SEALs In Paradise
Holiday Edition Book 8

By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Cynthia D’Alba

She seeks an escape.
He’s allergic to settling down.
Can a marriage of convenience
blossom into everlasting love?

Ana Zeller Cristiano feels locked inside a life of keys. World-renowned since she was five, the thirty-year-old piano prodigy is desperate for release from her high-stakes existence of overbearing expectations. But running away to figure out who she is hits a serious snag when her car gets a flat… until a sexy military man comes to her rescue.

Sawyer “Nomad” Beckett doesn’t put down roots. Floating between squads when deployed and living in a motorhome when he’s stateside, an offer to permanently join the premier SEAL team gives the former Army brat pause. But when he helps a stranded woman only to discover she’s in the cabin next door at his resort, the wandering warrior is shocked when sparks fly.

Swept up in the passionate weekend and tired of the pressure to marry her manager’s son, Ana presents her new flame with a wild plan and an impromptu marriage proposal. And feeling something fall into place he’s never felt before, Beckett agrees to say “I do” despite being set to ship out to the dangerous battlegrounds of Africa.

Will this insane scheme catapult two lonely hearts into unexpected harmony?

Sawyer ‘Nomad’ Beckett is a SEAL floater. He fills in on teams until an empty position is filled. He’s just returned from deployment with SEAL team Romeo and after joining them for a drink he heads out to a favorite vacation spot. He was supposed to be meeting his parents there but his dad, an army general was sent to Belgium at the last minute.

Ana Zeller Cristiano is a classical concert pianist, she’s been touring for what seems like forever and really needs a break. With the help of an acquaintance she buys a used car, makes reservations and takes off without a work to her family or her manager.

It’s a bit of a coincidence that Sawyer is following her on the last stretch to Lake Kincade as he’s able to assist her when the front tire on her car blows out. He even leads her to a reputable place to get new tires so the car is safe to be on the road, before he heads to his cabin.

It turns out that with her last minute reservation she is in the cabin that had been reserved for Sawyer’s parents and that’s where the attraction begins. Sawyer approaches her as she’s saying hello to the resident dog.

This is a favorite scene the morning after their arrival.

What had Sawyer asked her? Oh yes. Her family.

“No, they won’t be joining me. Yours?”

He shook his head. “Dad got called to Belgium for a meeting and Mom always goes where Dad goes.”

She frowned in confusion. “Belgium?”

“Yeah, Dad’s an Army general. Mom’s a faithful military wife.” He tapped his chest. “I am the ungrateful military brat who joined the wrong military branch— and I enlisted.”

She chuckled. “Let me guess. You were supposed to be in the Army.”

He tapped the end of his nose. “Only following in his footprints to West Point wasn’t what I wanted to do.”

“Didn’t you have other siblings who could have picked up the mantle?”

“Nope. Only child. You?”

“Only child.”

“I just realized I don’t know your name. You must be C. Kirk or A. Cristiano.” When her brows wrinkled, he said, “The other two envelopes taped to the office door.”

She laughed lightly. “Ana Cristiano.”

She waited for the name recognition that usually occurred when she said her name. This time, nothing. No reaction at all.

This was excellent. He had no idea who she was.

“Nice to meet you, Ana Cristiano. Do people ever pronounce your name as Anna?”

“Not if they want to live.”

He laughed, a full belly howl of amusement.

“Have you had breakfast?” he asked when he finished chuckling.

She picked up her coffee cup from the porch. “Just the elixir of the gods.”

“There’s a great place just up the road. Pancakes. Belgian waffles. Eggs. Whatever you could want. Want to join me?”

She considered his offer, and then thought about her car. Surely the tires could go that far. Besides, they were going to a public place. No safety risk.

All her life she’d been warned about strangers and safety. Initially, because of her family’s money, but now it was because of her own notoriety. Of course, in this small community, the odds of there being a fan of classical piano were slim. Hadn’t she picked this place because of those odds?

“Um, can I see your ID?”

He grinned. “Smart lady.” He pulled a wallet from his front pocket and flipped out his military identification.

“Thanks,” she replied.

“Don’t blame you a bit,” he said, slipping the wallet back into his pocket. “Lots of fake SEALs running around claiming things that aren’t true.”

“How infuriating that must be.”

“It is. So, breakfast?”

She smiled. “Yes, that sounds lovely. We can take my car.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, no. And I’m not riding in that death mobile until you get tires with some treads. You ever been on a Harley?”

Her eyes widened at the thought. Ride a motorcycle? Her mother would swoon. Her grandmother would have a case of the vapors. Randall would tell her the odds of an accident that could break all her fingers and put her career at risk.

“I haven’t. It sounds exciting. Can I go like this?”

He studied her linen shorts and matching blouse.

“You can if you’re comfortable. Nothing in this town is what I would call classy, so anything casual is fine. Just put on shoes. You might want to change into jeans for safety, if you have some.”

She glanced down at her toes and giggled. “Yeah, barefoot is a little too out there, even for me. I have a pair of sneakers and jeans. What about a helmet?” She might be mad at her agent and family, but she wasn’t nuts.

“I have an extra one. Let’s go.”

“Give me a second to change.”

She didn’t want to admit how nervous she was climbing on his Harley. She’d never been on a motorcycle in all her thirty years. Her heart was pounding like a kettle drum. She was almost embarrassed by a grin so wide her cheeks hurt. Thankfully, he had the kind of Harley with an actual seat for a second rider. Sawyer handed her a purple helmet that matched his bike.

“Helmet. It’s the law.”

She shoved it on. “You know this is going to ruin my coiffure and yours.” Her long hair was limp and stringy this morning since she’d done nothing besides drying it last night before going to bed.

He chuckled. “I’ll risk it,” he said as he pulled down the foot pegs for the her. “Come over to the left side. Now, swing your leg over like you’re going to drive.” He laughed at her wide eyes. “No, Ana, you can’t drive my bike today.”

She climbed on and sat in the main seat.

“Now, scoot back until you’re on the back.”

Once she did, he swung his leg over, righted the bike and fired up the engine.

“Ready?” he asked. “Hold on to me tight.”

She nodded, tapping the front of her helmet into the back of his. Excitement raced through her veins along with a spark of nerves.

This reminded her of the first piano recital she’d given. She’d been seven at the time. Even at that age, she’d known she was good, so she hadn’t been scared of the audience. She’d been excited and nervous to show what she could do. Plus, she’d been in Germany on a military base playing for military families, so if she’d messed up, no one would know. Her piano teacher at the time had said it was the ideal place to get her some playing experience. She hadn’t messed up, and all the children had been given a whole day off from practice.

Sawyer revved the engine, which made the bike vibrate between her legs. That produced a very interesting tingle that bounced around her gut.

