Saturday, May 25, 2019

Review: Love Wild and Fair

Love Wild and Fair Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Synopsis:

She is Catriona, Countess of Glenkirk, the dazzling green-eyed beauty whose silken sensuality fires the passion of men's very souls -- making her a pawn in a dangerous game of royal intrigue. wife to a count, unwilling mistress to the king, she has the undying live of the most courageous lord in all of Scotland. . .

He is Francis, Earl of Bothwell, who defies his king to possess the woman he loves. Theirs is a romance in the grand tradition of bestselling author Beatrice Small -- and epic tale of love and betrayal that sweeps from the snowy Scottish highlands through the glittering palaces of Europe and exotic pleasures domes of Constantinople to find its magnificent conclusion inthe exquisite fulfillment of love's most passionate desires.
 

My Thoughts:

There is just something about a Bertrice Small book that draws me in. I just can't read enough about these strong women and the men that love them.

Cat
At first, you might think that Cat is a spoiled brat. You may be right but I think she just wants what any woman wants. She wants to be loved for herself. She doesn't want to be someone's possession or used like she is nobody important. The more I read, the more I liked her. She is a strong woman who survived more than most women have. Characters like her are why I love reading. I love a strong heroine and I enjoyed this one.

Patrick
I first I really liked Patrick but then he did some really stupid, unforgivable things. I found that I liked him whole lot less afterward. I honestly couldn't feel sorry for him.

Francis
Now here is a hero that I can root for. He is kind and honorable and knows how to treat a woman.

King James
I found him utterly distasteful. He is spoiled and cruel. I found his machinations quite despicable and found very little to like about this character.

The Ending
As much as I enjoyed disliking some of the characters, I love others ones just as much. I loved the author's story telling. She takes a time period where women had it rough and she threw in some very strong characters. I love that Cat didn't break. She was determined to be happy with the man she chose to love. I can't get enough and I am sad that there will be no more.

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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Review: The Kadin

The Kadin The Kadin by Bertrice Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Synopsis:

Abducted from a life of privilege, she was sold into slavery in a distant land. For Lady Janet Leslie there would be no escaping the harem of the wealthy and powerful Sultan Selim. But from the moment the handsome ruler spied his breathtaking "Cyra," was captivated -- by the fiery desire that coursed through his veins. She belonged to him, body and soul -yet it was he who was enslaved.

Praised for her keen sense of history and remarkable storytelling powers, the bestselling author of The Spitfire displays the passionate magic that has made her a national favorite -sweeping the reader into the romantic past, from the magnificence of Renaissance Europe to the perfumed splendor of a Sultan's court.
 

My Thoughts:

I know Bertrice Small's books are not for everyone but I love them and this is no exception. I love how much research she puts into her books. They are not for the feint of heart. She digs into the deep, dark depths of our world's history and weaves it into her stories. Yes, the heroine of this book is put into some extreme situations. These situations are the types that really happened to women throughout history (and yes women are still dealing with these atrocities in today's world as well and despite some reviews to the contrary- human trafficking has been happening for a really long time and hasn't stopped). They are not easy situations. That is why I love Ms. Small's characters so much. They are really dealt a horrible hand in life. Instead of wallowing in misery, they take the hand dealt to them and they make it work for them. They carve out some happiness in this new existence. The heroine of this book, Janet, is no exception. She could cry and scream and carry on but it wouldn't do her any good. Instead she held her head high and started her new life. She found love not once but twice and she fought hard for everything in her life. I really love characters with real inner strength so she is definitely one of my favorites.

I am so glad I re-read this book as it is still one of my favorites. I already have book 2 lined up to read and I haven't read that before so I can't wait.

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Tuesday, May 21, 2019

*Book Blitz* TAKEN BY THE PHANTOM by Isabella King





About the Book:

Title: TAKEN BY THE PHANTOM (The Phantom of the Academy, #1)

Author: Isabella King
Pub. Date: May 14, 2019
Publisher: Tempest Books
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 200
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon
READ FOR FREE ON KU!

 
I’ve never felt at home at Juilliard. My stagefright always makes me choke when I’m under the spotlight, something my classmates enjoy watching. But when I’m dragged into a new world—where singing is more than a talent, it’s magic—I can’t hide my voice anymore. This new power is tempting, but terrifying forces swirl around the kingdom of Cantus.


