Captivating The Cowboy - Release & Reviews

She's the last thing he needs...but everything he wants.

No matter how often fourth-generation cattle rancher Slade Weston tips his hat on NotMyFirstRodeo.com, he’s found no woman worthy of a second date, let alone the life-long love he seeks. After his last date seemed more interested in his bank account than him, Slade decides to throw in the towel and face the coming summer alone.

Fashion designer Jules O'Connor is counting the days until she leaves the three-stoplight town of Opal Creek. Her life will finally start in New York, where she can focus on building her career instead of layer cakes. There’s just one last thing she wants to know before she makes her escape: why has sexy rancher Slade Weston brought in a different date every Friday for months?

When Slade's string of first dates gets comical, Jules offers to be his wing-woman, which inevitably leads to horizontal schmexytimes. She doesn't want to be a wife and mom; he doesn't want to move to New York City. With no strings to get tangled in, it should be easy for Jules to escape and follow her dreams. But they’re indulging an attraction that grows deeper every day, and they’ve both started to dream of a different future.

Warning: Will whet your appetite for Better than Sex cake, fabulous dresses, and a family full of hot cowboys.

Kindle : Nook : Kobo : iTunes : Play

First Look :: First Night

I did not want to put the book down at all! – Barbara, Babsbookbistro

Hot, sexy, alluring, tantalizing, intriguing... – The Book Junkie Reads

I absolutely LOVED this story!! It's a whole lot of goodness packed into a little more than 100 pages making it a fun, sexy, quick read that will grab you by the heart from the first page.  - Bette Hansen, Goodreads

Full of fun and humor and wonderful, loving people. This is a perfect book to brighten your day and make you smile. In fact, I can’t wait to read about the other brothers! - Lisa Parker, Goodreads

I wasn't just captivated by the cowboy, I fell in love. - Pennie Morgan, Goodreads

Captivating The Cowboy Excerpt: Knock, knock

Slade knocked on the weathered red door and then pulled his fist back. What the hell was he doing? Never in his life had he started the night with one woman and ended it with another. Hell, he couldn’t recall a single sober one-night-stand. And the two beers with dinner hadn’t been enough for him to catch a buzz. He ought to take those same stairs he’d just climbed back to the street, to his truck, and home.

Jules opened the door, her deep blue gaze as wide as her smile and charged with desire. “I thought you’d got a better offer,” she teased, ushering him inside.

Her apartment was all high ceilings and wood floors, with windows on one side looking out onto Main Street below. A large bed sat in one corner, the rest of the place devoted to racks of clothes and fabrics, tables and sewing machines.

“Pay no attention to the sweat shop I live in. I’m trying to get ahead on orders before we move.” She pulled open the mini-fridge of the wet-bar that must serve as her kitchen. “Beer, wine, or whiskey?”

“Beer is fine.” She handed him a bottle before uncorking her wine with a pop and pouring herself a healthy glass. Brightly colored fabrics were piled high in a stack on the closest table. “I’ve never seen you in neon.”

She gave a quick laugh. “I love hot pink, but I have to keep it to gray or black at the restaurant. Uncle Ben’s orders. Someday I’ll design dresses all day, but for now dress-up aprons pay the bills.”

“Dress-up aprons?”

She nodded and crossed the room to open a large box. She set her wine on a table before digging inside and then turning to show him a small blue and brown apron. “Can you guess?”

He stalled, and then it came to him. “Cinderella?”

She nodded. “Before the fairy godmother.” She selected a pale blue version. “And this is after. They’re my best sellers, though every time a new princess movie comes out I get a boost.”

He shook his head, inadequacy hitting him anew. He’d never thought to get April dress-up anything. And he probably should. “Do you have really small ones?”

“Is it going to put you in dad mode if I say yes?” She walked back to her boxes and pulled out a tiny one with a cow print skirt and fringe.

“It doesn’t go away.” He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to tamp it down.

Jules folded the apron, then picked up her wine and came back to where he stood. She held out her hand. “Keys?”

He dug them out of his pocket, feeling his brow furrow. She set the apron on the counter and placed his keys on top.