“Hang on,” he shouted over his shoulder. “And don’t wiggle around.”

She lightly clasped hold of his T-shirt.

He shook his head. “Like this.” He took her right hand and pulled it to his stomach and then did the same with her left. “And when I lean, you follow my body.”

While her hands were resting on his T-shirt material, she had no difficulty feeling the firm muscles underneath. Her fingers flexed, not making an indent in the hard surface, but able to discern the groves in his abdomen. Six-pack? Eight-pack? Lord. Musicians were the only men she was around these days, and they definitely didn’t sport anything like this.

She squeezed her arms a little tighter and nodded, accidentally clunking her helmet against his again. If she kept doing that, both of them would get a headache. “Sorry,” she shouted. “I’m ready.”

And then they were moving. She squealed with delight.
Cynthia D’Alba. Hot SEAL, Labor Day: SEALs in Paradise (Kindle Locations 276-329). Riante, Inc.

Ana has some thinking to do with regard to her schedule and the pressure her mother and her manager are putting on her to marry Randall, her manager’s son. She’s already told him no but they won’t let up.

One of the first things Sawyer realizes is that Ana doesn’t have much worldly knowledge. She’s been very sheltered and hasn’t done many of the things others take for granted.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, with every new experience Ana’s reactions are delightful as are Sawyer’s.

There’s plenty of laughter, some tears, and a simmer to sizzle romance that will have you turning the pages for more.

5 Contented Purrs for Cynthia!

Cynthia D’Alba

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cynthia D’Alba started writing on a challenge from her husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun.

She was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, she’s thrilled to be making her home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. When she’s not reading or writing or plotting, she’s doorman for her two dogs, cook, housekeeper and chief bottle washer for her husband and slave to a noisy, messy parrot. She loves to chat online with friends and fans.

SEALs In Paradise
Holiday Edition Book 7

By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Cynthia D’Alba

Ex-Navy SEAL Eli Miller is headed back to the family ranch after seventeen years of service. Starting over is tough, especially when he doesn’t know if he wants to be a cowboy again.

No one deserves a year like Addison Treadway has experienced. She’s faced an unfaithful husband, divorce, breast cancer, and major surgery. She needs time to regroup and heal. When her friend offers her a no-strings apartment on a horse ranch in Montana, it’s impossible to say no.

A year ago, Eli Miller and Addison Treadway had a one-night fling that left both of them with regret and unresolved conflicts. Neither expected to see the other again. Fate had other plans.

Eli ‘Wolf’ Miller is leaving his team, retiring to go home to his family ranch. His parents are spending half the year in Florida and his brother can use the help. The journey home is uneventful and although it’s not that late when he arrives, it’s long past bedtime for ranchers whose days start at the crack of dawn. He knows where the key is to the apartment he’ll be staying in so decides to just settle in for the night. He just grabs a beer from the fridge when he gets the shock of his life. Addison Treadway in his apartment, the woman he was falling in love with at Zane and Wendy’s wedding. He walked away after a phone call from ‘her husband’.

Addison only knows Eli walked away from her without a word. She has no idea what happened and she had far more important things to deal with, heartbreak was at the bottom of that list as she went through surgery, chemo and more. Wendy is her surgeon and she’s recuperating at the ranch. It’s truly a good place to be with fresh air and quiet, now that’s all disappearing with Eli’s presence.

Eli confronts her, well sort of and gets yelled at by his mother, then thinks he hears Addison crying when he goes to collect his laundry. He can’t stand that he made her cry and knows he needs to make amends.

This is part of that conversation and a favorite scene.

By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Cynthia D’Alba

As a Navy SEAL, and then as a Secret Service agent, Liam Ghost’s best work is done out of the spotlight. When he’s assigned to the Vice President’s daughter, the magnetic pull between them leads to a hot, passionate affair. But the public attention on him, and on them, shines too bright a light and he backs away into shadows, leaving both of them pining for what they lost.

Liz Chanel is used to the being in the public eye. Through her formative years, her father served as state governor, senator and now vice president. When she falls for a member of her secret service detail, she feels every piece of her life is perfect…until her lover walks away. Even though she doesn’t need the money, she jumps back into her modeling career in an effort forget Liam.

During an intense reelection campaign for her father, Liz is snatched off the runaway and held to force her father off the ticket.

Liam assembles a team of ex-SEALs to go get his woman back from the kidnappers, and maybe talk her back into his life.

This book opens with Liz being held hostage in a bid to get her father to not declare his run for president.

Liam had once been on her security team, but had requested a change when they found their attraction to be mutual. In spite of their differences they had dated until a few months ago. People were pushing marriage and Liam knew he couldn’t do that, not in the spotlight her family commanded.

That didn’t stop him from assembling a team to go in to rescue her. There were three possible locations and two had just come up empty. Theirs would be the one, and they needed the people involved alive, and Liz safe.

I really got a kick out of Liz as Liam finally gets into the cabin.

This is a favorite scene.

Liam raced around the cabin and through the rear door, his Glock leading the way. Before he could proceed down the hall to the bedroom where the hostage had been taken, the sound of breaking glass shattered the silence followed quickly by a gunshot. His heart racing, Liam ran toward the sound, his gun and trigger finger on the ready. He swung around the door frame and came face-to-face with the barrel end of a Glock.

“Don’t shoot,” Liam yelled. He ducked to the right as a bullet zinged passed his head.

“Damn it. You almost shot me.” Liam stepped forward and snatched the gun from Liz’s hand.

“Well, hell. I couldn’t wait for you, now could I?” She slapped a hand on her cocked hip. “What took you so long?” Dressed in a matching pink bra and tap pants, her four-inch heels looked completely wrong and yet, so damn sexy. But then, she could make a burlap bag sexy. She tossed her long, dark hair over her shoulder and gestured toward the injured man on the floor. “I have to do everything myself.”

Before he could answer, the front and rear doors burst open and his team charged though guns at the ready. Behind them, a swarm of FBI filled the small area.

“Stand down,” Liam shouted. “It’s under control.”

His team lowered their weapons while the agents stayed on guard. On the floor, Sampson moaned.

Liam slipped his arms from his coat and held it out for Liz. She had to be freezing and, to be honest, he wanted to be the only man who got to see her dressed like this.

“Just a minute. That bastard threatened to rape me,” Liz said and kicked him in the ribs with the pointed toe of her shoe. “Whew. That felt good. Now, give me your coat.”

As soon as she grasped Liam’s jacket, she was surrounded by the men wearing heavy, black vests with FBI on them. With them were a group of men and women attired in white camo and earpieces. He tagged the second group as Secret Service, even though he didn’t recognize any of them.

“Yes, sir,” one of the men in the second group said into his radio. “We’ve got her. Yes, sir. She’s fine. Yes, sir.”

