Another 5 Star Reader Review for COWBOY-SEXY!

I am humbled by all the wonderful reader reviews Cowboy-Sexy is amassing on Amazon. Here are just a few incredible things some of the readers had to say:

"This book was free at the time I downloaded it, but I would have paid good money for it! It was well written, the characters were layered and complex, and very likable. A complete page turner, I couldn't wait to see how this was going to turn out. It was witty, and brought out some emotions too! I give the author credit for knowing this fine line, and using it so well." ~ Christine

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had me laughing and smirking so many times my husband kept asking me "what's so funny?" I loved the characters - I could relate the them & they were realistic. I cant wait to read Brett's story" ~ eclaires

"My advice...run and download this book as fast as you can. The story line is great, the writing is amazing, and best of all there wasn't any editing problems like you get in some of these free books."  ~ Cindy F.

Here's a new excerpt:

The sun was just touching the picturesque mountains when Cammie walked into the house that evening. It had been a long but fruitful day, and for the first time in a long time, she felt fulfilled.

The college boys had instructed her on how to fix the fence, and a half hour later she had enough of a grasp on things to send them back to the stables. The rest of the day was spent checking rail after rail, until daylight started to fade. She’d gotten half the corral done. Tomorrow she’d work on the other half.

With her shower out of the way, she was walking across the bedroom when Finn burst through the door. Whatever he’d been about to say remained his secret as his dark gaze dropped to her towel. He clamped his jaw and strode to the bathroom, slamming the door instead.

Cammie sank onto the bench and inhaled, wondering what had suddenly happened to all the air. She sprang to her feet. Who knew how long he’d be in there. Keeping an eye on the door, she pulled on her underclothes, tan kakis and a white short-sleeved shirt, slipped her feet into her sandals and was towel drying her hair when he emerged...

Completely naked.

The air disappeared from the room again, but not before Cammie sucked a good portion into her lungs. Damn. The hard glint in Finn’s eyes confirmed he did that on purpose. She twisted around and swallowed, but not before ever bit of him was imprinted into her soul.

The man was…perfect.

Even the purple brown scars covering his leg like a tattoo gone wrong did nothing to lessen his manhood. She swallowed again. There was nothing small about his manhood.

Every part of her body responded to his, and she had all she could do to keep her gaze averted when he stepped beside her to root in his part of the closet. Her insides quivered with a longing she hadn’t felt in years.

They didn’t even know each other. He wasn’t really her fiancé. And the last time she felt this way, she was engaged to a man she loved. This is wrong.

As nonchalant as possible, she straightened and walked to the bathroom, clutching her damp towel. Once inside, she drew in more air and instantly regretted the action. His scent tantalized and engulfed, wrapping around her like a pair of strong arms. She glanced at the opened door. Neither space was safe. She closed her eyes, working to quiet her mind. He was just a man.

A man who hated Marines.

That single thought made her stronger. She opened her eyes, draped her towel next to his on the rack, then turned to the mirror and brushed her hair into a ponytail, trying not to think about Finn’s odd behavior. She failed. The man made no sense. One minute he was yelling at her, the next he was ignoring her and the next he was kissing her as if he couldn’t get enough.

She straightened her shoulders and walked back into the room, telling herself she was glad to find him dressed in jeans and a tan, buttoned-down shirt.

“So?” He watched from across the room, blue eyes dark and stormy.

Apprehension tingled her spine. She stopped short and frowned. “So what?”

If he thought she was going to comment about his brash actions, he was sorely mistaken. She was far from offended. Of course, now she was never going to get the tantalizing image of him out of her head. Ever.

He continued to stare, arms folded across his chest, expression grim.

“How did you make out with the party plans today, dear?”

Who let the cat out of the bag? Cammie knew she’d have to face the disgruntled cowboy sometime, she just hadn’t expected it to be so soon.

Eying his clenched jaw, thin lips and stiff stance, she corrected her assumption. This wasn’t the cowboy she was facing, this was one hundred percent Navy SEAL.

       Cammie slipped into her Marine persona and did what any soldier would do when confronted by a heat seeking missile. She met it head on with her own projectile.

COWBOY-SEXY is a part of The Wild Rose Press' Honky Tonk Hearts Series and available now on Amazon. Click HERE to buy.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to not only read Cowboy-Sexy, but to leave such wonderful reviews.

