AN EARL LIKE NO OTHER by WILMA COUNTS

I had a smile on my face as when I finished this book. What a fabulous story and so well written.

 AN EARL LIKE NO OTHER by Wilma Counts is a gem.

Katherine Gardiner is left widowed and with a young son who is the heir destined to a dukedom. The current duke, Katherine's father in law has had Katherine and his grandson, Ned, virtual prisoners in Wynstan Castle to make sure Ned gets a proper education and upbringing. Katherine finds the Duke of Wynstan to be an oppressive brute who  uses physical discipline to rear his heir, and she won't stand for it any longer. At the first chance she gets, she whisks Ned away to someone who will help.

Sanctuary comes in the form of Jeremy Chilton, the Earl of Kenrick, who has just returned from the American wilderness, where he began a family with a half native American woman, only to lose her. Jeremy Chilton and his young daughter, Cassie strive to make Kenrick Hall a home, but it's difficult with the lack of funds and a proper housekeeper to keep all in order. Kenrick reluctantly hires the widowed Katherine on a trial basis to see if she will fit his needs.  His opinion of her is that she is too young and too attractive to be a housekeeper, but without knowing much more than she is a widow, left with a young son, he accepts her into his home and his life. 

Kernick finds that the more he gets to know Mrs. Gardiner, the more he becomes attracted to her. He would much rather be in Kate's company than that of the conniving neighbors who are trying to bribe him into marriage with his spoiled daughter for title and lands. Kenrick must find a way to stave off the greedy neighbors while holding on to the best asset he has, Kate. Kate's attraction to Jeremy and the feelings she has for his daughter Cassie are like no other, but if she opens herself to him and tells the truth of her identity, she could not only lose his trust, but lose Jeremy as well. 

AN EARL LIKE NO OTHER by Wilma Counts is  a wonderful story with a colorful cast of characters that holds ones interest. Jeremy is a true hero, not caring for anyone's station in life or a title before a name. He is honest and caring and a most honorable man. Katherine has been through much in her short life and proves herself to be a force to be reckoned with when she is crossed. Her love for the children, even for Cassie, who, who is not her own, makes her one of my favorite heroines. I truly loved this story. This is the first book I have ever read by this author and I will be looking into her backlist, as well as reading her latest books in the future.

~KIMBERLY~

SPOTLIGHT ON AUTHOR LAURA DRAKE & MY REVIEW OF ~~~SWEET ON YOU (Sweet On A Cowboy #3) by LAURA DRAKE~~~

SPOTLIGHT ON LAURA DRAKE

LAURA DRAKE AT RWA14- SAN ANTONIO

Laura, thank you so much for joining Book Obsessed Chicks. I became a diehard fan of yours after reading the Sweet Spot last November after Barnes and Noble bookseller, Cathy Genna recommended it to me. I was very excited to meet you at RWA14 in San Antonio and I congratulate you on your RITA win for The Sweet Spot

Thank you so much for having me, Kimberly! It’s a funny story, how I met Cathy. I was at the RWA National Conference in Atlanta last year. I was waiting in line for a publisher signing and she was in line ahead of me. She turned around, read my name tag, squealed and hugged me. I read her nametag and squealed – she was the RWA Bookseller of the year!  We both had a fangirl moment, and hers was my very first! True to her title, she went up and down the line, telling everyone that they just had to buy my book because it was wonderful! Sigh. I love Cathy.

       Tell us a little bit about yourself.

  I’m a city girl from Detroit, who finally made it to the country this year. We realized a lifelong dream, retiring to Texas!  I’m working on my drawl and trying to find a handbook on how a Yankee can survive in Texas. I’m loving it, but it’s sure different than life in Southern California – even the plants here can kill you!

     Tell us how the Sweet On a Cowboy Series came to be.

  They were born out of my love of the sport of professional bull riding. I know, weird obsession for a city girl, but my husband took me to a rodeo when we visited Texas years ago, and I fell in love with it. I was so excited to find that bull riding was on TV every weekend! Since then, I’ve been to three world finals. I’d broken by leg in a freak fly fishing accident a week before one of them (don’t ask) but there was no way I was missing it! Turned out, the handicapped waiting area was right in front of the rider’s locker room . . . SCORE!

        What are you currently working on?

Just yesterday, I finished the next book in my Widow’s Grove small town series I write for Harlequin’s Superromance line. In a week, I leave for my annual fly fishing trip. Please don’t tell me to break a leg!

      Did you always want to be a writer? If not, what did you want to be?

  Deep down, yes. But I didn’t have the guts to try until I was in my late 30’s. Authors were much smarter than I! But when I had an idea that wouldn’t leave me, I finally sat in front of the computer and wrote it, more to get it out of my head than anything. I figured, if it sucked, I could just hit delete at the end and be done with it!  Of course, by then, it was too late. I was hooked!

       Who was your favorite character to write and why?

  No fair! That’s like not only having a favorite child, but admitting which one it is in public!  Well, if I have to (sorry, Char, Bree, Katya, Priss…well, you know who you are) but it’s probably Sam, from Her Road Home. She’s a biker chick, running from her past with a whole lot of baggage in the saddlebags of her vintage Vulcan motorcycle. She was my very first character – the one who wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote her. And yes, authors are weird about that. Their characters a real to them. I feel like I could drive to Widow’s Grove and visit Sam and Nick in their restored Victorian on the hill.

       Do you have any role models? If so, who?