“You’re a good man, Slade Weston.” She looked at him over her glass as she took a slow sip. “But we can’t do this if you’re going to do something stupid like fall in love with me.”

“I could say the same to you.” He took a long pull from his beer, a lighter brew than the one he’d enjoyed downstairs. Chick beer. Which meant she didn’t do this often enough to keep her fridge stocked. With as easily as she’d suggested this, he’d wondered about that.

“Oh, not a problem. You’re everything I don’t want.”

“Um, okay?” He couldn’t help the grin.

“I mean, physically you’re delicious. But two kids and a cattle ranch?” She placed a hand on her waist and cocked her hip out. “Do I look like that kind of girl?”

He shook his head. Not in a million years. Her strappy heels alone tossed her out of the running. And then there was her slight frame, the sexy dress, flashy jewelry, makeup, and not a hair out of place. Not to mention the eight-year age difference. She wouldn’t fit into any of the boxes he’d checked on Not My 1st Rodeo.

And yet, here he stood, his body tight with desire and smoldering with heat. She was stunning, determined, and heading out of town in a matter of weeks. He needed someone modest, practical and within reach. Two people couldn’t be more different. She was an adventure straight off the pages of a fashion magazine, and he was rooted to the land, a fifth generation cattle rancher. He’d never leave, and she’d never stay.

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CAPTIVATING THE COWBOY *first look*

Slade Weston’s broad shoulders led the way as he pushed through the heavy mahogany doors and into the wood-paneled lobby at Cattlemen’s, the only steakhouse in the three-stoplight town of Opal Creek. Jules’s stomach dropped as he glanced behind her, to the table he’d vacated minutes ago. With as busy as they were on a Friday night, she’d reset it as soon as he’d cleared the sidewalk.

“Did you forget something?” She didn’t have to check the seating chart to know they were full; there were two tables about to turn, but they were reserved for the couples waiting patiently in the lobby. Sure, people could drive the half-hour from here into Mollalla for more selection, or even the hour into Portland for a food cornucopia, but just as many people made the trip in the other direction. Her uncle had made a name for himself with his blue-collar brand of upscale dining. Cattlemen’s topped the list of the best steakhouses in Portland every year, all the way out in Podunk.

Slade closed his eyes and shook his head, his light brown gaze piercing through her when he opened them. “I should have mentioned I was coming back.”

Yes, but that didn’t solve the problem. She snagged a leather-bound menu and crooked her finger at him to follow. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.”

She didn’t know who she felt worse for, Slade or his ditched date. For almost a year now, he’d been coming in every Friday night with a different woman each week. There weren’t that many available women in Opal Creek, but apparently everyone from the neighboring counties had gambled for a chance at his glass slipper.

The whole town knew sexy Slade wanted to get married. At least that was the rumor going around. But a man who looked like that wouldn’t have any trouble tying the knot if that’s what he genuinely wanted. Any red-blooded woman would exchange her panties for a ring from a Weston brother. Well, marriage-minded women. Which she was not.

Tucked behind the bar were four high-backed leather booths. They kept the one in the back corner empty for employees, loyal customers who needed a favor, and situations like this. She set the menu in front of him as he slid into the booth.

“Do you need some time with the menu, or should I have them walk a rib eye near the grill?”

Oh, that smile. Yes, he must be a player of the first order. Because his grin was irresistible.

“Am I that predictable?”

“Apparently not, since I was sure you’d left with your lady of the evening.” She tucked the menu under her arm. Curiosity niggled at her to find out what his obsession was with first dates. He might be toying with his parade of women, but she sensed something more.

He pushed back his sun-streaked hair. “Isn’t that a hooker?”

“Where?” Jules scanned the sedate restaurant. Nothing exciting ever happened here, even on the busiest nights.

“A lady of the evening. That’s what they called hookers in the westerns my dad and granddad used to watch.” He tilted his head, and she couldn’t tell if he were amused or annoyed. Amused she could work with, but she couldn’t let him leave tonight displeased. Weston Ridge provided the prime beef for Cattlemen’s and her uncle would have her head if he lost the deal.

“Oh, that’s not what I meant. You’d never have to pay for it.” Her eyes widened, her common sense slapping her upside the head as he laughed. “And now I owe you a beer as well as dinner. I’m going to go put in your order before I put my foot in it again and wind up having to sign over my first born.”

