Title: All Cowboy & Heart
Author: Rhonda Lee Carver
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Book Blurb:
Hired by a ticked off wife who needs a private investigator to catch her husband with his pants down, Wales Dawson catches more than a cheating cowboy. One night with a stranger and a surprise baby leads to unexpected dreams.
Dustina “Dusty” Cavanaugh has been around rough and tough cowboys all her life. She has two unwavering rules. One, don’t mix business with pleasure. Two, never, EVER, believe anything that a cowboy says right after an eight second ride. Then she blows it over a charming, handsome cowboy. He gives her a night to remember…and a positive pregnancy test.
Wales couldn’t get the sexy brunette off his mind. She’d embedded herself in his veins and her memory kept popping up—in more ways than one. When she shows up in Dove Grey to do a story on his brother, Cade Dawson, Wales is torn between his feelings for Dusty and keeping his head, and heart, on track. A cowboy is supposed to be tough, but she tests his durability.
Then she drops the “P” bomb. Surprises unravel--some good and some devastating. Will their growing love detonate or will an unforeseen presence bring them together to live happily ever after?
Excerpt:
Rubbing her fingers into his short hair, the act sent his Stetson dropping lower on his forehead and he removed it, pressing it against his hip. He didn’t seem to mind one bit that she took things to the next level.
The song ended, but the attraction between them didn’t. She didn’t even care if Griff still watched. She’d planned a night of seduction for him, but she didn’t need him to make it happen.
What happened at the rodeo stayed at the rodeo.
A man like Wales was old enough to have fun yet young enough that he couldn’t be looking for a relationship. She’d always dated older men and that wouldn’t stop now, even if Wales flashed that sexy smile her direction.
“How about we blow this popsicle stand? If I have to be in the same room with Griff one more second, I think I’ll scream.”
One corner of his mouth curved. “Is this to make him jealous?”
“Yes. Wait, no. This is to make me feel better. You game?”
That smile grew. “Lead the way.” He placed his hat back on.
Dusty’s story with Griff ended the moment Wales took her hand, entwined their fingers, and led her toward the Sunny Brooke motel across the parking lot.
“What room?” he asked.
“One sixteen.” The strains of the music from the bar flooded the empty corridor and the cooler breeze swirled about them, drying up the perspiration on her neck, but it didn’t touch the heat wave coming to a boil inside her.
She slipped him the keycard when they approached the door and they stepped inside the cool interior. The AC blasted cold air from the vent. Before she’d left, she’d transformed the small space into a lover’s den. She’d lit a row of candles, placed them on glass plates for safety, and a bottle of Jack and two paper cups were next to a bowl of chocolate covered strawberries. A rope hung over the planked headboard which was more of a joke than anything but she wouldn’t be opposed to tying up a cowboy that looked like Wales. She’d never tied up anyone before though.
“Alamo doesn’t have a clue what he’s missing.” Wales swiped off his hat and tossed it onto the table. “Let me guess, Jack’s his favorite and the rope is yours?” His brows wagged suggestively.
A flush shimmied through her weakened limbs and she swore she heard thunder outside. Or maybe that was her heart. “Can we please not mention his name ever again?” She took the keycard from him and dropped it next to his hat followed by her purse.
“Fine by me.” He grabbed the bottle and read the label. “I could use a taste. How about you?”
“Just a touch will do. I hope you don’t mind paper cups.” She watched him pop the lid. He wrapped his wide fingers around the neck of the bottle and brought it to his lips, taking a long swig.
“Or that’ll work too.” He held out the bottle and she sipped, squinting as the fire of the alcohol burned down her esophagus and settled into a puddle of warmth in her belly. She wasn’t much of a whiskey drinker but tonight she’d make an exception. She took another long drink and the sting wasn’t as strong.
He chuckled and scratched his beard. “Pace yourself, darlin’.”
“Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself.” She looked at him through the fringe of her lashes.
He leaned against the edge of the dresser, savoring her with those alluring eyes, looking mighty fine. “Dusty’s an interesting name for a girl. Is that a nickname?”
“I guess my dad wanted a boy, but instead he got me.” She set the bottle down, cleared a spot on the desk then lifted herself up to sit.
“I have a feeling you gave your dad a run for his money.” One thick brow popped up over those twinkling eyes.
“I certainly surprised him a time or two. He was your traditional male role model. You know the type.” She lifted the bottle, taking another nip, starting to feel very relaxed.
“Do you cook?”
“Does boiling water count?” She wiped the back of her hand across her lips. “I’m not much for cooking or baking, but then, I never tried. I was a bit rebellious.”
“Oh, you had something to prove, huh? Always doing the complete opposite of what was expected of you.”
“A woman can do anything a man can do, sometimes better.” She crossed her legs and leaned back on her hands. “I haven’t ever needed a man, except for one thing.” Did she hear a low growl from him when she pointedly dropped her gaze to his zipper?
“Ah, come on. We’re good at loosening tight lids on jars and saving beautiful women from bastards.”
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Life is short and we should all live it to its fullest. So, to ring in the new year I will be making a list of 12 things—one for each month—that I’ve never done before. Things that’ll take me out of my comfort zone.
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Who doesn’t love a secret baby romance chalked full of passion and small town endeavors?
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon US or Canada gift card
Open internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon CA account to win.
Runs January 1 – 31, 2022.
Drawing will be held on February 1, 2022.
Author Biography:
Rhonda Lee Carver is a bestselling author of contemporary western and romantic suspense, but she loves to write other genres too. She’s known for writing stories that keep readers laughing, crying, gripping the edge of their seats, and screaming all in one book...like riding a virtual roller coaster. Whether she's creating sexy cowboys or tough guys, or sassy, independent heroines, readers are sure to find strong, powerful, memorable characters that are relatable.
By day, she taps into her creative, fictional world but at some point she transitions back into reality where she's a volleyball-stands cheerleader, homework virtuoso (at least she thinks so), amateur nurse to skinned knees, mediocre chef with some awesome microwave skills, pet-guru (all the strays show up at her house), and a Jackie of all trades for her kids who are the loves of her life. Yoga and chocolate keep her sane. Hallmark movies require cuddling up with tissues because she can be emotional. She adds a sprinkle of her own real-life adventures in each story she spins because a little truth never hurt anyone. She wouldn’t give up one thing in her crazy, chaotic, ever-amusing life, except, she might do magic tricks for the bungalow on the beach she's had her eye on (GOALS).
Writing for Rhonda is like falling in love and finding a new best friend over and over again. Her characters will find a place inside your heart too.
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