  Oh, another tough one! Probably my mother, who, in spite of being dealt a tough hand, sailed through life with her head up, and more class and grace than I’ve seen in any other woman. She reminded me of the quote from Ann Richards: “After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.”

      What was your favorite part of the RWA2014 Conference? 

You’re kidding, right?  WINNING THE RITA! The Sweet Spot won the award for the Best First Book, and Nora Roberts presented me with the award!  I still feel like I’m going to wake up, roll over and tell Alpha Dog, “I just had the very best dream.” Seriously, this stuff does not happen to me!

       Who are your favorite authors?

  Oh you ARE making it hard, because I know you don’t want a five page list!  Okay, I’ll try to be brief: Ayn Rand, Stephen King, Jodi Piccoult, Barbara O’Neal, Anne River Siddons, Pat Conroy . . . Okay, I’ll stop. Oh, and Herman Wouk. Wait! Rosamunde Pilcher. And Larry McMurtry. And . . .

     What is next for you? 

I have my fingers crossed, because I have a Women’s Fiction with Romantic Elements out on proposal. It’s about a woman bull fighter (not the red-cape kind, the PBR kind). I so want to finish writing that book. It’s a sister-story and I’m in love with the main character!

  What would you like readers to know about you?

  That I LOVE to hear from them! Right now, I’m hanging out at the Western Romance Café (as I know you are too, Kimberly!) It’s a site on Facebook I began as a place for Western Romance readers to hang out with their favorite authors and connect with others who love the genre. Here’s the URL:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/WesternRomanceCafe/

Thank you so much, Kimberly, for having me today – and thanks for all you do for authors!

Katya Smith returns to the states from her tour of duty in Khandahar, where she was injured in a suicide bombing that claimed the life of a fellow soldier. She didn't return by choice, the bombing made that decision for her. Katya mostly recovered from her exterior wounds, but it's the wounds on the inside that are taking a toll on this fiercely independent and strong willed woman. Katya's beloved Gypsy grandmother passes away leaving her bereft and confused. A short visit with her cool appearing parents shows her she doesn't belong in their world. Through a friend, Katya gets a lead on a job working as a medic for the PBR (Professional Bull Riding). Hopefully this job will help Katya alleviate some of the flashes of terror she gets after the bombing and help her get over her PTSD so she can return to active duty as a medic for the military in Afghanistan.

Cam Cahill is an aging bull rider trying to find out what to do with himself after his impending retirement. Nothing seems to fit and he's not ready to pack it all in, even if his body is telling him otherwise with all the aches and pains he deals with on a daily basis. The handsome bull riding champion bides his time while he watches the up and coming cowboys begin to take over. After a disagreeable run in with a seemingly prejudiced Katya at an event, Cam can't decide if the eclectic beauty will suit as a medic on the PBR trail.

Once they get to know each other better, Cam realizes there is so much more to Katya than her appearance. 

Once Katya proves to be an effective PT and worthy of being the medic she was hired to be, she begins attracting a following of riders who are quite taken with the gypsy's homemade curatives and her knack for easing their aches. When Cam gets closer to Katya and finds out just where she comes from and what she's been through, he not only gains a respect for her for what she's already done for his colleagues, but also for what she has done for her country. The two who were skittish of each other at first begin to form a bond that Cam realizes he wants to solidify, but Katya can't let go of the past and still wants to make amends for things that she believes were her fault, but were in fact out of her hands. 

Once again Laura Drake has me riveted by her story. I love her characters. Katya seemingly a fish out of water around the bull riders, bucks it up and fits right in once she lets her guard down, She also sees a future for Cam with his retirement and tries to give the stubborn athlete a way to be useful and still enjoy his life once he hangs up his spurs. Katya is a woman with so much honor and loyalty ingrained in her and her quest to get back to Khandahar is trying. PTSD is no joke and this woman deals with the effects on a daily basis, but her quest clouds a possibility of a future with Cam, for as much as she cares for the cowboy, she feels the need to make up her failures to her military brethren. The subtle changes in the medic/soldier to the PBR medic are an amazing journey and highly recommended by this lover of Western Romance. Grab SWEET ON YOU by Laura Drake by the horns and enjoy this incredible ride. You won't be sorry. 

~KIMBERLY~

ONE LUCKY PERSON WILL WIN A COPY OF THE SWEET SPOT... JUST COMMENT BELOW! 

CHATTING WITH AUTHOR B.J. DANIELS & GIVEAWAY

AS MOST OF MY FRIENDS KNOW, I AM A VERY BIG FAN GIRL OF B.J. DANIELS. HAVING ONLY DISCOVERED THIS AMAZING WRITER A FEW YEARS AGO, I HAVE DEVOURED HER STORIES AND ALWAYS EAGERLY AWAIT THE NEXT GREAT READ . B.J. DANIELS HAS A NEW RELEASE THIS WEEK WITH MERCY, HER 5th BOOK IN THE BEARTOOTH,  MONTANA SERIES AND THIS BOOK IS A PAGE-TURNER. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO ASK B.J. ABOUT THE BOOK AND I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL.

         Having just finished this nail-biter of a story, I would like to know what the inspiration for MERCY was?

I never know where my books come from. :) But I’ve always been fascinated about how two people raised in the same type of dysfunction can turn out so differently. One becomes a killer and the other doesn’t.

