Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Champagne Flutes & Cowboy Boots!


What’s your idea of the perfect date? Candlelight and wine in an elegant restaurant with a sauve and sexy man? Or an outdoor barbecue and a beer with a rough and ready cowboy? Today we have the best of both worlds for you. Margo Hoornstra brings you her hero, Jonah Colt, a military veteran turned judge, while I'm sharing my cowboy hero, Cole Matheson.

Asking For Trouble by Jannine Gallant
Asking For Trouble is Free February 18-22 Only! Click HERE.

Daycare owner, Miranda O’Neill isn’t looking for a miracle. But that’s what it’ll take to convince Cole Matheson the American Dream isn’t a trap designed to suck the life out of a man. She wants a house with a white picket fence and babies of her own. He’s perfectly content claiming his aging hound as his only dependent. Six months before, they’d admitted love wasn’t enough and parted ways. But when Cole finds himself in charge of his nephew for the ten longest days of his life, he asks Miranda to put aside her heartache to jump into the fray. Will a demon in a diaper bring them together—or tear them apart forever?

“So, how was your day?”
Miranda turned away from the sun sinking below the horizon in a burst of gold and crimson, and regarded him with a sober expression. Taking the beer he offered, she nodded her thanks. “Pretty typical. One skinned knee, two leaking diapers, and twelve finger-painted masterpieces. And I did call the local paper about placing an ad for a new employee.”
“That’s good.” He took a swallow of beer and eyed her steadily. “What’s bugging you, then, besides the fact I left you stranded with Jackson?”
“I was a little pissed, but I’m over it. What I’m not over is this.” She spread her arms wide. “You and me, hanging out like an old married couple discussing our day.” She placed her beer on the table then pressed a hand to her breasts. “It isn’t helping, Cole. It’s making me want something I can’t have.”
He reared back. “I want it, too.”
“No, you only want part of it.” She pointed at Jackson who’d crawled into the grass to sit near Tucker. The boy threw dandelions into the air and giggled when they showered down on the dog. Miranda’s eyes clouded. “I want it all.”
“Maybe…”
“No maybe.” Swinging around, she crossed the patio. “I’ll go make a salad, and we won’t talk about this again.”
Cole stared after her departing back, and to his amazement, tears burned his eyes. He loved Miranda with an intensity that shook him to his soul. But was it enough to forgo his freedom?

Only If You Dare by Margo Hoornstra

All the pleasures and none of the pain, that’s what Cynthia Buckingham wants in a relationship these days. A one-night stand with Jonah Colt seems to fit that bill perfectly. Besides, her true passion is helping victims of PTSD reclaim their lives. Waking up after spending the night with a woman he barely knows, Jonah is stunned to realize sex for the sake of sex isn’t enough for him anymore. All he wants is to put the ravages of a military past behind him to focus on a peaceful civilian life. Will he allow himself to accept Cynthia’s help—and win her love?

From the very beginning, Jonah made the evening perfect. Taking them around to her side of the car, getting her safely settled and shut inside before he took his place behind the wheel. Then reversed the process after they arrived at Cornell’s, a high priced seafood restaurant, with the very best shrimp cocktail ever created.
“My favorite place. But how did you know?”
He paused to take her hand as they approached the entrance. “Let’s just say I used my powers of observation.”
Their evening together was wonderful to say the least. So why did an unusual sense of regret slide through her every time she and Jonah took a short break from laughing?
Because their time together like this, like a normal, happy couple who enjoyed each other’s company—outside the bedroom as well as in—would soon end?
Then what?
Had she so diverted from the no strings and no commitments plan she had laid out for the rest of her life? Who knew if she had the ability to pull it off?
If she concentrated hard enough, she could see them going on this way for years. When she allowed herself to imagine the two of them together beyond the one night stand that had drifted on for the better part of a few weeks now. Truth was, she could see them together, but not too clearly.
Life’s simple pleasures. That’s what she intended to share with Jonah Colt. Life’s simple pleasures. And none of its pain.

