Thursday, April 9, 2020

Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Her Surprise Cowboy by Claire McEwen #HSCPrism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Her Surprise Cowboy
(Heroes of Shelter Creek #3)
By Claire McEwen
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
April 1st 2020 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Looking for redemption…

Finding a future

Rancher Liam Dale is in Shelter Creek to make amends for his troubled past. He had no idea vet assistant Trisha Gilbert would be there, too—and he’s even more shocked to discover he’s a daddy! Trisha has good reasons not to trust him and a baby boy to protect. But now that he knows he’s a father, Liam longs to transform this unexpected reunion into a true family.

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Excerpt

Liam talks with Monique, local hairdresser and member of Shelter Creek’s Book Biddies, about the baby son he’s just learned about the night before.

Liam was petting Ranger’s head and pondering a tree when the unfamiliar woman sat herself right down on his tailgate.

“That’s a pretty nice tree,” the bleached-blonde lady said as she sat down. “A coast live oak. I love their twisting silver trunks. This one must be a few hundred years old.

Startled by her presence, Liam scooted over to make more space for her. “I was just thinking that. How much it’s seen. All the weather and people’s lives...” Liam realized he was revealing his inner thoughts to a total stranger. “I’m sorry, I guess you caught me in a strange mood. What can I do for you?”

“I’m Monique. A friend of Trisha’s. I was just leaving her house and I saw you sitting out here.”

Liam tipped his hat and turned his body to see her a little better. It was weird sitting in such close proximity to someone he didn’t know. “Nice to meet you, Monique.” His mama, rest her soul, would be proud that her boy was keeping up the manners he’d been taught, even when his mind was reeling.

“I’m sure it’s a shock to find out you have a child.” Monique’s voice was matter-of-fact, as if they were still chatting about the tree.

“Yes. No disrespect intended, ma’am, but that’s kind of personal.”

“I’m one of Henry’s honorary aunties, so it’s personal to me, too.”

“Ah. Okay.” This town had more meddling ladies per square foot than any place he’d ever been.

“I want Trisha and Henry to be happy. I want Henry to know his father. As long as his father is a good man.” She gave Liam a long, assessing glance. “You look like a good man.”

“Looks are deceptive.” As soon as he said it, he regretted it. What was it with this woman, getting him to be so honest? Maybe because she was so blunt, it made him that way, too.

“So that’s why you’re not inside with your son right now.”

“It might have something to do with it.” He’d woken up this morning thinking about his addiction. All that he’d done wrong as a result. What type of father did that make him?

“Did you kill anyone? Injure them? Commit any other major crimes?”

“Not really, no.”

 “Are you a danger to women or children?”

“No!” This lady was one of a kind. Perfectly dressed and made up on a Sunday morning, like she was going to some fancy event, yet here she was, getting her white slacks dirty sitting on his tailgate, giving him the third degree.

“And clearly animals like you. That dog seems devoted and I even heard that a horse aptly named Wild Bill has taken a liking to you.”

“How do you know about that?” Liam had a weird feeling that Monique was some kind of fairy godmother, descending on him to put everything to rights.

“News travels fast in this town.”

 

Other Books in the Series

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About the Author


Claire McEwen writes romance set in quirky small towns and beautiful western settings. Her strong heroes and heroines take big emotional journeys to find their happily-ever-afters. Claire’s books have been published by Harlequin’s Superromance and Heartwarming lines, and have won various awards, including The Golden Quill, the Book Buyers Best, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. Claire lives by the ocean in Northern California with her family and a scruffy, mischievous terrier. When not dreaming up new stories, she’s a busy mom who enjoys gardening, hiking, discovering flea-market treasures and wandering on the beach. A life-long bookworm, she always has her Kindle close by.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
Ends April 15, 2020

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Friday, April 3, 2020

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Border Breach by Darlene L. Turner


Border Breach JustRead Blog Tour 
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Border Breach by Darlene L. Turner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Border Breach Title: Border Breach
Author: Darlene L. Turner
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: April 1, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

When drugs are smuggled across the border
it’s their duty to stop the culprits…at any cost.

Forming a joint task force, Canada border officer Kaylin Poirier and police constable Hudson Steeves have one objective: take down a drug-smuggling ring trying to sell a new lethal product. But when the smugglers come after Kaylin and Hudson, this mission becomes more than just a job. Can they live long enough to solve the case?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository  






EXCERPT


Officer Kaylin Poirier’s stomach lurched at the sight of the two people inside a white florist van that pulled up to her booth at the Windsor-Detroit border. The driver wouldn’t meet her gaze and his passenger couldn’t sit still. Their body language elevated her guard. Could it simply be her overactive imagination or perhaps the humid weather putting her in a foul mood? Experience said there was more to it. This was her job, to protect the border and catch criminals illegally importing goods into Canada—whether it be drugs, weapons or immigrants. Today was no different.

Actually, today was different. Security at the border had been tightened by her father, Chief of Police Marshall Poirier. “We will find every drug smuggler and stop them before they can enter Canada. My daughter will make sure of it,” he’d said at a joint television press conference earlier in the morning.
She winced at the memory of his firm grip on her arm and commanding voice as he spoke. He’d vowed to clear his city of drugs after numerous gangs had terrorized the community with deadly narcotics. Too many teens had died in the past two months.

And he expected her to get the job done.

No pressure.





 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Darlene Turner

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

CONNECT WITH DARLENE: Website | FacebookTwitter | Instagram  


 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

 

(1) winner will receive a cross pendant, bookmarks, pens, and $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Border Breach JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 31, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on April 7, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.



Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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Thursday, April 2, 2020

Review: The Engagement Charade by Karen Kirst



My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

A Temporary Betrothal

Pregnant widow Ellie Jameson is hiding a secret: her betrothal is a sham to keep her safe from her interfering in-laws. It's simple friendship that prompts her reclusive boss to pose as her fianc
é. But can Ellie keep her feelings for Alexander Copeland from developing into something more?

When he moved to Gatlinburg after losing his wife and child, Alexander had one rule: stay out of other people's lives. Easier said than done with the caf
é owner's eternally optimistic cook interrupting his enforced solitude. He only intended to protect Ellie, not propose to her. But with a little trust, and a helping of forgiveness, this temporary arrangement could be a recipe for lasting happiness...

My Review

This was a fun story with Ellie drawing Alex out of his shell of grief and isolation, only for him to surprise her with his protective nature.They develop a wonderful friendship, but worry that their rapport would be ruined if romantic feelings develop. The other women working in the restaurant and some community members make a great secondary cast while Alex and Ellie find their way forward to a future together without the guilt of faking an engagement hanging over them. I enjoyed the setting and the character development, and of course the sweet romance!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)



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