When U.S. marshal Rourke Kincaid headed for Beartooth, Montana after what he suspected was a serial killer, I thought he was wrong. Even when I met the characters  I didn’t want any of them to be the killer. I kept thinking it had to be someone else…. So you can see the way I write. I’m along for the ride and just as surprised as anyone with what happens.

           You have this amazing knack for murder and mayhem in your stories, to what do you accredit this gift to?

LOL, I love murder and mayhem!! I love books that have a lot going on. Also I’m interested in the characters and their secrets and why they are the people they have become. I write to amuse myself.

            How do you keep straight all the little details from the other books in the series when you include them in the latest venture?

That is tougher. But I fall in love with my characters and I want to know what is going on with them as the series continues. I figure readers want to know as well. To me, they become real, so of course their lives keep going into the next book.

           What was your favorite part of RWA14? 

Seeing you. :) And being around writers and readers. Writing is such a solitary lifestyle. I love talking books with people who love them as much as I do.

        When you get the chance, what do you read? 

I read everything. But my favorite is suspense. I especially like murder mysteries where I have to figure out who did it!

            What is next for B.J. Daniels in writing?

 My Beartooth, Montana series will continue with the stories of the six Hamilton sisters. The first, WILD HORSES, comes out in March. This will surprise you, but the Hamilton family has all kinds of secrets and troubles. :) So it is fun to get to know them. Each book pushes me.

         Where will your fans be able to see you in 2015?

 I will definitely be at RWA in New York next year and at your barbecue!!!(Kimmie does *happy dance* at that revelation) 

GIVEAWAY ALERT

WIN AN eCOPY of MERCY by B.J. Daniels

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MERCY (Beartooth, Montana #5) by B.J. Daniels

I was only going to start the book, I swear. Then all of these creepy and crazy things happened in MERCY by B.J Daniels and I just couldn't put the book down. Such is typical with a B.J. Daniels romantic suspense novel and I should have know better, but this one in particular went beyond the norm for this author and I was  intrigued beyond the need for sleep. 

When U.S. marshal, Rourke Kincaid delves into a cold case dealing with a possible serial killer, his quest for justice leads him to Beartooth, Montana in search of a woman with a link to more than one of the grizzly murders. Rourke's former Seattle P.D. partner, Laura Fuller, believes Rourke has become obsessed with the pretty woman in the crime scene photos of the murder scenes. When Rourke comes face to face with the mysterious connection in Beartooth, he has mixed  feelings about her involvement with the crimes.

Rourke's former partner, Laura has been in love with him since she began working with him. Tall, handsome and principled, Rourke has no idea Laura harbored any feelings for him other than friendship and camaraderie, and when she sees that Rourke is drawn to the suspect she will do what she needs to save him from himself, or worse, from a killer.

Ever since she can remember, Callie Westfield has had the gift or curse of premonition, depending on who you are speaking to. Ever since her mother died, she has been alone and on her own, drifting from place to place, but when she arrives in Beartooth, Montana, she finally feels at peace. Her peace lasts a year, until Rourke Kincaid walks into her life and makes his presence known and throws her whole life for a loop with his gritty allure and his honorable determination. 

When Rourke finds a connection with the murders and a now closed school for troubled girls, where Callie Westfield spent years of her early childhood, he must delve deeper into its history and its many secrets to get to the bottom of crimes which began so many years before, and continue to this day.  Is Callie a killer, or is she an innocent thrust into the middle of the mayhem and madness? Only by reading MERCY by B.J. Daniels will you find out the answers. 

Oh what a tangled web she weaves. Author B.J. Daniels really has outdone herself with MERCY with it's full spectrum of emotions and a gripping mystery, that firmly takes a hold of the reader and never lets go. I found myself more in awe of B.J. Daniels with each page I read. Her characters are real and have so much depth that you feel like you know them. They quickly become old friends for whom we care about, like Frank and Nettie who we have been rooting from from the very first Beartooth, Montana book. MERCY by the amazing B.J. Daniels is perfection wrapped up in a small package called a novel which will leave a most favorable impression even on the most discerning of readers. I most highly recommend MERCY and it's superbly written predecessors which placed author, B.J. Daniels at the top of my favorites list. MERCY will leave both a chill up your spine and a smile on your face, when all is said and done

~KIMBERLY~

NOT QUITE A WIFE (Lost Lords #6) by MARY JO PUTNEY

When Laurel Herbert left her husband of a year, she did it without looking back. Having witnessed her husband kill a man in front of her was just too much for the young and morally strict lady to take. Regardless of the reason, she feels there is no excuse for what he has done. Not able to return home to her parents, who basically shun her for leaving her rich and titled husband, she opens a home for wayward women and begin to give work at making their lives better. Her brother is now the local doctor and Laurel nurses for him and keeps his life and business managed. 

Lord James Kirkland has spent the last ten years alone. When Laurel left him, he didn't go after her, didn't fight for his marriage because he knew he was to blame, even if killing the man was justifiable, he still allows Laurel to go without a fight. In his time alone, James has built himself quite a legacy in the shipping industry and all the while, he still makes sure that his estranged wife is financially secure, if nothing else.

One night changes everything for both Kirkland and Laurel, when Kirkland is attacked and brought to her bruised and somewhat out of it, he doesn't know where he is. Laurel is stunned to see her husband after ten years apart but still, she must tend to him like any other patient in need, since her brother is unable to. In his delirium, James dreams he has his beloved Laurel back and is making love to her, but when he awakens and finds Laurel there and no hint of the intimacy of the dream, he thinks it was all in his head. 

