By
Em Petrova

They call her the Ice Queen…
but he’s determined to thaw her.

Bodyguard Mathias Trace is more comfortable on the back of a horse than guarding people. But when his next job involves brainy woman on a hunt for treasure, he’s as frustrated as he is turned on. Her pretty, delicate features and tight curves might threaten to give him whiplash, but her chilly disposition is enough to freeze any man in his tracks.

All Madeline asks for is a smart, savvy bodyguard. What she gets is a man who walks with a permanent swagger and only takes the name of his horse seriously. But she must be the first one to locate a rare artifact steeped in an ancient conspiracy theory, and she needs his help instead of his thunderous looks…though they might actually be starting to turn her on.

Searching for an artifact believed to bring two soulmates together is dangerous work, but so are the barriers dissolving between them. As those walls crash, their hearts are exposed, which means the woman known as the Ice Queen is sure to walk. Not that Mathias will let her get far…

Mathias always wanted to stay in the background of West Protection, he didn’t want to go in the field. Yet he does the training with everyone to be prepared. They need more employees to handle their growing client list. Now they’ve added one client that’s a bit different. Madeline Peerson needs a bodyguard and her own agency can’t provide one at the moment and time is of the essence.

Madeline has to get to an artifact before Dahl does, it will disappear forever if he gets there first. Unfortunately they face obstacle after obstacle as they prepare for the trek.

The first one is getting horses and a favorite scene.

“No horses?” Madeline couldn’t keep the exasperation from her question. “I’m sorry—they’re all booked for tomorrow.” The woman at the outfitter acted as if not having any horses to rent was no big deal, when it meant disaster.

Madeline settled her elbows on the counter and leaned in. “Exactly how many parties do you have heading into the canyon trails tomorrow?”

Mathias stepped up behind her, close enough for her to feel the man’s body heat penetrating through her clothes. As if she wasn’t hot and sticky enough in this weather without him adding to it.

“What she means is where can we find some horses if you don’t have any?”

The employee stared over Madeline’s head at Mathias. Her jaw dropped. Then she flushed pink.

“You can try down the road at Wild Bill’s.”

“Thank you, miss.”

Was it Madeline’s imagination, or did Mathias’s voice sound different? She wanted to whip around and catch him in the act of flirting on the job, but doing so would bring her up close and personal with him, and she was already tired of having him glued to her back.

The girl giggled. “I hope you find some.”

“Me too.” He placed a hand out as if to grab Madeline by the elbow. She stalked past him before he could do any such thing and barreled outside into the stifling heat.

“Why is it even hotter in the evening?”

“The land forms a natural basin. The rock’s holding the heat of the day and releasing it now.”

She inwardly groaned.

“Don’t worry. We’ll find some horses.” Mathias sounded confident.

“How can an outfitter not have enough horses? And what the hell was that back there?”

He shifted his head to pierce her in his stare. “What?”

“That disgusting flirting episode with the girl behind the counter.” She yanked open the truck door and jumped in.

Mathias took his good ole time rounding the front of the truck. By the time he climbed behind the wheel, her annoyance level had jumped two notches.

“That,” he twisted the key in the ignition, “was not flirting. That was being amiable and considerate of an employee. Your intimidation tactics weren’t going to make the girl pop out two more horses.”

Okay, he was right. She might fall back on her ability to scare people too much, when a simple thank-you would work.

They bumped down the road to another outfitter. This one had a big wooden cutout of a cowboy and WILD BILL’S painted across the chest. As they hit the parking lot, the sign’s lights came on, bare bulbs like those surrounding a Hollywood starlet’s dressing room mirror, except these outlined the cowboy.

“Ain’t that cute?” Mathias drawled.

“Charming.” She jumped out, but not before she caught his eye roll.

At the door, he blocked her way using his big body. She craned her neck to look at him. He must be six-two without the boots. She could still take him down in seconds.

“Let me do the talkin’.” Under his hat, his eyes were shadowed, but she knew they were fixed on her.

“Fine.”

Seconds later, they were in the same predicament—no horses. No chance of getting horses.

She forgot her agreement to let Mathias do the dealing, and planted her elbows on the counter to glare at the little man who couldn’t be further from the famous gunslinger the name of the establishment suggested.

“Is it normal to run out of horses all over town?”

“No. First time it’s happened in years. We always have a horse or two left in the stable even on a busy summer day.” He scratched a finger on his balding scalp.

“Then why today?” she demanded.

A dinner plate-sized hand hit her lower back. The jolt of heat and the size of Mathias’s hand shocked her as much as the fact he touched her.

“Sorry, sir. We’re just trying to have a nice vacation, and we planned to take horses on the trip.” Mathias’s voice was smooth as silk.

The man gave a sympathetic nod. “I’d love to help you out, but a man came in a few hours ago and rented the lot.”

“All of them?” Madeline burst out.

The pressure on her spine increased until she couldn’t think about much else. His hand felt as if it spanned her entire lower back, thumb to pinky. It was too warm, but the heat began to seep through her skin and work at the stiffness she had from sitting on a cramped plane and then the truck.

She stepped forward, trying to separate his hand from her body, but he moved with her, which left her pinned between the counter and those long digits that she knew must be callused.

What did she care? She just wanted to find some horses and set out in the morning to beat Dahl to the artifact.

“What are our alternatives if we can’t get horses?” Mathias asked.

“I’ve heard of people taking dirt bikes.”

“Not exactly my thing,” he stated. “What about other animals? Llamas?”

“Have you ever ridden a llama?” Madeline twisted to look up at him.

At least he pulled his hand away. He shrugged. “How different can it be?”

“No llamas that I know of. But I’ve heard of some mules at the place two streets over.” The man pointed in the direction.

“I don’t know if mules are a good idea—” Mathias started.

Madeline cut him off by spinning back to the worker. “Thank you. Have a good evening.”

She hurried out with Mathias on her six. The man never seemed to move from his position. At least he was devoted to his job.

“Mules? No way.” He tugged down his hat brim.

“What happened to being considerate to an employee? It’s not his fault some douche-bag rented all the…” She trailed off as it suddenly hit her.

Dahl.
Em Petrova. CowboyConspiracyTheory (Kindle Locations 498-551). Kindle Edition.

The mules they acquire pose a couple of difficulties for Mathias but they do manage.

The trek is difficult and becomes more dangerous as Madeline realizes Dahl knows exactly where they are and another little tidbit she keeps from Mathias.

Ups and Downs both literally and figuratively as this adventure continues, even as these two cave to their attraction to each other just adding a different sort of sizzle to the weather’s heat.

5 Contented Purrs for Em!

Em Petrova

Em Petrova was raised by hippies in the wilds of Pennsylvania but told her parents at the age of four she wanted to be a gypsy when she grew up. She has a soft spot for babies, puppies and 90s Grunge music and believes in Bigfoot and aliens. She started writing at the age of twelve and prides herself on making her characters larger than life and her sex scenes hotter than hot.

She burst into the world of publishing in 2010 after having five beautiful bambinos and figuring they were old enough to get their own snacks while she pounds away at the keys. In her not-so-spare time, she is fur-mommy to a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff and works as editor with USA Today and New York Times bestselling authors.

By
Em Petrova

An old flame and a strong-willed cowgirl
have their sights on one man—Wyoming.

Sex therapist Wyoming is a betting man, but even he wouldn’t lay money on these odds. Running into his old lover one time is coincidence. Twice is bad luck. But six times in a year? Fate is gunning for him—and it’s brought the hot man who haunts Wyoming’s dreams…and a high-spirited cowgirl to further tempt him?

Sportscaster Rome Ramiro lives the celebrity existence of sports events and parties, and his new relationship with the stunning and sassy philanthropist Cecily is scorching. But when he keeps crossing paths with Wyoming, the cowboy stud from the sex ranch Rome used to frequent, he realizes something is missing in his life.

After Rome and Cecily bump into Wyoming, she proposes that the only way to mend bridges is with a bottle of tequila and a game of strip poker. Trouble is, one night may not be enough.

Rome and Cecily set their sights on the same man, but with three hearts on the line, there’s a lot more at stake. One thing’s for sure, though—it’s bound to be a wild ride on the way.

This series has always been a go to for ‘almost every page sizzles’ and this book is no exception.

