A Thank You To My Readers #giveaways #treats

As 2017 comes to a close, I have to thank each and every one of you -- my dear readers. I've had an amazing year in which I was able to get my books into the hands of so many more people than I'd ever imagined. And the response has truly warmed my heart. Along with a big fat smooshy THANK YOU, I've also got some holiday treats for you all.

How about a free Wings short story featuring Molly and her sister Emma? (And, of course, Matt and Nathan also make an appearance.) This BRAND NEW TALE is available exclusively to my newsletter subscribers.



Christmas Eve 1878

Molly Hart Ryan and her sister, Emma Blackmore, return to the abandoned Hart Ranch to visit the gravesites of their folks. While confronting the past revives a deep heartache and sadness that has long been buried, it also offers an unexpected gift.

Sign up for Kristy's newsletter here and get the download code today!!

You'll also receive the short novella SONG OF THE WREN, not available anywhere else. (I recommend that you read THE WREN before grabbing these freebies.) THE WREN is permafree at all ebook outlets.

Two years after THE WREN, Matt Ryan finds more than rustlers when his cattle begin disappearing. Forced to confront an enemy he thought long gone, he must ready for a fight, but he’s never faced a battlefield like this before, and only his wife, Molly, can save him this time.

*****
I'm giving away 2 complete print sets of the Wings of the West series (all 5 novels). To be eligible, send an email to kristy@kristymccaffrey.com with CONTEST in the memo line. Winners must be U.S. residents (I'm not excluding international winners, but a comparable digital prize will be substituted -- either ebooks or giftcards). Contest closes December 7. Winners will be notified December 8.



*****
I've got an awesome Amazon giveaway happening right now that you don't want to miss!! Enter for a chance to win 1 of 4 sherpa blanket throws decorated with dog bones. To be eligible, you must 'follow' me at Amazon. All that means is that when I have a new release, you'll receive an email notifying you.



Click HERE to enter. You must be a U.S. resident.

Winners will be chosen December 7 ~ you'll receive your prize right on time for Christmas.

I chose the blanket in honor of my sweet chocolate lab Ranger. I recently lost my baby boy just one week after his 13th birthday to a broken leg caused by a tumor (and, unfortunately, indicative of bone cancer). The decision to let him go absolutely crushed me. He loved swimming every day, going anywhere in the car, and he was the ultimate homebody. Despite his declining health in the months leading up to his death, he was always a happy, cheerful guy. We still have his sister, Lily (age 10), and are slowly adjusting to his absence, but life will never be the same without him.

     

*****



Next year, I'll be launching a new contemporary adventure romance series (The Pathway Series).
The first book, DEEP BLUE, has an updated release date of February 26, 2018. It was supposed to be out this month, but for marketing purposes I need a bit more time to prepare. While I know many of you are here because you love my historical western romances, I do hope you'll give this new series a try. I plan to release the first 3 books (DEEP BLUE, COLD HORIZON, and ANCIENT WINDS) in 2018 and then I've got a new western trilogy I want to write. Have no fear, I haven't abandoned the Old West for good.

To satisfy your cowboy fix in the meantime, have you read my standalone novel INTO THE LAND OF SHADOWS? This is available in print and digital through Amazon, as well as included in the Kindle Unlimited program. However, since I have a bunch of Nook readers here (and a few Kobo, iBooks, and Google Play peeps), I want to offer a special deal for the month of December. For only $5 (this includes S&H -- U.S. residents only), I'll send you an autographed print copy of SHADOWS. Email me to make arrangements.



*****
And lastly, I'm over at author Andrea Downing's Blog this month chatting about Christmas stuff (my short essay is about the attachment we moms have to the ornaments on our tree), along with Patti Sherry-Crews and Devon McKay. I had the pleasure of working on an anthology earlier this year with these wonderful ladies. Please stop by and leave a comment for a chance to win a few book goodies. Visit Andrea's blog here.
Here's the collection, in case you're interested.

Available at Amazon for 99 cents or FREE in Kindle Unlimited

*****

Each month I participate at two western-themed blogs: Cowboy Kisses and Prairie Rose Publications. Here's a few highlights from this year.



