This week it’s my pleasure to welcome romance author Amber Leigh Williams. She’s decided to share a scene from her story, Bet it on my Heart (Book III in the Ridges of Wayback, TX trilogy)
BET IT ON MY HEART
ANTE UP! Keefe Ridge's bronc-busting days are nearly over. Despite that and the fact that he is slowly making his dream business venture a reality, Wayback's wildest cowboy doesn't see any reason to settle down. He is even willing to bet that marriage isn't in the cards at all for him.
Agent Calli Morlani came to Wayback on a mission: to bring Stella Ridge back to Hollywood. When Stella refuses, she dares Calli to take in some local color and see what Wayback has to offer. Whether that includes Stella's devastatingly charming brother becomes irrevelant once Calli finds herself in bed with him - in more ways than one…
Will it take a tough city girl to make the Wayback playboy finally fall long and hard? Or will Keefe give Calli a reason to stay? Place your bet!
The fact that some time in the night Keefe had left her alone in the hay didn’t occur to Calli until early the next morning when a mournful loe from the corral outside jerked her awake. The place beside her clearly empty, she tugged the horse blanket up over her torso and frowned around the dim space. No cowboys lurked despite the low light peaking through thin wall slats and dust that turned lazy circles in the still air.
Her good-lovin’ cowpoke had been gone for some time.
It took five irritating minutes to locate all her missing garments. It was bad enough having to face the walk of shame across the barnyard, but the man could have had the decency to walk right along with her.
She exited the barn cautiously, peering around to ensure no ranch hands or other early risers were in sight. The only pairs of eyes around to see her flee the scene of the crime, mussed and rumbled, were the dull black of a heifer chewing lethargically on a sprig of grass. Pulling on one heel then the other, she picked her way through the shadows leading to the ranch house. Not so much as a whistle or a breeze cut across the yard and she breathed easy once she reached the porch steps.
There were several trucks in the drive. All she had to do was grab a set of keys from the mud room peg, figure out which four-wheel drive they controlled and hightail it back to her room at the bed-and-breakfast.
The door was unlocked so she tiptoed across the distressed floorboards. She took four and a half steps before someone cleared a throat and ruined her chances of escape.
“Mornin’, Miz Morlani.”
Scowling, she faced the lean, masculine figure leaning against the doorjamb. He was dressed in boots, Levi’s, and a fresh workshirt. Underneath the brim of his Stetson, his blue eyes practically glittered with mischievous light and his mouth was spread wide in a smirk that made all those melting sensations from their roll in the hay rush back in full force. “Damn it, Keefe,” she hissed, fighting a smile. “I thought you were Nuala.”
“That would have been unfortunate for the both of us. For a housekeeper, she’s a tyrant in the early morning.” He lifted the mug gripped in one wide-palmed, capable hand and cocked a brow. “Coffee?”
She sighed. It was a bribe, and a good one. “Gimme.”
Before she could take the mug for her own, his free hand snaked out and gripped her wrist, tugging her toward him. Despite her hushed protests, he managed to manuveur her back snug up against the doorjamb with his hard torso pressed close against hers and his arms around her.
“Whoa— Uh uh, mister.” She planted her hands on his shoulders and felt nothing but sinew and strength through the soft chambray. “I don’t think so.”
The smirk still dangled from his lips, a temptation she was fighting harder and harder to ignore. “You don’t get your straight shot of caffeine until I get my morning-after kiss.”
“You play a dangerous game, cowpoke. Men have died for less than coming between me and my first cup of joe.”
He lowered those full, upturned lips down to hers until a bare inch separated his mouth from hers. “For all your fancy talk and diplomas, this is one cowpoke you don’t intimidate.”
And that in a nutshell was what had drawn her to Keefe Ridge to begin with. Her heart pattered hard against her breastbone as he lowered his mouth just enough to nibble her lower lip. The joints of her knees warmed, nearly collapsed inward, as the sinuous shudders of heat she’d felt the night before assailed her.
Dangerous, indeed.
“Now…let’s try this again, slick.” Breathing deep the scent of hay that no doubt clung to her, he closed his eyes and tipped his brow to hers in a gesture of unexpected tenderness. “Mornin’, Miss Morlani,” he murmured.
Her arms came around him. She’ d have thought it was more for support than anything else…but that would have made her a fool. It might have been silly and weak, but she wanted him to hold her in this quiet, sweet morning light—and keep on holding her for a long, long time.