Wyoming is a Boot Knocker Therapist and he’s got a problem. He’s not sure if he’s burned out or the unthinkable has happened. Taking some time off, and even starting a new business inspired by a lamb with a deformed leg, doesn’t help when the person haunting his dreams keeps showing up in person. There’s anger and lies between Wyoming and Rome.

Rome Romiro fell in love with Wyoming, but he couldn’t follow through. Now he’s proposing to his girlfriend Cecily. She’s madly in love with him but she sees something in his eyes that is holding her back from saying yes. Rome isn’t rushing her answer so she’s hoping he’ll eventually tell her his secret.

Cecily sees the video of the lamb with her prosthetic and knows she has to try to get one for her foal Flint.

Wyoming and Rome keep running into each other, the first was on purpose as Rome arranges for a visit to the dugout. Unfortunately this backfires on him. Fate however has them running into each other over and over. The most unexpected one was on Cecily’s family ranch for a banquet, and Rome was definitely trying to hide.

This is a favorite scene.

“Why are we dancing in the potted plants?” Cecily let her palm slip from Rome’s broad shoulder down to his chest.

The corner of his lips quirked. “Because they provide cover. When does the guy come to make the leg for Flint?”

She issued a laugh made husky by the desire he brought out in her and a glass of wine too many. “Don’t change the subject on me. He says he’ll text in a week or so and give me a firmer date. Now again, I ask…why are we dancing in the potted plants?”

“Can I convince you I’m interested in local flora and fauna?”

She laughed. “I prefer the floor.” She grabbed his elbow and towed him out just as the music changed.

He cocked his head to listen to the song. The lines were already being formed, and to her total shock, he joined one. She stood back, hands over her mouth, watching in complete astonishment as Rome kicked up his boots in a line dance.

He waved for her to join him, but she couldn’t do that in her formal shoes, and she laughed, gesturing for him to keep going.

When the line of dancers completed complicated footwork, Rome followed it to the very cross on the top of the T. As they twirled on the toes of their boots, he did too.

Then he ground his hips like he worked in a male revue.

Holy crap—was this her boyfriend? It wasn’t the Rome she knew. This man was loose and killing it on the dance floor. Women were gaping at his sexy moves and Cecily’s insides quivered with brand-new desire.

The stomp of boots on the floor vibrated up through the soles of her strappy high heels, and she squeezed her thighs together in her bodycon dress each time Rome tossed a look her direction.

Where did he learn how to line dance—and when? It must be left over from his college days. She couldn’t picture Rome taking the time to learn these intricate steps, but he knew them as if he’d danced them a hundred times.

She latched her attention on to his hips grinding, rotating. Women wolf-whistled to him, but he only grinned and fixed his stare on Cecily.

The final strains of the song faded, and applause took its place, a thunder that rivaled the dancers’ boots on the floor a minute before.

Cecily rushed forward, and Rome sauntered across the room, crushed her hand in his and continued walking, hauling her outside. The night whirled past her vision as he put her into the luxury car he’d rented for the occasion and drove her back to their hotel.

The minute they were in their room and the deadbolt in place, he turned to her.

“Where did you learn to—” Her question was cut off by Rome’s lips slamming down on hers.
Petrova, Em. Winning Wyoming (Kindle Locations 811-833). Kindle Edition.

Rome knows he has to tell Cecily his feelings for Wyoming and he also desperately needs to reconcile with him. That will happen in an most unexpected way.

A fun read with lots of sizzle and a few surprises too.

5 Contented Purrs for Em!

Em Petrova

Em Petrova was raised by hippies in the wilds of Pennsylvania but told her parents at the age of four she wanted to be a gypsy when she grew up. She has a soft spot for babies, puppies and 90s Grunge music and believes in Bigfoot and aliens. She started writing at the age of twelve and prides herself on making her characters larger than life and her sex scenes hotter than hot.

She burst into the world of publishing in 2010 after having five beautiful bambinos and figuring they were old enough to get their own snacks while she pounds away at the keys. In her not-so-spare time, she is fur-mommy to a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff and works as editor with USA Today and New York Times bestselling authors.

By
Em Petrova

Ross Wynton, leader of WEST Protection.
He’s got a head for the tactical and an instinct for danger.
Then in walks the one person who reminds him that he’s also a man.

After a big breakthrough with her gene editing project, Doctor Pippa Hamlin is neck-deep in danger and threats. On the run, she turns to the only person she knows who can protect her—the hot cowboy crush from her gawky teen years. While she still burns for the man, she hopes he’ll help her reach Seattle for a big conference without meeting more danger.

Discovering who is threatening Pippa becomes Ross’s number one priority. So does easing that fear he sees in her beautiful hazel eyes…and fighting to keep his hands off her tallies as a close second.

Ross fears he’s too distracted and missing something, while Pippa battles to keep her wits to fight for the medical discovery she believes in. Traveling with a sexy, alpha, muscled bodyguard who brings all the heat to places a nerdy doctor ignores is hard enough without wondering if Ross will save her—or break her.

West Protection is growing and as this book opens they are having their weekly meeting but not in a place conducive to going over any real agenda. Seriously who sets up a meeting in a strip joint. Ross wasn’t sure who had picked this place but he knew he couldn’t cover all that he wanted, apparently the guys just wanted to unwind, not discuss business. He was trying to at least talk about some of it when he’s interrupted by a phone call.

After finding the note threatening her life and suggesting something had happened to others who made discoveries, Pippa flees her lab. There’s only one place she thinks to go and quickly packs a bag and books her flight. She doesn’t even think to call the person she’s heading to until she’s boarding the plane. Clearly proving smart people sometimes have no common sense.

Ross didn’t hesitate to head to the airport. Knowing Pippa is being followed is enough to get him moving. They’d been friends for a long time and keeping her safe isn’t a question.

Now that she could let down her guard a little and put her safety in the hands of Ross Wynton, her adrenaline level dropped too.

She started to shiver, and by the time they hit the exit, her teeth chattered.

He shot her a look, two hard brackets appearing on either side of his tense lips. Wordlessly, he removed his coat, a thick canvas. When he settled it around her shoulders, she inhaled the scent of him and her stomach fluttered at his body heat trapped in the fibers.

As he steered her through the parking lot to a truck bearing the Wynton Ranch logo of a W inside a circle, her legs started to give out.

“Lean on me.” The rough grumble would have filled her adolescent heart with excitement at fifteen, but now it punched her with the realization that she was really here in Montana,
running for her life.

He unlocked the door and motioned her in. She managed to settle in the leather seat, aware that he locked her in with a flick of the key fob as he circled to the driver’s door. Why? In case somebody got to her while he walked around?

Her insides heaved, and she folded her hands on her laptop case to still them from shaking. Ross again unlocked the doors to glide into the seat with all the grace of the cowboy sliding into a saddle.

The door locks clicked once more and he started the engine. Her insides jittered. What if he thought her insane? She couldn’t blame him really. The number of times she questioned her sanity while in flight tallied in the double digits.

As he whipped out of the lot headed toward the parking pay station, he remained silent. At the gate, he held up an ID and the security officer waved them through without paying.

Pippa took all this in with her scientist’s mind. Observation was a major step in the process of an experiment, so she took note of the truck interior, the early morning Montana landscape of snow-covered mountains and heavy clouds banked on the horizon. She pulled in the scent of leather, an underlying hint of the ranch she remembered…and the spice of the man at the wheel.

That brought her to observing Ross. From the corner of her eye, she studied his same strong features and the white Stetson their family favored wearing like some kind of ranch family dress code. But his features appeared stronger. His jaw an angled slice of mountain rock brushed with a five o’clock shadow.

If he’d filled out in those areas, his body had doubled her expectations. His muscled chest stretched the black cotton T-shirt, and his biceps fought against the stitches around the sleeves. One had actually popped, and a short thread kept drawing her eye.

“All right. Talk to me, Pippa.” He cast her a look she couldn’t read.

Staring at her white knuckles against the black leather of her bag, she sucked in a stabilizing breath.

Without waiting for her to start speaking, he fired a question at her. “Why don’t you have any luggage?”

“I left it in the bathroom in Detroit. I lost my purse and jacket as well.”

He whipped his head to pierce her in his intense gaze. “Okay, start at the top, with when you decided to call me. What happened?”

She saw why his security company was climbing the ranks as one of the top in the US. He owned a situation—always did. When she fell off the horse into the thorn bush, he’d raced back to help her up, scolded his younger brother Josiah for laughing at her, and proceeded to pick thorns out of her arms.