Cowboy Kisses Blog
Visit The Grand Canyon
Petroglyphs
The Best Travel Ideas in Arizona

Prairie Rose Blog
Story Archaeology
Arizona Territory Army Posts
Bill Kirkland: An Arizona Pioneer

*****

Might I ask a favor? Would you follow me on BookBub? I need 1000 followers to unlock the ability to send out pre-order notices on future releases. I'm currently at 918. So close!!

I wish you all the happiest of holidays. May you be surrounded by those you love, and comforted by the memories of those who have passed, as we ring in 2018.
God Bless,



Kristy

First in Series FREE books!!

Author Tanya Anne Crosby has put together a collection of First in Series FREE books by a bevy of wonderful writers. I was very excited that she included THE WREN in the November selections. If you’re looking for a new read, I can almost guarantee that you’ll find something here you like (almost 60 novels are listed), so what are you waiting for? Check it out today!!

The selections are updated each month, so it’s worth bookmarking the link below.

First In Series FREE BOOKS

****** 

Do you subscribe to BookBub?

BookBub is a wonderful FREE email service that will alert you to bargain books each day. You pick your favorite genres and each day you'll receive an email with sale books. If you’re so inclined, I’d appreciate a ‘follow’ on my author page. You can find it here. Whenever I have a new release or a book on sale, they’ll let you know right in your inbox. And I do have an ulterior motive for asking. I need 1000 followers for BookBub to send out a notice on any pre-order I might have. I currently have 909 followers. Thanks in advance for your help!!

Hallowtide

By Kristy McCaffrey

Halloween is near, but it wasn’t always a one-day celebration. It evolved from a triduum called Hallowtide (derived from halig, meaning saint, and tide, meaning season). While many cultures celebrate the dead from October 31 to November 2, the most notable contributions to our westernized celebration of Halloween come from the Roman Catholics, the Mexicans, and the Celts.

In Catholic theology, November 1 is All Saints’ Day and commemorates those who have reached perfect salvation. The following day, November 2, is All Souls’ Day, devoted to those who have not reached a beatific vision. It stands as a day of prayer for the dead, and lighting a fire or lantern was often done to provide guidance to the souls of the dead. Public worship, or liturgy, would begin on the eve of All Saints’ Day, thus making Halloween All Saints’ Eve or Hallows Eve.

In Mexican culture, celebrations of the dead can be traced back thousands of years. Giant skulls, sugar skulls, shrines, decorated rabbits, poems and dancing with colorful costumes and devil masks in the town center are all part of Day of the Dead (October 31 – November 2) celebrations, and are thought to bring good luck and peace. It encompasses All Hallows’ Eve, when spirits of dead children are welcomed with the presence of a children’s altar; All Saints’ Day, when adult spirits are invited; and All Souls’ Day, when families visit cemeteries.

In ancient Gaelic culture, the end of harvest season was celebrated with the festival of Samhain, beginning at sunset on October 31 and lasting until sunset on November 1. This is a liminal period for the spirits, or aos sí, to enter our world. Lighting bonfires served as protection from the spirits and costumes were thought to help in appeasing them. Divination and feasting rituals were also practiced.

Looking for a spooky and romantic read this October? Check out these two historical western romance novellas with paranormal twists.

THE CROW AND THE COYOTE

In Arizona Territory, Hannah Dobbin travels through Cañon de Chelly, home to the Navajo, in search of a sorcerer who murdered her pa. Only when she retrieves the silver cross taken from her father's corpse will she be able to free her pa's spirit, and allow him to be at peace.

Bounty hunter Jack Boggs—known as Crow—is on the trail of a vile Mexican bandito when he discovers Hannah and her companion, a superstitious old Navajo woman. He knows he must protect them, but with the shadows of Hallowtide descending, more dark magic is at hand than any of them know.

Available at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited

THE CROW AND THE BEAR

Bounty hunter Callum Boggs—sometimes called Crow—arrives in the mining town of Silverton on a cold October day in search of a man who has committed unspeakable crimes. Skilled in the technique of dream scouting, Crow has narrowed the location of the criminal to Silas Ravine. No normal man would dare to venture into this region, where so many gruesome and unexplained murders have taken place—a piece of land forever haunted where Death still walks. But Crow is no normal man...