Missing girls, rivals at my new academy, Rebels, demons slaying people in the street—and it all leads back to him.


The mysterious, powerful Phantom, who lurks beneath the school and demands he be my teacher—demands which soon grow into something deeper, darker. But if I want to survive this place, or have any hope of going home, I may have no choice but to give in to him… and all he desires.


Author's Note: Taken by the Phantom is the first book in a Magic Academy Romance series that will set your heart--and other parts of you--on fire. 

 

 
Excerpt:
Phantom.


And for once, I cannot help myself.


I am scarcely more than shadow, not nearly as full in form as she or Suzanna. Perhaps she will not notice or name the sensation of touch. Perhaps she will believe it a cast of the magic. Perhaps, perhaps, she will know it is me.


Just her hair. A touch. It is all I need.


I lean close to her, alight my fingertips upon her arms. I am not fully man, but half in shadow, and yet I can feel the rain soaked into the cloth, the heat of her skin just beneath. She inhales sharply when I touch her, lips parting further, eyelids fluttering. Shh, I think. A moment more. One touch.


She grants me my wish, her eyes remaining shut, and leans back ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly, into me. I draw nearer still, savoring the ripple of her hair, stirred by my breath. I am close enough I could press my lips to the vital curve of her neck, close enough I could slide my hands over her breasts, pull her flush against me, test the fit of her curves against mine.


What pleasure is there in that?


She arched herself against me when we met in the Hall of Mirrors. She consumed her own fear like the snake’s tail and came out stronger for it. Yet now her eyes remain closed.


I suddenly want to scream at her to open them. To look at me, to touch me, to want me. And yet she does not. She is little more than silk, supple against me, shaped by my contours. I press myself closer, my body against hers, and brush my fingers along the length of her arms.


Still she remains in the rhapsody of Suzanna’s closed-eye song, and still the darkness swells between the light in heady thrusts.


But Krissy does not sober. She rests her hands in my palms, her thin fingers like porcelain, dainty and fine, mine in black leather, monstrous beside them. With me beside her, she is a sun in eclipse, half-swallowed by darkness.


Her breathing has deepened; it matches mine, step for step. We are in tandem as I press myself to her, the curves of her hips, fuller in contact than in sight. That hunger inside of me stirs once more. Against the swell of her body, I harden and smother the alien urge to gasp.


Then her fingers tighten on mine, and at once there is silence. 


 

About Isabella:




 

By day, Isabella King is just another small-town gal hiding behind her Mac.


But by night she’s a fire-breathing, sword-wielding, ass-kicking heroine—just like the ones in her books. She’s determined to better the world, with her sword or with her pen, one adventurous love story at a time.

 
Giveaway Details:

 
1 winner will win a and also this framable art of Phantom of the Opera, INTERNATIONAL.



*Book Blitz* THE MISSING SEASON by Gillian French




About the Book:
 


Title: THE MISSING SEASON
Author: Gillian French
Pub. Date: May 21, 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 304
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

From the author of Edgar Award finalist Grit and The Lies They Tell comes a tense, atmospheric novel for fans of E. Lockhart and Marieke Nijkamp, about friendship, truth, and the creeping fears that can't be outrun. 

Whenever another kid goes missing in October, the kids in the old factory town of Pender know what is really behind it: a monster out in the marshes that they call the Mumbler.

That's what Clara's new crew tells her when she moves to town. Bree and Sage, who take her under their wing. Spirited Trace, who has taken the lead on this year's Halloween prank war. And magnetic Kincaid, whose devil-may-care attitude and air of mystery are impossible for Clara to resist.

Clara doesn't actually believe in the Mumbler--not like Kinkaid does. But as Halloween gets closer and tensions build in the town, it's hard to shake the feeling that there really is something dark and dangerous in Pender. Lurking in the shadows. Waiting to bring the stories to life.
 

Excerpt:
“It’s sad, you coming here.” Kincaid takes me in, his smile fading. “Now you’ve got no chance.”

No chance. Like he read it in my tea leaves or the lines of my palm. “Why?”

“Because he only takes Pender kids. Likes our taste, I guess.” Kincaid drops his board, glides backward on one foot, never breaking eye contact. “Like . . . hopelessness.”

