#GiveAway Rachel’s Dream by Lisa Jones Baker

 Rachel’s Dream

by Lisa Jones Baker

Lisa will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. You may find those locations here. 

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BLURB:

Rachel Kauffman and Jarred Zimmerman seem to have nothing in common.  She's the outgoing youngest of a large, close-knit Amish clan, while Jarred is a young veterinarian who trusts the animals he heals far more than he trusts people.  However, when Rachel's horse falls ill, Jarred's struggles to save him show Rachel he's a man who cares deeply.  And the respect he feels for her gentle warmhearted ways soon becomes an irresistible bond. When Rachel tries to help Jarred reunite with his parents, it's an unexpected blessing..with one complication.  If he takes this chance to put his past to rest, it could separate him and Rachel for good.  Now, with prayer, love...and her hope chest's small miracles, Jarred and Rachel must find the courage to reconcile their wishes into a joyous life together.

GENRE: Inspirational Romance  (Amish)

Buy Links:

B&N | Kensington - Print | Kensington - eBook  | Amazon 

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EXCERPT:

  

That sudden acknowledgment hit her with such a strong emotional ferocity, she wasn’t sure what to say.  I will miss him.  I’ve grown accustomed to his soft, kind voice.  And I feel such a bond with Jarred, like I’ve never had with anyone.  What will I do without him? 

 As if sensing her thoughts, Jarred stepped closer.  “Rachel, thanks for lending me your ear.  There can never be a happy ending for what happened.  But I want you to know something.  Even when Cinnamon’s well, I want to keep in touch.”

His statement prompted a sudden sigh of relief.  “Of course.”

As Jarred stepped out of the barn, Rachel yearned for him to stay.  To tell him everything she was feeling.  So many emotions flitted inside her heart-frustration, compassion, gratefulness, sadness, and others she didn’t recognize-as he stepped into his truck and started the engine.

He wanted to keep in touch.  The words came as a relief because she never wanted to be without him.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 Lisa Jones Baker is a multi-published author with Kensington Books.  Her debut book of THE HOPE CHEST OF DREAMS series, REBECCA’S BOUQUET, won a Publishers Weekly starred review.  A former teacher with a BA degree in French education, Lisa has been on 5 out of 7 continents, is a dog lover.  She enjoys positive thinkers , volunteering in her church’s food pantry, and strong female characters.    

You can find her on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009288891265

Website: http://www.lisajonesbaker.com/

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#GiveAway TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS By Carolyn Brown

TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS 

Series: Happy, Texas #1

By Carolyn Brown

ABOUT THE BOOK:

  

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carolyn Brown's begins an all-new series of rugged cowboys.

“This is an emotional star-crossed lovers tale with tangible depths and an attitude that’s relatable to real life.” –RT Book Reviews

Last time Lila Harris was in Happy, Texas, she was actively earning her reputation as the resident wild child. Now, a little older and wiser, she's back to run her mother's café for the summer. Except something about this town has her itching to get a little reckless and rowdy, especially when she sees her old partner-in-crime, Brody Dawson. Their chemistry is just as hot as ever. But he's still the town's golden boy-and she's still the wrong kind of girl.

Brody hasn't had much time lately for anything other than ranching. Running the biggest spread in the county and taking care of his family more than keeps him busy. All that responsibility has him longing for the carefree days of high school—and Lila. She may have grown up, but he still sees that spark of mischief in her eyes. Now he's dreaming about late-night skinny dipping and wondering how he can possibly resist the one woman he can never forget...

On Sale: May 30, 2017

Publisher: Forever

Mass Market: $7.99 USD

eBook: $6.99 USD

Add to Goodreads

PREORDER THE BOOK HERE:

Amazon | B&N | Books-A-Million | Google Play | iBooks | IndieBound | Kobo

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TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS Teaser Excerpt

She picked up her pace, but Brody matched his long strides with hers.

“Don’t feel like you have to walk me my vehicle. I’m a big girl and I’ve been takin’ care of myself for years.”

“You’ve always been able to take care of yourself, Lila, but I want to walk with you.” His hand went to her lower back.

The intense heat would probably leave an imprint on her back for days, but she didn’t argue or shrug his hand away.

When they reached her bright pink truck, he gave a low whistle. “Nice.”

