To Love a Texas Ranger
Men of Legend
Author: Linda Broday
ISBN: 9781492630173
Pubdate: October 4, 2016
Genre: Western Historical Romance
Gravely
injured on the trail of a notorious criminal, Texas Ranger Sam Legend boards a
train bound for his family ranch to recuperate…only to find himself locked in
battle to save a desperate woman on the run. Determined to rescue the beautiful
Sierra, Sam recruits an unlikely ally. But can he trust the mysterious
gunslinger to fight at his side?
Sam
is shocked to discover his new ally is not only an outlaw, but his
half-brother. Torn between loyalty to his job and love of his family, Sam goes
reeling straight into Sierra’s arms. Yet just as the walls around his battered
heart begin to crumble, Sierra is stolen away. Sam will risk anything to save
her—his life, his badge, his very soul—knowing that some bonds are stronger
than the law…and some legends were born to be told.
Excerpt:
“Stop,
Weston! Stop, damn you!” Sam raised his gun and fired. A large tree trunk
shielded the outlaw as he rode by, the bullet splitting the bark. Weston never
looked back.
Only
one thing remained—see if the outlaw had left them a horse, or untied and run
them all off.
The
overlapping branches had kept back much of the deluge. Though water dripped
from the leaves, the ground was firmer here. He moved forward, afraid to hope.
It wasn’t for him but for Sierra. She wouldn’t last long afoot.
He
finally glimpsed movement through the leafy forest and made out the shapes of
horses.
Sam
gave a sigh of relief. At least they had a way to travel.
That
Weston had again shown a smattering of compassion came as a shock. He’d done
wrong but had turned around and tempered it with good. Just like the time he’d
shot Sam in the leg then sent help.
Damn, if he could only figure the outlaw
out!
A
sound from behind alerted Sam Legend. Was it Luke doubling back and sneaking up
behind him? He whirled, his finger tightening on the trigger, and shoved his
Colt into the person’s face.
A
jolt raced through him as he stared at Sierra.
She
gasped, her eyes wide in fear.
“Thought
I told you to stay in the shack.” He hated the angry words, but he reeled from
the shock of how close he’d come to ending her life.
His
jagged nerves had trouble settling for several beats of his heart. He could
still feel his finger pulling back on the trigger that would’ve sent a bullet
into her. Sam’s hand shook as he returned the Colt to his holster.
“I
couldn’t wait. Something’s going on. What’s wrong, Sam?” A quiver in the words
spoke of Sierra’s fear. “Where’s Andrew?”
“Andrew
Evan is the outlaw Luke Weston, and I’ve been chasing him nigh onto a year.” At
her soft cry, he put his arm around her and held her next to him. “I recognized
him this morning when I finally saw him without his hat. Those eyes are burned
into my memory.”
“I
liked him. He seemed real nice. You suspected, didn’t you? That was the reason
for the tension I kept feeling.”
“I
knew he was familiar, but it’s been hard trusting my instincts lately.” He
smoothed back her tendrils of dark hair. “Forgive me? I almost shot you. Lady,
you scared me out of ten lives.”
“Of course. I
should’ve done as you told me, only I heard shots. It’s my fault.”
Sam tried to drag his
stare from her tousled hair and soft curves that the trousers did little to
hide. She was a sight for sure. He swallowed hard, trying not to think about
running his hands over her satiny skin and kissing her until neither had an
ounce of breath left.
He felt more like his
old self, and he realized it was because of her. She’d fixed him by pushing
back the darkness and allowing light into his life. By giving him
something—someone—to be a hero for. A swell of deep gratitude rose as he
struggled to contain his emotions.
“No, no. I beg to
differ, pretty lady. I see no fault at all with you.” He looked deep into her
blue eyes that saw only goodness. “Since you’re here, can you help me bring the
mounts to the shack?” Somehow, someway, he’d return the horses that didn’t
belong to the Ford gang to their rightful owners.