Margo Hoornstra hails from the Midwest, land of the—this year at least—never ending snow storms. It’s beautiful to look at but has put a crimp in her second love besides writing, long walks outdoors. Here’s where you can find out more about Margo:

Website     Blog     Facebook     Twitter


I live in beautiful Lake Tahoe where I enjoy hiking and snowshoeing in the woods around my home. My stories are set in small towns and reflect the beauty of nature. Here’s where you can find out more about me:

Website     Facebook     Twitter

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Honky Tonk Hearts Blog Hop!



Gus Rankin owner of
The Lonesome Steer HonkyTonk
Ladies, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking old Gus, owner of The Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk, couldn’t have brought together all the lonely, broken hearts that he did. But I’m here to tell you I have. Not only do I have the pictures of these couples in my office to prove it, but there’s been a whole series of romances written about the men and women who found love at The Lonesome Steer. And just like every one of my couples, each of these romances is a keeper.

The authors of these books have put together a Valentine Blog Hop, an easy way for you to get a sneak peak at every story. Each stop will feature an excerpt that takes place in The Lonesome Steer. And there are prizes to put a bounce in your Texan Two-Step. To be eligible to win, visit each blog link below and leave a comment. The more hop stops you visit and comment on, the more chances YOU have to win a $50 gift card to The Wild Rose Press. In addition, the publisher has provided a second grand prize of a $25 gift card to The Wild Rose Press and a TWRP Mug for a random commenter (sorry, US visitors only for the mug prize). Some of the ladies will also be giving away their own personal prizes. So whatcha waitin’ for? Happy hoppin’! 

Nothing But Trouble by Jannine Gallant


First the blurb:

Chase Paladin avoids commitment like a patch of stinging nettles. He's seen how love can trample a man, and he doesn't plan to get hitched—ever. But when Honor Jackson walks into his life, hell-bent on keeping her distance, she turns his convictions inside out.

One look at the too-handsome cowboy with laughing green eyes and a killer smile, and Honor knows he's nothing but trouble. She's come to Redemption, Texas to help an old friend, not to let another man charm her into certain heartache.

But every time she turns around, Chase is there, and the closer they get, the more she fears he'll break her heart. So when anonymous threats make it clear that someone in Redemption wants her gone, Honor is ready to oblige. Only now Chase isn’t certain he can live without her. 

Will two wary hearts take a chance on love before it's too late?


Now the Excerpt:

   Chase sat and took a long pull on his beer. “Maybe not. Do you want to leave?”
   “Why would I want to do that? Just because a bunch of your ex-girlfriends are here—”
   “Only three of them.”
   She ignored his interruption and drained her glass. “I’m drinking vodka for courage. We’re going to sing.”
   “We are?” He glanced to the stage where a cowboy wearing a battered hat and alligator boots stood at the front of the crowd, murdering a Willy Nelson tune. “Guess I couldn’t sound worse than he does.”
   When the last tortured notes ended, Honor pulled him up on stage and flipped through the list. “We need a duet—Leather and Lace. Oh God, I love that song. Do you know it?”
   The way she was clutching his arm and smiling into his eyes, he would have sung just about anything. “I think I can manage.”
   Her voice was pure and beautiful. Listening to her croon the melody put a lump in his throat, and he swallowed against it. He choked out lyrics that asked a question. Could she love a man like him? He wasn’t sure of the answer, and God help him, he didn’t think sleeping with Honor was going to be enough. He wanted more.
   She sang of love and need, giving and taking. Her voice trailed off to hoots and cheers and stomping feet, but her gaze never left his. What he saw in her eyes left him feeling gut punched.
   He dragged in a breath and led her from the stage. “That was something.”
   “Yes it was.”

Buy links for Nothing But Trouble are on my Website, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.


Please leave a comment for a chance to win one of our grand prizes! As an added bonus, Nothing But Trouble has a sequel. Asking For Trouble is currently available on Amazon only and will be FREE February 18-22. Please download and enjoy!