male role model.
You know the type. A penis makes you a man and a vagina makes you good with
your hands in the kitchen.” She lifted the bottle, taking another nip, starting
to feel very relaxed.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Do you
cook?”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Does
boiling water count?” She wiped the back of her hand across her lips. “I’m not
much for cooking or baking, but then, I never tried. I was a bit rebellious.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Oh, you
had something to prove, huh? Always doing the complete opposite of what was
expected of you.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A woman can do anything a man can do,
sometimes better.” She crossed her legs and leaned back on her hands. “I
haven’t ever needed a man, except for one thing.” Did she hear a low growl from
him when she pointedly dropped her gaze to his zipper?</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: IT;">Ah, come on. We</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’re
good at loosening tight lids on jars and saving beautiful women from bastards.”
</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I have
one of those handy dandy rubber gadgets. Works like a charm. And eventually I
would have saved myself from Griff. You were definitely a bonus though.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“How
about plunging toilets? I haven’t met a woman yet who likes that task.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I have
the plumber’s number on speed dial. You’ll have to try harder than that,
Cowboy.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Is that
a challenge?” he asked. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“If you
see fit. I’ve always liked a challenge myself.” Against her better judgement
she took another drink.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">His grin
widened. “I’m not surprised. So, Dusty…” he said her name with an even drawl
that made her toes curl. “What’s your last name?”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Why
don’t we keep some things a mystery.” She found it quite satisfying teasing
him. The verbal foreplay was an absolute turn on.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Now
how’s that fair? You know my full name, my brother, and a few of my secrets.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">With a
casual shrug, she handed over the bottle for him to drink. In the golden
candlelight his eyes were a shade darker, like the sky before a rainfall. “We
both know we didn’t come back here to talk, Cowboy.” He passed the bottle
again. She licked a droplet of whiskey off her top lip as she pulled it away
from her mouth.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
tilted his head, resting his cheek against his broad shoulder. “So why are we
here, Dusty-no-last-name? As far as Alamo is concerned, we’ve already served him
a dose of reality. I could leave now and it wouldn’t change what he thinks.” He
hooked his thumbs in his front pockets.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There
were moments in every woman’s life when she had to decide whether to go big or
go home. And Wales Dawson—she moseyed her gaze down those wide shoulders and
tight-fitting Wranglers—was big. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I’d
like to get comfortable.” She hopped off the desk, twirled on the heels of her
boots, and lifted her hair. “Can you do me a favor and</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: DE;"> unzip me?</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”
Did she hear the hiss of his breath as the air left his lungs?</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The tips of his rough fingers
met her skin and although she expected it, she still gave a little jerk. Her
body was ultra-sensitive. She liked being high on desire and having raw need
coursing through her, warmer than the whiskey—warmer than anything she’d
experienced. Being that she’d never strayed from her rules of having no contact
with the cowboys, she’d never invited one back to her room and flirted without
a care.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /></div>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-17004101122321996282022-01-25T10:34:00.000-05:002022-01-25T10:34:11.011-05:00Guest Author Cora Seton<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">What do the words ‘writer’s block’ mean to you?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
pretty fortunate in that I rarely experience the kind of writer’s block that
leaves you staring at a blank page. Sometimes I have days in which I write a
lot of words, but they’re just clunky. It’s like I’ve lost the rhythm of the
language. When that happens, it really helps me to listen to audiobooks, go for
long walks and do housework. That seems to get my brain working again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you read your book reviews? If yes, how do you process
negative reviews?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I almost
never look at them, because seeing a negative review can shut down my
creativity. I work from the assumption that I am my target reader. If I write a
book that I like, a certain segment of romance readers will also like it. When
someone has written a negative review, I figure they’ve self-selected out of my
audience, and that’s a good thing, because if they don’t like my books, they’re
not the right reader for them. I want to concentrate on writing for the people
who do like my books, not the people who don’t like them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you could time travel, would you go back or forward in
