Showing posts with label cowboy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cowboy. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

New Kindle World Release by Donna Michaels

Hi, it's Donna Michaels and I'm excited to have another cowboy release in my Harland County series, but this time he's a Sable Hunter Hell Yeah Kindle World crossover!

It was such an honor to be asked by Sable to participate in her Kindle World and to be one of the launch authors! Creating another branch of my McCall tree to mingle with her McCoys was the icing on the cake! Her Hell Yeah Cowboy hit #1 in Western Kindle last week and currently sits at #3, plus it's at #2 in Western Kindle Worlds. :-) Thank you all for making it a best seller! And big hugs to those who've left reviews! <3

Years ago, he unknowingly rescued his soulmate, now she’s back in Texas and about to save his guarded heart.




Cover photo by Cover Me Photography with Orestis Papapetrou


Blurb:

Unlike his twin, Texas National Guardsman Sgt. Logan McCall would rather march barefoot and blindfolded through a cow pasture than date the same woman twice. After an active duty injury during a flood washed away his promising sports career and engagement years ago, Logan guards his heart more than his life until, fresh from deployment, he runs into a friend of the McCoys…literally. Hill Country’s newest resident is hotter than the wing sauce soaking into his shirt.

Mission on.

Graphic designer and carrier of misfortune, Chloe Davis is a danger to herself and those around her, so entertaining thoughts for the sexy cowboy wearing her hot sauce should be a no-no…not a hell yeah—especially considering he’s the guardsman linked to a horrible instance in her past. But when he turns out to be one of her clients, she can no more avoid him than the attraction sizzling between them. Chloe’s back in Texas determined to make a fresh start, and she succeeds in business but fails to resist the handsome soldier’s relentless pursuit.

But when he discovers her past, will he trust his heart or lose her forever?


Excerpt
“I’d like to know what kind of read you were getting from my brother that was so interesting, Cady.”
Ah, hell.
Logan swallowed his drink along with a few curses. He’d rather not know.
Her calm, steady, perceptive gaze settled over him again. “Today’s the day.”
Super. Whatever. He wasn’t biting. Just raised his glass and enjoyed another mouthful of beer. The ale was ice cold with just the right amount of malted barley and hint of bitter. Damn, it was good to be back in the states.
“The day for what?” Lincoln frowned. “What’s going to happen to Logan today?”
“With any luck, I’ll finally make it to my ranch. That’s what.” It was all he wanted. All he’d wanted for fucking months now.
“He’s going to meet up with his soulmate again,” she replied as if he hadn’t spoken.
It took a full twenty seconds before any of that sunk into Logan’s head. The word soulmate bounced around a few times, barely leaving room for the again part. He had a soulmate? Well, shit. That wasn’t good. Not the reading he expected. Or wanted to hear.
Besides, if he had a soulmate, and they’d supposedly already met, wouldn’t he have remembered her?
It didn’t matter.
No way was he going to touch that topic, especially since his family had a history with soulmates. His cousin Cole McCall reunited with his soulmate Jordan after over a decade apart. The two had been through hell but were now married and living a happily-ever-after they deserved down by the gulf in Harland County. The couple had this crazy connection you didn’t need your eyes to see. 
Weird shit.
Not something Logan wanted or ever pursued for himself since his failed engagement back when he gave a damn about relationships. Now he stuck with casual hookups. Nothing serious. It was cleaner. Easier. Safer. Believing in someone, trusting someone, only to have them crush you wasn’t worth the risk. He’d learned the hard way. Didn’t need to be beat over the head with it. Casual or not at all was his motto. The last thing he wanted was a soulmate.
The thing was, he believed in Cady and her abilities. So he did what any man in his position would do. He topped off his beer and enjoyed another healthy pull.
“Did you say soulmate?” Lincoln blinked at Cady, and when she nodded, his brother turned a shit-eating grin his way. “This I’ve got to see.”
Joseph smiled. “Me, too.”
Logan laughed. “Hate to disappoint you all, but look around.” He made a sweeping motion with his hand. “The place is practically empty, and the only woman here is Cady. Not a soulmate in sight.”
“She has big brown eyes that are going to melt that guarded heart of yours, Logan McCall,” Cady remarked leaning closer. “She’s near. Can’t you feel it?”
Feel it? What he was feeling was agitated. On edge. Restless. He had for some time now. But today he could add aggravated to that list. Cady’s dark, direct, Creole gaze, and the guys’ amused ones weren’t helping. Logan set his glass down and rose to his feet. “What I feel is the need to use the bathroom. Excuse me.”
The more distance he put between himself and the two chuckleheads at the table, the better he felt. And Logan was sure, once he was home, the weird restlessness—like he had unfinished business—would disappear. Hell, he just got off deployment. It was common to come back with baggage. This shit was normal. He’d deal with it.
What wasn’t normal was for him to run away. He didn’t really need to use the bathroom, but the urge to leave the table had been too strong to ignore. Cady knew. He could see it in her eyes and slight tug to her lips, but bless her, she didn’t call him out on it, just let him go without a word. Not only had his buddy married a smart, beautiful woman, she was sweet, too.
Going on the assumption the john was in the same place as before, Logan rounded the bar and—smacked into someone rushing down the corridor, all soft and curvy.
And hot?
He felt the heat right through his T-shirt. It scorched.
Inhaling on impact, he reached out to steady the distinctly feminine form, his mind registering a light, flowery scent, mixed with the mouthwatering aroma of…chicken wings?
“I’m so sorry. Are you okay? Did I burn you?” Her breathless voice had a sweet huskiness that spread awareness all the way down his spine.
What the hell?
He shook his head to clear it. “I’m fine,” he replied, staring at the mass of wavy brown hair obscuring the woman’s face as she tried to brush off the sauce that leaked onto him from the Styrofoam container she cradled in one hand.
“I’ve ruined your shirt.” She continued to try to clean him up but only made it worse. A second later, her palm stilled on his chest, and she drew her lower lip between her teeth.
“I’m fine,” he repeated, silently willing her to look at him.
With the initial shock of the collision wearing off, he realized the merit of the situation. Pressed against him was a soft, warm woman with an abundance of curves his body immediately wanted to get to know better. A little taller than average, she brushed his bottom lip with the top of her head, her riot of hair sticking to the chin he hadn’t shaved in two days. Logan wondered how their other body parts lined up, but most important, he wondered…what color eyes she had.

