A Rancher of Her Own on #Thursday13 with #MFRWauthor Barbara White Daille

MFRW Author Barbara White Daille and A Rancher of Her Own host Thursday 13 today.                           
Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest. Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven’t gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom.

When she was very young, Barbara learned from her mom about the storytelling magic in books—and she’s been hooked ever since. She hopes you will enjoy reading her books and will find your own magic in them!

A REASON TO STAY
Ranch manager Pete Brannigan has no interest in playing tour guide to a city slicker like Jane Garland. But spending a few days with the headstrong photographer is a small price to pay for everything her grandfather has given the single dad. Though Pete's drawn to Jane's sharp wit and striking beauty, he won't hurt his young children by falling for another woman who puts her career before family. 

Jane's seen the world through her camera…and used it to shield her emotions. With Pete, she can finally let her guard down. If only he could do the same. Despite their powerful bond, Pete still can't trust Jane with his kids or his heart. But if he keeps pushing her away, he may ruin any chance their relationship has to develop.

 Buy link: Amazon

13 sentences shared by the author from her latest release:

She looked his way again. Even with her back to the sunlight in the doorway, he saw her eyes gleam.

She remembered that summer vacation she’d spent here on the ranch, all right—he’d bet the jar of Buffalo nickels he was saving for his son on that.

“You think you’re going to win old Daffodil over to your side, huh?” he said.

“Yes. With the right incentive.”

As she passed him on her way to the stall, the scents of vanilla and spice drifted toward him, light but noticeable enough to set off a craving for something sweet, and surprising enough to make him blink. She’d never seemed the sweet, vanilla type.

She held out a hand. “What do you say, Daff? Want to be a cover girl?”

At the question, Pete’s shoulders went rigid.

The old mare dipped her head, as if giving Jane a royal nod and permission to do what she liked.

***Dang, the woman has a way with a horse, after all.***

You can find the author here:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Amazon Author Page  |  Goodreads

The Tender Bonds by #MFRWauthor Ute Carbone @wildwords2

The Tender Bonds
by Ute Carbone
Mainstream (PG13) Women's Fiction
Turquoise Morning Press

There comes a moment when the past we’ve left behind draws attention to itself and demands that we come to terms with it.  For Patty Dykstra, a woman who has long led an unassuming life, that moment comes after her aunt dies. Among a life’s worth of things,  Patty finds unopened cards from her father, a man that she hasn’t seen since she was six years old.

Patty is compelled to return to a small town in upstate New York to find the man who used to call her Star Shine, a man she barely remembers.  The Tender Bonds is the story of Patty’s life- altering journey, of the faith and hope that grow in the meanest of places, and of what it means to be truly home.

Sometimes the end is a new beginning

BUY LINK

What REVIEWERS Are Saying...
Patty’s life-changing journey isn’t a syrupy-sweet one, but the author paints it with sweet moments woven in and with brilliant imagery. At points, Carbone’s writing almost sings off of the page, in notes that range from discordant to melodious. 4 out of 4 stars - Online Book Club

Beautiful words, elegantly strung together, this is a wonderful example of writing from the heart reaching towards the hearts of even the most calloused readers.  - Tome Tender Book Reviews


EXCERPT
He played with the cupboard door before shutting it. “Lenore worked at the Fulton Elementary School. She was the school librarian.” I sat down. The light from the living room shadowed his face. “After…at the service. The teachers from the school and some of the kids and their parents, they came. They brought these balloons. A whole bunch of balloons. Judy, Lenore’s mother, said later that she didn’t like them. That they felt too celebratory and we’d just lost…but I thought they were beautiful. I remember when they released them, all these bright colors heading for the clouds. I remember hoping Lenore and the kids were like those balloons. That floating up to heaven was like that. I wished I could float away, just be unanchored. Just head out, unanchored.”

When he looked at me, his eyes drove a pin through my heart. He put his hand to my cheek, his fingers lingering light against my skin for a minute, and then he walked out. I heard his footsteps on the stairs, and I didn’t try to follow him.

I should have left. My head was telling me to go, an angry bee buzzing ‘get out, get out while you can.’ But my heart said otherwise. My heart, heavy as the darkness in that room, said ‘stay.’

ABOUT Ute Carbone
Award winning author Ute Carbone pronounces her first name Oohtah, but doesn't spell it that way. She lives with her husband in Southern NH, where she spends her days drinking coffee, eating chocolate, walking in the woods, and dreaming up stories.

CONNECT with Ute
Web page:  http://www.utecarbone.com/
Blog  http://www.utecarbone.com/inside-the-writers-garret
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ute-Carbone/234417796596443
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wildwords2
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5114798.Ute_Carbone
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ute-Carbone/e/B005G7U8RM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/utecarbone/

Book Spotlight: Portrait of a Girl @Luanna_Stewart #MFRWauthor

Portrait of a Girl

by Luanna Nau
Entangled Publishing

Tony Simons is on the trail of an art theft cold case. He's hoping that by sticking close to Heather James—the daughter of his deceased prime suspect—he'll find the answers he needs.

Instead, he's finding himself distracted by a gorgeous woman who drives him crazy in every way imaginable. Now Tony's in serious trouble. Even if Heather can't—or won't—tell him where the stolen paintings and money are, she may well have stolen his heart. And now someone wants her dead…

Buy Link

EXCERPT
She put her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him close, her soft lips laying claim to his mouth. He slid an arm around her waist, pulled her close, pressing against her heat. Her scent made him forget all the reasons why this was a bad idea.

“We shouldn’t be doing this.” She nibbled at his lips, playing and teasing.

“You’re right.” He nuzzled her neck, tempted to take a bite.

“I hardly know you.”

“Exactly.”

“Why are you so agreeable?”

“One of us has to think clearly, and I’m doing my damnedest to be a gentleman.”

“Maybe I don’t want a gentleman.”

She pulled him back for another kiss, openmouthed, tongues clashing. If the bad guys showed up right now—

He broke the kiss. They were both breathing hard, and her heart raced along with his. He had to get her out of his house. “I’ve got a deadline to meet, or I won’t get paid. I’d hate to make my landlord upset by being late with the rent.”

He felt her smile against his neck. “I happen to know your landlord, and her cat would go hungry if you were late with the rent.”

“I’d hate to be responsible for a cat going hungry. Maybe we can continue this discussion later.”

“You can count on it.”

ABOUT Luanna Stewart
Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. As soon as she discovered her grandmother's stash of romance novels, all plots had to lead to a happily-ever-after.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Luanna now lives in Maine with her dear husband, two college boys and two cats. When she's not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious.

CONNECT With Luanna
http://www.luannastewart.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Luanna.Stewart.nau
https://twitter.com/Luanna_Stewart
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14104212.Luanna_Stewart
https://www.pinterest.com/luannastewart/