time?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’d like
to travel back in time because I have a lot of questions about time periods
I’ve studied, but of course I want to go forward, too, because I’d like to see
how it all “turns out.” I am insatiably curious about all of it. I have an
unhealthy fascination with the Dark Ages, I love all the different styles of
clothing people have worn through time, and I’m also curious to see if what’s
going to happen next.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In one word, describe yourself.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Determined.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you find yourself getting emotional when you write? Is
there a scene that sticks out as being the most emotional to write?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes. In
fact, if I don’t cry when I re-reading/editing a book, then I know I’m not done
writing it. Probably the hardest scene to write was in A SEAL’s Vow. My main
female character has a stalker who finally gets her alone and she has to fight
for her life. I edit my books many times and when I was done with that one, I
was in a state.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What are you working on now? Can you give us a sneak peek?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
working on <b>House For Sale, Navy SEAL Included</b>, book 1 in my upcoming <b>Elliotts
of Chance Creek</b> series. It’s about five brothers coming home to bring back
to life the tiny ghost town of Elliott Ridge in Chance Creek county. The series
is military and western with suspense elements. I can’t wait for everyone to be
able to read book 1, which is available for preorder now!<o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-73745190258412396482022-01-14T09:38:00.000-05:002022-01-14T09:38:23.239-05:00Excerpt of All Cowboy and Heart<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-QAYzZhfhkmb-zaltkIJpVPzWyNMpiVWktpoFD-e1tzGW3ikN_jsJnMKxfaN72NEf982JDwnJ8eBcGL76xIM43PiIxMBj9DaJjPkNY1CzDxYraXEwyxNdarG4RFeWIgiNYdcIiNdJat5ha8k7DL9BC7LbD2TZOjq2LvTYMKZf32EvFUwyVyQGKVEv=s2500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1501" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-QAYzZhfhkmb-zaltkIJpVPzWyNMpiVWktpoFD-e1tzGW3ikN_jsJnMKxfaN72NEf982JDwnJ8eBcGL76xIM43PiIxMBj9DaJjPkNY1CzDxYraXEwyxNdarG4RFeWIgiNYdcIiNdJat5ha8k7DL9BC7LbD2TZOjq2LvTYMKZf32EvFUwyVyQGKVEv=w384-h640" width="384" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KS6ZBZ6" target="_blank">Buy here</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I have a feeling you gave your dad a run for his
money.” One thick brow popped up over those twinkling eyes.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I
certainly surprised him a time or two. He was your traditional male role model.
You know the type. A penis makes you a man and a vagina makes you good with
your hands in the kitchen.” She lifted the bottle, taking another nip, starting
to feel very relaxed.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Do you
cook?”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Does
boiling water count?” She wiped the back of her hand across her lips. “I’m not
much for cooking or baking, but then, I never tried. I was a bit rebellious.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Oh, you
had something to prove, huh? Always doing the complete opposite of what was
expected of you.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A woman can do anything a man can do,
sometimes better.” She crossed her legs and leaned back on her hands. “I
haven’t ever needed a man, except for one thing.” Did she hear a low growl from
him when she pointedly dropped her gaze to his zipper?</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: IT;">Ah, come on. We</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’re
good at loosening tight lids on jars and saving beautiful women from bastards.”
</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I have
one of those handy dandy rubber gadgets. Works like a charm. And eventually I
would have saved myself from Griff. You were definitely a bonus though.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“How
about plunging toilets? I haven’t met a woman yet who likes that task.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I have
the plumber’s number on speed dial. You’ll have to try harder than that,
Cowboy.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Is that
a challenge?” he asked. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“If you
see fit. I’ve always liked a challenge myself.” Against her better judgement
she took another drink.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">His grin
widened. “I’m not surprised. So, Dusty…” he said her name with an even drawl
that made her toes curl. “What’s your last name?”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Why
don’t we keep some things a mystery.” She found it quite satisfying teasing
him. The verbal foreplay was an absolute turn on.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Now
how’s that fair? You know my full name, my brother, and a few of my secrets.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">With a
casual shrug, she handed over the bottle for him to drink. In the golden
candlelight his eyes were a shade darker, like the sky before a rainfall. “We
both know we didn’t come back here to talk, Cowboy.” He passed the bottle
again. She licked a droplet of whiskey off her top lip as she pulled it away
from her mouth.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