A man dressed in a suit and heavy trench coat followed the other two groups into the room and stepped up to Liz. “Ms. Chanel, I’m Michael Brandt. I’m the new head of your Secret Service detail. I need for you to come with me.”

She flinched away when he touched her shoulder. “I don’t think so. Where’s Liam?” She turned until their gazes met. “He’s my bodyguard.”

Liam walked to her side. “Your safety is the most important thing here, Liz. You probably should go with them.”

“What I want is for the people behind this to rot in jail and to go home with you.”

“Ma’am, we have a safe house ready for you,” Brandt said.

“So do I,” she said with a sniff and an upturn of her nose. “It’s called Liam’s house.”

It took a couple of hours to get everything in place for her security. The eight men at the kidnapping site were secured and hauled away by the FBI or Homeland Security, or some other alphabet agency. Liam wasn’t sure which agency took them, and as long as they were never free again, he didn’t really care who took them or where.

As she’d insisted, Liz and Liam were transported to his house while the rest of his team were flown home. Of course, he and Liz were accompanied by her security team. There was no getting around that.

Once inside, he closed and locked his door. Even with Secret Service standing guard, he wasn’t taking any chances with her. Standing in his living room, still wearing his jacket and a heavy blanket, she was the most gorgeous woman he’d ever known, but he was also keenly aware that the issue that had broken them apart was still the elephant in the room.
D’Alba, Cynthia. Hot SEAL, Secret Service: A Navy SEAL romantic suspense (pp. 19-21). Riante, Inc. Kindle Edition.

These two sizzle off the pages as they finally throw off the effects of the night.

There’s still some things to discuss and they won’t be going anywhere until the all the people involved in her kidnapping are in custody.

I love these short stories, they are the perfect bedtime read.

5 Contented Purrs for Cynthia!

Cynthia D’Alba

Hi Y’All! I’m Cynthia D’Alba from Arkansas.Here’s a little about me…New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cynthia D’Alba started writing on a challenge from her husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun.

She was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, she’s thrilled to be making her home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. When she’s not reading or writing or plotting, she’s doorman for her two dogs, cook, housekeeper and chief bottle washer for her husband and slave to a noisy, messy parrot. She loves to chat online with friends and fans.

By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Cynthia D’Alba

When a Navy SEAL runs into an obstacle,
he climbs over it, under it,
around it, or destroys it.
So what if it’s a woman?

Master Chief Benjamin Blackwell has it all. Adventure, good looks, skills, and women. His life is perfect and he has no intention of changing a thing. Until her.

Holly Maxwell is a sexy woman unlike anyone he’s met before. A widow for ten years, she’s happy with her life even with the trials of raising a pre-teen daughter, and being the only girl in a nosy, boisterous family of Coronado cops.

But what makes her so inexplicable to this Navy SEAL is her total lack of interest in him.

Ben ‘C-Note’ Blackwell has a routine when he’s home, and even though he got little sleep after Ensign Davis’ wedding he wasn’t going to deviate from it. A seven mile jog down the beach to his favorite place for breakfast leads to him overhearing an amusing conversation between a mother and daughter. However, it’s as those two were leaving that he sees how tall and lovely the woman is. She acknowledged him and dismissed him, something of an unusual occurrence for him. Under any other circumstance he would pursue her to ask her out, but with the daughter there he couldn’t. Seeing the waves as he jogs home, he makes the decision to go surfing once he finishes up some paperwork on base.

Holly gets another look at Ben after he drags a novice surfer out of the water. She takes charge of the victim but she also notices the woman who calls out to him. Once she is done for the day she joins her family for dinner at which the always unpleasant conversation of a date comes up. This time however Holly insinuates she’s dating someone but refuses to give any more information.

The plan for the evening also includes the first of four monthly bachelorette parties for her brother’s fiancé, Bethany.

When Ben shows up in the bar it didn’t take much to for Holly’s sister-in-law Diana, and Bethany to put two and two together.

This is a favorite scene.

They had just toasted to the moon landing in the sixties when Bethany whistled. “Wow. Remember how I said I’d do Tuck-the-bartender for one-hundred K? Well, check out what just walked in the door. I think I’m going to melt off my seat.”

Diana followed Bethany’s gaze and moaned. “Oh, yeah. He is something. I’m thinking Navy. Maybe SEAL. Patrick would kick my ass for saying this, but Patrick who? That guy is totally yummy.”

Facing the bar put Holly’s back toward the door. She laughed at her tablemates. “Seriously? No guy looks that good.” She turned in her seat and almost dropped her drink in her lap. She whipped back around. “Shit, shit, shit.”

“What’s wrong?” Bethany asked. She studied the guy closer. “Hey, Diana. Does that guy look about six-three?”

“I’d say so.”

“Silver hair. Body to die for?”

“Yep,” Diana said. “Can’t see his eye color, but I’m guessing blue. What about you, Holly?”

“Don’t call him over here,” Holly said.

“Ben!” Bethany yelled. “Ben. Over here.” She giggled. “He’s coming this way. You were right, Holly. He’s totally luscious.”

Holly sprang from her chair and rushed to head him off. When she reached him, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close in hug.

“Please play along,” she whispered in his ear. “It’s a long story, and I don’t have time to explain, but we’re dating. Please.”

She pulled back and looked into his eyes. She must have looked pitiful or scared to death, because he nodded.

“Thank you.” She pulled his mouth down to hers for a kiss. A kiss that should have been a quick peck of lips to lips. Instead his large hands caught her waist and he pulled her tight for a long, tongue-thrusting kiss that made her knees go wobblily.

When it ended, she patted her hair and cleared her throat. “Thank you,” she said again.

“You might want to tell me your name if we’re dating.” His blue—thank goodness—eyes twinkled. His full lips smiled and she had to hold onto his arms to stay upright.

“Right, right. Holly. Holly Maxwell.” “Well, nice to meet you, lifeguard Holly Maxwell,” he said with a slight smirk.

He remembered her. Of course, he would. She’d been a total bitch at the beach, but it’d been her first day on the job as a seasonal worker and she’d felt like she had to prove herself to the other lifeguards on duty.

She wrapped an arm around his waist.

He dropped a heavy, muscular arm over her shoulder and walked with her to the table. Her heart was a sledgehammer beating her ribs. Her rubbery legs could barely support her weight. She plastered on a smile with quivering lips.

“Well, I guess you’ve figured out who this this,” she said as they walked up to the table. It was only then she realized she didn’t know his name. Oh, she’d heard the incredible creature in the teeny, tiny bikini call him Ben, but she’d been in the middle of CPR. Had she even heard that correctly?

“Ladies,” he said. “I’m Benjamin Blackwell. Apparently, Holly has kept me a secret.”

