Title Embracing Hope (Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose Book 5)
Author Rhonda Lee Carver
Genre Contemporary Western Romance
Book Blurb
Isaac had always been told “never mix business and pleasure,” but how can he resist when Hope teases him into forgetting the rules and his dark streak?
After a tragic event forced wounded soldier Isaac Markum into early retirement from special ops, he’s content with working his family-owned ranch and staying out of the limelight. Until, he’s expected to oversee the merger between Markum Farms and Sagebrush Rose Ranch. From the start, he’s been against the merger, so as far as he’s concerned, it’ll never happen. However, a chance encounter with a Rose might change his mind and melt his icy heart.
Things are falling apart at Sagebrush Rose. Sam Rose has demanded that his daughters marry. He’s revealed that he has cancer, and when a ranch hand is killed on the property, the patriarch and his family are under scrutiny. Markum Farms is second-guessing the merger. The last thing Hope wants is to play an agreeable host for some brooding cowboy with a reputation of being a bad boy to secure the transition. And then there is the minor detail that she had a one-night fling with him. It’s a long story she doesn’t want her father to hear.
Someone lurking in the shadows wants to stop the merger at all costs. As mayhem rises in Sagebrush Pine, so will the chemistry between Hope and Isaac. They both have steel walls for protection, but where there’s a spark, there’s a blaze, and the fire will consume them.
If you love small-town stories packed with emotion, steam, and a splash of suspense, you’ll love the Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose series. This is the last book in the series and will lead readers down a trail of forbidden romance and healing.
Excerpt
“Do you always talk too much?” He scrubbed his hand down his jaw. “Do you know what your problem is?”
“No, but something tells me you’ll fill in the blanks.” She tilted her chin in challenge.
“You're so used to getting your way that you can’t see outside of your bubble. Guys do flips to get your attention and then drool when you give them a little attention. Have you ever had any man who didn’t want to jump in the sack with you?”
“Are you referring to yourself in that statement?”
He blew out a long breath. “Yeah, we took things from zero to a hundred in one night, but that was before—”
She swallowed hard. “Before what?”
He stared through the window for three long seconds before landing his sober gaze on her. “Before I got to know you,” he said.
The sting of his words sunk deep into the center of her bones. “So once you got to know me, you no longer wanted me sexually?”
“Wow. You do love to twist my words and torment me, don’t you?” He shook his head. “I’m saying, sure, I only expected to have a one-night thing with you, but there are some women you can’t just stop at one. Like a potato chip. You can’t just eat one.”
“And now you’re comparing me to a potato chip?” She raised her hands in frustration “You have the communication capability of a five-year-old.”
“I’m f*cking this up.” He blew out a long breath. “I’m not always good with my words regarding these issues. You’re intriguing and beautiful, and any man would be lucky to have you in his life. You deserve someone who wants to be in a relationship.”
“And you’re not into relationships,” she muttered, more of a statement than a question.
“If only.”
“What makes you so sure that I want a relationship? Don’t assume I want to be in one any more than you do.” He looked at her in such a way that made her ask, “What?”
“Consider the business implications of this situation. Mixing work and pleasure is never a good idea.”
“It’s a little late for that.”
“Neither of us was aware of who the other was.”
“You don’t always play by the book, do you?” She flicked up a brow.
“Didn’t you say yourself it’d never happen between us again?”
“A girl reserves the right to change her mind.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/embracing-hope-cowboys-of-sagebrush-rose-book-5-by-rhonda-lee-carver
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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