Back Where You Belong by Vonnie Davis

FREE DOWNLOAD THIS WEEK AT AMAZON!!! DID I SAY "FREE"?

 

While shooting pool at the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk, rancher Tyler Desmond takes an errant dart in the neck. Ready to retaliate, he’s instead captivated by the blonde who threw it. Tyler isn’t interested in opening his heart, so why does he kiss the verbal buzz saw? Just to shut her up?

 

As a teenager, Lacy LaRoche had a secret crush on Tyler. When the dart brings them face-to-face, all she can do is chatter—until he kisses her. But Lacy didn’t come back to Texas to fall in love. She’s hiding another secret: her roommate surreptitiously videotaped Lacy undressing and posted it on the internet.

 

When Tyler’s daughter is bullied at school, Lacy must reveal the truth and face the emotional damage of cyberbullying. Over-protective of his daughter—and his heart—Tyler must learn to trust again. Can two scarred hearts find their way back to where they belong?

 

 

OPENING SCENE--

 

What the hell?

 

Tyler Desmond whirled away from the shot he was about to make at the pool table to grasp for whatever caused the sudden, stinging pain at the back of his neck. When his fingers closed around a dart, he yanked the offending object out, searching through the crowd in the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk for the bastard who dared throw one at him.

 

His cousin Billy Wayne leaned in close as if to examine the dart’s point of entry. “Damn, that’s gotta hurt.”

 

Tyler’s eyes narrowed on the culprit. The object of his wrath stood about eight feet away, her face glowing red like embers in a branding fire and eyes mushrooming when his gaze zeroed in on hers.

 

He handed his cue stick to Billy Wayne and growled, “Not as much as one female’s about to. You can be damn sure of that.”

 

Three women, her friends no doubt, scurried back to their table, leaving her to face him alone. He slowly sauntered toward her, gathering his words as he approached. He’d cut many men to size with his acidic tongue. This woman would be no different.

 

Nervous hands clasped and unclasped and then fiddled with curly blonde hair. Then, as if to prepare herself for their inevitable confrontation, she squared her shoulders.

 

Good move, lady. You’re going to need a dose of courage for I plan on giving you a verbal thrashing you’ll never forget.

 

He extended his hand, the offending dart lying in his palm. “I believe you lost this…in my neck.”

 

“Crap, yes, I did.” She plucked it from his hand. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.”

 

He placed his hands on his hips and glared into her blue eyes. “Really? Then who the hell were you aiming for?”

 

The woman had the audacity to giggle. “I…I wasn’t aiming for anyone. You see, Carrie Jo”–she jerked her thumb toward the table of women behind her–“bumped against my elbow just as I was shooting. She was horsing around, calling me ‘Dart Demon.’”

 

His gaze ricocheted toward the gaggle of women, all nodding and smiling. Two did a finger wave. He scowled as a dull ache settled behind his eyeballs. When Dart Demon leaned toward him, he got a whiff of her perfume and fought to ignore its beguiling, flowery scent.

 

“Just between us,” she began, her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper, “she’s had too much to drink. Good thing I’m the designated driver tonight.” Her hand rose in a swearing gesture. “Honest. Nothing stronger than diet soda. See, Carrie Jo and her boyfriend are fighting again. They’re just not suited for each other.” Her blonde head shook once. “Ever notice how opposites attract? It’s the strangest thing, isn’t it?”

 

She pursed her lips, giving him no time to reply before she charged ahead like his prize Brahman bull. Evidently the woman didn’t need to breathe to talk. “He likes rap music and she likes country. He likes to play video games while she runs marathons and works out. He’s a slob and she’s a neat freak. Yet, they can’t keep their hands off each other. The chemistry’s there, but not the compatibility. Know what I mean?”

 

Tyler inhaled and opened his mouth, ready to start his tirade. But before one angry word could roll off his tongue, she commenced her nonsensical rambling again.

 

“That’s not why we’re here though. We’re here to celebrate. I sold an article to a magazine. My first!” A smile, brighter than a hill country sunrise, spread across her pretty face and niggled at one of his faint, long-forgotten memories.

 

“Isn’t that just too wild?” She pressed a hand to full breasts that strained a T-shirt imprinted with: I’m the strong, silent type.

