It will soon be available in print if you’d like to hold an actual book. With the handsome cowboy on the cover, an actual book would look pretty nice, right?
The Texas Cowboy will also have a sequel soon. I’m currently working on The Cowboy Duke. Can a Duchess make a cowboy’s spurs go jingle-jangle-jingle? Book II will tell.
When people speak of horse racing, most would immediately say the horses were thoroughbreds. So, we have thoroughbred racing, but did you know that, over short distances, there is a horse that has been clocked faster than the thoroughbred? Over a straight course of a quarter mile (hence the name). the American Quarter Horse has been clocked at 55 mph. We can easily imagine that speed in our car, but a horse has no windshield. Races of 550 yards or less are run on straight courses; one or part of one turn may be used in the lengthier (“hook”) races.
Are Quarter Horses really faster than Thoroughbreds?
Quarter Horses averaged faster speeds than Thoroughbreds even when Thoroughbreds were raced at a distance (402 m) similar to Quarter Horse races. … In short races, both breeds accelerate throughout the race. Arabians, despite being known for endurance, had slowed by the end of the race.
They are races in which the purse consists of nomination, and/or starting fees, plus money added by the track or sponsor.
These races generally attract the highest quality horses and are abbreviated by the name of the stakes. For example: Allamerfut 1 meaning All American Futurity (G1).
Graded races are the premier stakes races, whereby a Grade 1 (G1), Grade 2 (G2) or Grade 3 (G3), designate the class of horses participating.
The size of purse, amount of added money and the historical significance of the race also are determining factors in the grade status.
Grade 1 (G1) is the highest designation.
Some stakes races are restricted to horses bred in a particular state or to horses by participating stallions.
Some restricted races are graded, whereby a restricted Grade 1 (RG1), restricted Grade 2 (RG2) or restricted Grade 3 (RG3) designate the class of horses participating.
Handicap Races
These races feature better-quality horses to which the racing secretary or track handicapper assigns weights designed to equalize the winning chances of entrants.
The better horses get higher weights to enable a horse with a lesser record to have a chance at winning. The designation HDCP is utilized.
Claiming Races
Claiming races are the most common, constituting approximately 70 percent of all races run.
In these races, horses are entered for a specific price and can be purchased or “claimed” by any licensed owner at the track for that price.
This tends to equalize the class or competition in these races.
An owner who has a $25,000 horse is not going to put him in a race with a field of $5,000 claimers for fear that someone would claim his horse at a greatly reduced value.
These races are designated by the claiming price (5000). A “C” in front of the claiming price in the past performance line means the horse was claimed in that race.
Allowance Races
An allowance race is a non-claiming race for better quality or more lightly raced horses.
These races generally offer higher purses than claiming races.
Eligibility requirements and conditions are similar to those of claiming races, and weight allowances are given based on winnings and/or number or type of wins in a given time.
These races are designated by ALW plus the purse (ALW12500).
Maiden Races
Maiden (MDN) races are limited to horses that have never won a race.
There are two types of maiden races: “Maiden Special Weights” for better horses and “Maiden Claiming,” which is designated by the claiming price (MD5000).
Trial
A trial (TRL) race is designed to determine the qualifiers for a final, based on the fastest qualifying times or order of finish.
A TRL might be run as a purse race, or it might be run without a purse.
The Triple Crown of Quarter-Horse Racing is a series held at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico. The series includes the Kansas Futurity (June), Rainbow Futurity (July), and All-American futurity – where purses are worth up to $1 million.
In The Texas Cowboy, Ash (the hero) returns to Texas after being raised in England. He finds that his father has been breeding racing Quarter Horses. Trish (the heroine) is passionately devoted to these horses, and she’s afraid that Ash will sell the quarter horses and bring his thoroughbreds from England. Speaking as a horsewoman, I know what a big conflict this is, but I’m not sure people who aren’t devoted to them will see it. Do you think that this is a big deal between a woman and a man?