Bethany and Diana sat straighter in their chairs, their eyes wide as they stared.

“Diana.” She held out her hand. “I’m Holly’s sister-in-law.”

He took it and kissed her knuckles.

“I’m Bethany McQuiston.” She extended her hand. “I’m engaged to Holly’s brother Lawrence. This is my bachelorette party.”

He did the same knuckle kiss, and Bethany giggled.

“Congratulations,” he said. “Lucky groom. Is the wedding this weekend?”

“Oh, no,” Bethany said with a laugh. “It’s in September, but a girl only gets married once. No one said how many bachelorette parties she can have leading up to it, right?”

He laughed. “You do have a point. Well, I don’t want to intrude on the festivities.” He squeezed Holly’s shoulder. “Have a seat, honey.” He helped her back into her chair. “I’ve been out of country this week and forgot you were planning on being here. Sorry.”

“Out of the country?” Bethany asked.

“SEAL. We had a quick in-and-out mission this week. Okay, I’ll let you ladies get back to the celebrations. Take care of my gal.” He kissed Holly’s temple. “Have fun.”

It was all Holly could do to not roll her eyes. He’d poured it on a little thick, in her opinion. Still, the other two ladies were eyeing him dreamily.

“Okay,” Holly said. “Go on. Let the women drink in peace.”

He grinned, and a ripple of electricity rolled through her. She would bet her last dollar that smile had dropped more panties to the floor than a bathroom toilet.
D’Alba, Cynthia. Hot SEAL, Confirmed Bachelor: A Standalone Navy SEAL / Military Romance / Family Romance (SEALs in Paradise) (pp. 36-40). Riante, Inc. Kindle Edition.

The tangled web gets even more involved as this story progresses. Holly’s brothers all have something to say, and there may have been a competition of a sort. However, Holly’s daughter and her mother approve of Ben.

I did a lot of laughing in between the getting to know you and the sizzle. Such a fun read!

I can’t wait to read the next offering in this multi-author series!

5 Contented Purrs for Cynthia!

Cynthia D’Alba

Hi Y’All! I’m Cynthia D’Alba from Arkansas.Here’s a little about me…New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cynthia D’Alba started writing on a challenge from her husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun.

She was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, she’s thrilled to be making her home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. When she’s not reading or writing or plotting, she’s doorman for her two dogs, cook, housekeeper and chief bottle washer for her husband and slave to a noisy, messy parrot. She loves to chat online with friends and fans.

By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Cynthia D’Alba

A sexy new book in the Dallas Debutantes/McCool Family trilogy. All books in the trilogy can be read as standalones.

A cowboy who isn’t what he appears must play private host to a spoiled Dallas Debutante who isn’t what she seems. Between frozen pipes, bonfires, bowling, a flu epidemic, a jealous ex-girlfriend and a snowstorm of the century, when will they ever find time to discover the real person under their façade?

After an embarrassing disaster at her cousin’s wedding, Dr. Wendy McCool needs a change of scene and some quiet time to reflect on her medical career choices, her future and her lack of a love life…or really, any life outside of eighty-hour work weeks. An offer of a private apartment from her mother’s friend sends her off to Montana only to discover the unexpected.

Over a decade in Chicago as a hedge fund manager and Zane Miller is ready to call it quits. He misses the family ranch in Montana, the fresh mountain air, and even the smell of a barn full of horses. When his mother falls ill, he heads to Montana, ready to do what it takes to get her health back, even running the ranch while his parents winter in Florida. What he didn’t agree to was playing host to a spoiled Dallas Debutante/jilted bride. Heaven help him.

Could there be anything more embarrassing than having the groom jilt his bride at the alter by declaring his love for you, her maid of honor. This is the scene as the book opens, Wendy McCool quickly sets the errant groom straight and his bride sends him on his way. Then it all hits the internet.

This is the catalyst for Wendy to reevaluate her life and career choice. A prominent plastic surgeon, she would rather do reconstruction than face lifts and ‘nose jobs’, but those were the bread and butter of the practice.

Zane missed his home in Montana and when his Mom falls ill it was the perfect excuse to leave Chicago. He’s reconnecting to all the things he loves, the outdoors, horses and family. With his parents vacationing in Florida, his mother calls upon him to set up the barn apartment for a guest. Problem is the apartment isn’t livable after water damage.

Not only was Wendy not dressed for Montana in December when she stepped off the plane, she was going to be hit with that news. However she finds herself relaxing after settling in the main house.

This is a favorite scene.

Zane stomped his boots on the porch to knock off as much barn muck as he could before removing them and parking them inside the enclosed porch. He’d made the mistake of leaving a pair outside once. Pike and Coda, the ranch border collies, had had a great time with what they’d thought were their new chew toys. He couldn’t blame them, however. He’d been the fool to leave them within the reach of their teeth.

Speaking of his dogs, Zane’s gaze swept across the pastures for the working pair, but saw no sign of them. As he began pursing his lips to whistle for them, two loud, shrill whistles blasted from the barn. Then he heard the barks as the dogs moved side to side and around the horses in the field. Working as a team, they moved the horses down the fenced area and through the gate Cowboy Russ had standing open. The ten horses trotted through the gate and into the barn, the two black and white dogs close on their heels. Once their roundup work was completed, Pike and Coda raced from the barn toward the main house.

He laughed as they hit the porch at full speed and then skidded to a stop at the toes of his socks.

“Okay. Let me see those feet if you want to come in the house.”

Both dogs dropped on their bellies, rolled on their sides, and put their paws in the air, a neat trick his mother had taught them. Muddy paws made muddy tracks through the house, so she’d trained Pike and Coda to let her clean their feet.

He retrieved the dog towel from the enclosed porch and cleaned eight paws. As soon as he was done, the dogs jumped back to their feet ready to head inside for dinner. Freely available meals, like dog food, had the potential to attract some unwanted wildlife visitors—a valuable lesson learned over the years. Now, the dogs were fed either inside the house or inside their kennels, which were accessed via a small room under the stairwell. Heated in the winter with excellent air flow in the summer, their kennels were more akin to dog palaces, not that the two spent much time in them. They were too busy running the ranch, or so they would tell you if they could talk.

“Okay, let’s see what we can fix you two for dinner,” he said, walking into the house. “No steak, Pike,” he said, and the dog’s eyes took on a look of pity that made Zane chuckle. He had no idea the size of their vocabulary, but he knew they understood more than some of the people he worked with in Chicago.

For the first time since frigid temperatures took hold, a warm room greeted his entrance. From the kitchen, he noticed the fireplace had fresh wood and a nice blaze going. Parked in front of the hearth was his mother’s favorite chair—what she called her reading chair. Long, blonde hair draped over the arm. He shushed the dogs and quietly made his way over to the chair.

