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Welcome to my little part of the blog world of reviewing.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Hunters: Declan and Tori, Book 1

This fall, the rights on the Hunters books started reverting back to me.  I plan on reissuing them all, with great covers, at lower prices.  The first one, Hunters Declan and Tori is at $2.99 and it's out now. 

Blurb:

Tori McAdams was a sensible woman. She didn't believe in hocus-pocus, she didn’t believe in ghosts, and she definitely didn’t believe in vampires…not until the night she was attacked by one. Alone, starving and afraid, she doesn’t know what’s happening but at least she had somebody to turn to…

Declan Reilly was normally the last person she’d go to for help, but now he was the first on her list. He can help; she knows he can. She never could have planned on what happens next, though…the sexy detective is so much more than he appears.

Warning: This book contains violence, sex, more violence, a maniacal murderer, sex, more violence, and a menage or two thrown in for good measure. There are also sighs, happy endings, a romance, a hero, a heroine, and a little bit of falling in love.

**Please note this work has been previously published. While it's been edited, no new material has been added.

Read an excerpt

Buy Links for ARe, Nook and Kindle

Monday, September 26, 2011

T-R-O-U-B-L-E Tour

I would like to thank Sable for stopping by again.  I gave her ten questions to answer.  Here are her answers...


Top ten things you don't know about me:

1.  Cotton or Silk?

I am definitely a cotton person.  I love the cool, crisp feel of cotton.  Former Texas Congressman and presidential candidate Phill Gramm was quoted as saying, “Half the world doesn’t know the joys of wearing cotton underwear.”  I do.  Hey, it breathes – feels like you are air conditioned in interesting places. 
When I’m fantasizing about myself in a sexual situation – I always imagine me wearing white, cotton, barely-there babydolls with peekaboo eyelet over my breasts.  I am Creole – so my skintone is a bit darker and my hair is black – so it works for me. 
In all of my books – my heroines dress like me.  They wear cotton sundresses, cotton camisoles and white eyelet boudoir sets.  The cotton aspects reflect a sweet, wholesome, yet – cuddly persona that I like to create for my girls.  Most of them are innocent, yet have faced tremendous challenges that their heroes help them overcome.  And the white cotton helps me define their character.
So – cotton – the fabric of our lives – that’s my opinion, too.    

2.  Champagne/beer/wine?

Gee – none of the above.  I drink Mike’s hard lemonade.  I will concoct me a bellini with red wine, occasionally.  But – my all time favorite – hey, I’m from Texas - is a margarita.  I keep margaritas mixed up in the frig all the time.  One of my favorite things to do is sit on my front porch and sip a cool, frozen drink.  It can get hot where I live in central Texas and I love to rock on the porch, drink in hand, wearing a cotton short set with my cats draped over the banisters like ivy. 
Drinking for me is a way to relax at the end of the day and maybe plot a little on my books.  The only other time I drink is when I go to a Mexican restaurant – so I guess I’m a boring drinker.  


3.  Plotter/pantser

Ah, an age-old writer’s question.  I write a lot – and pretty fast.  I am just finishing up my tenth book and I have to admit that I do plot – I have to have a skeletal idea of the book and where I want it to end up.  But my plots never stay firm.  I love to give my characters free rein and see what they do.  My heroes – those Texas good ole’ boys – they can get out of hand sometimes.  In the sequel to T-R-O-U-B-L-E, My Aliyah, my hero just would not behave.  He is a Texas Ranger – a sexual Dom – an arrogant, sexy-as-hell rascal who has a dry sense of humor and the idea that he has all the answers.  I hooked him up with a female Mossad agent who could beat him at all of his own games – and he didn’t know how to handle her.  He fussed and faunched and flirted – and I thought I knew exactly what he was going to do.  But – in one scene – he snuck in the back door with a bouquet of wild flowers behind his back.  He surprised the hell out of the heroine and me.  So – on the whole – I am a panster.   

4.  Describe your work space

My work space is very small.  I lay in the recliner with the laptop on my tummy.  That’s my workspace – wherever the recliner is.  Presently, it’s in the living room in front of the big screen TV and I do write while my family watches television and I am absolutely oblivious to it.  But – I can’t stand to hear music playing while I write.  Strange. 
While I’m in the recliner, I have my red wiener dog lying cuddled up to my side – lying hip to thigh like a big salami.  He thinks he is supporting me – and he’s right.  To my left there is a small table where I keep a Diet Dr Pepper – ever at hand.  And usually there is a bag of BBQ fritos and a large sour pickle.  But – I can write anywhere – as long as I have a recliner and a laptop.  So I’m shopping for an RV – recliner will travel.
 
