Guest Post: RODEO LOVE - READ A BOOK, HELP A COWBOY by Shanna Hatfield

This is a special guest post by Shanna Hatfield, author of many romance books featuring cowboys and rodeos. Like any good author, she did some research and in the process got involved with the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. Starting October 1st, she's launching a 3-month fund raising campaign. I"ll let her explain her involvement and how to read a book and help a cowboy!

I’m so grateful for the wonderful opportunity to be your guest today. Thank you!

RODEO LOVE 

by Shanna Hatfield USA Today Bestselling Author

 

During my childhood spent on a farm, any excuse to travel twenty miles to the nearest town (population 1,100) was looked on favorably. Each summer, I eagerly anticipated the small town’s biggest event of the year—the Fourth of July Rodeo. Back in those days, some of the top names in the rodeo circuit would join hundreds of rodeo fans for four days of rodeo, events in the park, and a parade through town. My whole family looked forward to the celebration. For a horse-crazy little girl who loved the smell of leather and the sight of cowboy hats, it was amazing. From an early age, I had a romance with the rodeo. 

One of the few stores we had in town was a saddle-maker with a boot shop. When I was five, my dad took me to Leroy’s shop to pick out a new belt for the rodeo. It was the first time I could choose my own. Talk about excited! As we walked inside, the welcoming aroma of leather filled the air. Dad led me to where Leroy worked on a saddle at the back of the shop and they talked a few minutes. Impatiently waiting, they finally told me to go see what I could find. My gaze—and heart—immediately settled on a hand-tooled belt with little flowers stamped into the leather and a silver buckle with a gold saddle that glistened in the overhead lights. 

I still have that little belt today along with my love of rodeo. It’s because of how much I enjoy watching rodeos and writing about small-town life that I created the sweet contemporary Rodeo Romance series. Each book in the series focuses on a different aspect of the rodeo with a strong heroine trying to tame a sometimes (okay, most always) wild cowboy. When I was working on the first book in the series, The Christmas Cowboy, I reached out to the Justin Sportsmedicine Team with several questions about rodeo injuries and treatments. They were so kind and helpful, I wanted to do something to say thank you. That’s when I began my Read A Book, Help A Cowboy campaign.

From October 1 through December 24, I donate 10 percent of the proceeds of every book purchased (which includes ebooks, paperback, hardback, and audio books) to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. The JCCF provides financial assistance to rodeo athletes who have sustained catastrophic injuries and will be unable to compete for an extended time. Every penny donated to the JCCF goes straight into the donation fund without anything taken out for administrative fees or expenses. For injured rodeo athletes, the hand up they receive from the JCCF gives them the peace of mind to recover instead of worrying about how they will make ends meet until they get back on the rodeo road. Find out more about the Read A Book, Help A Cowboy campaign and supporting the JCCF at shannahatfield.com/give-back

 

To help raise funds and awareness for the JCCF, a kickoff party is held each November. Join us for a day of guest authors, games, and giveaways on November 10 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wholesomeheartsevents 

Also, enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card: https://tinyurl.com/22cowboyschristmasentry

And check out the two new releases in the Rodeo Romance series coming this holiday season. Watch for Taming Christmas in the Christmas Wishes & Cowboy Kisses boxed set, and Savoring Christmas releasing November 10.          

ABOUT THE AUTHOR USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield grew up on a farm where her childhood brimmed with sunshine, hay fever, and an ongoing supply of learning experiences. Today, Shanna draws on her rural roots to create sweet romances filled with hope, humor, quirky small-town characters, realistic heroes, and women of strength. 

She’s written more than 100 books, including two children’s books, a cookbook, and a humorous recounting of life on a farm. When this award-winning author isn’t writing or testing out new recipes (she loves to bake!), Shanna hangs out at home in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband, better known as Captain Cavedweller. Shanna loves to hear from readers. 