Wendy’s shapely legs were stretched out with socked feet propped on the rock hearth. Her slender fingers were interlaced and lay across her stomach. Then his gaze stopped on her face. Whew. He’d just about convinced himself she wasn’t as gorgeous as he’d originally thought. He was oh so wrong about that. The woman was still a knockout beauty, but asleep, some of the stress on her face had been erased.

His heart rattled like the tail end of a rattlesnake.

Yeah, he wasn’t going there. She might be beautiful. Her personality might shine like a full moon, not that he’d spent enough time with her to know. She might have a body that filled a man’s fantasy. Hell, she might be as rich as Croesus, but none of that mattered. He was not getting involved with someone like her…rich, beautiful, and pampered, not to mention a recently jilted bride. No thank you. Been there. Had the scars to prove it. He was smarter now than he’d been in Chicago, or at best, more cautious.

As he was considering how to wake her without scaring her to death, Coda decided she was the perfect alarm clock. She sniffed Wendy’s hair, then put her paws on the arm of the chair and licked up the side of Wendy’s face.

Since he wasn’t sure what Wendy’s reaction would be, he headed back to the kitchen to play innocent. Let Coda take the blame.

“Hey,” a sleepy voice said. “Where’d you come from?”

“You awake?” he called. “Hard to sleep with a dog licking my face. I’m not complaining, mind you. Just stating a fact. She’s beautiful. Who is she? Wait, there’s another one. Who are these cuties?”

Zane pulled a beer from the fridge. “The bigger one is Pike. The other is Coda. Want a beer?” He almost groaned. Of course she won’t want a beer. “Or there’s probably some wine around here.”

“Beer’s fine,” she said, standing and stretching her arms over her head, then adding a yawn at the end.

He was glad to see she’d changed into clothing more suitable to the Montana winter.

He pulled out another beer and passed it to her as she walked into the kitchen, Pike and Coda on her heels. “Looks like you’ve got a couple of fans,” he said, gesturing to the dogs with his bottle.

She smiled and leaned down to hug each dog. “They know a sucker when they see one, I guess.” She stood. “I hope you don’t mind that I added wood to the fire and sort of rearranged the chair. I love to watch a fire burn. It’s something with the flames, I think. So calming and mesmerizing.” She chuckled. “Someone could probably hypnotize me with a fire.”

“I don’t mind at all. I told you to make yourself at home.Plus, it was nice coming home to a warm house that didn’t involve spending a small fortune on electricity.”

“Now, dinner. What can I do to help? You said something about a spaghetti casserole.”

“Oven’s on.” He pointed to the dial he’d flipped before grabbing his beer. “Thirty minutes, and it’s done.”
D’Alba, Cynthia. Snowy Montana Nights: McCool Family/Montana Cowboy Romance (Dallas Debutantes Book 3) . Riante, Inc. Kindle Locations (511-549). Kindle Edition.

Now there’s plenty of surprises in store for Zane as he gets to know Wendy. not the least of which is his attraction to her. A big problem with that going forward, he thinks she’s the jilted bride.

Wendy really has to decide what she wants to do with her life. Being away from her twin and her family is difficult for her, but really gives her a chance to find out who she really is inside.

With laughter, tears, and some sizzle, you won’t be able to put this one down.

5 Contented Purrs for Cynthia!

Cynthia D’Alba

Hi Y’All! I’m Cynthia D’Alba from Arkansas.Here’s a little about me…New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cynthia D’Alba started writing on a challenge from her husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun.

She was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, she’s thrilled to be making her home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. When she’s not reading or writing or plotting, she’s doorman for her two dogs, cook, housekeeper and chief bottle washer for her husband and slave to a noisy, messy parrot. She loves to chat online with friends and fans.

By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Author

My name is Opal Mae McCool. I love my parents, but that name? Ugh, but I’ve adjusted. This year has been rocking along until October when my entire life lands in the toilet and someone flushes. First, my groom dumps me at the altar. Confession…not as destroyed as I should have been. Then, I share a steamy kiss with old love which leads to…nothing. Radio silence. Fine. Disappointed, but moving on. However, it’s almost Christmas and I make a quick overnight business trip to Montana just in time for the snowmageddon and I’m stuck in Bozeman with only clean panties and a toothbrush. Next year has to be better, right?

I’m Michael Rockland. Born, raised and will die in Texas and I’m fine with that. I’m a mechanic at heart, even if my everyday job doesn’t allow me under the hood. About a month ago, I discovered I’m the Friday Lunch Special at a local diner. I’d be pissed if it wasn’t for a good cause and it hadn’t led me back to the love of my life. One hot, steamy kiss, a promise for the future, and she shuts me out. Harsh, but I’m a big boy. I can deal with reality, except when she ends up on my grandparents’ doorstep in Montana.

My dad doesn’t approve of him. His mother doesn’t approve of me. It’s not quite the Capulets and Montagues, and we are long past the teenage years, so isn’t it time to let us decide if we belong together or not?

After being dumped at the alter by a man who declared his love for her cousin, Mae has been a bit of a recluse. Not wanting the looks of pity she dove into her work and didn’t bother going out.

Her friend KatiLyn decides enough is enough and insists on taking her to lunch. What a lunch it turns out to be.

This is a favorite scene.

KatiLyn whipped into the parking lot of Maude’s Diner and found a spot between a Bentley and a Mercedes.

“We’re here,” she announced with a bright smile.

“Seriously?” I looked around a lot filled with expensive cars, not one of them under a one-hundred-thousand starting sales price. “What’s the deal? What’s with all the expensive cars?”

“The ten-dollar lunch special. Come on. I hope we get a table.”

my feet was chipped in spots, with the white being mostly an aged yellow. There were about fifteen tables, each one occupied by young, attractive women dressed in pricey outfits. There wasn’t a face without perfect makeup, except for the three ladies dressed in classic pink waitress uniforms working the eatery. A row of ten stools stood in front of a long eating counter, which faced the waitresses’ work area and kitchen window. A glass of iced tea or a cup of coffee sat in front of each patron.

“Yay. We got lucky,” KatiLyn announced announced as she race-walked to the last empty table.

The table wasn’t a prime location by any definition. Stuck in the back corner, the two of us could barely squeeze into the chairs.

“I am so confused,” I said with a frown.

“Don’t worry. All will become clear very soon.”

My stomach growled, and I reached for the plastic menu standing upright between the napkin holder and the bottle of ketchup. The menu had nothing on it that would, in my opinion, draw so many women in for lunch. Most of the offerings were deep fried. I suspected the cook could deep fry a salad, if requested.

The roar of a motorcycle in the parking lot had all the ladies fluffing their hair and arching their backs to project their assets. An excited chattering rose among the tables.