A little CAPTIVE HERO snippet

I love to have visuals as I write, and for Captive Hero I had several. This one worked well for the scene that follows.

Mitch and Samantha from Captive Hero.

Excerpt:

 

“Aren’t you afraid I may have a radio in my room?”

“No.”

No? Wanting to see his face, she used the slight slackening in his body to push back and twist around.

Chalk up another mistake for Samantha the stupid.

A quick recovery had Mitch plastering her against the wall, every solid, hard inch he possessed rubbing her sensitized form. Strong and fierce, wicked cravings cancelled the fight from her mind. She stilled.

Talk about captured.

Damn, he felt…damn. She never experienced anything so incredible. Her gaze dropped to his mouth so achingly close. She’d love nothing more than for those delicious lips to seize hers again.

Stay strong, her mind ordered. You can get past this. In an attempt to regain control, Sam closed her eyes and inhaled.

Mistake number four.

He smelled hot, woodsy, manly. Ah hell, she was in trouble. The man oozed testosterone like it was free. Okay, so it was, but damn. All her combat experience with said male affliction couldn’t help her now. Her trusty immune system against rockin’ hot men failed her for the first time. Ever. She didn’t have a defense against it. Not with him. Her control slipped further, and when she opened her eyes, her heart literally performed a defensive spiral in her chest.

He’d switched gears too. Hunger deepened his gaze to mirror warm Bermuda waters and devoured the remnants of her strength.

Trouble. She was in deep. Liquid heat throbbed through her core, aching to consume the thick, bulging erection now pressing her belly. God, she never wanted anyone this bad before. Never ached with such force.

Lack of control was completely new.

Maybe if she’d had sex just once in the past seven months she could combat this dangerous desire. But she hadn’t. And she couldn’t.

Breath clogged her dry throat. What was he waiting for? Why didn’t he do something?

With escape no longer a thought, Sam’s need to set the mistaken pilot straight, to make him understand the truth, flew into the wild blue yonder as a greater need, a deeper, stronger need prevailed.

Her need for Captain Mitchell.

“Shit,” someone muttered, a second before their lips met in a heated, mutual, frenzy.

Hands still captured by his, she leaned into him and rejoiced at his low, guttural groan. He kissed her again and again with mind drugging precision, and she met the give-and-take demands with equal zeal, his lips drawing a response clear up from her curled toes.

If hot had a taste, it was Mitch. The man melted her bones. Oh, he was good. He threw down desire’s gauntlet and need commanded she returned the pleasure.

She did.

~--~--~--~--~--~

Available now at Amazon

Click HERE for eBook or Print.

 

FREE December 1st - 5th

 

 

 

Thank you to all Veteran's!

Thank you to all who serve and have served.

 

 

As the wife of a career military man, I know first hand the sacrifices the whole family makes. God bless not just the 'soldier,' but their support as well!

 

My family recognizes you,

and appreciates all you've sacrificed.

Thank you.

Revamping My Online Presence

"I'll just update my website," she said.

"Make a few adjustments," she said.

Meanwhile, one website, blog and Facebook page later, you've lost two weeks of your life, not to mention writing time. And who's bright idea was it to tackle such a project during NaNo?

Am I the only one who travels this path? lol

Maybe it's just me, coming down with a touch of the 'anal retentive' flu. Well, whatever the case, my website is done, blog is done, and in an hour, (hopefully) my FB page will coincide with these changes.

Then I can reward myself with the new Jill Shalvis book--Rescue My Heart!

Happy reading, all.

~Donna

And the Winner is...

The winner of my Haunted Blog Hop is... Jean MP!!!

Congratulations! Just let me know which eBook from my backlist you'd like me to send. You can view them here:   www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

I'd just like to thank everyone who stopped by and participated. I had a great time reading your posts.

Don't forget everyone can still get the FREE download of COWBOY-SEXY at Amazon until Nov. 5th (excluding Nov. 4th).         Click HERE to get Finn Free.

Thank you all for your support, and have a great day!

~Donna

A Haunted Garden Halloween Hop

Welcome to my contribution to The Wild Rose Press' Haunted Garden Halloween Hop! I know you have a lot of blogs to hit, so I've kept my post on the short side.