Jennie Livingstone knows her papa is in trouble. When none of the local men will come to her aid, she must accept a newly-arrived stranger—a half-Comanche bounty hunter—as her only ally. As they head into the mountains to track Jennie’s father, she can hear more than the whispers of man. The mines carry spirits, and her only hope in navigating the living and the dead lies with the Crow.

But is Jennie prepared for the consequences of where her fate with Callum Boggs may lead? And is she the woman who can hold fast to the Crow’s heart after all his years alone? Bewitched by the beautiful young woman, Callum must do everything he can to stay one step ahead of the spirits that can’t rest—just to keep Jennie and himself alive.

Available at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited

Connect with Kristy

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Newsletter

Reading Recommendations

All Reviews By Kristy McCaffrey

I've included Amazon links, but most of the books are also available at Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, as well as print and audio.

The Lost City of Z

By

David Grann

This book is part memoir, part modern-day adventure. Mr. Grann recounts the life of Percy Fawcett, who in the early 1900’s explored the dangerous Amazonian jungle along the Brazil-Bolivia border. Fawcett was in the rarefied company of other extraordinary explorers such as Richard Burton (who searched for the source of the Nile) and Ernest Shackleton (an early explorer of the Antarctic), all members of the Royal Geographical Society in London. Fawcett’s repeated expeditions into the jungle—along with his amazing ability to survive lethal indigenous tribes, starvation, piranhas, and the particularly ghoulish occurrence of maggots under one’s skin—left him convinced that a mythical city (the Spanish conquistadores called it El Dorado) existed somewhere in the area. His preoccupation would eventually lead to his disappearance in 1925. He was never heard from again. Did the lost city of Z exist? Read the book to find out! A gripping and well-written account of the intersection of compulsion and passion within the human spirit.

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon

*****

Desert Heat

By

Patti Sherry-Crews

A satisfying short read about single mom Angel Harper trying to run a vacation ranch in Arizona and the cowboy/firefighter who turns her world upside down. Boone Donovan isn't looking for romance but sparks fly the moment he meets Angel. With many obstacles between them, not the least of which is Angel's reluctance to let a man into her and her son's life, this romantic tale will have you rooting for them. And don't miss the follow-up story, Phoenix Heat, about Boone and Angel's daughter Harper. I loved both!

Desert Heat

*****

Bad Boy, Big Heart

By

Andrea Downing

East coast city girl K.C. has come to Wyoming for the summer to work at a ranch. She's warned to stay away from bad boy Chay, but that soon proves difficult to do. Ms. Downing has written a romantic novella with a sexy hero and a smart heroine. Loved it! And don't miss the follow-up story, City Boy, Country Heart.

Bad Boy, Big Heart

*****

Irish Moon

By

Amber Scott

Breanne O’Donnell is training in the druidic arts when her mentor Heremon is murdered. A mysterious knight named Ashlon Sinclair is left behind, ill and unable to recall what happened. Breanne nurses him back to health, but he is English and she is Irish, so she keeps his identity hidden. But Sinclair, a Templar Knight, is in pursuit of a chest that has been stolen from him and he ingratiates himself into Breanne’s clan to locate it. He’s also drawn to Breanne but his nomadic life leaves him conflicted about what he can offer her. She has seen with her second sight the fate that intertwines them and worries for his safety, believing that he must leave her to stay alive. This is an enchanting story filled with magic and Irish lore. Breanne is a strong heroine and Ashlon a compelling and romantic figure, and you won’t be able to stop reading this steamy love story until the satisfying conclusion.

