Title: Broken Vows
Author: Melissa Keir
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance/Small Town Romance
Book Blurb:
Rick and Julie Tyler are happily married ranchers who raise and train horses. When money becomes tight, Rick becomes a firefighter in order to make ends meet, but he’s forced to move out of state if he wants more money and a chance to become a station chief.
Distance causes problems for the happy couple and turns their world upside down. When Julie puts her foot down, will Rick decide to make the right choice, or will their vows break?
Based in Whisper, Colorado... but forced to move...can they find a place in Inner-City Detroit?
Excerpt:
Julie grabbed her cell phone off the coffee table and strode to the back deck and her blue Adirondack chair. She watched their latest yearling frolicking in the corral. He kicked up his feet as if dancing to a silent tune. Cool afternoon breezes had made the warm fall days bearable this week. The cooler months made Rick’s job easier, although the holidays brought an increase in the number of home fires. Dialing a number, she tapped her foot until her friend picked up.
“Hello, Angela. Rick called. It’s official. We’re moving.” She wiped at the tears sliding down her cheeks. She hadn’t wanted to cry, but finally saying the words aloud made it all the more real.
“Hello, Julie. I’m sorry to hear it, although we knew it was possible. Where are you going?”
“Detroit. But we really could end up living anywhere in the area. We haven’t even begun to look at houses. With all the negative press about the city, I’m not excited to live in a ghetto.” She paused. “And I’ll have to find homes for all the horses.” Julie dropped her head back on the chair. “It’s breaking my heart.”
“Jake and I can always use some more therapy horses. The ones you have are so sweet, they’d be an asset to our program. But I’m sorry about the move. I know it’s hard, but you have quite the adventure in front of you. A new home to find and buy, and then some shopping to fill it.” Her friend’s upbeat attitude always lifted Julie’s spirits.
“Thank you for the offer. It makes me happy to know you would care for my babies. And when I come back to visit, I can see them. What kind of home will I find in a big city? Will it have a yard bigger than a shoebox?” She shook, thinking about it.
“You will always have a room in our home when you visit,” Angela offered. “You aren’t considering staying here and letting your husband move on his own, though, are you?”
“No.” She ground out the word.
“Would you want to keep him from living his dream? You know he’ll be an amazing chief.”
“No,” she sighed. “I’m complaining and whining to you rather than him, aren’t I? I would never hold him back. I just wish—”
“If wishes were real, I’d be twenty pounds lighter and a million dollars richer. Life isn’t about wishing but about making do with what you are given to fulfill your dreams. Remember, Taylor and I took a chance on Jake’s equine therapy program, after her trauma. Then we almost lost it all when Jake’s mentally ill brother tried to kill him. The pain of his suicide hurt more than just Jake. Then, you came along, offered a shoulder to lean on, and have become my closest friend. I love my new home. Which is good, because we are here forever. Besides, the Broncos are a better football team than the Lions. At least, they win more often.” Angela giggled. All true. Julie remembered their first meeting at the bakery and how shy Angela has been.
“I’m going to miss you. I hope there’s someone like you in Detroit.”
“There’s no one like me, chica. But I’m sure you will have other friends. Your kind nature draws others to you. Just be yourself, and you’ll do great.”
“It’s getting late. I’m sorry to keep you on the phone when Jim’s home.”
“That’s what friends are for. Now, head off to bed and enjoy your night without a snoring hubby next to you. I’m going to have to get those nose strips they advertise on TV if I ever want a full night’s sleep.”
“You’d miss his body heat if he weren’t there. Don’t lie. Thank you again. Talk soon, okay?”
Julie pushed the off button and laid her cell on the arm of her chair. She glanced up at the beautiful night sky. The crescent moon hung low over her neighbor’s house, and stars dotted the sky. “At least, I’ll be with Rick—no matter where we go. Angela is correct. It’s a new adventure.”
She stood up and grabbed her phone, heading inside to bed. Rick would be home in the morning, and they could begin making the plans for their new adventure.
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What’s your favorite part about being a romance author?
Writing books which feature characters that readers can connect with, who find a happy ending, love and romance is my favorite part about being a romance author. The readers make everything worthwhile!
Here’s my tip to add romance to your love life:
It’s a small thing but text your love at least once a day and let them know you are thinking of them. Too often we get caught up in the daily grind and forget to let the one person we love more than anything that we are thinking of them, they are important and we value them. Showing them that they are important will go a long way when you are having issues and it will allow you to remain close in times when you are both busy.
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Runs February 1 – 28
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Author Biography:
Melissa Keir has always wanted to be an author when she wasn’t hoping for a career as a racecar driver. Her love of books was instilled by her mother and grandparents who were avid readers. She’d often sneak books away from them so that she could fantasize about those strong alpha males and plucky heroines.
Melissa doesn’t believe in down time. She’s always keeping busy. Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a movie reviewer with WHMI (a local radio station), owner of a publishing company as well as an author. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice- a large grocery bill, tons of dirty dishes and a mound of laundry. She loves to write stories that feature happy endings and is often seen plotting her next story.
She’d love to hear from you!
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