Jules clutched the menu to her chest as she sped to the bar. She keyed in his order, grateful the bartender wasn’t busy and could deliver the draft. Thank goodness she only had a few more weeks in this town before she finally got to head back to New York. No telling what she might say next week when Slade Weston brought in yet another first date. She sure as hell wouldn’t be giving away his table again, even if he bailed before the entree.

CAPTIVATING THE COWBOY

Available at all retailers. 💙❤️❤️💚

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Anything For A Cowboy - Release & Reviews

Anything For A Cowboy is now available as an individual release! I love that readers have the option to grab the Not My 1st Rodeo anthology or choose just the book that interests them.

Her plan was for them to fall in bed, not in love.

When veterinarian Jacy Weston changes her location on her western dating website profile, she thinks it’s no big deal. Opal Creek…Myrtle Creek…what’s the difference? As little white lies go, this one barely qualifies. Besides, since her brothers have chased off every guy within a hundred miles, the expiration date on her virginity is way past due.

Ray Mitchell is not inclined to waste his time on something as unnecessary as dating, but it’s much easier to take a woman to coffee than to explain to his mother why he’s in no hurry to get married again. Despite NotMy1stRodeo.com’s promises, he doubts he’ll find any woman willing to find herself stuck on a remote ranch raising rodeo stock.

But Jacy is different. She isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Or to get down and dirty. Ray’s thinking he’s found the one, until the truth comes out…and he realizes the divorcee from the next county he’s been dating doesn’t exist.

Warning: Contains a virginal heroine looking for the nearest exit for the horizontal highway to heaven, and a cowboy willing to go the distance for the right woman.

   

First Date -- Second Date

• Fun, entertaining, sexy with just a wee bit of drama Anything For A Cowboy is another incredible contemporary romance from one of my favorite romance writers! ~ Guilty Pleasures 
• Hot chemistry a quick, cute, easy read with a nice bit of heat. ~ Book Gannet
• I LOVED the final line of Anything for a Cowboy! ~ Crystal's Many Reviewers
• A cute story with an ending that leaves you filled with happiness. ~ East Sleep Read Review
• Anything for a Cowboy has the right amount wit, angst and emotional appeal to have any romantic comedy lover begging for more. ~ Hopeless Romantic

Anything For A Cowboy

Kindle | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Play | Goodreads

Anything For A Cowboy excerpt

Who's ready for a peek at Ray & Jacy's second date?

Ray knew his smile was probably a bit too wide, but it matched Jacy’s. He pulled off his gloves and stuck them in the back pocket of his jeans as he crossed the gravel yard to meet her beside her mammoth truck. Just like earlier, he felt that instant tug of desire, the urgent longing of man for woman. Every stray thought since he’d left her had been about her naked. And standing here with her flaming-red hair, worn jeans and a white tank top, she slid into every fantasy he’d ever had.

“You found me,” he said, instead of asking to skip the ride and take things indoors.

“The directions were spot on.” She put her hands in her back pockets, drawing his attention to her breasts. He forced his gaze up to the watercolor swirl of her hazel eyes. “How long do you think we’ll be out for? Should I take a coat?”

“I’m not taking one.” He rubbed his hand against the back of his neck, suddenly all hot and prickly. He’d prefer she not cover up, but that was for selfish reasons. Good thing one of them was practical.

“Then I won’t either. I tend to run hot.”

Her words hit him right in the libido. But like this morning, he didn’t know how to read it. He didn’t want to jump too far ahead and risk getting kicked out of the game entirely. He nodded and walked back towards the stable. She fell in step beside him.

“Who am I riding today?”

Him, if he had anything to say about it. He clenched his fists and dragged his dirty mind out of the gutter. Since he’d sworn off dating-site hookups six months back, he hadn’t bothered with sex, a fact his body had decided to alert him to today. He hadn’t been this focused on bedding a woman since his first time.

Ray cleared his throat as they entered the paddock. “I saddled Little Joe for you. He knows this place better than I do. Plus, he’s as smooth as we’ve got since Candy’s getting ready to foal.”