 

     It’s October, and in Northeastern Pennsylvania it’s that time of the year for cool, crisp nights, wind blowing through the trees and fallen leaves scattered across sidewalks, streets and yards. The beauty isn’t lost on this warm, weather person. Nor is the pull to watch scary movies or ghost hunting reality TV. Yep, you read right. I watch ghost hunting shows. I find them both, entertaining and intriguing. Some are pure bull, but a few leave me wondering.   

     Just recently, I attended a lecture at a local university given by paranormal investigators. They shared some interesting stories and compelling evidence, confirming my belief that there are groups out there who take their investigating serious and help people with unusual problems. Do you remember the story of the Smurls? I live about seven minutes from their old house. Yeah, that’s a bit scary.

     Last year, my son, and his then fiance, took one of those haunted ghost tours at Gettysburg and snapped this photo. If you look close, you can see several orbs. While I need much more convincing than something like this, it is interesting. The orbs were in a few photos where another 'light' source wasn't involved, and they were also absent in similar shots. Camera malfunction? Lighting? Maybe...maybe not...

     Given the chance, would you hunt?

     I think you can tell I would. I’m open-minded and curious, but I also realize it is something not to be taken lightly. You need to be prepared both, mentally and spiritually, before you go anywhere near a haunt. As much as I would love to do this, my career doesn’t allow the time and effort required, so I’ll have to leave ghost hunting to the professionals, and perhaps...a future heroine?

     While my latest release COWBOY-SEXY doesn’t have ghost hunters, it does have a former Navy SEAL hero and Marine heroine who are both forces to be reckoned with, and of course, they butt heads at every turn.



Blurb

Finn Brennan was used to his brother playing practical jokes, but this time he’d gone too far--sending him a woman as a ranch hand, and not just a woman, but a Marine.

When Lt. Camilla Walker's CO asks her to help out at his family's dude ranch until he returns from deployment, she never expected to be thrust into a mistaken engagement to his sexy, cowboy twin--a former Navy SEAL who hates the Corps.

The Corps took Finn’s father, his girlfriend and threatened his naval career. He’s worked hard for another shot at getting back to active duty and won’t let his brother’s prank interfere. The last thing he needs is the temptation of a headstrong, unyielding, hot Marine getting in the way.

     COWBOY-SEXY's official release isn’t until January, but it is available right now exclusively on Amazon, and for a few days it’ll be FREE. That’s right! Yeehaaw!  Starting on Halloween thru Nov. 3, then again on Nov. 5^th Amazon is offering my book for FREE. I hope you’ll all take advantage and spread the word! Finn wants you to download him, honest, he does. lol

Cowboy-Sexy available now, but FREE   Oct. 31^st  - Nov 3^rd  + Nov. 5^th!

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Sexy-ebook/dp/B009KEXE2S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1351181641&sr=1-1

Contest:

 

Do you have a ghost story? I’d love to hear it. Please tell me about it in a comment and you’ll be entered for a chance to win my Halloween contest.

Prize:

Since you can get COWBOY-SEXY for FREE, I’m not going to offer it up as a prize, but I will draw a random Trick or Treat winner by the end of the day on Nov. 1 and give them an eBook of their choice from any of my releases! Winner will be announced here on Nov. 1, so make sure you check back.

 

You can view my backlist here: www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

 

Make sure you keep the HAUNTED HALLOWWEN HOP going! Head to the following participating blogs:

http://www.stephaniecage.co.uk/

http://www.goodchristiancowgirl.com/

http://mackenziecrowne.com/wp/

http://www.karyngood.com/blog/

http://tarahscott.tarahscott.com/

Thanks so much for stopping by, don't forget to leave a comment, and good luck!



 

My first Self-publishing attempt will soon be live!

     Several years ago, I wrote my first time-shift story and pitched it to the wonderful Kate Duffy from Kennsington. To my thrill, she requested the full, loving how, when the hero is plucked from WWII and brought back to the heroine's present--he thinks the heroine is a German spy. Sadly, Ms. Duffy unexpectedly passed away before she gave me a thumbs up or thumbs down. I let the MS sit on my hard drive ever since.