Irish Moon (Moon Magick Series Book 1)

*****

Nearly Departed In Deadwood

By

Ann Charles 

Single-mom Violet Parker has got problems. Unless she can sell a house, she’s about to lose her job as a realtor. Her prospects involve a house-sniffing, enigmatic man named Doc (although he’s not an MD) and a handsome Ken-doll client whose efforts to woo her may be too good to be true. Throw in a paranormal mystery involving several missing girls alongside Violet’s ensuing anxiety about the safety of her own two children, and you’ve got a nonstop thrill-ride of a tale, which I dare you not to read in one sitting. This is the first in an ongoing series told from Violet’s point-of-view (Book 8 is soon to be released). Ms. Charles has a flair for dialogue and humor, and you’ll fall in love with Violet and all the quirky side-characters that populate Charles’ version of modern-day Deadwood. But be prepared: this series will grab you and you’ll disappear until you’ve read each and every book.

Nearly Departed In Deadwood (Deadwood Humorous Mystery Book 1)

*****

Slade
By
Julie Lence

As part of his incarceration, outlaw Slade Barlow has been placed on work detail at the Prescott farm. Thrown in the calaboose on tenuous charges, he needs to keep his head down and bide his time until he can flee the Widow Prescott and her two daughters, Jillianne and Camille. But he hadn’t counted on his growing feelings for Jill or the fact that someone is stalking their property. As he digs deeper, he comes to realize that he may be more deeply involved in the mystery of Jill’s deceased father and the time the man spent away from the farm than he’d like to be. And, at the end of the day, can he walk away from Jill? This is a solid western romance with great descriptions that will put you right in the time period. Slade is a tormented hero, Jillianne is a kindhearted heroine, and their romance will hold you in its grip until the end. Don’t miss another winner from Ms. Lence!

Slade (Jackson Creek Series Book 1)

*****

Lead Me Into Temptation

By

Devon McKay

In this historical western romance, Violet Webster is looking for her father and her only option is to become a mail-order bride. Garrett Sutherlin, her betrothed’s son, has been sent to escort her, a task that will free him from living under his father’s dictates. Ms. Devlin takes this standard trope and delivers a richly-drawn tale with a likable heroine and a compelling hero. Fans of this genre will love the story! I certainly did.

Lead Me Into Temptation (Gold Dust Brides Book 1)

*****

The Peacemaker

By

Andrew McBride

Calvin “Choctaw” Taylor is a young Indian scout contracted to guide a peace ambassador into the stronghold of the famed Apache leader Cochise. Accompanying them is the man’s adopted Apache daughter Nahlin. Together they enter one of the most dangerous areas in the old west—the Dragoon Mountains. Their journey is one of bold intentions, treacherous encounters with both Indians and white men, and, ultimately, agonizing heartbreak. This is a well-told story of historical fact woven within fiction, of well-crafted and flawed characters, and a plot that will leave you guessing and eager to reach the conclusion. I highly recommend.

The Peacemaker

*****

Daring Greatly

By

Brene Brown

Ms. Brown considers vulnerability in all its many forms, whether it be in the workplace, in schools, or in your own home. Through years of research she’s compiled real-life data and offers practical and stark truths about how to deal with the shame inherent in our culture as a result of being vulnerable.

The simple truth is that “to feel is to be vulnerable.” Brown addresses fallacies of vulnerability: It’s not a weakness and it’s not letting it all hang out. It does require trust and boundaries. She stresses the importance of developing shame-resilience: recognizing shame and understanding its triggers, practicing critical awareness, reaching out, and speaking about it with a trusted someone.

The last part of the book deals with parenting and how we can all do better by simply engaging with our children, developing our own ability to be vulnerable and mirroring that to them, and forgiving ourselves when we’re not perfect. Perfection is a form of shielding and freeing ourselves of our “armor” is an important first step. “I am enough, I’ve had enough, and showing up, taking risks, and letting myself be seen is enough.”

This book is amazing and authentic, and Ms. Brown hasn’t taken the easy road—she digs deep into the subject matter, offering insights that are painful yet ultimately healing.

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

*****

Texas Mail Order Bride

By

Linda Broday

Cooper Thorne lives in Battle Creek alongside his adopted brothers, Rand and Brett. They were all raised in an orphanage and now steadfastly guard their independence and freedom, which means no matrimony. They’ve even formed a ‘Bachelor’s Club’. When determined Delta Dandridge arrives in town fully expecting to become Cooper’s mail-order bride, his answer is a swift no. He never sent for her, so refuses to honor a promise he never made. However, Delta decides to remain in Battle Creek and forge a new life for herself, and Cooper can’t seem to avoid the woman. And soon enough, he doesn’t want to. Ms. Broday’s novel is an entertaining western romance with great banter between the leads, wonderful side characters, and a steamy love story. The perfect tale to curl up with before bedtime.