tilted his head, resting his cheek against his broad shoulder. “So why are we
here, Dusty-no-last-name? As far as Alamo is concerned, we’ve already served him
a dose of reality. I could leave now and it wouldn’t change what he thinks.” He
hooked his thumbs in his front pockets.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There were moments in every
woman’s life when she had to decide whether to go big or go home. And Wales
Dawson—she moseyed her gaze down those wide shoulders and tight-fitting
Wranglers—was big. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-76063289354020912602022-01-11T00:00:00.001-05:002022-01-11T00:00:00.223-05:00Guest Author Mia Downing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9U4Gilc_DUkIWB_lEuvJc3caBQo-RZ2Bq1-NgM6hv_jqdQD-jsSGo0VVZgypyBzIJupGfbjqWdg-f8Wab2za6LhHbDe5zqyHzRGi-zbBINMZZXdun7xMHob_V8y0J8eV044Hztfvq4BJ2GGyre6janNZ4pUIKUY9EeCRAW7BJexFtNmFc_WMM1ZiZ=s300" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9U4Gilc_DUkIWB_lEuvJc3caBQo-RZ2Bq1-NgM6hv_jqdQD-jsSGo0VVZgypyBzIJupGfbjqWdg-f8Wab2za6LhHbDe5zqyHzRGi-zbBINMZZXdun7xMHob_V8y0J8eV044Hztfvq4BJ2GGyre6janNZ4pUIKUY9EeCRAW7BJexFtNmFc_WMM1ZiZ" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>What do the words ‘writer’s block’ mean to you?<o:p></o:p></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNormal">Frustration! Heartache! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Actually, there is usually a reason why I have writer’s
block. I’m a pantser (meaning I write from the seat of my pants instead of an
outline), so I might not know enough about the characters yet. Sometimes, I’ve gone
the wrong path in the book, one that wasn’t motivated or worked with the
conflict. I usually review what I’ve written and start thinking more about the
characters and their goals, motivations, and conflicts. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Do you read your book reviews? If yes, how do you process
negative reviews?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don’t read my reviews anymore unless someone comes to me
and points out formatting errors. I had one book with a publisher that did
something weird with the pages after downloading. I had the publisher fix it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My most negative (and shortest) review was from some guy who
said, “Dum.” Not even spelled correctly. I just burst out laughing. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>If you could time travel, would you go back or forward in
time?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s an interesting question since this series deals with
time travel! They all can go backward in time. I’d love to see the Victorian
era and early Egypt. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In one word, describe yourself.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nice. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Do you find yourself getting emotional when you write? Is
there a scene that sticks out as being the most emotional to write?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not usually, though I can recognize more moving parts. If I
can get my editor to cry, I’m doing good. She loves angst. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The hardest book was <i>Ripped</i> (m/m), because the main
character dealt with an alcoholic parent (as did I.) A publisher acquired that
book on a Thursday. My dad died that Saturday. I think that was divine
intervention to help me sort through a lot of issues. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What are you working on now? Can you give us a sneak
peek?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m working on proofing <i>Freezing Time</i> and writing <i>Making
Time</i>, both of the Bonded Souls series (books 2 and 3). I’ll give you an
excerpt from the first book, Chasing Time, since I don’t have a cover yet to
show off for Book 2. I can’t find a hero I like to represent him! I adore my
cover for Chasing Time. This is how I pictured the characters!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Chasing Time is a second chance romance. Skye is prickly and
wary and done with men. Marek is a sexy cinnamon roll hero who has no problem
showing her that she needs a man like him in her life. There’s a little magic
and time travel in this (not the traditional kind.) It’s something very
different than anything I’ve ever written, and I love these guys so much. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This scene is their first kiss. She’s wary, and he jokingly
asked by email if he could claim a kiss on their first date. She had responded
there’d be no tongue or groping. (She’s not that straight-laced. She’s just
done with men.) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Excerpt from <i>Chasing Time</i>
(Bonded Souls book 1).<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Skye<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Marek’s slippered feet came into view, and his hand
tucked under my chin to draw my gaze back to his dark-blue eyes. “I’m going to
claim my kiss now, to make you feel better.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?” My mouth went dry while my brain panicked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His thumb swept over my cheek, but his fingers held my
chin firmly. “Shh… One, closed-mouth kiss. No tongue, no groping. I know the
rules. Remember, no cons to this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Before I could protest, his mouth drew closer, and his
lashes fluttered closed. As his lips touched mine, I snapped my eyes shut. Most
