Title Craving His Second Chance (Book 3, Cowboys of Second Chances Security)
Author Rhonda Lee Carver
Genre Contemporary Western Romance
Book Blurb
The Ryders and Thorns have been enemies for as long as she can remember. When she finds herself in the middle of a tug-of-war, she'll have to pick sides. Her choice might tear her family apart... Circumstances bring her back into the path of a cowboy she fell for once upon a time. To keep her heart safe, she must abide by some rules... 1. No lusting after LB Ryder. He’s hotter than ever, but that ship has sailed. 2. Ignore how the cocky cowboy makes her want to bite nails...and do unbelievably bad things. 3. No kissing, touching, or believing in an enemies-to-lovers fairytale. She won't take a stroll down memory lane, especially with a man who is T-R-O-U-B-L-E. 4. Break rules 1-3 and repeat. Rules were meant to be broken anyway. Haisley has always gravitated toward LB. Handsome, smart, cocky, and determined, he's just the type of guy she finds challenging. And he's about the only one who isn't afraid to put her in her place. LB has avoided the Thorns for years, but when the oldest brother steals a prized horse, LB's ready to seek revenge. Then Haisley pops back into his life, stirring up the past and making demands. The chemistry is still scorching and the only thing sweeter than revenge is a stroll down memory lane. As things heat up, LB and Haisley stop fighting each other and are forced to make tough choices…and find a way to navigate a secret that can either start a civil war between the Ryders and Thorns or end a four-decade old feud. Readers who love enemies to lovers, second chances, and happily ever after won't be able to put this book down. Craving a Second Chance is packed with emotion, grit, conflict, and a splash of suspense. Book 1- Whiskey Ryder’s Second Chance Book 2-Protecting His Second Chance Book 3-Craving a Second Chance
Excerpt
“Still breaking hearts and bulls, huh, cowboy?”
LB Ryder flicked his eyes open and stared at the tent wall. He’d fallen asleep on the bed in the sickbay at the arena after a game of Cowboy Poker. The aches and pains, and the tweaking of an old back injury, were worth being the last cowboy sitting at the table. He took home the gold, and honor, of winning the final event at the annual Wildflower Rodeo Olympics.
Hell, the ass whoopin’ he got from the bull was worth watching Cruise Thorn lose. The son-of-a-gun had taken home the win three years in a row and thought the bull would be a Duck Spinner. Bad mistake. The meanest bull in the lot was drawn.
“Lookin’ good,” came the soft female voice again as the sheet over his backside lifted.
“Hey? Do I know you?” He was slowly coming more awake and aware that something wasn’t right. “I’m waiting for sports med.” The lady working the desk at the front of the tent told him a fellow would be examining him when the other cowboys, who got it worse, were finished.
Holding onto the ice bag against his temple, he lifted his head to get a look at who was in the room and caught a glimpse of dark hair.
“I am sports med. I’m helping Drew because it looks like the bull was the only thing that walked away from that event with his pride intact.” He caught the sarcasm in her tone.
Something about her voice sounded vaguely familiar. He started to sit up, but her fingers dug into the sore muscles of his back, causing him to grunt in pain. Damn, he didn’t realize how badly he’d hurt himself. He clenched his teeth as the pain radiated down into his legs.
He was getting too old for the rodeo.
“Does this hurt?” She moved her kneading to another part of his back.
“Not as much as the other side.” He relaxed.
“Congratulations on winning, by the way.” She buried her knuckles into the muscles on either side of his spine and he felt an instant release. He’d expected to get a bandage and a shot of cortisone, not a massage, but he wasn’t complaining.
“Thanks.”
“This is definitely an event aimed at cowboys who have more brawn than brains.”
LB squinted at the remark. “You don’t like charity events, or just cowboys in general?”
“I wouldn’t call four men sitting around a table, playing poker, in the middle of an arena with an angry bull stalking around them being very smart. I could think of a hundred other ways to contribute.”
He laughed. “And miss the friendly competition? What fun would that be?” The competition was anything but friendly. Cowboys took the annual event seriously.
He’d participated in every event from roping cattle, riding broncos, barrel racing, hot pepper eating contest, even a chili cook off, and a line dance competition. The Wildflower Rodeo was a veritable cowboy triathlon, some events tested a cowboy’s endurance, and some were included to make spectators laugh. All proceeds were donated to the charity of choice. Through most of the events, LB and the eldest Thorn brother had been neck and neck in points, but the Cowboy Poker pushed LB ahead because Thorn was sent packing by the bull.
Her fingers were now on his shoulders. “You’re a bit tense.”
“Yeah, it’s been a bit of a tiring two days.”
“You unfortunate thing. I’m sure it has been. I can give you a shot for inflammation and another for pain. You don’t mind needles, do you?”
He sensed animosity in the woman’s words. Angry women and syringes never mixed well in his experience. “A couple of pain pills, some rest, and I’ll be good as new come tomorrow.”
“Then let me see if I can work the tension out of these muscles. We wouldn’t want our star cowboy hurting, now, would we?”
LB opened his mouth to respond, maybe even suggest he didn’t need her services, but she dug her fingers into his shoulders. Even though her bedside manner left a lot to be desired, he enjoyed the brutal massage. Most therapists were too gentle.
He eased his body into the bed. “You have a magical touch.”
A gasp fell off her lips and her hands paused. “Are you flirting with me?”
What the hell? “No, I was only complimenting your skills.” Curiosity rose in him. His instincts were going off like fire-alarms. “Did my brothers put you up to this?”
“Did your brothers also convince that bull to toss you over the rail?” Her voice reeked of cynicism.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
BookBub Craving His Second Chance (Cowboys of Second Chances Security Book 3) by Rhonda Lee Carver - BookBub
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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