Thursday, December 20, 2012

Get Blame it on Texas now


Blame it on Texas is up to #3 on the Western and Western Romance lists on Amazon! It's up to #352 overall in the Kindle Store (down from #289 earlier today.) Get your copy while it's still on sale for 99 cents and help me get to #1, please! I promise it's a good book. It has 4.5 stars with 43 reviews. Get Blame it on Texas Now

"Blame it on Texas by Tori Scott was a great read, one that I enjoyed immensely. I was subjected to a lot of emotion as I read this novel, one I am finding out that Tori Scott is quite adept at dishing out to her readers. Toe-curling sexiness together with a lot of heartwarming characters with a hint of a secondary romance to follow, Blame it on Texas is a novel I would recommend for fans who love romances that makes you feel like you are part of the journey of the hero and heroine's way towards happily ever after."--Maldivian Book Reviewer (MBR)

"This is a wonderful, warm and loving book, with lots of romance and sex. The storyline is captivating and a real page-turner. I highly recommend this book."--RJ Parker
 
Logan Tanner shook the red dust of West Texas off his boots at the age of eighteen and hasn't looked back. Now he's faced with having to protect his twelve year old daughter Katie, and his sister Carol and her friend Megan Flynn. It's nearly more than one man can handle. 
 
Raised as a city girl, Megan has a dream of a few acres, a few champion Blue Heelers, and a small-town veterinary practice. The only thing standing between her and her dream is one stubborn, reluctant cowboy with an overprotective streak as wide as the West Texas prairie. But her stubborn streak is a match for his any day. And she's determined to prove it.
 
Blame it on Texas is a story of the power of love to overcome any adversity, the strength of family and friendship, and the joy that comes with being part of something bigger than yourself.
 

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Hop



When It's Christmas Time in Texas... Anyone know that George Strait song? It's one of my favorites.

For many in the U.S., Christmastime means snow, roaring fireplaces, snuggling up under a blanket and drinking hot chocolate. Once in a while (like every 20 years or so), it's that way for us, too. But it's much more likely that we'll be in short sleeves with the windows open and the fans on. We had a short cold snap yesterday that dropped night time temps into the 20's, but we're already back up into the 50's and supposed to be near 70 by the weekend.

So how do you get into the Christmas spirit without the cold and snow? Well, we decorate, wrap packages, and play Christmas music. I also start making Christmas candy the week before Christmas. Since it's the only time of year I make these particular treats, it helps get us in the mood. Reality doesn't really set in, though, until the kids arrive.

Some years it's just the child who lives a few hours away, along with our two grandsons. Other years, the Harvard daughter comes home, and once in a blue moon (also the title of one of my books), the California boys come home. One year, we spent Christmas by ourselves. That wasn't much fun.

It's the kids that make Christmas the joyful time that it is. Especially the young ones. They get so excited about the tree, the lights, the presents--seeing everything through their eyes makes everything beautiful. I miss the days of big family gatherings, with lots of kids tearing into presents that might not have been expensive but were loved anyway. I miss the days of brothers and sisters, inlaws and outlaws, aunts and uncles, grandparents and friends gathered around a table groaning under the weight of food and desserts. But with families scattered far and wide, with busy lives and strained wallets, travelling a couple of thousands miles with two or three kids in tow just isn't practical.

In my latest release, The Christmas Wish, Merry Peterson is far from home and facing her first Christmas alone. Then she falls right into Santa's lap and he asks her what she wants for Christmas. Jason Wells might not be the real Santa, but he plays one for charity and he makes it his goal to make Merry's Christmas wish come true.

Check out The Christmas Wish on Amazon and all major retailers for just $1.99. http://amzn.com/B00AFBLUNA

For the blog hop, I'm giving away a copy of The Christmas Wish and a $10 Amazon gift card. You must comment to be entered, and you must post your email address in your comment. This prize is open to readers everywhere, but unfortunately the Grand Prizes are limited to U.S. readers due to shipping costs. 

What about you? What's your wish this Christmas? What do you miss most about Christmases past?


It's a Happy Holiday from your favorite Authors and Bloggers. While we know everyone celebrates a different way, we wanted to make sure that you guys knew how much we treasure you all. So from Dec 14th to Dec 17th, all 200 or so of us will be blogging about the holidays and what they mean to us. We may talk about our favorite holiday traditions, recipes, gifts, reads, heroes, and so much more. We want to hear about what you do for the holidays, what you read, and who you'll spend it with. We hope to see you here and happy hopping!

And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. Yep. There will be over 200 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger.

But that's not all....


We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!



Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $200 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!




Thursday, November 29, 2012

New Release! The Christmas Wish

New Release! The Christmas Wish It's live on Amazon and Smashwords. B&N isn't working tonight, so I can't check it yet.


Merry Peterson is not a big fan of Christmas. Ever since she found out at the age of 8 that her parents had lied to her about Santa, the whole holiday thing lost its magic. Now she's a long way from home, alone, and missing her family. And then she falls right into Santa's lap.