Follow her online at: 

ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Newsletter | Pinterest   

 Find Shanna’s books at: Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple | Audible   

 #RABHAC, #JCCF, #rodeoromance  

Blog Tour and Book Review: PHOENIX'S ASCENT (Hera Forces #2) by Winter Austin

Changing things up a bit with a romantic suspense today...

Synopsis:

A maniac developing a fantastical drug wants one more thing to finalize the project—a test subject who fits all the parameters. But that test subject is as elusive as her namesake. 

Ex-SAS operative Mitch Edwards has been on the run since the moment he was framed for treason by someone in the British government. But he’s never forgotten the flamboyant and seductive CIA operative with the tongue of a thousand languages. In a bar in Cancun, Mexico, Mitch comes face to face with her once more, and with her comes the full force of her enemies. 

Reinstated Hera Force linguist and assassin, Nadia Roth, code named Phoenix, has no memory of Mitch Edwards, or of their affair before her team’s disastrous mission. Her traumatic brain injury is tricky that way. But something about this man sets her on fire and tickles the back of her mind. Her Hera teammates remember him, so why can’t she? 

Mitch partners up with Hera, with the sole intent of locating those hell-bent on killing him and all who are associated with him. Yet more is at stake than their lives. A traitor hides among their ranks, one who has been revealing all their secrets to an enemy determined to procure this special drug and Nadia for his scheme. 

Hera goes into operation mode, doing what they were created to do, but someone is watching, and the team finds themselves trapped behind enemy lines with no way out. 

Will Nadia ever remember the man she once loved, or will they perish with the secret between them? Review FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Review:

The story is well-plotted with Phoenix's injury and her attempt to find the Chessmaster on her own leading to problems. Only, all the problems may be the manipulations of the Chessmaster. While Phoenix's head injury prevents her from remembering Mitch, she still has feelings for him. The rest of her black ops group (Hera) search for her, concerned about her safety. As the story progresses, Phoenix's early years when she was trained to be a warrior - before she ran away - are revealed, as well as the plans her "mother" and the Chessmaster have for her. 

This was my first read of Winter Austin's writing, though this is the second in the series. It was easily read as a standalone with characters well-developed. There is lots of action and the pace is fast. The downside? I had to force myself to put the book down to get some sleep. The upside? I've added the first in the series to my TBR list. I hope there will be a third one coming.

A note to my cozy mystery followers - this isn't a cozy mystery. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Read an excerpt:

Another cooling breeze blew through the door, bringing with it the succulent scent of coconut oil, pineapple, and sea spray. His attention strayed to the door. He stiffened at the sight of the beauty leaning on the bamboo frame. The lavender haired woman pushed off the smoothed wood and sauntered, barefooted, across the sand-dusted floor. Mitch came to attention, his hand slipping away from the Sig. 

She swayed to the flamenco guitar music piped through the sound system, her turquoise sundress flowing around her golden legs. Strappy silver sandals, hanging from a crooked finger, bumped against her leg as she sauntered up to the bar. She flung her sandals over her shoulder and leaned an elbow on the top. 

“Holá, guapo.” Her sultry voice skirted along his spine and curled around his chest. 

He gulped down a sudden feathering of desire. “Holá,” he croaked. 

Her gaze flicked upward and the full force of those crystal-blue eyes hit him. She smiled. 

Mitch’s stomach clenched. Those eyes. God, he could drown in them. He blinked. He knew those eyes. Had spent years trying to forget them and what they did to him every time she had looked at him. It was her? The hair color was different, but … 

She shifted to peer over her sandal-bearing shoulder at the bar patrons, then brought those stunning blue eyes back to him. “What do you have that a gal like myself could quench her thirst with?” 

A zap of awareness struck him. Bloody hell, she knew how to wield her words and her voice to bring about arousal. 