Texas Mail Order Bride (Bachelors of Battle Creek Book 1)

*****

Remanence

By

Jennifer Foehner Wells

In this follow-up to Book 1: Fluency, we find Dr. Jane Holloway and Dr. Alan Bergen on the alien spaceship discovered near earth. They are now headed to the home world of the creatures who mysteriously perished on board. Guiding them is the only survivor, a massively intelligent squid-like creature who controls the ship and is telepathically linked to Jane. Because of this connection, Jane is now the commander. The tale unfolds as they make first contact with a species known as the Sectilius. I really enjoyed this story, especially the relationships between Jane and the entity and the prickly romance between her and Bergen. Thankfully, it comes to a satisfying ending and I'm eagerly awaiting Book 3!

Remanence (Confluence Book 2)

*****

The Devil’s Teeth

By

Susan Casey

The Farallon Islands—a rocky and barren chain of jutting, granite peaks—sit just 27 miles from the San Francisco coastline. A handful of biologists reside in this remote outpost to study the bird, pinniped, and shark populations. Every fall, great white sharks arrive to feed on the local seal population and Ms. Casey delves into the research undertaken in the surrounding waters. It’s a story of grit and terror, and a testament to how little we know about these fascinating and monstrous creatures. Casey also recounts the history of the island—at one point, the eggs sold in the Bay area markets were collected from the massive seabird population, nearly depleting their numbers. The main attraction, of course, is the sharks, with personalities as varied as the people who investigate them. By the end of the book, despite a lingering fear of the giant fish, I couldn’t help but gain a healthy respect for the apex predators of the ocean. This is a riveting and enlightening read.

The Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks

*****

Love Proof

By

Robin Brande

In Love Proof, lawyer Sarah Henley must work opposite her former lover from college, Joe Burke. He broke her heart six years prior and never had the decency to tell her why. This premise may sound too simple, but in the hands of the talented Ms. Brande, a solid, compelling love story unfolds. I definitely lost sleep reading this on vacation.

The romance is hot, the legal proceedings are entwined just enough to give context but not overwhelm the story, and the characters are likable and credible. But not perfect. When the romance is re-ignited, Sarah and Joe face an ethical issue as they work on opposing sides of the same case. How that unfolds, as well as Sarah’s own reservations about Joe, create the obstacles they must overcome. It’s a reminder that despite mistakes made along the way, everyone has the power to become a better version of themselves.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a great read. You won’t be disappointed.

Love Proof

*****

Deer Hunting in Paris:

A Memoir of God, Guns, and Game Meat

By

Paula Young Lee

In the title of this memoir, author Paula Young Lee refers to both Paris, France, and Paris, Maine. How she connects the two disparate places speaks to the overall theme—you never know where you’ll end up, but chances are, it will be a place that softens the quirky edges and incongruent personality traits that never quite fit together.

Lee is a Korean woman raised in the United States by a father who preached Christianity in rural America—mostly in the backwoods of Maine. Paralyzed from the waist down, his belief in God never wavers, but Lee constantly questions and strives to stretch beyond the dictates of Korean culture.

For a time, she lives in Paris, France. When severe food and other allergies besiege her, she develops a love of meat. Hers isn’t just a cursory fascination; she’s taken it to the next level, trying to understand where cuts of meat originate in an animal and sharing recipes that are hundreds of years old.

A wanderer, she doesn’t desire to be tied down. Then she meets John, a divorced lawyer from Paris, Maine. The bulk of Lee’s story unfolds as she and John spend time with his folks, siblings, and extended family. And they are hunters. Lee expounds on tracking bear and moose. She explains in great detail how to dress a deer in the wild upon its execution. She describes the process of a pig roast with such detail that you’ll smell the succulent meat and your mouth will water.