Laurel tries to go on as if nothing happened between her and Kirkland, but when she realizes she is pregnant, the rules are about to change. When she informs Kirkland,  he sees his chance back into Laurel's life, but can she get over those memories of him killing or will this still tear them apart?

NOT QUITE A WIFE by Mary Jo Putney is the 6th installment in the LOST LORDS series . I always enjoyed Kirkland in the previous books and I was eager to read his tale. I have to say though, this is not my favorite as I found Laurel's moral righteousness to be distracting and a bit much. It was a solid story and I really enjoyed Kirkland's character, finding him to be extremely generous and caring in all aspects of his life. he is probably one of my favorite characters in this series. I just found Laurel to be way too stubborn and her disapproval of James' deeds took away from the tale for me. As a fan of this series, I absolutely will continue to read it. My feelings here are you can't win them all, not every book in a series will get the same reaction. NOT QUITE A WIFE is still a good read and essential to he series.

~KIMBERLY~

JACKIE'S GUEST REVIEW OF ~RISKY BUSINESS (A Bomb Squad Novel) by MELISSA CUTLER

Risky Business is the first book in the new Bomb Squad Hockey series trilogy by Melissa Cutler and I loved it!!

I am a big fan of Melissa’s books. I loved reading her Catcher Creek Cowboys series and ICE: Black Ops Defenders series. I would highly recommend reading this new series also!!

In Risky Business we meet Allison Whitley and Theoren (Theo) La Croix. Allison is a newly divorced single mother who has just moved to Destiny Falls New York. She is the new owner of Cloud Nine boat rentals, as part of her divorce settlement from crooked politician Lowell Whitley. Allison knows absolutely nothing about running the business, but that is all she has since the divorce has left her homeless and in debt.

Theo has been running Cloud Nine for the last 10 years. He was hoping to buy the business from Lowell before he was put in jail for embezzlement. Now with Allison taking over, Theo doesn’t know where this new arrangement will leave him. He wants Allison to sell the business to him, but is frustrated that she won’t. There is attraction between Allison and Theo from the beginning. They each feel it can’t go anywhere due to business arrangement that they are arguing over.

While reading the story we meet other characters that become Allison’s friends. Harper runs the local bar called Locks and she invites her to watch the Men’s league hockey game with her. At the hockey game Allison meets Marlena, Olivia and Presley.

The hockey team is called Bomb Squad. Theo, who is a defenseman on the team and his team mates Will, Liam and Brandon are all wounded ex-military heroes. They take their hockey playing very seriously and are hoping to play in an exhibition game sponsored by Wounded Veterans International.

As the story progresses there are obstacles that both Allison and Theo have to overcome and a relationship between them forms.

I very much enjoyed reading this book and it is a great beginning to a new series. I look forward to reading the next book in the series with Liam and Marlena’s story!

~ JACKIE FERRELL~

TEXAS TWIST (Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 4) by CYNTHIA D'ALBA

SEPTMEBER 2, 2014 RELEASE DATE

After the death of her parents, Paige Ryan is still figuring out what do do with her life, which was in limbo for so long. Trying to get a hold of things, she takes up residence in Whispering Springs, Texas, where she can be closer to her step-brother and take a job in her chosen line of work in the medical profession. With her friend's permission, she moves into  an old ranch house that needs a lot of work, and sets to make it livable, if only for a while. Unbeknownst to Paige, she is not the only person taking possession of the farm house, and when she find out it's her unforgettable one night stand, Cash Montgomery, sparks will fly.

Handsome champion bull rider, Cash Montgomery is still recuperating from a bad fall from a bull, which put him out of commission, maybe permanently. Drowning his sorrows in alcohol and pitying himself over his loss. Another one who needs to figure out his future, Cash moves into the ranch house and comes face to face with a blast from the past in the form of the sexy, Paige Ryan.  

After the initial shock wears off, the two come to an agreement to attempt to live in harmony with one another, but those emotions come into play the more time they spend together. They then come to a somewhat mutual agreement that makes them friends with benefits, but the more involved they get, the more difficult the rules that Paige set up are to stick to. Can Cash and Paige stick to the rules, or will they throw caution to the wind and open their hearts to possible heartache, but also the possibility of love? Go grab Texas Twist by Cynthia D'Alba to find out.

TEXAS TWIST by Cynthia D'Alba is so aptly named. This story is a tornado of emotions. The entire time I was reading this, I kept hearing the lyrics to Tim McGraw's song, "Real Good Man", in my head. Yes, there were plenty of times that I wanted to smack the two main characters upside the head for their stubbornness, but that's part of the charm here. Cash's journey back to himself is a wonderful part of this story. The proof that he wasn't JUST a champion bull rider but something infinitely more important in the lives of so many shines through.  I loved this installment of the Texas Montgomery Mavericks and eagerly await more from the awesome Cynthia D'Alba.

~KIMBERLY~

THE JEWEL (The Malloy Family #11) by BETH WILLIAMSON

Sometimes, there are no words to describe how it feels to come back to a series of books that makes you run a gamut of emotions, a series that makes you feel like you are one of the family. The Malloy Family series does this to me. It started with Beth Williamson's pivotal, The Bounty and so strongly continues with the Chastain sister's stories. 