kisses started with a blast of unfamiliar energy that bombarded my senses. His
lips held nothing more than a tiny but enjoyable shock as they slanted for a
better angle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Before I could begin to enjoy it, the pressure
lightened, and he gently lifted, dropping a small kiss to the tip of my nose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I opened my eyes to find his crinkling at the corners
as he smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“There. That’s out of the way,” he said, his voice a
little hoarse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My hand fluttered to my throat as his hand slid to cup
my cheek, his thumb brushing my jawbone. I should be jerking away from him, but
instead, I leaned into that slight touch. “Thank goodness.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We wouldn’t want to be tempted to do <i>that</i>
again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,” I agreed, though every cell in my body ached for
more. How could I get another taste of him without looking desperate? “But if you
had to, you could petition for a second kiss.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His mouth quirked at the opportunity. “Oh, I didn’t
realize that was a thing. Well, consider yourself petitioned. What are the
rules?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rules…</span></i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> For some reason, the mention of rules sparked a blurred
memory of a closet and a man’s lips on my neck as he stroked his fingers deep
inside me. My smoldering insides burst into flames, and all rational thought
went up in a trail of smoke. I wet my dry lips with the tip of my tongue, and
his gaze dropped to follow the subtle movement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Uh.” <i>Think, think.</i> “What if the second one
lasted a little longer…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh?” His breath blew across my cheek, tickling the
skin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And maybe…a little tongue the next time.” I bet he
wouldn’t ram his tongue down my throat like other guys. No, it’d be like a
slow, gentle dance that got dirtier as the drinks got stronger. I hadn’t had
that, but I’d seen it in movies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Groping?” His thumb brushed over my bottom lip suggestively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A thousand tiny shocks of pleasure raced along my
skin. <i>God, yes. </i>“No groping.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He nodded as if considering that kiss. “What about
kiss three? I’m petitioning for kiss three, too. There should be a lot of
tongue and groping at kiss three.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I’d never wanted a third kiss so badly before, but I
couldn’t give in that easily. “We’ll have to see. It’s a surprise.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He dropped another kiss on my nose and stepped away. “Surprise
is my middle name.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal">***<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk66978901"><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">Blurb from Chasing Time
(Bonded Souls Book 1)</span></a><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .3in;"><i>Skye Worthington’s quest for
family brings more than she bargained for…<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">My already turbulent life flips
upside down the moment Marek Young appears. Nightmares from a childhood jumping
between foster homes edge into sexy dreams of a man in leather pants with a
simmering magical touch. As Marek is an important client at the bookstore where
I work, I can’t say no when he asks me to dinner. I didn’t expect the pull of
desire or the sizzle of familiar energy the first time we touched, but I need
more than satisfaction. I need the truth. Yet the truth he offers seems too
bizarre to believe…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;"><i>One fated jump through time
destroyed Marek Young’s life…<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">I have only one mission—make my
wife love me again. Except the aloof bookstore clerk and grad student has no
recollection of me. An emergency jump through time left Skye to grow up in this
era with no memory of our adventures...or me. Unfortunately, she’s always had a
temper. My time is running out, but if she discovers what I did to strand us
here, she’ll kill me anyway.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">Chasing Time is the first book in
the exciting Bonded Souls series. This is a gut-wrenching, second chance
romance with a spark of magic by Mia Downing. Jump into this magical new world
today!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">Mia
Downing’s Bio and Links:</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #500050; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mia
Downing started creating heroes at age four, but her heroes back then rode
ponies to the rescue and only kissed her on the cheek. Today, Mia’s heroes
still rescue those in need, but the price of their toys and the expertise of
their seduction leads to a whole lot more. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When
Mia isn’t busy creating new stories for her readers, she ensures justice runs
smoothly in a New England courthouse. She lives on a small farm with her family
and enjoys horses and knitting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Connect with Mia Downing on