A bejeweled hand slipped between Mitch and the woman. Manicured fingers lightly danced up her bare arm. Instead of pulling away, the lavender haired beauty turned to meet Dapper Man. She smiled seductively, setting her sandals on the bar top. 

“Such a beautiful woman. What brings you to a bar like this?” Dapper Man asked in Spanish. 

“It must be you.” She leaned in closer, giving Dapper Man a good view of what was hidden beneath the folds of her gauzy dress. “Looks like it’s my lucky day.” 

It was a part of her job, but her shameless flirting always left a bad taste in Mitch’s mouth. He backed from his spot and reached for a bottle of sparkling water. He twisted off the cap and brought the bottle to his lips, then hesitated. 

As the woman’s fingers danced up Dapper Man’s sleeve, she tilted her head to the side. Her thick hair shifted away from her neck, exposing a tiny tattoo of a yellow/red flaming bird right behind her ear lobe. 

It was her! That tattoo confirmed it. The Phoenix had risen. 

Movement behind Dapper Man caught Mitch’s eye. The bodyguards horseshoed their man and the other three lingered on the fringes. Hit once again with the sensation something was horribly off about these men, Mitch inched closer to his Sig.

Excerpt from XXXX. Copyright © 2018. All rights reserved.

About the Author:

Winter Austin perpetually answers the question: “were you born in the winter?” with a flat “nope,” but believe her, there is a story behind her name. 

A lifelong Mid-West gal with strong ties to the agriculture world, Winter grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around a table or a campfire. As a published author, she learned her glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller writer. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic suspense, mysteries, and thrillers. 

When she’s not slaving away at the computer, you can find Winter supporting her daughter in cattle shows, seeing her three sons off into the wide-wide world, loving on her fur babies, prodding her teacher husband, and nagging at her flock of hens to stay in the coop or the dogs will get them. 

She is the author of ten novels, with more on the way. You can find Winter on: 

Website            Facebook          Twitter          Instagram  

Pinterest           Goodreads  

Buy Links:

http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Austin_Winter/phoenixs-ascent.htm 

http://tirpub.com/waustinWinter 

https://www.amazon.com/Phoenixs-Ascent-Hera-Force-2-ebook/dp/B09S7CZ4LD/

Giveaway:

Austin will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

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RELEASE DAY: DECEPTION, DENIAL & MURDER A Stacie Maroni Mystery #3 by Christa Nardi

Deception, Denial & Murder

A Stacie Maroni Mystery #3

A domineering co-worker, a new flirtatious neighbor, and a dead body with way too many questions. 

As HR Specialist and trauma counselor, Stacie Maroni is used to dealing with difficult situations. When her night out is derailed by the discovery of a body, she’s glad she’s not involved. That is, until the murder affects her close friends and makes for awkward situations with the men in her life, her father included. With her friends potential suspects, Stacie works with the police, only the suspect list is slim and she’s grabbing at straws.

Here is an excerpt:

My morning run was invigorating. The sun was shining and the temperature crisp, but not frigid. A great day to get started on those New Year’s resolutions for sure. A quick shower, Jasper, my Maltese, taken care of, and I parked my car in my usual spot at Foster’s Insurance Group.

As the one stable feature of my life for the past year, it was a good thing I liked my job. HR specialist and crisis counselor for the company, my day was predictable enough with the occasional crisis to keep me charged.

Opening the doors leading to my office area, I greeted my assistant in reception. “Hi, Rosie.”

She jumped. “Good morning, Stacie. It doesn’t look like a busy day today. Did you have a good weekend?”

I nodded and didn’t elaborate. Rosie was in her fifties and had a penchant for gossip. Still, she did her job to perfection and kept me organized.

Not stopping to chat, I went down the hall to my office and settled in to work. I smiled at the email from Kevin McNair, the man in my life. A fellow supporter of victims of domestic violence, Kevin earned my trust as we faced down a murderer who was targeting members of the board of the newly established Theodore Noth Foundation.