When Ash Colter was twelve, his mother divorced his cattle baron father and whisked him away to raise in her native England. Sixteen years later, when his father dies, he inherits Marathon Ranch. Running a 1,000-acre spread famous for the best Black Angus cattle in the great state of Texas is the biggest challenge he’s ever faced…until he meets a pert, pretty, and sassy ranch hand who seems to have her own agenda for his ranch. Unfortunately, she makes his spurs go jingle-jangle-jingle like no one else ever has!
Trish Owens is a real cowgirl, a loner, and, though she’d never admit it, a little lonely. When the “English Cowboy” appears on the scene, her entire way of life is threatened, not only her job, but her beloved Quarter horses. She’s sure he plans to import his thoroughbreds from England. Worst of all is the chemistry sizzling between them. He makes feelings she thought long dead awaken.
Can these two unwilling allies set aside their differences to put Marathon Ranch in the Winner’s Circle…and to fall in love?
His ex-girlfriend shrugged, a coy smile toying with her lips. His mobile buzzed for a text. As he typed in his code, her arms locked around his neck, every inch of her welded against him. Hot and wet, her mouth closed over his. Her tongue teased until his lips parted, then slipped into him. She rubbed her lush breasts on his chest.“Ash,” she moaned, her hands probing beneath his t-shirt. “I’ve missed you.”
He found himself comparing Trish’s kiss to Dorothy’s. An unbidden image of his cowgirl’s small breasts, the taste of them, the exciting feel of them, flashed in his mind. He broke away, backed into a filigreed screen, and sent it humming. Struggling for control, he sucked in a deep breath, straightened his shirt, and crossed his arms over the silver Marathon logo.
“Ash.” Eyes hooded, she leveled a hot gaze at him. “I want you.”
A Cardinal hopped across the window ledge. Danita said if you saw a red bird, make a wish. If he’d flown by the time you opened your eyes, your wish would come true. A gecko darted across the window. He closed his eyes. Downstairs a clock chimed seven. When he opened his eyes, the red bird had flown. His wish would come true. Not for a month, for sure.
“You want the man I used to be.” He took her face in his hands. “I’m not that man anymore.”
“You are. What’s wrong with you?” She stroked his back in long, fluid strokes.
“I’ve changed.” He broke away, lifting a case to the bed. “That’s all.”
Her bold hand caressed his equipment. A very wicked, very suggestive smile parted her lips. By action and word, she’d left no doubt what she wanted. Was it because she was jealous of Trish? Did she think where there’s smoke, there’s fire? Dorothy was determined to seduce him. He was as set that she would not.
He caught her groping hand. “I do not wish to return to work with an erection.”
“It’s that girl.” A zipper on the case screeched as she jerked the tabs.
“What girl?” He flung an exasperated gesture. “It has nothing to do with a woman. I have a ranch to run.”
“Ash, I’m hurt.” She pouted a trembling lip. “You can’t tell me you work every hour of every day. Am I going to be alone my entire stay?”
“Dorothy, don’t be hurt.” He stroked a hand down her arm. “You won’t be alone the entire visit. Let’s take this slow, shall we? We’ve been apart for a long time now.”
“Only a month and two days. Not that I’m counting.” Tears sparkled in her blue eyes. “It is that girl. You’ve been shagging her, and I’m no longer welcome.”
He wouldn’t lie and deny his feelings for Trish, so he told a half-truth. “It’s not like that at all. Trish works here.”
She nodded, turning away. “She was too rude and crude to me for it ‘not to be like that’. I’ve never seen the doxy, and she attacked me.”
“She did not. She was ill.”
“Yeah right.” She whipped around to glare at him, her hands fisted for a temper tantrum.
He dreaded the tears. June was going to be a long, tedious month. And perhaps require a cold shower or two, resisting Dorothy’s brand of flirting.
BUY LINK:
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
The Texas Cowboy was released by Magnolia Blossom Publishing on January 17, 2022, and of all things, my internet was down and I couldn’t promote on social media or even on my own blog!
When Ash Colter was twelve, his mother divorced his cattle baron father and whisked him away to raise in her native England. Sixteen years later, when his father dies, he inherits Marathon Ranch. Running a 1,000-acre spread famous for the best Black Angus cattle in the great state of Texas is the biggest challenge he’s ever faced…until he meets a pert, pretty, and sassy ranch hand who seems to have her own agenda for his ranch. Unfortunately, she makes his spurs go jingle-jangle-jingle like no one else ever has!