 

Silent? Are you freakin’ kidding me?

 

“People keep telling me I have writing talent, but I’m not so sure. I guess you could say I have a lot of self-doubt.” Her blue-eyed gaze locked on his as she pursed those pink lips again. “I’m just not good with words, you know?”

 

Right, and I’m not good with raising cattle. The dull ache in his head ratcheted up a notch.

 

“I’m prattling, aren’t I? I am.” Those blonde curls bobbed again, and he wondered if they were as soft as they looked. “I prattle when I get nervous. Normally I’m quiet.” Nervous hands rose and fell. “Most days you can’t get a word out of me.”

 

Just my damn lucky day then, isn’t it?

 

BULL-RIDING...SECRETS...AND TEENAGE ANGST

 

FREE DOWNLOAD LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Where-Belong-Honky-Hearts-ebook/dp/B00BK9QVKI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1364907355&sr=1-1&keywords=back+where+you+belong

I'm on the Journey to Promotion Overload -- by Vonnie Davis

I have three releases within twenty-seven days. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled--thrilled and incredibly lucky--but all the self-promotion ahead gives me pause. I'd sooner be writing. How do you handle the demands of selling yourself? Of pushing your work in a nonpushing way?

TUMBLEWEED LETTERS, part of The Wild Rose Press's Love Letters series released on Wednesday. In the historical Love Letters series, a life-changing letter must arrive within the first three pages of the story.

BLURB:

When rancher and single father Cam McBride finds a letter tucked in a strip of cloth tied to a tumbleweed, he is captivated by the mysterious author. Finding a second tumbleweed letter further pulls him under the lonely writer's spell. He needs a mother for his little boy and a wife to warm his bed. Could this mysterious woman fill his needs?

Sophie Flannigan is alone, scared, and on the run from a rogue Pinkerton agent. She spends her days as a scrub lady at Madame Dora's brothel and her nights writing notes to the four winds. Her life holds little hope until a small boy lays claim to her and his handsome father proposes an advantageous arrangement.

Can these three benefit from a marriage of convenience, or will a determined Pinkerton agent destroy their fragile, newly formed bond?

 

 

On November 9th, my first romantic suspense releases from The Wild Rose Press. MONA LISA'S ROOM is book one of a trilogy involving mahem created by a terrorist group called The Red Hand.

BLURB:
Gwen,

You won't believe this email. I'm sitting in a French safe house, eating caviar and drinking champagne with a handsome government agent, Niko Reynard. He's wearing nothing but silk pajama bottoms and mega doses of sex appeal. I'm in big trouble, little sister. He's kissed me several times and given me a foot massage that nearly caused spontaneous combustion. I'm feeling strangely virginal compared to the sexual prowess this thirty-year-old man exudes.

 

When I came to Paris for a bit of adventure, I never imagined I'd foil a bombing attempt, karate-kick two men, and run from terrorists while wearing a new pair of stilettos. I've met a German musician, a gay poet from Australia, and the most delightful older French woman.

 

Don't worry. I'm safe--the jury's still out on yummy Niko, though. The more champagne I drink, the less reserved I feel. What an unforgettable fortieth birthday!

 

Alyson

 

I also have a short story releasing from Still Moments Publishing on November 27th. A TASTE OF CHOCOLATE kicks off their Matchmaker Series. A short, magical read.

BLURB:

Hope Morningstar has the worst luck with men. One boyfriend wrote her a “Dear John” letter while serving overseas. Her latest romantic interest broke up with her in a text. When a traffic detour puts her in an unfamiliar neighborhood, she stops at Freya’s Coffee Shop where she gets more than directions. She gets another chance at finding love.

 

Declan Fleming, scarred by a cheating ex-wife, has given up searching for love. He’s taken the route of a few other men and engaged the services of Freya, the matchmaker. Still, he’s been waiting for a year and he’s just about given up hope. Then Freya sends him Hope.

 

When feelings of insecurity and trust issues come into play, can finding love stand a chance? Can the magical influence of this matchmaker create a happy ending? After all, finding that one special love often involves a bit of special magic, does it not?

Who or What Pulled the Plug?