She stopped beside him and reached for the gelding paint. “And who is this handsome fella?”

“No flirting with my girl, Hoss.” He patted the horse’s neck and undid the cross ties keeping the youngster in place. Joe whinnied in his stall.

“Let’s make him jealous,” she mock-whispered before mounting his horse in a smooth movement.

“Seriously?” He spoke more to Joe than anything, since Jacy had ridden Hoss smoothly into the corral. He climbed onto the horse his mother usually rode. “You better keep up, old man.”

Anything For A Cowboy

Kindle | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Play | Goodreads

IRC Book Award Nominations

The Indie Romance Book Awards are open for nominations for just a few more days. Support independent publishing by nominating your favorite books, cover artists, bloggers & editors.

http://www.indieromanceconvention.com/p/2017-awards-nominations.html

It can be a bit confusing as to what is indie and what is traditional, especially with hybrid authors like myself. The IRC is very inclusive, supporting the author in their career path and not just individual books.

My Western/Cowboy books Anything For a Cowboy & Captivating the Cowboy in Not My First Rodeo are considered small press (Entangled)

For Romantic Comedy, Compromising Positions is small press (Entangled), but Just Married & Snowed In are considered hybrid because I indie publish, but they’re with a large publisher (St. Martin’s).

The entire Under the Caribbean Sun series is independently published by yours truly and would fit under Contemporary Romance. Or Romantic Comedy, but only if you think they’re funny.  I mean, Caribbean Crush opens with an iguana, so...

Not My 1st Rodeo 2 is LIVE!

We're back! For the first time in one volume, Donna, Sarah, & I are releasing another round of Not My 1st Rodeo! My contribution, Captivating the Cowboy, features sexy Slade Weston who we first met in Anything for a Cowboy. I got to bring back Ray & Jacy, their wedding, and the rest of the Weston family. 

It's time to cowboy up again...

In Donna Alward’s Seducing the Sheriff, Cassidy’s first foray into online dating is an unqualified disaster. Witness to a bank robbery, she’s now in danger. Sexy sheriff Joe Lawson is willing do whatever it takes to protect her, even if that means hiding her away in his secluded mountain cabin.

In Roping the Rancher by Sarah M. Anderson, all Tommy knows is girls his own age don’t do it for him. Carly has no interest in being anyone’s cougar, but when Tommy says he’ll do whatever she tells him to, she can’t resist the chance to take what she wants from a man with no strings attached. But no one said anything about scarves…

In Jenna Bayley-Burke’s Captivating the Cowboy, aspiring designer Jules is about to head to New York. Before she leaves, she’s going to help widower Slade Weston find the perfect ranch wife, but finding his forever turns into schmexytimes. Jules doesn’t want to be a wife and mom, and Slade isn’t moving across the country. It’s just a fling, until she’s not sure where she truly belongs.

Readers are Saying...

“A great book from a great set of authors.  The stories had me on the edge of my seat seeing how they ended up.  I did not want to put the book down at all!” –Barbara, Babsbookbistro

“Never has a compilation come along that varies in ideas but is so obviously meant to end up together.” -Isha Coleman,

“Hot, sexy, alluring, tantalizing, intriguing, top notched male hotties that scorch the valleys. Begin your cowboy vacation this week with Donna Alward, Jenna Bayley-Burke, and Sarah M. Anderson. Each one gives you a brand of cowboy you will not forget.” – The Book Junkie Reads

Take a peek with these excerpts...

CAPTIVATING THE COWBOY *first look*

Captivating The Cowboy Excerpt 

Warning: Will whet your appetite for Better than Sex cake, fabulous dresses, and a family full of hot cowboys.

Available from all your favorite retailers

Kindle | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Entangled

Anything For A Cowboy :: *first look*

ANYTHING FOR A COWBOY

A giant black truck pulled off the highway, topped by an equally oversized cabover camper. Curiosity had him wondering just where that behemoth would park, until he spied a red-haired driver heading right towards his motorcycle and blocking it in. Not that he could make a run for it, but still.

He’d bet the roof light bar could illuminate an entire barn. Her truck made his look like a pasture wagon. He stood as she disappeared from sight and grinned when she pushed open the door. A vision even more enticing than her profile photo had hinted at.