She found her keys and touched a button that started the engine. “I left the motorcycle at home.”

“Oh, really?” His expression said that he didn’t believe her.

“Yep, I didn’t want to get to the bar and have helmet head.”

“Are you serious?”

“Why would you be so surprised? I am, after all, the resident wild child of Happy, Texas. I’m surprised there’s not a picture of me beside the city limits sign warning everyone to steer clear of that Lila Harris. If you rub shoulders with her, you get an instant ticket to hell. Do not pass go. Do not collect two hundred dollars. Just get ready for the ride.”

“Motorcycles are dangerous. You shouldn’t…”

She laid a finger over his lips. “When we were back in high school, I stayed on that bull for eight seconds and climbed to the top of the water tower. You didn’t fuss at me about those things, but wait—you were right there too. Well, darlin’, buy a Harley and we’ll terrorize Happy together.”

Brody stepped closer, penning her against the truck door. She put both hands on his chest with intentions of pushing him away, but she made the mistake of looking up into his eyes. Lashes slowly closed to rest on his cheek bones and she barely had time to moisten her lips before she was swept away by a scorching hot kiss.

She knew she should push him back, but instead her arms went around his neck and she touched his bottom lip with her tongue. He groaned and opened his mouth, deepening the kiss into fiery hot passion. She would have been there until daylight, but he finally stepped back, picked up her hand and kissed her palm twice.

“One kiss for the Lila I remember, and the other for the woman that she’s become. Both are very special.”  Then Brody turned and disappeared into the darkness.

THE HAPPY, TEXAS SERIES:

TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS, #1

LONG,TALL COWBOY CHRISTMAS, #2

Series Page on Goodreads

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author and RITA® Finalist who has sold more than 2.75 million books. She presently writes both women's fiction and cowboy romance. She has also written historical single title, historical series, contemporary single title, and contemporary series. She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher, who is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.

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#GiveAway Hunter Claimed By A.M. Griffin

Hunter Claimed

Dark Wolf Enterprises, Book #3

By A.M. Griffin

A.M. Griffin is giving away a $20 Amazon Gift card during the tour. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. 

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Blurb:

When Hunter and Asha’s worlds collide, neither is able to walk away from the other.

Asha has a simple plan for her life—her hopefully soon-to-be immortal life. All she’s ever wanted was to be so powerful that no one could ever hurt her again, and once she becomes a Vampire her dream will come true. Sure, being a Vampire’s protégé isn’t the easiest job a girl could have, but there are far tougher roads she could be walking, like following in her drug-addicted mother’s footsteps.

Hunter Arany hates Vampires, and with good reason. So when Dark Wolf Enterprises is forced to hire a group of the blood-suckers to find out who’s been stealing company money, he’s sure having them around will be a problem. He never figured it would the Vampires’ human servant who causes him the most trouble—trouble of the love and life-mate kind.

He’s hoping to convince Asha a brighter future exists in his arms, but old dreams fade slowly and can become living nightmares—of the dying kind.

Paranormal Romance
Release Date: April 25, 2017

Amazon Buy Link

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Excerpt:

“You almost got me killed,” she announced.
He turned away from one of the screens he watched to frown at her. “Huh?”
“Stepping between me and Clarissa yesterday then leaving paw prints all over the property. I know it was you.”
He leaned back in his chair and watched her. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. And you shouldn’t be upset that I stopped a mad Vampire from breaking the rest of your fingers.”
Ash narrowed her eyes. “You don’t understand how Vampires work,” she bit out.
“I know plenty, which is why you shouldn’t be anywhere near them. You’re human.”
She lifted her chin. “I can handle myself.”
He glanced at her injured hand. “Right.”
She stabbed the air with her finger. “You think you know everything, but you don’t. No one is making me stay with them. I’m with them because I want to—”
“Be one of them.”
She could feel her temperature rising. “And what’s so bad about that?”
“Nothing if you enjoy feeding off blood.”
“It’s a necessity.”
Hunter got up and crossed the short distance between them. He put a hand on the side of her head and tilted it to view her neck. “No bite marks.” He sounded surprised.
She pulled out of his grasp and stepped away until her back hit the door. “They don’t bite me there.” She knew it was the wrong thing to say as soon as the words left her lips.
He stepped up to her. Their bodies were almost touching. “Where do they bite you, Ash?” he asked in a low voice.
She couldn’t find the words to say anything. He smelled so good—outdoorsy and fresh. She breathed in deeper, filling her lungs with the scent of man.
He lifted her hand and turned over her wrist. “Do they bite you here?”
She didn’t like to be touched. She hated it. But she welcomed his hands on her skin. She wanted him to touch her more. “S-sometimes.”
He ran his fingers up to the soft side of her elbow. Heat erupted on her skin in their wake. “How about here?”
She shook her head and her messenger bag dropped from her hand. He went to her hip and she inhaled a sharp breath at the tingling sensation that he caused.
He used his hand to travel down her hip and stopped at the juncture of her groin. “Here?”
“Y-yes.”
“You have to hand it to them,” he said, his voice deep and raspy. “They know where the liquid is…sweetest.”
Air caught in her throat. Hunter leaned down and captured her mouth with his. The prickly hairs on his upper lip and chin grazed across her face. He was all man, yet feral and predatory at the same time. He used his tongue to part her lips and delved inside. She was hesitant at first, unsure what to do or how to kiss him. But it didn’t take long before instinct took over and she explored his mouth just as much as he did hers and met his tongue with the same ferocity he displayed.
He reached around and palmed her butt, squeezing and kneading her onto him. His hardness was against her belly in the most delightful way. He gripped and lifted her off her feet. Using the door to steady her, Hunter urged her to wrap her legs around his waist. With their mouths locked together, he walked her over to the table and sat her on the edge.
She didn’t care about the compromising position. All that mattered was how his muscles felt under her hands. She explored him, caressing his face, neck, arms and back. She wanted more. She longed for him.
He pressed his hips between her legs and she shuddered. Only the thin barrier of her panties separated his cock from her. Little moans escaped her mouth as he moved, grinding on her clit. She let her hands roam across his lower back, urging him on. With fervor, he kissed her, and deep moans came from his throat. Her stomach knotted at hearing his pleasure in her ears.

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 $.99 FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!

Shifter Claimed
Dark Wolf Enterprises, Book #1


Blurb:

The big break Trudy Hollander’s small accounting firm needs has finally arrived, but unfortunately it comes with murder, mayhem and Kristof Farkas, a man she just can’t seem to resist. Even worse, Kristof is the CFO of Dark Wolf Enterprises—the one person who can pull the plug on the job that will take her company to the next level.
Then there are the assassins who can jump from three stories up and still be able to run away…
Kristof has no intention of giving in to his inner wolf and claiming Trudy. She’s human. Too fragile to withstand being a shifter’s mate. But the need to protect her is stronger than his resolve, and his desire is more powerful yet. He’ll fight with everything he has to keep her safe, both from those who would hurt her, and from himself.

Amazon Buy Link
My Review when this was included in a box set


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Lover Claimed
Dark Wolf Enterprises, Book #2

Blurb:

When Meisha comes home and finds a strange man in her kitchen, she does what any sensible person would do. She beats the crap out of him first, then asks questions after. When he explains her best friend is in mortal danger, Meisha knows the whole mess—including a recent murder and the threats on her friend’s life—may be her fault, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. And no sexy stranger is going to stop her.

Lajos Farkas isn’t expecting to meet a spitfire, martial artist when he’s on a mission to figure out who’s stealing from Dark Wolf Enterprises, and he certainly doesn’t expect her to insist on butting in on his investigation. But getting rid of Meisha is seemingly impossible, and when his wolf decides she’s his life-mate, suddenly he realizes he’ll do anything to keep her close and grow old with her.

If they can just stay alive long enough to make that possible.

Amazon Buy Link
My Review

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Author Bio:

A. M. Griffin is a wife who rarely cooks, mother of three, dog owner (and sometimes dog owned), a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She’s a hard worker whose two favorite outlets are reading and writing. She enjoys reading everything from mystery novels to historical romances and of course fantasy romance. She is a believer in the unbelievable, open to all possibilities from mermaids in our oceans and seas, angels in the skies and intelligent life forms in distant galaxies.

