BLOG TOUR: Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell by Codi Gary

                                                                BLURB:
They used to be enemies…

Gracie McAllister has never been the relationship type…until now. After a brutal visit from her happily married parents, Gracie is looking for Mr. Right…not Mr. Right Now. And despite their recent truce, there is no way sexy Eric Henderson is anything but.

Now they’re allies…

Eric has always had a thing for Gracie, but they could never manage to get on the same page long enough to explore the heat between them. When Eric gets the opportunity of a lifetime, he asks Gracie for help…and swears her to secrecy.

But is that all?

Now the whole town thinks their romance is real, but it’s just a business arrangement. There’s no way they’re actually falling in love…right?

                                                           MY REVIEW:

           Gracie McAllister has been one of my favorite people in the town of Rock Canyon since I started reading the books. Her reputation is that she is a love them and leave them kind of women. The town gossip rag has not helped one little bit, it seems she is a favorite to report on. Gracie in true form is fiercely loyal to her friends, no one better mess with them. If anyone dares to cause trouble, Gracie no amount of torture is off the table. It’s hard though because she has so many great qualities that people on the outside can’t seem to see, including her parents. When they decide to visit the last thing she wants to be is single. She had a guy that her parents would have loved, the problem was she couldn’t stay awake around him. So when Gracie decides to find a replacement just for her parents visit she looks all round town.
           In all the other books in this series we get to see the tension between Gracie and Eric Henderson. Eric clearly has a thing for Gracie and isn’t afraid to let her see it, but Gracie won’t let anything happen. From book one to now I have looked forward to any scenes with these two in them because they are so fun! Gracie and Eric have a banter that is beyond reasonable. The fight about the smallest, dumbest things, Eric could tell her she looks nice and Gracie will find a way to fight. I laughed a ton in this book. Now don’t move your tissue box far, because there is a new element to Gracie’s life that will just break your heart, both in a good way and bad. This new element scares one guy off, aren’t you curious if it will do the same to Eric? Eric on the other hand has a huge secret that he only shares with Gracie when they decide to ‘pretend’ to be dating. Gracie might be pretending but Eric wants to show Gracie he is all in. Until that is all the cards from both of their lives are throne on the table. Can these two stop fighting long enough to see where the passion really comes from? You will have to read to find out!

EXCERPT: 

He glanced across the street and noticed Gracie and Mike walking almost parallel to them. The two of them were best friends, so it was no surprised to see them together. He was a little surprised to see Gracie pushing a stroller though. He’d thought her keeping Pip was only temporary.

He was about to call out to them when Mike leaned over.

And kissed Gracie in a very un-friend-like way.

Eric stopped in his tracks, completely floored and unable to comprehend what he was seeing. Gracie and Mike. Mike and Gracie.

With his stomach churning, he ground his teeth, fighting the jealousy that was burning up his esophagus.

They pulled apart, and he wished he could hear what they were saying. Gracie hit Mike playfully and appeared to be teasing him.

Before he knew it, Eric had stepped off the curb and was crossing to road, headed over to them.

Only he’d forgotten to wear his snow boots, and when his sneakers hit the patch of ice between the crunchy snow, his feet flew out from under him. As he landed flat on his back with the wind knocked out of him, he heard the honk of a horn.

When he turned to find headlights barreling right for him, he tried to move but couldn’t.

Please, I don’t want to die with the vision of Gracie and Mike sucking face as my last moment on earth.

AUTHOR BIO:

An obsessive bookworm, Codi Gary likes to write sexy contemporary romances with humor, grand gestures, and blush-worthy moments. When she's not writing, she can be found reading her favorite authors, squealing over her must-watch shows, and playing with her children. She lives in Idaho with her family.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.codigarysbooks.com/

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SPOTLIGHT TOUR: ROCK CANYON SERIES by CODI GARY

                                               Welcome To Rock Canyon: SPOTLIGHT POST

                I always say I would love to have the power to jump into any book and interact with the people. There are always books I wish I could visit but recently I was introduced to a new town. Rock Canyon, Idaho. A small town where everyone knows everyone and nothing is a secret for long. This town has your older matriarchs who try to remind the young folk what is proper and right. These are also the busybodies that will eventually know all your business and spread it at the beauty parlor. You have the twenty and thirty somethings looking for the love they see their parents or friends parents have. The town is a bustle of people, drama, love, new comers, small business owners and those that have lived there all their lives. Come meet some of the town that captured me and had me reading non stop for a week.