social media!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.miadowning.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">www.miadowning.com</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All Retailers: </span><a href="https://books2read.com/ap/8YEWm8/Mia-Downing"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://books2read.com/ap/8YEWm8/Mia-Downing</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MiaDowningAuthor%20"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.facebook.com/MiaDowningAuthor</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/miadowning007"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://twitter.com/miadowning007</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BookBub: </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mia-downing"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mia-downing</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/miadowning007/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.instagram.com/miadowning007/</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjz2XX5EaHMH_JjmGK5ZotlHBBWb8OVqdbdliM0ArY_8v4YfYmuF9nRgW-cOt-tHyzUGGRxBhgJsOSfo6mqwnTjN4D4QfDGlFN0uLDXgks7bAmRWWqi-oHAHoBdxJa2rMemzVd2PRzEhpnF6nBaKrtTFX8QszfAG56ZhXcOqXsBS8kTsudsU_P0Kx5v=s3352" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="3352" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjz2XX5EaHMH_JjmGK5ZotlHBBWb8OVqdbdliM0ArY_8v4YfYmuF9nRgW-cOt-tHyzUGGRxBhgJsOSfo6mqwnTjN4D4QfDGlFN0uLDXgks7bAmRWWqi-oHAHoBdxJa2rMemzVd2PRzEhpnF6nBaKrtTFX8QszfAG56ZhXcOqXsBS8kTsudsU_P0Kx5v=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-61245522327764728882022-01-04T00:30:00.001-05:002022-01-04T00:30:00.214-05:00Release Day!!!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHZOTXfyx5Ib8_WByl6UFgAm0zhPiJarSgy94L765asRp3keJD8NK7IHzSLTVkli3-jpfa_ZrK_uhjdc639yF94AAcwo9iPGpkGpHlsUFsT1ykM1uW-Lnc48euB3Mza5wOXiENyXnS3TvEqJVMgG5PBDVnnaC-UYuf-rMWgl_WSiL1og1zx46p-F_K=s2500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1501" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHZOTXfyx5Ib8_WByl6UFgAm0zhPiJarSgy94L765asRp3keJD8NK7IHzSLTVkli3-jpfa_ZrK_uhjdc639yF94AAcwo9iPGpkGpHlsUFsT1ykM1uW-Lnc48euB3Mza5wOXiENyXnS3TvEqJVMgG5PBDVnnaC-UYuf-rMWgl_WSiL1og1zx46p-F_K=w240-h400" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KS6ZBZ6/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i11" target="_blank">Buy here!</a><br /></p><p>What do the words ‘writer’s block’ mean to you?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Incapable of reaching my pre-stories embedded inside my
brain<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you read your book reviews? If yes, how do you process
negative reviews?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hell no! Not anymore. After reading a harsh review that had
nothing to do with my book, I decided I’m healthier by not reading.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you could time travel, would you go back or forward in
time?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Back in time, for sure<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In one word, describe yourself.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thinker<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you find yourself getting emotional when you write? Is
there a scene that sticks out as being the most emotional to write?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yes. Many times I cry and laugh.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What are you working on now? Can you give us a sneak peek?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My book All Cowboy & August is released today!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is a sneak peek<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A flush shimmied through her weakened limbs and
she swore she heard thunder outside. Or maybe that was her heart. “Can we
please not mention his name ever again?” She took the keycard from him and
dropped it next to his hat followed by her purse.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Fine by
me.” He grabbed the bottle and read the label. “I could use a taste. How about
you?” </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Just a
touch will do. I hope you don’t mind paper cups.” She watched him pop the lid.
He wrapped his wide fingers around the neck of the bottle and brought it to his
lips, taking a long swig. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Or that’ll
work too.” He held out the bottle and she sipped, squinting as the fire of the
alcohol burned down her esophagus and settled into a puddle of warmth in her
belly. She wasn’t much of a whiskey drinker but tonight she’d make an exception.
She took another long drink and the sting wasn’t as strong.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
chuckled and scratched his beard. “Pace yourself, darlin’.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Don’t
worry about me. I can handle myself.” She looked at him through the fringe of
her lashes. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
leaned against the edge of the dresser, savoring her with those alluring eyes,
looking mighty fine. “Dusty’s an interesting name for a girl. Is that a
nickname?”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I guess
my dad wanted a boy, but instead he got me.” She set the bottle down, cleared a
spot on the desk then lifted herself up to sit. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I have
a feeling you gave your dad a run for his money.” One thick brow popped up over
those twinkling eyes.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I
certainly surprised him a time or two. He was your traditional male role model.
