May I introduce: Barbara White D'aille "Rancher at Risk" @BarbaraWDaille

A big thanks to Iris for inviting me back to the blog! I’m sharing a short excerpt from Rancher at Risk. This is onHone of my Flagman’s Folly stories. Though it includes characters from other books in the series, each book stands alone.

Hope you enjoy the peek!

From the cover of Rancher at Risk:

A Fresh Start

After the loss of his family in a tragic accident, Ryan Malloy has been given one last chance to change his life. His boss sends him to Flagman's Folly, New Mexico, to run his ranch, but unfortunately, Ryan's troubled attitude lands him in hot water with the locals, especially the ranch's manager, Lianne Ward.

Deaf since birth, Lianne has never let her disability define who she is. But, she's yet to meet a man who treats her as an equal. Ryan seems different…that is, when they're not butting heads over the ranch's new school for disadvantaged boys.

Forced to work together, Lianne and Ryan discover an unexpected attraction beneath their quarreling. But will Ryan's painful past drive them apart…permanently?

Excerpt:

Despite her good intentions to watch for Ryan, he seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"Oh, hi."  The tightness of her throat told her she hadn't managed a casual tone at all.  She tried again.  "Want a brownie?"

He couldn't mask his surprise—not one from someone who depended on reading expressions the way she did.  Yet even with a lifetime of experience, she couldn't quite decipher the look in his eyes.

"Yeah," he said finally.  "If the coffee's on offer, too, I'll go grab an extra mug."

He left the room and she rolled her eyes and told herself to get a grip.  Except she already had one on the magazine she was crumpling in her fingers.  Immediately, she forced her hands to relax.  This was a simple snack.  He wasn't a date.  She could act like a rational woman.

As if?

She fanned herself with the magazine. 

Yes, he had come in and showered earlier, then gone out to the bunkhouse for dinner with the cowboys.  He had done that every night this week.  But this was the first time he had changed into shorts no larger than a scrap of denim and a faded blue T-shirt that clung like the plastic wrap she'd had covering the pan of brownies.

Rancher at Risk can be found at:

Amazon (U.S.)   http://amzn.com/B00E1UY35I

Amazon (Australia)   http://www.amazon.com.au/Mills-Boon-Rancher-At-Risk-ebook/dp/B013269BEE

Author Bio

Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwestern U.S. Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven’t gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom.

When she was very young, Barbara learned from her mom about the storytelling magic in books—and she’s been hooked ever since. She hopes you will enjoy reading her books and will find your own magic in them!

Barbara’s new series, The Hitching Post Hotel, features a matchmaking grandpa determined to see his three granddaughters wed. The series began in April 2015 with The Cowboy’s Little Surprise and continues with A Rancher of Her Own in July and The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal in December.

She loves to chat with readers, and you can find her and learn more about her books at the following locations:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Newsletter ~ Blog 

~ Amazon ~ Harlequin ~ Goodreads  ~ Pinterest

May I introduce: Barbara White Daille "A Rancher's Pride" #MFRWAuthor @BarbaraWDaille

 

A Rancher's Pride

 by Barbara White Daille

 

His Whole World Is In Her Hands

Sam Robertson's life just changed. In one short day, he found out that he's a daddy; that his beautiful little girl, Becky, is deaf; and that her aunt, sign language teacher Kayla Ward, intends to fight him for custody.

There are plenty of reasons Sam shouldn't fall for Kayla. A city girl like her has no place on his ranch, particularly when she's his ex-wife's gorgeous sister. But thanks to the judge's orders, Sam's spending a lot of time with Kayla, trying to give Becky the stable home she's never known.

Despite their ongoing custody battle, Sam and Kayla's love for Becky brings them closer than they ever expected, and Sam knows that no matter who wins in court, he could still lose—Kayla or his daughter.