                                                         

                                                              The Trouble with Sexy

                We start out meeting quiet shy Ryan Ashton, she was raised by a mother who taught her daughter to always dress fully covered. Telling her that future mother in laws didn’t like seeing their sons with scantily clad women. She never wore make-up, had no idea how to dress other than business attire. On the surface sure she looked as though she had it all together, but underneath she was screaming for one man in particular to see her. Ryan wanted to be more confident in her looks, herself awareness and stop being so closed off. Enter one of my favorite people, Gracie McAllister, the local barista. Gracie helps Ryan find her inner lioness and let her roar; attracting not only the man she wanted Gregg Phillips, but others as well. This book takes you full force into the lives of Rock Canyon’s fun family and friends. Through Ryan we meet a good amount of people you see in future books; some start out not in the best light. However just like most people you have to give them a closer look to see there is more than just what they show on the outside. That’s the problem with small towns, people you grown up with only see you as you were, or as you want them too. In The Trouble with Sexy, we get to watch Ryan come out of her shell and become the women she was always meant to be. Does she get Gregg or find out there is another man for her? Why don’t you read the book (novella) and find out.   

                                                         

                                                                  Things Good Girls Don’t Do

                We all had someone in our lives that said at one time or another  “Good girls don’t…” I know I did. My mom raised me to be proper, polite, and dress for the occasion. It was how she was raised so it passed down; I even catch myself doing the same with my girls. It’s not a completely bad thing, unless you use it as a mantra. In The second book we meet Katie Conners, her mother always taught her to be kind, good, never raise your voice, don’t say something you might regret later, and the golden rule. Katie is known as the good girl, she will do anything for anyone even if she really can’t stand the person. When we first meet Katie she is in a relationship that has lasted years. She expects a proposal and has done everything according to her plan, yet none of it is good enough. She gets dumped, but in true Katie fashion she makes lemonade out of lemons, she is the proud small business owner of K.C.’s Salon. She has worked hard to keep her dignity and reputation in check, yet something is still missing…

                We meet a new guy in town Case Trepasso in The Trouble with Sexy, and he is looking at Katie in a whole new light after she stands up for him to the busybody Mrs. Andrews. Mrs. Andrews you will hear a lot in these books, she is an acquired taste as you will see. Chase knows Katie is a good girl, and he is no saint. Good girls want the whole white picket fence, two point five kids, doting husband, and etcetera. Chase wants to have a good time, work at his tattoo shop and live life a day at a time. However no matter how many times he tells himself to stay away he just can’t. When Katie decides being good isn’t working for her anymore, Case steps in to show her how much fun being bad can be. Read their story to see why Chase hates commitment of any kind, and why Katie has a hard time being true to who she wants to be…

                                                                

                                                      

                                                  

                                                       Good Girls Don’t Date Rock Stars

                A lot of small towns have local stars that make it big. Rock Canyon is no exception; their star is country singer Travis Bowers. He didn’t spend his whole life in Rock Canyon but he did spend enough of his teen years there to make friends and fall for Gemma Carlson. Gemma was quiet, shy, and a book worm, she was shocked when Travis wanted to date her in High school and fell pretty hard for him. They were doing great until one day disaster struck and they parted ways. Gemma moved back to her small town home and is the proud owner of Chloe’s Book Nook. Whereas Travis became a country rock star who never came back to Rock Canyon, and never found out that he and Gemma had a son.