“I’m not sure if you know but my work involves gene editing.”

“My father mentioned it.”

She nodded. “I work in a lab. Most of the time I’m alone, but I have some assistants working with me on various projects.”

“I’m listening.”

“So it was odd when things started coming up missing in my office.”

“Such as?” He ramped up the speed on the open highway that would lead to the Wynton Ranch.

“My favorite earrings my mother gave me. And a photo of me and my best friend.”

“Could you have misplaced them? Or they fell off your desk and got swept up by cleaning people?”

He didn’t believe her. Hell, she hardly believed her own suspicions.

Shaking her head, she continued, “I received death threats.”

He whipped his head around, his expression masked. “What kind of threats?”

“They’re notes.”

“Do you have them?”

“One, yes.” She started to reach into the zippered pocket of her bag.

“Don’t get it out. I don’t want you to touch it any more than you already have.”

“You believe there may be fingerprints on it?”

“I’ll have my guys run a check.”

“You can do that?”

He sliced a glance at her that reminded her this wasn’t the boy she once knew. Ross was a man of power and skill, and every word he spoke reflected that change.

Folding her fingers around the bag, she stared at the landscape and tried to pick up the pieces of her life. Her neck hurt from her attacker’s stronghold, and it was difficult to swallow.

“Do you have some water?” she rasped.

He removed one big hand from the steering wheel, leaned toward her and reached behind her seat. He withdrew a bottle, cold from the low temps.

She took it and sipped slowly, trying not to choke around the lump lodged in her throat that she knew from many classes in anatomy and health to be swelling.

“Better?” he asked after a minute.

She nodded. “I knew you’d carry water. I remember your family was always prepared for any circumstance.”

“Gotta be in this country. Now. Tell me how you got that bruise on your wrist.”

Startled, she looked down at the purple smudge blossoming across her wrist bone. Her stomach pitched at the memory of the fight in the restroom.

“I was attacked.”

“Jesus Christ. Where?”

“In the airport. It’s how I lost my belongings. I don’t even have my wallet or ID.”

“What the hell happened?”

Her stupid response to the question was to flush. “I had to…pee.”

He made a strangled noise in his throat, and she wondered if he really did still have more of that boy she’d known buried inside him than she first guessed. The one who chose horses over swoony, moony-eyed girls who believed him the boyfriend material of the century.

“Go on,” he muttered.

“When I opened the stall door, a man was standing there. He grabbed me around the neck.” She lifted a hand to trail her fingertips over her throat.

“How the hell did you get free?”

“Aikido.”

“Come again?”

“The Japanese martial art.”

“I know what it is. But you know it?”

“I spent some years in Asia studying it. It…came in handy today.” Her throat clogged off more at the knowledge of what might have befallen her if she hadn’t been able to defend herself. “I took the man down and ran for it. I jumped on the plane and came straight to you.”

He glanced in the rearview mirror for the third time in a mile, which set her on edge. A peek at the side mirror showed her they were alone on this stretch of road. He was just being cautious. Doing his job. Using skills she put her faith in.

“Ross, what do I do?”

He let go of the wheel again and rested his hand on the back of hers. Some desperate need to feel the touch of a friend struck, and she twisted her hand up to grip his. He didn’t let her go, and she clung to the warmth and strength emanating from him.

“We’ll figure it out. You’re safe now, Pippa.”

Hearing her name fall from his lips in that rough rumble—rougher in manhood—flipped something inside her. Maybe neither of them had changed. She still held a flicker of a flame for the cowboy.

Now more than a cowboy. He was an entrepreneur, and judging by those layers of muscle stacked on his body, he’d trained to fight.

“Tell me how you got the idea to start your company,” she said.

He looked at her with a crease between his long brows. “Another time, Pippa. Let’s get you to the ranch first.”

He said to the ranch. What she heard was: to the safety of the ranch. She glanced in the mirror again. Nobody followed, but she had some distance to go to shake the person who wanted her dead.
Em Petrova. RescuedbytheCowboy (Kindle Locations 180-255). Kindle Edition.

There’s a lot that happens with Pippa’s situation, and I did find myself questioning some of it. For a security company to be near the top of the pile they mistakes I caught were a bit amateurish. Although they did seem to recover from them.

Pippa needs to get to Seattle to deliver a speech on her latest findings and it’s decided Ross would accompany her, with others on the team meeting up with them later.

Quite a bit of action, more than a little suspense, however I figured out the who long before the person was suspected.

A quick and fun read with plenty of sizzle between Pippa and Ross.

4 Contented Purrs for Em!

Em Petrova

Em Petrova was raised by hippies in the wilds of Pennsylvania but told her parents at the age of four she wanted to be a gypsy when she grew up. She has a soft spot for babies, puppies and 90s Grunge music and believes in Bigfoot and aliens. She started writing at the age of twelve and prides herself on making her characters larger than life and her sex scenes hotter than hot.

She burst into the world of publishing in 2010 after having five beautiful bambinos and figuring they were old enough to get their own snacks while she pounds away at the keys. In her not-so-spare time, she is fur-mommy to a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff and works as editor with USA Today and New York Times bestselling authors.

By
Em Petrova

Sometimes attraction isn’t enough…
but it might be a start.

Ranch hand Theo Sutton is a disappointment to his family for dropping out of college, but he’s determined not to let down his bosses on the Bellamy Ranch. That’s why he covers for the runaway kid who keeps making trouble for him. Proving himself never seemed so important, especially when it comes to the beautiful newcomer to their small town. She only wants Theo to warm her bed once in a while, but every encounter with her leaves him wanting more.

A young widow like Sadie James can’t be too careful with her heart. The last thing she needs is another daredevil man who ends up leaving her. Besides, she’s too focused on getting a fresh start in Crossroads and building her fixer upper consulting business. But she can’t seem to stay away from Theo—or out of the back of his truck or the nearest hay bale.

To Theo’s mind, three people who need love are already a family, but the runaway boy is too stubborn and he’s starting to think Sadie is irreparably damaged. When love overrides loss and they all face a crossroads in life, decisions must be made that could leave them all devastated…or give them the happily ever after they all deserve.

Sadie James is the widow of a champion bull rider. She’s come to Crossroads to start a new life away from all the memories. She has friends here that will support her if she needs it. After a day of checking out properties she’s ready to relax a bit, and stops at a winery to grab a bottle or two of local wine. She’s leaving when a cowboy catches more than just her eye.

When Theo Sutton comes out of the winery, the beautiful woman is still there.

This is a favorite scene.

“Howdy,” he drawled out, closing the distance between them with his long, sure strides. He looked straight at her as he lowered his tailgate and placed the box in the bed of his truck. “Anything I can do for you?”

“Uh…” She knew how women came on to men. Enough buckle bunnies in the rodeo threw themselves at her husband. But personally, she never had to do it, because she and Jackson had been together since she was fifteen.

She waved to her truck hood. “I started the engine and I think I heard a sound. You wouldn’t be willing to have a look, would you?” She tipped her head back to meet his stare and offered him a smile.

“Sure thing. You wanna pop the hood for me?”

She eyed him up. Whatever madness had come over her to make her gawk at the cowboy, wait for him by her truck and then tell a fib about an engine problem took total hold of her.
She wanted to pop more than a hood for him. Maybe a few buttons too?

If she didn’t know better, she’d say the country air was more polluted than the smog in Dallas where she’d come from, and it was affecting her mind after only hours in Crossroads.

She strolled around her truck, opened the driver’s door and popped the hood. When she straightened, she noted the cowboy hadn’t moved from the spot and he quickly flicked his gaze up her body, away from her ass to her face.

Heart pulsating faster, she followed him to the front of the truck. He propped up the hood and peered inside. Wiggling a few hoses and checking connections drew her attention to how big his hands were. Rough too.

A shiver of desire rolled through her body, leaving her breathing faster and feeling a bit damper—everywhere.

He threw her a look from under the brim of his hat. “Can you start the engine for me?”

Oh it’s already started.

“Sure.” She pushed off the front and walked around the side. She swore she felt his eyes tracking her and asked herself what in the world had come over her. After she started the engine, she joined him under the hood again.

He cocked his head, listening to the purring engine. Of course she knew there wasn’t a thing wrong with her truck—she’d gotten it a good tune-up and check before driving it across country. The last thing a woman needed on a solo road trip was to be broken down alongside the road in the middle of nowhere.

