Unedited Excerpt! 18+ ONLY! by Rhonda Lee Carver

 

This beauty is no cowgirl, but she’s about to rope in a Texas Ranger.

Margo Winnfield lives a comfortable life as a romance author, but things are about to get bad—very bad. Her ex-boyfriend is fatally shot in front of her, and the cowboy who comes to her rescue is about as irritating as a bed of nails. From the moment he walks into her life and gives her the shirt off his back—literally—she has no choice but to trust that he can keep her safe. But from who? From her viewpoint, he’s about as dangerous as the men who killed her ex and want her dead too. This could be a story right out of one of her novels, but this was real life, and she was out of her comfort zone.

The last thing Dean “Hawkeye” Hawk needs is to babysit some princess writer but finding out who orchestrated the ambush on the Texas Heat Recon unit is top priority—and the lady has valuable information. He’ll need to earn her trust—and work on his charm—if he wants to find out everything she knows.

Back on Creed’s Creek Ranch, Margo is bound and determined to prove to Hawkeye that she can pull calves, feed livestock, and handle backbreaking chores. And, the words flow like water. This could be the best book she’s ever written, and it’s a love story. The rough and cocky cowboy isn’t about all work and no horseplay. The nights are heating up, and it isn’t just the danger lurking in the small town.

Hawkeye is full of mystery, and he has secrets. Can he share with her that he’s a Texas Ranger? He might want to earn her trust, but can he trust her?

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UNEDITED EXCERPT

Leo liked to be spanked.
Margo Winnfield tried—she’d given it her best. She’d spanked his rock-hard, five-times-a-week-gym ass with fake enthusiasm just to please him. In the end, nothing pleased him. He was still a narcissist who’d left her seven times until she’d grown thick skin and detached herself from him.
The last time he’d broken things off with her because they wanted different things in their lives. He no longer wanted to be in a committed relationship.
He still wanted to be spanked, of course.
“I’m glad you’re finally away from him.”
Margo handed over the bottle of beer to her brother and met his gaze for a fleeting second. She knew how much Travis hated Leo. They’d come to near blows twice over the last year. “I know you hate him.”
“He cheated on you, sis. Outside of every other negative thing he did to you that should have been the last straw.”
“Trav, you’r speaking tpo me as if I still need convincing. I left him. Leo and I are done. I don’t need you, or anyone, trying to talk me away. I am away—happily away.” She took a long drag from her bottle.
“Fine. Sorry. I’ll let it rest.”
She laid her hand on his across the counter. “I understand you want to protect me. You’ve always been a good brother, but I’ve got this. How about some dinner? I have Chinese leftovers.”
“Sure.” His smile had returned but didn’t quite reach his eyes.
She busied herself heating the leftovers as she and Travis chatted about his new relationship with a yoga teacher. The ringing of her phone interrupted.
“Who is that, Trav?” she asked as she set a plate of food into the microwave and hit power.
He didn’t answer.
She swiveled. She caught a glance of him as he the front door behind him.
What the hell had come over him?
Her cell dinged.
She’d missed a call from Leo and she had one unread message from him.
Now she knew why Travis had disappeared without saying a word.
Reading the message, she had to read it twice…
 
I know you said you never wanted to see me again but I need to see you. It’s urgent. You’ll understand when I speak to you. Meet me at our usual place at six.
 
Her stomach rolled. She assumed they were back to that “hot-cold-cycle”. Every few weeks he’d had a change in mood and it’d been like clockwork over the last six months. Like a faucet being switched with no concern for her feelings. From love bombing and faking-future tactics to suddenly wanting his freedom. At thirty-eight he should be less…well, immature. He’d always placed his own needs in front of hers, and couldn’t keep his pants zipped.
Another message was sent.
 
Please, Margo. Meet me and you’ll never hear from me ever again. I promise.

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New Release! Chasing Liberty

 Hoorah!!!!

The day has finally come that Book 3 of the Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose, Chasing Liberty, IS LIVE!!!!

I loved writing this book. Loved the characters because they loved to talk to me. As an author, I enjoy being connected to my characters. Wyler and Liberty had chemistry off the book pages. These two wanted to have sex from front to back, 24/7. I had to tame them. A tad bit. This book is a bit of a steamier western than I've written lately. I went with the flow.