Jason Wells might be a hard-working news anchor, but he still takes time to play Santa for the kids at Children's Hospital, collects toys for underprivileged children, and solicits donations for worthy causes. But Merry's assignment for Dallas Beats magazine is to expose the darker side of the Channel Six news team, and Jason just might get caught in the middle.


The Christmas wish is a 20,000 word novella about the true meaning of Christmas and how helping others can lead to a dream come true.


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Which Would You Choose?


Which of these covers do you like better? Which would make you want to grab the book and read it? (Keep in mind, the gold frames are part of the blog, not the covers.) These are temporary picture files.
On the final cover, the Bigstock logo will be gone.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Coming Soon!

The Christmas Wish is finished, it's been through final edits and proofreading, and the cover is in production. As soon as we get that finished, The Christmas Wish will go live. Look for it by the end of this week on Amazon and B&N, and soon at Apple, Sony, Kobo, Diesel, etc.

Merry Peterson is not a big fan of Christmas. Ever since she found out at the age of 8 that her parents had lied to her about Santa, the whole holiday thing lost its magic. Now she's a long way from home, alone, and missing her family. And then she falls right into Santa's lap.

Jason Wells might be a hard-working news anchor, but he still takes time to play Santa for the kids at Children's Hospital, collects toys for underprivileged children, and solicits donations for worthy causes. But Merry's assignment for Dallas Beats magazine is to expose the darker side of the Channel Six news team, and Jason just might get caught in the middle.

The Christmas wish is a 20,000 word novella about the true meaning of Christmas and how helping others can lead to a dream come true.

Monday, November 12, 2012

The Next Big Thing



Thanks to Stacy Juba for inviting me to participate in The Next Big Thing. I have to admit I forgot all about it until Google Calendar sent me an alert. I have a good excuse, really. I'm writing two books at the same time.


What is your working title of your book? 


I'm working on a Christmas novella titled The Christmas Wish and also on Book Three in the Lone Star Cowboys series, titled The Bluest Eyes in Texas.


Where did the idea come from for the book? 


The Bluest Eyes in Texas is a continuation of The Lone Star Cowboys series, featuring Nancy Phillips and Cooper Saunders. Nancy is a nurse and a psychologist and Cooper is a bull rider.


What genre does your book fall under? 


Contemporary Western Romance. 


Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?


I have no idea. This is always a hard question for me because I don't watch that many movies with young actors. I tend to watch ones with older actors that wouldn't work for my books. But just as a guess, maybe Christian Bale as Cooper and Emma Stone as Nancy. 


What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? 


A bull rider is seriously injured in the National Finals and decides to come home after twenty years on the road, where he meets a nurse who wants to put down roots with a man she can trust to stay put.


Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? 


The Bluest Eyes in Texas, like the rest of the Lone Star Cowboys series, will be self-published.


How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 


About two months. Hopefully. It's still a work in progress.


What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? 


I have a hard time comparing my books to others. My closest guess would be Linda Lael Miller's McKettrick's series, but set in contemporary West Texas. 


Who or what inspired you to write this book? 


My readers. They wanted the series to continue with Nancy's story, and then Jean's to follow in book four. I have to admit, though, that once Cooper Saunders began to take shape, nothing could stop me from writing his story. Love those sexy cowboys.


What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?


If you're a fan of cowboys, Texas stories, rodeo and/or bull riding, I think you'll like The Bluest Eyes in Texas. Or if you liked the first two books of the Lone Star Cowboys series, this book should be an enjoyable follow up, with Meagan, Logan, Katie and Charlie returning from Blame it on Texas, and Carol and Jake from Blue Moon over Texas playing a part as well. There's a lot of emotion in this story, and a lot of lovin'!

Look for The Bluest Eyes in Texas in December on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, iTunes, Sony, Kobo, etc.


Next up, check out what Meg Allison is up to for her Next Big Thing.


Thursday, October 18, 2012

New Cover for Lean on Me

I decided to go with a new cover for Lean on Me. The new one is on the top, the old one on the bottom. What do you think?



Monday, October 01, 2012

And the Winners Are...

Andrea Hutton and Bristal McAllister have each won a $25 Amazon gift certificate. Send your email addresses to me at toriscott at gmail dot com so I can get them to you. Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Last Day to Enter Contest

Today's the last day to enter the contest. Post your review, send me the link either by Twitter, Facebook message, or email, and you'll be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift certificate. Check back here tomorrow morning to see if you won!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Check out my book pages on AskDavid.com

Check out my book pages on AskDavid.com

Blame it on Texas

Lone Star Justice

Blue Moon Over Texas

Chemical Attraction

Superstition

You can leave a review at any of these pages to be added to the reviews already shown.

I can't say enough good things about David and what he does to help authors. Thanks David!

Friday, August 31, 2012

Romancing the Blog Hop

I love reading, and writing, romance. In doing so, I get that feeling of falling in love over and over again. The quickening pulse, the rush of heat, the nervousness and insecurity followed by that assurance that you are loved in return. If you've ever fallen in love with that perfect man, you know that feeling and it's one you want to hang on to and remember. If you haven't found that perfect man yet, romances help keep that hope alive and give you that rush until you find it for yourself. Knowing that everything will turn out alright in the end gives you the security to take the risk.