                I know it is a lot to take in, but wait, another non-spoiler for you since it’s in the book description. Gemma and Travis run into each other out of the blue, one thing leads to another and a good deal of alcohol later they are MARRIED!! Ha Ha, that’s right, our sweet Gemma who we get to know in the other two books gets drunk and makes a rash decision… or does she? Could there still be passion, a connection, between these two? Or will Travis find out about the secret Gemma kept and not want anything to do with her? So many questions in this book alone! Reading kept me guessing, hoping for the two to come together, and then wondering if they really should.  It was worth the frustration though you will LOVE Gemma and Travis. Getting to know Gemma opens the door to getting to know her friends better as well, which helps in future books in this series…

                                                  

                                                               

                                                             Bad Girls Don’t Marry Marines
Valerie Willis is one of “those Willis girls” Val is the middle child. She grew up under a microscope and yet couldn’t seem to stay out of trouble. The town sees her as trouble, she doesn’t want the attention but when her divorce goes viral she heads home for some peace and quite. For most people a small town of people who know you is a good place to lick your wounds and move on, unless your past with said town is less then stellar. Val is good at ignoring people and not a ton of remarks are made, at least to her face. She likes her solitude, however this is not the easiest when Val’s younger sister is heading down a dangerous path. Seeing her little sister making a lot of the same mistakes she herself made, Val tries to help. Elle however doesn’t want it and decides to turn the tables on her ‘no fun’ sister.
Justin Silverton is an ex-marine, farmer that has tried to find the love his best friend and his wife have. He knows it’s real, that feeling of connection and has even felt it once in his past. There were a few problems back then though, one the women was slightly ‘jail bait’, her father hated him, and she up and disappeared on him. That is until many years later, they are both back home. Valerie Willis is no longer too young, yes her father still hates him, but this time he plans to not let her disappear.
This book lets you get to know newcomer Val gradually and yet you feel as though she has been a part of the town all along. Justine is mentioned from time to time in other books so I was curious about his story, plus I am a sucker for military men. Justine and Val can avoid each other alright in the town, but when they both end up at a singles retreat, that’s when the fun begins. Justine decides to win his long time fantasy women and Val tries to avoid the one man she doesn’t want to hurt with her past. Both are so stubborn that it was fun to read and to see how their happy ever after would end. This was one of my top three fav’s in this series I hope you will give it a chance and love it too!

                                        

                                    

                                                                                    

                                                   

Return of the Bad Girl

If after reading Bad Girls Don’t Marines you thought Valerie’s past was ‘bad’ just wait. Caroline Willis the oldest and first to leave Rock Canyon will blow your mine. I for one liked Caroline, she is strong, and loyal to those she loves, and doesn’t take crap from anyone. Coming back to Rock Canyon was not in her plans; she hated the small town that branded her bad to the core. No one cared that she had been a teenager when she did those things; even then no one thought to ask her why she had done them. She had gotten good grades, tried to please her father, and keep her sisters close. Then something happened to change all that, her father forced her to leave. There is a lot more to the story however, but I don’t do spoilers, so you will have to read more.

What every Bad girl needs is someone who will not care about who she was, but about the pain in the butt she is now. Gabe Moriarty has just moved to Rock Canyon and he thinks he found the perfect place to live. Then again so does Caroline, the problem is that it is the same two bedroom apartment above the cozy bookstore in town. What are the two going to do? LOL Well shares it of course, and makes sure things stay strictly platonic at all times! Gabe’s past is very sketchy and he wants to keep it private, no one can find out or they will never order their custom crotch rockets from him. No one trusted people with a past like his; this is also why he can’t get close to Caroling no matter how tempting that thought is. Gabe and Caroline are both hiding parts of themselves, and when that happens there is always tension in the ranks.

Part of what makes this story so compelling is we do find out what each is hiding and you want them to talk to each other. You want them to let down their walls and just help one another with their past pain. However that would be too easy, Gabe and Caroling decide they are going to fight, argue, and try to avoid the hot sexual vibes they both feel. Read this one and you will be laughing at some of the behavior, crying as truth is reveled, and scared as there is a villain looking for revenge.