Deer Hunting in Paris is a love story. John and Lee couldn’t be more different, but on a deeper level their relationship works. Her appreciation for the animals and the process of hunting wins over John’s family, and while many will cringe over the gory descriptions of how an animal is gutted and quartered, there is a sense of the order of nature here. Living close to the land—a skill many of us have lost—isn’t for the faint of heart. Lee has qualms as well, but in the name of love she pushes through. Her forthright and honest prose had me laughing aloud in parts, and her esteem for the natural world and the man she loves make for a unique and compelling read.

Deer Hunting in Paris: A Memoir of God, Guns, and Game Meat (Travelers' Tales Guides)

*****

The Dark Net

By

Benjamin Percy

In this paranormal technological thriller, we meet a diverse crew of characters: Lela, a laser-focused journalist with no life; Mike Juniper, hiding a past as an evangelical minister and owner of a homeless shelter; Sarin, a woman who may be far older than many realize; Cheston, a computer hacker and voyeur; and Hannah, a young blind girl who will play a pivotal role in the storyline. Evil has come to Portland, Oregon, and the pathway is the Dark Net. I don’t want to say too much more because the story unfolds with many interesting twists, and I was quite glued to my e-reader until the end. Mr. Percy offers insights into our digital age that will astound and horrify you, while giving us an edge-of-the-seat terror ride. I highly recommend the novel and I wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually turns up in the movie theater.

The Dark Net

Historical Romance Super Sale

It's a 99 cents sale extravaganza!! Sept. 18-22!! Check out these 36 historical western romances by some of your favorite authors -- each only 99 cents this week, including my book THE DOVE.

Click here for links to ALL the wonderful books.

The Dove is available for 99 cents at all vendors and can be read as a standalone.

AMAZON | NOOK | iBOOKS | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

Reunited with Logan Ryan on the steps of the White Dove Saloon, Claire Waters hides under the guise of a fancy girl...and lets the ex-deputy believe the worst.

“Ms. McCaffrey writes from the heart…a definite must read.” ~ The Romance Studio

Disappointment hits ex-deputy Logan Ryan hard when he finds Claire Waters in the midst of a bustling Santa Fe Trail town. The woman he remembers is gone—in her place is a working girl with enticing curves and a load of trouble. As a web of deceit entangles them with men both desperate and dangerous, Logan tries to protect Claire, unaware his own past poses the greatest threat.

Plagued by shame all her life, Claire is stunned when Logan catches her on the doorstep of The White Dove Saloon dressed as a prostitute. She lets him believe the worst, but with her mama missing and the fancy girls deserting the place, she's hard-pressed to refuse his offer of help. As she embarks on a journey that will unravel the fabric of her life, one thing becomes clear—opening her heart may be the most dangerous proposition of all.

A steamy historical western romance set in 1877 New Mexico Territory.

Excerpt from THE DOVE

They continued north, passing through Ocate Crossing and watering the horses at Rayado, a stagecoach stop with only a handful of buildings. The Sangre de Cristos flanked their progress, a protective barrier as the sun moved to a steady descent behind the hills. By late afternoon they rode into Cimarron.

The town was located in the foothills, the mountains on the left a looming reminder of the mining hopes of the many men who ventured into the interior. Struck by the allure of the immense slopes, strongly outlined by the setting sun, Claire couldn’t take her eyes off the promise of anonymity and peace the high country represented. Would losing herself in those hills give clarity to her life? Make all of the struggles disappear? It was an enticing thought, and an entirely unrealistic one. But she tucked the image away to revisit when needed.

They rode past the jail, the structure surrounded by a ten-foot-high stone wall, and guided their horses behind the Barlow, Sanderson & Company stage office. On the opposite side of the road Claire noticed Schwenk’s Hall and beyond was a three-story square building with a sign that read Aztec Grist Mill.

Glancing in the direction of the saloon again Claire knew that soon women would start peddling their bodies to any man willing to pay for it. She wondered if her mama would be there. More than likely she was at the St. James—if she was here at all. She had frequently mentioned that saloon in the past.

They approached the Old National Hotel, situated across from a hardware and livery stable. Next to it was a gazebo that covered a well. Having been here once before Claire noted that not much had changed.