Why do you love romance?

It's a Blue Moon Tonight



Excerpt from Blue Moon over Texas: The Perfect Read for a Blue Moon Friday night.


"Good Lord, ladies. I do believe I've died and gone to cowboy heaven." Carol Tanner glanced around the decorated dance hall at the local cowboys, decked out in their Saturday night best--tight-fitting, starched blue jeans, brightly decorated shirts, hand-tooled leather belts, and boots that probably cost them a week's pay. She deliberately skipped her gaze over Jake Reilly, whose intense gaze hadn't wavered from her face since she stepped into the building. Tonight she'd forget about Jake and enjoy herself, or die trying.

But as hard as she tried to ignore him, she had to admit he did look hot tonight. Pissed, but hot.

"Now that is one fine example of prime male physique." Jean Sutherland sighed as a tall, muscular cowboy passed by.

"Just another reason to love this town," Nancy Phillips drawled, with a wink aimed at the cowboy under discussion. "So why are we just standing here? Let's go see what kind of trouble we can stir up."

Logan and Megan Tanner shook their heads and laughed as the three single women headed into the crowd on the dance floor. Logan took baby Charlie from Megan's arms and kissed his wife's cheek. "I'm glad I married you before that bunch had a chance to corrupt you with their wild ways."

Megan grinned. "Who said I wasn't corrupted? I married you, didn't I?"

"So you did." He turned to his daughter, Katie. "Listen, you can go meet up with your friends, but do not go outside after dark, do you understand? Most of these cowboys are harmless enough, but some are drifters that we know nothing about. And check in with Megan or me every hour."

Katie sighed. "I'm not a kid, Dad. See you in an hour." She hurried off, waving at a group of girls gathered around the groaning buffet tables.

Logan watched her go, wishing she was still young enough that he could keep her by his side. She'd grown into a beautiful young girl. No longer a child, but not yet a woman. "Remind me again that she's still only fourteen?"

"Fourteen going on twenty," Megan said. "It's all uphill from here."

"Logan, Megan. Good to see you stepping out for a change." Jake Reilly handed Logan a beer. "You want me to get you something to drink, Megan?"

"I'd love a root beer, Jake. Thank you."

When he came back with the icy drink, his face was stormy. "That sister of yours is asking for trouble," he told Logan.

"Why? What's Carol up to?"

"Out there on the dance floor, making eyes at those range rabbits. Don't even recognize some of those men. Asking for trouble, I'm telling you."

"She'll be okay. We'll keep an eye on her. Why don't you go ask her to dance? You're the one she wants to be with, anyway, and you know it."

Jake shook his head. "I'm going to sit this one out."

For the next hour, Jake watched from the edge of the dance floor as Carol two-stepped her way across the room with first one cowboy, and then another. Every once in a while, he caught her glancing his way--whether to see if he noticed her or hoping he'd ask her to dance, he didn't know. But he noticed, all right. How could he help it? With her skin tight jeans outlining her curves, the close-fitting sweater accentuating her breasts…

His hands clenched into fists as yet another man cut in and swung her away, out of his sight.

"You'd better go get her, Jake, before you decide to take out half the town with your fists." Logan leaned against the wall with Charlie tucked against his chest. The baby was sound asleep despite the loud music.

"What makes you think she'd dance with me? She hasn't spoken to me in two years."

"You ready to tell me why?"

"No." Jake scowled at Logan. "It's none of your business."

"Maybe, maybe not. She is my sister, so I expect anything that has to do with her happiness is my business."

Megan moved between the two men. "Will you two just stop it? Y'all are neighbors, friends. You work side by side nearly every day. You can't afford to get into a pissing contest and risk that friendship."

Jake ducked his head and nodded. "I don't want to fight with either of you over this. It's between me and Carol. If you want to know so badly, ask her."

"Believe me, I have. She's not talking either," Megan said with a sigh.

Katie passed by, dancing with a young man. Logan scowled. "What's she doing dancing with a boy? She's too young."

Megan laughed. "Would you rather she was dancing with a girl? Relax. That's Dean Neiman. He's a good kid. He brings his horse Dancer into the clinic every once in a while. If he treats Katie as well as he does that horse, you have nothing to worry about."

"Why don't I know him? I know most of the Neiman clan."

"Because he's only been here a few months, living with his grandparents, Hugo and Leona. His parents are working in Abu Dubai for a year."

"Hmmph. She's still too young for a boyfriend."

"Who said anything about a boyfriend?" Megan shook her head. "It's just a dance, Logan. Don't make a big deal out of it."

Jake smirked as he listened to them. "I can't wait until she goes on her first car date. You planning to deck her first date like you did me when I took Carol out?"

Logan shot him a warning look. "Watch it, Jake. I can still take you down."

"I'd like to see you try." Though the banter was joking, it still rankled that Logan had taken him down with one punch all those years ago.