***********************
You can find all the books in Sable's Kindle World right here:




Thanks for reading,

~Donna
www.donnamichaelsauthor.com




Monday, November 16, 2015

Wyne/Wine and a Giveaway by Donna Michaels


**My Winners are...

Debby  and Jannine!

Congratulations! Sorry for the delay! Wine and Dine is on its way!

Thank you all for commenting. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

*******

Hello everyone, I’m excited! In eight days the third book in my Citizen Soldier Series, WYNE AND SONG releases, and a month later the fourth book in the series WINE AND HER NEW YEAR COWBOY releases in the RING IN A COWBOY boxed set!
This series is special to me because it features National Guard heroes and heroines, and as you know, my husband has been in the National Guard for over 30 years. It’s my honor to portray these brave men and women, and their support on the home front.


I’d like to share some Wyne and Wine and offer a giveaway at the end.

Book 3/Ethan features my single father who surprised me. I usually have pretty much alpha heroes, but Ethan has a little beta going on, too, and I enjoyed every bit of that aspect of him.


WYNE AND SONGCitizen Soldier Series
Book 3/ Ethan
Releasing 11/24/15 Available NOW for Pre-Order!

 Single father Ethan Wyne’s trust in women stopped when his cheating wife died while he was deployed. Dating and relationships are in the past. His son is his life now and he’s proud of the stable home he’s created through hard work, determination, and support. But when a family celebration in NYC leads to a moment of weakness with a vivacious beauty, he’s tempted to rethink his reasoning. Especially when she turns up in the Poconos. Can he take a chance again when more than his heart is at stake?
Phoebe Weston’s temporary gig in a summer production in the Poconos is just what the Broadway star needs to keep busy while awaiting a Hollywood screen test. The magic of the show reawakens her passion for the basics, and her frequent encounters with the handsome, single father of a young friend awakens something more.

But Ethan’s made it clear he’s not looking for permanent, and for the first time in her life, Phoebe’s not looking for temporary. Maybe what the jaded father’s locked up, guarded heart needs is a little song.