You know the type. A penis makes you a man and a vagina makes you good with
your hands in the kitchen.” She lifted the bottle, taking another nip, starting
to feel very relaxed.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Do you
cook?”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Does
boiling water count?” She wiped the back of her hand across her lips. “I’m not
much for cooking or baking, but then, I never tried. I was a bit rebellious.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Oh, you
had something to prove, huh? Always doing the complete opposite of what was
expected of you.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> “A woman can do anything a man can do,
sometimes better.” She crossed her legs and leaned back on her hands. “I haven’t
ever needed a man, except for one thing.” Did she hear a low growl from him
when she pointedly dropped her gaze to his zipper?</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Newsletter: </span><a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/n8e4dz0l4c"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Subscribe here</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-64239266860776219742021-12-28T00:30:00.001-05:002021-12-28T00:30:00.329-05:00Guest Author Isobelle Cate<p> Welcome, Isobella Cate!</p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>What do the words ‘writer’s block’ mean to you?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Writer’s block is when I have the words in my head but
cannot put it to paper. It’s when I’m stumped as to what happens next and my
mojo is quiet. Writer’s block can also be self-doubt – when you compare
yourself to other writers and think your writing isn’t good enough – and you
lose the zest for writing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Writer’s block is like a death knell if it doesn’t lift.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Do you read your book reviews? If yes, how do you process
negative reviews?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">I used to and I am fortunate to have more good reviews than
negative ones. At first it stung when I read a negative review; then I grew to
accept that not everyone will like my books. There will always be people who nitpick
and if I allowed their comments affect me, I won’t get any writing done.
Eventually, I’ve stopped reading them and just keep writing. It’s more
productive to write.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">If you could time travel, would you go back or forward in
time?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In one word, describe yourself.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Complicated. <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😉</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Do you find yourself getting emotional when you write? Is
there a scene that sticks out as being the most emotional to write?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Yes, lots of times! The one that made me emotional was a
scene in my paranormal romance novel, Midnight’s Paradox, when Cynn Cruor
warrior Blake Strachan met his nemesis Scatha Cruor Herod D’Argyle.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">What are you working on now? Can you give us a sneak peek?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’m working on Firebinders: Fleur. It’s the second book of
the Firebinders series which is a spin off from my more popular Cynn Cruors
Bloodline series. The Firebinders are mortals with long life spans whose blood
heals or kills.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Here is the prologue:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Sitka Text";">New Year</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’s Eve 1904</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Sitka Text";">Times Square, New York</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 115%;">Ellery
Mellisande led his family through</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd in Times
Square, trying to find a gap where they could regroup. It was not the best of
places to make arrangements that would forever change their lives but they had
no choice.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Sitka Text";">It was their turn to be hunted down.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He glanced over his
shoulder. Genevieve held his hand tightly, giving him a short reassuring smile
belying the fear and anguish swimming in her dark blue green gaze. Behind her,
their daughter, Angelique, was breathing through her mouth, her head thrown
back staring at the dark sky. Taking the rear, her twin brother, Alain, had
taken off his flat cap, his face grim as perspiration dripped from his temple
even in the freezing cold.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Papa.” Angelique’s voice was faint, her skin pale
under the kaleidoscope of fireworks.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ellery didn</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’t need further prodding. Despite the curses
surrounding them, he and Genevieve pulled Angelique to the front of the line.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Over there,” he shouted as they all inched their way,
stepping on shoes and trekking at a turtle’s pace until they reached an alley
miraculously devoid of revellers waiting to welcome January 1</span><sup><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">st</span></sup><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, 1905.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Angelique stumbled into
the open space as Ellery pulled his wife and son through the bodies forming a
barrier between claustrophobia and the open air.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Genevieve rushed to her
daughter who was leaning and gripping the wooden crates stacked by the side of
the brick building.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Are you alright?” Genevieve asked above the sound of
revellers, her white linen and lace dress rumpled and stained with dirt and
sweat. Her hair was unpinned from the Gibson girl bouffant chignon atop her
head.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ellery looked at his
family all of them taking huge amounts of slightly ammonia smelling air. But it
was better than being trapped in between bodies that he, too, had felt the
threatening invasion of swooning.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Swooning was for women.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They all looked at each
other. Angelique had lost the pale blue satin ribbon that kept half of her
golden-brown hair tied at the back of her head.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“This is the only place we can talk,” he said. “A safe