"No one is taking anyone down tonight." Megan said. "Now, let's just enjoy the party, okay?"

Katie came back to join them. "Want me to hold Charlie for a while? Y'all haven't danced even once since we got here."

Megan smiled her thanks at Katie, then ran a hand up Logan's arm. "Ready to dance with me, cowboy?"

"Always." Logan passed the baby to Katie, then swung Megan into his arms and they moved onto the crowded floor.

Jake watched them for a minute before his gaze strayed back to Carol. She had a new partner now, one that seemed to be holding her awfully close. He wanted to cut in, to stake his claim. But he had no claim. He didn't even have the guts to tell her how he felt.

He'd tried, God knows, he'd tried. But he'd never been good at discussing feelings. He'd been raised to keep them to himself, and he couldn't recall a single time his father had expressed any feelings toward his mother. But Carol was all about feelings. She used to ask him how he felt about everything from a new calf to a summer breeze.

A calf was a calf, money on the hoof. Cute, maybe, but you couldn't let yourself get attached because sooner or later you would have to sell it or butcher it. As for a summer breeze, it kept your blood from boiling under the unforgiving West Texas sun. But those weren't the answers she'd wanted to hear.

So how did he explain the way his chest got all tight when he saw her with someone else?

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Rodeo!

Tonight I'm headed to the Mesquite Pro Rodeo to do research for the next book, which will be book 3 in the Lone Star Cowboys series. Got to do some bull riding research--such a hardship. Nothing like nice cowboy butts encased in Wranglers to provide a little inspiration. Report coming soon...

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

New Release: Chemical Attraction

My newest release is finally available on Amazon, B & N, and Smashwords! Chemical Attraction is a short, sexy office romance with a twist. Check it out!

When Keara Dana succeeds in developing a love potion that actually works, she finds herself in a world of trouble. From her sexy boss who'd ordered her to drop the project, to the geeky lab assistant who embarrasses himself over her, to getting kidnapped for the formula, Keara's world is turned upside down and inside out. In the process, she learns that maybe, just maybe, dreams do come true.

Riley Vaughn knew Keara had completed the formula against his orders when she spills some on herself and he's overcome with lust like he's never known before. Once the effect wears off, he's going to give Keara a piece of his mind. Until then, he's going to give her a weekend of passion like nothing she's ever experienced.  

Monday, August 13, 2012

Coming Soon: Chemical Attraction

My new novella, Chemical Attraction, should be back from the editor soon. I'm hoping to get it uploaded in the next couple of days, so keep an eye out for it!


Sunday, July 01, 2012

Superstition is a Semi-Finalist in Best Indie Romance of 2012

              
Just learned that Superstition is a semi-finalist in the
Kindle Book Review's Best Indie Romance for 2012 contest.

Finalists will be announced September 1st, so keep your
fingers crossed!

Monday, June 11, 2012


Today my heart is broken. I had to make the very difficult decision to put Blue to sleep. I've never had to 
do that before. But Blue was a fighter and I guess he knew I just couldn't let go. So he stayed on, even though he was in pain, couldn't move, and could barely breathe. I couldn't let him suffer the indignities any longer, so I had to let him go. His memory will live on in Blame it on Texas, where he was a major character, and in Blue Moon over Texas, where he had a couple of cameo appearances. He may show up in the next book, as well, because in my fiction he can still be vital, and alive, and happy. I only wish I could have made that so in real life. He was a true hero, loyal to a fault, willing to give his life for me and my family if need be. I will always miss him. Until we meet again, Blue, I love you.


Sunday, June 03, 2012

Author Monday--With Sandy Blair


Today we welcome guest author Sandy Blair to Author Monday. Be sure to check out her contest link at the end of the post and her new book which will be released in print tomorrow.





TALES FROM THE CAVES #2: The Scot’s and mine

THE SCOT
For those who missed Tale #1, there’s a charming, loyal, witty but frugal 6 foot, 4 ½ inch Scot living in the basement. He calls it his man cave.

Awhile back I was up in my light and airy cave banging away on the computer tracking down pirated copies of my books when The Scot came in and placed a lovely green apple martini on my desk. Grinning, he said, “I heard you cursing up here and thought you could use this right about now.” How lovely was that?!

At dinner he says, “I have to tell you something but first you have to promise not to get mad.”  

Hmm. First he brings me a martini and now he has something to tell me? Knowing he’ll remain mute until I promise, I lie. “I promise.”

“You know your broken vacuum cleaner?”

He’s referring to the supposedly indestructible, half-ton Rikar I paid a small fortune for 5 years ago, which could once suck paint off walls, but was now held together with duct tape and refused to even turn on.

“Yes, what about it?”  I’m worried he’s done me a favor and brought the monster to the repair shop again. Not good, since I quietly gave myself a new Dyson for Christmas, (Woot!) my 20th such device in our marriage, but my perchance for destroying vacuum cleaners is another story…

“Well,” he says, “I saw that old guy sitting outside his apartment tinkering again and thought he might be able to fix it.”