The cowboy’s gaze settled on hers. “You from out of town? Haven’t seen you before, and it’s a small town. I know everybody.”

“Not from out of town anymore. I just rolled in today. I was out house hunting when I came across the winery.”

He gave her a full-lipped, toe-curling smile that accompanied a twinkle of interest in those warm brown eyes. “Is that so? What’s your name?”

“Sadie.”

“Well, Sadie, welcome to Crossroads. I’m Theo.”

The syllables tumbled through her on his deep, rumbling, country drawl.

She extended a hand, which he clasped in his, his long fingers folding around hers and making her feel perfectly dainty and feminine—something it’d been too long since she felt, since her vibrator didn’t offer it.

The engine continued to trundle along without a hitch, but Theo didn’t seem all that interested in her truck.

He released her hand and turned back to the engine. “I don’t hear anything odd. Did you say it was a knocking noise?”

She hadn’t said, but she nodded anyway. Going on tiptoe, she edged closer to him as she leaned over the hood as far as she could. When she glanced over her shoulder at Theo, she found his stare riveted firmly on her ass. An ass she had great pride in, as she ran every day and did a Brazilian butt workout the other ones. Jackson had loved her ass, and so had a lot of other men in her life.

“Hmm,” she said, dropping back to her heels. “I don’t hear it anymore.”

He smiled again, causing her stomach to flutter. “Sure you didn’t drink that wine already, Sadie?”

She smiled back. “I’m sure. I got the Crossroads Peach Pie. Have you ever had it?”

He looked her over again as if she was the peach pie and he wanted to dive in and lick her off his lips. God, the thought made her insides shudder with desire. A low, constant hum in her core told her that she hadn’t really reawakened her sexual side since her husband’s death—she’d only turned on the low beams.

Her nipples pinched hard, throwing on the floodlights and cracking a dam inside her.

“I’ve never tried that wine.” His voice roughened, exactly the way she preferred her man’s hands.

She cocked a brow at him. “You single? I mean…maybe you want to share the bottle with me.”

The corners of his lips inched up farther. “I’m single, and I’d love to.” He closed the hood and faced her. “Turn off the engine and grab the bottle. There’s a good view of the sunset a little ways from here.”

She loved his country drawl, his accent and all the country talk a woman like her missed in her life.
Em Petrova. Show-Off in Spurs (Kindle Locations 142-185). Kindle Edition.

To say things get hot and heavy quickly is an understatement as these two could definitely melt a kindle.

There is a lot more to both their stories though, the first being Theo is harboring a runaway on the ranch where he works. Jordy is managing to get Theo in plenty of hot water, since Theo isn’t about to turn the kid in.

What Sadie thought would be a one time thing, is actually going to be more. Turns out Theo is also friends with Dom and Jada and she runs into him at what she thought was just a dinner party.

Things don’t really heat up again until Sadie finds an old schoolhouse to convert into her home. Theo is one of the people recommended by Jada to help with things Sadie can’t do herself. Sadie also has some doubts since Theo is a real cowboy and works with dangerous animals. She’s really not sure she can handle that again.

Lots of trouble from Jordy, fun with Jada and her sister Joss, a new business plan and plenty of romance and sizzle. I can’t wait for another book in this series!

5 Contented Purrs for Em!

Em Petrova

Em Petrova was raised by hippies in the wilds of Pennsylvania but told her parents at the age of four she wanted to be a gypsy when she grew up. She has a soft spot for babies, puppies and 90s Grunge music and believes in Bigfoot and aliens. She started writing at the age of twelve and prides herself on making her characters larger than life and her sex scenes hotter than hot.

She burst into the world of publishing in 2010 after having five beautiful bambinos and figuring they were old enough to get their own snacks while she pounds away at the keys. In her not-so-spare time, she is fur-mommy to a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff and works as editor with USA Today and New York Times bestselling authors.

By
Em Petrova

They were friends. Now they’re business rivals. Is there room for being lovers too?

Jada Ellis is ready to make some big life changes. When she leaves her job as caregiver in the Crossroads, Georgia nursing home and buys the local BBQ joint on a whim, everyone thinks she’s lost her mind, including her. Just as she starts to feel she’s found the perfect happy trail, she sees another kind of happy trail, leading across the road to her very buff and smoking-hot ex who’s fresh off the rodeo circuit and back in town.

Dominick Cole’s grandpa advised him to stay in the small town, settle down and raise a family here. But he didn’t listen and ran off to chase a golden buckle as a big-time rodeo star. But when “Savage” Cole returns to start up a barbecue restaurant, he couldn’t find a better—or sexier—rival in Jada. The town isn’t big enough for both of them—but a bed might be.

Smoldering friends to enemies to rivals to lovers romance never went down so good. Grab a sweet tea—or something harder—and binge on the latest book in the Crossroads series!

Jada Ellis is burned out, being a caregiver in a nursing home has rewards and downfalls. Some of her favorite patients have died and she desperately needs a change. A change she finds quite by accident as she drives through town. Mortimer’s Barbeque is for sale and on impulse Jada makes an offer.

Dominick ‘Savage’ Cole has decided to leave the Rodeo behind after burying his best friend. He hadn’t been able to save Jackson from the bull that killed him. He’s decided he can be a success at barbeque, the guys all loved it. With his grandfather’s blessing and investment he rents the building across from Mortimer’s.

Now Dominick doesn’t know Jada bought Mortimer’s, he just wanted a building that would suit his business model. The girl he left behind for the rodeo, hadn’t entered his mind at the time.

This is a favorite scene.

Theo vanished into the building, leaving Dom to watch the woman approach him. Goddamn, she was beautiful. From her thick blonde hair twined into a braid dangling over one shoulder to the way her hips twitched in jeans slung low enough to flash a peek at her tanned midriff. Her baby blue T-shirt had been knotted at the side of her stomach, and everything in Dom’s stomach gripped hard.

What a fool he’d been to break things off with her. The only reason he hadn’t suggested a long-distance relationship was knowing how terrible they always turned out. He didn’t want her hating him—but the sparks shooting from her brown eyes said that she hated him anyway.

She got close enough he could see the whites of her eyes. Why did he feel as if he was about to be challenged to a shootout? She stopped ten paces away and settled a fist on her hip.

“What is that?” she demanded.

Her clear voice carried all the power it once had over him, when they’d spent hours chatting over coffee. He’d managed to forget what he knew back then—that Jada Ellis moved him—she moved mountains of stubbornness and made him want to be a better man.

But he’d walked away from it all to follow his dreams. If he hadn’t left Crossroads, and he ended up marrying her, he would have always wondered how far he could go on the rodeo circuit. Eventually, years of marriage and children would result in him resenting her holding him back. What should he have done?

At least he didn’t resent her—he only felt disgust with himself for figuring this all out a few months too late.

“Well?” She nodded toward his new sign.

He lifted a hand to rub at the scar on his jaw, barely hidden by the stubble growing there. “I admit the sign could use some work. But the people associate the blue letters of Savage with me. I’m hoping that goes the distance until I can order a real sign.” He looked over the long plank of wood painted white with blue lettering.

Her faint eyebrow shot up. “I mean,” she said in a slow and even manner as if his cylinders weren’t all firing, “what does the sign mean?”

He pointed. “Says right here—barbecue.”

“I can read.” The sparks shooting from her eyes amplified until they had laser force. “I mean why are you opening a barbecue restaurant across from a barbecue restaurant?” Each word she spoke dipped lower in volume until the deadly tone became a whisper.

“Oh that. It’s the only building I could lease that fits my vision.”

“Your vision.” Her teeth landed on her plump lower lip, and her brows pulled together.

He stared at her. “What am I missing?”

“You’re missing the fact that my barbecue restaurant is directly across from the one you’re planning to put in!”

“Your—” He broke off and shook his head in confusion. “Your restaurant?”

“Yes, I just bought the business, and having competition two hundred steps from my front doors does not make me happy!”

“About that—” He grew distracted by her shifting her weight to a rounded hip and folding her arms, which boosted her breasts an inch higher.

A finger of desire slipped down the length of his cock.

“I figured this town’s big enough for both barbecue restaurants. Besides, Mortimers always did chicken and wings. I’m serving other things.”

“What kind of other things?”

“Pulled pork. Brisket.”

Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she slammed the lids down over them. For several heartbeats, she didn’t open her eyes or say a word, giving him ample time to study her beautiful face. God, he’d missed her.