                                                        

    

                                                                  

                                                                               

Bad For Me

Callie Jacobsen we hear her name from time to time, but more as a background character. I was curious about her because she has a big dog that she is never far away from. This for me sent up a red flag that she had some past issues that I wanted to know. Callie is an accomplished woman who works at the local country station as a DJ. She hasn’t lived in Rock Canyon her whole life but she does like the small town. Gossipy old bitties and all. She is friends with the whole cast of character we have met so far. She I started to like in Return of the Bad Girl because she befriends Caroline no questions asked. Her voice and calm attitude on the air attracts attention from yet another person we don’t hear of enough for my taste, another ex-marine and the big brother to Justine Silverton.

Everett Silverton is the local hero, people talk about him in honored soft tones, but the man himself doesn’t want any of it. He served his country, lost people, has is face scared, and had his wife leave him. He wants to be left alone, except for Callie, who he has called every morning for so long he doesn’t know how not to. Something changes in his last call that makes him want more. He is tired of being alone and wants more out of life, his PTSD is a lot better and it’s time to start living.

Everett and Callie are two complex people; they have survived horrors no person should ever have to face. They both live with their scars and yet want to try to live life again. The problem is, the past can be scarier than a pit bull that has locked its jaw. (disclaimer: I love all dogs and pits can be sweethearts, this is just an example.) No matter how much a person wants to move on sometimes they need help first. I loved this book because Codi Gary doesn’t gloss over the pain, or say true love will fix it. She shows that sometimes in order to be in a relationship both people have to be healthy mentally as individuals before they can be a ‘we’. This is very true and adds a reality element to this fictional story. Don’t miss this great story of overcoming the world’s crappy odds!

                                                                     

                                                          The Trouble With Attraction
      This is a must read novella if you want to know the back store and a few hidden scenes between Eric Henderson and Gracie McAllister. After reading this one I felt ready to read Good Girls don’t Kiss and Tell. You get to know both Eric and Gracie a good deal more in the pages. That’s why this review is so small compared to others I write. If I say much more I will give information away that needs to be discovered by you the reader. So don’t skip this one, buy it and Good Girls Don’t Kiss and Tell so you can read one right after the other!

AUTHOR BIO:

An obsessive bookworm, Codi Gary likes to write sexy contemporary romances with humor, grand gestures, and blush-worthy moments. When she's not writing, she can be found reading her favorite authors, squealing over her must-watch shows, and playing with her children. She lives in Idaho with her family.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.codigarysbooks.com/

Newsletter: http://www.codigarysbooks.com/newsletter.html

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Codi-Gary/e/B00EO6AYO8

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/codi-gary

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/codigarysbooks

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/codigary

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/codigaryauthor/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/codigaryauthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583366.Codi_Gary

Daring to Fall by T.J. Kline

About:

Emma Jordan has returned home after her father’s death to run the animal sanctuary that had been his legacy. But strange things start happening, and it seems that someone is out to shut her down, someone who doesn’t mind putting lives in jeopardy to see it through. When Hidden Falls’ sexiest fireman starts to ask questions, Emma needs to make sure his charm doesn’t distract her from keeping her dreams alive. 

Ben McQuaid has an obligation as a local fireman to protect the community, even from a well-meaning wildlife veterinarian who’s in way over her head. But, it’s becoming hard to keep his loyalty to the town and his desire for the pretty vet separate. As Ben and Emma become caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, their feelings for each other are growing. 

Will they let duty drive them apart or will they dare to fall?

                                                   

  

                                                                                MY REVIEW:

Who out there doesn’t like a romance story with a woman that can hold her own? What about one that doesn’t play the damsel in distress to get the guy? I know that it is a huge plus for me in a book, to know that the woman isn’t going to fall all over herself because a hot man shows up. Okay so this man is a fireman, is kind and in the first chapter saves a baby animal out of a tree. Where was I going with this… Oh right strong female leads.

            Emma Jordan is just such a leader; she is a veterinarian and wild animal trainer who just took over her father’s animal sanctuary. Rumors are flying about her right away! Saying she can’t handle the place like her father did, that they wish they could feel safe. Emma wants to restore the sanctuary to what her and her father dreamed before his unexpected death. She has big plans but if the town keeps thinking ill of her, she has no idea how she can accomplish them.

