HAVE YOU EVER KISSED AN ASS…ER, DONKEY?

I’m so excited to announce the release of Book 1 in my new Gold Country series: HER GOLD COUNTRY VALENTINE. This book started life as a novella in last year’s Cupid to the Rescue box set. But I loved the story so much I knew I had to make it the lead off book in my new series set in a small, Gold Rush-era town in the Sierra Mountains of California. I went back to the drawing board to learn more about my characters and add all the fun elements romance readers who love connected series treasure. With a new title, new town name (thanks to my newsletter readers for their help), and more words, I hope even though of you who read the novella version will scoop up this full-length version.

Here’s a little peek at the infamous “kiss” scene mentioned above:

The kiss was butterfly soft. Tentative. Timid.

Still half asleep, Paige’s conscious mind argued the pros and cons of kissing TJ Huey back. When she’d move his sleeping bag, she’d expected more of an exchange than she remembered—the kinds of questions and answers you’d never think of sharing in the harsh light of day, but in the dim, cozy intimacy of a stall in a barn in the middle of nowhere… However, that conversation never came. She’d closed her eyes for a moment and the next thing she heard from TJ Huey was a soft, muffled snore.

And, strangely, that combined with the heater’s hum, made for the best night’s sleep in too long to remember. 

But it was morning, now. She could sense the light even if she was loath to open her eyes and ruin this perfect fantasy. Being kissed by the sexiest man she’d ever met, let alone slept beside. A cowboy. A classic figure that appeared on the covers of romance novels—even a few she’d picked up over the years.

His lips brushed hers again and a tingle passed through her body, winding up exactly where it was supposed to go. Her glutes tightened. Her hips moved on their own accord. She licked her lips as she opened her eyes.

“Erp.”

The face touching hers wasn’t human. The lips on the face pulled back to reveal domino-shaped, mostly yellow teeth and a tongue about a mile long.

“Oh. Oh. No. Not. Wait. Oh. TJ.” The last came out as a panicked cry as Paige launched herself—still completely wrapped in the mummy coffin sleeping bag—on top of his somnambulant body. Luckily, his arms were free, and apparently acting on instinct, he rolled them over so he was on top of her—heroic rescuer that he was.

“Well, good morning, beautiful. This is a surprise.”

She blinked as his mouth touched hers. 

Oh, yes. Much better. Definitely. Yes. No.

She managed to get her hands under his shoulders and bench-press his torso upward. His look of horny happiness turned to one of confusion, then sudden awareness. “What just happened?”

She glanced over his shoulder to find the little donkey watching them curiously. “I was kissed by an ass.”

His eyebrows practically knocked together above his nose. “I believe you tackled me first.”

“Yes. After, she kissed me.” Paige nodded.

His head swung about. “Well, hullo, darlin’. Look at you.”

He somehow levitated off Paige—shedding his body bag as he rose. He held out a hand to help her up. Apparently, his feelings weren’t as bruised as she thought. “Look at our girl, Paige. I believe she’s going to make it.”

Paige was happy. Also sad. She didn’t have time to figure out why.

HER GOLD COUNTRY VALENTINE © Loner Llama Press

Happy reading, my friends. I’m hard at work on Book 2…and traveling…

Deb

SHOP HERE: books2read.com/u/47Q1KL

Forget “Christmas in July,” let’s talk CUPID!!

I’m so excited to be part of this exciting eight-author anthology that combines two things we all love: Rescue Animals and Valentine’s Day. Or, as I like to say: seven dogs and a donkey. Guess who’s rescue animal brays instead of barking? Yep, mine.

In upcoming newsletters, I’ll be sharing snippets from all eight stories, along with some great prizes. Even if you’ve never pre-ordered a book in your life, you really need to click on this one because the PREORDER PRICE is just 99¢.

Cupid to the Rescue – A Tail-Wagging Valentine’s Day Anthology

by Lisa MondelloKathryn ShayJudith ArnoldLinda BarrettM. L. BuchmanKay LyonsBarbara McMahonDebra Salonen

Humans may think they have their acts together? So not! Sometimes they need to be rescued by big-hearted four-legged friends. Join eight modern masters of romance as they celebrate Valentine’s Day with brand-new tales of tail-wagging joy.