Utter devastation has wreaked the Chastain family. The two remaining sisters on the wagon train to Oregon have faced a loss like no other. Both of their beloved parents have succumbed to a fast moving illness, leaving their daughters to bury them along the bitter trail. When told they must marry in order to continue their trek to Oregon, eighteen year old Isabelle and fifteen year old Charlotte ( Charlie) decide that parting ways with the wagon train is much more desirable than finding husbands. They want to be reunited with the sisters they have left along the trail and become a family again,so they redirect their wagon going East.

Mason Bennett is left for dead along the path. He is beaten to a pulp and naked when the Chastain sisters happen upon his sorry hide and stop to save his life. A professor in his early days, Mason set out from the Southeast to make his own fortune in the gold rush, but was betrayed by his partners and left to die. The privileged son from a rich family, Mason has never had to endure the trials and tribulations of the road he has followed. When the beautiful Isabelle Chastain, tends to his wounds, he aptly names her his Angel, and his cynical mind and empty heart begin to soften towards her.

Isabelle has never been put in this type of situation before, but her parents taught them to help those in need, and Mason is definitely one in need. When they are basically taken hostage by a ragtag group of criminals, their struggle to survive takes the forefront and Mason becomes the man he always should have been when he claims Isabelle and the mouthy Charlie as his to protect. While they are attempting to survive and escape from the danger that's befallen them, Mason and Isabelle's feelings for one another blossom and in the midst of pain and evil, comes enlightenment and love.

I have to say that THE JEWEL by Beth Williamson has got to be one of my favorite books yet. This story just grabbed a hold of me and wouldn't let go. Already engrossed in the plight of the Chastain family, I felt my heart being squeezed throughout this tale. Isabelle, so beautiful and yet so strong, surprises many with her evolution. Charlie's wit and foul mouth remind me very much of the author's personality and I could imagine, Beth was very much like Charlie in determination, if not in speech. Mason should be disliked from the background from whence he came, but his metamorphosis from rich son to downtrodden man makes me adore him all the more. His will to show himself and those around him his strength makes him one of my favorite characters. THE JEWEL by Beth Williamson is a remarkable read which I most highly recommend.

~KIMBERLY~

THE MAIDEN OF IRELAND by SUSAN WIGGS

Desperate to save his baby daughter from Cromwell's clutches, the condemned, John Wesley Hawkins, agrees to seek out and bring to heel the leader of the Irish rebel faction, the Fianna. His only problem is, when he finds out the infamous rebel is an Irish beauty named Caitlin MacBride, and she is a strong woman with the weight of an entire clan of people on her shoulders. 

Wesley arrives with the intentions of capturing the rebel and freeing his daughter from Cromwell, but all those intentions get sidetracked when he sees the injustices happening all around the MacBride and finds his attraction to their leader, Caitlin, distracting. 

Caitlin MacBride is like no other female of her time. She knows her clan leader father has good intentions but is apparently scatterbrained, so she takes up the mantle of her people in making sure they are fed and clothed and safe from the invading English. Caitlin holds little regard and no trust in the English, but when she meets Wesley, he feelings begin to soften, until she finds he is a traitor and a liar. What happens in this epic tale will surprise you as it takes us from Ireland to England and back again.

THE MAIDEN OF IRELAND by Susan Wiggs is a action-packed tale of desire and deceit. Wesley and Caitlin are two strong characters fighting for their very lives and two character, unafraid of doing what it takes to get the results they need. I have not read many tales set in this time-period or in Ireland, but I found it to be a delightful and insightful story. It was a bit tedious at times, and I did set the book aside a few times and then go back to it later, and I am I did, because it truly has a great outcome. 

~KIMBERLY~

The Texan's Little Secret by Barbara White Daille

Carly Baron is from a well-to-do with a working ranch called the Roughneck. When she was younger, she begun a relationship with handsome grease monkey, Luke Nobel. Just as things were getting hot an heavy between the two, Luke appears at the ranch for a job and Carly accuses Luke of using their relationship to get himself the job working for her daddy. Having no time for childish outbursts, Luke walks away leaving Carly aghast. Carly leaves the ranch to go to college and has no intentions of going back to the Roughneck to live, especially when Luke is there and Carly is keeping secrets.

Years later, Carly returns to the Roughneck to help her stubborn dad recover from an illness, but returning home may be the worst decision she could ever make. Having moved on since Carly left, Luke married and was widowed. Now a single father with a beautiful two year old daughter. Facing her first love and his daughter is difficult for her in so many ways. Luke still has feelings for the spitfire but can she accept him along with his little bundle of joy?

Even though it would have been better to avoid him, it's impossible to do. Everywhere there are reminders. Carly has been fighting her feelings for ages and even though she still has it bad for Luke, telling him the one thing she has kept from him and even her entire family, could make or break the fragile relationship they are attempting to regain. Can they both take the chance? When Carly come to face with one of her biggest fears, in the form of Luke's child, will she cut and run, or come clean?

I truly did enjoy THE TEXAN'S LITTLE SECRET by Barbara White Daille. The premise for the story was a great one, I just wish it were longer and went more into the relationship between Luke and Carly.  These two characters have so much going for them, I wanted to feel so much more for them than I did. Barbara White Daille is a great writer with wonderful ideas and great stories and she keeps me turning the pages until the very end.  THE TEXAN'S LITTLE SECRET is a heartwarming tale of re-connection and forgiveness, not just forgiveness of another, but of one's self.