            Ben McQuaid is a sweet guy that has always wanted to help, it’s in his nature to look for people that need it and jump in. He found a job that lets him do this and he is a great fireman. He keeps up with what’s going on in town, helps the neighbors when asked. The best guy you could ask for in a tough situation. This has a down side for him when it comes to his love life. He tends to be drawn to “damsels in distress”. Women who need rescuing from any and all issues, and then they break his heart. After his last disaster of a relationship he swore off complicated women. He wants one that is safe, predictable, your good girl next door.

            When Ben meets Emma he is blown away at the women everyone in town keeps talking about. She is small, spunky and blushes when caught checking out his back side. Turn around is fare game when he starts taking a closer look at her as well. She is not the type of women he swore to find, she is not safe, or predictable. Emma Jordan keeps him guessing and on his toes. The problem is no matter how many times he tells himself to stay away he can’t. When the fire they start only grows hotter between them, they give into it only to discover it only burns hotter. Ben realizes he wants Emma but not only in his bed, she refuses to give in and pushed Ben away. You will need to read the book to find out if the fireman finds his girl next door or finds a way to keep the women who sets him on fire. Curl up in your cozy spot for this nail bitter.     

About the Author:

T. J. Kline was bitten by the horse bug early and began training horses at fourteen—as well as competing in rodeos and winning several rodeo queen competitions—but has always known writing was her first love. She also writes under the name Tina Klinesmith. In her spare time, she can be found spending as many hours as possible laughing hysterically with her husband, teens, and their menagerie of pets in Northern California. That is, when she isn't running around the California Gold Country researching new stories.

Buy Links:

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Change of Heart by T.J. Kline

MY Review:

 

                Gage is back and with his own story, who else is excited about this! When we first meet Gage we find out he is a tech genius who helps his older brother find a way to heal from his PTSD. I don’t know about you but I fell for him right away, T.J. has definitely changed the “geek” image in this series. In Hearts Desire she gave us Nathan a finical analyst that made our mouths drop open when described. Now we have a sexy, buff, kind, did I mention sexy guy named Gage. He has his own company that has been making a ton of money until there is a flaw in one system. Needing to get away to find some perspective Gage heads to Heart Fire Ranch. He wants to spend time with his brother and new niece, spend time in the piece and quiet, away from the media. However, it is not all he planed when he meets Leah.

                Leah is the new therapist for Heart Fire Ranch and is very excited to stat the new chapter in her life. She hopes it is better than her past jobs and her past hurts. Leah has the kind of past that she would like to leave there. She believes if she doesn’t think about it and keeps looking forward it can’t hurt her anymore. This of course doesn’t work when she meets Gage on the side of the road when her car breaks down. Gage is taken with what he sees right away, loving the curves, the body, and makes a comment on… Her car. Leah thinks his comment is about her body and takes instant offence, setting the two at odds from the start.

                Gage can’t figure out what it is about Leah but something won’t let him leave her alone. He tries to befriend her and get flack from Jessie. The easiest thing for him would be to just stay away, it’s what Leah says she want and what Jessie his bossy sister in law wants. Unfortunately, he just can’t and soon discovers why. Leah is like no women he has ever met, she intrigues him. So he keeps helping, keeps being nice. Leah tries to fight the desire Gage brings out in her, she has never felt it before and has avoided men for the past ten years. Love was a myth, happily ever after was for kids, and Leah was never going to feel anything romantic with Gage. This was her mantra.

                So, you have two stubborn, head strong, determined characters who desire each other but refuse to give in. As you can tell this book ROCKS! I fell in love with Gage and Leah almost as much as Baily and Chase. I know you will too, so pre-order/buy your copy… NOW!