5.  Cowboys or Saints?

Saints – all the way.  I am originally from New Orleans.  My heart belongs to New Orleans.  Now, I will address my love for Texas in the next segment – but Louisiana is in my blood.  When Katrina hit New Orleans, I felt like somebody I loved more than life had died. 
And the Saints epitomize to me the heart and drive of New Orleans.  They will survive.  Now, the only problem I have had with them is Reggie Bush.  And I like Reggie Bush.  But he did go up against my Longhorns in the National Championship the year Vince Young worked his miracles for Texas.  Reggie Bush took the Heisman that year – when I thought it belonged to Vince Young.  And Vince Young went on to beat the crap out of Reggie Bush to give Texas the National Championship.
So, when I watch my Saints play – I have to separate my feelings a bit.
Because, when it comes to football - I bleed orange.  Mack Brown, Colt McCoy, Jordan Shipley - - - Texas is it at my house.  Now, I’m talking the University of Texas here.  We are part of the Texas nation.  As Mack Brown says – We Come Early – We Stay Late - We Be Loud – We Wear Orange.
The Cowboys – I can take them or leave them.
But – the Saints and the Longhorns – they are my boys.

6.  Texas or Lousiana?

I am a perfect mix of two cultures.  Louisiana and Texas – it’s hard to say which has been more influential for me.  Let me take them one at a time.
Louisiana is mysterious.  I grew up staying with my grandmother a lot.  And she lived on a slow moving dark-green bayou with Spanish moss hanging from the trees.  Alligators would swim up to the dock in the back and I got in trouble several times because I would bring the baby alligators in the house and hide them in the bed with me. 
I grew up believing in things that most people don’t.  The supernatural is entirely normal where I am from.  I ghost hunt for a hobby –if that tells you anything.  It was nothing for the old people on my street to attend mass in the morning and go home and make mojo bags in the afternoon.  So, my paranormal books are straight out of my life – I know hoodoo.
And the food – my lands!  I’ll talk about it more in my next segment – but Louisiana people can cook.  I make mean gumbo and jambalaya and redbeans and rice and etoufee.  And I like crawfish better than shrimp..
But, Texas – I’ve lived here since I was nine.  But I stay about half my time in Louisiana.  Texas has made its mark on me.  I raise bulls – I can stand still while a two ton bull runs at me at breakneck speed.  Most everyone else would be running for the hills.  But I raised those bulls – by hand – since they were tiny calves.  And I brush them and kiss them and I know they are going to slide to a stop and we’ll touch noses.  They’re my babies. 
And the men - - all of my heroes are cowboys.  Contemporary cowboys.  Texas Good Ole’ boys who drive pickup trucks, wear tight levis that make their erections look like luscious speed bumps – land sakes.  Texas is more than just a state – it’s a state of mind.  Now, I don’t agree with its politics.  I am a liberal - so wild, weird Austin is where I am happiest and most accepted.  But all of Texas is rich in history and diversity and you can find mountains and lakes and deserts and deep pine forests and you can drive from sunup to sunset and not make it across the state.  Texas is big and the weather is hot – but so are the men.
So – my answer – both.      


7.  Favorite food –
I am a foodie.  I love to cook.  And I’m good at it.  I can make grown men weep with delight at my cooking. 
And I cook two main types, of course – Cajun/Creole and Tex/Mex.  My favorite food to eat is gumbo.  I make it from scratch – my roux cooks in a huge iron skillet in the oven and I add the sacred Trinity (bell peppers, onion and celery) and chicken, andouille sausage and shrimp.  It’s good the first day but better the second.  On Mondays, I cook red beans and rice – because that’s what you’re supposed to do. 
But I can also make burritos and brisket that will bring you to your knees.
So, I have proven the fact that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach – but there are other delightful places I like to please on him as well.