He made the career change from professional athlete to policeman at about the same time. This week, he was in Quantico at a training seminar and sent me GIFs of flowers and sunshine daily. I could get used to this, though having him in town would be preferable.

A knock on my door broke my concentration. True to form, Jillian didn’t wait for the “Come in.” She burst in and slammed the door so hard I wasn’t sure the hinges would hold. From the set of her mouth to her wide eyes, her mood matched her jet black hair. Jillian was my best friend and I’d never seen her this riled.

“What’s wrong? Sit down, chill.”

“It’s … it’s that woman they transferred from Georgia – Gertrude Butts. Have you interacted with her at all?”

I shook my head. “Only to collect the paperwork. I haven’t seen her since she started. She’s in Special Projects with you, right?”

Jillian slumped over, her head in her hands.

“She is. The woman is a witch. A bully. She wants to add more structure, picks on the women – but is oh so nice to Tony and Jim. Everything I’ve done? She hates. She’s obsessed with being on time and apologetic when she’s late, which she is often. She gets upset if anyone is even a minute late or takes too long in the restroom.”

“Calm down. You have a cohesive unit. You have worked together for a long time. You’re a good lead.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. She acts like she knows everything and doesn’t see why the staff should be able to talk to each other or socialize. The tension is building. I’m afraid it will not be pretty. Besides, she doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing and keeps missing the details on the projects.”

“The holidays are always stressful and she’s only just gotten here. Give it a few more weeks. Try talking to her. Make her feel like her opinion matters.”

“I know, I know. I’m just afraid she’ll run off my best staff. She keeps pushing my buttons and everyone else’s. She sent me an email demanding I comply with her requests within 24 hours. She’s not my boss. I don’t understand why Reinhardt thought I needed help. We each have a job and I’m afraid she’s wreaking havoc on me and my unit.”

She exhaled and stood up. “I just needed to vent. We’ll work it out. See you at lunch.”

I stared at the closed door after Jillian left. I was confident she could handle the woman. Only I didn’t enjoy seeing her so upset. I sat back and thought about my job.

Most of the time, Foster’s Insurance Group was a well-oiled machine. As the lead HR specialist, I had first-hand knowledge of the turnover and complaints. I’d already had a complaint from one of the people in Jillian’s unit about Gertrude.

A high rate of turnover didn’t happen often. If it did or one unit suddenly wasn’t as productive or had high turnover, I’d have to report to Reinhardt. Lynisha Cook, the other HR specialist, and I “jokingly” referred to her as the “Wicked Witch of the West.”

I shuddered and turned my attention back to my email and the reports I needed to get done. I could only hope this would pass. Engrossed in number crunching, I jumped when my cell rang, the ring tone alerting me it was my dad. I smiled and answered.

“Hi, Dad. How’s it going?”

“Hi, Stacie. Everything’s good here. Working on the final touches for the wedding. How are things with you?”

“Good here, too.” I cringed, anticipating what he would say.

“Deanna and I were wondering when you will arrive and if you’d gotten around to inviting Kevin yet? Deanna is looking forward to meeting him.”

“I have vacation time and requested the week off, hoping to get some skiing and relaxation in. My plan was to arrive midweek. When will Vince arrive?”

I hadn’t seen my brother in at least two years. He made the army his career and deployments kept him away. At least so he said.

“Stacie, you didn’t answer my question. Why haven’t you invited Kevin to the wedding yet?”

I took a deep breath. “You realize we haven’t spent a lot of time together, what with him at the police academy and now the special training at Quantico. He’s starting a new job and I’m not sure he can take time off.”

“You’ll invite him, won’t you?”

“Yes. I think so. I don’t know.”

“Stacie, you’re running – no, you’ve run out of time here. He may be insulted you waited so long and say no.” He groaned and I imagined he was shaking his head and scowling.

