One Last Letter

 

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Pema Donyo

Genre: Mainstream Romance

Buy: Amazon

Blurb:

One Last Letter is the story of Evelyn Lancaster, a romantic hardened by reality, and Jesse Greenwood, a cowboy returning to what he left behind. The rough, reticent cowboy returns to Texas with new wealth to save his first love's ranch from financial ruin while she hopes for a second chance after she was forced to spurn him years ago. Will one last letter give them the courage to say yes to love on the wild Texas plains?

Enchanting Excerpt:

Evelyn Lancaster wanted to run away as fast as possible.

It was a mistake. It was one colossal, gargantuan mistake. Worse than Athens ordering the death of Socrates. Worse than Persephone being kidnapped by Hades. What did she think she was going to do? Seconds ticked by as she found herself unable to say anything more. Her mouth felt dry. What was she supposed to say?

He’d changed, more than she would have ever imagined possible. The boyish frame was filled out, and extra years working on the ranch had defined the muscles in his arms under his coarse brown shirt. He’d even grown taller—past six feet, she guessed. His shoulders were broader, and his cheekbones seemed more pronounced than before. His face carried even more of an aristocratic air, but his body seemed undeniably more masculine. 

Yet the expression was the same. Jesse Greenwood’s same reticent, admiring expression hadn’t changed as he continued to stare at her like she was hand-blown glass. His brown hair still flopped lightly in front of his eyes, causing him to brush it away. 

“Hey, Eve.”

She cleared her throat. She’d anticipated the awkwardness but not the simple difficulty in forming words. “I returned home a few hours ago. I thought I should stop by and say hello. Is Preston here? Are any of the other ranch hands here?”

Jesse blinked. The adoring expression morphed to one of disbelief. “Eve, did you get my letters?”

She bit her lip. “I did.” Evelyn resisted the urge to embrace him. Doing so would only make it harder to answer his questions with a lie. Instead, she stood rooted to the spot. She wouldn’t move a muscle; there was too much she could regret. “They were nice letters. Thank you. But I burned them.”

Website: http://pemadonyo.wordpress.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pemadonyo

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/pema_donyo

Bluebonnets for Elly

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Sandra Nachlinger

Genre: Mainstream Romance

Buy: Amazon

Blurb:

When Elly moves to Shannon Ridge, Texas, she expects to fill her days helping her grandmother—doling out medications and running errands. Still smarting from her fiancé’s  betrayal, the last thing she needs is a man, especially a good lookin' one. She’s been down that road before.

Derek White’s wife left him without a word, and he’s reluctant to make the same mistake twice. He still doesn’t understand why Jeanette ran away, so how can he explain that to another woman? And can he be sure he’s legally free?

Granny says some things come along only once and you have to grab them while you can. But when Derek’s past threatens and Elly’s ex-fiancé reappears, she must decide—give her former love a second chance or gamble on a man whose history may ruin everything.

Enchanting Excerpt:

(Per author: edited slightly for length)

After lunch, Derek drove them to the home improvement store, then to a nearby supermarket before taking Elly home. When he stopped under the carport and turned to her, he leaned forward as if to give her a goodbye kiss. She shook her head and pointed to the trailer. Sure enough, the blinds were parted with Granny’s face visible inside.

To Elly’s surprise, Derek put the truck into reverse and backed out of the driveway. She turned and asked, “Where are we going?” 

“Not far.” He drove back through the neighborhood’s gate, took a left, and stopped by a roadside park. With only birds and squirrels as witnesses, he turned to Elly and pulled her into his arms. She lifted her hands to his neck and ran her fingers through the dark hair above his collar. When his lips touched hers, a wave of heat surged from her lips all the way to her toes. 

Leaning back, Derek brushed Elly’s curls from her cheek. “I’ve been wanting to do that ever since I picked you up, and there’s no way Mrs. M was going to stop me.”

A blush warmed Elly’s cheeks. She leaned forward and they kissed until she could barely breathe. When his tongue explored her mouth, she leaned even closer, tilting her head, savoring his taste. Derek’s lips moved from her mouth along the curve of her jaw to a sweet spot right beneath her ear. Goosebumps traveled along her arms.

When they stopped to catch their breath, Derek looked around as if expecting someone to tap on his window and ask them to move along. Then he chuckled, and the low rumble of his laughter warmed Elly even more. “I feel like a teenager, making out in the car, don’t you? I guess I’d better get you home.”

Elly nodded and moved back to her side of the truck. 

He’s right, of course. But, ooooh, he’s a good kisser.

Blog/Website: http://SandraNachlinger.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandy.nachlinger

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandyNachlinger

On with the Show

Linda Carroll-Bradd

Visiting her small Texas hometown at Thanksgiving, fashion designer Franzi Mueller is forced to ask a favor of hardware store owner, Dietz Reinhardt, an ex-beau from high school. Circumstances surrounding putting on a show at the veteran’s hospital, and her matchmaking mother, throw them together at every turn, each glance and touch igniting old sparks. Can Franzi find what her creative spirit needs in Freedom Valley or is time running out on this second chance for Dietz to win over her heart?

 

On with the Show