I was missing in action last month, or rather my electricity was. So I must apologize for not posting on my scheduled day. A severe wind storm--what meteorologists called a land hurricane--blew through Virginia. We were without power for six days. Six days of hundred-degree heat. Here in Lynchburg, over eleven-hundred trees were felled, blocking roads, knocking out power lines and damaging buildings. We soon learned how much we rely on electricity and how disjointed we feel when we aren't connected to the Internet.

Like most everyone else, we were wilting from the heat and needed to recharge our phone, laptop and iPad batteries. Calvin called every motel in our area, but there were no rooms to be had. Everyone, it seemed, was looking for a cool place to stay.

The third night of no power, someone pounded on our door at eleven. Calvin reached for the flashlight on his nightstand. "Who would have the audacity to come knocking at our door at this time of night?" He was almost to the front door when someone pounded on our back door. Potential thieves looking to see if our house was empty and available for ransacking.

We lost our freezer full of food and the contents of our refrigerator; the food didn't take long to smell to high heaven. We used our supply of candles and kerosene for our antique lantern. We learned to take cold showers. But, still, we survived, and that's the important thing.

My novella Those Violet Eyes had released five days prior to the storm, so I was in the middle of a blog tour. We hunted for businesses with WiFi access that were open so I could log on to read comments and reply. Or write posts and email them to blog hosts. Through all that, I forgot about blogging here. Thank goodness the power is back on and life is back to normal. There should be a germ of a story idea in all of this, don't you think?

www.vonniedavis.com

He Rode Into My Bedroom on a Harley...

Last spring, a submissions call went out from The Wild Rose Press for the Honky Tonk Hearts series. One pivotal scene in our 20-40,000 word novella had to take place at the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk, just outside Amarillo, Texas. A list of criteria was also included. Could I write something that fit? I wondered.

Several ideas flitted through my mind. I toyed with a few, but none felt right. So I resigned myself to skipping the series. Then one night in bed as I was in that fluttering, fragile state between wakefulness and sleep, a man rolled into our bedroom on a Harley.

Truly.

Well, mentally, anyhow.

 
Since I was tired and eager for sleep, I snuggled up against Calvin’s back and closed my eyes. The man roared into our bedroom again. Only this time he got off his bike and adjusted his stance to accommodate his prosthesis. This commanded my attention, especially since I somehow knew he’d lost part of his leg in Iraq from an IED explosion.

He took off his helmet and sat on the edge of our bed. Tormented hazel eyes regarded me. “I need you to tell my story.”

“Okay.”

“My name's Win, short for Sherwin, and I’m an ex-Marine suffering from PTSD. The hounds of depression are nipping at my heels day and night. My momma always said the best way to get over depression was to help others worse off than you. So I want to open a ranch for amputee children.”

 

I sat up against the headboard, stuffed pillows behind me and smiled. A hero in war and at home. How nice. “Go on,” I encouraged.

 

A slow hesitant smile spread. “I just met this girl. You see, she’s got these violet eyes…”

I hope you’ll want to read Win’s story, Those Violet Eyes. Release date is June 27^th.



Evie Caldwell hoards every penny for her escape from the servitude life created by a worthless brother and the endless work on a ranch that will never be hers. The last thing she wants is a muscled man with a macho Marine attitude complicating her life. But, oh, how that man can make her insides do a twitchy thing.

Wounded vet, Win Fairchild, returns to Texas to heal, find a piece of his soul and open a ranch for amputee children. Finding someone to love was not on his agenda. Nor was dealing with a wildcat, until she captures his heart with those violet eyes.
 

But now that he knows what he wants, can Win convince Evie to stay in Texas—and his bed?

Writing Where You've Never Been

My publisher, The Wild Rose Press, is holding its annual writers’ retreat at a Dude Ranch in Banderas, Texas, this October. Our friends laugh when we tell them we're going. I mean, Calvin and me on a ranch? Too funny if you knew us. Is there a hydrolic lift to put me in the saddle?

This will be my first time in Texas, first time on a ranch and first time on a horse. Yet my debut book is set on a ranch in Texas. Ah, the value of good research. How many writers of stories set in Alaska, Scotland, Mozambique or lands of fairies and shapeshifters have physically been there? Some, but not all.

