Tuesday, June 3, 2014

A Summer For Love Blog Hop/Cowboy style #SummerForLoveHop


A SUMMER FOR LOVE  BLOG HOP
 
Hi everyone! Welcome to The Romance Troupe's A Summer For Love Blog Hop!
 
 
 
We're talking about one of my favorite subjects - Summer! Over the next several days, I hope you'll take the time to browse through the 60+ blogs involved in this fun hop for your chance to win some great prizes and discover new authors.
 
When I think of summer, I immediately visualize enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. For my post, I'm going to keep it brief and fun by sharing a barbecue scene from my latest release, HER FOREVER COWBOY, the fourth book in my Harland County Series. Each book is a stand alone, but the characters are more fun if you read every book.☺
 
 
Blurb
Single mother, Shayla Ryan, longs to put down roots to create a stable environment for her baby girl and her younger sister, but the threat of her abusive, ex-con father finding them has made that almost impossible. Her newest residence in Harland County, however, holds a lot of appeal, especially in the form of a Casanova cowboy with eye-catching good looks and easy charm. Those two qualities took her down the wrong road before, and though the sexy cowboy interferes with her pulse, she can’t let her heart get in the way of the safety of her family, or give it to someone who doesn’t believe in forever.  
If there’s one thing software company vice president, Kevin Dalton, loves more than puzzles, it’s women. Size, shape, race doesn’t matter as long as they don’t want a relationship—he’s not looking to repeat the past, and more than happy to remain single. Until two beautiful redheads drop him to his knees—one with her cutie-pie smile, the other with her elbow. Too bad the elbow-toting beauty is both hot and puzzling. A killer combination too strong to resist. And without realizing it, the redheads slowly rewrite the code around his heart. 
But when the danger from Shayla’s past shows up, can he rise to the challenge to keep them safe...and really be what they need? A forever cowboy?
Excerpt:
 Friday afternoon, Amelia’s birthday party/barbecue was in full swing at Shadow Rock Ranch. With unseasonably warm temperatures, Cody’s request for an outdoor party was granted and Shayla was happy to see the little boy enjoying the party as much as the guest of honor.
“Thank you so much, Cody, for helping me throw Amelia such a great party,” she told the little boy.
His chest puffed out and shoulders straightened. “You’re welcome. My pleasure,” he said with a finger to the tiny black Stetson on his head.
Fighting a grin, she nodded and moved on before her amusement won out.
“You look absolutely beautiful today, Shayla,” Kevin said, sneaking up from behind to pull her in close and kiss her neck. “What are my chances of getting you alone to stargaze in my truck later?”
She turned sideways to grin at him. “Is that what they call it now?”
He chuckled. “No, but sometimes it does lead to that.”
“Does it? I wouldn’t know. I’ve never stargazed.”
Kevin stilled, then twisted her around to face him. “That’s not right. We’re going to amend that later.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and her heart beats increased when his hands slid to her hips. “I look forward to stargazing with you.” Leaning in, she kissed him, lingering, enjoying the freedom of not having to worry about offending the others with a public display of affection. Jordan, Kerri, Brandi and Jen all kissed their men plenty of times today. Even the older McCalls and Masters stole a few kisses.
“Mommy, daddy,” Amelia chanted, squeezing her way between their legs.
She broke the kiss and laughed with Kevin who bent to lift her daughter.
“What do you want, birthday girl?” he asked, fixing Amelia’s frilly, purple dress he’d bought.
How the heck he knew what size to buy, was a mystery. But the man was spot on.
“Horsie,” her daughter yelled, pushing to get down, but not before grabbing Kevin’s hand. “Horsie!”
Amelia led him to the nearest chair, right between Connor and Cole, and was straddling his leg before he’d even had the chance to fully sit. Shayla bit her lip, but her chuckle must’ve escaped because he glanced up and narrowed his eyes.
“Laugh it up. You’re the one who’ll have to rub my knee later.”
As serious as possible, Shayla nodded and held his gaze. “No problem. I like rubbing you.”
The McCall brother’s snorted, while Kevin stilled and his mouth fell open.
“That’s a good look on you,” she said.
Two for two. She was on a roll.
His opened mouth turned into a lopsided grin as he continued Amelia’s horsie ride. “Just remember what they say about payback, Shayla. I’m going to take care of you real good.” 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
**My Contest**
 
In addition to the Blog Hop Grand Prizes, I'm giving away a
 $5 Amazon Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter on my blog. Just tell me what you love about summer, along with your name and email address, and I'll post the randomly drawn winner here on June 9th!
Good luck!
 
____________________

 
GRAND PRIZES
(6) $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Cards
Comment with your name and email to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Comments without name and email will not be counted. Commenting on each and every stop will increase your chances of winning.
Winners for the (6) Grand Prizes will be drawn and announced on THE ROMANCE TROUPE blog by June 10th.

 

 

48 comments:

Unknown said...

Can't wait for the party.

Unknown said...

My favorite part of the summer is going to the beach.
I loved Forever Cowboy along with the rest of the series.
Lisahelo(at)outlook(dot)com

lisamarie said...

suntan lotion :)

lisamarie romero.... lisamarie.romero@yahoo.com

Donna Michaels said...