Oh crap. Now you have to understand…the Scot is an accountant. He’s hell on wheel when it comes to numbers but will break a light bulb off in the socket if he tries to change it. Subsequently, he’s fascinated by men who work with their hands, be they woodworkers, plumbers, mechanics…or in this case, a tinker. And the Scot is nothing if not frugal.

Fearing the worst, I wait. He says, “So I walked the vacuum over to him and told him he can have it.” He gives me a narrow-eyed look across the table. “I saw the bill for the Dyson.”

Oops! Did I mention I have a perchance for breaking vacuum cleaners?

Anyway,he continues as I turn scarlet, “I told him the Rikar’s a solid, expensive machine but has a broken switch, thinking he could fix it and make some money off it.”

Ah, reprieve!  “Aww, how sweet of you. It’s worth a good few dollars…if he can get it working again.”  The old man was forever under the hood of a battered pickup held together with wire and duct tape.

The Scot nodded. “Precisely what I was thinking after I learned how much the salesman said he’d give you as a trade-in toward a new Rikar.” (Which we both now knew was never going to happen in this lifetime.) “Anyway,” he continues, “an hour later I happen to drive by the old guy’s place and he had the vacuum in parts all over the yard.”

“So? He was fixing it.”

“No, he was reducing it to its smallest parts…to sell as scrap. That’s apparently what he does. He didn’t understand its intrinsic value. That if he’d fixed the switch---or whatever--he could have sold it for hundreds. All he saw when I gave it to him was the value of its steel and copper wire.” Scott shook his head and sighed. “Now he’ll only make a couple of dollars from it…and I’ve learned some people only know what they know. That some don’t see potential…can’t see beyond their experience.”

“I’m sorry, honey.”

Looking sad, he muttered, “Me, too.”

The Scot…one in a million.

HER CAVE:  

To celebrate the June 5th print release of my 1285 Scotland-set historical, The King’s Mistress, I’m running a special contest and giving away EIGHT really great prizes. For details and prize list click on http://www.sandyblair.net/contest.shtm     

I hope you enjoy my new Highlander tale based on actual events.

So do any of you tend to break stuff?

Sandy

Thanks for being here and sharing a bit of your life with us, Sandy. If you haven't ready Sandy's books, you've missed a real treat. Be sure to pick up a copy of The King's Mistress, and also look for her previous books. You can find them all at Amazon

Friday, June 01, 2012

Happy Birthday to Me! The Best Gift.

Crime Author RJ Parker read and reviewed Lone Star Justice. Those of you who know me well know that Allison Brennan is one of my favorite authors, one of those authors whose books I buy as soon as they're released. Read what RJ said about Lone Star Justice, and you'll see why his review absolutely made my day.

5.0 out of 5 stars A HEART-WARMING SUSPENSE ROMANCEJune 1, 2012
This review is from: Lone Star Justice (Kindle Edition)
LONE STAR JUSTICE by prolific western/romance writer, Tori Scott is one of my favorite stories. I only recently stumbled across this author and I find her writing is along the same caliber as the amazing Allison Brennan. I recently read and reviewed Tori's Blame it on Texas and Blue Moon Over Texas (Lone Star Cowboys) and really enjoyed them. I like this author so much that I after just finishing this book, today I started Superstition (Team Indigo).


Madelyn Cooper and Rand McCade were friends and lovers in their teens. At 18, Madelyn got pregnant and before she had a chance to tell Rand, she was blackmailed by the local doctor to get out of town and to never return.


Her daughter Brandy, is now 14, and Madelyn has excelled in her career and is now a Judge. She also has a stalker who is threatening her and Brandy. Maddie and Brandy leaves the city and returns to her old hometown to get away from the threat. Rand is now Sheriff of Greendale and upon finding out that he is a dad, he vows to keep his family safe.


The author created three of the most lovable characters in Maddie, Rand and Brandy and an excellent story as well. This book has romance, suspense, mystery and a heart-warming ending...what more could you ask for in a novel.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

New Release! Blue Moon Over Texas

New Release! Blue Moon Over Texas

Finally, the much anticipated sequel to Blame it on Texas is available on Amazon. Go check it out!



Book Two of the Lone Star Cowboys Series and the sequel to Blame it on Texas

Carol Tanner makes the decision to move home to Morris Springs, Texas, where everyone she loves now lives. And that everyone includes Jake Reilly, though she hasn't decided if she's going to forgive him. She and Jake were high school sweethearts, but he refused to understand why she'd had to leave Morris Springs--and him--in the first place. When Jake is injured and needs help, Carol makes the decision to move into his house to take care of him. In doing so, she puts both her reputation, and her life, in danger.

Jake Reilly is always ready to lend a helping hand to his neighbors, but he finds accepting help is a lot harder than giving it. Especially when that help comes from the Tanners. Carol had walked out on him twice--once right after high school and again two years ago. He wasn't too likely to give her a third chance to break his heart. He has to face his own shortcomings when Carol's life is threatened, because one thing every cowboy knows is that you have to protect what's yours.