As I was writing my story, I researched the weather in the Texas hill country, geology, plants, wildlife and history. I searched through newspapers online for the hill country. What I also found invaluable were real estate sites. This gave me a view of homes typical to the area as well as local scenery and vegetation. I’d find addresses and look them up on www.vpike.com. This gave me real-time insights and a feel for little nuances of this part of Texas.

If you were going to write a story set in Lynchburg, Virginia, where we live you’d have to know this is known as the Hill City. Our town is set on seven hills. There are places downtown where streets were never built. Steps, yes. An elevator, yes. But no street connect parts of Church and Court Streets.

Wide steps from Church Street to the Lynchburg Museum, once the Court House.

So, imagine my surprise when a reviewer for Storm’s Interlude said I’d described Texas so well, she now wanted to go there. I laughed and remarked to myself, “Well, so do I.” And in October, when we attend TWRP writers’ retreat, I will.

          Rachel finished the yogurt and threw away the container. That’s when she noticed the back door was open. Stepping into the mudroom, she saw Storm through the screen door. He was leaning against a post, obviously staring off into the wide Texas horizon and sipping coffee.

His one hand was shoved into the pocket of his jeans; jeans that looked buttery soft with age. His dark, straight hair hung over the collar of his faded red t-shirt. Broad shoulders stretched the material. She yearned to reach out and rub her hand over his strong back.

What was it about him that attracted her? After all, she’d met many handsome men in her life. Phillip, for one. Matt, the guy she’d dated in college was another. She smiled; Dr. Isaacs at Kings Daughters Hospital, back home, was drop-dead gorgeous, but then he was openly gay.

Still, what was it about Storm? He was arrogant and opinionated. Bossy. Yet, he could be incredibly caring and gentle. Evidently, he was prone to giving little gifts. He was devoted to his sister. His love for his nephew was very touching. She imagined he’d make a great father.

What was she going to do about her attraction to him? What was behind the attraction?  Could his magnetic pull on her simply come from his ability to kiss her into sensual overload? If they were to kiss again, would his effect be just as potent? God help her, but she’d love to find out.

“You might as well come out and join me.” His deep voice caressed her senses and beckoned. How did he know she was watching him? She wiped her hands over her shorts in a nervous gesture. Did he know how long she’d been standing there, staring, dreaming…yearning?

Embarrassed, Rachel stepped out onto the porch and stood next to the man who had moved into her mind—lock, stock and saddle. “Good morning.”

He saluted her with his mug. “Mornin’.”

His eyes were so intent on her that, for an instant, her mind went blank. Her attraction to this man had to be channeled into friendship—merely friendship. “Thank you for burning me that CD. I can’t wait to play it.”

“You’re welcome.” A faint blush crept up his neck.

She took pleasure in his discomfort. If she felt uneasy around him, she was glad he was obviously suffering from the same feeling. “How long have you been up?”

“An hour, give or take. Did you have your yogurt?” He drained his coffee and set the mug on the porch railing.

“Yes.”

“Good. I don’t want any low-sugar episodes like yesterday morning.” He jerked his head toward the horizon. “This is the best place to watch the sun come up. Our best views of sunsets are on the patio, but here, right here is the spot you get a great view of the sunrise. Nothin’ like a hill country sunrise.”

The curve of the golden sun peeped above the mountains in the distance. Shimmers of apricots and reds undulated like dancing rays celebrating the birth of a new day. Birds began singing as if to welcome the sun. “Oh, you’re right. It’s beautiful. I guess you do this every morning? Drink your coffee and watch the sun come up.” She looked up at him.

He never spared her a glance. “Yup.”

His freshly-shaved face was relaxed. The smell of his soap and aftershave filled her nostrils. She wanted to bury her nose in his neck and inhale his masculine scent for hours.

She smiled again. “You always so talkative in the morning?”

“Yup.”

