With the upcoming release of two of my full length western historical's I wanted to share with you, my readers my contest to help me celebrate. So here goes, in October, after the release of Love Thy Neighbor I'll be drawing three names.
The first prize winner will get the entire back library of my work, that's THREE full length Novels and one Novella.
Second Prize will be a choice of TWO of my books.
Third prize will be a free copy of my Christmas Novella released Dec. 08 as well as a mystery gift.
The rules are simple, read the excerpt and answer the trivia question correctly. Submit your name, email address, and the answer to me via my contact page and your name will be added to others for the draw. I'll also be posting some fun activities such as word searches and interviews with special hints. Good luck to everyone and I hope you all enjoy yourself.
Excerpt from Christmas For the Cowboy
“Excellent.” Holly hung up the phone and pushed the curtain aside. She stepped into the warm spray and sighed. The heat of the water washed away the makeup, the hairspray, everything that she’d plastered on to be someone other than herself. Holly rolled her neck under the shower, her hand already scrubbing at the streaks of black mascara that trailed along her body. The familiar smell of rosemary filled the room as she used the hotel’s shower gel to cleanse away the painted lady.
After washing out her long hair, she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower stall to smile at the man who held a bath sheet open for her. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t,” he replied, and pulled her closer to him.
She responded to his gentle kiss before she tucked her head under his chin. “I’ve ordered something for us to eat.” The explanation came easily as she pressed heated kisses along the tanned flesh before her.
“Good, you’re gonna need the energy,” he teased, and swatted her on the rump as she scurried out of the bathroom. “Did you get coffee?”
“It’s on its way, along with your luggage,” Holly called back, and opened her suitcase. She pulled out the red silk nightie she’d made and slipped it on. The familiar comforting sounds of the shower filled the room as she moved the wine off the table and made room for the room service order.
When it arrived, she paid the tab, tossed in a tip and set it down as the bathroom door opened and her lover stepped out. He leaned against the doorjamb and watched her. “Does your husband know where you are?”
Holly rolled her eyes thoughtfully. “Does your wife?”
Tyson chuckled and moved to hold her close. “You know what time it is?” he whispered, his attention on the digital clock.
Holly turned in his embrace and shrugged. “So? I’m usually just going to bed at this time. I have a good excuse for being up this late.”
“Food, woman, you need the calories.”
Holly laughed warmly and sat down on the edge of the bed. She took the plate from his hands and set it in her lap. “So cowboy, tell me about yourself.” Her gaze was steady, unyielding, but not unkind.
“I ride rough stock. Broncs, bulls in the CPRA.” He paused and looked at her. “You know what that is?”
Holly shrugged, fully at ease with this particular word game in their annual ritual. “Figure it’s something to do with rodeo. Go on.”
Tyson spoke clearly, detailing his exploits of the past year until the accident. “That bull’s a prize-winner. Never been ridden and I thought I could beat him. I wanted to finish the year in grand style, to be top ranked for the Finals and it didn’t work out that way.”
“So what are you going to do if you can’t go back?” Holly tossed her napkin onto the empty plate and sat it aside. His answer was worth so much and she waited impatiently to hear it. Despite their role-playing, this conversation had far reaching consequences that could alter her future drastically. She shifted to hide the tremble in her body, the fear that raced along her nerves.
“I don’t know. I’ve never done anything but rodeo so not being able to do it is kinda hard.”
Holly nodded. “What about ranching? Why can’t you do that?”
Tyson stared at her, a multitude of emotions on his face. “It’s not the same. We run a small ranch when I’m not on the circuit.”
“What does your wife say about this? Doesn’t she resent having you only a few nights a year? I mean, you’re my lover and I could do with more than a few weekends. Is it enough to keep your relationship together?” She pointed at the pale band of skin around his ring finger.
“She wants me to stay home, to ranch. Sure I’d like to be able to be home every night but the road has some real perks to it. There’s a wildness, an untamed quality to it. When we’re together it’s great, the sex is great, the laughter, the conversations but,” Tyson shrugged uncomfortably, “I just don’t think I can ever stay put. Moving from place to place is something I’ve always done. I can’t stop being me.”
Holly nodded carefully, her eyes dropped to her lap. It was a familiar refrain, one she’d heard before and she felt her heart break a little. Sometimes it was an uphill battle to be the strong one, to be the one that waited. Now was one of those times. “So you’ll continue chasing the circuit then?”
“I’m not sure. I’m headed home in a few days and after that I’ll see.”
Holly smiled and shrugged. These few days weren’t about choices that affected them in real life. This was her time, time to be a woman. Her chance to be sexual, to explore the dangerous side of her desires without worry or concern for the consequences. She pushed her disappointment aside and smirked at him. The bed shifted beneath her as she got on her knees and reached for the plate in his hands. “Well, let’s see if we can fit a few more hours of excitement in, shall we?” she whispered, and leaned forward to kiss him.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS: What's the significance about this weekend with Ty for Holly?