Chasing Cupid by Lisa Mondello, New York Times bestselling author
Montana (Tana) Reeves is about to lose her apartment because her ex-boyfriend left her with the rescue dog, Cupid, he’d used to sweet-talk her into their relationship. Losing her apartment over a dog is bad enough, but veterinarian Jett Billings’ gentle way and sexy smile melts her heart just as much as the Great Dane does, and Tana quickly realizes that as she was chasing Cupid, she fell in love with both of them.

Teacher’s Pet by Kathryn Shay, New York Times Bestselling Author
When Maggie Marino comes to work at Stepping Stones Special Needs School, Noah Carson has no idea she and her glossy-coated Golden Retriever, Rosie, will change his life. But will the emotional-support dog be enough to bring Noah and Maggie together again after the tragedies of their pasts collide?

Taking Care of Business by Judith Arnold, USA Today Bestselling Author
When Hank Patterson hires dog walker Abbie Harding to take care of his mother’s rambunctious mutt while his mother is out of town, he doesn’t expect romance to be a part of their arrangement. After all, Abbie loves dogs and Hank doesn’t–and as they soon learn, mixing business with pleasure can cause a whole lot of trouble.

Her Roadside Rescues by Linda Barrett, National Bestselling Author
On his way to Sea View House, Brandon Bigelow hadn’t counted on hitting a tree to avoid hitting a dog during a winter storm. He hadn’t counted on meeting a petite dynamo who insists he adopt the dog. Farewell to a peaceful life at the beach!

Heart of a Russian Bear Dog by M. L. Buchman, USA Today Bestselling Author
Attacked by Russia while on US soil, a lovely Ukrainian minister must turn to a US Secret Service dog team for protection. While the massive Russian Bear dog charms his way into her heart, trusting his handsome handler is not going to happen.

The Matchmaker’s Secret by Kay Lyons
Professional matchmaker Marsali Jones didn’t mean to share her secret crush on national television, especially when it’s her brother’s best friend and Hollywood A-lister Oliver Beck. But the damage is done and her career is on the line. Deny it and she loses all credibility, but to move forward means paying Oliver’s price….

Valentine’s Rescue by Barbara McMahon, USA Today Bestselling Author
Snowbound on Valentine’s Day. Two strangers. A twice-burned cowboy and a nurse with nightmares too horrific to share. A storm brought them together, but a fearless dog seems intent on teaching them that sometimes friendship can evolve into love.

Her Cowboy Valentine by Debra Salonen, National Bestselling Author
Paige Jackson’s volunteer sabbatical in Prospect Creek goes from bad to redonkulous when retired bull rider TJ Huey delivers a pregnant and abused donkey to Paige’s care. But neither cowboy nor city gal is immune to the matchmaking skills of a rescue donkey named Miss Valentine.

Pre-order CUPID TO THE RESCUE for only 99¢ now!

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple Books
Release Date: January 5, 2021

HAPPY READING, my friends.

Stay safe and well and be kind to yourself and others in these very challenging times.

Deb

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

What is it about February?

First, we agree to let an overgrown squirrel predict the weather, then we blithely allow the flower industry, candy makers and greeting card people to run rampant over our hearts.

Speaking of hearts. Did you hear that the candy makers who supply the bulk of the world’s supply of that Valentine’s Day staple “Conversation Hearts” blew it? Whoever decided to sell the company to another company too inept to look at a calendar–V-Day is FEBRUARY 14th, people…well, not my problem. https://www.delish.com/food-news/a22577659/necco-candy-hearts-shut-down/

I bought early because some traditions–even the silly ones–must be adhered to. 😉

One GOOD thing to come out of this Valentine mayhem is celebrating Romance Novels. I mean, why wouldn’t we? Boy meets girl. They have issues. True love prevails. They live happily-ever-after. People who don’t read romance novels call that a formula. I call it magic. Reading can be magical. A good book can transport you out of a life that might be missing conversation–let alone conversation hearts–into a world of rich emotion, forgiveness, and joy. There may even be chocolate.

And here’s my Valentine to you: 50% off BOOKS II AND III of the Love, Montana series in the Tule Publishing BookStore, using the code: LOVE50 (copy this code then click the links below)

HER ROGUE TO TAME – Tule Bookstore link: https://tulepublishingshop.com/products/her-rogue-to-tame

HER REBEL TO KISS – Tule bookstore link: https://tulepublishingshop.com/products/her-rebel-to-kiss

(The code is good for both titles: please share the love! Since Book I – HER HERO TO LOVE – is still FREE for one…more…day, that means you can read the entire series for less than a bag of Conversation Hearts. ;-))

Deb!