Excerpt: 



    "Good Lord, ladies. I do believe I've died and gone to cowboy heaven." Carol Tanner glanced around the decorated dance hall at the local cowboys, decked out in their Saturday night best--tight-fitting, starched blue jeans, brightly decorated shirts, hand-tooled leather belts, and boots that probably cost them a week's pay. She deliberately skipped her gaze over Jake Reilly, whose intense gaze hadn't wavered from her face since she stepped into the building. Tonight she'd forget about Jake and enjoy herself, or die trying.
    But as hard as she tried to ignore him, she had to admit he did look hot tonight. Pissed, but hot.
    "Now that is one fine example of prime male physique." Jean Sutherland sighed as a tall, muscular cowboy passed by.
    "Just another reason to love this town," Nancy Phillips drawled, with a wink aimed at the cowboy under discussion. "So why are we just standing here? Let's go see what kind of trouble we can stir up."
    Logan and Megan Tanner shook their heads and laughed as the three single women headed into the crowd on the dance floor. Logan took baby Charlie from Megan's arms and kissed his wife's cheek. "I'm glad I married you before that bunch had a chance to corrupt you with their wild ways."
    Megan grinned. "Who said I wasn't corrupted? I married you, didn't I?"
    "So you did." He turned to his daughter, Katie. "Listen, you can go meet up with your friends, but do not go outside after dark, do you understand? Most of these cowboys are harmless enough, but some are drifters that we know nothing about. And check in with Megan or me every hour."
    Katie sighed. "I'm not a kid, Dad. See you in an hour." She hurried off, waving at a group of girls gathered around the groaning buffet tables.
    Logan watched her go, wishing she was still young enough that he could keep her by his side. She'd grown into a beautiful young girl. No longer a child, but not yet a woman. "Remind me again that she's still only fourteen?"
    "Fourteen going on twenty," Megan said. "It's all uphill from here."
    "Logan, Megan. Good to see you stepping out for a change." Jake Reilly handed Logan a beer. "You want me to get you something to drink, Megan?"
    "I'd love a root beer, Jake. Thank you."
    When he came back with the icy drink, his face was stormy. "That sister of yours is asking for trouble," he told Logan.
    "Why? What's Carol up to?"
    "Out there on the dance floor, making eyes at those range rabbits. Don't even recognize some of those men. Asking for trouble, I'm telling you."
    "She'll be okay. We'll keep an eye on her. Why don't you go ask her to dance? You're the one she wants to be with, anyway, and you know it."
    Jake shook his head. "I'm going to sit this one out."
    For the next hour, Jake watched from the edge of the dance floor as Carol two-stepped her way across the room with first one cowboy, and then another. Every once in a while, he caught her glancing his way--whether to see if he noticed her or hoping he'd ask her to dance, he didn't know. But he noticed, all right. How could he help it? With her skin tight jeans outlining her curves, the close-fitting sweater accentuating her breasts…
    His hands clenched into fists as yet another man cut in and swung her away, out of his sight.
    "You'd better go get her, Jake, before you decide to take out half the town with your fists." Logan leaned against the wall with Charlie tucked against his chest. The baby was sound asleep despite the loud music.
    "What makes you think she'd dance with me? She hasn't spoken to me in two years."
    "You ready to tell me why?"
    "No." Jake scowled at Logan. "It's none of your business."
    "Maybe, maybe not. She is my sister, so I expect anything that has to do with her happiness is my business."
    Megan moved between the two men. "Will you two just stop it? Y'all are neighbors, friends. You work side by side nearly every day. You can't afford to get into a pissing contest and risk that friendship."
    Jake ducked his head and nodded. "I don't want to fight with either of you over this. It's between me and Carol. If you want to know so badly, ask her."
    "Believe me, I have. She's not talking either," Megan said with a sigh.
    Katie passed by, dancing with a young man. Logan scowled. "What's she doing dancing with a boy? She's too young."
    Megan laughed. "Would you rather she was dancing with a girl? Relax. That's Dean Neiman. He's a good kid. He brings his horse Dancer into the clinic every once in a while. If he treats Katie as well as he does that horse, you have nothing to worry about."
    "Why don't I know him? I know most of the Neiman clan."
    "Because he's only been here a few months, living with his grandparents, Hugo and Leona. His parents are working in Abu Dubai for a year."
    "Hmmph. She's still too young for a boyfriend."
    "Who said anything about a boyfriend?" Megan shook her head. "It's just a dance, Logan. Don't make a big deal out of it."
    Jake smirked as he listened to them. "I can't wait until she goes on her first car date. You planning to deck her first date like you did me when I took Carol out?"
    Logan shot him a warning look. "Watch it, Jake. I can still take you down."
    "I'd like to see you try." Though the banter was joking, it still rankled that Logan had taken him down with one punch all those years ago.
    "No one is taking anyone down tonight." Megan said. "Now, let's just enjoy the party, okay?"
    Katie came back to join them. "Want me to hold Charlie for a while? Y'all haven't danced even once since we got here."
    Megan smiled her thanks at Katie, then ran a hand up Logan's arm. "Ready to dance with me, cowboy?"
    "Always." Logan passed the baby to Katie, then swung Megan into his arms and they moved onto the crowded floor.
    Jake watched them for a minute before his gaze strayed back to Carol. She had a new partner now, one that seemed to be holding her awfully close. He wanted to cut in, to stake his claim. But he had no claim. He didn't even have the guts to tell her how he felt.
    He'd tried, God knows, he'd tried. But he'd never been good at discussing feelings. He'd been raised to keep them to himself, and he couldn't recall a single time his father had expressed any feelings toward his mother. But Carol was all about feelings. She used to ask him how he felt about everything from a new calf to a summer breeze.
    A calf was a calf, money on the hoof. Cute, maybe, but you couldn't let yourself get attached because sooner or later you would have to sell it or butcher it. As for a summer breeze, it kept your blood from boiling under the unforgiving West Texas sun. But those weren't the answers she'd wanted to hear.
So how did he explain the way his chest got all tight when he saw her with someone else?
    Katie moved away to sit in a chair, the baby's weight obviously getting to be too much for her. He should offer to help, but he'd never held a baby before. He'd probably wake the child and it would cry, and then what would he do? Even a fourteen year old knew more about babies than he did. He could handle delivering a calf, but he couldn't handle a small boy.
    While Jake watched her pat the baby gently on the back, a rough-looking young ranch hand sat beside her. He said something that made Katie visibly uncomfortable, so Jake edged closer. When the man reached out to touch Katie's hair, she jerked her head away and Jake moved in.
    As soon as the man saw him, he started to leave. Jake grabbed his arm. "Leave the girl alone."
    "Hey, don't mean no trouble. Just wanted to see if she wanted to dance."
     Jake's brows drew together. "She's just a kid. Unless you want to deal with me, I'd suggest you go find someone closer to your own age."
    The cowboy shrugged his hand off and wandered away after one last look at Katie.
    Jake sat beside her. "You okay?"
    "Yeah, but he gave me the creeps. Thanks for making him leave, Uncle Jake."
    "Anytime, kid. Let me know if he causes any more problems, okay? I'm going to go find your dad and let him know so he can keep an eye out, too."
    Katie gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks."
    He found Logan and Megan and as soon as he told them what happened, they left the dance floor and returned to the children. Jake continued across the floor, sidestepping when he nearly collided with Carol dancing with the same piece of scum who'd bothered Katie. He had to exert all his self-control to keep from yanking her out of the man's too-tight embrace. He settled for another beer.
    After twisting the top off the bottle, he leaned against the wall and crossed one booted foot over the other. From this vantage point, he could see most of the dance floor. If the cowboy got out of hand, he'd take care of it.
    Nancy two-stepped past him, hand in hand with a local doctor. Jean was right behind her, laughing at something her dance partner had just said. Jake thought he recognized the man, but he wasn't sure who he was.
    Seemed like everyone was having a good time. Everyone but him. Why had he even bothered to come?
    He pushed away from the wall and headed outside. He needed to clear his head, get some perspective. What right did he have to be jealous because Carol was dancing with other men? He couldn't give her what she wanted, what she needed, so he couldn't blame her for looking elsewhere. He had no idea what she did and with whom back in Austin. He was just pissed because he knew most of these men, and they knew Carol was his.
    Or should be.