Trish Owens is a real cowgirl, a loner, and, though she’d never admit it, a little lonely. When the “English Cowboy” appears on the scene, her entire way of life is threatened, not only her job, but her beloved Quarter horses. She’s sure he plans to import his thoroughbreds from England. Worse of all is the chemistry sizzling between them. He makes feelings she thought long dead awaken.
Can these two unwilling allies set aside their differences to put Marathon Ranch in the Winner’s Circle…and to fall in love?
EXCERPT:
Finally, when he was almost blind from straining his eyes, the stand of oaks Charlie had mentioned reared up out of the torrential rain. A horse trumpeted, the sound echoing, and Pomegranate answered with s force that shook Ash in the saddle. Relief flooded him. He cued his horse into a faster canter. It was a risky bid for a few minutes, but by now desperation had become a fever.
“Charlie? Charlie, is that you?” Trish shouted to be heard above the storm. “I’m here by the water oaks. Charlie!”
Ash saw movement in the deluge and realized that it was Trish, waving an arm. “Ash,” he called, swiveling in the saddle and grabbing his flashlight from his saddlebags. “It’s Ash. Charlie’s searching south.”
Pomegranate slid to a halt at the edge of the stand of trees. At first glance, Ash could only see Dusty, gleaming wetly in the flashlight beam. A bedraggled Trish struggled up from beside the palomino. His heart wrenched at the sight of her. He swung from the saddle and, looping the reins over his arm, aimed the flashlight and rushed toward her. He was still annoyed and frowning, but thrilled and relieved to see her. Relief won in the end, and he smiled broadly, rain washing over his lips.
“Trish, thank God.” He tried to curb the emotion in his voice but failed.
She tossed him a smile. “Damn, if I’m not glad to see you, cowboy.”
His cowgirl with wet hair clinging to her face and sodden clothes was…beautiful, even in the rain. She gripped a cotton rope tied to a blue nylon halter fastened over Dusty’s bridle. One thing for sure, her horse wasn’t going anywhere without her. She’d probably stopped when the young stallion spooked at the lightning. Taking shelter was the right decision. Otherwise, they could have both been seriously injured, Dusty’s leg broken…or perhaps Trish injured in a fall. The dripping trees had provided scant protection. The cowgirl and her racehorse were drenched and a bit muddy but, thank goodness, neither was harmed.
He cupped her face between index finger and thumb. “You’re a sight for sore eyes yourself, cowgirl. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
She settled the slick leather of the reins and the sodden cotton lead rope securely in her grip. “Stay close. He’s more than a little spooked by the thunder and lightning. That’s why I stopped. Have you ever seen anything like this rain! I was afraid we’d drown.”
“It’s a gutter washer, as your buddy Charlie called it.” Through the rain, he gazed into her eyes. “He’s very worried about you, Trish.”
“How about you?” She met his gaze, daring him to look away…or to lie. “Are you worried about me?”
“I wouldn’t be standing here in this balmy little sprinkle if I weren’t.”
There was a noticeable pause before she said, “I’m starved. I don’t suppose you have servants back there in the darkness with a four-course meal or something.”
He turned, fishing in the saddlebags behind his saddle. “How about some fine cheese crackers as a starter, ma’am?”
Let’s talk about The Cowboy for a minute. He can be a gentleman without suffocating a woman’s independence. A rogue while still retaining his honor. He can be smart, hard-working, and blue collar—or tough, scandalous, and filthy rich. The Cowboy in romance is everything in a hero any of us as readers could want, whenever we decide to open a book.
That means I wrote Two Hearts, One Stone with no limitations on my hero. My cowboy took on a life of his own and while his story isn’t lengthy, it is uniquely his. Just like every other book written about The Cowboy.
Here’s a character interview with my guy, Stone Dempsey. I hope you enjoy!
Where do you see yourself a year from now?
You mean, aside from in your dreams? Probably with Doctor Feel Good, riding off into the sunset or exploring the barn with Maddie. I can’t wait to teach her all about horses and how to ride. Maybe even start working on making a little brother or sister for her.