place and time to decide what needs to be done.”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No,” Genevieve cried, vehemence and anger mixing with
the tears forming in her eyes.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Sitka Text";">* * * *</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Sitka Text";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She was going to
collapse.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She felt her hand being
tugged forward but in a sea of bodies jostling for a place to watch the first
ball drop on New Year</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’s
Eve from the Times Building. She was only vaguely aware that her right hand was
in her mother’s grip, while her left held the strong and reassuring hand of her
twin brother, Henrí.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Angelique, not long now.”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Her mother</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’s voice floated about her, crossing the heads and
faces of New York. She could hardly feel the cold air and her thick cot was
making her over heat.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Immaru
help me.</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She looked up at the
starlit sky, hoping to catch a clear pocket of air she could drag into her
lungs. To her right, the top of the Times Building rose to the sky, its stark
white fa</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">çade made dirty by the
smog that was becoming the fixture of the city. The number ‘1905’ remained dim,
only illuminated by the street lights. Soon it would be ablaze from the
fireworks promised by the New York Times’ owner, Alfred Ochs.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Papa…I don’t…” Tried as she might Angelique couldn’t
get air into her lungs. The crowd crushed into whatever minute space around
her.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Suddenly, Henr</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">í and her mother pushed her forward to her father and
they hauled their way forward amidst the curses and glares of some of the
revellers.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My daughter is about to collapse,” Ellery roared
above the grumblings. That declaration caused a narrow path to appear ahead of
them. They all rushed through before the bodies closed behind Henrí.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They were free.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Angelique stumbled into
the dark alley, walking like a drunk to the crates stacked one after the other.
She never suffered from claustrophobia; but the dense New Year</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’s Eve crowd and the reason for why they had departed
their home in a hurry had triggered the panic attack that had led to this.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She gathered her skirts
when she sat, careful not to let it fall on the piss-ridden floor.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Are you alright?” Her mother helped her straighten up
then cupped her face. Genevieve brushed the damp tendrils away from her face.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ll be fine, Mama,” she said as she inhaled. It
wasn’t the purest of air but a cold wave passed through and she was able to
breathe more. Neither was she overheating.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Neither were her family.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Henr</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">í’s face, ruddy while they traversed through the crowd
regained his colour. And just like Angelique, the fire he had inside him
settled down.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The rest of her family
took a crate and sat down. Just like Angelique, Genevieve raised the hem of her
skirts above their laced-up boots. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What’s happened?” Henrí asked, wiping his brow with
the back of his hand before putting his flat cap back on. “I have to get back
to the hospital.”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Angelique saw the
anguish flicker between her parents. Her stomach plummeted.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s time, isn’t it?” she asked in a small voice
almost unheard over the voices of New York. Fear and heartache tightened her
chest.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Her father looked at
her, his eyes filled with despair. Her mother covered her face with one hand
while her other hand was locked with her father</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’s.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He nodded. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s time.”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">At the mouth of the
alley, people began chanting.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Ten!”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They all stood.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Nine!”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Angelique flung herself
against her parents, her heart breaking into a million pieces.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Eight!”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Alain embraced her, and
his arms wrapped around his parents</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’
shoulders as they all huddled together one last time.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Seven!”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We haven’t got much time.” Ellery pulled away from
their family embrace. Henrí, Angelique, take care of each other.”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Six!”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Her father glanced
furtively at the crowd.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Five!”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We will meet up in the lodge on Catskills in a year’s
time, to the day. Is that understood?”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Four!”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Angelique and her
brother nodded vigorously; their fingers tightly entwined.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Three!”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Go straight to the new house. Here’s the
key.” Her father removed a chain around his neck. “Follow our plan to the
letter and we’ll be fine.”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1080d6; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Two!</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“We have to go.”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“One! Happy New Year!”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Angelique's