8.  When did you start writing? 
I have been writing for about three years.  My first novels were self-published on kindle and I made enough to support myself that way.  The industry treated me very well.  I advertised, blogged – got to know people and made many friends, as well as built a decent reader base.  But I wanted to try being ‘traditionally’ published.  So, I am – I have sold 5 books to Secret Cravings Publishing.  TROUBLE is out now, and A Wishing Moon will come out in a few days, with three more to be released by the end of January.  But I also am still self-publishing.  My most popular series is Hell Yeah! on kindle and I get about 3 letters a day from new readers urging me to write faster and finish the next one  - so HER MAGIC TOUCH will be out on kindle in October. 

9.  If money were no object, where would you like to live?
If money were no object, I would maintain three homes.  The first would be an apartment in Austin, so I could walk to Whole Foods and see the tower on the University of Texas campus from my window. 
I would also have a house in the Garden District of Louisiana near Tulane University so I could ride the street car to the French Quarter and eat supper at Emeril Lagasse’s.
My third residence would be in Georgetown, Colorado.  It’s supposedly one of the most haunted places in the U.S.  And it is certainly one of the most scenic.  I love the mountains in Colorado.  There is a house there that actually has a stream running under it – I want that house.  I can just imagine that they have a glass floor where you can watch the water rushing beneath you.  Now, I haven’t figured out what they do when the water rises – maybe the house floats – who knows.  But if money were no object – I guess I could solve that problem.
  
10.  What's next for you? 
I have four Works In Progress – one for each of my series.  And they will all come out next year.  I am also starting a new series and the first book will be entitled Burning Love.  It stars a hero who was inspired by the Sons of Guns TV program.  He owns a gun store in Louisiana and hunts alligators for fun.  He will be my first non-Texas hero – but for me – it’s just going home. 

Don't forget to stop at Deep in the Heart Romance http://www.deepintheheartromance.com/ for the next stop.  I would like to thank Sable for stopping by today.  Don't forget to leave your name and email for a chance to win a copy of T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Blood Lust Tour

I'm sorry to say that this is the last stop on the Blood Lust tour.  I hope that everyone has gone out and bought the book.  T. Lynne is having a giveaway and I have posted the link and picture of the giveaway at the end of her post.  So without further ado here's T. Lynne...

 I’m back…Thanks again Harlie’s Book Blog . I was here on September 7 and talked about some of the things in and about my life that made its way into my books, like my car, my cat, etc. This time I thought I would tell you two interesting stories, one silly and one that became the premise of one of my books.

The first story is actually located on my website. When I finally decided to try self-publishing, I needed to come up with a name for the publishing company. I wanted it to sound official, but also wanted it to embody a fiction feel.  

As a child in school, with a name like Tolles, you can imagine the names that I was teased with – the two most prominent were “Tollhouse” and “Trolls”.  Being descendant from Norwegians, my dad had always teased me and my sisters that we were trolls in the old world and that when we came to the US, we dropped the “R”, gave up the billy goats and living under bridges, for the life we live now. He also claimed that our “trollism” was why he was so hairy, but we girls weren’t sure that was true, however we seemed to fall for the rest of the story.

Needless to say, that is how Troll Publishing came to be – from a goofy story my dad used to tell me. I figure it sounded official and personified the fantasy world with trolls.

The second story is how one of my books came to be. My sister-in –law, my daughter and my husband had gone on holiday last year to Europe – namely London, Rotterdam and Scotland. On Labor Day weekend, we all headed up to Grants Pass, Oregon to visit my husband’s brother and his wife.  

As we always do, the gabbing started as soon as the guys left the room and didn’t end until we left the following Tuesday. While we were driving to town, the sister-in-law that had gone to Scotland with us, suggested something.  “You should write a book based in the Jane Eyre timeframe using our visit to Scotland as the backdrop.  Maybe the heroine could be a maid and she comes to work at an old house where unknowingly a vampire resides.”

At the time, I was struggling with writing Deadman’s Blood and was having some serious writers block.  This premise she came up with spiraled around in my head for days. I was jotting down notes and journeying down possible roads the story could take until I could stand it no longer and sat down and wrote Somber Island.

Somber Island is completely unrelated to the Blood Series, but it has some of the same elements (witches, vampires, werewolves). Although it takes place in the 1850’s, the language is not from that era.  I’ve never been very good with old English and had a miserable time reading Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights”.  Although I loved the book, much of it had to be explained to me by my teacher In high school because I missed so much of the meaning in the old English.  That is why I opted not to use it in Somber Island, however, I did make sure to keep other elements of the time period in perspective.