“As for your brother, Vince will be on leave for two weeks. He plans to stay at my place in New Jersey for a while to decompress. He’ll come up to Bricksville by Tuesday or Wednesday. Nate is driving up on Thursday. Talk to Kevin today and let me know so we can plan accordingly.”

“Okay. I will.”

      We disconnected and I shuddered at what “plan accordingly” meant. It would be awful if they “found” me a date for the wedding. That would be so uncomfortable. I’d hash it out with my friends at lunch.

Excerpt from Deception, Denial & Murder Copyright © 2019. All rights reserved.

Stacie Maroni Msyteries (available on Amazon, with Kindle Unlimited)

Prestige, Privilege & Murder
Foundations, Funny Business & Murder
Deception, Denial & Murder

For the backstory on the series, check out the dedicated Stacie Maroni Mysteries page on this blog!

Enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win a $25 giftcard and/or ecopies of Deception, Denial & Murder.


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Guest Post : PATRICE LYLE, Author of KILLER KUNG PAO (Health Nut Mysteries Book 1)

Synopsis of KILLER KUNG PAO

Dr. Piper Meadows heads to the Body, Mind & Spirit Expo expecting to solve health problems, not murder. But her first day starts off wrong when famous psychic Mystic Ming compares her hair to a "dung beetle's nest" and tries to get her kicked out of the show. But Piper's bad-hair day gets worse when her Aunt Alfa gets in a public scuffle with Mystic Ming, where he accuses her of trying to poison him with her peanut oil-based essential oils. When Mystic Ming drops dead from his serving of killer kung pao laced with peanut oil, it's no surprise that Aunt Alfa is fingered as the prime suspect.

Unwilling to let her auntie squander her golden years in prison, Piper orders a set of How To Be a PI flashcards and sets out to find the real killer. Secrets and suspects sprout up faster than wheat grass, including a handsome tattoo artist, Tattoo Tex, who intrigues Piper more than she'd like to admit. But can she trust him? Piper had better solve the case of the killer kung pao before the murderer turns his sights on victim number two...one sleuthing doctor!

Buy Links: Nook iBooks Kobo Smashwords Amazon

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What Comes Next After 

KILLER KUNG PAO

By Patrice Lyle

There will be two more books (and hopefully more!) in the Health Nut Mystery series from Gemma Halliday Publishing. Book 2 is KILLER KARAT CREAM and book 3 is KILLER KALE CHIPS. Here are blurbs for both books:

BOOK 2: KILLER KARAT CREAM 

       Diamonds are a girl’s best exfoliater.

       After Dr. Piper Meadows sends out invitations to an exclusive spa night for holistic professionals to debut Sparkle O’s new Karat Cream – a diamond dust exfoliating cream that experts swear blasts off more layers than dynamite – she’s excited to show off the new organic fountain of youth. But when celebrity dermatologist Dr. Jasmine croaks from a lethal dose of poisoned Karat Cream at Dr. Piper’s event, she must turn to her PI flashcards once more to catch a killer intent on ridding the world of more than just dead skin cells.

BOOK 3: KILLER KALE CHIPS 

      Who knew kale chips could be deadly?

      When famous author Veronica Forks drops dead from a bag of poisoned kale chips, suspicion falls on former-Mafioso-turned-surfer-dude Ken, creator of Ken’s Killer Kale Chips. According to Dr. Piper’s PI flashcards, he has the motive (she witnessed a tiff between him and Veronica), the means (the kale chips), and the opportunity. But he’s too cute to be a killer and, as any good PI knows, the flashcards aren’t always right. Plus Aunt Alfa and Brownie are addicted to Ken’s Killer Kale Chips and if Ken’s arrested, Aunt Alfa and Brownie will never snack again. So Dr. Piper takes it upon herself to root out a killer who loves to dabble in kale chips before he or she strikes again.