***********************

When I was asked to be in the RING IN A COWBOY boxed set featuring cowboys set around New Years, I knew I wanted to bring a cowboy from my Harland County Series up to the Poconos and create a Citizen Soldier/Harland County Crossover for the set. I immediately thought of Harper, one of my Texas cowboys, then I chuckled gleefully and rubbed my hands together imagining some fun for the displaced cowboy stuck in the snowy north.

WINE AND A NEW YEAR COWBOY
Citizen Soldier/Harland County Series
Crossover Novella
Book 4/ Lucas

Texas cowboy, Lucas Harper relocates to the Poconos when he’s named guardian of a teenager in the will of a father he didn’t know existed. With a new job, new Guard unit, new house, and a new sister, he’s reached his ‘new’ limit, until he meets his sister’s new boss.
A magnet for Mr. Wrong, pizza shop owner, Evie Martelli makes an early New Year’s resolution to go ‘no male’, but the sexy older brother of her employee puts that resolution to the test. Good thing her brother has a ‘no dating rule’ concerning the guys from his unit.

But, everybody knows rules are meant to be broken, and resolutions rarely last more than a few days…


WINE AND HER NEW YEAR COWBOY is part of the
RING IN A COWBOY Boxed Set
Rel. 12/28/15
Available NOW for PRE-ORDER for .99cents at:
Kathleen Ball
Rhonda Lee Carver
Amanda McIntrye
Hildie McQueen
Donna Michaels
Lexi Post
Tori Scott
Gem Sivad
Victoria Vane

***GIVEAWAY***
In honor of my upcoming Citizen Soldier releases, I’m giving away 2 eBooks of the first book in the series WYNE AND DINE! Just answer the following question:

What is your favorite wine?

Two random names will be drawn from the comments tomorrow. Good luck!

Each book is a standalone, but as with any series, I think you get more out of the books if you read each hero’s story.
**Citizen Soldier Series**
Book 1/ Ben – Wyne and Dine
Book 2/Mason – Wyne and Chocolate
Book 3/Ethan – Wyne and Song
Book 4/ Harper – Wine and Her New Year Cowboy
(Harland County/Citizen Soldier Crossover Novella/Part of the Ring in a Cowboy Boxed Set)

Thanks for reading,
~Donna



Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Juggling--an Acquired Talent by Donna Michaels


No, I can’t toss around multiple balls without dropping them. And forget chainsaws. I’d have no hands left! But, being a mother of four, two of them twins, I learned to multi-task (juggle) or die. Okay, not die, but become overwhelmed and neglectful. Not an option to me, so I learned to adjust, aka, multi-task, aka juggle. The husband and kids were fed and clothed, maybe not with the must nutritious of cuisines and wrinkle free outfits, but they weren’t hungry or naked.  I considered that a win. The kids always had something to take to school for their birthdays, and holiday parties, including me because I volunteered as a Class Mom for each child. Helping out the twins was a challenge since they were never in the same class, but it worked out. Looking back now, I realize that was great training for my writing career. Between writing, promoting, social networking, and appearances, that multi-tasking, aka juggling, conditioned me well. Especially for when there are multiple releases in one month.


Like this month.


I had two scheduled, then my publisher decided to test my juggling act by surprising me with an earlier than I expected release date to my upcoming Yellow Rose...on the same day as one of my scheduled releases.


Juggle time.


I kept my release of Her Volunteer Cowboy as scheduled, but pushed my self-pubbed suspense release back a week. Now I had a release on the 4th, 9th, and 14th of the month. Woot! Calgon take me away. Have you ever had the need to juggle? I’m guessing you’re nodding your head say, ‘He%$ yeah!” Well, believe me, I’m feeling ya. Give yourself a pat on the back for all the juggling you do and don’t even realize because it’s become the norm. Your personal life. Profession. School. You name it, you’re juggling that very elusive son-of-a-gun called…time.


