Now, normally I don’t go around asking strange women personal questions, you know, owning a bar and all, it’s usually the other way around. But this girl, Venus, who’s helping her sister, catering at my brother Liam’s wedding, gives me an odd feeling. It’s not what you’re thinking, and shame on you for thinking that when it’s Christmas. Dang, I almost tripped over a reindeer as I went over and talked to her, behind the food table. She’s beautiful, no doubt about it at all, but she’s got that look in her eye, man, there’s no denying it. There’s trouble, and in no small way, neither. And when she blurts out the truth, well gosh, you could hear a pin drop, and this is a wedding attended by more than a hundred people, ladies and gentlemen.
***
Raine, my sister, points out the guy standing next to Liam, his brother, who’s staring at me like I’m his next meal. His name is Darryl, and he owns a local bar, and somehow I figure he’s caught wind of why I’m here. It’s impossible, of course, because nobody knows except for Raine, but the feeling I get in my gut tells me that he knows I’m not just serving lasagna as a favor to my sister. But he's adamant, despite my claws coming out, amongst all the holly and mistletoe, and I ignore the fact that he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen, no ma’am, but that’s also because he’s the last thing I need. But I soon find out that in the few days that I’ve been here I’ve learned to ignore my needs and stick to my wants. God strike me dead, but as much as I hate him the moment we exchange pleasantries, I’m also unapologetically attracted to the sumbitch.
…but can we get past this tug of war between us? Then again, it doesn’t really matter, since the very reason why I’m hiding out here in Huttonville comes back...with a gun in hand…dressed up as, guess who…
Holiday romance
Christmas romance
Second chance romance
Happily ever after romance
Steamy romance
Medium heat
Mild foul language
Cliffhanger ending
Fair warning: ALL Sandy's western romances end with a cliffhanger, so if that's not your thing....sorry!
If you're not into addictive, heartwarming, sexy stories about cowboys and the women that they fall fast and hard for...move on.
About the Author
Sandy's first job out of high school was as an assistant animal groomer. Among many other jobs in her career, she's also worked at a prestigious winery that many well-known celebrities have patronized. With a college degree in Administration, she has several years of desk work under her belt, including her most current job at an established charity.
Often found in the lunchroom writing voraciously, Sandy has been called a 'writing machine'. Despite her forty-hour a week job, she still publishes many books each year. With a literary back list born in 2010, Sandy has branched out into several genres.
Married with two children and two furbabies, Sandy is a lover of all things four-legged. A strong advocate of health & fitness, you'll find her doing Yoga in her living room at 5:00 weekday mornings, which is sometimes when new story ideas come to light. Writing, like exercise, is a daily practice for this author. She's received 5 Stars from Readers' Favorite for 'Betrayal Only Comes in Green', and 'The Man with the Black Belt'.
Here is a brief description of what Sandy writes:
New Series!
Big Heart, Small Town Address series (Western Romance) (Books should be read in order):
Lost in Texas
Found in Texas
Torn in Texas
Stuck in Texas
Broken in Texas
Stolen in Texas
Left in Texas
Wanted in Texas
A Town Without Pity Series (Western Romance) (Books should be read in order):
No More Tears
No More Lies
No More Games
No More Pain
No More Fear
No More Time
No More Dice
No More Luck
No More Doubt
No More Shame
No More Faith
No More Grace
Magic at Cog Hill Series (romance) (inspirational):
She Only Speaks to Butterflies
Knowing
It's Not the Flowers
LA Cops Series (police procedural/romantic suspense): 3 standalone novels that can be read in any order:
The Wife of a Lesser Man
Don't Mess with Daddy's Girl
The Wheels of Change
Standalone novels that can be read in any order (arranged by genre):
(Suspense/Thriller):
Betrayal Only Comes in Green
Seven Lies, Four Truths
To Hide in Holly Springs
A Calamity Place Romance: 3 serial novels that should be read in order:
Misunderstood
Decisions
Complicated
(Romance) (standalone):
The Man with the Black Belt
Blessed and Betrayed
Would You Still Love Me?
When Will Knocks at Your Door
(Memoir/Short Reads):
I'll Never Wear a Backless Dress
No Thanks, Mommy, I Peed Yesterday
Visit www.sandyappleyard.com for more information.
SANDY BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK
10% of Sandy's monthly net profits goes to charity. Subscribe to her weekly newsletter (every Saturday morning) and she'll tell you what charity she's giving to! Suggest one and she may pick yours! SUBSCRIBE AND RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF 'NO MORE TEARS' (copy and paste link into your browser) https://dl.bookfunnel.com/
Follow Sandy on:
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/
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Join her Facebook group 'Rock & Jock Talk': https://www.facebook.com/
Sandy also writes steamy romance series under pen name Sandra Alex. You can find her at www.sandraalexbooks.com