~KIMBERLY~

EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY!!!! - BOOK CLUB GIVEAWAY - THE TRAITOR BY GRACE BURROWES

Are you looking to gather with a group of friends to dish about romance? Now's your chance to win a Book Club Prize Pack for a ladies night. Included in the prize are 5 copies of Grace Burrowes' historical romance THE TRAITOR, and a party pack including invitations, tea, and tableware.

THE TRAITOR is a beautiful love story of redemption. A perfect read for a group of close friends that want to be swept into a lush Regency tale.

To enter:

Please tell us why you would like to have this prize pack in the comments below. Leave your email along with your comments... 

US addresses only please.

 

As a young boy, British-born Sebastian St. Clair was abandoned in France and forced to join the French army to survive. Now that the war is over, he has returned to his beloved England and is determined to live a quiet life as a country gentleman. He's struggling to make that wish come true when he falls for his elderly aunt's practical and unpretentious companion, Miss Millicent Danforth. But an old enemy threatens this new love, and plots to destroy everything Sebastian holds dear. Sebastian will have to use all of his wits if he's to hang on to his life, his honor...and Milly's love.

Buy Links:

Amazon - http://amzn.to/1lG265E

Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1prqVny

iTunes - http://bit.ly/1npkv6m

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes' bestsellers include The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal, Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish and Lady Eve's Indiscretion. Her Regency romances have received extensive praise, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Grace is branching out into short stories and Scotland-set Victorian romance with Sourcebooks. She is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland.

Social Media Links

Website: http://graceburrowes.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grace-Burrowes/115039058572197 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceBurrowes 

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4152482.Grace_Burrowes 

TRUE BLUE COWBOY by MARIN THOMAS ~REVIEW, CHAT AND GIVEAWAY~

Mack Cash (Merle Haggard Cash), is one of those handsome and quirky Cash brothers. He is also a very talented singer and a hard working ranch hand. Watching his brothers one by one succumb to the L word and begin to have their own families, Mack is wondering what direction his life needs to go in now. He is tired of the fast life and having no direction. 

Freshly divorced, Beth Richards was done wrong by her cheating jerk of an ex. The low-life had an affair with Beth's boss, that ended with the boss getting pregnant and the ex deciding he wanted that family. Beth was devastated because when she was younger, she had health issues and now isn't able to conceive. When she married, he swore he didn't want kids, but changed his mind once his affair produced a pregnancy. Beth also always felt like the average girl, nothing special, just ordinary, so as soon as her signature was dry on the divorce papers, she decks herself all out and goes in hunt for a man to seduce into bed.

Enter Mack Cash, he sees the lovely Beth and is immediately drawn to her. While she looks like a spicy little buckle bunny, she is no way acts like one. Mack is interested, but when he asks for Beth's number, she refuses, then disappears the next morning before Mack is awake. Weeks later, Beth needs to get her life together. She has no home, due to the sale of the marital residence, so she decides to spend some time at a ranch that belongs to a family friend while she put her life into perspective and maybe get Mack Cash out of her mind, which she hasn't been able to do since their one night stand. Mack Cash is having a tough time getting Beth out of his head too, and when they come face to face at the ranch, sparks begin to fly.

I MUST stop here, because I fear giving too much of the story away and you simply must read TRUE BLUE COWBOY by MARIN THOMAS for yourselves! TRUE BLUE COWBOY is the fifth installment in the awesome CASH BROTHERS SERIES by ultra talented author, MARIN THOMAS. I bow to this woman with each and every book she writes. Each book tugs at the heart-strings and brings tears to ones eyes. Marin's books are real and utterly emotional. This author knows how to pack a huge punch in a little package and I will be a faithful reader of hers forever. Marin Thomas has the knack for creating memorable characters and continually using them in each and every story. You don't just meet them in their book and move on to the next, you continue to hear about their lives and their interactions with the new. It's a true family albeit an odd and diversified one. Mack and Beth are perfection, both separate and bright personalities who come together with great emotion. TRUE BLUE COWBOY by Marin Thomas is a MUST READ! Don't miss it!

~KIMBERLY~

Marin Thomas at the BOC dinner #RWA14 San Antonio

CHATTING WITH MARIN THOMAS...

1. Did you enjoy your stint at #RWA14 in San Antonio?

Loved seeing my fellow American Romance authors and several author friends as well as my editors and agent.  It's been a long time since I attended a conference and I really enjoyed chatting about the book industry with others.

2. What was your highlight of the conference?

Meeting you and your Book Obsessed Chicks of course! I was also fortunate to meet a few of my readers who made a special trip to the Wednesday night book signing to see me.  I rarely get the opportunity to meet my readers and it was such a treat to be able to thank them in person for buying my books.

3. How are you spending your Summer?

Still going through boxes after our move to Houston at the beginning of July.  After we take our daughter and all her junk to graduate school later this week and help her get settled into her new apartment, I'll finish organizing the house.  Then I'm looking forward to working in the yard and finding a place for all my "porch pickin's" (flea market finds.)

4. Where did you come up with the idea for TRUE BLUE COWBOY?

When I thought up The Cash Brothers series I knew I needed to make each book unique or the readers would lose interest.  Family is important to the Cash brothers and I wanted to show that family doesn't always mean having your own children.    