“Sure, Sam.” Pride,
and maybe a little sadness too, rippled in her pretty eyes. They reminded him
of a pale blue sky. In fact, he wasn’t sure if they were blue or gray. Maybe a
combination of both. Whichever, he loved looking at them.
Her softly parted
lips beckoned like a light that guided sailors on a dark, storm-tossed sea.
Kissing her was the
only thing on his mind. Not Luke Weston. Not the trials they faced ahead. Not
the time he’d have to spend twiddling his thumbs on the Lone Star Ranch. He
knew he had to taste her mouth or die wanting.
Placing
his large hands below her jawline, Sam lowered his head and gently pressed his
lips to hers. Heat pooled low in his gut as he tasted the tangy sweetness that did
faintly resemble wild honey. Just as he’d imagined.
He
tried to hold back, to make the kiss light and meaningless, but his need for
her made it impossible. In seconds, the gentle kiss turned urgent, demanding a
response.
And
Sierra did answer his invitation. With a smothered cry, she leaned into him,
clutching a handful of his shirt, holding him to her. The passion and desire
that filled Sam seemed to have swept her along.
That
she didn’t pull away sent joy through him.
A low
moan rumbled in his throat as he slid his hand into her dark hair. The satiny
strands wrapped around his fingers, tethering her to him. Closing his eyes, he
savored the feel of her soft curves molding against the hard planes of his
body.
In
that second he knew heaven wasn’t only golden streets and angels playing harps.
Heaven
was Sierra Hunt in his arms.
Ever since I’ve been writing and
publishing westerns (14 years now) I’ve heard that this genre is dead. I don’t
know who started that nasty rumor but I have to say that historical western
romance is very much alive. Romance readers love books about cowboys—whether
they’re historical or contemporary. Cowboys are much more than men who babysit
a bunch of cows. These men have a deep love for the land, for their families,
and for animals. I want to share one of my favorite westerns with you. It’s a
5-star read in my book.
LOVE’S SWEET REVENGE by Rosanne Bittner is such a fantastic story. This is book #3 of her
powerful and gritty Jake Harkner series. Jake has been to hell and back. The
outlaw was hunted, thrown in prison, and shot multiple times—some nearly fatal.
But through it all, he’s had his wife, Miranda, by his side. Their love is
eternal. If ever there are soul-mates, these two certainly are. In this book,
Jake and Randy are back in Colorado with their son and daughter and the
grandchildren. But they face even greater challenges. Jake’s past has followed
him. Their story begins with Outlaw Hearts and continues with Do Not Forsake
Me. You won’t go wrong with this outstanding western series.
What’s your favorite Western?
I hope you’ll
try out my newest – TO LOVE A TEXAS
RANGER. Texas was a wild place and one man, Texas Ranger Sam Legend,
answered the call to help tame it. He’ll take you on a dangerous journey full
of twists and turns. Follow along as he finds love where he least expects it. ~Linda Broday
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About the Author:
At
a young age, Linda Broday discovered a love for storytelling, history, and anything pertaining to
the Old West. Cowboys fascinate her. There’s something about Stetsons, boots,
and tall rugged cowboys that get her fired up! A New York Times and USA Today
bestselling author, Linda has won many awards, including the prestigious National
Readers’ Choice Award and the Texas Gold Award. She now resides in the
panhandle of Texas on the Llano Estacado.
Social Networking Links:
Website:
http://lindabroday.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/LBroday
Preorder Link: AMAZON
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:
5
copies of To Love a Texas Ranger
Hi Sue, thank you so much for having me and letting me tell readers about my new historical western romance. This book launches a new series called Men of Legend. This Legend family consists of a father and his three sons. To Love a Texas Ranger is about the youngest one, Sam. He wants nothing to do with ranching. He can't bear the thought of waking up in the same place every single day. Sierra Hunt has been dragged from pillar to post and her dream is a house with a little picket fence around it where she can lay down strong roots. She's not giving that up--not even for Sam.
ReplyDeleteBook #2 HEART OF A TEXAS COWBOY releases in May 2017 followed by the 3rd in November.