And if you find any extra time, please check out my three new releases:




Tanner’s story was part of the 12-Alarm Cowboy boxed set, now releasing as a single on the 4th.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014VLU76U

Brett’s story is the sequel to Cowboy-Sexy/Fiancé I thought would catch an October date, but released on the 9th through The Wild Rose Press.
http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Payback-Sequel-Cowboy-Fianc%C3%A9-Michaels-ebook/dp/B013M188XO/

Cage’s story is the 2nd book in my new Dangerous Curves Series, giving the woman rescued in book 1 her own HEA in this story that released two days ago on the 14th.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01343DV3C

Thanks for taking a slice out of your precious time to read this post. I do appreciate it, and understand how crazy our lives can get. Right now, I’m driving from Vegas to Palm Springs for the InD’Scribe Author/Reader Conference. 



If you’re in town, please stop by and see me! I’m signing Friday and Saturday at the Renaissance Palm Springs! I’m also on the THAT'S MY KIND OF HERO/HEROINE panel where I’m representing both cowboys and military heroes/heroines, and later that night, I’m up for a RONE award in the Cops, Jocks, and Cowboy category for Her Forever Cowboy! Yeehaw! It’s such an honor and surprise to be nominated!! Then, on Sunday, it’s back to Vegas for a few days, before I fly home to start it all over again.


Because I love to juggle. I live to juggle. Juggling is my life! Lol Have you juggled today? I bet you have!

Thanks for reading,


~Donna


If you’re interested in keeping up with my juggling act…I mean news, and exclusive contests, please sign up for my newsletter here:  www.donnamichaelsauthor.com


☺You can also find me here:








Thursday, July 16, 2015

Plaid for Poppy by Donna Michaels

Sorry this is a little late. Two significant events happened yesterday. The first--we buried my father-in-law. He passed away Saturday morning after his long battle with cancer. Bless him, he was a stubborn man who hung on for his 56th Wedding Anniversary which was Friday, not wanting to ruin that date for my mother-in-law. He did things his way right until the end.

Poppy loved his flannel and plaid shirts and to roll up his jeans, we called his Fonzie pants. That was how he was laid to rest, and on the night of his viewing, me, my husband, and our children all wore plaid for Poppy.

This week has been sad, but we've also been laughing a lot at some wonderful memories. Poppy had a great sense of humor and was practical joker, something his son inherited, which of course, was what attracted me to Michael. I was seventeen when I first started to date my husband, and thanks to Poppy, no matter how old I get, I will always feel young because of the nickname he gave me. Kid. He was such a great story teller, too. I was always amazed by his memory, but most impressed with the way he summarized the boring details with...yadda...yadda...yadda.

My least favorite part of writing is the fluff! Now I know how to handle them. lol I never thought to use...yadda...yadda...yadda. :-) So, you just might see that in my books from now on. I'm sure my publishers wouldn't mind. lol


The second significant event that happened yesterday, was the release of my Mini Movie by the wonderful Jackson Young for HER HEALING COWBOY.

In this story, my hero Jace lost his father to a disease when he was young. His dad was HIV positive from a blood transfusion, and this shaped his life, and made him determined to become a doctor so he could join Doctor's Without Borders to treat, and help spread awareness to families of those afflicted in Africa on how to live with the disease. He's just waiting until his commission runs out with the National Guard, then he'll join DWB and be on his way. lol Nope. He meets, and falls for, the niece of one of his patients, a very giving woman who is only in town temporarily to help run her uncle's ice cream shop while he recovers from surgery.

Jackson did a fantastic job of capturing, both the importance, and playful essence of Her Healing Cowboy in such a short, limited timeframe. And the incorporation of percussion work lent by Tom Larson who has done some amazing efforts in Africa, just ties it all together.



Buy Links:


Thank you for letting me pay tribute to Poppy, Jace, and Jackson today.

Thanks for reading,

~Donna


Thursday, April 16, 2015

Uniquely Similar by Donna Michaels

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. ~ Margaret Mead

I’m a firm believer that we are all unique, so doesn’t that, in itself, make us similar? 

As authors, we have an ‘idea’ that turns into a plot, that turns into a book, regardless of the genre, publisher, or ranking. We are all authors with published books. 

As readers, we love to read, doesn’t matter the genre, publisher, or author. We are all readers who enjoy a good book. 

And because I enjoy writing contemporary cowboys and military heroes, does not mean I don’t love to write sci-fi or suspense or time travel, because I do. Just like thousands of other authors.

