Title: Every Thorn Has A Rose (The Thorns of Wildflower Ridge Book 1)
Author: Rhonda Lee Carver
Genre: Contemporary western romance
Book Blurb:
The solution is marriage, so we have a reason to dislike each other…
Handsome, billionaire Cruise Thorn—and his brothers—has always lived life doing what he wanted and who he wanted. If money didn’t get him what he wanted, his blue eyes and big smile always did.
When their father’s last bit of patience unravels, things are about to get real.
The Thorn brothers have a year to marry, set some roots, or they will be cut off from the family riches.
After spending most of his life searching the bottom of whiskey bottles and entertaining soft curves in rotating beds, Cruise is ready to turn a different leaf. But marriage? Nah. He’ll pass.
But he meets Rose Lee. Every Thorn needs a rose, and he has a hankering for the sassy brunette who isn't impressed with his money or looks. She's independent, strong, beautiful, and looks at Cruise like he's day old bread.
Is he up for the challenge? He just might have to marry her and see…
Excerpt:
There was something about her, maybe her white knuckled hold on the glass or the frown that returned, that made her seem different, like she felt out of place among the elite crowd. The dress dipped low enough to show off the tops of her firm breasts, making his palms itch. Something told him she wasn’t quite comfortable in the swooped neckline either because within two minutes she’d tugged it higher on her chest four times. Although she was a bit too skinny for his tastes, because he usually went for women with fuller curves, more to hold onto when he plunged deep between her silken thighs, but there was something attractive about her outside of just a possibility of knowing her. Vulnerability maybe? Or the dislike of being among the gathering? Or the telltale sign that she had insecurities.
They had something in common.
As someone passed, she took a step backward out of the way, bumping into a guest. Drops of her champagne splashed over the rim, spilling onto the plump mound of one breast, racking up unexpected fantasies in his mind.
He could help her with that.
He followed her with his interested gaze as she set her glass down on the bar and grabbed a napkin, using it to wipe away the wetness from her skin. With each stroke of the napkin, the tip of her tongue slid out between her plump lips as if she had her complete focus on the task.
Cruise wondered what else she gave her total concentration to.
She bent slightly and the dress hugged her backside. He could see she had a bit more curves than he initially thought.
When she was satisfied that the spot was dry, she relinquished the crumpled napkin and smoothed her hands over the bodice of the dress. The fourth finger on her left hand was bare. It was fascinating how much he noticed when he wasn’t drinking. Wedding rings never seemed to be an issue, present or otherwise.
Truthfully, he probably wouldn’t have looked twice at the woman had he been drinking.
He wondered what else he’d missed for the last few years.
The brunette swiveled on her heels and her gaze found his. Once the flash of surprise disappeared from her expression, her bottom lip puckered, and her eyes slightly widened. He offered her a smile, hoping for one in return, but instead she slowly lifted her hand and flipped him her middle finger.
With a Cheshire grin, she turned in a cloud of soft material and disappeared into the crowd.
What the hell?
He’d never struck out so fast.
He searched for the mysterious hellcat when a large shadow fell over him. Glancing up, he saw the last person he wanted to speak to. “LB, I promised Haisley there wouldn’t be any trouble tonight.” Cruise threw out the disclaimer.
With a casual chuckle, LB pulled up a chair and took a seat, propping his elbows on the edge of the table. For a man who just got married he didn’t look too pleased. “I love your sister.”
“I got that feeling.” Cruise eased the chair onto two legs. The last time he and LB had sat at the same table they were playing a game of cowboy poker at the fairgrounds arena during the Rodeo Olympics. At the time neither knew they were half-brothers and would rather have killed the other than to say a kind, respectful word. Some kid-shit that happened had started a war between the two families. For the life of him, Cruise couldn’t remember what the hell it was that caused them to be enemies.
LB scraped his nails down his smooth jaw. At least Haisley had made him shave too. “She is my person, so I need to make amends with you because she loves us both.”
“Not because we’re brothers?” Cruise muttered, shifting his weight, causing the chair to drop down to four legs with a thud.
Slanting forward, LB narrowed his gaze. His somber expression spoke of a man who didn’t exactly want to bury the hatchet. “As far as I see things, we might share DNA, but we’re nothing alike. You made my wife sad. You know how many times she’s cried because she’s been worried about you? That doesn’t settle well with me.” He practically growled the words.
“Then why are you trying to smooth things over?” Cruise understood that his stubborn ways had gotten him into trouble over the years, and the alcohol had instigated some terrible actions, including the time he and LB got into a physical altercation at a party. Keeping this in mind, Cruise didn’t want to add pressure to the pot. He loved his sister and understood he had hurt her by his sloppy behavior.
“For Haisley. All for her.”
Cruise held LB’s gaze. “We have something in common. We both want the best for her. I’m willing to forget and forgive.” Then, with a dose of humiliation, he thrust out his hand.
LB hesitated before finally laying his hand into Cruise’s. “Don’t make her cry again because if you do, I’ll be pissed.”
“And you don’t hurt her. That’d be a big mistake.”
“I’d protect her with my life,” LB said proudly.
“Then you and I should never have a problem again.” Out of his peripheral he caught a glance of the raven-haired beauty who’d reappeared within his line of vision. She stood on the opposite side of the room, speaking to Gavin Shanefield who practically salivated over her. “Hey, do you know her?” Cruise jutted his chin.
LB searched the crowd. “The woman in red? Nope. Must be a friend of Haisley’s.”
“What about me?” Haisley swept over and wrapped her arms lovingly around LB’s shoulders.
Concern filled her eyes. “Do we have a problem here, fellows?”
Cruise swiped off his hat and laid it on the table. “None whatsoever. Congratulations, sis. You look beautiful.”
She came over and squeezed his shoulders. “It’s good to have you home, big brother.”
He caught the emotion in her voice and felt his own deep in his gut. Family was everything. He even guessed the Ryders to an extent.
“I’m stealing my husband so we can have our first dance as a married couple.” She took LB’s hand, and he stood, drawing her in close to kiss the top of her head.
“Hais, is that a friend of yours?” Cruise asked.
“The beautiful woman in the red dress?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t remember her?” Haisley’s troubled expression returned.
“I thought I knew her. Just don’t know how,” he admitted, scraping the recesses of his mind.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She targeted him in her glare. “Stay away from her.”
He was at a loss. “Why?”
“She’s my friend and the last thing she needs is to be reminded that you slept with her then ghosted her.”
Cruise blinked, absorbing the accusation. “I slept with her?”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
If money were no object, where would you go for a Spring Break vacation and why?
I would choose to go to Hocking Hills State Park and stay in a cabin on the lake and knock out a book...reading or writing one. The peace and tranquility there are refreshing.
Why is your featured book a must-read this spring?
My book is a must read because 1) who doesn't love a sexy, alpha hero 2) don't we all want our spring to start with grumpy sunshine, small town romance, marriage of convenience, and enough heat to compete with the sun?
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $25 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs April 1 – 30, 2024
Drawing will be held on May 1, 2024.
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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