I glanced over at the waitresses behind the bar and watched as the oldest one shook her head and turned to speak through the kitchen window to the male cook.

The door opened, and he swaggered in. Dressed in ass-hugging jeans, a black leather jacket pulled tight around his broad shoulders, and a pair of thick-soled motorcycle boots, his presence seemed to suck the air from the room, or possibly the lack of oxygen might be related to my own inability to draw in a breath. His shiny, dark hair was disheveled as though he’d just run his fingers through it…pretty much what I suspected every woman in this room wanted to do. His cheeks and jaw sported a scruff that brought a tingle to the junction between my thighs at thought of that soft stubble abrading the tender skin there.

Except, I didn’t have to imagine what that would feel like. I knew.

I grabbed KatiLyn’s knee and squeezed…pretty hard, if her noisy intake of breath was any indication.

I tossed a frown at KatiLyn and mouthed, What the fuck?

Her only reply was to squeeze my hand before prying my dug-in fingers out of her flesh.

“Hey, Maude,” he said, his voice deep and rough with testosterone and sex appeal. “Is my lunch ready?”

“Almost. Give me a minute.”

“Anything for you,” he said to the older woman.

My heart tapped out an SOS on my chest wall. My breathing stuttered, and my stomach rolled over. My fight or flight response kicked in, and I fought the urge to run.

Thank goodness, I was seated in the corner. The odds were, he would never see me.

Why was I so bothered by seeing him? Why didn’t I jump up and run over to say hi? It’d been ten years, and we had been friends, right?

Was it because my legs had turned to jelly and wouldn’t support my weight?

Or was I embarrassed to be sitting here with all these bored, rich women who had nothing better to do than drink a glass of tea while ogling a man who’d only come in to get his lunch?

He glanced around the café, smiled at the women, acknowledging his audience with a slight nod. But he couldn’t just give them a simple smile. Oh no. He had to pour out his panty-melting smile that no woman could resist.

His gaze swept past our table to the next. And then he froze. His head and gaze returned to me. He lifted one eyebrow in my direction then collected his lunch and sauntered back out the door.

The second the door closed, I released a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. I heard other women doing the same.
D’Alba, Cynthia. Christmas in His Arms: A Dallas Debutante/Reunited Lovers/Christmas Story (Dallas Debutantes) . Riante, Inc. Kindle Locations (243-280). Kindle Edition.

The feelings seeing Michael rekindled wouldn’t go away so she conspires with Maude for a meet-up with him. The connection appeared to still be there but apparently not enough for him to call.

I love how this story progresses with an airport rescue of sorts. Lots of fun, romance, some family drama and Kindle melting heat.

5 Contented Purrs for Cynthia!

Cynthia D’Alba

Hi Y’All! I’m Cynthia D’Alba from Arkansas.Here’s a little about me…New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cynthia D’Alba started writing on a challenge from her husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun.

She was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, she’s thrilled to be making her home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. When she’s not reading or writing or plotting, she’s doorman for her two dogs, cook, housekeeper and chief bottle washer for her husband and slave to a noisy, messy parrot. She loves to chat online with friends and fans.

By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Cynthia D’Alba

A quick fling can sure heat up a cowgirl’s life

A devastating discovery ends Marti Jenkins’ engagement. Now she’s ready to play the field for a while. A sidestep away from an angry rattlesnake lands her in the office of Whispering Springs’ new orthopedic doctor, Dr. Eli Boone. And yeah, he’s as hot as she’s been told.

Dr. Eli Boone is only in town for six months covering his friend’s practice and then it’s back to New York City and into the societal world he’s lives. A widower for seven years, he’s not looking for a replacement wife, but he wouldn’t say no to a quick tumble in the sheets with the right woman.

Due to ridiculous challenge he never should have accepted, Eli has to get over his discomfort around horses and learn to ride before he leaves town. He turns to the one person who can help him win the bet, Marti Jenkins.

As he learns to ride a horse, Marti does a little riding of her own…and she doesn’t need a horse.

Marti Jenkins meets the doctor all the women in town are talking about when she twists her ankle in a gopher hole after shooting a snake.

Dr. Eli Boone is in Whispering Springs to cover his friend Hank Kelly while he’s off doing some advanced training. The Clinic Hank runs is pretty awesome with everything an orthopedic patient could need, physical therapy, x-ray, and more.

When he finds Marti has torn ligament he puts her in an air cast telling her to keep off it.

She’s going to do her best but with her parents heading of on a much deserved vacation, she may not get as much off her feet time.

With her parents finally off, she does have an event to attend. The hospital auxiliary was started by her grandmother and this fundraiser was very important to them and her family. In a nice turn of events the Doctor asks her to attend with him.

This is a favorite scene.

Climbing from his SUV, he immediately noticed the aroma of sage and fir that gave the air a freshly clean scent. He drew in a deep breath. His mother paid a fortune to housekeepers to get this type of fresh smell in the family home.

Horses in the corral nickered as they studied the new arrival, probably judging him inadequate. In the distance, a barn that appeared freshly painted stood with entrance doors securely closed but a smaller one in the loft stood open.

On the other side of the house, a large pasture that looked to go on forever held various groupings of brown cows. Most of the cattle had settled down in the grass for the night. An owl hooted from somewhere. A light breeze made the leaves rustle. Peaceful but not quiet.

Turning back to the horses, he studied them. They were beautiful creatures, no doubt about that. However, the thought of being on the back of one of them sent chills down his spine. The horrible memories of summer camp came rushing back. More than once, he found himself flat on his back after falling off. The counselors had assured him that the horse had only taken a couple of steps, but Eli called bullshit. That horse had bucked him off. Of course, falling off a horse who basically wasn’t moving made Eli the target oflots of cruel jokes.

The next summer, he convinced his parents to send him to band camp, not that he was great with his saxophone. But at least he wasn’t the butt of all the jokes.

By high school, most of the geekiness stayed in his past.

Maybe he should just admit that he might be a great doctor, but would never be even an adequate rider.

He made his way up onto the front porch and rang the bell. In a minute he heard the slide of a window.

“Hey. I’m up here,” Marti called.

He backed off the porch and looked up. Marti looked down at him, a wide grin on her face. How could a simple smile transform her from pretty to total knockout? She appeared to be wearing a towel and not much else.

“Sorry, I’m running about ten minutes late. I had a stubborn bull who decided he wanted to jump a fence.”

Eli gestured to the towel and then to his tux. “I might be a little overdressed compared to you.”

She laughed, the sound ricocheting through him like a pinball. “I’ll try to see if I can come up with something more appropriate to wear. Door’s open. Let yourself in. There’s beer and wine in the kitchen, if you can find it. Bourbon, scotch and whatever in the living room. Help yourself to a drink. I swear. I won’t be but just a minute.”

“Or ten,” he said.