“And Steak-umms from the caf,” somebody says, making people snicker.

“Liver.” Trace shows his teeth. “God, I love that shit.”

“What about Gavin Cotswold?” Sage says. “Have they figured out how he died yet?”

“Mumbler got him.” Trace.

“He OD’d.” Bree gives Trace a withering look. “He went out in the woods, got fucked up, and died. His own mom thinks so.”

“I heard the animals didn’t leave enough of him behind to be sure.” Trace says. Then, to Kincaid, “Tell her about the first boy. Ricky Whoever.”

“Sartain. Ricky Sartain.” Behind Kincaid, most of the activity has stopped, everybody pulling up some concrete to listen. He’s holding court, a storyteller who knows his audience. “It all started, like, twenty years ago. Kid went missing two days before they found him on the banks of the marsh, way out by the railroad bridge.” Kincaid nods slowly, easing into it. “Somebody put their hands all over him.”

More covert laughter, Trace’s whisper: “Loved to death.”

Kincaid entwines his fingers, working his palms together in sinuous rhythm. “Squeezed him, crushed him. Mashed his spine, smashed his belly.”

A voice speaks up: “My mom said that kid got hit by the train.”

“Of course she did.” Kincaid doesn’t turn. “She also told you that Santa Claus is real and honesty is the best policy and if you’re good, you’ll get into heaven, right?”

Snorts. Somebody mimics, “But my mommy said,” whacking the boy who interrupted with a baseball cap.

“He was folded in half.” Sage grips Trace’s forearm. “That’s what I heard.”

“No.” Kincaid’s hands are tai chi slow. “Lengthwise.”

“Stop.” Bree says it under her breath; I’m the only one who hears.

“Ricky disappeared right around Halloween. That’s the pattern.” Kincaid skates a circuit around us, dismounts, and slaps the tail of the board so it pops into his hand again, all one smooth movement that I wish I could watch again frame by frame. “Truth. After, Ricky’s friends told everybody how they’d all gone out to the railroad bridge to smash pumpkins one night, and there was somebody hiding under there. Too dark to see, but they heard him, mumbling and yammering away.”

Yip, yip, yip! I look up to see audience participation, lumbering shapes aping around the others, sounding like a zoo after hours—Ahhh-ah-ah-ah! Mwaaa-hoohoo!

“Next time anybody saw Ricky, he was red guacamole.” Kincaid pauses, smiling faintly, but he’s not really seeing me now. “Ever since, Mumbler’s been around. Takes a bad kid every few years, always in October. Grown-ups have some bullshit excuse for what happened to them, but we know.”

Nods pass around the circle. I watch for inside looks—they’ll drop the act when they see I’m not taken in—but the quiet drags on. “What’s the Mumbler look like?” I hold
Kincaid’s gaze, willing him to let me in on this, let me prove I don’t scare easy. “So I’ll know him if I see him.”

Kincaid looks to Trace, again with the smile that creases his eyes into merry slits, a kid showing his little sister where Mom hides the Christmas presents. “We can take you to him.”
 

About Gillian:


I’m a ridiculous, sometimes cranky, often hungry, frequently writing flibbertigibbet who really hopes she can keep doing this for a living.

My debut novel, GRIT (HarperTeen), was an Indie Next List pick, a Junior Library Guild Selection, received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and ALA Booklist, was an Edgar Award Finalist, a South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Finalist, and received both a 2018 Lupine Award from the Maine Library Association and a 2018 Maine Literary Award from the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance.

My other novels include THE DOOR TO JANUARY (Islandport Press; Bram Stoker Award Finalist), THE LIES THEY TELL (HarperTeen; 2019 International Thriller Award Finalist, 2019 Maine Literary Award Finalist, 2018 Junior Library Guild Selection), and THE MISSING SEASON (HarperTeen, coming 5/21/2019; preorder giveaway happening now). My short fiction has placed in Writer’s Digest and Zoetrope: All Story contests, as well as appearing in such publications as Weirdbook and Creepy Campfire Stories for Grownups.

I hold a BA in English from the University of Maine, and I’m a member of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, Mystery Writers of America, and the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators. Currently, I still live in my native state of Maine–shocker, I know–with my husband and sons, where I’m perpetually agonizing over my next novel (in the best possible way, of course!)