Author Bio: 

Patrice Lyle loves green smoothies, dark chocolate, mysteries, and humor. She wove these elements together when she created the Health Nut Mysteries, a cozy series about a naturopathic doctor who solves mysteries at health expos. Patrice also writes paranormal young adult and middle grade fiction, as well as holistic medical suspense. She has an MA in Writing Popular Fiction and a PhD in Holistic Nutrition. She's also a Certified Traditional Naturopath. She now lives in Florida with her husband and two kitties, and is a firm believer in the theory that laughter is the best medicine.

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Excerpt: 

My aunt was the most adorable health nut ever. Clad in her size-two teal velour pantsuit, matching foam rollers, and red, patent-leather Mary Jane pumps, she strutted across the beige carpet pulling a neon green duffel roller bag and munching on a gluten-free Cosmic Cupcake (her favorite). She hadn't changed at all—including her hennaed hair—in the last three decades. And I hoped she never would.

"Hey, Pipe." She planted a kiss on my cheek. "You'll never guess what happened on our walk. It was the craziest thing."

Even though it had only been a couple hours since I'd last seen her, I gave her a quick hug. "I was wondering where you—"

And that was when I noticed the suspicious pink snout sticking out of the side zipper of Aunt Alfa's bag. Oh, holy chocolate babka to the nth degree.

"You heard that yoga girl at registration," I said quietly. "Animals aren't allowed in here, and we have to follow the rules."

She pursed her lips as if she were sucking a lemon, which she did every day because lemons are great for the liver, and pointed at a woman nearby who was accompanied by a guide dog. "Check out that dog. Studies have shown pigs are fourth on the intelligence roll, behind humans, primates, and dolphins."

I was familiar with the study because she talked about it all the time.

"It's rude to point." I gently lowered my auntie's arm before someone noticed her. "That woman is blind, Aunt Alfa. Guide dogs are always allowed."

"I know." Aunt Alfa crumpled up her Cosmic Cake wrapper and tossed it into a nearby trashcan, making the shot like a basketball star. "Our piglet should be allowed too because he's smart enough to be a guide pig. Besides, I'm ninety-one years old. I defy anyone to stop me."

A nonagenarian with a 'tude was what her dead ex-boyfriend had called Aunt Alfa during the nightmare séance. I feared he might have been on to something.

"I don't like it either, Aunt Alfa, but you have to take Brownie to our room."

"You know how depressed he gets alone. He'll pig out." She jutted out her crepe-paper jaw. "I can't believe I forgot Charlotte's Web. That's the only movie he likes."

Finally, progress. "Actually, he loves Babe, and I brought the DVD with me."

"Really?"

"Yeah. We watched it last weekend, and he sniffled at all the sad parts." I'd been in major Floyd-avoid-mode so I'd spent my Friday night curled up with a movie, a bag of dark chocolate chip cookies, and a piglet.

Aunt Alfa shot me her pity grin. "He was just being polite, Pipe."

That figured. Guys were all the same. Even the potbelly breeds.

Aunt Alfa rose on her toes and glanced around the room. "I'm going to find the manager and force him to see things my way."

Oh, no. Had I made a mistake insisting she come? I'd worried about her starting a riot at my condo complex while I was gone, but I hadn't considered the consequences at the expo.

"You have to take Brownie to our hotel room," I said. "Seriously."

Brownie must have recognized his name because just then a high-pitched, someone's-murdering-me piglet squeal erupted from her bag.

Weee. Weee. Weeeeeeeeeeee.

Several people turned in response. One woman having a tarot card reading by the yellow-turbaned psychic looked perturbed and asked, "Was that… a pig?"

Then a sneeze louder than a New York City firework festival rang out. Followed by a coughing attack.

"Mystic Ming allergic to pig," a familiar voice choked out. "Ming berry berry allergic to many things."

I turned to see Mystic Ming wobbling in the aisle across from me. Then his skinny legs buckled, and his face lightened to the shade of a marshmallow. Right before he collapsed onto the expo floor.

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