Ooh, yeah, Lisa. I love the smell of suntan lotion.

Donna Michaels said...

Thanks, Sandra!

debdawg24 said...

Love the Harland County books, especially Kevin's book. It literally made me laugh out loud at times when he'd talk about his "boys" reaction of fear to Shayla. Debbie Hadley debdawg24@yahoo.com

Donna Michaels said...

Thanks, Deb!! I truly enjoyed writing his story. Kevin was a treat. :-)

Frances Morrissey mtaz0413fjm@live.com said...

I like summer as that is when you get some really good book s to read

Taralynn Mackay said...

Everyone appears healthier and I love the smell of suntan lotion on them (I thought I was the only one but glad to see others appreciate it as well).

Unknown said...

Being barefoot in the grass and the feel of the sun on my skin! Not to mention people are more sociable not trapped inside. Melissa Ogletree lissa@rochester.rr.com

Donna Michaels said...

I love the feel of the sun on my skin, Melissa. :-)

Donna Michaels said...

True, Taralynn, we do appear healthier, livelier, anyway...hehe

Donna Michaels said...

Very true, Frances. Summer is definitely a great time to kick back and read!

Anonymous said...

What I love about summer is that there is no school so I have more time to read! Kelly Thompson kellberry@sbcglobal.net

Donna Michaels said...

Enjoy your break from school, Kelly!

Donna Michaels said...

Thanks, Lisa B! <3

Anonymous said...

I love ice cream on a hot summers day - bliss

Unknown said...

My favorite part of summer is hitting the lake with a boat, camping and soaking up the sun. I love when it's warm enough to actually go do things. Well, it's usually warm enough year round since I live in Las Vegas but there's just a special something about summer. Thanks for the contest!

Val Pearson
lastnerve2000 at gmail dot com.

Anonymous said...

Summer nights after the kids go to sleep. It's just so peaceful and quiet. Although, I live in Oklahoma where in August even at 10pm it can still be 95 degrees. Bleh. lol.

~Angela Christina Archer
history(at)angelachristinaarcher(dot)com

Unknown said...

My favorite part of summer is sitting and reading on the beach! My absolute favorite place to read.

Donna Michaels said...

Thanks, Vicki, Val and Angela.

Veronika said...

I love everything about summer! The warm weather, walking on the beach, the green grass.
VeronikaDream
verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I love the warm and sunny weather of the summer.

ladyunwritten[AT]gmail[DOT]com

joye said...

I like the clothes, the colors and the shoes that are worn in summertime. They are bright and comfy. Also, I get to warm up from the cold, cold weather.
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

Anne said...

I love that I can open my windows and air out my place.
Thanks for participating.
Anne M.
acm05atjuno.com

Videoclimber said...

I love summer because my kids are home.
Tia Dalley
videoclimber AT yahoo DOT com

Nswaffar said...

Neilliza Swaffar neilliza@yahoo.com Thx!

Liza O'Connor said...

I love the flowers blooming in my wild garden.

Liza 0'Connor
Liza2write@yahoo.com

Fae said...

summer festivals and parks!

Fae said...

my email is in my blogger profile.

bn100 said...

like the beach

L
bn100candg at hotmail dot com

H.B. said...

I like the summer sky and the longer summer days.

H.B.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

Deborah Close
dcpooh55 (at) cox (dot) net

My favorite part of summer is going to the beach

magic5905 said...

Joy F
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

Daniel M said...

we all like to hit the beach! - Daniel M regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

Unknown said...

Favorite part about summer is barbecuing and then sitting in my comfy chair on the back porch, reading and drinking a glass of wine.

Stephanie Fredrick
fsteph55(at)yahoo(dot)com

Stacey Smith said...

what I love about Summer is the Good Price on Fruit.
Stacey A Smith
sasluvbooks at yahoo dot com

Jen Barnard said...

I love that it's warm.
Jen Barnard
jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com

Vanessa N. said...

I love going to the beach or hanging out by the pool.

mythic021@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Reading on the beach!

Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
Elizabeth H.
elizabeth @ bookattict . com

Unknown said...

I love going to the beach during the summer. Thanks for participating.
Wanda Craighead
wcraig5432@yahoo.com

Katrina said...

My favorite thing about summer is the sunshine! After 4-6 months of near constant clouds, I can't get enough Vitamin D!
Katrina
oneagainst at hotmail dot com

Brandi said...

My favorite thing about summer is the nice warm weather and getting to go swimming in the ocean, lake or pool.

I loved your excerpt!! Cowboys are one of my favorites to read about! Def addin the book to my tbr list. <3

Thank you for the giveaway!

I hope you have a great week!! =)

Brandi
BLeigh1130 at yahoo dot com

BookLady said...

My favorite thing about summer is vacationing at the beach. Thanks for the great giveaway!
bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com

Alisha Sienkiel said...

I love being able to work outdoors in the summer!
Alisha Sienkiel
sienkiel1821 at yahoo dot com

Donna Michaels said...

Thank you, everyone, for participating! Seems we all love the warm weather...end of story. :-)

Sue A. said...

My favorite part of summer is the fireworks festival.

magenta 2 red [at] gmail [dot] com
(no spaces)

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.