When she popped her eyes open and fixed her brown gaze on him, he found it hard to draw air again.

“You can’t stay, Savage. You have to move your restaurant.”

“Sorry to upset you, but I signed a lease.”

“Un-sign it. Or better yet, move to the next town. You’re good at picking up and moving on.”

Ouch. That blow hit below the belt, but he deserved it after what he’d done to her, getting so close during the months he spent visiting his grandpa and then finally asking her to date, only to dump her and leave town.

“Jada, I know this must be a surprise. I’m just as surprised to find you’re my competition.”

“Uh-huh.” Her flat tone cut through several layers of his heart like a whip.

“I didn’t know you bought Mortimer’s.”

“Why are you opening a restaurant? Did you get kicked out of the rodeo again?”

He prickled with irritation and his guts churned at the real reason for leaving it. “I realized I’m better suited to other ventures.”

“Which is killing off women’s dreams. Gotcha.” She spun to go.

God, what he wouldn’t give to grab her up, kiss the hell out of her and then bend her over the nearest picnic table.

He curled his fingers into fists. “Jada!”

She glanced over her shoulder at him. “We’ll see if this town’s too small for two barbecue joints.”

“Guess so.”
Em Petrova. Savage in a Stetson (Kindle Locations 394-439). Kindle Edition.

From opening day there is competition from both sides, but there is also an undeniable attraction between these two.

Jada never really got over him, and Dom has discovered he wants another chance with her.

As Jada and Dom compete to be the best barbeque in town, they also find they can’t stay away from each other.

Plenty of snark, competition and these two just sizzle off the pages.

5 Contented Purrs for Em!

Em Petrova

Em Petrova was raised by hippies in the wilds of Pennsylvania but told her parents at the age of four she wanted to be a gypsy when she grew up. She has a soft spot for babies, puppies and 90s Grunge music and believes in Bigfoot and aliens. She started writing at the age of twelve and prides herself on making her characters larger than life and her sex scenes hotter than hot.

She burst into the world of publishing in 2010 after having five beautiful bambinos and figuring they were old enough to get their own snacks while she pounds away at the keys. In her not-so-spare time, she is fur-mommy to a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff and works as editor with USA Today and New York Times bestselling authors.

By
Em Petrova

Sometimes the second time around
is even better than the first…

Cort Bellamy’s been avoiding his hometown of Crossroads, Georgia for too long. Who can blame him, when the small town is so thick with memories and everyone recalls that he let the love of his life slip away? However, his father’s summons for help on the family ranch can’t go unanswered much longer—and now he’s offering Cort a share. Returning to hard work is expected…but he never thought he’d see HER again.

Joss Ellis hates returning to her hometown with her tail tucked, a failure in everyone’s eyes. Her aspirations of making a place for herself in the big city have left her defeated and more than a little depressed. But the minute she sees her rugged ex, her emotions take a detour to hot and bothered. It’s impossible not to run into each other. Even the secret fishing hole is a reminder of whispers and promises that never came true.

She’s the same beauty with a big heart that he can’t keep his hands off. He’s sexier and more untamed than ever. To bring them even closer, they’re fighting similar battles in life. While Cort’s determined to show her that happiness is right here in Crossroads, Joss isn’t convinced. All she’s certain of is that sleeping with her ex is a really bad idea…and she definitely won’t fall for him this time around.

Cort’s boss is always switching his tasks and then complaining. This time though Cort’s had enough and walks off the job. Just as he’s arriving home he gets a call from his father. Short two hands and his foreman injured, his father needs him back on the Bellamy Ranch. With no other prospects Cort packs up and heads home to Crossroads, Georgia. A place he never really thought to return to after Joss broke his heart. At least she wouldn’t be there having gone to the big city to pursue her dreams.

Joss is done, she works too many hours for too little pay, her only splurge is a take out coffee once a month. It’s no way to live and working for a designer who takes all the credit for her designs is not what she envisioned. Admitting defeat is difficult but she can’t continue this way. Going home to regroup is the best thing. She just hoped she had some time before running into Cort.

Of course that doesn’t happen since one of the Bellamy’s fences had broken and an ornery steer is blocking the road. That’s when she gets her first look at the man she left behind, Cort Bellamy.

Now that may have been the first time she saw him and started to realize she still had feelings buried for him. However, a meeting at the grocery store is far more telling.

As she passed a woman, Joss dropped her gaze, hoping she didn’t recognize her and want to stop and chat. So far, she’d managed to come to terms with sharing a house with her sister, drink her bottle of wine and organize her bedroom. Though she left her sewing machine in the case in the closet. Looking at it hurt too much. All those collections she’d dreamed up in her head and thinking of how good she’d make people feel when they wore her clothes…

She issued a low sigh and continued toward the front of the supermarket.

At that moment, a big, tough cowboy came jogging through the automatic doors with a bag in his fist. In jeans, a white T-shirt and his black cowboy hat, Cort was the picture-perfect definition of cowboy. Heads whipped to watch his progress across the lot—hers included.

He ran up to an older lady. “You forgot one of your bags, ma’am.”

God, he drawled that so perfectly. Each syllable tugged at Joss, leaving her feeling as helpless as a puppet.

“Why thank you, Mr. Bellamy.” The woman smiled and reached for the bag.

“Your hands are full. Why don’t you let me help you to your car?” He took the bags from one of her hands.

Was the woman blushing? Dear God, she was. She was seventy-five if she was a day, and still at the mercy of Cort Bellamy.

As they crossed the lot, Joss realized that she stood in the open for Cort to see if he looked up. She considered dodging behind a car or sprinting for the entrance, but that would only draw more notice to herself. Besides, she wanted to see more of the man and his good deed.

She slowed her steps to watch Cort and the woman reach her car. She opened the back, and he placed all her bags inside. She patted his shoulder, and he tipped his hat. Seeing the pink roses in the woman’s cheeks, Joss realized her own felt too hot.

Lifting a hand, she touched her fingertips to her face, and sure enough felt the heat in her skin. The wind kicked up, sending the red and white striped banners on the store front flapping, and Cort made a grab for his hat.

That one masculine move awakened something long-dead in Joss. Something she hadn’t remembered until she experienced the first stirrings after seeing him the other day.

He looked up—and spotted her.

She turned for the store.

In seconds, he flanked her side, matching her steps. After only a few steps, she stopped walking and faced him like the adult she was. “Hi, Cort.”

“Joss.” He drawled her name like a lazy river made a bend. Like a slow brush of lips on a summer night.

She inflated her lungs with air. “That was nice of you to help Mrs. Greenway.”

“Actually, I was just savin’ myself a trip. If I hadn’t taken the bag to her now, I would have ended up driving it to her place later, since she lives down the road. What you saw was pure laziness on my part.”

She laughed. “I don’t believe that.”

“I’ve spent years perfecting the art of relaxation and I’ve got a minor in getting off easy.” His crooked grin overtook his rugged features.

She’d heard about his party days of college that led to him leaving school and working hard for a living. She also heard about the string of women behind him. Seeing him again left Joss with no doubt that women threw themselves at the man.

“Thought I’d grab one of those rotisserie chickens and go and eat it at the lookout.” His light blue eyes caught hers and held for two heartbeats too long. She slanted her gaze away, but damn if he didn’t lure it right back. They were like two magnets from day one, and things really hadn’t changed on that front, had they?

“I haven’t been to the lookout yet. I just settled in my sister’s place.”

“I get one free night a week.”

She arched a brow in question.

“Dad treats me like a cowpoke. I’m even shacked up in the bunkhouse.”

“I bet that’s a party every night. A bunch of cowboys drinking beer and tossing logs on a bonfire.” She noted the chiseled line of his jaw that seemed even more pronounced than in their youth and bunched her fingers into fists to keep from reaching up to stroke the stubble growing there.

He scuffed his boot heel against the asphalt. “Yeah, little bit like that. But we’re all dead asleep by eleven. Dawn comes too early for much of a party.”

Silence swelled between them. Neither moved to walk into the store. Strains of country music floated on the wind from somebody’s truck.

“You’re lookin’ fine, Joss. Those shorts…” He eyed her body, dragging his gaze up each curve nice and slow until he centered on her burning face.

Liquid heat pooled low in her belly, and she couldn’t move for fear she’d melt like an ice cream in the hot Georgia sun right there in the parking lot of Meyers’ Supermarket. How should she even respond to his comment? Her thoughts slid to the place they shouldn’t.