Where you can find me:

Website: http://www.amgriffinbooks.com/
Subscribe to my Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/A.M.-Griffin/e/B00APK4V4G/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Email: amgriffinbooks@gmail.com
Like me at: www.facebook.com/amgriffinbooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/amgriffinbooks
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMGriffinbooks

Follow me on Instagram: amgriffinbooks
Subscribe my newsletter for updates giveaways: http://eepurl.com/TZzXv

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#CoverReveal Time for Love By Laura N. Andrews

Time for Love
Series: Timeless Love, Book 2

By Laura N. Andrews

BLURB:

Endearing and shy, Nicholas Edwards prefers to stay in most nights. On one of his rare evenings out, he meets confident businessman Caleb Roimata.

Although at first he seems arrogant, charming and irresistible Caleb encourages Nicholas to come out of his shell, and together they fall into a relationship full of passion and love.

When Caleb’s past causes doubts to rise and drama to unfold, will they be there for each other and be what the other needs?

And when all is said and done, will there still be... time for love?
Release Date: May 20, 2017

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Cover Designer: Claire Smith

Preorder now for half price!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2pCcoeY

All other links: books2read.com/time-for-love

Timeless Love, Book 1

On sale for half price!

This Time
books2read.com/thistime

Author Info:

Canadian born Laura N. Andrews moved to Australia when she was three years old. When she finished high school, she successfully completed her studies in law enforcement. Since then, she's been working for over five years as a pharmacy assistant. When she's not working or spending time with family and friends, you can find her either curled up with a book or writing one of her own.

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#GiveAway CLAIMING THE MAVERICK'S HEART by Debra Holt

CLAIMING THE MAVERICK'S HEART

by Debra Holt

The author is giving away a $10 Amazon/BN GC. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. You may find those locations here. 

BLURB:

“He’s back.”

Words Macy Donovan hoped to never hear.

Trace Cartwright was the maverick rodeo cowboy who broke her heart, leaving her on the steps of the church on the eve of their wedding. Now he's returned to build his home and to lay claim to her heart ... again. Macy barely survived the broken heart the first time. Does he think he can walk back into her life and take up where he left off?

GENRE: Romance

Amazon Buy Link

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EXCERPT:

All that from just a glance? It was only a swift glimpse, but Macy didn’t need more. The broad shoulders and lean hips hadn’t changed…and neither had the cocky set of the black Stetson. The man was more than a head taller than anyone around him; his straight-backed stature was a distinctive Cartwright trait, as were the green eyes inherited from his Irish mother. Macy couldn’t see his eyes from that distance, but she didn’t need to. They were forever etched in her memory. Wiping first one sweaty palm and then the other on the legs of her jeans, she increased her grip on the steering wheel while her insides continued their gymnastics.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Born and raised in the Lone Star state of Texas, Debra grew up among horses, cowboys, wide open spaces, and real Texas Rangers.  Pride in her state and ancestry knows no bounds and it is these heroes and heroines she loves to write about the most.  She also draws upon a variety of life experiences including working with abused children, caring for baby animals at a major zoo, and planning high-end weddings (ah, romance!).

    

When she isn’t busy writing about tall Texans and feisty heroines, she can be found cheering on her Texas Tech Red Raiders, or heading off on another cruise adventure.  She read her first romance...Janet Dailey's Fiesta San Antonio, over thirty years ago and became hooked on the genre. Writing contemporary romances, is both her passion and dream come true, and she hopes her books will bring smiles...and sighs...to all who believe in happily-ever-after’s. 

     

Debra invites you to visit her website at www.debraholtbooks.com.  She loves to hear from other aspiring authors or readers via email at debraholtbooks@gmail.com.  

Twitter is https://twitter.com/DebraHoltBooks and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DebraHoltBooks. 

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#GiveAway The Heart of a Texas Cowboy By Linda Broday

The Heart of a Texas Cowboy

Series: Men of Legend, #2

By Linda Broday

Please use the Rafflecopter below for your chance to Enter to win one of ten copies of To Love a Texas Ranger by Linda Broday.

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BLURB: 

Three Brothers. One Oath.
No Compromises.
The MEN of LEGEND

The Cowboy
One bullet is all it takes to shatter Houston Legend’s world. He swore he’d never love again, but with the future of the Lone Star Ranch on the line, he finds himself at the altar promising to love and cherish a woman he’s never met—a woman whose vulnerable beauty touches his heart.

