The 777 Challenge: Much Ado About Mavericks

Thanks to Maryellen Brady for issuing the 777 Challenge on Facebook and posting her excerpt of Siren Song.  Here's the challenge:

Post 7+ lines  from page 7 of my work in progress and then tag 7 other writers to do the same…

So here's the excerpt from Much Ado About Mavericks (♥ Hearts of Owyhee ♥ #3).  This book is a little different.  The heroine's name is Janelle Katherine, but everyone called her JK, which was then shortened to Jake.  She's foreman of the Bar EL Ranch.  Ben is settling his father's estate but plans to return to Boston to resume his law practice as soon as possible.  This snippet takes place shortly after Jake picks Ben up from the stagecoach and is bringing him to the ranch.

“Got a woman?” Jake could’ve slapped her own fool face. Why the hell would she care? But that tickly feeling deep inside seemed to make her lose all her brains.

“I have a law practice there. And friends.” He pulled on the right reins and flicked the left side, turning the team onto the Lawrence road. “A lady friend, too.”

Probably some frilly-assed, sappy female who batted her eyelashes at him and giggled at any harebrained thing he said. Men seemed to like such silly critters, although, for the life of her, she couldn’t see why. “Well, I ain’t staying, so you’d better be on the lookout for a new foreman. Fred’s probably your man—he’s been sourer than five-day-old pissed-in milk since the old man chose me over him.”

“Don’t want him. I need you.”

“Tough.”

Be watching for Much Ado About Mavericks, any day now at Amazon!

And now to tag 7 other authors.  Be sure to check out their blogs!

Norman Wilson
Eilis Flynn
Heather Hiestand
Amber Scott
Lyn Horner
Caroline Clemmons
Sarah McNeal

Visit me at:
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Romancing The West
Check out my other books:
♥ Hearts of Owyhee ♥

#1: Much Ado About Marshals
#2: Much Ado About Madams
Nearly here! #3: Much Ado About Mavericks

Try a short story, western with a bit of magick:
Willow, Wish For Me (Merlin's Destiny #1)

Quality Books, Bestselling Authors #SpringFlingFreePartay

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Celebrate the coming of Spring!!!

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How about Dozens of Great books that are FREE!

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Wild Irish by Jennifer Saints

The Mistress of Trevelyan by Jennifer St. Giles

Slave to Love by Nikita Black

Much Ado About Marshals by Jacquie Rogers

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Aces Wild by Taylor Lee



Aces Wild
by Taylor Lee



Aces Wild

by Taylor Lee

Hot romance and spell-binding action

Gabriel McKenna is an ex-US Marshall who, as leader of Angel's Avengers, now works for whoever can afford his exorbitant fee. Keep in mind that Angels Avengers includes two other alphas that deserve their own books. But that's not all--Gabe is also an ace poker player, and saloon owners love to have him around because he attracts so much business. He's both respected and feared.

Bring on Ana Li, daughter of wealthy Chinese businessman and ranch owner, Chao Li. Gabe's called because Chao's being threatened so visits the ranch, and upon the first meeting, you just know you're in for a great love story. Ana's in danger and isn't the easiest woman to protect. Gabe's concentration isn't always at its best when he's around her.

Aces Wild has everything--romance, adventure, intrigue, and some hot sex. If you like alpha heroes, you'll love Gabriel McKenna, aka Ace Angel.

You can't go wrong with a Taylor Lee book. I'm looking forward to reading more books in the Angel's Avengers series, because surely Eagle's and Gunnar's stories will be coming soon. I can't wait!

Jacquie Rogers: The 777 Game

I was tagged twice to play the 777 Game, so I guess I better belly up to the bar and join the fun. 

Special thanks to Ginger Simpson and Meg Mims for getting me into this mess. You ladies are troublemakers, for sure.

So here's the deal:

1. Go to page 77 of your current work in progress.
2. Scroll down 7 lines.
3. Paste the next 7 sentences into your blog.

Then tag 7 more authors to carry forward the 777 game. Add their links, and remember to link to the person who tagged you… (Also, let everyone know on Facebook!)

Here's page 77, down 7 lines, next 7 sentences of my May release, Much Ado About Mavericks, book 3 of the ♥ Hearts of Owyhee ♥ series (setup--the heroine has to teach the hero how to rope, but it seems as though he's teaching her a few things, too!):

That a man could ride as well as he did but not be able to throw a decent loop hornswoggled her, but she was determined to teach this greenhorn how to be a cowhand.

Much as she groused about it, she had to admit she kind of liked showing Ben how to rope, especially when she stood behind him, her hand guiding his wrist. Sometimes he leaned back against her breasts, and when he did her insides went all jiggly like calf jelly. But mostly, she liked his smile when he did manage to throw a pretty loop, then would glance at her for approval.

“This better?” he said, twirling the loop over his head in a nice, easy circle.

“Your loop ain’t big enough.” She stood behind him, correcting his wrist movement. “Now keep it twirling like this.”

Other ♥ Hearts of Owyhee ♥ books:

 

Book 1:

Much Ado About Marshals

Night Owl Reviews Top Pick

Coffee Time Romance Reviewers Award

 

Book 2:

Much Ado About Madams

* A story this good can only come from the imagination of Jacquie Rogers *

~ Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews

Now I have to pick seven other authors, all of whom are outstanding, of course! so please visit them.

Caroline Clemmons
Deborah MacGillivray
Troy D. Smith
Celia Yeary
Sarah McNeal
Eilis Flynn
Cindy Nord
And don't forget to check out Ginger Simpson and Meg Mims, too!