What she wouldn’t do to take the hunky cowboy for another test drive to see if he’d matured in all ways.

She scuffed her own boot heel on the ground and looked up at him.
Em Petrova. Bad in Boots (Kindle Locations 389-433). Kindle Edition.

The chemistry between these two is off the charts, and as they start meeting up at their favorite fishing spot things hit sizzle quickly.

Knowing her sister needs money, Jada posts a picture of one of the gowns Joss designed on the internet and it sells. Joss was surprised and pleased, but had doubts she could make a living designing here.

Plenty of sizzling heat between Cort and Joss, even as Cort’s father continues to be overly critical of everything Cort does.

Both Joss and Cort get second chances in this book and their romance sizzles off the pages.

5 Contented Purrs for Em!

Em Petrova

Em Petrova was raised by hippies in the wilds of Pennsylvania but told her parents at the age of four she wanted to be a gypsy when she grew up. She has a soft spot for babies, puppies and 90s Grunge music and believes in Bigfoot and aliens. She started writing at the age of twelve and prides herself on making her characters larger than life and her sex scenes hotter than hot.

She burst into the world of publishing in 2010 after having five beautiful bambinos and figuring they were old enough to get their own snacks while she pounds away at the keys. In her not-so-spare time, she is fur-mommy to a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff and works as editor with USA Today and New York Times bestselling authors.

By
Em Petrova

They’re enemies—with benefits.
But what happens when their secret is revealed…

On the surface, ex-bounty hunter Asher Moon’s got it all together. But as soon as he sets foot on the family ranch, he’s thrown back into his role as his dysfunctional family’s glue, and now he’s got his own ugly past to cover up too. Just when he thinks he can’t handle any more drama, in walks the one woman who can make him groan—in every possible way.

Asher isn’t the kind of guy Kinsey Reynolds can take home to meet Daddy. But no matter how hard she tries, she can’t seem to keep the sexy man out of her panties. Problem is, he’s responsible for her brother going to prison, and that’s not something easily forgiven. As soon as she thinks she’s ready to kick Asher out of her life—and bed—he sweet-talks his way back, and the temptation is impossible to ignore…

Asher can’t trust anybody, not even a smoldering beauty who claims to have feelings for him. Kinsey wants the whole truth about the man Asher’s been hiding behind his tough-guy façade. But the more she learns about him, the more she fears she might be putting her heart at risk. Can these two opposites who attract create a happily ever after?

I’ve been loving this series and couldn’t wait to read Asher’s story.

Asher is a bounty hunter and his last bounty had some unexpected results. Totally shaken up, he returns home to Stokes but before he heads to Moon Ranch he goes to a friend’s birthday party.

Kinsey Reynolds has had a rough week but decides she needs the diversion of her friend Kelly’s birthday party to relax and unwind. It’s here she meets Asher and even before she gets that first drink they’re dancing but not for long.

This is a favorite scene.

Half an hour later, she left her apartment dressed in a body-hugging baby pink dress and heels. With her hair loose around her shoulders, she felt like a new woman, as far from her usual daily attire of game warden uniform and ponytail as possible.

When she reached Kelly’s house, she had trouble finding a place to park so made her own spot in the yard. Loud music greeted her ears. She didn’t bother knocking on the front door, because nobody would hear her anyway.

Bass drummed in her chest, and she cast a look at the packed house. Kelly had a lot of friends, but she’d obviously invited half of Stokes to celebrate her thirtieth birthday.

“Woo, girl. Lookin’ good!”

Kinsey glanced around to see an old high school acquaintance with a beer in hand bobbing his head to the music. Suddenly, she felt as if she’d tunneled back through time to her senior year of high school. The party guests, the music and the keg of beer in the corner felt like old times.

Okay, she’d only stay an hour or so, long enough to cut the cake and wish Kelly a happy birthday. Then she’d go home and have a big soak in the tub with her latest novel before falling into bed. Maybe she’d look at more rescue dogs. For a while now, she’d been considering adopting a pet—something to come home to and ease the stress of her life.

The guy waved his beer at her and ground his hips to the music. “Want some o’ this?”

She shook her head and moved through the crowd. People stood in clusters talking loudly over the music. Some sat in the corners of the living room drinking and vaping. When she reached the kitchen, she found Kelly seated like a queen on the kitchen counter, being hand-fed pizza by a hot body-builder type.

Kinsey giggled and swept forward to hug her friend, bumping the guy aside with a twitch of her hip. “Happy birthday! I see you’re taking full advantage of your special day.”

“Kinsey! Girl, I seriously didn’t think you’d come! Wowser, you look fantastic.” Kelly focused on the man who’d been feeding her the slice of pepperoni. “Doesn’t she, Mac? God, see those legs in high heels? I’m so jealous. And to think you’re stuck in that stodgy green and brown uniform all day long.”

Chuckling at her friend’s words, Kinsey simultaneously wondered why she’d chosen the curve-hugging dress and heels tonight. She hated being the center of attention.

Kelly jumped off the counter and landed on her own high heels. She didn’t bother tugging down her red skirt where it rode high on her hips, and then she grabbed Kinsey’s arm. “Let’s get a drink.”

“Okay, but I’m not letting you talk me into vodka. I’ll never touch the stuff again.”

“Not vodka. Nooo, I’ve got wine for us to celebrate.”

“That’s better.” She followed Kelly through the throng of people, who all shouted happy birthday to her as they passed. When they reached the bar cart in the living room next to the keg, Kinsey’s skin prickled.

Looking around, she caught sight of a man leaning against a doorway. One of the few not holding a drink, he stuck out from the others. Add in his height and muscled physique in low-slung jeans and a black T-shirt, and he definitely made a woman look twice.

His warm gaze locked on her, and her nipples beaded under her skimpy bra.

“Oh my God. Asher Moon’s looking at you.” As if avoiding being a true adult at thirty years old, Kelly sounded like a teenager tonight.

“Asher Moon,” she repeated with a shiver. “Is that who he is?”

“Yesss. Just walked back into town. I heard he hasn’t even gone home yet—he’s been crashing with an old friend here in Stokes.”

“I don’t remember him from high school.”

“Because he’s closer to my age. You were still in elementary school. I forget you’re the baby of my friends. C’mon—I’ll introduce you.”

Oh God.

Kelly dragged her by the arm up to the man leaning in the doorway. Up close, his hazel eyes looked like two bottomless forest pools, reflecting more than an alcohol-induced haze of the other men around her.

“Asher.”

“Hi, Kelly. Happy birthday.” He leaned in and kissed her powdered cheek.

Kelly gripped his shoulder and gave him a big smile. “Do you know Kinsey?”

He shook his head. Kinsey definitely wished she’d foregone the tight dress, because her nipples were trying to jump out of the bodice and attack the gorgeous man standing before her.

Tall didn’t begin to explain him. Handsome either. Asher Moon seemed to own the room with a casual aloofness that told everybody he was head and shoulders above these small-town people he grew up around.

“Hello, Kinsey.”

Why was she staring at his mouth? God, his lips looked hard—chiseled into the granite of his face.

Kinsey scrambled for her wits and smiled. “Hi.”

“Now you’re friends. Have you seen Gray anywhere, Asher?”

He shook his head.

“My boyfriend is never around when I’m looking for him.”

Kinsey spoke up, “I didn’t know he was your boyfriend.”

Kelly’s eyes sparkled. “One of them. I’m going to find him. Have some of that wine, Kinsey, darling.” She air-kissed Kinsey and vanished into the crowd, who threw out more “happy birthdays” as she went.

Suddenly, the music changed, and people flooded into the center of the room to dance. Feeling more out of place by the second, Kinsey chanced a look at Asher.

“You dance?” she asked. She had come out on a Friday night looking for fun.

His eyes warmed, but he didn’t smile. “C’mon.” He twitched his head for her to follow, and damn if her body didn’t sit up and beg at the unspoken command.

After he shouldered their path into the crowd, he stopped and turned to her. When he extended a hand, heat curled through her belly like a wisp of smoke. She placed her hand in his rough one, and he drew her in.

Her hips bumped his. And he began to grind to the music.

Oh God. She really couldn’t dance all that well, but her body reacted like it had taken classes. She swayed with him, and he brought a palm to her lower back.

“I like your dress. You look different from everyone else here.”

She didn’t—some were much more scantily clad and some looked downright slutty. “Thanks,” she said above the music.