Here's an excerpt.

“It’s not about that, Wyler.” She got off the bed and winced as the IV line tugged. “I need a little time.” She looked around the room for something.

“Your clothes are over there.” He referred to the plastic bag next to the chair. “Did you think you should have spoken with me first? We could have discussed it. I am your husband.”

“About that.” She didn’t even look at him as she dug inside the bag.

“Yeah, about that.” He didn’t even worry about monitoring his tone because he was hurting too.

She laid out her the shirt and sweatpants she’d worn to the clinic. “I’m doing you a favor, Wyler.”

“A favor?” He chuckled, but it sounded more like a snort. “By letting me off the hook?”

She looked at him sadly. "The pregnancy was holding us together, but it's gone now."

He sighed deeply. "There's more to our relationship."

"The situation is different," she said, clutching her shirt and facing him.

"Just like that, then?"

"It's all difficult," she replied.

“You’re certainly making it seem easy.”

"You must recognize the reality of the situation. I—I…," her voice faded into a heavy quiet.

"What is it, Liberty?" He approached but maintained his distance. " Do you not love me? Do you not want this marriage? Or have you found an exit to finally end us?"

“Wyler…please…”

"Please what? Should I not hold you accountable for your choice? Not let you dismiss me like all the other men in your life? If you believe our connection was solely about the baby," he said with words that hurt to speak, "then it seems we've both viewed this relationship very differently."

She let out a deep, encompassing sigh. "Our marriage wasn’t genuine. Our union was shaped by specific conditions, but now we have to face reality."

"Clarify this reality for me?"

"Let's not have this discussion, Wyler."

"Not even to ensure we’re on the same page?"

"I'm not prepared for this conversation at the moment."

“You should have thought about that before you decided everything for me.” He didn’t want to be angry, but he felt like a rubber band that had lost its elasticity. “But don’t worry, you’ve made yourself clear.”

"I'm not able to handle this at the moment."

"We're both in this together, Liberty. The loss isn't yours alone."

"Do you believe I'm not aware of that?" Wrinkles formed around her eyes.

"Deciding on something so significant shouldn't be rushed. Let's take some time to consider it."

She sat down on the edge of the bed. “Do you think I haven’t thought this over and over and over? Before the baby I had made my decision.”

“Why?”

Her bottom lip trembled as if she held back tears. “Because everyone I love loses when they get involved with me. This isn’t your fault, Wyler. It’s all mine. I didn’t want this baby…not at first. I was so wrong because I did want the baby. I’m being punished. In time you’ll see that this is my fault, and you’ll hate me.”

Book 1 is FREE!!!

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Bras and Friendships by Rhonda Lee Carver

 As we age, two things become very important, friendships and bras...and not just any will do.

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.

There are different bras for different situations...

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.

There are many types of bras

Bralette

Nursing bra

Balconette

Corset

Underwire

Bandeau

Push-up

Full cup

Sprts

Demi

Need I go on?

The point is, why settle for something that pinches, is unsupportive, doesn't fit, wears down, and exposes your secrets to everyone?

What's always comforting? Secure? And makes you feel wonderful?

A good book...

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.

Buy here

A Marriage of Convenience will turn into a Holiday Romance...with a surprise baby.

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...

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.

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.

Then he receives the unexpected gift of a lifetime...

“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.”

“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.”

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.”

“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.

“You do? What’s that?”

 “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.

“I’m grateful this place has indoor plumbing. The mornings are getting nippy.”

“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.”

“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.

 “Nope. I’m capable of keeping my heart, and dick, in two different lanes.”

“Good news because I really like what we have here.”

 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.”

“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.

“I won’t argue that you’re sensitive, but no denying, we have chemistry.” 

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What I won't be doing this year (Part 2)

 What I won't be doing this year...

1. Stay quiet.

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". 

2. Make excuses.

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. 

3. Miss a chance to make a new friend(s).

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.

4. Pretend I don't need help.

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 why the hell didn't I ask someone for help? Or accept the help I was offered?  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.

5. Kiss ass.

Yep, and there it is. Do I need to explain further? Probably not so I'll leave that right there.

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.