     A few months ago, a traditionally published author and friend of mine posted about her success at self publishing. I decided I wanted to give it a try, too. What better way to release CAPTIVE HERO! So, I dusted off the MS, decided this was going to be the first book in a Time-shift Heroes Series, added several chapters, then found an editor and sent her my story. My baby.

     She loved it. Phew! Thank goodness, because so do I! lol

Here's the tentative blurb and an excerpt:

Blurb

When Marine Corp test pilot, Captain Samantha Sheppard accidentally flies back in time, inadvertently saving the life of a WWII VMF Black Sheep pilot, she changes history. Making a crack decision to abduct the flying Ace back to the present in hopes of righting the past, she hides the handsome pilot at her secluded cabin in the Colorado wilderness until she can figure out what to do with him.

Yet, convincing her sexy, stubborn captive that he is now in another century altogether proves harder than she thought—almost as hard as fighting the strong attraction pulsing between them. It soon becomes difficult to tell who is captor and who is captive when the more he learns about the future, the more Sam discovers about the past, and the soul-deep connection between them.

But as her heart takes wing and their flames of desire burn into overdrive, her flying Ace makes a discovery that once again brings history into jeopardy and threatens her family’s very existence. Sam's worst nightmare is realized when the only way to fix the time-line is to sacrifice her captive hero...or is it?

Can love truly survive the test of time?

Excerpt

This is it. My chance.

Anticipation and excitement sparked to life, heating Sam’s body with a pounding determination to succeed. A successful mission today would pad her already sparkling record. She turned and slapped the upheld hand of Lieutenant Maria Garcia, her copilot and best friend since boot camp.

The redheaded beauty silenced communications before pinning her with a soulful stare. “Your grandfather would be so proud.”

A swift onslaught of tears burned behind Sam’s eyes. Maria knew Edward Sheppard, Sr. was Sam’s hero. Fond childhood memories abounded of her climbing onto his lap, head resting on his chest, enthralled by his deep, animated tone, while he recanted his days as a VMA Black Sheep pilot in the South Pacific. She’d imagined herself beside him in the cockpit, flying battles with his comrades—each of whom she’d come to know and admire through his exhilarating tales. Thanks to those memoirs, her blazing desire to become a Marine pilot had sparked at an early age.

“Yes,” she finally answered her friend, reaching for the patch she’d sown into the left arm of her black flight suit the previous night. “He would’ve been thrilled.”

Tight stitching and jagged edges met the pad of her forefinger as she gently stroked her slightly charred but dearly cherished good luck charm. Captain Edward Sheppard Sr. had presented Sam with his Black Sheep patch four years ago, a few days before a massive heart attack had claimed his life.

She closed her eyes and brought to mind the firm, albeit proud tone of the beloved eighty-eight year old Vet. “Give ‘em hell, Sam.”

And she did, whenever she climbed into a cockpit. Sam never flew anywhere without her grandfather. He’d been to Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and now, she blinked and swallowed a laugh, he was going invisible.

Gramps always did have a love for unidentified flying objects. A smile tugged her lips. Today, he would fly in one. The Phantombird certainly qualified as a UFO to those who weren’t aware of its existence. Pride straightened her spine. History was just around the corner—their corner. Captain Samantha Sheppard was about to be the first pilot to go invisible.

Or she could also be about to blow up.

That would suck. Especially for her dream of one day piloting the space shuttle. Her smile disappeared. NASA was tough enough to get into. As an apparition, she wouldn’t stand a ghost of a chance.

A quick glance to the right had her raising her brow. “Ready, Lieutenant?”

Maria reopened communications and held up her thumb. “All clear here, Ma’am.”

“Roger.” Sam nodded before facing forward.

A crowd of military and government brass, their medals glinting under the bright mid-October Nevada sun, sat on a set of metal bleachers, hoping to witness history. Ordered to take the Phantombird to only a thousand feet, Sam prayed their flight would be the one logged in and recorded as a success.

Already tested twice in the past six weeks by two different teams, the Phantombird was O for two. The first run barely got off the ground when the hydraulics froze for Captain Daughtry. Then last month, Lt. Colonel Hanson went airborne, but had absolutely no response after he hit the invisibility switch. Scientists and mechanics had worked around the clock ever since and reassured the higher-ups they’d fixed the glitch. Sam hoped so. Her gut told her this test flight would change her life.