Charity Around the World: Children's Tumor Foundation

Charity Hopping

Around the World

Children's Tumor

Foundation

Ending Neurofibromatosis Through Research

Special thanks to blog hop sponsors:

I Am A Reader Not A Writer

Reading Away The Days

Reading A Little Bit of Everything

Mercedes Christesen was a bright, bouncy, cute little girl with a beautiful complexion sprinkled with freckles across her nose.  No one would ever have suspected she had a mutant gene just waiting to fill her life with dread and pain.  She is one of every 3,000 births with a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis (NF).  30% is by spontaneous mutation.  No one else in our family has NF.  But once a person is born with NF, she/he has a 50% chance of passing that on.  Both Mercedes' daughters have NF, too.

So what is neurofibromatosis?  The best way to understand it is to go to the Children's Tumor Foundation website.  You'll find lots of information there on this genetic disorder, as well as how you can help.  Here's a brief overview from the home page:

With most disorders and diseasees, there are poster children that tug at our heartstrings. With NF, you won't find many people willing to put their pictures out there. It's a disfiguring disease caused by tumors that grow on the nerves both inside and outside. Many of these tumors are extremely painful in the physical sense, and some turn cancerous, but that's nothing compared to walking into a store and seeing people turn their heads with horror written all over their faces, some covering their children's eyes.

But no matter how many tumors grow or where those tumors are located, some people are just beautiful, and Mercedes is one of those people.  You can find more beautiful people and their stories on the NF Heroes page. 



Royalties of the print book go to
Children's Tumor Foundation
http://www.ctf.org

Because of the courage of these people in spite of obstacles that would bring most of us to our knees and keep us hiding in our houses with the draperies closed, I dedicated my first book to the cause.  The NF Heroes in my acquaintance are a fun-loving bunch, so Faery Special Romances is a fun fantasy, complete with faeries, romance, and adventure:

Once Upon A Time, the faery princess Keely tried to match . . .

. . . a misguided faery maiden and a surly but handsome knight, the pirate Devlin Angel and the ever-hopeful Myra, a faery under the ruse of Lord Kembell and a lady of noble birth, a blacksmith and a duchess, a flapper and a barnstormer pilot . . .

But can Keely keep her own heart? With faery magic, anything can happen!

This enchanted carpet-ride features ten romantic faery tales, ten happy couples, and a journey through history with Keely, who grows from a kindergartner to a beautiful young faery woman.

Faery Special Romances is a sweet romance for adults, appropriate for teens, too.  It won the Night Owl Romance Award for Best Print Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance, the Coffee Time Romance Reviewers Award, and several other awards and Top Picks as well. Try it. :)  (print, ebook.)

Win a Free eBook!

Six Chances to Win

Winner's choice of any of these ebooks:

♥ Hearts of Owyhee ♥ series (western historical romance):

Much Ado About Marshals

Much Ado About Madams

Fantasy romace:

Faery Special Romances

Faery Merry Christmas (novella)

All you have to do to win is leave a comment, but be sure to leave your email address in case you win, or else I'll have to choose another winner.
Note: some books are Kindle only.  Winners will be drawn April 5, 2012, noon Pacific Time.
Special thanks to Children's Tumor Foundation and all the great work they do!

Want to win more stuff? Visit these participating sites!

Caroline Clemmons: Brazos Bride

Brazos Bride

by Caroline Clemmons

Hope Montoya is being poisoned, but who would do that? and why? Her father was murdered and her mother succumbed from a "wasting disease" that Hope now thinks was also poison. She must save herself, and save her ranch--neither of which is easy when she's too weak to even walk.

Micah Stone has just been acquitted of Alfredo Montoya's shooting but the townspeople aren't buying it. His cattle are dying of thirst and all that stands in the way of their survival is a pathway to the Brazos River--straight through Montoya land. Imagine his surprise when Hope, the woman who has haunted his dreams since he danced with her at the fandango, comes to him with a business deal. Can he save Hope, his cattle, and his dreams with his heart intact?

Every time I read a Caroline Clemmons book, I think it can't be better than the last one, but she somehow manages to raise the bar with each story. Brazos Bride is steeped in mystery, adventure, and romance with a handsome cowboy, a savvy heroine, and a vile villain. I can hardly wait for Micah's brothers' stories!

Note to Ms. Clemmons: write faster!

Links to Caroline Clemmons:

Amazon author page ~ Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Reviewed by Jacquie Rogers

#LuckyDaysFreeParTay is here! Award-winning Authors!

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March 14 - 18 only

Indie Book Collective is throwing a party and you're all invited!  We're over-imbibing in books, books, books! 

And hey, if you live in the UK, Germany, France, or other Amazon countries, the books are available there, too.  Most are FREE, others are only 99¢.

Check out these awesome books!

ACES WILD by Taylor Lee: They call him Angel but women see the devil in his eyes
THE COUNTERFEIT by Tammie Gibbs: Historical western romance, mystery and humor 
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE by Amber Scott: A time traveling woman MUST protect her heart
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME by Alicia Rasley: Don’t be fooled by a sweet talking man
NEARLY DEPARTED IN DEADWOOD by Ann Charles: Mystery, romance, comedy, and suspense
MUCH ADO ABOUT MADAMS by Jacquie Rogers: Romance and mayhem in the Old West

Also, sign up for the Free Par-Tay newsletter and you'll be eligible to win Amazon Gift Cards!