Long red hair gleamed over her shoulders and she looked younger than twenty-nine with her fresh face smiling and makeup free. A blue and green plaid shirt covered most of her, a white tank top and dark jeans took care of the rest. She was shorter than he’d figured, with unexpected curves that had him wishing he’d pushed for a dinner date. She walked towards him, her smile brightening with every step of her mud-speckled boots.

“Ray?” She held out her hand. He took it in his, impressed by her firm grip. “Sorry I’m late. I meant to be on time. And then there was no parking space so I’ve blocked someone in.”

“It’s my bike, so you’re in the clear.”

Her pink cheeks darkened. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t trying to trap you, I promise.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He motioned to their booth and glanced back at a gaping Becky. His mother would hear about the pretty redhead before Jacy had her first sip of coffee.

Jacy bumped into the table as she slid in, apologizing again. “I’m messing this up, aren’t I?”

“It’s fine, really. Animals can’t tell time. I get it.”

“Thanks. I didn’t expect anything to happen while I was on watch. Having extra vets come in is really a precaution. I’ve been there a dozen times before with nothing to do but watch monitors. And then we realized the zebra was foaling so we headed out. It’s so amazing to watch them foal naturally, without intervention. We waited to make sure the foal could stand and nurse. She let us close enough to iodine the umbilicus before she decided the show was over. It’s one of those things that makes me think we ought to let horses foal in the field, but then I think of postnatal infections and what would happen if the mare needed help and we didn’t know and birthing onto straw rather than dirt and—” She sighed and pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “I’m rambling. Sorry. I do that sometimes. Okay, all the time.”

“It’s fine. Better to talk about animals than the weather.” He reached out and rested his fingers against her flannel-covered arm. He liked that she was talking, filling in the usual silence that came before the job-interview portion of a first date.

Her shoulders relaxed. “I’m excited. And nervous. And severely under-caffeinated.”

Ray motioned toward the coffee, noticing how her hazel eyes shone. “There is coffee.”

“Good.” She wrapped her hands around her mug and lifted it. She took in a deep breath and smiled. “This stuff is so strong I’ll wake up in two minutes. I’ll drink, you talk.”

NOT MY 1ST RODEO

Available at all retailers. 💙❤️❤️💚

https://entangledpublishing.com/not-my-first-rodeo.html 

NOT MY 1st RODEO is Back & Better Than Ever!!

Once upon a time, at the RWA conference in San Antonio,  I made Donna Alward to laugh. And then Sarah M. Anderson gave us the side eye... and the rest is Not My 1st Rodeo. 

My best ideas can start from the silliest of situations. While in Texas, I saw a commercial for a farmers dating website. I decided the commercial would be far sexier with cowboys. I told my online bestie Donna Alward to write me that book, but with hot cowboys and an imaginary schmexy dating site.

Donna is a good friend, so encouraged me to write the story myself. And to make sure I did, she'd do it with me. Sarah got roped in too...claiming the widower before we even finished telling her the idea.

I claimed the virgin...and then we decided on the Not My1st Rodeo theme. Our site would cater to the hot cowboys I wanted, but to create the deep emotion Donna and Sarah are known for we targeted those daters looking for a second chance at romance. A virgin who’d been divorced or widowed? How was I going to manage that?

I knew what I wanted in the story – a sexy summer thunderstorm, rustic cabin, and rancher who looked great with his shirt off. As long as I got my wish list, virginity was a minor inconvenience. Which gave me an idea...

If everyone who reads the Not My 1st Rodeo stories has half as much fun as we had writing them, it will be a very happy summer!  

Here's a bit of my contribution to the anthology releasing in just SIX DAYS!

Anything for a Cowboy by Jenna Bayley-Burke

About the story:

When veterinarian Jacy Weston changes her location on her western dating website profile, she thinks it’s no big deal. Opal Creek…Myrtle Creek…what’s the difference? As little white lies go, this one barely qualifies. Besides, since her brothers have chased off every guy within a hundred miles, the expiration date on her virginity is way past due.