“Phantombird VL Zero Three initiating invisibility,” she stated, another warm rush of adrenaline heating her blood. 

Okay baby, her thumb hovered over the red toggle switch as she silently implored the craft, Maria and I are allergic to flames so this is no time for fireworks.

With a dry throat and sweaty palms, Sam gazed out at the sparkling blue horizon and flipped the switch.

“Did it work?” Maria asked a moment later.

“I’m not sure.” Outside, the bright blue sky took on a gray, almost smoky sheen. Odd. Sam frowned. “Command, this is Phantombi—”

A sudden intense jarring cut off her attempt to contact base and rattled the aircraft. With a tight grip on the stick, she increased their altitude, her brain seeking a reason for the jerking while she worked to regain control of their shaking craft. Only one explanation came to mind.

“That felt like…we were fired at.”

“Because we were.” Maria’s finger shook as she pointed to the radar.

Multiple green blips glared out a warning. There shouldn’t be any blips, and yet dozens of planes filled the skies seven hundred feet below.

“Who the hell is that?”

A deep male tone barked in Sam’s headset, sending shivers straight to her booted toes.

That was not Command Central.

“Mitch, Mitch, are you okay? You’re smoking,” a slightly familiar male voice blasted over the radio.

Sam’s heart stopped. The urgency in his tone bespoke concern for a comrade in battle.

“That Zero let loose, but only three rounds hit you,” the familiar voice continued.

Zero? Her pulse resumed thumping at a frantic rate. No friggin’ way!

“Are you sure, Shep? Only three? How’s that possible?” The deeper tone asked, reactivating Sam’s shivers.

“Because he hit us,” Maria answered, flipping an internal extinguisher switch to douse the sparks inside their cabin.

“Who the hell said that?” The one called Mitch barked again. “Sounded like a woman.”

Sam shook her head at Maria and, finger to throat, made a slicing motion to silence audio. They mustn’t make contact, at least, not until they figured out what in the world was going on.

“No idea,” Shep replied to Mitch. “But the Zero shot at you and half of his bullets stopped in mid air.”

“Okay, Shep.” Mitch’s voice changed into a calm, take-charge tone. “You need to shake of this dementia. Are you feeling all right? Dizzy? The Zeroes are still out here, buddy. Buck it up before you end up in the drink.”

Shep? Dementia? Drink? Sam swallowed the hysterical laughter bubbling up her throat. Okay, Sammie, you can wake up now. Her gaze traveled to her copilot. Maria jabbed a finger at the radio.

“I swear, Sam, if Hanson and Daughtry are playing tricks, I’m going to have their asses for lunch.”

“I—I don’t think it is.” She shook her head, unable to voice her crazy notion one of those men was her dead grandfather.

“You should fly to Torokina while you’re still capable, Captain.” Concern deepened Shep’s tone. “You’re really starting to smoke now.”

As if on cue, dark gray plumes billowed up from below. Trepidation pinched Sam’s shoulders. Not good. She tipped the Phantombird to obtain a better view, and promptly stopped breathing.

“This can’t be…”

Maria’s sharp intake confirmed otherwise. “Holy friggin’ shit.”

Sam’s mind worked feverishly to rationalize the battle-ravaged scene below. Corsairs, bullets, smoke, and Mitsubishi Reisens with unmistakable red circles painted on the sides and wings filled the sky.

“Dammit, Mitchell!”

The fear vibrating in Shep’s voice startled Sam from her shock.

“Quit being such a stubborn ass. You’d better land before December 28^th, 1943 turns into your last day on this earth.”

Cool air funneled into Sam’s lungs until it backed up and lodged in her throat. She coughed. “Oh my God!” Reality hit hard and squeezed her chest. “What have we done?”

One of the smoking Corsairs broke away and took a northeast heading. She consulted the radar and noted several points of land in that area.

“What, Sam?” Maria asked, alarm lifting her tone. “What’s wrong?”

Sam expelled her breath and slowly turned to face her copilot. A pair of dark rounded eyes stared back. Through her grandfather’s tales, Sam knew who survived the war and who didn’t…

“We just changed history.”
 

==========================

Keep an eye on my website for the official release!

www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

Thanks for reading,

~Donna