When in your life were you the most satisfied with your life?
Right now. A good woman does a lot for a man. But stepping into the role of a father, with my dream job, and the dream woman I never know I wanted? Yeah, that’s as close to perfect as my life is every going to get. I’m completely satisfied.
Who is your role model?
You know, there are lots of horse trainers and riders out there that I have learned a ton from. Hell, even Old Man Cole teaches me new things every day. But at the end of it all, I’d have to say Emmy. Or rather, Doctor Emmersyn Cole. She takes everything in stride. Hell, she doesn’t just put up with my ass, but she stepped right into a ready made family and a fumbling father figure with no clue what was going on. She makes me want to be a better man, every day.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Oh hell, I’d want to fly. Riding a green horse can be a thrill, but soaring over the mountains, the ocean, without the fear of crashing or falling would be awesome.
Why should someone read your book?
Because I’m witty, charming, and devilishly handsome. Also, because this story is about love, horses, and a really cute baby. What more could you ask for?
If you’d like to keep in the loop about my writing, upcoming novels and events, as well as a chance to win a signed copy of Linda Winstead Jone’s Sullivan and a super cool cowboy Novel Nuzzler sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/df0G45
You can learn more about me, my cowboy, and my other projects by finding me online:
Horse trainer Stone Dempsey’s life is all about the ride—with horses and women. He uses his equine talents to impress the country club set and earn money for Smoky Mountain Reining Horses. When his drug-addicted sister deposits her sick baby on his doorstep, he’s suddenly saddled with real responsibility.
Dr. Emmersyn Cole’s goal of starting a practice in her favorite place on earth is finally coming to fruition and she is not going to be sidetracked. Everything is going great until Stone swaggers into her life, half-dressed with a smile that could melt her insides. She’s determined to keep her distance…until he rushes into her grandfather’s home, clutching a feverish baby, terrified and vulnerable, and her heart’s hard shell begins to crack.
In only a few short weeks, Stone’s wayward heart suddenly relies on two women—one who needs him—and one that he might not be able to live without.
Excerpt:
Delighted whinnies from the occupied stalls greeted her, and she rubbed the nose of each head stuck over a door. At the end of the long corridor, the barn opened to the splendor of northwest Georgia’s piece of the Smokies. The orange glow of the sun had begun its descent behind the pine-covered mountain tops and cast the arena beyond the stable into twilight.
Not much illumination was needed to draw her gaze to the man astride a pretty bay mare. With the well-polished grace of a true horseman, Stone guided the horse in a series of pivots and spins that made Emmy delightfully dizzy.
Once finished with the pattern, his voice echoed through the little valley. “You’ll have to stop looking at me like that, sweetheart, or I’m going to forget you’re the boss’ granddaughter.”
Leslie spends most days attempting to wrangle the voices in her head and often wishes she could clone herself so that their stories get told faster. She loves words, romance, and characters that feel like family and spends almost all of her free time with her own family; including a boisterous eleven year old that she homeschools and an assorted cast of rescue pets. She lives her own happily ever after with her soul mate and best friend in the northern part of Alabama and hopes you enjoy reading her stories as much as she enjoys writing them.
It’s rodeo time in Houston, and traffic around the NRG Stadium crawls to a stop. Since 2003, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (RodeoHouston) has been held at NRG. HLSR is the largest livestock exhibitions and rodeo in the world and offers the richest purses. The event is 20 days long. Kickoff is marked by the Downtown Rodeo Roundup held near Houston City Hall, the Downtown Rodeo parade, and the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run – a 10k and 5k walk & run and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest (the Chili Cookoff, which is a major event in HLSR each year). In 2017, attendance reached a record high of 2,611,176 people and 33,000 volunteers.
Of particular interest to me is the trail ride associated with the HLSR. In 1952, four men traveled on horseback from Brenham, Texas, to raise awareness of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™. Today, more than 3,000 trail riders partake in the Rodeo’s signature tradition each year. One year, I saw them ride into Memorial Park and it was quite a spectacle, all those horses, trail-weary cowboys and cowgirls. Yes, have to admit I always wanted to participate in that part of the rodeo.