All Lara Boone wants is a name for her baby. She never expected to fall in love with her own husband—or any man—after the heartache she’s endured. Yet when her troubled past catches up with them, Houston will move heaven and earth to protect his bride…and discover depths to a marriage of convenience neither realized could be theirs.

ISBN: 9781492630203
Pub date: May 2, 2017
Genre: Historical Western Romance

Buy Links:
lindabroday.com | Amazon

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Excerpt – Heart of a Texas Cowboy:

With night wrapped around her like a cloak, Lara hummed while she washed the dishes and put everything away.

Houston sat on the ground with Gracie, his back against his saddle. The babe lay on his chest with his hand patting the small back. He caught Lara looking and winked as boldly as some scoundrel. Heat rose to her cheeks. She lowered her gaze and made quick work of the dishes.

“Do you want me to take Gracie to her bed?” Lara asked, joining him.

“If you can pry open her fist to get my vest out of it. For such a little thing, she’s sure got a grip.”

Houston was so near his soft breath fanned her cheek. Her pulse raced. This man she’d married invaded every thought. He’d shown kindness and caring and brought hope back from the grave where she’d buried it.

He laid a hand on her arm. “You’ll be back?”

“Yes. I won’t be long.”

“I’ll only be in camp a little while,” Houston said, yawning. “Have to spell the other drovers.” At her questioning glance, he explained, “Everyone shares guard duty, me included.”

She nodded and hurried to lay Gracie in her crib next to her crib beside the chuck wagon. With her precious daughter sleeping soundly, she returned to the fire to find no sign of Houston. Her heart sank with disappointment. She’d missed him, missed her goodnight kiss that he’d begged for.

Houston called quietly from the deep shadows. “Over here, Lara.”

Following his voice, Lara discovered him leaning against the trunk of a mesquite tree. Rays from the full moon lightened the dark brown strands nestling against his collar, adding glints of silver.

“I didn’t want to take a chance on us being interrupted so I walked out here,” he explained.

Lara wet her lips. “I thought you’d changed your mind.” That he didn’t want to kiss a woman so scarred.

“Not a chance, lady,” he growled low and pushed away from the tree. “It’s all that’s been on my mind since you agreed.”

When she moved to him, he opened his arms. She walked into his embrace as though it was door and pleasure awaited there. Inhaling the scented air, she laid her head against the hard wall of his chest. She wanted to stay there forever.

Houston lightly rested his chin on the top of her head. “I’m real glad you came on this drive. Nights can get lonely out here.”

His deep voice vibrated inside her. It was like he became part of her. “I’m glad I did too. Even though I had to work to convince you.”

“Yeah, well, I’m a stubborn fool.”

He put a finger under her chin and lifted her face. Without a word, he lowered his mouth. The minute his warm lips touched hers, Lara had to clutch his arm to keep from falling. Her heartbeat pounded as though trying to keep up with the blood racing through her veins.
A hot, demanding, achiness swept over her. She needed this man and at the moment didn’t think she could live without him. Nor did she want to try.

With a low cry, he placed his large hands under her jaw and deepened the kiss, sending a series of quickenings into her stomach similar to the ones she felt when Gracie curled in her womb. Maybe these stirrings signaled life much in the same way her baby’s movements did to let her know she was alive and couldn’t wait to be born.

Maybe she was being reborn.

Maybe she could forget the past and start fresh.

Maybe this was what she’d waited so long for.

As she leaned into him and gripped Houston’s vest, pleasure like she’d never felt swirled inside her. She clung to him afraid if she let go, he’d vanish and she’d discover it was a dream.

Could this be tiny stirrings of love?

Lara suddenly pushed away. No it wasn’t love because that didn’t exist. Not for her. It was too dangerous to believe in love. To believe she had anything to give any man.

What’s wrong, Lara?” Houston gently pushed back her hair. “Did I do something to upset or frighten you? I shouldn’t have grabbed you like that.”

“You did nothing wrong.” It was her. She almost let herself believe that someone could love her. One look at her reflection showed the impossibility of such a thing. “I’m sorry,” she murmured brokenly.

Through tears, she stumbled back to the light of the campfire, escaping all that brought pain.

The past.

Herself.

An impossible future.

Escaping everything. If only it was that easy.