                                                  Other books in this series(in reading order):

 

 

 

 

About the Author:

T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and Rodeo Queen competitions since the age of 14 and has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She writes contemporary western romance for Avon Romance, including the Rodeo series and the Healing Harts series. She has published a nonfiction health book and two inspirational fiction titles under the name Tina Klinesmith. In her very limited spare time, T.J. can be found laughing hysterically with her husband, children, and their menagerie of pets in Northern California.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Shot: Serving Trouble by Sara Jane Stone

 

                Noah… Oh ya, we meet him in Lena and Chads story (Hero by Night) and I begged Sara to write more about him. I could tell he had a good story and I was right! Noah had a forbidden relationship before joining the Marines. To find out more about that story read Sara’s Running Wild (picture below), this review is about what happens five years later…

                Noah is home to help run his father’s bar that he is trying to rebrand and make more successful. Between the bar, helping at the gun range and taking care of his father Noah has been able to keep from thinking of his past mistakes. At least some of the time. He was thought of as the hometown hero, which didn’t change when he came home a “war hero”, it’s something he used to pride in himself, not anymore. He tries to come across as a sullen jerk that doesn’t care anymore, until none other than Josie Fairmore, the one women he has never forgotten shows up asking for help.

            Josie wanted nothing more than to leave the small town she grew up in. The town that called her wild and thought she would never amount to anything. It kills her inside to have to ask for help when she is forced to move home. Let alone ask Noah, the man that took her heart and smashed it. Noah had always told her that if she needed anything she could ask him, so swallowing her pride and the past hurt, she does ask.

            Noah refuses at first not wanting the distraction or temptation of having Jose with-in his grasp yet unable to take her for his own. Jose’s brother would come back from overseas and kick his sorry butt for one and the other reason was that Noah didn’t think he was good enough for her anymore. He was too broken, he was no ones hero. Jose being a strong-willed woman doesn’t let him turn her away. I think the mention of her working at the topless bar might have had something to do with it too ;-). Noah didn’t want anyone seeing her like that, well other than him that is. Within the story you get to see the pain both have endured. The past five years wasn’t easy for either of them, the education Jose received does make her a hero in the town though. What kind of hero, lol you will have to read to find out. Will these two be able to forgive and heal, or will they keep making the same mistakes. That is what I kept thinking, but then Sara throws in a twist, someone else comes for Noah’s help. Another woman, which causes more trouble than Noah and Jose think they can handle. Noah is getting threatened, bullets and flying and the people he has left are counting on him. Noah doesn’t know how he can save himself let alone anyone else. Get you copy today to find out what other surprises are thrown Noah’s way…   

                                            Don't Forget to get your copy of:

 

 

Author Info

After several years on the other side of the publishing industry, Sara Jane Stone bid goodbye to her sales career to pursue her dream-writing romance novels. Sara Jane currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her very supportive real-life hero, two lively young children and a lazy Burmese cat. Join Sara Jane’s newsletter to receive new release information, news about contests, giveaways, and more! To subscribe, visit www.sarajanestone.com and look for her newsletter entry form.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Website:  http://www.sarajanestone.com/

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Blog Tour: Close To Heart by T.J. Kline

Blurb:

It only took an instant for her world to come crashing down…but Heart Fire Ranch is a place of new beginnings, even for those who find their way there by accident

 

As the only veterinarian in town, Justin Hart doesn't have time to think about romance. So when A-list actress Alyssa Cole crashes her car outside his clinic, it's entirely unexpected when there's a spark between them he can't ignore. Still, she's a movie star, and he's just a small town cowboy.

 

Alyssa has learned the hard way not to believe first impressions, especially not in Hollywood. But, 400 miles from her former life with nowhere to go and no one to turn to, she places her trust in the handsome vet who comes to her rescue.

 

There's no denying the connection between them, but when Alyssa's past shows up at the door, will their new relationship be able to withstand the storm?