She kissed him deep then turned her face into a warmth of his shoulder to hide a beaming grin. “Good morning, Mr. Ridge.”
Sky here. Fantastic excerpt, Amber! Thanks so much for sharing.
Interested in reading another excerpt? Click here.
Purchase Bet It On My Heart in Ebook or Audio format.
Find Other Books in the Ridges of Wayback, TX trilogy at The Wild Rose Press.
What they’re saying about Bet it on my Heart…
Long & Short Reviews: Fantastic writing, sizzling dialogue, and an unforgettable story make Bet It On My Heart a must read. Be sure to pencil this title onto your TBR list for some quality time in the reading chair. I can’t wait for more in this series, as well as anything from the library of Ms. Williams, who has become one of my must read authors. She wrings every single emotion possible from your heart, only to put the pieces back together again with a shiny red bow. It’s an emotional journey that leaves one heck of an impression, which is what every fantastic romance should strive for.
Fallen Angel Reviews: Tempers flare but hearts win out in Bet It on My Heart. Amber Leigh Williams does a fantastic job mixing former characters into this current storyline. They are all loveable and frustrating just like real family members. I enjoyed the chemistry and sexual tension between Calli and Keefe. This is an HEA read you can bet on.
BLACKEST HEART
America's Sweetheart, Stella Ridge has been away from Wayback for fifteen years paving her way to the top of the acting business. When a car accident leaves her physically and emotionally scarred, the only place she wants to go is home to Texas and her family's ranch.
The changes that have taken place since her departure are enough to rock her world again. She uncovers a buried tragedy, struggles with the penetrating stares and questions from townsfolk, and comes up against an intriguing and unexpected spark with the silent cowboy and champion bull rider, Judd Black. Their wounded souls draw them together and Stella begins to realize that only in him can she find the solace she sought by leaving the bright lights of Hollywood.
Read an Excerpt here.
What they’re saying about Blackest Heart…
In this touching contemporary story, when a young actress returns home following a car accident that has left her scarred she finds healing and love in the arms of a quiet cowboy… Blackest Heart is a wonderful story with characters that will touch the heart and I for one am glad I got the chance to read it. —Long and Short Reviews
The tensions and conflicts with others made the couple seem even more real. The sensuality was super charged and dynamic. I could not put this book down. It was mesmerizing to read. I truly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to everyone. —The Romance Studio
Purchase Blackest Heart in Ebook, Audio Book or Paperback.
Visit Amber Leigh Williams’ Website.
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Don't forget to pop over to The Write Life to meet another author and perhaps win a prize.
Thanks for joining us this week!
~Sky
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11 comments:
Hi Sky and Amber,
Amber I loved the excerpts for both books. I just signed on for your newsletter, following you on Goodreads and your blog. I definitely love the things I've read about your Wayback books. My TRL is filling up with your books. Thanks for sharing. :)I wish you many sales and a Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you both.
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com
Hi Carol! Thank you so much for signing up for my mailing list! I love the Wayback books more than I can say and hope you enjoy them! Happy St. Pat's!
Amber, it's wonderful having you visit this week. Loved that excerpt! :-)
Waving HI to Carol! Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you as well! :-)))
Thanks again for hosting me this week, Sky!
Great scene! Too bad it ended up on the cutting room floor, but thanks for sharing!
Emma, forgot to mention that Wayback novellas have a strict 35,000 max word count and BET IT was running a little long. As much as I loved it, this was the only scene that didn't deliver any new info or present any new conflict for Calli and Keefe's romance so it was the one cut.
What great reviews! Congrats.
Liz Arnold
Message to Love
The Wild Rose Press
Thank you, Liz!
Amber, do you find the max word count on novellas tough to stick to? I went from writing novels to novellas and it was super hard. Regardless, I gained a great respect for those who have attempted them as they really are more difficult to pen. Sounds like you hit the nail on the head with yours! Congrats! :-)
Sky, I think novellas have a slightly different pace; the action is quicker to unfold and the scenes change more quickly. BET IT was the only novella I had trouble coming in under the max word count. BLUEST HEART was too short and I had to add and BLACKEST HEART was right on target with 33,000. If anything, BET IT was longer because my muse was trying to tell me she was ready to go back to novel-length, her favorite method :)
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