BUY LINK: http://amzn.to/wWibTe

Treasure Hunt

Digi Book Cafe Summer Hunt
Prizes: Kindle eReaders

1.Visit the 12 author’s websites listed below and locate the unique word. In each website look for a picture similar to the Digi Books Cafe picture. The picture maybe in the first page or in any page of that website. The hidden Digi Books Cafe picture contains a specific word, such as paranormal, romance, and ebooks. Collect the words and email them to marketing@digibookscafe.com
Put Summer Hunt in the subject of your email. *The unique words are in blue. the words are book related such as paranormal, romance, and ebooks

Here are the twelve participating authors:
Hunt 2 – July 19, 2011 – August 22, 2011

Mona Risk - http://www.monarisk.com/
Lynne Marshall - http://www.lynnemarshall.com/
Caroline Clemmons - http://www.carolineclemmons.com/
Gail MacMillan - http://www.gailmacmillan.com/
Gini Rifkin - http://www.ginirifkin.com/
Hanna Rhys Barnes http://www.hannarhysbarnes.blogspot.com/
J L Wilson – http://www.jayellwilson.com/
Kathy Lane - http://www.kyrlane.com/
Laura Kaye – http://www.laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com/
Linda Banche - http://www.lindabanche.com/
Phyllis DeMarco - http://www.phyllisdemarco.com/
Stacey Joy Netzel - www.staceyjoynetzel.blogspot.com/

 OR
2.Every purchase at http://www.digibookscafe.com/  enters you into the drawing.
To buy Prescription in Russian

Go to http://www.digibookscafe.com/

Click on search in the upper left corner, it will open an Advanced Search page with a box where you enter the first letter of the title: P

A list of the books starting with P will be displayed.
Prescription in Russian is in the page 3.
Buying this book at DigiBooks Cafe entitled you to be entered in the drawing for a Kindle.

Blurb:  Fyodor Vassilov is a Russian widower, surgeon and officer. Duty demands he provide a mother to his four little boys and marry a woman who loves children and a big family.
  Jillian Burton is an American pediatrician on a mission to improve medical conditions in Belarus. Following a bitter experience, she has lost her illusions about men and marriage.
  When they work together for six months in his hospital, their fascination with one another shocks them both. Can attraction and love overcome guilt, duty, and a clash of cultures?

“Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable!" -- Roxanne St. Claire, Killer Curves, National Bestseller.

Night Owl Reviews:  Mona Risk is one of my favorite authors for several reasons. She knows how to pull a reader into the minds of her well-crafted characters and she also makes you want the best for them. Her work also takes me on a journey be it local or overseas. Prescription in Russian is a wonderful read for any contemporary book lover.

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with passion.

The Launch of an Author

Once in an writer's life they get to call themselves a debut author. This month is my turn. Tempting Adam comes out February 16th from The Wild Rose Press. This story was just my second completed novel. I sent it everywhere. It could not find a home. So it sat on my computer for a few years.

Four years ago January 31st my mom died. My writing enthusiasm died with her. For a good two years I did nothing with my writing. I tried, but I completed nothing. Then I was on a loop with Candace Havens. She spoke and it was like a light bulb went off in my head. "Editors and agents are not going to drive up your street and knock on your door. You have to put yourself out there to be found." I had spent two years saying I was going to submit to TWRP. I got off my duff, looked up the guidelines and submitted before I could get cold feet again.

Within days I went from the query letter, to three chapters, to a full, a wonderful detailed revise and resubmit to a contract and a welcome to The Garden. :)

It has been a whirlwind, but my story of love, lies, betrayal, and redemption at a Hollywood movie studio (a setting I was told would never sell) is going to be out in the world for readers to find.

Tempting Adam blurb:

They both want the same thing – St. Eden Studios.

Corporate raider Yvette Giardino intends to bring St. Eden Studios to its knees. It’s a job. One her grandmother’s health depends on. That Adam St. Eden will suffer isn’t personal. Until he awakens her sympathy and stirs her body in ways she can’t explain.

Adam wants one thing and one thing only – to protect the dream his grandfather began. But when the board demands he work with stunning Yvette, a woman he’d mistakenly indulged with in a little after-hours play, his world turns upside down. Missed meetings, unhappy clients, and nights of intense pleasure – he can blame one person. Yvette.

With his corporation crumbling around him, can Adam rise above the fallout and see his sexy temptress for what she really is – a victim of manipulation and a woman who desperately needs his love?

Please check out the awesome book video as well at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1dKXUrZKzo