 

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/06/close-to-heart-healing-harts-3-by-tj.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23434072-close-to-heart?ac=1

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/146550-healing-harts

 

Buy Links:  Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

 

 

My Review:

Close to Heart is the book I knew would be great, but I wasn’t prepared for the hit to my heart. We have slowly been getting to know Justin Heart through his sisters and know he is stubborn, protective, and always ready to lay anyone out that dares mess with the ones he loves. In his book we get to delve deeper into who Justin is, what makes him tick, what it takes to break down the walls he has kept up for so long. Justin has sworn off relationships, he doesn’t trust easy so to let himself care about another person is not on his agenda. The women he has dated know this, not that they haven’t tried to be the exception to his rules. None have ever made him second guess the way his life is going until Alyssa Cole crashes into it, literally.

                Alyssa Cole on the outside has kept herself looking as though her life is perfect. You know the saying if you fake it long enough you start believing it yourself? Well this was her, she pretended to have a happy marriage, great career, friends, and to top it off she was going to have a baby. The last was the only thing that truly made her happy. She managed to survive the rest, convincing herself things would get better. Until she finds herself kicked out of her house, penniless, and in a snowstorm. Crashing her car was just one more thing she didn’t see coming, but sometimes those are the best kind of events.

                Alyssa and Justin have an instant connection, one touch and they are sizzling. Justin knows this women is married and pregnant, he want to stay honorable. Alyssa fights the connection not wanting to give her soon to be ex-husband fire for his campaign to discredit her. Can they fight the fire until the divorce papers are officially signed? Then what? Alyssa is an actress and Justin a cowboy/small town Vet, what could they possibly have in common? Can Justin trust Alyssa even after all the lies that start flying from the press? Justin wants to but its hart to find the truth when you don’t have faith in yourself, this was one thing I saw in him. Justin doesn’t think he could possibly be good enough so his brain and heart are at war. Find out which one wins by buying your copy NOW!

                I would love to tell you all more about this book, but the story has so many layers, that if I say one thing you will figure out all the rest. I don’t do spoilers so if you want to know what happens with Justin and Alyssa you will just have to buy the book and read it ;-)

 

 

Excerpt:

Alyssa laid her head in the crook of her elbow, trying to stay awake. Justin was finishing with the female Lab as she watched the puppies. She was keeping a close eye on the littlest one, the one that had trouble breathing. They were all so small and weak, but he was even more so. Her hand instinctively curled around the side of her pregnant belly, where her child lay, nestled under her ribs. In less than six weeks, she’d be watching her own child sleep. Rather than comforting her, the thought made her panic.

She had no idea what she was going to do next. The last thing she’d expected when she went out to lunch with her best friend yesterday was to find out Lillian had been sleeping with her husband for the past four years. Elijah’s infidelity hadn’t come as a complete surprise. They’d been drifting apart for years; however, it didn’t lessen the pain of the betrayal, or the shock that it had been with her friend. The confrontation with Elijah that followed had been bad enough, but with his apathetic response when she had demanded he either remain faithful or give her a divorce, he shattered the last remnants of the illusion she’d clung to that their Hollywood marriage wasn’t as fake as everything else in the industry. He’d laughed at her, reminding her that she was nothing more than an out-of-work actress, and nothing without him, before agreeing to the divorce. He’d told her to leave the house before he returned from the office for dinner, as casually as if he was dismissing one of the house staff instead of throwing out his wife and child. In a daze, Alyssa had packed the car up with her clothing and jewelry, assuming she would find a way to sell what she didn’t need to support her and the baby.

But that would last only so long. Her mother suggested she come home for a short visit, which would at least give her a roof over her head and buy a little time before the baby was born, but she hadn’t told her parents about Elijah’s cheating, or the divorce. She wasn’t sure how long she could stay without telling them the truth. They both adored Elijah; he’d paid for their condo. What if they blamed her? She’d invested everything she’d had into Elijah’s agency, and he’d already warned her that she wouldn’t get anything from him. She didn’t even have a way to pay for doctor’s visits or the delivery now, she reminded herself. Worse, she didn’t even have a doctor any longer. Worries beat against her brain like the staccato beat of a drum, making her heart race in her chest as her child moved within her.

Two strong hands settled on her shoulders. “You did a good job.”

“Oh!” Alyssa jerked upright and slid the rolling chair to one side.