Sunday, May 20, 2012


For this Version of Author Monday, we welcome author Wendy Ely. Thanks for joining us, Wendy!


Writing Dreaming of Him!


I usually don't like paranormal anything. I don't watch paranormal anything and the genre itself scares the crap out of me. The whole ghost subject freaks me out. I believe in spirits but if something odd happens in my home I go into total denial or we will be packing our stuff. I do have a fourteen year old daughter who has a darker personality than I do. She is a paranormal and horror buff. She also writes novels already. After she finished writing her first book at age twelve she decided that maybe we should write a book together.

We set out plotting Dreaming of Him. We agreed that we'd both write it but I'd do a lot of the romance in the book because the thought of romance made her want to gag.  After we plotted most of the book, I wrote the opening scene and had her read it. "Mom," she had said, "I love it, but you need to write the whole thing." She decided that her talents weren't as good as mine (she is wrong!) and couldn't write with me.

Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) was coming up and I figured that writing Dreaming of Him would be the perfect project to do in that month and an awesome gift for my daughter. I accomplished the task of writing the novella in one month (surprising since I know nothing of the genre!), edited it, and had a contract from my publisher shortly after.

Here is the opening scene of the book:


I stood by the lake’s edge and tossed a rock, trying to make it skip across the water as my father had once taught me when I was a little girl. My lips twisted in a frown as the rock plopped against the water and quickly sank. Obviously, rock skipping could be added to my list of failures.

“Hey.” The sudden sound of a deep voice cutting through the silence should’ve startled
me, but it didn’t at all.

Curious, I turned toward the sound.