 

 

~~~

Excerpt

One note about the action in the following clip.  Sam realizes he's on the verge of losing his battle to keep his daughter because he can't communicate with her.  To this point he has resisted being taught by Kayla, who's fluent in the language Becky understands:  sign language.

Here's the peek....

Sam picked up one of Becky's crayons and held his hand out to Kayla.
    

"How do you sign blue?" he asked, looking directly at her.

 
Kayla glanced down.  "That's not a blue crayon."

"I was talking about your eyes.  They're very blue…and your cheeks are suddenly bright pink."  Sam smiled and leaned closer.  "I can learn all my colors," he murmured, "just by looking at you."

Her heart thumped.  She wanted to lean back but couldn't.  She should get up and walk away.  Somehow, she couldn't do that, either.  "There are more signs than just colors, you know."  Her voice cracked on the last word.

He smiled.  He knew just what he was doing to her.  And darn him, he was enjoying it.

"True."  Sam smiled again.  "How do you say I?"

She pointed her index finger at herself.

"And how do you say want?"

She hesitated then held both palms up and crooked her fingers as she pulled her hands toward her body.

He leaned even closer.  "And how do you say a kiss?" he whispered against her ear.
   

~~~

A Rancher's Pride is available in Australia in e-book format!

 

Currently at Mills & Boon: http://www.millsandboon.com.au/product/9781460839836

Coming May 2015 to Harlequin Australia  http://www.harlequinbooks.com.au/

It can also be found in e-book format in the U.S. at:

Amazon  http://amzn.com/0373753578

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ranchers-pride-barbara-white-daille/1100382659?ean=9781459202337