His stare beat down into her, and her heart pounded in rhythm to their moves. “You grew up in Stokes?”

She nodded.

“Funny we never met.”

“Kelly said you’re close to her age. I’m five years younger.”

“Ah. Well, I’m happy to make your acquaintance.” He rubbed his hips against hers, and she felt the full-blown arousal in his jeans. Not any ordinary bulge—the man was packing.

“You wanna get outta here?” His steady gaze asked far more than for a breath of fresh air out on the deck.

Her body said yes. Her mind… Well, she didn’t have anything to lose. Leaving the party with the hottest man in Stokes—hell, in Colorado—didn’t seem like something she’d regret.

She nodded and slipped her hand into his. With a flash of white teeth that had her heart doing back-flips and warmth licking at her insides, he towed her to the front door and outside.
Em Petrova. ChiseledandCherished (Kindle Locations 155-219). Kindle Edition.

Now Kinsey had meant for it to be a one night stand, as did Asher. However they get thrown together again as a pack of coyotes starts attacking ranches in the area. It also comes out that he’s the one who found her brother Trent after he skipped bail, and she’s a bit delusional where her brother’s credibility is concerned.

Here’s the thing, I love a really hot sexy book and this one definitely qualifies, but a lot of those scenes showed up where Kinsey is working. They were in the middle of nowhere, but I felt that even though Asher and her have that intense attraction, he totally disrespected her and her position as a Game Warden.

This is my least favorite of the series, I thought the others were much better story wise and I could see the love all the way through them. This one not so much. With this one I think I would have liked more story and romance, with fewer of those Kindle melting scenes.

3 Purrs for Em!

Em Petrova

Em Petrova was raised by hippies in the wilds of Pennsylvania but told her parents at the age of four she wanted to be a gypsy when she grew up. She has a soft spot for babies, puppies and 90s Grunge music and believes in Bigfoot and aliens. She started writing at the age of twelve and prides herself on making her characters larger than life and her sex scenes hotter than hot.

She burst into the world of publishing in 2010 after having five beautiful bambinos and figuring they were old enough to get their own snacks while she pounds away at the keys. In her not-so-spare time, she is fur-mommy to a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff and works as editor with USA Today and New York Times bestselling authors.

By
Em Petrova

Second chance romance?
Like hell,
and definitely not with the girl next door.

Dane Moon is the troublemaker of the family, and his latest screw-up was marrying a Vegas stripper. Or was it that she married the male dancer? Either way, that chapter of his life’s over, along with the marriage. He’s back in Colorado on the family homestead, attempting to pick up the broken pieces of his past, present and future.

When veterinarian Brennah Peterson finds a drunk guy passed out in her hay bale, she isn’t surprised it’s Dane Moon. The panty-melting bad boy next door always had a reputation for being the life of the party. Any torch Brennah used to carry for the rough and tumble cowboy has been long extinguished—at least until he throws that crooked smile her way again.

Wanting Brennah and wanting to be a better man go together like boots and hats, and maybe it’s time Dane cleans up his act. But Brennah’s got every reason to stay away from him, and he doesn’t want another ex-wife anyhow. When things heat up, it’s hard for Brennah to walk away. But a hot roll in the hay with Dane won’t be enough, and she won’t accept less than all or nothing.

Having signed divorce papers, beaten up and truck taken by guys sent to collect on his gambling debt, Dane Moon leaves Vegas to return to Moon Ranch. At the time getting drunk seemed like a good idea since he was going to visit his old man’s grave first. Turns out that probably wasn’t the best one.

Veterinarian Brennah Peterson bought the ranch neighboring the Moon’s.  She doesn’t have time for a drunk cowboy sleeping in her barn. When cold water in his face doesn’t work she ties him to her tractor and pulls him out of the barn, to no avail. In a last ditch effort before calling his brother she manages to rouse him by calling his name and shaking him. Leading up to dunking him in the water trough.

This is a favorite scene.

With a sigh, she considered her options. One—call Zayden and tell him to come get his brother. Two—phone the sheriff. Three—attempt to wake him again.

For some reason, she felt the need to try before making any calls. She unhooked the rope from his boots and knelt next to him. “Dane! Wake up!”

He stirred at the sound of his name. Patients came out of anesthesia when they heard their names. This couldn’t be much different, could it?

“Dane!” She shook him, then slapped him lightly on the scruffy cheek. The stiff dark hairs under her fingertips made her jerk her hand back. She latched onto his shoulder and shook him again, but that wasn’t better, because the rock-hard muscle awakened her inner teenaged girl.

She sat back on her heels and called his name again.

Finally, his eyes fluttered. The irises looked amber in the bloodshot mess of the whites of his eyes.

Feeling a little thrown off, she tentatively pushed at his shoulder again. “Dane, get up!”

He sat up so fast she had to jump back. He slumped forward, giving a groan that sounded like a wild animal’s rather than a man’s.

“Dane. Get up. You have to leave.”

“Where am I?” he moaned out.

“On my ranch. You don’t live here. You passed out.”

“Fuck.”

“Come on. Get up and we’ll call your brother.”

That broke through his alcoholic haze. “No. Not my brother. He won’t like it.” Rolling to the side, he tried twice to get his feet beneath him before heaving himself to a stand. He swayed alarmingly, and she reached out as if to catch him, even as she realized there was no way in hell she could hold him up. If he plummeted to the ground, all she could do was get out of the way.

He cracked a bleary eye at her. “Who’re you?”

“Brennah Peterson. This is my ranch.” The words barely left her lips before she realized he was about to go down again.

“Oh no you don’t.” She grabbed him by the shoulders and steered him several paces across the yard to the trough. Water always worked with drunks. When she moved to dunk him, he helped her out by falling face-first into the water.

For a moment, she panicked. What if he passed out and she wasn’t strong enough to haul him out? She couldn’t be responsible for the man drowning in her horse trough.

With a hard grasp on his shoulders, she yanked him backward. Crap, he was a hell of a lot heavier than her mom, who drank too much wine following a bad day at work.

To her relief, he came with her, flipping water all over her. She gasped at the hit of cold water to the face and chest. She released him.

Dane rocked on his feet.

“Don’t go down again!” Lurching toward him, she shoved his head under again.

This time, he threw himself upward. With water streaming off him and molding his chambray shirt to his chiseled body, he glared at her. His dark hair plastered to his forehead and below that, his amber eyes centered on her.

She swallowed hard.

The man was big, wet…and angry.

“The best way to wake a drunk is cold water.” Her words sounded strong, even if she felt like she stood on two spaghetti noodles rather than legs.

He didn’t budge, standing there streaming water. When he swiped a hand over his face and up through his hair, sending the strands into spikes, he paused. “Where’s my hat?” He sent her another glare like she’d stolen the thing off his head.

“In the barn. You weren’t wearing it when I found you.”

He looked her over, from head to foot and back up, in a slow pace that reflected his inebriated condition and didn’t have anything to do with him liking her appearance. But she still felt his gaze like a touch and drew up to her full height of five-nine. She was tall enough, strong too. And she wanted him to know he wouldn’t get far with her if he tried anything.

He strode into her barn without so much as a wobble. Clearly the man could process his liquor with a little help. He shoved the hat down over his wet hair and peered at her from under the low brim.

“How’d you know my name?”

“Your driver’s license.” No sense in reminding him of her immature efforts to get his attention in high school.

Dark brows shot up. “You took my wallet?”

“No, it fell out of your pocket when I dragged you over the threshold.” She waved a hand. At that moment, he must have pieced together the scene—dirt trail, tractor, and rope.

He rounded on her and then grabbed his head. “You dragged me with a tractor?”

“How else was I going to get you out? You’re big and weigh as much as one of my young llamas.”
His blue jeans were painted on, and the way he braced his legs wide only accentuated muscled thighs and calves much thicker than in his youth.

She tore her gaze away. “Look, you need to leave. I have work to do.”

He attempted a nod but clutched his skull again. Serves him right.

“Can you at least tell me where I’m at, besides on your ranch? Where is the Moon Ranch from here?”

“Just across that field.” She pointed.

He peered at her, and through those amber eyes, she saw the lights flipping on in his brain. “You bought the old Connally place.”

She nodded.

“Sorry for the trouble, miss.” To her surprise, he tipped his hat in the most gentlemanly manner she’d seen in ages, and never from a drunk. He walked past her and circled the paddock. She watched him go for long minutes, until she was sure he’d remain on his feet and wouldn’t collapse in her field.