I was there several years ago and saw the Zach Brown Band. The rodeo has drawn some of the world’s biggest recording artists, including Dixie Chicks, Elvis Presley, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Bon Jovi and Lynyrd Skynyrd to mention a few.
I don’t usually go because of the huge crowds but one year I went with a friend and ended up buying this stunning necklace of a Spanish horse. The lady was getting ready to leave, and sold it to me at a lesser price. Otherwise, well…
Almost every book I’ve ever written includes the Andalusian or the Lusitano horse. I think Gylded Wings may be the only one that doesn’t have a horse of any persuasion. This dark fantasy is narrated in first person from Lucifer’s POV, but there is nothing satanic or demonic about the book. In fact, the ending is rather uplifting:
Angels in slavery? Brit Montgomery cannot believe it, until she is sent on a rescue mission to another dimension and witnesses the cruel practice first hand. The angel, Gyldan, is the most beautiful being she’s ever seen. She is drawn to him but sometimes beauty disguises wicked secrets. This man who rocks her world seems more demon than angel.
Gyldan, born into slavery, has one desire—fly free. When he escapes to Earth, he faces an alternate self-realization full of dark glory…and disbelief. Gyldan is bent on experiencing his newfound powers unmindful of the harm to Brit or others.
Confused and hurt by Gyldan’s erratic evil actions, Brit turns away. While Gyldan’s journey of self-discovery pulls him further distant, Brit finds acceptance in a solitary, comfortable life of her own until she realizes the day of reckoning has come. Will Gyldan be her final ruin or has he come back to her with a gift more precious than life itself?
Drop by my website http://LindaNightingale.com and check out my books. Each has a page describing the story and giving reviews, book videos, etc. as well as by-links. There are also two free reads.
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Let’s go to RodeoHouston! I want to be present and accounted for at the Chili Cookoff.
(no longer available from The Wild Rose Press or on Amazon)
Hot Spanish Nights:
(no longer available from The Wild Rose Press or on Amazon)
Her Brother’s Wife: No book video as yet.
Blurb:
From birth, Alain and Alina Alastair are a scientific phenomenon—identical male/female twins—a biological impossibility. Wishing to avoid notoriety, Lord and Lady Alastair whisk their miracle children to their island home isolated by a two-hour ferry journey from the mainland of England. It is at Alastair Keep that their destiny unfolds to the constant percussion of a restless sea.
As a young man, Alain craves escape from the seclusion while Alina more willingly follows her heart. Unaware, they courageously struggle with a genetic proclivity, the Gemini Factor, that will lead them down forbidden paths. The secrets at Alastair Keep will undermine the foundations of their world and threaten their very lives.
The Anointing: Gemini Factor is a dark psychological novel dealing with a controversial subject in a fantasy setting.
Four Western Romances from four different authors featuring handsome cowboys to tempt any cowgirl. The cowboys are tough but so are the women who tame them. Love—and lust—under the big blue skies of the Lone Star State. Welcome to Clark’s Folly, Texas, Ma’am.
Today Ash paid no attention to the natural stone construction or the black wrought iron and brass hardware on the stalls. He hurried to the open door framing a cameo of a pretty girl on her knees in the straw beside a sweating black horse. Trish’s wretched expression and the trembling hands stroking Jet’s neck broke his heart. If the stallion died a part of her would die, too.
“Do anything you can, Doc. I don’t care how much it costs.” Ash spoke from the doorway. “If he needs to be flown to A&M you have my okay.”
Trish looked up at him. A tear escaped her lashes, washing a path down her soiled cheek. “You won’t regret it, Ash.”
“Is he going to die?” Dorothy peered around Ash. “Trish, you’re everywhere I look.”
Irritation sizzled over him. Ash turned and took Dorothy’s shoulders. “Wait in the ranch office. Too many spectators won’t help Jet.”
She allowed him to lead her down an empty corridor. The other horses had been turned out to graze. Trish and Charlie never missed a step. He waved her ahead of him into the AC-cool office. Suddenly Dorothy in her clean, pressed jeans and crisp white shirt reminded him of his wicked stepmother, Deanne. They were both beautiful dolls, only useful as toys.