As you can imagine, I tried to finish the book in time for my sister-in-laws birthday December 6, however I missed it by a week due to time constraints with my editor.  Nonetheless, I dedicated the book to her for her birthday, after all, it had been her idea.



Giveaway link

Monday, September 12, 2011

Up a Dry Creek-Avery Flynn

I want to thank Avery Flynn for coming to Harlie's Book Blog on her tour for her book Up a Dry Creek.  Below you find an excerpt, which is awesome and made me go and get it.  There will be a giveaway at the end of the tour.  Please let your contact information in the comments section.  Easy, peasy.  Don't forget to go the next stop on the tour, Writer Kelly at http://writerekelly.blogspot.com


Excerpt:

Desperate to put something in her mouth before she said something stupid, Claire reached for another slice of pizza but hesitated. Her hand hovered over the only piece left.

“We can arm wrestle for the last slice.” Jake’s voice warmed her skin as if he’d touched her.

Claire took in his thick biceps. Without thinking, she reached out toward him, but squashed the impulse. Memories of Brett had her on guard again. Jake was the definition of eye candy; pretty to look at, bad for her heart. Her hand switched course. She grabbed her beer and took a swig.

A mouthful of the dark liquid went down the wrong pipe. Coughing, she gasped for breath. Jake patted her back until she regained her normal breathing ability.

But his hand didn’t move. It stayed between her shoulder blades, fingers spread wide. Sparks shot outward from his palm through her body.

Her breath slowed. Awareness prickled her skin. She yearned for his touch. Everywhere. Her lips parted. Slowly, she turned around. His hand left a trail of fire as it slid down and around her body until it landed on the curve of her hip.

He brought up his other hand to brush a stray hair from her face. His slate blue eyes drew her in to his sexual orbit.

“You have some sauce right here.” His voice’s deep timbre sent an unmistakable signal to which her body responded. Her breasts became full and heavy. Her clit demanded attention.

He wiped the spot by the corner of her mouth with his thumb, then tracked the red liquid across her bottom lip. His head dipped lower. Hers moved up. When their lips met, thoughts of Brett and the Voice of Doom disappeared.

His firm tongue stroked her lips and begged to be let in. She opened and his tongue swept in. She wrapped her tongue around his, dared him to taste his fill. The hand on her hip tightened, and pulled her closer to his hard body. In return, her fingers found their way to the bottom of his T-shirt and started an upward exploration. His coarse chest hair tickled her palm, so alien and enticing at the same time.

His lips left hers and traced down her neck. He arrived at that sweet spot where her throat met her shoulder. Her spine dissolved as he sucked and nibbled.

“You taste so good.” His breath hot against her skin.

The feel of his hands cupping her ass made it impossible to respond verbally other than to moan her appreciation. Her body slid up against his as he lifted her to sit on the kitchen counter. He yanked her closer. The hard bulge in his jeans rubbed against her in the perfect spot.

Every part of her, relaxed only a few minutes before, hummed with tension. Her nipples stiffened into tight nubs. She squeezed her legs around Jake’s waist, her wet core snug against him. She clutched at his shirt, desperate to touch his skin. She needed him closer. Her body demanded it. The endorphins wrapped around her brain gave the go ahead.

She hiked up his shirt and ran her hands up his strong back, felt the tension within him. He tugged her scoop necked T-shirt lower and his lips descended to the top of her cleavage. He licked and kissed above her teal bra.

Claire’s butt started to vibrate.
Not Jake making my ass vibrate.

It was her phone stuffed into her back pocket. She had to stop to answer. Her body screamed no.

“Phone,” Claire panted. She pushed against Jake’s shoulders. “Have… to… answer… my… phone.”

He groaned into her breasts, put his hands on the counter on either side of her hips and lifted his head. The dark look in his eyes showed he hated this interruption as much as she did.

She got lost for a moment in those slate blue eyes. She wanted him. Now. Here on the counter next to the almost empty pizza box. The vibration stopped, but began again a second later. Jake swung her down so she stood again on the kitchen’s taupe tile.

“You’d better answer that.” He backed away, his desire palpable.