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Amazon Author Page


Giveaway Details:

4 winners will win a signed finished copy of THE MISSING SEASON, US Only.
Enter Here



Monday, May 20, 2019

Review: The Case of the Earth Spell: A Hillcrest Witch Mystery

The Case of the Earth Spell: A Hillcrest Witch Mystery The Case of the Earth Spell: A Hillcrest Witch Mystery by Amorette Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis:

Are you ready to learn some Earth Magic?  

Penny Banks, amateur sleuth and witch-in-training, is hitting the books. This time, she's studying elemental magic -- Earth Magic in particular.  

At the same time, a skeleton turns up in her friend's back yard. Could it be a missing Earth Magician, who dissappeared six years ago?  

It's up to Penny and her friends -- and their familiars -- to solve the case, and learn some Earth Magic at the same time.  

My Thoughts:

I am really loving this series. I love how each one builds upon the last one. Becoming a witch isn't easy as Penny & her friends find out. It is actually a lot of studying and work. Penny is truly coming into her own now. She is so much more confident as a witch and as a private investigator. In the first book, she literally stumbled into solving her case. In this book, she knew what she had to do to find the answers and she did it. She was so very confident in her skills. I really enjoyed seeing her grow over the series. Things are really looking up for this little coven and I am looking forward to the next book.

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Review: Last Breath

Last Breath Last Breath by Karin Slaughter
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Synopsis:

The fantastic prequel to The Good Daughter, the stunning new standalone from the No. 1 bestselling author of the Will Trent and Grant County series.

Protecting someone always comes at a cost.

At the age of thirteen, Charlie Quinn’s childhood came to an abrupt and devastating end. Two men, with a grudge against her lawyer father, broke into her home – and after that shocking night, Charlie's world was never the same.

Now a lawyer herself, Charlie has made it her mission to defend those with no one else to turn to. So when Flora Faulkner, a motherless teen, begs for help, Charlie is reminded of her own past, and is powerless to say no.

But honour-student Flora is in far deeper trouble than Charlie could ever have anticipated. Soon she must ask herself: How far should she go to protect her client? And can she truly believe everything she is being told?

My Thoughts:

This book was ok but I really wish I had read it before The Good Daughter. The Good Daughter was so much better and so suspenseful that this one was a bit of a letdown.

Flora
Wow, talk about a spoiled child. She obviously has some issues that were never addressed by her guardians.

Charlie
Charlie has a good heart but is a bit too trusting. Her childhood seems to have left her a bit more vulnerable to some of the other characters in the book.

Overall
Overall, it was an ok book. It wasn't very suspenseful but it did give readers more insight into Charlie and her life. Honestly, I am not sure that this prequel was needed. The Good Daughter was so great on its own and this book really doesn't add all that much to it.



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Sunday, May 19, 2019

Review: The Fairy Tale Trap

The Fairy Tale Trap The Fairy Tale Trap by Emily Casey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Synopsis:

Ivy has always been afraid of mirrors, but she never knew why. Then one of them sucks her into the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast.

All she wants is to find her way home. But when she tries to escape, Ivy breaks the wrong spell. Now Beast is not so gentle-on-the-inside, Beauty is falling for the wrong prince, and Ivy is no closer to figuring out how to get through the enchanted forest that traps her.

With magic mirrors, dancing fairies, a sadistic pixie, and other random fairy tale twists, Ivy doesn’t know what’s safe or who to trust. Can she escape the fairy tale trap?
 

My Thoughts:

I love fairy tale retellings. However, this wasn't really a retelling. It was more of a fairy tale that is changed by a new character.

Ivy
I loved Ivy. She isn't willing to sit around and let fate play its hand. She is determined to make her own fate. She is smart, independent and strong.

the pixie
I found the pixie to be so much fun. He really is devious and just wants to shake things up. He found Ivy to be smart and strong and wanted to see how she fared in this fairy tale.

Beauty
I didn't care for Beauty as much in this book and that was ok. I think it worked. Her complacency infuriated Ivy and made her even more determined. She didn't have much of a backbone but she did have a kind heart.

the Beast
I really wish the beast had more input in this book. The reader doesn't really get to know much of his thoughts except thru his diary before the events of his story. I was curious if he lost all conscious thought or not after Ivy's first attempt to break the spell. The author kind of implied it but the reader gets no real insight into the beast's thoughts. Was he just thinking "Supper, yum yum" or was there any real thoughts?