**
[Minutes later, Dorothy] sashayed out of the barn, bound for comfort. He spun, hurrying back to the stall where Jet fought for his life. When he arrived, he said nothing. Trish didn’t look up. She held the horse’s head for the vet to pump oil into his stomach through the tube inserted in a nostril.
Joe, the vet, shook his head. “If this doesn’t work, next step— A&M.”
Ash nodded. A desperate horsewoman tilted her head to hide her tears.
Linda’s Bio:
Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston. For years she bred, trained and showed the majestic Andalusian, so she’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck towing a horse trailer. Among other awards, she won the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt. A mother, retired legal assistant and member of the Houston Miata Club, she loves to dress up and host formal dinner parties (PS & you know who you are—this is not ‘putting on airs’).
Memories of the night after Cassy’s wedding so long ago ran through Esther’s dreams, as vivid as though no time had passed. Before the wedding Cassandra’s brother had been the sexiest damned man she’d met. With his blond hair and blue eyes, he’d been the perfect poster man for clean-cut Texans or a romance novel cover. At the rehearsal she’d wanted to run her hands through his short curls and over his broad chest. Even in a suit he’d looked untamed and so screwable. All muscles and built like a Greek god, he’d made all the women adjust their bras to show cleavage and check their lipstick.
No damned fair! What the hell excuse could she give for driving past 100 miles an hour? She eased her foot from the accelerator and the lights behind her seemed to give her more space. Seeing a “city limits” sign behind her eased her mind, so she slowed to a normal speed. Cop Mustang still dogged her bumper. When she spotted a gas station she pulled into the parking lot. Making sure she had covered her gun again, she adjusted her shirt to expose more cleavage. She wasn’t proud of the move, but she needed all the help she could get today.
By the time he stood beside her door she shook her head. She had seen this man naked, so she knew about the energy barely contained by his uniform. For a crazy second she considered offering him sex if he didn’t write a ticket, even a blowjob. It wouldn’t be the first one she’d given him. She shook her head to clear that naughty thought and lowered her window.
MM’s Bio:
M. M. Mayfield sneaks out when Mary Marvella isn’t looking. Being the evil twin of a teacher isn’t easy, but it can be fun! Mary Marvella writes romantic suspense and woman’s fiction with steamy sex. M.M. Mayfield writes light erotica. Mary is 100% Georgia peach. She loves the stories and characters who live in her head
With their break over, the band returned to the small stage and the recorded music ended. The chaos of the dance floor resumed with the band’s return. One of the men broke away from the group on the dance floor and approached Jo’s table. He touched his fingers to the brim of his black hat and favored her with a wide smile. Josie acknowledged him with a gentle inclining of her head. Her fingers tightened on the gooseneck bottle in her hand.
“Pardon me, but I think you’ve got my chair.”
Jo laughed. “Nice try, cowboy. But I don’t think so.”
His smile broadened. “Worth a try.”
When the band struck up a slow song her cowboy fixed her with his deep blue gaze. “Care to dance?”
Why not? He’d rescued her, after all. “Sure.”
The guy had some smooth moves, Jo gave him that much as he guided her confidently around the dance floor. He held her at a respectful distance. His hand touched lightly at her lower back with just enough pressure to allow her to easily follow his lead.
One number flowed into another and Jo found herself reluctant to leave the cowboy’s arms. Her great-great- grandmother’s journal hadn’t mentioned how entrancing an evening could be with a real cowboy. The longer they danced the more comfortable she felt in his arms. The tequila gave Jo a hard-won sense of power and self-confidence. She liked the feel of his arms around her. His scent, tangy citrus with a hint of leather, intoxicated her. She wanted more, much more from her cowboy. Her head found its way to his shoulder. Her breasts pressed against the firm, muscled wall of his chest. The music, slow and sensuous, created a surreal world around them. Josie melted into his embrace, her body eager for the warmth of his. She inhaled his exotic scent and lifted her head from his shoulder. His blue eyes met hers and a half smile lifted the corner of his lips.