Claire reached into her back pocket, warm from Jake’s touch, and pulled out the scarlet phone.

“Hello?” Her voice sounded breathy to her own ears.

“You know, I don’t like to work this hard for the things I want. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

Panic exploded in her stomach at the first syllable from the Voice of Doom. Claire looked up at Jake, who cocked his head in question.

“I understand. You want the phone and flash drive, but I don’t have them. I looked everywhere.”

Jake stepped closer. He leaned his head toward the phone. She angled it outward so he could listen.

“Your lack of results have, well… Sweetheart, I’m not the kind of guy you want angry.” His voice pitched lower. “Lucky for me, I’m not angry. I. Am. Furious.”

Claire’s temper snapped. Again. This nutcase killed Kendall. He threatened her and her family. He trashed her house. And he had the gall to go all drama king on her for something she didn’t have and couldn’t find? She’d had enough.

“Welcome to the club asshole, because I’m not too happy myself after the job you did on my house.”

“Just wait, Kitten, you haven’t seen anything yet.” He hung up on her. Again.






Author Contact Info
Website: www.averyflynn.com
Blog: www.averyflynn.com/Avery_Flynn/Lets_Chat/Lets_Chat.html
Email: avery@averyflynn.com
Twitter: @averyflynn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Avery-Flynn/177161972329973

Buy Links
Evernight Publishing:
http://www.evernightpublishing.com/products/Up-a-Dry-Creek-by-Avery-Flynn.html
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Up-Dry-Creek-ebook/dp/B0055UZ9UG
B&N:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/up-a-dry-creek-avery-flynn/1103948714
Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66844


Sunday, September 11, 2011

Blood Lust-Tour

Thank you Harlie’s Book Blog, for inviting me for a guest post. I’m pretty new to guest posting but I hope with a little practice I’ll get better and hopefully not bore anyone with my stories.

I thought for this guest post on the tour, I would talk about some of the interesting tidbits about the Blood Series that readers may or may not know about.

Most everyone who has been to my website or my goodreads or facebook pages, knows that the character “Harry the cat” is in fact rendered after my fuzzy friend and muse by the same name. See… and you thought I had a great imagination – not so much. When it comes to my characters, they are usually fashioned after an actor or actress I’ve seen and liked, at least for the descriptive attributes of height, weight, eyes, hair and physique.

In Blood of a Werewolf Darby talks about a memory of her father when she buys her car.  The car, in fact, is my own car down to the color. Darby talks about how her father called the car “purple” in color and asked why she got a stick shift, this was an actual conversation I had with my own father and to this day he still insists my car is purple, to which I declare he is color-blind. As for the kicking of the tires, and lack of emotional expression, that would be fashioned around my own sweet engineer of a husband.

Darby and Rowan’s hometown of Oljone, California is a made up town, however if you were to pick a city that was in its location it would be La Honda California. All the history mentioned in Blood of a Werewolf is based on La Honda and is in fact true. In book two, Blood Moon, women up and down the coast near Oljone (which I named after the Native Americans that resided in that area) are abducted. All the names but Oljone that are used in that book are real cities in the vicinity.

A very good friend of mine had been diagnosed with breast cancer around the time I wrote the first book in the series and she was very much on my mind. She made her way into the first book under a different name, but her husband is a firefighter like Kyle who works at Paddy’s Bar and Grill in the books. I’m very glad to say that my friend survived the cancer and is still vibrant, healthy, and strong to this day.    

So I guess in conclusion, it’s true when they (whoever “they” are) tell you we are creatures of habit – we tend to write what we know…I guess, “they” were right. Many of my life experiences find their way into my books, but I like to think that just makes them more believable and my characters more human.

Review:

I will admit that this is my first YA novel to read ever.  I'm glad this was my first one because I fell in love with the genre and this story.  Darby is a witch that has fallen in love with a vampire named Devon.  Just when things were starting to settle down between Darby and Devon, everything seems to fall apart.   While having a nice Thanksgiving dinner with their friends and family, Devon's uncle shows up at his door and demands that he return home to help his cousin, who has fallen ill.  Darby is confused at his refusal and convinces him to go and try to help.  What starts out as a trip to help a family member, Darby and Devon are thrown into a situation that seems hopeless to all. When Devon's family gives up on him, Darby takes matters in her own hands and never backs down. 

