Personally, I love horses… the few time I was lucky enough to ride (aka: full out run) were some of the happiest in my live… there is nothing like the feeling of flying over the land as the horse beneath you thighs cuts loose…
there are a few things in life that I think everyone should experience at least once… ride a horse; feel the release of free-falling (on a theme park ride, cliff jumping, or for the really extreme – sky diving); and find one thing in life – something beautiful – that takes your breath away, or brings a tear to your eye… now it’s time to check out Linda Nightingale and her latest novel….
Gambler’s Choice
By Linda Nightingale
A novel about people who love horses…
From The Wild Rose Press
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor
Editor: Mary Harmony
An English aristocrat and a Virginia socialite go head-to-head—and feet-to-feet—in a battle for ownership of a very special horse.
- Rating: Spicy
- Digital Price: $4.99
Print Price: TBA
Blurb:
Becca McQuaid came to England to find the perfect horse but instead met a darkly mysterious challenge in Austen Heath, Baron of Hampton. She’s determined to buy Austen’s stallion Gambler’s Choice. He’s determined not to sell, but the rivals are thrown together by an accident that leaves Austen with a broken leg and the threat he’ll never ride again.
Austen Heath has the title, heritage and manor house…but not the fortune. Becca is wealthy. Her charms are irresistible, but he believes she’s shopping for a Ladyship to go with her money. He has another reason to hold the sexy blonde at arms’ length—the unexplained disappearance of an old friend everyone thinks was his lover. When her body is discovered on his property, he becomes a suspect in her murder.
Excerpt:
In a blood-stained white robe, Austen drove a knife down on a chopping board. What was he chopping in the middle of the night? Blood leaked from what appeared to be a heart. Sickness rolled in her stomach. Dane sat at his feet, watching his master. A noose of fear tightened around Becca’s neck. Did the heart he diced for the dog belong to the missing Julia? Her stomach flipped. Get a grip, Becca. Your imagination is running away with you. Her phobia didn’t listen. A chill slithered down her spine. She backed away from the door, collided with a table. The mastiff lurched to his feet, barking. Becca froze, unable to tear her gaze from the bloody knife.
Agonizingly slow, Austen turned on one crutch, knife in hand, the gory blade raised. “Stay, Dane. Ah, Becca. Come in. There’s something I’ve been meaning to show you.”
A shudder ploughed through Becca. Her voice shook. “What is that?”
“A beef heart. What did you think? Ah…” he whispered a laugh. “You thought I was dicing Julia’s heart to feed to the dog.” Gripping the knife, he paced her retreat. “I do believe you’re afraid of me.”
The belt slipped, and Austen’s robe parted to his waist. The man’s body would tempt a nun. She retreated. He advanced.
“I couldn’t sleep. That happens quite often. I decided to prepare Dane a special treat.” He tossed his hair out of his eyes, the cruel smile and the condescending tone returning. “Ah, Becca, Becca, you’re thinking I killed Julia because she was pregnant.”
“Yes. No. Put away the knife, please. I can’t think.” She labored for breath.
Austen flung the knife clattering to the floor. The startled dog leapt back. Trembling, Becca stood her ground. She’d chewed the inside of her jaw raw.
“There, Becca,” he snarled. “You can come in now.”
Blood smeared the polished oak floor and the horrible knife. Her stomach ached, and bile stung her throat. She forced herself to look at anything but the stained blade.
Austen halted, leaned against a wall. “I appreciate your confidence and trust. A month of living together has taught you nothing about me.”
Dane disobeyed the command to sit, returned to lick his master’s fingers.
“There, there, son.” Austen glanced at the dog. “I’ll soon finish your treat. First, I must convince Becca that I am not a murderer.”
Buy Link:
About Linda:
Born in South Carolina, Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston. She’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.
Linda has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award. She is the mother of two wonderful sons, a retired legal assistant, member of the Houston Symphony League, and enjoys events with her car club. Among her favorite things are her snazzy black convertible and her parlor grand piano. She loves to dress up and host formal dinner parties.
Web Site – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.
Blog – Lots of interesting guests & prizes
Character Interview:
1. Nickname: Becca (short for Rebecca) McQuaid
2. Currently residing in…Horse Country, Virginia, and a lovelier place you’ve never seen…except Somerset, England, perhaps
3. Favorite type of pet – I wouldn’t really call a horse a pet, more like a friend and partner, but hands down, the horse.
4. Most important goal – To own Gambler’s Choice, a beautiful bay stallion—a problematic dream, since his owner, the Baron of Hampton, refuses to sell—for any amount of money
5. Wealthy, poor, or somewhere in between? I’m a rich girl, but that doesn’t guarantee I get everything I want…like Gambler’s Choice.
6. Secret desire or fantasy – To get the Baron of Hampton between the sheets
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