“Kiss me, cowboy,” she whispered.
MJ’s Bio:
MJ Flournoy is a retired teacher who lives in Georgia and writes romantic suspense with paranormal elements and steamy, sexy romance stories. MJ enjoys traveling, reading, gardening, sewing, cooking and doing research.
“I’ll be in touch.” Danika rushed to her truck, pitched the bag through the open window. She opened the door and glanced over her shoulder to see Jeph Cabot standing not three feet from her. Stumbling, she raked her shin down the frame “Holy hell,” she cursed under her breath and lost the power of speech completely when his hand cupped her elbow. His touch rang every bell. The heat stoked the fires burning through her belly and a wild fire of need burst through her defenses. The contact shorted her nervous system, blocked rational through and replaced it with full sensory images of the two of them wrapped together.
“Big step there.” He didn’t add the “little girl” but she heard it all the same. Gritting her teeth against the pain and the insult she jerked the door closed and reached back for the seatbelt that eluded her desperate grasp. Turning in her seat, she paused. He held out the unrolled safety belt so she could reach it. Danika barely managed not to snatch the offending belt.
“I’ll be in touch.” Danika started the truck.
“You do that.” He stepped back.
She was not looking for a man, not now and not in the future. She took several Jeph Cabot-free breaths in an attempt to clear him from her body and thoughts. No one needed a chauvinist lover who lacked manners and civility. She shivered, fighting the images flooding her. Jeph Cabot was a gun-toting throwback to rowdy, rough and fierce Texas settlers.
Carol’s Bio:
Carol is a lifelong writer. Born in Vermont she drifted south with her Navy husband until there was no snow to shovel. Now living in Georgia, she is lucky enough to be a full time writer. She heads a local writer’s support group and was nominated for a Ménage Award for her novels of Sanctuary. She writes paranormal erotic fiction, because vampires, werewolves and dragons are HOT!
When not traveling, cruising, or flying to far off countries, Carol hosts weekend fires around a large pit. There friends and family gather, new and old, for wine, laughs and s’mores.
From the time I was born, I was in love with horses. Every Christmas, I’d rush to the window to see if there was a pony tied to a tree. Sadly, there never was until my parents moved to a small farm near where we’d formerly lived. Then they bought me a black paint gelding I named First Fling. I was thirteen at the time. From that beginning, after I married, I went on to breed Egyptian Arabians and later the magnificent Andalusian horse. My stallion Bonito was three times National Champion.
I was never a cowgirl, per se, but I liked this picture, and dedicate The Cowboys of Clark’s Folly, an anthology of four Western romances, by MM Mayfield (our MM), MJ Flournoy, Carol Shaughnessey, and c’est moi, to Cowgirls Everywhere!!
So, it was predestined that at some time I would write a book about horses and the people who love them. I can testify that this love can be one to distraction! I had never participated in 3-Day Eventing, a very demanding and dangerous sport, but my friend in Florida was an eventer. If I ran into a problem with the technical information, I called Helen. She’d walk me through the event. I didn’t ramble off into too much detail because I didn’t want to bore the non-horsey reader. The techniques of the half-pass, the shoulder-in, and the canter pirouette are probably not familiar to most people outside the horse aficionado.
Gambler’s Choice is the name of a jumping class in a horse show. I think that name and the excitement of that race against the clock inspired the book. In this class, each team (horse and rider) that makes a clean round goes on to the next. The fences are raised, and again they must beat the best time of other entries. A sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of experience.
I named the equine star after the class. Though the book is a romantic suspense, the story is really about two people who love one horse. Becca is willing to pay any amount for Gambler’s Choice. Austen is not going to sell his best friend for any price. Perhaps, a horse person is the only one who’d understand how dramatic this conflict is.
Gambler’s Choice is Available from The Wild Rose Press or on Amazon — for horse lovers!
I love this GIF so I’m going to add it yet again in my ramblings about horses. This, Ladies & Gents, is the majestic Andalusian horse in what appears to be only schooling tack.
I write across many genres. The book depends on the character who tells me the story or some other inspiration like music or a movie or book. Something for everyone!