The answer will be revealed Friday, August 28th, 2009.
The first prize winner will get the entire back library of my work, that's THREE full length Novels and one Novella.
Second Prize will be a choice of TWO of my books.
Third prize will be a free copy of my Christmas Novella released Dec. 08 as well as a mystery gift.
The rules are simple, read the excerpt and answer the trivia question correctly. Submit your name, email address, and the answer to me via my contact page and your name will be added to others for the draw. I'll also be posting some fun activities such as word searches and interviews with special hints. Good luck to everyone and I hope you all enjoy yourself.
Excerpt from Christmas For the Cowboy
“Excellent.” Holly hung up the phone and pushed the curtain aside. She stepped into the warm spray and sighed. The heat of the water washed away the makeup, the hairspray, everything that she’d plastered on to be someone other than herself. Holly rolled her neck under the shower, her hand already scrubbing at the streaks of black mascara that trailed along her body. The familiar smell of rosemary filled the room as she used the hotel’s shower gel to cleanse away the painted lady.
After washing out her long hair, she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower stall to smile at the man who held a bath sheet open for her. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t,” he replied, and pulled her closer to him.
She responded to his gentle kiss before she tucked her head under his chin. “I’ve ordered something for us to eat.” The explanation came easily as she pressed heated kisses along the tanned flesh before her.
“Good, you’re gonna need the energy,” he teased, and swatted her on the rump as she scurried out of the bathroom. “Did you get coffee?”
“It’s on its way, along with your luggage,” Holly called back, and opened her suitcase. She pulled out the red silk nightie she’d made and slipped it on. The familiar comforting sounds of the shower filled the room as she moved the wine off the table and made room for the room service order.
When it arrived, she paid the tab, tossed in a tip and set it down as the bathroom door opened and her lover stepped out. He leaned against the doorjamb and watched her. “Does your husband know where you are?”
Holly rolled her eyes thoughtfully. “Does your wife?”
Tyson chuckled and moved to hold her close. “You know what time it is?” he whispered, his attention on the digital clock.
Holly turned in his embrace and shrugged. “So? I’m usually just going to bed at this time. I have a good excuse for being up this late.”
“Food, woman, you need the calories.”
Holly laughed warmly and sat down on the edge of the bed. She took the plate from his hands and set it in her lap. “So cowboy, tell me about yourself.” Her gaze was steady, unyielding, but not unkind.
“I ride rough stock. Broncs, bulls in the CPRA.” He paused and looked at her. “You know what that is?”
Holly shrugged, fully at ease with this particular word game in their annual ritual. “Figure it’s something to do with rodeo. Go on.”
Tyson spoke clearly, detailing his exploits of the past year until the accident. “That bull’s a prize-winner. Never been ridden and I thought I could beat him. I wanted to finish the year in grand style, to be top ranked for the Finals and it didn’t work out that way.”
“So what are you going to do if you can’t go back?” Holly tossed her napkin onto the empty plate and sat it aside. His answer was worth so much and she waited impatiently to hear it. Despite their role-playing, this conversation had far reaching consequences that could alter her future drastically. She shifted to hide the tremble in her body, the fear that raced along her nerves.
“I don’t know. I’ve never done anything but rodeo so not being able to do it is kinda hard.”
Holly nodded. “What about ranching? Why can’t you do that?”
Tyson stared at her, a multitude of emotions on his face. “It’s not the same. We run a small ranch when I’m not on the circuit.”
“What does your wife say about this? Doesn’t she resent having you only a few nights a year? I mean, you’re my lover and I could do with more than a few weekends. Is it enough to keep your relationship together?” She pointed at the pale band of skin around his ring finger.
“She wants me to stay home, to ranch. Sure I’d like to be able to be home every night but the road has some real perks to it. There’s a wildness, an untamed quality to it. When we’re together it’s great, the sex is great, the laughter, the conversations but,” Tyson shrugged uncomfortably, “I just don’t think I can ever stay put. Moving from place to place is something I’ve always done. I can’t stop being me.”
Holly nodded carefully, her eyes dropped to her lap. It was a familiar refrain, one she’d heard before and she felt her heart break a little. Sometimes it was an uphill battle to be the strong one, to be the one that waited. Now was one of those times. “So you’ll continue chasing the circuit then?”
“I’m not sure. I’m headed home in a few days and after that I’ll see.”
Holly smiled and shrugged. These few days weren’t about choices that affected them in real life. This was her time, time to be a woman. Her chance to be sexual, to explore the dangerous side of her desires without worry or concern for the consequences. She pushed her disappointment aside and smirked at him. The bed shifted beneath her as she got on her knees and reached for the plate in his hands. “Well, let’s see if we can fit a few more hours of excitement in, shall we?” she whispered, and leaned forward to kiss him.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS: What's the significance about this weekend with Ty for Holly?
The answer will be revealed Friday, August 28th, 2009.
Comments
When will your next question be posted? I already missed this one. Call me and let me know. Talk to you soon.
Ashley