Now, to be fair I haven't read the first two books and I plan on getting them as soon as possible.  I really liked Darby and Devon.  The scene after Devon's uncle leaves and they are in bed together.  Trust me, it happens to old married couples too; very realistic and heartbreaking at the same time.  I felt like at the beginning of the book that Darby would become a doormat, wimpy and whiny.  By the middle of the book, I was cheering for her and the end, I was crying with her.  She is crafty, witting and truly loves Devon with all her heart.  She never gives up on Devon and their love for each other.

I highly recommend Blood Lust for anyone that loves the paranormal genre and seeing that true love can conquer all. 





Buy Links:



Don't forget tomorrow to go to the next stop which is Downtown YA at http://downtownya.blogspot.com/.

Friday, September 9, 2011

T-R-O-U-B-L-E by Sable Hunter

I want to welcome Sable Hunter to Harlie's Book Blog today.  Sit down, grab a drink and enjoy.  Don't forget to go to the next stop on the tour Saturday, September 10th at Bab's Book Bistro at http://www.babsbookbistro.net/blog.

Ladies, this week we introduce a new spin off of the Crocodile Hunter.  It will feature naturalist and man-loving Sable Hunter, who will be tracking down a rare breed. We are going to be searching throughout the south trying to find the Good Ole Boy. The Good Ole Boy is big (in many ways), sweet, and gorgeous, loves his Momma, and can be caught down under when introduced to a potential mate.
We have got to exercise caution in search of the elusive Good Ole Boy, for he can be very territorial, and protective of his stomping grounds and loved ones. One can’t just drop in on a Good Ole Boy; these God-fearing individuals carry guns and knives and are known for extraordinarily strong arms, back, chest, legs and an ass sculpted from a lot of thrusting. Danger, Danger, Danger!!
When on the hunt for a Good Ole Boy, we have to search in particular places. Down on the farm, in an open ranch, under an endless Texan sky, working in his large acreage, caring for his family are opportunities for us to locate him and observe this magnificent creature in his natural habitat.
When learning about this species, there a few things that we need to keep in mind. Values that separate this particular animal from different examples of the human species include values of respect, honor, pride, familial responsibility, competitiveness, and a strong desire to protect his mate. One can differentiate him from other human males by his larger-than-average musculature, sculpted jaw and cheekbones, kind eyes, 2 gallon hat, riding boots, tight jeans, and massive Texas smile.
Crikey! Look what we’ve got here! How lucky are we? We just stumbled across a gorgeous example of the Good Ole Boy. Peer here around the corner of the big Texas barn. Witness the mating ritual of the Good Ole Boy and the lucky woman he has found for himself. He has his strong arms supporting the woman around his torso. Her legs are wrapped around his waist. His big, full lips are delivering smooth Texas kisses. His large, callused hands are providing a firm motivation for her hips to rock on his huge manhood.
As you can see, this Texas giant is moving purposefully to pleasure the woman he is with. It is as if the goal of this gentle creature is to simultaneously ravish his lover while giving her the best time of her life. This is a particularly fortunate human female.
Now he picks her up off of him and lays her down. He presses her breasts onto the ground and pulls her hips up to open herself to him. Her body begins to beg for him. He slowly slides himself inside of her, easing into her, because his size is a lot for her to handle. When she adapts to his love inside her, he begins to move, thrusting, taking her, making her scream with pleasure. His hands grasp her hips, massage her back, and hold her at the perfect angle. The desire for her is written all across his face, in the squint of his eyes, in the biting of his lips, and the sink in his cheeks.
Well, that’s about all the time we have here on the Sable Hunter. Remember, when you are experiencing nature, keep an eye out for the Good Ole Boy, who puts the WILD in wildlife. To learn more about this endangered species and see him in action, make sure to pick up a copy of T-R-O-U-B-L-E.