With a shake of her head, she returned to the barn and her animals. If the past half hour was anything to go by, she was in for one hell of a day.
Em Petrova. ScrewedandSatisfied EmPetrova (Kindle Locations 208-260). Kindle Edition.

Now things aren’t going to be easy for Dane, he has to prove to his brother Zayden, that he isn’t like his father. He had to become a better man than he is at the moment.

When Zayden’s tractor is taken, Dane is afraid it’s his fault but a fire in the field stops him from telling anyone. This is where things start to get interesting with him and Brennah.

Plenty of twists and turns, sizzling heat, and more than one surprise.

5 Contented Purrs for Em!

Em Petrova

Em Petrova was raised by hippies in the wilds of Pennsylvania but told her parents at the age of four she wanted to be a gypsy when she grew up. She has a soft spot for babies, puppies and 90s Grunge music and believes in Bigfoot and aliens. She started writing at the age of twelve and prides herself on making her characters larger than life and her sex scenes hotter than hot.

She burst into the world of publishing in 2010 after having five beautiful bambinos and figuring they were old enough to get their own snacks while she pounds away at the keys. In her not-so-spare time, she is fur-mommy to a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff and works as editor with USA Today and New York Times bestselling authors.

By
Em Petrova

Revenge sex and a healthy dose of a bad boy making all the wrong decisions equals one hell of a wild ride. The horse is optional.

Zayden Moon and his brothers are back home for the old man’s funeral, but too bad none of them give a damn what happens to the failing ranch they’ve inherited or all the bad memories that come with it. Now Zayden has more than his murky past and the ranch to contend with. As usual, trouble comes searching for him when he’s asked to rescue a woman lost on the mountain, stranded on Valentines’ Day of all things, and he’s the only man who knows where to look. And whoooeee, there’s a lot to look at when it comes to this curvaceous beauty.

Esme thought she was going to the mountain getaway to receive a diamond ring, and instead she’s abandoned by her boyfriend and left to make her own way down the jagged terrain. When a sexy cowboy rides in on a white steed, she thinks she’s seeing things, but soon his warm, rough hands show her otherwise. A hot and heavy dose of revenge sex seems to be in order too, right?

If Zayden had a heart, he’d be falling for the woman with spunk to match her wild curls, but he knows better than to attempt a relationship. And Lordy, Esme sure gravitates to the worst men… except there’s something more to Zayden than he allows anyone to see. If she ever figures out what, she might give Zayden a chance, because the man’s kisses sure can knot a woman up.

Zayden really didn’t want to be back in Stokes and his return starts with a confrontation with a deputy he knew years ago. That said, his family didn’t have a very good reputation thanks to his now deceased father. At the moment all he wants to do is get the man buried, sell the ranch and leave.

Of course that’s not what’s going to happen, he has an innate sense of responsibility and upon seeing MiMi the woman who is both mother and grandmother to him and his brothers he knew leaving was out of the question.

As he sort of settles in he runs into some folks as he’s buying feed for the animals. A young woman is missing on the mountain in the storm that’s headed this way.

Thing is she’s not missing per se, she was left on purpose. When Esme discovered Owen had stranded her on the mountain she was a lot more than angry. In a move that probably wasn’t smart, she decides to leave the cabin, hoping to find cell service further down the mountain or maybe a ride back to town.

Freezing she finds shelter under a pine tree to shelter her from the elements a bit. This is where Zayden finds her, but it’s too late and she’s way to cold for him to take her all the way back to his truck.

After an interesting night in a cabin Zayden brings her home.

This is a favorite scene.

The ride down took a good two and a half hours, going at a slow pace. When they reached the road, she spotted an old truck and trailer parked there.

“That’s mine,” he said.

Her stomach churned with apprehension.

“You’ll be happy to get home.”

She didn’t respond.

“Esme?”

God, he said her name in a low rumble that spread through her entire system.

She shook herself. “I’m not that excited about answering any questions that will come.”

“You got family here?”

“No. They’re in Tennessee. But my coworkers will want to hear the story. I’m just hoping there isn’t a newspaper reporter waiting for me when I return.”

“I don’t know about that. Stokes didn’t have a newspaper when I left.” He flexed his arm around her middle, and the small movement sent a jerk to her heart.

“You haven’t lived here all the time?”

“Nah. Got out.”

Since he didn’t expand on this statement, she remained silent as they approached the truck. He reined in the horse and dismounted, then reached up for her.

Wordlessly, she slipped into his arms. Was it her imagination, or did he hold onto her a beat longer than necessary? She steadied herself, watching him move to the trailer and open the door. He led the horse inside and waved to her.

“Get in the truck and out of the wind.”

She did. In a strange man’s truck, she looked around. It was empty of all but a few coins in the cup holder. Either he’d just cleaned it out or he wasn’t a guy who personalized his vehicle. Every man she knew had a gun rack or stickers for a shooting group, Mountain Dew bottles, and Cheetos bags on the floor.

Zayden’s truck looked as if it belonged to no one.

She twisted to look out the rear window but couldn’t see him behind the trailer. So she faced forward and watched in the side mirror as he appeared. Seconds later, he climbed behind the wheel.

He gave her a glance before starting the engine. “Where am I dropping you?”

“At my apartment. I live in a rental in the old part of town.”

“All right. Holler when we get close.”

“Okay.” She released a heavy sigh.

Silence descended, and her thoughts bounced from Owen to her ordeal and skidded sideways to how she’d have to discuss everything at work.

“The house is just there. The blue one.”

He drew up in front of the place and looked at her. “You sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?”

She shook her head. “I just need a hot shower and my bed.”

Without another word, he climbed out of the truck and moved to her side before she could step out. He assisted her to the ground, a hand on her arm even though she didn’t need it.

“I didn’t even say thank you to your horse.”

A flicker of amusement crossed his handsome face. “He’ll understand.”

Looking into his eyes, she smiled. “You were great up there.”

“I did what any decent man would.”

“That isn’t true. And I don’t only mean getting me safe and warm. You said some things that made me feel better.”

His brow crinkled, and she noticed a slice through it from a scar. “What’s that?”

“You made me feel like I might not be such a loser.”

His brows shot up, and he gave her that look again—like he wanted to move in closer and put his hands on her in a very sexual way.

“You’re far from a loser, Esme.”

She nodded. “You reminded me I have worth.”

“Don’t let that bastard make you feel like a castoff. Ya hear?” The vehemence in his tone took her aback. She blinked and then reached up to put her arms around his neck, sneaking a touch of his hair to see if it was as soft as it looked. Actually, it felt softer, like goose down.

He squeezed her back briefly and then stepped away. “Maybe I’ll see ya around. Take care of yourself.”

She nodded. He paused, looking down at her. For a heart-pounding moment, she wondered if he might kiss her, and if she wanted him to. What did that make her, when twenty-four hours before, she’d been hoping for a ring from another man?

She must have suffered some frostbite to the brain up there on that mountain.

He watched her with that hooded stare that was doing questionable things to her insides. Then he said the most perfect thing.

“If ya need me to break his legs for ya, gimme a call.”
Em Petrova. ToughandTamed THIS (Kindle Locations 708-750). Kindle Edition.

Between all the things wrong with the ranch, the debts, and even theft left to him by his father, Zayden didn’t have time for a relationship. His brothers Asher and Dane were little to no help as one leaves and one Zayden has to send away, although with a heavy heart.

Esme has a talent for finding the wrong guys and Zayden appears to be her go to guy for rescue. While these two start out as just friends, once things heat up between them they sizzle off the pages.

Twists, turns and plenty of heat will have you turning the pages. I can’t wait to read Dane’s story in the next book ‘Screwed and Satisfied’.

5 Contented Purrs for Em!

Em Petrova

Em Petrova was raised by hippies in the wilds of Pennsylvania but told her parents at the age of four she wanted to be a gypsy when she grew up. She has a soft spot for babies, puppies and 90s Grunge music and believes in Bigfoot and aliens. She started writing at the age of twelve and prides herself on making her characters larger than life and her sex scenes hotter than hot.

She burst into the world of publishing in 2010 after having five beautiful bambinos and figuring they were old enough to get their own snacks while she pounds away at the keys. In her not-so-spare time, she is fur-mommy to a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff and works as editor with USA Today and New York Times bestselling authors.