face crumpled; her sobs lost in the cacophony of joyous shouts. Her arms
tightened around her father, mother, and </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Henr</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">í</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. They all embraced each other once more,
her father whispering one phrase as they huddled for the last time.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 28.35pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Find Marek Bannach!”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Sitka Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR;">Firebinders: Fleur <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR;">Copyright © Isobelle Cate 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR;"> </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR"> </span></p><p><br /></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489394896067178755.post-58040234567040164362021-12-18T18:45:00.001-05:002021-12-18T18:45:38.250-05:00Sneak Peek! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuQcjXYcpW6DODFLzTVZrhXxAUYNQh6A928K7SJ717Rbh0TUQiZgEE7s3SNMNNDUvulmS-Y6ktJkwGwGOuUAJ1D29E9C_LRGLZB8a9zNlritnZ7bMvogW_Hhv_iRG5M-h9tlM1_8WEw6EEpH9MMRLrYHrrt9czkD93Lavq9ou3a-FY8ecRVcS7f_OQ=s2500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuQcjXYcpW6DODFLzTVZrhXxAUYNQh6A928K7SJ717Rbh0TUQiZgEE7s3SNMNNDUvulmS-Y6ktJkwGwGOuUAJ1D29E9C_LRGLZB8a9zNlritnZ7bMvogW_Hhv_iRG5M-h9tlM1_8WEw6EEpH9MMRLrYHrrt9czkD93Lavq9ou3a-FY8ecRVcS7f_OQ=w384-h640" width="384" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Copyright@2022 Rhonda Lee Carver </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KS6ZBZ6?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_2&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Buy here!</a><br /></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A slower song started and a pretty, petite blonde
moved into the cowboy’s open arms. He swirled her around the floor, making a
full circle, while she gazed up at him in awe. Even Dusty felt her cheeks
aching from a smile as she continued to watch the couple. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
pushed his hat higher on his forehead and she got a good look at his face.
Something about his features seemed familiar, like they’d met before, and yet
she would remember if they had. Maybe he had one of those faces, yet even as
she thought it, she knew better. Just his angular, whiskered jaw set him apart
from a lot of men. He was a kind of handsome that got into a woman’s bones
before a word slipped past his lips.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
swiveled and his gaze clashed with Dusty’s again. His eyes were a magnetic
blue—or bottle green—that caught every glimmer of the neon overhead light. A
woman could tell a lot about a man just by his eyes. The twinkle gave her the
impression that he had a gentle spirit, but the wide jaw warned her he could
stand his ground. He did have amazing feet and she’d bet her old red truck that
he could move between the sheets too.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
grinned at the woman in his arms and she flushed. Did she get a little
wobbly-kneed? Dusty certainly did.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She’d
never been much of a romantic, but on occasion she surprised herself. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
the hell?</span></i></span><span class="None"><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She needed
to pull back and get a grip.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Handsome
cowboy didn’t mean “Come and get him”.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dusty
tapped the heel of her cowgirl boot against the foot bar as she continued to
watch, entertained by his moves. She’d almost forgotten that she was waiting
for a date and had an odd wish that Griff would be a few more minutes late, at
least until the current song ended. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
that finally happened, the intriguing cowboy nodded at his dance partner and
they split ways. So, they weren’t together?</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dusty’s
breath caught mid-way in her chest as he crossed the bar, a gentle command in
his step, heading her direction like a heat seeking missile. His gaze found
hers through the crowd and his smile widened. A ball of warmth burst between
her inner thighs making the new lace panties damp. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What was
wrong with her? She wanted Griff—sexy, handsome, charming Griff who she’d
gotten to know. Not some random stranger who just happened to dance like a
cowboy version of Fred Astaire. </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Swiveling
on the stool, she stared into the beveled glass behind the bar and felt a warm
brushing of contact against her arm as the cowboy slid up next to her.
Goosebumps skittered over her skin and her nipples pinched. The cowboy had
touched her. Accidentally, of course, but her body came alive as if he had
shocked her with a live wire.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Rainey,
can I get a water?” he said in a deep voice so pleasant that it was auditory
chocolate.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Coming
right up, buddy,” the bartender said.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ma’am,
is anyone sitting here?” </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
realized he was talking to her. She slowly lifted her chin, pretending that she
hadn’t been gawking at him for the last ten minutes.</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">One
corner of his mouth lifted into a playful grin, bracketed by dimples that could
second as watering holes. Did he have to practice that sexy expression because
it seemed that something so amazing would need to be rehearsed. “Yes…I mean,
no, not right now. I’m waiting for someone.”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His eyes
were blue, but not just blue…but a color so pale it reminded her of the bright
clear sky after a hard rain that had washed away every impurity. “Mind if I sit
for a moment?”</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
could she say? </span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;"><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What did she want to say?</span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p><br /></p><br /> <p></p>Rhonda Lee Carverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132695443473180534noreply@blogger.com0