Here’s an excerpt – meet Ky – Texas Good ole’ boy extraordinaire

“Cooper. Sweetheart.” He pressed his face to hers, nudging her with his nose. “Wake up, sweet girl and talk to me.”
Cooper shrugged her shoulders and pushed against Ky’s broad chest. “I love for you to hold me. It feels so good. This is the best dream I’ve ever had. I’m going to have to get snake bit more often.”
Ky smoothed her hair out of her face and kissed her again, just under her eye. “You’re nuts, precious. This is no dream. And I’m glad you enjoy my touch, because I plan to do a lot of it in the future. Sweetheart, I’m going to lay you down and go get you some water. Could you drink a few sips for me, baby? Then, we’ve also got to change the dressing on your bite.”
Easing her off him, Ky stood and gathered what he would need. He was shocked to find only one glass in her cupboard. She wasn’t kidding when she said she was alone. He filled it with water and a few ice cubes and hurried back to her. Cooper had sat up, turned sideways with one side of her face lying on the couch. Ky sat by her and put his arm around her pulling her close. She did not resist. “Here, sweet. Drink this.” He held the glass to her lips and steadied it while she drank.
“Thanks. What are you still doing here? It’s okay for you to leave me.”
“Not a chance, babe.” Setting the near empty glass on the nearby coffee table, Ky squatted by the couch and pulled back the quilt. “Let’s get these cut-up britches off of you. You can just rest in your undies. While we’re at it, I’ll change the dressing.”
A near panicked little squeal erupted from her lips. “No. No. Ky, I can do it. I can do it.”
Confused, Ky studied her frantic little face. “Relax, honey. I would never hurt you.”
“I didn’t mean that.” She drew up in a knot, hindering his efforts to undress her. “Let me take off my pants under the quilt and then we can get to the wound. Okay?” Ky watched her squirm under the covers, making sure not an inch of her skin was exposed for his perusal.
“I saw the bite earlier, Cooper.” Ky didn’t understand her hesitation.
“Yeah, but you didn’t see my thunder thighs or my gargantuan bottom.” It was obvious the fever had loosened her tongue. “I look better when you can’t see very much of me.”
Ky was stunned. “Are you crazy, baby?” She didn’t let him say anything else.
“Probably. Here.” Exhausted, she lay back. Her hands were immovable on the quilt and there was only enough of her leg showing so he could examine the bite mark.
While his hands were busy, Ky watched Cooper’s reactions to his touch. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Cooper. You are absolutely one of the most stunning women I have ever seen. Beautiful. Lovely. Gorgeous.” He leaned down and kissed the wound on her leg. It looked like it was doing fine. At the touch of his lips on her skin, Cooper jumped. “Don’t you like for me to kiss you?” Ky’s voice was gentle. Crooning. “I love kissing you.” He did it again, just for good measure.
“It doesn’t matter whether I like it or not.” She had her eyes tightly shut and every muscle in her body was clenched up as tight as bowstrings. “Please, Ky. Don’t.”
Ky pulled back, not knowing exactly how to proceed. Now was probably not the best time to tell her he had spent the last few hours snuggling with her, indulging himself with kisses, and breathing her in like precious, life-giving oxygen. “Why, baby? I am so attracted to you. Please, let me spend time with you.”
“You don’t know me.” Ky eased back on the couch beside her. Carefully, she kept her distance.
“I want to know you. Tell me something about yourself and I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” When she didn’t say anything, Ky did. “Where did you come from, doll? Before you came to Redland,” he clarified. She was so pale. Ky longed to pick her up and never let her go.
Slowly, she began to talk. “I’ve been moving around a bit, but originally, I came from Riverbend. It’s a small town down in the lower Rio Grande canyons, close to the Big Bend National Park and the Mexican border.”
Riverbend. Riverbend. Why was that name ringing a bell? Ky searched his memory, but came up with nothing. “Can you tell me more, love?”
Cooper didn’t want to tell him anymore. The rest of it was shameful. “I’m tired, Ky. Please, can I just sleep?”
“Sure, you can. Just close those big ole brown eyes and rest. I’ll be right here. Watching over you.” She adjusted her clothing and pulled the covers back up, turning over and facing the couch, effectively cutting Ky out of the picture.
“I want you to go home.” Her words were clear, but her voice sounded unsure.
“Tough.” Despite her wariness, he leaned up on his elbows and kissed the back of her neck. She tensed and held her breath. “Go to sleep babe and dream sweet dreams about me.”
Cooper slept. He didn’t attempt to get back on the couch with her. There was no use pushing it. He could be patient. He had found another sofa pillow and he didn’t need cover. He just needed to be close to Cooper. Ky dozed.