“I’m going to check the registry,” she said and climbed down from Reverend, giving a tug on her skirt when it caught on the sombrero tied behind the saddle. “I’ll be right back.”

Logan nodded.

It didn’t take long to learn that her mama’s name wasn’t in the hotel’s logbook. She stewed over that while she returned to the porch and stared at several men to her right. One in particular caught her eye—a tall Mexican with a splotchy, scarred face shaded by the brim of his hat. He was walking toward them. Fear slammed through her and her heart pounded at twice its speed. Her throat tightened and she struggled to breathe.

Sandoval.

Logan had tied the horses off and climbed to the porch to join her. Their eyes met and without thought she closed the distance between them in one rapid movement. She brought her body into full contact with his and kissed him.

His lips were warm, but Claire was too tense to do anything other than stand there, her hands clutching his shoulders for dear life.

Logan’s arms came around her.

It was seldom life threw the unexpected at him, but Logan was surprised as hell by this woman suddenly all over him. It wasn’t that the thought of kissing Claire had never crossed his mind or that her determined lip-lock undoubtedly had little to do with him, what astounded him most was her total lack of expertise in the task. As he broke the highly unromantic mating of their mouths, he said quietly, “I’m not a piece of wood, Claire.”

He shifted so his body shielded her from anyone on the street and pushed her up against the hotel exterior. If it was a show she wanted, he’d teach her a thing or two about kissing a man while he had her at a distinct disadvantage. Taking control of the situation, he brought his hands to the sides of her head and took her lips with his. She was a temptation he hadn’t planned to indulge, but now he gave himself to the task with a focused tenacity. He would enjoy Claire like he’d wanted to since the first moment he’d laid eyes on her, months ago at the SR.

She hardly moved. And her eyes were wide open. “Relax,” he murmured, and covered her mouth fully with his. Tentative, yes, but she wasn’t completely unwilling. Slowly she yielded, her mouth surrendering in small increments, teasing him with the promise of so much more.

Sweet and soft, he savored the intimate contact with her. He’d needed to touch her and now that he had he wondered how long he could go before needing to again. He was a man who could control himself but damn if he wasn’t close to tossing all that control to the wind. It’d been a long time since he’d felt this way about a woman.

“Are they gone yet?” he asked quietly. He still protected her with his body.

“What?” Her rapid breath and flushed face aroused him yet again and he willed himself not to skim her curves with his hands. He took it as small comfort that she wasn’t immune from him, no matter how hard she tried to pretend otherwise.

“I’m sorry I threw myself at you,” she said in a frantic whisper. “I saw Sandoval and wanted to hide.”

“You can hide behind me anytime.” Logan allowed his thumb to caress her cheek before he turned around to scan the street. He wanted to get a good look at the bastard in question.

“He’s gone,” Claire said from behind him. “My mama’s not at this hotel, but she could still be in town. I plan on staying the night. If you need to move on I understand.”

“No,” he said and continued to scrutinize the street. “I’ll be staying, too. I’ll get us a room together.”

“Pardon me?”

“There’s no way in hell I’m leaving you alone if Sandoval is here. I’ll sign us in as a married couple. Do you have a middle name?”

Claire appeared flustered and confused. Logan could certainly relate to that.

“Margaret,” she replied. “Why?”

“Well, that won’t do,” he said. “I’ll register us as Logan and Peggy Ryan.”

She nodded uncertainly. “That kiss,” she said, “you realize that I’m not going to…that I’m not going to entertain you, no matter how much you offer me.”

Logan looked at her and enjoyed the appealing angles of her face, her small, straight nose, the green eyes that suddenly flashed with defiance. He supposed she wouldn’t be worth the effort if she came to him easily. Not that he was pursuing her.

“I seem to recall you threw yourself at me, Claire, not the other way around. Your inexperience shows.” Hell, that came out wrong. And the flash of humiliation on her face confirmed it.

“Claire—” But she disappeared into the hotel before he could stop her. Nice going.

He went inside and within ten minutes they were registered as Mr. and Mrs. Ryan. In an uneasy silence they went to their room to get settled.

Copyright © 2005 K. McCaffrey Inc.