5. Are any of your characters based on real people?

My main characters are never based on real people (at least so far in my books) but my family members have been known to show up in my books as secondary characters...Bud and Dorothy in The Cowboy's Destiny (May 2014) are based on my grandparents

6. What's next for Marin Thomas?

Thanks for asking, Kim!  I'm excited to share that I'll be starting a new series for Harlequin American Romance, Cowboys of the Rio Grande.  No release dates or titles yet.  If you haven't read a Cowboy's Promise (Dec 2011—e-book still available) then I encourage you to grab a copy. The three delinquent Hispanic teens in the story are getting their own books and Cruz Rivera is leading off the new series.  Several readers contacted me after reading A Cowboy's Promise and asked what had happened to the teens, so I'm thrilled that I get to tell their stories now!

For information on all of Marin's books please check out her website at www.marinthomas.com 

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF

TRUE BLUE COWBOY by MARIN THOMAS

(CONTEST ENDS FRIDAY, AUGUST 8TH)

Tempted by His Touch: A LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET of Dukes, Rogues, & Alpha Heroes Historical Romance Novels

TEMPTED BY HIS TOUCH Historical Anthology

About the Book:

A boxed set with ten sizzling historical romances from ten bestselling historical romance authors. Fall in love with fabulous tales of intrigue, suspense, wit, and passion featuring dukes, rogues, alpha heroes…and the women who can’t resist them. JUST 99 CENTS from July 27 - Sept. 21---then it disappears FOREVER!

Scoundrel Ever After by Darcy Burke - Once upon a time there was a very bad boy who met a very nice girl....

Lady of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle - Educating a man in the art of love takes time. Lots of it.

Sonata for a Scoundrel by Anthea Lawson - Passion and secrets simmer against the glittering backdrop of 19th century musical celebrity.

To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield by Bronwen Evans - What's a lady to do when a notorious rake wins her estate in a game of cards?

Undone by Lila DiPasqua – One steamy, emotionally charged retelling of Rapunzel…Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning…

The Problem with Seduction by Emma Locke - Elizabeth Spencer needs a man. She doesn't need to like him—because while she needs a man, she doesn't particularly want one.

A Dangerous Invitation by Erica Monroe - Daniel O'Reilly returns to win back Kate Morgan’s heart and prove he's innocent of murder.

Once Upon a Duke by Eva Devon - A widow looking to get seduced. A duke more than willing to oblige.

Great & Unfortunate Desires by Gina Danna - A marquis with a guilty past takes a bride in a world where love is fatal.

Dark Surrender By Erica Ridley - Trapped in darkness…. Their passion burns bright!

About Darcy Burke:

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and two Bengal cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.

Website: http://www.darcyburke.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/darcyburke

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823441.Darcy_Burke

Newsletter: http://www.darcyburke.com/newsletter/

About Bronwen Evans:

USA Today Bestselling Author Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes.

Her debut Regency romance, Invitation to Ruin won the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical 2012, and was an RT Reviewers’ Choice Nominee Best First Historical 2011. Her first self-published novella, To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield, was a FINALIST in the Kindle Book Review Indie Romance Book of the Year 201,2 and a finalist in the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical 2013. Her first contemporary released December 2012, The Reluctant Wife, won the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Category 2013.

Website: http://www.bronwenevans.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bronwenevans_NZ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4331713.Bronwen_Evans

Newsletter: sign up at the top of Bronwen’s website

About Lila DiPasqua:

Lila DiPasqua is a multi-published, national bestselling author of historical romance with heat. Her novels are published by Penguin/Berkley, as well as having self-published works.

She is best known for her critically acclaimed Fiery Tales series. Her books have been featured on Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.

She lives with her husband and three children in Canada and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after.

Website: http://liladipasqua.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/liladipasqua

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3234450.Lila_DiPasqua

Newsletter: sign up on the sidebar of Lila’s website

About Delilah Marvelle:

Delilah Marvelle is the winner of the Reviewer's Choice for Best Sensual Historical Romance of the Year and had Booklist name her historical romance 'Forever and a Day' one of the TOP 10 Romances of the year. When she isn't writing, she's digging through inappropriate research books that include anything in history having to do with courtesans, brothels, sexual contraptions that were never properly used and other fascinating forms of dirty history that didn't make it into college textbooks. She includes all of her research in her books to ensure countless hours of entertainment and continues to take pride in knowing more about dirty history than most people feel comfortable with.

Website: http://www.delilahmarvelle.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delilah-Marvelle/73234401876

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DelilahMarvelle

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1423331.Delilah_Marvelle

Newsletter: http://delilahmarvelle.wordpress.com/

About Erica Ridley:

Erica Ridley learned to read when she was three, which was about the same time she decided to be a writer when she grew up.

She is the author of three Gothic romances, Too Wicked to Kiss, Too Sinful to Deny and Dark Surrender, the vampire romance "Never Been Bitten" in the paranormal romance anthology Born To Bite, contemporary paranormal romances Charmed and Midwinter Magic, and the holiday fantasy romance Let It Snow.

When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

Website: http://www.ericaridley.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaRidley

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3087787.Erica_Ridley

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EricaRidleyVIPs

About Emma Locke:

Emma Locke is a writer and engineer living in the Pacific Northwest, where she loves hiking with her dog, hot yoga and riding out the annual 330 days of rain. Hiking and yoga give her time to plot, the lack of sun makes for perfect writing weather, and as for her day job, the dichotomy seems to work: her analytic side ensures her passionate, satisfying love stories don't mulch under her bed, and her author side forces her to keep writing more.