Publishers, editors, and even readers encourage us to write out-side-the box, looking for that unique, fresh voice with a new and different plot. And yet, we are asked, or told, what author we write similar to. 

Uniquely similar. 

One of my cowboys is being translated into Japanese, and what’s even cooler, is that it’s being hand drawn into a MANGA, which is a graphic novel. I can’t wait! I won’t be able to read it, but I can look at it! Unique, I know, but so are a few other titles from The Wild Rose Press.
 
Again, I’m uniquely similar. 

You know what? I’m quite all right with that label because all of my favorite authors, actors, inspirational figures from history, they all fall into that category as well.  

So, go on, tell me what makes you uniquely similar. J 

I currently have a cowboy on sale for .99 cents…along with 7 other authors. See? The theme even fits this sale. lol

 

 
**Giveaway**

In conjunction with the sale, we’re running a Rafflecopter with the prize of a $50 GC to Amazon or BN!! Here’s the link to enter:

 

Have a great April, and thanks for reading, 

~Donna

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

There's a Man In My Bed by Brenda Whiteside

The most surprising scene for my heroine, Abigail Martin, in my latest novella, The Morning After, is the first scene of my book. Poor girl wakes up with a sexy redheaded cowboy she doesn't know - or does she?

The throb behind Abigail’s eyes scraped at her temples like chiseled fingernails. She squeezed her lids tight. Was the sheet twisted around her? She patted her waist. No, it was her dress, the purple flowered sarong. One hand moved across her chest while the other slid down her hip. Strapless bra gone, no nylons. What the hell?
She inched the covers down, so her head didn’t jar, and eased her feet to the floor to sit on the edge of the bed. Last night’s mascara weighed heavily, stinging her eyes when she opened them. How disgusting. She hadn’t gone to bed without washing her face in fifteen years. With a hand to her forehead, she raised her gaze to the reflection in the full-length mirror on her closet door.
Her breath caught in her throat and Abigail froze. Another body, partially covered, came into focus behind her.
Think. The headache got in the way of last night’s memories, the strain not worth the pain. And this was exactly why she never had more than a glass of wine. A bad headache and now a strange man in her bed. Her stomach lurched.
What have I done?

And moments later:
A moan.
The man rolled to his back, kicking off covers.
Abigail gasped. Her gentleman visitor wore only a bow tie and black socks.
She crept to the edge of the bed. His face was turned away, further hidden by red curls hanging down the nape of his neck and onto his cheek. A visual sweep of the attractive body brought a smile to her face when she paused on his more than ample endowments. A true redhead. An encounter of this magnitude should be easy to remember.
Abigail smiled in spite of her throbbing temples. Inching closer, she nudged his boots aside with her foot and leaned over to see his face. Mmm. He smelled good, like rich leather and fresh cut wood. As she bent to get a closer look, Kirby, her sixteen-pound Siamese cat, entered her room and announced his hunger.
The visitor stirred, grasped her arm, drawing her down across his hips.
He rose up on his elbows and looked at her. “So, Abby, you’re a morning person, are you?”
Abigail launched off the bed, trying not to come into contact with anymore of the warm body than she already had. Tripping over the boots, she ended up sprawled on the floor. “Who…” She gulped. “Who the hell are you?”
“Who am I? “Darlin’ I know I told you, you’ve got to believe it’s true.” He paused his singing. When she sat speechless, he sang out again, slightly off key. “Real love comes along once, and that real love is you.
“You sure as hell aren’t Lance Dugan.”
He sat upright, feet to the floor, and Abigail found herself eye level with embarrassment. With hands to her face, she pleaded in a quiet voice, mindful of her head still adjusting to sobriety.
“Please, cover yourself. You look ridiculous.”
“Why, there’s a blow to a man’s ego. I hope you mean the bow tie, darlin’, and not my prodigious
maleness.” The sheets rustled. “You can open your eyes now and greet your husband with a little more enthusiasm.”

Buy Links:
http://tinyurl.com/6s99a8r

Visit Brenda at www.brendawhiteside.com.
She blogs on the 9th and 24th of every month at http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com
She blogs about prairie life on her personal blog http://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/