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Gambling on a Secret by Sara Walter Ellwood
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc (December 21st, 2012)
Series: Colter Gamblers, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Former runaway-turned heiress Charli Monroe is hiding her
sordid past and planning a future in Colton, Texas. Attending the local college
for a degree in social work, she intends to raise cattle on her newly purchased
ranch, which she plans to open as a home for troubled teens. Only a few
glitches—the Victorian mansion is crumbling, the barn needs a roof, and her
oilman neighbor wants more than friendship. When she meets Dylan Quinn, Charli
is willing to take a chance on the town drunk to help her rebuild the rundown
ranch.
Dylan has his demons, too. The former Special Forces
commander can’t get past his ex-wife’s betrayal and the botched mission that
left him with much more than a bad limp. Certain the greedy oilman next door to
Charli wants much more than just her heart, Dylan’s even willing to stop
drinking in order to protect her.
When things get dangerous and secrets of the past are
revealed, is he only looking out for his new employer, or is she the new start
he so desperately needs?
CONTENT WARNING: Details abuse of a minor, drug abuse,
alcoholism, swearing, spicy sex, murder.
Where to Buy*:
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Gambling on a Secret by Sara Walter Ellwood
Excerpt
“Ferguson, what are you doing here?” Dylan barked.
Leon ambled toward them on the stone path. “I’m saving a
young maiden from torment. What are you doing here, playing the part of the
devil?”
“I’m Miss Monroe’s new manager.” The deadly edge of his
voice matched the flintiness of his eyes. “If there’s anyone to save the young
maiden from, it’s you.”
“Mr. Quinn, please.” She turned to Leon. “Leon, is there
something I can do for you?”
He smiled, showing off perfect white teeth in a face
handsome enough to belong to an actor. “I was just passing by on my way home
and decided to stop. How are the boys working out?”
Dylan’s stance widened and his hands flexed at his slides.
“What boys?”
“Charli and I have entered into a business arrangement.”
She lost the battle with the urge to wrap her arms around
herself. As much as she appreciated Leon’s kindness, respected him, and was
even a little attracted to him, something about him didn’t sit right with her.
He represented her peers in the community.
According to Mrs. Pratt, besides the Cartwrights, she and
Leon were undoubtedly the wealthiest residents in the county. No one in Colton
could learn about her past. It would ruin her, and Leon, no doubt, had the
means to dig up the dirt.
“Really?” Dylan stepped closer to her in a protective
manner. Whiskey tainted his breath as the warmth of the exhalations tickled her
cheek. “What kind of business arrangement?”
She could protect herself. Dylan Quinn wasn’t any safer than
Leon Ferguson. Stepping away from him, she forced her arms to her sides. “Mr.
Quinn, I can handle this.”
She faced Leon. “I’m amazed by how much the men got done
since starting on Monday. The foreman told me last evening they’d be reseeding
another fifty acres for hay this morning. And they have the corrals fixed and
started on the fencing in the north pasture.”
“Good, good.” He glanced at Dylan. “I’ll be going, unless
you need a more reliable exterminator. I couldn’t help but overhear about your
snake infestation. I can give you the name of the company that has gotten rid
of the snakes in our lakes over on Oak Springs for years.”
Although he presented the perfect solution, she didn’t the
like way Leon had looked at Dylan as he said the word exterminator. “No, Mr.
Quinn is quite capable of getting rid of the snake.”
“Oh, I’m sure he is.” Leon tipped his hat. “Let me know if
there’s anything else I can do for you, Charli.”
Dylan’s jaw tightened as his
uncle glanced at him. “It’s good to see you up among the living again.”
Leon headed back to his Porsche. With no pretense of
lowering his voice, Dylan said, “Now, there’s a snake no one wants in their
garden.”
Upon hearing the jibe, Leon’s shoulders jerked in
mid-stride.
Rattled by Leon’s attention and the snake fiasco, she turned
on Dylan. “You aren’t off the hook. I want those snakes gone.”
“We’ll see.”
“I hate snakes.” She shuddered and put her hands on her
hips. “Maybe I should have asked him who the exterminator is.”
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LOVE this cover on this one--and it sounds like it should be great! :) Definitely going on my list, how about yours?
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
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1 comment :
Nice excerpt.
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