Ray Mitchell is not inclined to waste his time on something as unnecessary as dating, but it’s much easier to take a woman to coffee than to explain to his mother why he’s in no hurry to get married again. Despite NotMy1stRodeo.com’s promises, he doubts he’ll find any woman willing to find herself stuck on a remote ranch raising rodeo stock.

But Jacy is different. She isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Or to get down and dirty. Ray’s thinking he’s found the one, until the truth comes out…and he realizes the divorcee from the next county he’s been dating doesn’t exist.

Warning: Contains a virginal heroine looking for the nearest exit for the horizontal highway to heaven, and a cowboy willing to go the distance for the right woman.

EXCERPT

Ray knew his smile was probably a bit too wide, but it matched Jacy’s. He pulled off his gloves and stuck them in the back pocket of his jeans as he crossed the gravel yard to meet her beside her mammoth truck. Just like earlier, he felt that instant tug of desire, the urgent longing of man for woman. Every stray thought since he’d left her had been about her naked. And standing here with her flaming-red hair, worn jeans and a white tank top, she slid into every fantasy he’d ever had.

“You found me,” he said, instead of asking to skip the ride and take things indoors.

“The directions were spot on.” She put her hands in her back pockets, drawing his attention to her breasts. He forced his gaze up to the watercolor swirl of her hazel eyes.

“How long do you think we’ll be out for? Should I take a coat?”

“I’m not taking one.” He rubbed his hand against the back of his neck, suddenly all hot and prickly. He’d prefer she not cover up, but that was for selfish reasons. Good thing one of them was practical.

“Then I won’t either. I tend to run hot.”

Her words hit him right in the libido. But like this morning, he didn’t know how to read it. He didn’t want to jump too far ahead and risk getting kicked out of the game entirely. He nodded and walked back towards the stable. She fell in step beside him.

“Who am I riding today?”

He clenched his fists and dragged his dirty mind out of the gutter. Since he’d sworn off dating-site hookups six months back, he hadn’t bothered with sex, a fact his body had decided to alert him to today. He hadn’t been this focused on bedding a woman since his first time.

Ray cleared his throat as they entered the paddock. “I saddled Little Joe for you. He knows this place better than I do. Plus, he’s as smooth as we’ve got since Candy’s getting ready to foal.”

She stopped beside him and reached for the gelding paint. “And who is this handsome fella?”

“No flirting with my girl, Hoss.” He patted the horse’s neck and undid the cross ties keeping the youngster in place. Joe whinnied in his stall.

“Let’s make him jealous,” she mock-whispered before mounting his horse in a smooth movement.

“Seriously?” He spoke more to Joe than anything, since Jacy had ridden Hoss smoothly into the corral. He climbed onto the horse his mother usually rode. “You better keep up, old man.”

All Signed Up

Last month I talked about reworking my favorite billionaire's into one series, Invested in Love. Some of you wondered...what about the rest? I've got it handled.

Many of my reader favorite's will be showing up in a new form with the Lovestruck line! For Kicks, Just One Spark, Drive Me Crazy - which has to be re-titled because they'd already used that title. I'm thinking Lust in Translation.

What has me excited - beyond being able to polish and revise those stories - is the opportunity to finally put out Just One Touch (Derek & Kate), and Just One Word (Tyler & Jeannette). The McNally's need more happy endings. Maybe we'll even find out why Mike is so grumpy.

Not to worry, the Not My 1st Rodeo stories are coming back as well. The first set in May, the second in June. And more to come! Who else needs to sign up with http://notmy1strodeo.com/? Uncle Ben is about to be an empty-nester at 34, he needs a new start. And Jacy's cousin needs to lose his flaky fiancee. Maybe Ray's mama sees how well her 'helping' turned out for him and signs up Rowdy.

The possibilities never end...

Early Reviews

Two months until Anything For A Cowboy releases, and reviews have already started! I'm so excited for this one, especially because I get to share the release (and anthology) with my girls Donna Alward and Sarah M Anderson. Plus, there is even a NotMy1stRodeo.com website. Can you feel my love for this whole thing?

"This is a cute romance which I really enjoyed" - Cariad Books

"An incredible read. Don’t miss it!" - Night Owl Reviews, Top Pick