Something woke him. Cooper was restless. Suddenly, her voice broke the silence. “Please, please don’t hurt me anymore, please,” she whimpered, pleading with an unknown assailant. Her words tore at his heartstrings. Was she dreaming about the rattler? What else could it be? Had someone else hurt Cooper? To hell with good intentions. He wasn’t going to watch her thrash about in terror and not try to comfort her. He put his arms around her and started to gather her close. She jerked up, trying to scramble out of his arms as if she was terrified of him.
“Baby. Baby. It’s Ok. It’s Ky, baby. I’ll take care of you. It’s all right. It’s all right.” He kept up the soft talk, easing her, comforting her, caressing her. Her breathing slowed down and she drifted back to sleep. What the hell? Ky resolved to find out just what demons haunted Cooper’s dreams.
Standing at the door of her little cabin, he watched the sun come up. He couldn't believe what a difference a day could make. Yesterday, he had not even known she existed, and today, he couldn't imagine not knowing her. Hearing a little murmur from the couch, Ky went and knelt by Cooper.
Feeling her forehead, he was glad to find that she was free of fever. She hadn’t woken up the last time he changed her dressing. Ky didn’t want to leave, but he needed to get home, and he had every intention of coming back. Cooper was as necessary to him now as his next breath. Lord, how fast the mighty have fallen. A big smile covered his face.
Making as little noise as possible, Ky eased out of Cooper's cabin, climbed into his truck, and drove slowly home. He couldn't believe she had been this close to him for several weeks and he had no idea. Pulling into his driveway, he cut the engine and decided the first order of business was to rid his yard of that dead snake.
He was thankful the dogs hadn’t been there. A snake that big would have enough venom to kill a dog, and he was grateful Cooper hadn’t been seriously hurt. It was amazing she had put herself on the line to rescue him. She had just literally walked into his life and saved his skin. It was meant to be. It was providence. He had a new mission in life, getting Cooper Lawson into his bed, and keeping her in his life.
The rest of the wood chopping would have to wait. Ky Landon wasn’t in the mood to work. He was in the mood for love. This afternoon, he would give her a call. Conniving maybe, but he had gotten her phone number before he left this morning. He needed to call to make sure she was all right, didn’t he? And she, probably thinking it would keep him from coming over several times to check on her, gave it to him. It was a great excuse, but really, he just wanted to hear her voice. Somehow, some way, he would get through to her. She had to let him into her life; they were meant to be.
Entering the house, he grabbed the box of buckles off the table and made his way to the kitchen, tearing open the box as he walked. Tossing the cardboard container aside, he took hold of the plastic wrapped inner package and tucked it under his arm. Opening the refrigerator door, he took out a beer and settled down at the breakfast table to inspect the contents of the package.
Twisting off the bottle cap, he took a long drink, extracted his pocketknife from his front pants pocket, and proceeded to remove the bubble wrap.
Shit! This was not belt buckles!
He took out the contents and held it up, nearly choking. In his hand was a large hot-pink dick! Damn! Ky dropped the vibrator like a hot potato! Shit! He knew stuff like this existed, but he had never actually held one in his hand. He gingerly picked up the package again, turning it over to read the writing on the package.
Our Personal Vibrator Will Make You Purr. The soft jelly like ears will really turn up the heat. Turn up the power and the rabbit ears provide extraordinary clitoral stimulation. The comfortable shaft moves with a circular motion and undulates to your very own body rhythms. The central portion of the mechanism contains pink pearls, which rotate to create extra stimulation. You can use all these features simultaneously, or in any combination that brings you pleasure! This vibrator is guaranteed to bring your orgasms to a new level. The insertable soft jelly shaft is 7 inches long and about 1.25 inches in diameter. Uses 3 C batteries (not included).

Laughing, he looked again. Only 7 inches? Whoever would be using this was going to be cheated. Seven inches! Pitiful! Rising, he went and retrieved the hastily torn up box from the floor. Looking for the address, he realized UPS had been one house off. He nearly swallowed his tongue. The name was on the address label was C. Lawson. Cooper? His Cooper?
His Cooper used a dildo? She needed him more than he thought. But this was an opportunity! He had wanted to see Cooper again and here was the perfect excuse. After all, the U. S. Mail had to be delivered; it was his civic duty as a good American. A grin crept across the handsome face of rugged cowboy, Kyler Landon. This was going to be fun