Overall, a great twist on a classic fairy tale. I am definitely looking forward to book 2. Will the same pixie be causing more trouble? Will he choose a new character or is Ivy in for another fairy tale? I am so very intrigued and can't wait to read the next one.



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Saturday, May 18, 2019

Review: The Young Elites

The Young Elites The Young Elites by Marie Lu
My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Synopsis:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.
 

My Thoughts:

While I loved the concept of this book, the execution was lacking. The idea of children being given powers thru a blood fever was interesting. I understood that people would fear them and of course they would be mistreated because that is how mankind is. They fear what they don't understand. My issue is with character development and world building. I just didn't know enough about most of the characters to even care about them. I didn't like Adelina very much. Yes, she is a scared young girl but she has these awesome powers and friends with equally awesome powers. She had options that she knew she had but wasn't strong enough to utilize them. I found her very weak and boring in that aspect. I prefer a heroine that is a bit stronger.

Overall, I was just disappointed. I was looking forward to reading this book and it felt like a bit of a letdown.

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Thursday, May 16, 2019

Review: Seers of Light

Seers of Light Seers of Light by Jennifer DeLucy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Synopsis:

Lillian Hunt has never truly lived. Always sensing more to the world than is easily perceived, she fears that her instincts are stubborn flights of fancy, or worse, mental instability. But some things—disappearing strangers, tangible dreams, and visits from malevolent creatures—cannot be ignored. Before it's too late, Lillian is ripped from the only existence she’s ever known and thrust into a reality that she always suspected, but could scarcely believe. She must learn the truth about who she is, the powerful beings that wish to destroy her, and the two men who would die to protect her. (less)
 

 My Thoughts:

After a slow start, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, especially William. Christian was a bit pouty and spoiled. He became annoying for a while. The story line was unique and I felt this team was a kind of justice league for the paranormal. I love that they work tirelessly to save humans from being turned into soulless vampires. The little twist that explains William's situation was unique and I loved it. I honestly can't wait to see what the next mission is for this unique group.

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Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Review: Keeper of the Peace

Keeper of the Peace Keeper of the Peace by Jennifer Malone Wright
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Synopsis:

The love of her life left her long ago, shattering her heart into a million pieces. It’s taken Hannah almost twelve years to push away the hurt and move on with life. That is, until the death of a Reaper brings Detective David Foster back to town and their paths cross once again.

With more and more of the soul-eating Reapers passing through town in search of the Chosen One, who happens to be her sister Lucy, the Estmond family has been busy enough. Now, they rally together in hopes of keeping Hannah out of prison.

With all the trouble lately, being a Keeper, a protector of souls, has never been more difficult for Hannah. Will she forgive David and rekindle their relationship? More importantly, will he find out she is the one responsible for the murder he is investigating?

Sparks fly in more ways than one in the second installment of the Graveyard Guardians.  


My Thoughts: 

This book was ok. My issue was with how little the book actually focused on the keepers and reapers. There was some but the focus seemed to be on Hannah & David's relationship and sex a lot more. The series makes it seem like the focus should be more on keepers and reapers and a bit less on the romance. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the romance but I would like to know more about the Graveyard guardians and their trials. Also, I think the characters could use a bit more development.

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*Book Blitz* “Cowboys Don’t Samba” By Tara Lain

“Cowboys Don’t Samba” By Tara Lain
Release Day Blitz
May 14, 2019








When an American bull riding champion meets a Brazilian 
rookie the results are one hot samba.









Cowboys Don't Samba

(Cowboys Don't Series, Bk 3)

By Tara Lain 



Blurb



Maury Garcia’s one of the greatest bull riders in the world—and one of the biggest liars. 
Can he turn forbidden love with a rodeo rookie into a lasting romance? 



Ever since his brother was killed because he was gay, Maury’s worked to take his brother’s 
place as the bull rider, the provider, and the ideal of his family’s macho expectations. 
The only thing Maury’s ever done for himself is buy a secret ranch so he can get away 
from the responsibilities he’s chained himself to. Then he meets Tristão Silva, the younger 
brother of the one man who could rob Maury of his bull riding championship. 