Houston stole up behind her and touched her shoulder. “Talk to me. I want to understand.”

She owed him some explanation. Impatiently dashing away the tears, she turned and let anger spill. “It’s not you, Houston. It’s me. I’m broken. Too broken to fix. You can’t repair something that’s missing the pieces. Blackstone took a lot more than....” she paused, “He stole....”

“Your soul,” he supplied quietly.

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About the Author: 

At a young age, LINDA BRODAY discovered a love for storytelling, history, and anything pertaining to the Old West. Cowboys fascinate her. There’s something about Stetsons, boots, and tall rugged cowboys that get her fired up. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Linda has won many awards, including the prestigious National Readers’ Choice Award and the Texas Gold Award. She resides in the Texas Panhandle and is inspired every day.

Social Networking Links:
Website: http://lindabroday.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindabrodayauthor
Twitter: @LBroday
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1204489.Linda_Broday

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#GiveAway Enchanting the Earl By Lily Maxton

Enchanting the Earl 
Series: The Townsends #1

By Lily Maxton 

She’s the last thing he expects to find...

Llynmore Castle is the only place Annabel Lockhart has ever considered home. For years, she’s been able to live as she wished, freely roaming the wild moors. Now there’s a new earl, as arrogant as he is handsome, and he wants her out. But if he thinks she’ll go quietly, he’s in for a surprise. 

Theo Townsend returned from war a changed man. After unexpectedly inheriting an earldom and a secluded castle in the Scottish Highlands to go with it, he thinks he’s found the perfect place to hide from the world—until he arrives to find a spirited, beautiful woman already in residence. He can’t just throw her out, but surely there's a way to get her to leave on her own. The sooner she's gone, the better, especially when he realizes there’s more than just mutual dislike between them.

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: 17/04/2017

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, Scandalous

Buy Links: 

Amazon: US I UK I AU I CA

Nook I iBooks I Publisher

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Excerpt: 

He set the spyglass down, laying it in its place with surprising gentleness. For a moment he simply touched it, his face contemplative, before his hands slid away.
“Have you never seen a spyglass before?”
He peered at her in the dim light. “I’m trying to figure out what purpose it serves as a decoration.”
“I like it. Is that not reason enough?”
“Your shelves and tables are filled with things without any apparent use. It’s very untidy.” He sounded perturbed and she felt another smile tugging at her mouth.
“And it’s such a sin, is it? To be untidy?”
“I prefer order.”
“Yes,” she said, still a little amused. “No doubt you do.” Propriety and rigid rules. The things he clung to, she had no use for anymore. If she ever had to begin with. When he was silent, she continued, “I found that washed up on the shore of the sea loch one day. I was quite taken with it. Who knows who possessed it before me—a pirate, a privateer, a sailor trying to make his way home to his love? Did his ship sink before he could find his way back?”
“Most likely,” Theo said. “Or it wouldn’t have washed up on the shore.”
“Well, that is quite literal.” If there was an ounce of whimsy in that hardened soul it was buried deep. She had a strange yearning to try to draw it out, which, as any intelligent woman would do, she repressed. “But that’s why I display it,” she continued. “I enjoy the idea that there’s a history there, a story I’ll never know.”
He contemplated her. “You like the mystery?”
“Something like that. Or…” She tried to frame her thoughts. “The possibilities, perhaps.”
His mouth quirked. “I find I don’t much care for possibilities. I’d rather have facts.”
“Don’t you ever feel stifled?”
His brow furrowed as he looked at her. “No. Why should I?”
“There is much more to this world, to this life, than facts and order. There’s beauty and hope and…and love.” She felt silly after she said it, but it was too late to take the words back. It was odd—she thought of herself as a sensible woman. She was a sensible woman, but somewhere in her depths was a core of idealism that she couldn’t quite shake.
A moment passed before he spoke, and when he did, there was something underneath the wry tone of his voice, but she couldn’t place it. “What do you know of love?”

About the Author:

Lily Maxton grew up in the Midwest, reading, writing, and daydreaming amidst cornfields. After graduating with a degree in English, she decided to put her natural inclinations to good use and embark on a career as a writer.

When she’s not working on a new story, she likes to tour old houses, add to her tea stash, and think of reasons to avoid housework.

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