Summer Book
Event:
Outback
Hearts & Second Summer
Genre: Contemporary
Outback
Hearts
Sam never thought she’d actually be chosen for a reality show--but next thing
she knew, she was whisked away to Australia. Dealing with a producer willing to
do whatever he had to do make the show a hit, other women ready to cheat and
lie to gain the attention of the bachelor, and a camera operator ready to catch
her at her worst every time she turned around, absolutely nothing was as simple
as it seemed on TV. Not to mention the pigs, killer snakes and shoveling
manure. Sam wasn’t sure she was going to make it through filming most
days--never mind find true love.
Alex never thought he’d be on a reality show, but how hard could being
surrounded by beautiful women be? A lot harder than he’d thought. The producer
changed the rules of the show behind his back, the women were nearly clawing at
each other for this attention--and that one contestant he couldn’t get off his
mind…
Can two people who are meant to be together manage to fight the catty contestants,
crazy producer and find true love on a reality show in the Australian Outback?
~Excerpt~
“And
what is it you really want?” Sam asked, turning her head around to look at him.
“I want someone I can laugh with. I want a woman who I can sit on a park bench
and not speak, but still be comfortable with. I want a woman who wants me for
who I am, not for what I can give her. I want a woman who can be my friend as
well as my lover. I want a woman who will stand in the rain with me just
because it’s there and not worry about her makeup or her hair. I want a woman
who’s strong, but who can still lean on me. I want to look forward to going
home because I know that she’s there. I want a woman I can take care of. Who
will let me pamper her just because I want to.” Alex took a deep breath and
looked down at Sammi. “I want a companion. I want someone to call my own and a
woman who can call me hers.” Alex saw a tear fall from Sammi’s eye. He reached
up with his finger to brush it away. “I want this,” he said softly and dipped
his head to her lips. Alex’s hand went to the back of Sam’s neck and tightened,
drawing her to him. His lips moved on hers. Sam let out a short moan.
Buy Link:
~About the Author~
Susan Stoker has a heart
as big as the state of Texas where she lives but this all American girl has
also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado,
and Indiana. She is quite the romantic and even met the love of her life on "Hotmail
classified" before online dating and sites like match.com even existed!
Susan has been reading
romance novels since middle school and once crossed out the names of the main
characters in a book and changed them to her own and to the name of her crush.
She's been writing scenes for years, developing her unique writing style.
Susan loves writing but
her true passion is adopting dogs from rescue groups and shelters. Susan and
her husband have had a total of nine "rescued" dogs since 2000
including a variety of basset hounds and bloodhounds. She has recently branched
out and adopted a basset/terrier mix who acts more like a terrier than a basset
(i.e. digging, eating a couch and being hyper). If you love romance and want to
help her support adopting great dogs, be sure to check out her work listed
below.
The first series, Beyond
Reality, is a trilogy, with all three books in the series having Happily Ever
After endings with no cliffhangers.
Site Facebook
Connect with her at
or www.facebook.com/authorsusanstoker
Second Summer: Book One in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain
The Chairman of both the MacLaren Cattle Co. and MacLaren Land Development, he
is a success professionally, but his personal life is another matter.
Following a divorce after a long, loveless marriage Heath spends his time with
women who are beautiful and passionate, yet unable to provide what he longs for
. . .
. . . Heath has never experienced love even though he witnesses it every day
between his younger brother, Jace, and wife, Caroline. He wants what they have
yet spends his time with women too young to understand what drives him and too
focused on themselves to be true companions.
It’s been two years since Annie’s husband died, leaving her to build a new
life. He was her soul-mate and confidante, she has no desire to find a
replacement, yet longs for male friendship . . .
. . . Annie’s closest friend in Fire Mountain, Caroline MacLaren, is determined
to see Annie come out of her shell after almost two years of mourning. A chance
meeting with Heath turns into an offer to be a part of the MacLaren Foundation
Board and an opportunity for a life outside her home sanctuary which has also
become her prison. The platonic friendship that builds between Annie and Heath
points to a future where each may rely on the other without the bonds a romance
would entail.
However, without consciously seeking it, each yearns for more . . .
. . . The MacLaren Development Company is booming with Heath at the helm. His
meetings at a partner company with the young, beautiful marketing director, who
makes no secret of her desire for him, are a temptation. But is she the type of
woman he truly wants?
. . . Annie’s acceptance of the deep, yet passionless, friendship with Heath
sustains her, lulling her to believe it is all she needs. At least until Heath
drops a bombshell, forcing Annie to realize that what she took for friendship
is actually a deep, lasting love. One she doesn’t want to lose.
Each must decide to settle, or fight for it all.
Second Summer is the first book in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary
novella series.
~Excerpt~
“Well, not really. It
doesn’t matter anyway.” The room felt hot. She’d have to check to see if Eric
had changed the setting.
“Why’s that?”
“I called it off with
him tonight. That’s why I drove out to see you, to let you know.” Annie moved
into the family room, trying to create some distance.
“So, it’s just you and
me now, Annie. No doctor and no one else, right?”
“No, no one else.” She’d
backed up against a wall. Heath now stood not a foot away. “I don’t understand
what you want from me,” she whispered.
He took another step
forward, placing his hands against the wall on either side of her. “Oh, I think
you do.”
Buy Link:
~About the Author~
I have been writing most
of my life, but only recently began the transition into fiction. Historical
romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and short stories are what
keep me reading, so that is the focus of my writing.
I was born in
California, grew up between a growing beach town and a small town at the base
of the San Bernardino mountains. My mother originally planned to name me
Katherine, but she read an article in the paper about a woman named Shirleen
shortly before my birth, so instead of having a cool nickname, like Kate, I am
simply Shirleen. My mainstays growing up were all the Nancy Drew mystery books;
I loved them. Eventually I moved on to mysteries, suspense stories, crime
novels, and romance. Pride and Prejudice will always be one of my favorites.
Besides California, life
changes have allowed me to live in Oregon, Colorado, and Arizona. Everywhere I
have lived has been inspirational in one way or another, giving me the
opportunity to meet remarkable people with their own stories to tell. I've
sailed, skied, owned horses plus lots of other animals, and ridden various
off-road vehicles. I enjoy dancing, fishing, hunting, being the back-seater on
my husband's Harley, traveling and, of course, reading and writing.
Prior to transitioning
to writing fiction, I worked for Fortune 500 and many smaller, start-up
companies. Fortunately, I regained my sanity long enough to start my own
consulting firm, which I still maintain today.
My husband and I spend
most of our time at our main home in the mountains of Arizona and our second
home in Southern California. Between us we have five boys with growing careers
and families of their own. So, from my perspective, my life is a success and
always an adventure. I wouldn't change a thing; well, except finding more time
to write.
I love hearing from
readers, so please feel email me at shirleen@shirleendavies.com.
Author Links:
~Giveaway~
Susan
is giving away a $5.00 Amazon gift card and an eCopy of Outback Hearts and
Flaming Hearts.
For
a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below.
Thanks very much for featuring the first book, Second Summer, in my new contemporary MacLaren series.
ReplyDeleteI welcome and will respond to questions or comments from your readers. My email is shirleen@shirleendavies.com.
Enjoy your week. Hope it includes a great romance book!
Shirleen