Tristão may be a world-class bull rider in his own right, but his kind, gentle nature and 
sexy samba hips make Maury long for something beyond his selfless, sexless life. The 
two men’s lives are worlds apart, even if they’re both buckling under family expectations. 
Will their future last beyond an eight-second ride?










Available for Purchase at 












Excerpt



Excerpt 2 – Cowboys Don’t Samba by Tara Lain

As they approached the pen, the big light red bull tossed his head.
“Howdy, Peaches.”
The bull gazed at him and blinked. Bulls, and cows for that matter, could see nearly 360 
degrees, but they could smell even better. They could pick up scents literally miles away. 
“Good to smell you, Peaches.”
He propped his arm on the fence and stared in at the bull, then rested there and watched 
every tiny toss of Peaches’s head, the way he walked to the fence and paced back restlessly, 
then stopped and gazed at Maury.
“How will you use that information when you ride him later?”
The voice was light, musical, and heavily accented, but the English was perfect. Every 
syllable traveled up Maury’s spine like a lesson in a brand-new language. Maury turned 
slowly. “I guess I’ll be ready for him.”
He smiled. Tristão Silva smiled back. That face Maury had thought was unique when he 
caught a glimpse of it in the bar set whole new records in fucking amazing. His cheeks 
were like those of some statue made out of marble, but his smile carved a row of crevices, 
like ripples on a pond. A milk pond. His eyes were dark, but shockingly, they weren’t 
brown. They were blue. Deep sapphire blue, and at that moment they were sparkling. He 
said, “Ah, but what is Peaches planning to do with the information he’s collected on you?”
For a second, Maury stared, but then he pulled off his Resistol, slapped it on his leg, and 
laughed so hard he practically fell into the dirt.
When Maury’d finally stopped howling, Tristão stuck out his hand. “Tristão Silva.”
“Maury Garcia.” He shook the guy’s hand, which was rough, callused, and tough like any 
bull rider’s. But warm. Really, really warm.
“Of course. I didn’t mean to interrupt your communion, but I’m a big fan, and I wanted to 
speak to you before my brother arrives. You know what an asshole he can be.” He grinned, 
and Maury laughed again.
Maury asked, “Did you go yet?”
Tristão shook his head, and the too-long-for-a-bull-rider black hair danced around his face. 
“Soon.”
“I’ll come and watch you.”
He touched the brim of his black hat. “I’d be honored.”
“If your brother sees me, I’ll tell him I’m scoping out the competition. He says I can’t beat 
you.”
Tristão snorted. “I’m sure he said you can’t even beat me.”
Maury quirked the corner of his mouth. “I might’ve heard that word tossed in.”
“Xesús is a great bull rider.”
The name sounded like “Zhayzus” when he said it. It also made his lips purse in an interesting 
way. Maury nodded. “Almost as good as he thinks he is.”
“So true.” Those deep eyes seemed to have some kind of buried lights in them, like escaped 
fireflies. “But then a man of little ego would never crawl on the back of a bull.”
He turned to leave, then glanced over his shoulder at Maury. “Sorry to have interrupted 
your meditation for my fanboy moment.” He ambled away. Do cowboys really walk that 
way? It was as if Tristão heard some music the rest of the world missed. The man was 
about to risk his life on a bull, and he barely looked worried. Yeah. Young and stupid… 
and beautiful.








Cowboys Don't Series






Get All Three Books Here!










Cowboys Don't Come Out

Bk #1







Available for purchase at 











Cowboys Don't Ride Unicorns

Bk #2





Available for purchase at 








About the Author








Tara Lain believes in happy ever afters – and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she 
doesn’t believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her best-selling stories that star 
her unique, charismatic heroes — the beautiful boys of romance —  and adventurous 
heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, 
Tara’s characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, 
and ultimately live their lives authentically. After many years living in southern California, 
Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more 
trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara’s creating new stories and loving 
living in a small town with big culture. Likely a Gryffindor but possessed of Parseltongue, 
Tara loves animals of all kinds, diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from 
Zoeys, and her readers. She also loves to hear from you.   




You can find Tara at Lain










Giveaway















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