Website: http://www.emmalocke.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmaLockeAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6749632.Emma_Locke

Newsletter: sign up at the bottom of Emma’s website

About Gina Danna:

Gina has spent the better part of her life reading. History has been her love and she spent numerous hours devouring historical romance stories, dreaming of writing one of her own. Years later, after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in History, writing academic research papers and writing for museum programs and events, she finally found the time to write her own stories of historical romantic fiction.

Now, under the supervision of her three dogs and three cats, she writes amid a library of research books, with her only true break away is to spend time with her other life long dream – her Arabian horse – with him, her muse can play.

Website: http://ginadanna.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GinaDanna1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7141882.Gina_Danna

About Erica Monroe:

Erica Monroe is a bestselling author of emotional, suspenseful romance. Though she has a Bachelor's degree in writing, she's been a secretary, a barista, and a retail assistant. Now Erica spends her days crafting lovable rogues and feisty heroines for her historical and new adult series. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina, and the Beau Monde Regency Romance chapter. When not writing, she is a chronic TV watcher, sci-fi junkie, lover of pit bulls, and shoe fashionista. She lives in the suburbs of North Carolina with her husband, two dogs, and a cat.

Website: http://ericamonroe.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericajmonroe

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7280359.Erica_Monroe

Newsletter: sign up on Erica’s website sidebar

About Eva Devon:

Author of sexy and laugh out loud funny Regencies, I'm also Maire Claremont, creator of dark and angsty Victorians!

Website: http://www.maireclaremont.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eva-Devon/1464806663776356

Twitter: https://twitter.com/evadevonauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8333263.Eva_Devon

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/YoZbD

About Anthea Lawson:

Anthea Lawson, called "a new star of Historical Romance" by Booklist, has won readers with her combination of spicy love scenes and elegant prose. Her first novel, PASSIONATE, was a Best First Book finalist in the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA awards.

Anthea also writes award-winning YA Urban Fantasy under the pen name Anthea Sharp.

Website: http://anthealawson.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntheaLawson

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2436762.Anthea_Lawson

Newsletter: https://tinyletter.com/AntheaLawson

Be sure to like each author’s Facebook page so you’ll see the WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS they have going on while Tempted by His Touch is on sale. You don’t want to miss an exciting moment of this extravaganza!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway Grand prize: iPad Mini (16GB) with surprise bonus print books [Open to US/CA]

Tour Schedule:

July 27:

Embracing Romance

http://embracingromance.com/

Love Historicals

http://www.lovehistoricals.com/

Buried Under Romance

http://www.buriedunderromance.com/

For The Love of Bookends

http://loveofbookends.blogspot.com/

July 28:

Dashing Duchesses

http://dashingduchesses.com/

What I’m Reading

http://sillymelody.blogspot.com/

Love Saves The World

http://www.lovesavestheworld.com/

Rakes & Rascals

rakesandrascals.wordpress.com

July 29:

Hawt Reads

http://hawtreads.wordpress.com/

Doing Some Reading

http://doingsomereading.wordpress.com/

Tears of Crimson

http://www.tearsofcrimson.com/

Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance

http://romancingrakes4theluvofromance.blogspot.com/

July 30:

Romance Reader Girl

http://romancereadergirl.com/

History Hoydens

http://historyhoydens.blogspot.com/

Mary Gramlich

http://marygramlich.blogspot.com/

July 31:

Adria’s Romance Reviews

http://adriasromancereviews.blogspot.com/

Swanangel15s Book Reviews

http://swanangel15home.blogspot.com/

Historical Romance Lover

http://historicalromancelover.blogspot.com/

What’s A Nice Girl Like You Doing On A Blog Like This?

http://nicegirlonablog.blogspot.ca/

August 1:

Bookworm 2 Bookworm

http://bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com/

Rookie Romance

http://rookieromance.blogspot.com/

Book Obsessed Chicks

http://book-obsessed-chicks.blogspot.com/

Pretty Girls Read Books

http://opinionatedperson.wordpress.com/

August 2:

Eskimo Princess Book Reviews

http://eskimoprincess.blogspot.com/

Ramblings From This Chick

http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/

Book Loving Mamas

http://booklovinmamas.com/

Historical Fiction Obsession

http://historicalfictionobsession.blogspot.com

The tour schedule can also be found here: http://www.romancewrangler.com/2014/07/TemptedByHisTouchAnthology-BlogTour.html

Excerpt from Bronwen Evans’s “To Dare The Duke of Dangerfield”

Scene set up: The beginning of the wager

She couldn’t suppress a shiver of awareness as Harlow moved to stand over her, brushing her with his body. Blocking her view of the others in the room, he looked down his perfect nose at her. “Did you come for your pleasure?” Harlow purred. “Or mine?”

It was the arrogant smile that did it. Her hand, apparently operating on its own initiative, whipped up like a snake. The sharp crack of flesh meeting flesh—together with the pain in her palm—brought Caitlin to her senses. She gasped and stumbled back as the marks of her fingers began to appear on Dangerfield’s cheek.

Dangerfield touched fingers to his face, and winced. “As usual, for no one’s pleasure I see.”

About “To Dare The Duke of Dangerfield”

Harlow Telford, the Duke of Dangerfield, is amused by his hellion neighbor, Lady Caitlin Southall. When she bursts into one of his private gatherings, he mistakes her for the entertainment. Her slap across his face sets him straight and raises the absurd desire to seduce the unconventional beauty into his bed. When she issues her daft challenge to win back her father's pile of rubble, the terms are set. And he'll do anything to win--except fall in love…

Book 1 in the Wicked Wagers series