Hello, it’s Donna Michaels, and as you can see, my head is
full of heroes! Okay, my head is always
full of heroes, but this is just one crazy instance where all three of these
heroes’ books will be released inside of one month, and their commonality is
probably not what you’d expect.
These releases all deal with veteran suicide.
A tough subject, but veteran suicide is real, and an
epidemic, and part of life. A part I wish we could help, but maybe by acknowledging
it and talking about it, we can help make some sort of a difference. They say
knowledge is power. Let’s put that power to good use. My husband’s unit has had
two suicides in the past four years, so it does hit home for me. I ate with
these men and their families, and I’ll be honest with you, I’m still in shock. It’s
taken me over a year since the last one, but I felt I was now at a place where
I could include the subject in my stories.
Two of these releases are part of my Citizen Soldier Series. The heroes are both hurting over the
suicide of a National Guardsman that has taken place in the background of the
first five books. Greg was the cousin to one of the heroes, Matthew, and he was best
friends with the other hero, Keiffer, who is also the one to find the body.
Let me introduce you to these men. First is my NASCAR
driver, Matthew “Stone” Bennett, in WINE
AND HOT SHOES. Before writing this story, I didn’t know that much about NASCAR,
other than I knew one of the books in my Citizen
Soldier Series would have a driver as a hero, since the series is set in
the Poconos of PA and fairly close to the Pocono Raceway. One of the things I love most about this book is that it’s the
heroine who is in the National Guard.
While researching NASCAR and stock car racing, I discovered
a few fun facts, including this one that helped me title the book:
Hot Shoe: 1. Driver who has the most past wins among
active drivers at a particular track; is the quickest in qualifying, and is
favored to win at that track.
WINE AND HOT SHOES
Citizen Solder Series/Book 6/Audrey
Citizen Solder Series/Book 6/Audrey
This Thanksgiving, Sgt. Audrey
McNeil Watson is thankful for wine. Lots and lots of wine. And her closet of hot
shoes. Together, they help her deal with the return of her sexy ex-boyfriend,
the now famous NASCAR Champion she left after 9/11 to join the National Guard
and make a difference. Too bad he still manages to accelerate her pulse and
drive her crazy.
Professional stock car
racing driver, Matthew “Stone” Bennett returned home to meet with the Wyne
brothers to discuss a recent encounter with their estranged brother Keiffer, to
face the reality of his cousin’s suicide, and for the wedding of his buddy, Ethan
Wyne.
Volunteering to draw the
paparazzi away from the happy couple, he and Audrey agree to spend time
together with purely platonic intentions. But he soon discovers their old flame
never died, as well as old hurts and resentments. Matthew must face the pain of
his past in order to sort out his future.
**I just want to note
that all of my books, no matter what series they are in, are all written as
standalones. You do not need to read any of the others to enjoy the stories.**
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Now on to Keiffer Wyne. This hero is by far my most talked
about. I’ve been getting emails from readers for almost two years now. They
want the poor guy to have his HEA, and I’m so thrilled to finally make that
happen. HER TROUBLED COWBOY releases 12/13/16 and is up for pre-order now!
Readers were introduced to his heroine, Caitlin, in book 4 of my Harland County
Series, Her Forever Cowboy. She’s the sister to the heroine, and had a cameo—and
a fling with Keiffer—in Book 2 of the Citizen Soldier Series, Wyne and Chocolate
when Caitlin traveled with his sister to the Poconos for his sister’s wedding. Since
then, his buddy has died, and Keiffer has been spiraling out of control. Now,
in his story, everything is coming full circle.
Cover photo by Cover Me Photography with Jose Ruiz
Releasing 12/13/16
HER TROUBLED COWBOY
Harland County/Citizen Soldier Series Crossover
Book 9: Keiffer
HER TROUBLED COWBOY
Harland County/Citizen Soldier Series Crossover
Book 9: Keiffer
Available for Pre-Order!
Some incidents from the
past are not easily forgotten…
For over a year, former
National Guardsman Keiffer Wyne left his past in Pennsylvania to start a new
life, drifting from ranch to ranch across the southwest. Unrestricted, nomadic,
unaccountable—he embraces the new lifestyle, until he’s called upon to watch
over his sister Brandy during her husband’s absence. The problem? She’ll be there. The one woman capable
of breaking through his barriers and making him feel.
Caitlin Ryan can’t
believe who blew into Harland County looking dangerous, hotter, sexier than the
time they shared an unforgettable weekend together. She knows he’s still
dealing with the death of his buddy and his mind isn’t in a good place, but
neither of them are strong enough to fight their undeniable attraction.
Keiffer’s troubled and all wrong for her, counting down the days until he
leaves. Too bad she never learned to shy away from trouble…
Releasing 12/13/16
Available for Pre-Order!
Available for Pre-Order!
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And last, but as they say,
not least, is my upcoming release, IN A RANGER’S ARMS. I’m so excited to have
my first release with Entangled Publications. This is Book One in The Men of
At-Ease Ranch Series, focusing on former Army Ranger buddies who opened a transition ranch for returning
veterans when another of their buddies nearly died by his own hands the year
before. Again, although the underlying message is serious, the books are
lighthearted and humorous with a ton of heat.
I was honored to have
Vonnie read an ARC and give me this wonderful book quote:
“A hot
cowboy hero, a clever heroine, former Rangers, and a jealous cow form the cast
of a romance so endearing, you’ll want to read it again and again.”
--Vonnie Davis, author of Black Eagle
Ops Series
Releasing 11/28/16
IN A RANGER’S ARMS
The Men of At Ease Ranch/ Book 1/Stone
Available for Pre-Order
HERE
HERE
No amount of training could’ve
prepared him for her.
Former Army Ranger Stone
Mitchum doesn’t have time for sex. Since starting a company with his brother
and two buddies, he’s had more important things on his mind. Like transitioning
veterans back into society. But when his curvy new tenant falls into his
arms—literally—his libido snaps to attention.
Jovy Larson has four
weeks to prove she’s worthy of taking over the family business. Her challenge?
Sell gluten-free, vegan food—in the middle of cattle country, Texas. It’s
a tough task, but not half as tough as fighting her attraction to her sexy,
surly landlord.
Before she knows it,
Jovy’s tangling sheets with the hot cowboy, stalked by a jealous cow, and
strategizing ways to help Stone’s ranch. But by the time her lease runs out and
the test is over, she’s faced with a new challenge…competing against Stone’s
sense of duty to win his heart.
Pre-order IN A RANGER’S ARMS, releasing 11/28/16
HERE
HERE
**I’m having a
FACEBOOK BOOK RELEASE PARTY AND YOU'RE ALL INVITED! Nov. 28th...4 pm to 10:30
pm (Eastern) Guest authors, prizes, hot cowboys, hot military heroes and more!
Here’s the link for the party: https://www.facebook.com/events/200745263708766/?active_tab=discussion
I know veteran suicide is a tough subject, but I do appreciate
you sticking around to the end of my post, and I hope you’ll check out these
stories.
Thanks for reading,
~Donna
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