Harlequin http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=36983

 

~~~

 

Author Bio

 

Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny U.S. Southwest.  Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven't gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom.

When she was very young, Barbara learned from her mom about the storytelling magic in books—and she's been hooked ever since.  She hopes you will enjoy reading her books and will find your own magic in them!

Upcoming for Barbara is a brand-new series, The Hitching Post Hotel, about a matchmaking grandpa determined to see his three granddaughters wed.  The series debuts in April 2015 with The Cowboy's Little Surprise, followed by A Rancher of Her Own in July and a third as-yet-untitled book in December.

 

 

Find Barbara at the following locations:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Newsletter ~ Blog ~ Amazon ~ Harlequin ~ Goodreads

Make sure to leave a comment for Barbara.

She'd love to hear from you.

 

 

 

Review: Susan Mallery "Chasing Perfect"

Publisher: Harlequin

ISBN: 9780373774524

My rating: 3/5



Welcome to Fool's Gold, California, a charming community in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. There's lots to do and plenty of people to meet, especially women. Because there's just one tiny problem in Fool's Gold: the men don't seem to stick around. Maybe it's the lure of big-city life, or maybe it's plain old bad luck, but regardless of the reason, the problem has to be fixed, fast. And Charity Jones may be just the city planner to do it.
Charity's nomadic childhood has left her itching to settle down, and she immediately falls in love with all the storybook town has to offer - everything, that is, except its sexiest and most famous resident, former world-class cyclist Josh Golden. With her long list of romantic disasters, she's not about to take a chance on another bad boy, even if everyone else thinks he's perfect just the way he is. But maybe that's just what he needs a someone who knows the value of his flaws. Someone who knows that he's just chasing perfect.

My thoughts


This is a tricky task to put down my thoughts about this book.

I really liked the book and it was a toss between a higher rating or "just 3". Although, it's not all about rating, right. It was a good read and Susan Mallery is a good writer.

But, yes, there were a few "issues" I had. Foremost, I couldn't warm up to Charity. The constant doubt about Josh's reasons to go back to racing. It was near annoying - oh, I know about "conflict" in a story, but this seemed like overkill IMHO.

The other thing I couldn't figure out (what did I miss?) was the reason why Charity was so distant about men. Her mother's relationships with men was often mentioned, but her own experiences were mentioned, but then left hanging.

I really liked Josh on the other hand. He was sexy, charming, coping with an interesting past and nice. Like REALLY nice!

Oh - the money mystery wasn't really a mystery at all. The story could've easily done without it.

So if you're looking for a light read not expecting much, this one is for you!

Review: Susan Mallery "Sizzling (Buchanan #3)

Publisher: Harlequin

ISBN:  9780373771769

My rating: n/a



Reid Buchanan was always a fan favorite on the baseball diamond. A spiteful article about the former pitcher and current playboy questions his talent in the bedroom. And the newspaper's just the first bad news. Reid's grandmother Gloria's broken hip means she needs constant care--but Reid hired Nurses 1 and 2 for their bedside manner with him. So for Number 3 he chooses Lori Johnson, the first candidate who seems immune to his brand of charm.
Lori's never wasted her time with amoebas like Reid Buchanan. So why are her well-fortified defenses starting to crumble under the force of his sexy smile--and the kindness he shows her at every turn? There's only one explanation for the feelings flaring between them--chemistry. Chemistry so hot, it's sizzling!



My thoughts

I won't write a review as such, because the story wasn't my cup of tea, but considering that I posted my thoughts on Cal and Walker's story, I wanted to post this one for continuity sake.

After reading Buchanan book #1 & #2 I was disappointed that a "caring" Reid who was good friends with Penny, helped Elissa with the market, who said "Of course we did. You're Walker's girl" was now so terribly worried that his "manhood" was put into question in the paper.
Also, for me Lori's constant self-doubt was so over the top I was about to stop reading a couple of times. It was annoying to me.

Review: Susan Mallery "Delicious" (Buchanans, #1)

Publisher: HQN Books

ISBN: 978-0373775200
 
My Rating: 4/5
 


Appetizer
Cal Buchanan needs a top-flight chef to take over his failing Seattle restaurant, The Waterfront. He can afford to hire the best in town--the only problem is that the best happens to be his ex-wife, Penny Jackson.

Entree
Penny really needs this opportunity, but she doesn't need the distraction of working with her ex. She's sworn off romance--she's even having a baby on her own. But before she knows it, the heat is on...and the attraction between her and Cal moves from a low simmer to a full boil!

Dessert
The rest should be easy as pie, but a secret from Dessert Cal's past could spoil everything. Maybe it's true that too many cooks spoil the broth--or maybe two is enough to make it irresistible. (www.susanmallery.com)

 

 

My thoughts:

 

I'm a sucker when it comes to family ... and this one had a strong family bond and for that I loved it.

 

