Today I’m
excited to host the book blast for Bama
Bride by Joan Chandler. As usual, the author has come with giveaways.
Joan will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a
randomly drawn commenter during the tour. The more you comment during the tour,
the higher your chances of winning. You’ll find the tour dates HERE.
Bama Bride
by Joan Chandler
BLURB
Neal
Sinclair meets David Bankston in a college town bar. He’s tall, dark, and
handsome, and wears a Stetson like nobody’s business.
When
they dance, inner passion heats up while inhibitions melt away. Neal quickly
discovers David’s not a Southerner at all. He’s a Boston architect, in
Tuscaloosa for only one night. The next morning, they struggle to walk away
from something that caught them both by surprise.
Time
doesn’t diminish the ache they feel in each other’s absence. Unable to stay
apart, David arranges to take Neal to watch her beloved Crimson Tide play in a
football bowl game. Reunited, they’re determined to make it work. When
separated, they perfect the art of open communication. They each know that true
love is a long shot.
But
distance isn’t the only thing standing in their way. Unbeknownst to her, Neal’s
overprotective father is, too. With so much conspiring against them, can a
natural disaster turn the odds in their favor?
EXCERPT
“Hey,
cowboy. How about a dance?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she
cringed. Wow, even to my own ears that sounded way too cheesy.
She
looked him over as he stood with the sole of one boot propped against the wall,
and a Stetson perched atop his head. He had sinfully good looks, and his olive
complexion and wavy black hair gave him a swarthy, pirate-like appeal.
“Evening.”
He nodded, but his gaze remained focused on the room, never lingering in one
place too long. Clearly, she had been dismissed.
So much
for my skill at playing the vamp. This is shaping up to be an epic fail.
With
each swig he took from that long-necked beer bottle, however, she found herself
wanting nothing more than to offer to lick off the moisture that clung to his
mouth after every swallow. She decided not to give up so easily.
“You’re
about empty. How about a second round? My treat?”
He
locked eyes with her then, and humor glinted in his. The gorgeous stranger
rewarded her with a dazzling smile even as he shook his head in polite refusal.
“Thank
you, but no.”
His
fingers were long, and his hand was broad. He exuded sex appeal. But she wasn’t
used to these games of pursuit. It was usually the other way around, and she
was fending off the unwanted advances.
Jeez, I
must look utterly pathetic to him just standing here with doe eyes. I don’t
know what possessed me to think I could ever stand a chance with someone like
him.
She
started to back away when suddenly the band began to play the first strains of
“Sweet Home Alabama.” She took it as a sign that this might be her lucky night
after all. She quickly downed the rest of her sour apple martini to bolster her
courage and then deposited the empty glass on a nearby table.
“Are you
just passing through?” She spoke loudly to be heard above the cacophony of
their surroundings.
“I only
came in for a beer—nothing else. I leave town in the morning.”
“I get
it. No entanglements, right? But it’s just one dance. And judging by your
accent, you aren’t from around here. So I’m willing to overlook the fact that
you don’t know it’s an unwritten law that when that particular song comes on,
it’s lady’s choice. She can ask any man to dance, and he can’t say no.”
“Can’t,
huh? Is that a fact?” A playful grin toyed at the corners of his mouth.
“It is
when you’re in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. That song’s a sacred anthem around here.
So, cowboy, I’m asking you once again. You wanna dance?” She put one hand on
her hip and extended the other toward him, waiting. Hoping he would acquiesce.
His
hesitation surprised her. Instead of accepting immediately, he purposefully
raked his eyes over her from head to toe.
“Go
ahead. I’ve got all night.” She teased him at the flagrant assessment of her
assets. She welcomed the appraisal. She knew she looked good tonight.
Finally
he budged, putting both feet on the ground and taking a step closer. “All right
then. You lead the way.” He smirked, as if amused by the whole incident.
She
smiled and turned toward the wooden floor near the stage, their fingers joined
behind her as they walked. When they were front and center, she put her hands
on his shoulders while his immediately came to rest on her hips. Although it
wasn’t a particularly slow song, he pulled her close until their bodies
touched, and they began to move in time to the music.
He was
tall and towered over her, despite her high heels, so he bent slightly and
introduced himself. “I’m David. What’s your name?”
The feel
of his warm breath against her face made the air around her crackle. She
inhaled the scent of him. It was equal parts of shampoo, spice, and suds, and
it was more intoxicating to her than the vodka had been. She breathed deeply
then looked up into his brown eyes.
“Neal.”
He
raised an eyebrow in apparent surprise at the revelation. “That’s an unusual
name for a girl. My best friend in high school was named Neil.”
“Cowboy,
it may sound like a boy’s name, but I can assure you I am one-hundred-percent
genuine woman.”
He let
his hands wander over the luscious curve of her bottom. Pressing his lips
against her ear, he dared her. “Prove it.”
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Joan
Chandler is a Florida native who has lived in the Deep South all of her life.
She is married with two children who are her pride and joy. She lives a double
life of sorts, holding down a nine-to-five job during the day, and writing
steamy romance at night—often with her black cat curled up in her arms as she
types.
When
she’s not spending her spare time working on her next novel, she loves to go
camping, sharing girls’ night out with her friends, walking her two dogs, and
watching college football.
BUY
Links:
BOOKSTRAND
PUBLISHING: http://www.bookstrand.com/bama-bride
twitter
account: @joanchandler1
Find me
on facebook: Joan Chandler
Email: joanchandler13@gmail.com
Nice excerpt, thank you. I enjoyed it.
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Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great evening.
ReplyDeleteNice excerpt
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Sounds like a great book!
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