Sagebrush Bride
by Tanya Anne
Crosby
Historical
Western Romance
Publisher: Oliver
Heber Books
Release Date: March
13, 2013
Heat Level: Steamy
Length: 372
pages
Available at:
Description:
Fiercely independent, Elizabeth Bowcock – “Doc Liz” as she’s
known by all -- vows to raise her orphaned niece as her own. Unfortunately, the
child’s grandfather has declared the unwed doctor to be an unfit guardian and
refuses to deliver her to Liz's care until she finds herself a man...
Enter dark-haired, devil-eyed Cutter McKenzie. Outcast for
his Cheyenne blood, the handsome halfbreed
volunteers to pose as Elizabeth ’s
husband. But though his wicked sex appeal threatens to undermine Liz's
independence, the road to St. Louis
promises even greater perils…
Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of
18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be
considered offensive to some readers.
Excerpt:
“Mmmm, mmm,” Cutter murmured, embracing her as
though she were his long-lost kissin’ cuz. “You’re looking better than ever,
gal.”
She swallowed convulsively.
He whispered in her ear. “Gotta loosen up, Doc, if
you want this to look good... Come on now,” he coaxed, forcing her weight
against him.
His husky voice set Elizabeth ’s pulse to pounding, and her body
into sudden paralysis. Powerless to fight him, she let him adjust her at will.
Her legs felt wobbly, her body no more than mush in his hands.
“That’s it, bright eyes; now turn real slow,” he
whispered, his lips scalding against her face, “act like you’re damned glad to
see me.”
Good night, but he was tall!
Her eyes refused to lower, but neither would they
move up to his face. She forced them, and found dark hair flowing from beneath
a dun-colored hat.
He cocked a brow at her, amusement flickering in his
black eyes. He winked and she felt her knees go instantly weak... yet she
couldn’t tear her gaze away even as they buckled.
He reached out to steady her, but Elizabeth continued to gape, helpless to do
anything else. The longer she looked, the more she swore he didn’t have pupils,
his eyes were so blessed dark... his face too tawny... his cheekbones too high.
But it was those lips of his that unnerved her so: insolent, smug, kicked up
only slightly at the corners, as though he couldn’t quite stifle his humor at
her expense. His gaze roved, lazily assessing her, sliding down over her body
slowly, seductively, then returning to her face to bore into her with silent
expectation.
He anticipated some reaction from her, Elizabeth thought dimly,
but couldn’t think what—couldn’t think, period. Staring as though transfixed,
she tried to decipher his stony features but found her brain as useless as her
limbs. But it occurred to her in that muddled moment that maybe he had
appraised her with more than a mild interest, and her pulse quickened at that
prospect. No one had ever looked at her in quite that way.
Not anyone.
Those dark eyes still piercing her, he raised two fingers
to his brim, tipping his hat in greeting as the remnants of a smile turned the
corners of his mouth. “Howdy, Liz,” he said huskily. “It’s been a mighty long
time, gal.”
Long time?
To her mortification, no words came.
For the first time in her life, Elizabeth Bowcock
found herself dumbstruck. In spite of the man’s amused expression, he wore an
air of menace about him like a second skin, and a tremor shook her as she
averted her gaze to his boots. Dangerous, she thought.
The man was dangerous.
She hadn’t missed the fact that he had the most
vicious-looking revolver she’d ever spied jammed into his gun belt, but she’d
only just spotted the ink black knife hilt peeking over his faded leather
boots. And those boots of his told a tale in themselves, for they were
unmistakably U.S. Cavalry, and ominously inconsistent with his buckskin dress.
There was little comfort in that he didn’t wear his weapons as Dick Brady did,
like cheap jewelry. The fact that he kept his blade concealed and wore his gun
casually, as though it were not there at all, told her all she needed to know.
He was no gun-strutting cowpuncher. He was the real thing. As for the boots,
she could think of a dozen reasons he should be outfitted so, not one of them
reassuring.
A quick, wide-eyed glance to Jo told her that she
was in no immediate danger, however. Jo’s lips lifted at the corners, and she,
too, was on the verge of a smile, her kindly cinnamon eyes warm with humor.
Not really understanding why she felt compelled to, Elizabeth decided to play
along. “Uh... um...”
Mercy’s sake, she didn’t even know his name! How was
she going to pretend to know him if she didn’t know his blessed name? In panic,
her gaze skidded to Jo.
“Cutter,” Jo supplied with a laugh, seeming to read Elizabeth ’s thoughts. Her
eyes gleamed with mischief. “I believe you have her tongue-tied, brother dear.
Reckon she thought she’d never see you again.” Seeing Elizabeth ’s confused expression, she laughed
softly. “Isn’t that right, Liz?”
“Right?” Elizabeth
nodded woodenly. Jo’s brother? “Oh—yes! I did think I’d never see you again!”
She nodded dutifully for the benefit of their audience.
All eyes reverted suspiciously to Cutter, leaving
her somewhat doubtful of her performance. Her brow furrowed.
Warmth invaded his eyes as he gently chucked her
under the chin, much as a brother would a cherished younger sister.
His eyes narrowing to shadowy slits, Cutter turned
to Brady and his men, sending them each an unspoken challenge. Brady fidgeted,
flinging Elizabeth
a doubtful look before turning away. The rest of his outfit followed
immediately, slapping one another consolingly on the shoulder.
Cutter grinned. “Anytime, Doc.”
About the Author:
Tanya has written seventeen novels, all of which have
graced numerous bestseller lists including the New York Times and USA Today.
Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed
characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical
reviews. She lives with her husband, two dogs and two cats in northern Michigan .
Connect with
Tanya Anne Crosby
Please like it on Amazon
Thank you so much for featuring Sagebrush Bride today, Lynelle! I loved your review! I'm also running a rafflecopter contest, as an added bonus, please stop by and vote for your favorite rogue and sign up to win a $200 gift card! http://fourirresistiblerogues.com
ReplyDeleteIt was a great pleasure, I loved the book. Thanks for the invite will surely vote and sign up.
ReplyDelete