Cal Buchanan is supposed to get the family restaurant back into order. One of his first business deals is hiring his ex-wife Penny.  What she neglects to mention, though, is she's pregnant with an IVF baby. But he's supposed to be running "The Waterfront" for only four months anyway.

 

Over the course of the next few months we follow both their lives as the close working relationship turns in to a friendship and even more. Mallery puts both characters back into a relationship, but this time they seemed to have matured, learnt about trust and "relations". It's wonderful to read how their bond blossoms into more, despite their "secrets". Okay, I have to admit, some of Penny's "reactions" were annoying, but, hey, we're talking about a hormonal pregnant woman. Anything can happen.

 

We also get to know the rest of the Buchanan family; the sexy Reid, ex-army Walker and their little sister Dani. Despite having lost their parents and having to deal with about the worst grandmother ever, I felt a bit envious of their bond.

 

This is the first in the Buchanan series, and I've to say I look forward to reading about the rest family!

 

May I introduce: Aussie Author Rachael Johns "Outback Dreams"

I am so pleased to have another Australian Author as a guest on my blog. Rachael Johns lives in rural Western Australia, is an English teacher by trade,  a mum 24/7 and  a supermarket owner by day.

And may I add, a very talented writer ;-)

 

I come from an overcrowded country and during my first visit to the outback I wondered for days how someone could live out there. So, that was an obvious question for me and I'm glad, Rachael took the time to satisfy my curiosity!

 

PS - And do take some time to drool over that cover!

 

1. Tell us what makes the Australian Outback special to you? 

I'm what I call a converted country girl. I grew up in the city and moved as a newly married woman and new mum to a small country town nine years ago. At first it was terrifying. Everyone knew everyone and I knew no one but when we left that town six years later I had more affinity with it than any place I'd ever lived before. Country towns seep into your bones and become part of you. The community spirit in these places are what I love the most - the committees with dedicated people that work hard to achieve local goals, the social events (Bingo, fundraising balls, kids concerts and of course the Christmas parties), the sporting teams and the fact that everyone looks out for each other. If there is a tragedy the whole town mourns, if there is joy everyone celebrates. I also adore living in open spaces where you can step out of your front door and get up close and personal with nature. 

2. People have the impression, the Outback is a harsh country, with spiders, snakes, draught etc.  Is that a tricky or difficult setting for Romance Novels?

Rural Australia can be harsh - I have to watch out for snakes when I go running in the summer and many of my friends' livelihoods are depending on Mother Nature providing enough rain. But I think these things actually can help a writer - there is always plenty of external conflict you can throw at characters and putting them in difficult situations shows their true nature and forces them to grow and change. So, I think we're lucky in that regard. 

3. Celebrity crush is Grant Denyer (Really?). Tell us how that happened ? ;-)

LOL - are any crushes completely explainable? I first ''met'' Grant on Sunrise weather when I was at home with my first baby. At that time he was taking the weather show right around Australia in a camper-bus and I loved his enthusiasm for all the small towns he visited. He's also an action man, who likes extreme sports and although that's the last thing you'll catch ME doing, I kinda like a guy like that! And I think he's cute… so THERE! 

(IB - now you can even watch him on two more programs ;-))

 

 

OUTBACK DREAMS

Faith and Monty are both looking for love...but they're looking in the wrong direction.

 

Blurb: 

 

Faith Forrester is at a crossroads. Single, thirty and living on a farm in a small Western Australian town, she's sick of being treated like a kitchen slave by her brother and father. Ten years ago, her mother died of breast cancer, and Faith has been treading water ever since. She wants to get her hands dirty on the family farm. She wants to prove to herself that she's done something worthwhile with her life. And she wants to find a man...??

For as long as he can remember, Daniel 'Monty' Montgomery has been Faith's best friend. When he was ten, his parents sold the family property and moved to Perth, and ever since, Monty's dreamed of having his own farm. So for the last ten years, he's been back on the land, working odd jobs and saving every dollar to put toward his dream. Now he finally has the deposit. But there's still something missing...??

 

So when Faith embarks on a mission to raise money for a charity close to her heart, and Monty's dream property comes on the market, things seem like they are falling into place for them both. Until a drunken night out ends with them sleeping together. Suddenly, the best friends are faced with a new load of challenges...

Monty and Faith are both ready to find a life partner and settle down, but have they both been looking in all the wrong places?

 

 

Excerpt:

 Sod’s Law had it that they’d barely stepped onto the dance floor when the hip-hop music turned slow. Romantic. Panic flashed across Faith’s face, but she allowed him to draw her close. He slipped his arms around her waist and her fingers brushed the skin at the back of his neck as she wrapped her arms around him. He felt her body tense as they swayed in time with the other people around them. Out of the corner of his eye he registered Ruby dancing with Adam, Simone with Ryan and Kat pressed indecently against the new cop, but they all faded quickly into the background.

He was holding Faith again.

They’d only spent one night apart but that one night had felt like an eternity in hell. He’d missed her more than he’d miss a limb. Was he insane letting his hang-ups about Will and parenthood come between them? He found himself staring at her lips. The thought of never kissing them again hurt worse than someone telling him he only had a few days to live.

‘Monty, don’t.’ Her voice was low and threatening. She seemed to be holding her breath.

He couldn’t help himself. He dropped his head and pressed his lips against hers, taking what he wanted. Not thinking about the consequences.

She tasted so damn delicious and for a few moments she seemed to acquiesce, letting him show her exactly what she meant to him, exactly what she did to him. But those seconds didn’t last long enough. Instead of kissing him back, he felt her hands palming his chest as she pushed hard. His lips falling from hers, he stumbled backwards, not expecting such force. When he caught his balance and looked up, she was wiping her mouth, tears filling her eyes, and then she turned and he copped a lovely view of her pert behind as she charged through the crowd.

About to go after her, he felt an arm on his shoulder. ‘What’s wrong with Faith?’ Ryan asked.

Along with half the town, he, Adam, Ruby and Simone had witnessed the whole fiasco. Their faces wore identical expressions of confusion and concern. None of them had a clue.

A pain screwing into his forehead, Monty caught his head in his hands. ‘It’s all such a fucked up mess. I better go after her.’

‘Let me,’ Ruby said. ‘From my vantage point, it didn’t look like she’d want you following.’

He watched Ruby go – torn between following them and staying the hell away. He’d already made such a mess of his friendship with Faith. He didn’t want to ruin her night any more.

 

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Outback-Dreams-ebook/dp/B00E54CR3U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378114549&sr=8-1&keywords=outback+dreams+rachael+johns

Kobo - http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Outback-Dreams/book-5sspir7FsUaPKF5AlpfkVQ/page1.html?s=1FojVJIeJE-d9HnzBigj8g&r=1

iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/outback-dreams/id678667668?mt=11

Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rachael_Johns_Outback_Dreams?id=5U4nAAAAQBAJ&hl=en

Booktopia - http://www.booktopia.com.au/outback-dreams-rachael-johns/prod9781743564608.html

 

Kristan Higgins - The Best Man

Publisher: Harlequin HQN

ISBN:  978-0-373-777921-0
My Rating: n.a.

Sometimes the best man is the one you least expect.

 

…Faith Holland left her hometown after being jilted at the altar. Now a little older and wiser, she's ready to return to the Blue Heron Winery, her family's vineyard, to confront the ghosts of her past, and maybe enjoy a glass of red. After all, there's some great scenery there….

Like Levi Cooper, the local police chief—and best friend of her former fiancé. There's a lot about Levi that Faith never noticed, and it's not just those deep green eyes. The only catch is she's having a hard time forgetting that he helped ruin her wedding all those years ago. If she can find a minute amidst all her family drama to stop and smell the rosé, she just might find a reason to stay at Blue Heron, and finish that walk down the aisle. (KristanHiggins.com)

My thoughts

It wasn't really my cup of tea. The story in itself was ok'ish, but I couldn't really warm up to the characters at all, as well as the intended humour.

Sorry!

Sandra Brown - Tomorrow's Promise

Publisher(s): Mira Books 1993, 2000, 2008; Harlequin 1983

ISBN of current print edition: 978-0778327202

My rating: 2/5


It happened the way attraction happens best: suddenly, passionately, uncontrollably and unforgettably.Thousands of feet above the ground on a crowded flight to Washington, D.C., radio personality Keely Williams felt the irresistible pull of handsome congressman Dax Devereaux. They were speaking at the same congressional hearing about Vietnam soldiers listed as MIA. Tragically, Keely’s husband was among the missing soldiers. He had been her childhood sweetheart, her future, her love—:and then the unanswered question Keely dedicated her life to solving.Until there was Dax. And the possibility of a new future. But could Keely allow herself to love again, and still honor the man of her past?   (www.amazon.com)


My thoughts

This story, if I may call it that, was just going on and on and on ... without anything really happening. And then something came up that made me check the blurb on the back cover and found out the book is almost thirty years old!

I've got to admit I didn't like the story. I think even placed into the "now" time, it'd be boring and at places close to unbelievable with so many coincidences.

Keely's soldier-husband has been missing in action for twelve years. She doesn't know whether he's dead or alive. On her way to Washington she meets Dex and falls in love with him, but her conscious doesn't allow for her to "live" her feelings - and he's such a wonderful hero! And she isn't. I just couldn't warm up to Keely, to the point when Dex and Nicole (her best friend) in a moment of rage told her what they thought of her, I went like "yeah!".

Glad I finally finished it, it was a real struggle!