She gave him a thumbs up and disappeared back into the house.

The door was unlocked and he entered into a gleaming clean foyer. A flight of stairs leading to the second floor stood directly in front of him. He could probably march up those and find his semi-dressed date, not that he would, but the idea of Marti only partially dressed was enticing.

The wood of the floors and walls gleamed under the ceiling lights. The main living room was to his right, so he wandered in there. A large, now cold, fireplace dominated the room. A pair of chairs and a worn overstuffed sofa suggested the room got a lot of use. He had no trouble believing that. He could envision a roaring fire on a cold night and snuggling on the sofa.

Now, he was being ridiculous. He needed help from this woman, not snuggling on a cold night. Besides, he would be heading back to New York in only three short months, as soon as that partnership came through.

He sat on the sofa—comfortable as advertised—and studied the stack of magazines on the coffee table. He’d expected People, or Cosmopolitan, or some other rag directed at female readers. Instead, he leafed through Texas Cattlemen, Texas Women Ranchers, Whispering Springs’ local paper and today’s Wall Street Journal.

His brain chastised him. Sexist much, doctor? He settled back to read the Wall Street Journal, but had gotten only a couple of pages in when he heard Marti’s footsteps on the stairs. Dropping the newspaper back onto the table, he rose. When she entered the room, his breath caught.

Holy shit. The cowgirl was gone. In her place stood an elegant, poised woman who might grace any socialite event his parents attended on a regular basis.

“Wow,” he said with a gulp of air. He twirled a finger in the air. “Do a three-sixty.”

Her dark auburn hair was up in a twist up the back of her head but curly pieces hung along her face. Her dress. Damn. What could he say? Black thin straps held up a satiny-looking long straight dress that draped around her curves. It dipped modestly in the front, but when she turned away from him, his heart leapt at the sight she presented. In the back, the dress dipped low to a vee just past her waist, leaving a luscious view of creamy, smooth skin. He gulped again.

“Wow. Just wow.”

She grinned. “You clean up pretty good yourself, doctor.” She imitated his finger twirl. “Your turn.”

He turned in a circle and then faced her again. “Sorry. Nothing tantalizing in my attire.”

She picked up a small black clutch and pointed it at him. “You are so wrong. Men underestimate the power of a suit, especially a well-fitting tux. I’ll be pushing my friends away from you all night.”

A flush pinked her cheeks. “Nicest thing I’ve heard in a long time. Shall we go?” Holding out a bent arm, he said, “Let’s go rock this shindig.”

Chuckling, he walked to where she stood. “And here I was thinking the same about you, except I don’t know many people in Whispering Springs, so I’ll be dueling with strangers.”
D’Alba, Cynthia. Texas Daze (Whispering Springs, Texas Book 9).Kindle Locations (493-543). Riante Romance, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Now some very interesting things happen both before and after this event.

First a confrontation with Marti’s ex-fiancé’s father, which she then explains to Eli. But the most fun comes when they reach the ranch after the party.

A searing kiss and a new foal are the beginnings of a relationship. One with lots of potential for both of them.

Getting Eli on a horse to fulfill his promise to Joe, a young amputee, is very entertaining.

We also get to see the Montgomery clan and Delene and Tina in this one as well. Zack and Chad really need to step up their game and win these ladies.

Plenty of heat, fun, laughter and tears in this page turning romance.

5 Contented Purrs for Cynthia!

Cynthia D’Alba

Hi Y’All! I’m Cynthia D’Alba from Arkansas.Here’s a little about me…New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cynthia D’Alba started writing on a challenge from her husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun.

She was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, she’s thrilled to be making her home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. When she’s not reading or writing or plotting, she’s doorman for her two dogs, cook, housekeeper and chief bottle washer for her husband and slave to a noisy, messy parrot. She loves to chat online with friends and fans.

By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Cynthia D’Alba

Veterinarian Georgina Greyson will only be in Whispering Springs for three months covering for the town veterinarian while he is on a research trip. She isn’t looking for love or roots, just maybe a good time before she moves on.

When his parents leave on their dream fantasy RV trip, Tanner Marshall is left in charge of his family’s cattle ranch, as well as his two younger brothers and sister. When he isn’t ranching, he’s doing duty on the volunteer fire department, a job he loves more than ranching. At thirty-four, he’s ready to put down some roots, including marriage, children and the white picket fence.

When Georgina accidentally sets her yard on fire during a burn ban, the volunteer fire department responds and she gets quite the fire lecture from one very cute firefighter. If there’s one thing Tanner hates, it’s carelessness with fire, but there’s something about his latest firebug that he can’t get out of his mind.

Can an uptight firefighter looking to settle down convince a cute firebug to give up the road for a house and roots?

Georgina Grayson is in Whispering Springs to take over the Veterinarian Clinic for Doc Maybee while he goes on a research trip to Australia. She’s settling into her rental house and decides to burn some trash. Bad move when there’s a burn ban and she didn’t think to check.

Tanner Marshall’s parents have taken off on an RV vacation. Leaving him in charge of his siblings, high school seniors twins Dillon and Deborah, with help from Zack who is closer to his age. While the twins make hi crazy, thoughts of the new temporary Veterinarian keep filtering in as does the way they first met.

This is a favorite scene.

The volume of water the firemen’s hose sprayed was much greater than anything she could have generated with her garden hose. Within fifteen minutes, the fire was out and the men were rolling up their hose to leave.

A pain in the patoot for sure, but no real harm done.

The tall man who’d rudely shoved her out of the way stalked toward her with long strides and heavy footsteps.

“Lady,” he said, his face red with either heat exposure or anger.

Georgie crossed her fingers for heat exposure. She was wrong.

“Are you nuts or stupid?” the man shouted. “You don’t look crazy, so I’m going with stupid. There’s a fire ban right now. That means no fires. At all. For any reason.” He jerked the helmet off his head. Dark wavy hair fell over his forehead. “Well?” he demanded. A pair of chocolate brown eyes glared at her.

“Well, what?”

“Are you crazy or stupid?”

Georgie cocked her fists on her hips and widened her stance, hoping she looked intimidating. Sometimes that worked with her patients. Not with this guy.

“I’m neither, thankyouverymuch. I just got into town. I didn’t know about the burn ban. Sorry. It wasn’t part of the orientation to my house.” She waved her hand toward the white clapperboard house, as if he wouldn’t know which house she was talking about. “Besides, no real harm done. I’m sure I could have put it out with a garden hose.”

The man was a good six inches taller than she, and he took advantage of that stature to lean over her. “You know how a big fire gets started? With a small one. Yours would have spread fast if someone hadn’t seen the smoke rising and contacted us. And ignorance of the ban is no excuse. Any person with a modicum of intelligence would have noticed the parched grass and dying trees around them. Get some glasses, lady, if you can’t see that.”