Justin’s lips curved into an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you were awake.”

He cocked his head to one side, and his dimple sank into his cheek, giving him a boyish charm. She brushed back the bangs that had fallen from her bun and tucked them behind her ear. “I was. I just thought you were still with the mom.” She realized she was staring at his perfect mouth and quickly looked back at the puppies, which were grunting softly and wiggling against one another. “I was just sort of lost in my own head, I guess.”

He turned to a cupboard nearby and withdrew two needleless syringes. “What are those for?”

“We need to give them colostrum so they have the antibodies they need and don’t get sick.” He walked back and handed her the syringe. “Just a little on the back of their tongues, and we’ll do it again in an hour. Like this.” He reached for the first puppy and put a few drops of the liquid into its mouth. “Later, she should be able to feed them all. If not, we’ll supplement them the same way.”

Justin glanced up at her through thick, dark lashes—lashes most of the women in her career field would kill for. “This is a nice litter. What do you think you’re going to do with them?”

“Me?” she squeaked, pausing as she reached for a puppy. “Doctor, I can’t take them with me.”

“I think we’re beyond that ‘Doctor’ business. Just Justin is fine.” He arched a brow and smiled at her, the dimple creasing his cheek before his brows dropped forward between his eyes, thoughtfully, and he set the puppy down, reaching for the next one. “You won’t be going anywhere for a while, at least not until your car gets fixed. But I guess you probably won’t be able to keep them in a hotel either. I guess they could stay here until you head out.” His brows lifted again, as if he was certain his explanation was sufficient.

Crap, how am I going to pay for a hotel, or to fix the car? Is he really expecting me to pay to keep these puppies, or for the surgery?

“Um . . . I can’t pay for any of this.” She tucked the strand of hair behind her ear again and saw his eyes flick to the massive diamond solitaire settled on her left hand under the latex glove.

Alyssa couldn’t meet his gaze for fear of the recrimination she expected to see there. She wanted to tell him it was none of his business, remind him that appearances could be misleading, but knew she wouldn’t. She used to have a backbone, but over the past six years of her marriage, she had caved as Elijah pressured her to spend less time on set and more time helping him build his agency. She’d given him control of her already successful career, allowing him to make higher demands in her contracts, until producers could no longer meet them. She had believed him when he convinced her that it was time to “retire” in order to focus more attention on his agency and starting a family.

Her hand trailed over the baby, quiet within her. Now that fantasy lay in rubble at her feet. Her husband had kicked her out, said he didn’t love her, didn’t want her or their child, and left her pregnant and alone. She should have been devastated. Instead, she felt hollow.

Her eyes slid over the man seated in front of her, his still-wet hair standing at odd angles at the top of his head as he fed the puppies, and guilt swept in. The least she could do was offer him some sort of explanation. He had come to her rescue and stayed outside in the sleet to find the dog she hit.

Alyssa cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen. “The truth is that expensive things are all I have right now. I don’t have any money or any way to get any until I sell a few things. I’m not even sure I still have insurance on the car to fix it.” She looked down at the puppies, praying he wouldn’t force her to admit anything more.

“Sounds like you’ve got yourself in a real mess, Alyssa.” He ducked his head to meet her gaze. “Give me some time to see if I can’t figure out something to help you.”

“Why . . . I can’t ask you to . . .”

Justin arched a brow and cocked his head at her. “I don’t recall you asking. Besides, my father would skin my hide if I was anything less than a gentleman for a damsel in distress.”

She wanted to believe he could be her white knight, but Elijah had taught her the hard way that fairy tales were nothing but fantasy. The only person she could count on now was herself.

Author Info

T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and rodeo queen competitions since the age of 14, She has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She has had several articles about rodeo published in the past in small periodicals as well as a more recent how-to article for RevWriter. She is also an avid reader and book reviewer for both Tyndale and Multnomah.

 Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Website:  http://tinaklinesmith.com/

 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WriterTJKline

 Twitter:  https://twitter.com/WriterTJKline

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7558685.T_J_Kline