He stood there with a strand of dark hair falling down against his tanned forehead. He
brushed it back and smiled, revealing a brilliant set of teeth.

“Have we met before?” I asked, trying to place him from somewhere.

Instead of answering, he stepped next to me. “Let me show you how to do that.” He
picked up a rock and twisted his wrist just right, sending the rock skipping across the water. Once the rock sank, he turned to me again. His dark eyes stared into mine as he slid his finger down my cheek.

“Amber--”

The blaring alarm pulled me from my dream, jerking me straight up in bed. The
obnoxious sound came from a little blue box sitting on my dresser, set far away from my bed to force me up from the comfort. I groaned as the day’s reality set in. The manager of Rich Chick expected me to be there for work in an hour. I hated not only the annoying beep-beep that ripped me from my dream, but also knowing that I’d be behind a counter pretending to be someone different. Then again, I hated most everything about my life. I glanced over to the bottle of prescription pills on my dresser. Should I go another day pretending everything was fine without taking the mood-altering drug people swore by? I shook my head at the notion. No more pills. Not today. Not ever again.

***


or twitter: 

@WendyElyAuthor

Monday, May 07, 2012

I have the best husband ever! I asked for a flower garden and this is what I got. This is my Mother's Day present from him. And he did it all himself (with a little help from yours truly). I absolutely love it. I can sit on the patio and watch the birds (who also love it). Best of all, we didn't have to buy a single piece of lumber. He built it all from materials we had here.

The before and the after.

Today we welcome MJ Fredrick to Author Monday. MJ has one of my all-time favorite book covers--the one you see here for Midnight Sun. And she has great stories inside all her covers. Take the time to say hello and then be sure to check out her books.

Thanks for joining us today, MJ!  

Thanks so much for having me, Tori!

The other day I was sitting at my desk at school and suddenly got a whiff of the used book store I visited so often a few years back (before Amazon and ebooks). I don’t know what brought the scent to mind, but suddenly I was so happy (and not just because I had a blog topic, lol!)

So many happy memories have to do with books, from getting the Scholastic order forms to book orders in the mail.

When I was in elementary school, our librarian would open the school library one morning a week (or maybe every two weeks) so the kids from the neighborhood could keep reading over the summer. I was there every time. I can still remember the smell of the cool, dark building that had been closed up. The library was in the center of all the classrooms, and carpeted, with a sunken area that I think was for little kid books. I had my favorite books in the library, so I’d check those out first, before venturing to find others to try. Then I’d go home and stretch out on my bed in my bright room and read the rest of the day.

When I was in middle school, I guess, we’d stay with my grandmother during the summer while Mom went to summer school. Once a week or so we’d go check on our house and check the mail and go to the local five-and-dime, Winn’s (where I eventually had my first job). The book racks were up front and loaded with all kinds of books, from thrillers to movie novelizations to Harlequins. My grandmother would buy me a Harlequin every time. I told her I liked the horses on the covers. I think I read most of the Janet Dailey books this way.

The summer after fifth grade, I think it was, my dad and stepmom took my brother and stepbrother and I to California in the back of a Cutlass Supreme. I remember my dad getting mad because I brought my entire Trixie Belden collection with me. But I also remember going into the five-and-dime in Paso Robles, where my other grandmother lived, and finding a Trixie Belden book I didn’t have and buying it. (When I went to go visit my dad a couple of summers ago, I reminded him of the Trixie library--I think it was even in a paper bag--and showed him my Nook with hundreds of books on it.)

Fast-forward a dozen or so years, and I was hooked on romance. It started out with an obsession about Ireland, so I read a Karen Robards book. Then every book that she wrote. Then every romance I could find set in Ireland (not many back in those days). Then England, because, heck, close enough. I read every one of Catherine Coulter’s books. Hard to believe I didn’t used to have a TBR.

And then I discovered the used book store, the one I got a whiff of earlier this week. HEAVEN! I spent many summer and Saturday mornings in the store, adding to my stack, then going home and reading. The cool air, the freedom, the rows and rows of stories--I discovered so many treasures there--Anita Mills, Betina Krahn, Amanda Quick (still my go-to comfort read).

Books have played a huge role in my life, and continue to be important as I add to my TBR and keeper shelves, and as I write more, pouring out the stories I want to tell.

Thanks MJ! What about you? What got you hooked on reading? Are there books from your childhood that influenced your adult reading? Is your Kindle or Nook loaded with treasures like Midnight Sun?


Get Midnight Sun Free for Kindle: http://amzn.com/B0054QZPD2


MJ's books on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MJFredrick

Follow MJ:


Twitter  @MJFredrick

Friday, May 04, 2012

Heartthrob Haven: Just Who Exactly is Jacob Littlejohn?

Heartthrob Haven: Just Who Exactly is Jacob Littlejohn?: Tori Scott here, to introduce you to Jacob Littlejohn--soldier, warrior, mercenary? Which one is it, Jacob?

Come over to Heartthrob Haven to see what Jacob has to say about himself. Comment for a chance to win a copy of Superstition and a $10 Amazon gift card.