Ire rumbled in her gut. Standing on her tiptoes, she poked her finger into his chest, which was akin to poking the butcher block countertop in the kitchen. Dadgum near broke her finger. “I’m not stupid. And I’m not blind. And I’m sorry.” She dropped down off her toes. “Thank you for showing up. Am I going to get a fine?”

The corners of his mouth twitched as though he might smile, but the movement went no further. “That’ll be up to Sheriff Singer, but he’s a good guy. He might go easy on you if you explain.” His sexy chestnut  eyes squinted into a serious expression. “No matter where you live, always check with the fire department before you burn.”

She stepped back and saluted. “Yes, sir.”

That did produce a tiny smile. The man turned on his boot heel and headed back to the truck. With engines growling, all six vehicles roared back down her drive to the highway. There, they went in separate directions.

She’d never experienced a volunteer fire department response. Interesting would be one word to describe it.

And the head of the response? He’d be best described as intriguing.
D’Alba, Cynthia. Saddles and Soot (Whispering Springs, Texas Book 8) . Riante, Inc. Kindle Locations (113-142). Kindle Edition.

These two are such a contradiction. Every time I thought Tanner would make a move, he doesn’t. That has Georgina confused and thinking maybe he really doesn’t like her at all.

Lots of fun things, the birth of a foal and finally some sizzle, topped only by a misunderstanding.

I truly enjoyed this read and I’m starting the next in this series. I may be addicted to these cowboys.

5 Contented Purrs for Cynthia!

Cynthia D’Alba

Hi Y’All! I’m Cynthia D’Alba from Arkansas.Here’s a little about me…New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cynthia D’Alba started writing on a challenge from her husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun.

She was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, she’s thrilled to be making her home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. When she’s not reading or writing or plotting, she’s doorman for her two dogs, cook, housekeeper and chief bottle washer for her husband and slave to a noisy, messy parrot. She loves to chat online with friends and fans.

By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Cynthia D’Alba

Sometimes what you think you don’t want
is exactly what you need.

After a long four-year engagement, Lydia Henson makes her decision. Forced to choice between having a family or marrying a man who adamantly against fathering children, she chooses the man. She can live without children. She can’t live without the man she loves.

Jason Montgomery doesn’t want a family, or at least that’s his story and he’s sticking to it. The falsehood is less emasculating than the truth.

On the eve of their wedding, Lydia is unexpectedly given her sister’s three children to raise. Jason and Lydia’s well-planned life is thrown into chaos. Everything Jason has sworn he doesn’t want is within his grasp. But as he reaches for the golden ring, life delivers another twist.

I love Jason and Lydia. They were finally getting married after what is in Jason’s family a long engagement. Unfortunately on the way to the wedding Lydia’s sister and her family are in a tragic accident. Through the tears in my eyes I experienced all the emotional turmoil with Lydia and her parents. With the wedding postponed, decisions have to be made as Meridith’s three children become Lydia’s.

Jason never wanted children or that’s what he’s convinced everyone and himself. He has a secret there that no one knows. Seeing Lydia take on the role of motherhood, he finds himself in love with the children as much as he loves her. The problem will be convincing her and everyone else he still wants this marriage and all it involves.

This is just one of my favorite scenes with Jason and the kids.

The hotel advertised a small, indoor kiddie pool, one of the reasons he’d chosen this place. The girls giggled and pranced and twisted around like they had ants in their pants as they all walked down to the pool area. The kiddie pool was maybe six inches deep where the kids walked in and might have been two or two-and-a-half feet at its deepest, but that was about it, thank goodness. He pulled a lounge chair closer and let the girls wade in the water. Within seconds, they were laughing and splashing each other.

Levi pushed against Jason’s chest, wanting down. He didn’t have a suit for the baby. Heck, he didn’t have one for himself. He hadn’t even thought about Levi wanting in the water. The baby began crying… loudly. Jason knew Levi wasn’t hungry and his diaper wasn’t dirty. The only thing he might want is the water.

Jason sighed, pulled Levi’s shirt over his head and took off his shorts, leaving him dressed only in his diaper. He put a towel on the concrete where the pool was the shallowest. He sat on the towel and sat Levi in the water, whose diaper quickly sucked up water and doubled in size. Levi gurgled and splashed, a glob of drool dripping from his toothless grin.

“Uncle Jason,” Ellery said. “You should come in too.”

Jason chuckled. “I forgot my swim suit. I can’t.”

“Levi doesn’t have on one,” Annie said.

Oh, yeah. Jason could picture his explanation to the cop who would arrest him for getting into a kiddie pool wearing only his briefs. “But officer, Levi didn’t have on pants either.”

“That’s true,” he said. “But I like sitting here watching you guys play.”

The girls lay in the water, practiced swimming like someone named Ariel, whoever that was, and had a floating contest. Levi, on the other hand, loved hitting the water with his palms, effectively throwing water droplets on Jason. Before long, Jason’s shirt was fairly damp. He didn’t mind. In fact, he was getting quite a kick out of watching them play.

He checked his phone for the time and to see if he’d missed a call from Lydia. Almost five p.m. and no call. That made him a little nervous. Sure she was fine, he nonetheless would have appreciated her checking in. He didn’t know how long to let the girls swim or what to do about dinner.

At close to six, the girls were wearing down. He’d taken Levi out of the pool and gotten him redressed without getting squirted. A real accomplishment, in Jason’s opinion.

“Uncle Jason. I’m hungry,” Ellery said.

“Me too,” Annie echoed.

“Me three,” Jason answered, which made the girls giggle. “How about we go back to the room, get cleaned up, and I’ll have dinner delivered to the room.”

“What are we eating?” Ellery asked. “I want chicken.”

“Me too,” Annie echoed.

“I think we can do that. Get on out of the pool and let’s get you wrapped up in the towels.”

Damn, he was tired. The kids were cute and funny, but they were energy vampires.
D’Alba, Cynthia. Texas Lullaby (Whispering Springs, TX Book 7) (Kindle Locations 364-388). Riante Romance, Ltd.. Kindle Edition.

There a many hurdles to conquer for Lydia in this book and I applaud Jason for everything he did at least until the unexpected.

I laughed and cried a lot in this book, it really is one of my favorites in this series.

5 Contented Purrs for Cynthia!

Cynthia D’Alba

Hi Y’All! I’m Cynthia D’Alba from Arkansas.Here’s a little about me…New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cynthia D’Alba started writing on a challenge from her husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun.

She was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, she’s thrilled to be making her home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. When she’s not reading or writing or plotting, she’s doorman for her two dogs, cook, housekeeper and chief bottle washer for her husband and slave to a noisy, messy parrot. She loves to chat online with friends and fans.