Wednesday 25 November 2015

The Heart of the West ~ Cover Reveal!

This is the last blog post for the Wip It Up Wednesday blog hop with Melody Parks at the helm. Thanks so much for all your hard work Melody - I've had fun doing this hop :) 
And huge thanks to Meredith for taking over and keeping this great blog hop going!



This week I'm sharing an excerpt from my latest release The Code of The West, the standalone sequel to The Ways of The West.
But first, some exciting news - my two westerns have been combined into one paperback volume - The Heart of the West which is available now!




Excerpt from The Code of the West
Cal glared at her, and she glared right back at him defiantly, feeling brave now that she had the big trail boss for protection.
                “I’ve come to take you home,” he told her.
                “I’m not going home,” she stated, shaking her head. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” She felt Mr Jordan’s big hand squeeze her shoulder, encouraging her.
                “You heard the lady,” Mr Jordan growled. “Get out.”
                “Lady?” Cal sneered. “She ain’t no lady! I took that away from her, right on her kitchen floor. She put up a fight, but I know she enjoyed it.”
                “You lying bastard!” she screamed, about to launch herself at him, but Mr Jordan held her fast, gripping her upper arms firmly.
                “Get out of here,” he repeated, his voice hard and cold.
                “Not without her.” Cal pointed at Jed.
                “She doesn’t want to go with you,” Mr Jordan snarled.
                “Well that’s a shame, isn’t it?” another, familiar, voice called from behind them. Jed turned to see Neil holding Billy in a headlock, a gun to his temple. “I don’t think she has a choice. You give me back my sister, I’ll give you back your man.”
                Mr Jordan was silent. He looked from Cal to Neil, then from Jed to Billy, and back again. He was obviously thinking. The men were all watching curiously, their hands on their guns, ready to back up their boss the instant the order was given.
                Jed looked at Billy. He looked scared – he had no idea what was going on, or why he was being used as a pawn in such a dangerous game.
                She could see Cal looking around the camp, counting up the men. The odds were not in his favour, so she knew he would be cautious. He was an experienced fighter, but he fought best when he had the advantage. 
                “Are you willing to fight for her?” Cal asked venomously.
                Mr Jordan stepped forward. “I’ll fight for her.”
                Immediately, Neil pushed Billy sideways, and the boy stumbled against the side of the chuck wagon. Monty hurried to him, but Billy was unhurt.
                “No! Weston!” she screamed; she knew Cal’s reputation. He was a fighter, a dirty one, and he’d never lost a fight. At least, not that she knew of. She knew he would have a knife stashed somewhere – he didn’t fight just with his fists. This would not be a fair fight, there would be no rules. Cal was a master at this. Mr Jordan would get hurt, and all because of her. “Stop!” she screamed again. “Cal, stop!” she pleaded. “I’ll go with you!” she cried, desperate. She couldn’t watch the man she’d come to care so much about, get hurt.
                “No you won’t!” Mr Jordan yelled. “Davey, hold her!” he ordered.
                Frantic, she tried to run to Mr Jordan, to intervene, but strong arms caught her and held her fast and although she kicked and struggled, she was no match for his strength; he restrained her easily.
                “Be still, bosses orders,” Davey commanded her softly.
                Cal threw the first punch, she held her breath. So far, Mr Jordan was dodging all Cal’s blows and landing a few of his own, enthusiastically cheered on by the drovers. But Jed’s heart was in her throat. She knew Cal, she’d seen him fight before. He wouldn’t be an easy man to beat. Mr Jordan was tough, and he was bigger, but Cal was the better fighter. She flinched at every punch Mr Jordan took, wishing more than anything that someone would put a stop to this. Why wasn’t someone doing something? Why were two grown men fighting over her?
                Mr Jordan landed a combination of solid punches to Cal’s body and face and he crumpled to the ground. Thinking it was over, Mr Jordan started to turn, and that was when Cal pulled out his knife. He staggered to his feet and brandished the knife in front of him, advancing towards Mr Jordan with a triumphant gleam of victory in his eyes. Jed gasped as Cal thrust the knife at Mr Jordan, slashing his arm. She saw Mr Jordan grab his arm in pain, blood trickling out between his fingers. Horrified, she turned and buried her face in Davey’s shirt. She couldn’t watch.








Blurb:
In the years since the tragic death of her parents, Jedda-Lyn Cross has given everything she has to keep the family ranch running. She has grown accustomed to getting no help at all from her alcoholic brother, but when his violent, sadistic friend tries to make Jedda his wife against her will, it is the last straw.

Her attacker is the son of the richest family in town, and with the corrupt sheriff ready to do his bidding Jedda is desperate to leave town in a hurry. With no money and no horse, her best chance of making her escape comes in the form of a soon-to-be-departing cattle drive led by the famous trail boss Wes Jordan. But a young woman has little hope of gaining employment on a cattle drive, so drastic measures will be required…

Wes is none too pleased when he discovers that the new drover he hired is actually a beautiful twenty-two-year-old woman disguised as a boy, but after hearing Jedda’s story he promises to protect her. As he quickly realizes, however, that will be easier said than done. Jedda is sassy, headstrong, and in serious need of a good, hard, bare-bottom spanking, and when her reckless disregard for her own safety finally pushes him too far, Wes takes her firmly in hand.

After a painful, humiliating punishment from the handsome trail boss, Jedda is left with her bottom burning and her mind set awhirl. In spite of everything, she aches for Wes to take her in his arms, and when at last he does the pleasure of his skillful, passionate lovemaking nearly takes her breath away. But with her obsessed former suitor and his hired guns still after her, can she bring herself to accept the fact that, for a man like Wes, risking his life to protect the woman he loves is just part of what it means to live by the code of the west.

Publisher’s Note: The Code of the West is an erotic romance novel that contains sexual scenes and spankings, including domestic discipline in a historical setting. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.

Don't forget to check out the other blog hop participants below:


6 comments:

  1. Ooooh it's such a pretty cover for a paperback! Sounds like a really hot story. ;)

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  2. NOOO!!! Kelly! You can't stop the quote there! I need to know what happens to Mr. Jordan! Is he going to be able to finish the fight and kick Cal's ass or else will Cal win? I need to go buy this story now!

    Also, I LOVE your cover! It's super hot!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Meredith! It's now out in paperback, I've updated the blog post to add the link :)

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  3. Fabulous cover. And fabulous snippet.

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