A Turquoise, New Mexico, StoryOnce upon a time, a prince lived in a magical kingdom called Turquoise, New Mexico.
Well, really, TJ is a small-town police chief. Every Friday he holds court in the diner with the local holy roller, the art colonists, and the horsey people. But the Benes, who own the rodeo company, keep to themselves. TJ knows, because he was once hot and heavy with the oldest Bene son.
When Wacey Bene gets trampled by a remuda and comes home to heal, he’s none too happy to run into TJ, or his two little boys and their momma. The story might end there—if it wasn’t for some pesky bastard trying to kill Wacey.
The law steps in, and the townsfolk are cross about somebody messing with one of their own.
But once the bad guy is put away, can TJ and Wacey make their place in this wild and eccentric town a permanent one?
Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon
Cat gives this one 4 Meows...
Wacey has gotten hurt and has to come home from the rodeo to heal from an accident where he was nearly trompled to death by the horses after a sound like a car backfiring.
TJ Is the sheriff and is angry at Wacey from running away when they were teens, though back then he didn't know what he wanted besides a normal life with kids and a home.
Ten years later TJ is divorced with two boys he loves but seeing Wacy brings back feelings only Wacey could give him. Now its apparent someone is trying to kill Wacey, but who and why?
I liked this story but I love me some sexy cowboys, lawmen and second chances and I got it here. Toss in a couple of cute kids and it's even better. This book is in the Dreamspun Desires line so you know you will get a good story on a trope and not a lot of sex. So if you are looking for a lot of on-page sex this may not be for you.
My only issue was the mystery which I didn't figure it out kinda ended suddenly and I had some questions left unanswered. other than that I loved the book and can't wait for more in this series.
If you like a touch of mystery, hot cowboys, sexy sheriff, second chances and cute kids this is a lot of fun to read.
Excerpt...
Chapter One
“CHIEF! CHIEF Cook! Did you see how that insane woman, that Starbaby Flutterbeans or whatever she’s calling herself this ‘incarnation’ painted her house? There’s a nekkid lady on the side. A naked woman!” Ruth Ann Masters was just about to work herself into a right tizzy or a stroke—one of which would be funny as all get-out.
“Miz Masters, that’s the Venus of Willendorf, and it’s art. She ain’t breaking no laws.” Maybe a few of common decency, but that wasn’t under his particular elected umbrella. Some droopy boobs and a wide belly wasn’t exactly pornalicious.
“But it’s naked! Think of the children.”
“If you stay out of Star’s yard, you can’t see it.” It was hidden by that giant pyracantha that shaded the house and the labyrinth that Star’d built out of yard art in her side yard.
“I was not in her yard!”
“Now, Miz Masters, you’re yelling.” Jenny, who owned the Turquoise Café, came to refill TJ’s coffee. “Not dignified.”
“Thank you, Jenny.”
“Look here, you…. My people have been in this town since it was created. I’m—”
“A nosy old biddy?”
Oh Lord, just what he needed, Josh Leman stirring the shit pot.
TJ tried hard not to roll his eyes. “Josh, you hush. Miz Ruth, I can tell you the kids like it.”
Josh plopped down beside him, his oldest and orneriest friend covered in dust. “What? You are a nosy one, Miz Ruth. You know I love you, but you need to leave Star alone.”
“She’s a witch!” the old lady screamed.
“That ain’t illegal, honey. Come on, have a cup of tea on the house.” Jenny rolled her eyes over Ruth’s shoulder.
“That sounds good, huh? Get her a scone on me.” He glared at Josh. “What the what, buddy? I don’t need her writing an op piece to the newspaper.”
“Oh, you know Mike would piss himself if he could have a little war.” Josh was nowhere near worried enough.
“I do know. I also know what I’ll get from the mayor, and Star would curse my dick or something.”
“God forbid.” Josh leaned back and grinned at him, gold front tooth glinting. “So, I come bearing gossip. Interested?”
“Fuck yes.” He needed something besides the shit show of being a small-town cop.
“Okay. Normal stuff first. Diane Colley is having an affair with Jane Tees. Her husband caught them munching carpet last week. Matt Colley’s getting the kids and the house; Diane’s taking the pottery studio and every other weekend.”
“Oh, ouch. I mean, for all of them.” Diane was a neat lady but a bit of a flake. The kids would be better off with Matt, he thought.
“I know, right? I mean, Jane’s a smart cookie. I hope she knows what she’s getting into.” Josh paused dramatically. “Pun intended.”
“Ew.” Josh could be hilariously crude. “That’s not polite, bud.”
“Like I do polite. What else…. Wacey Bene is coming back to town to stay with his folks at the ranch. He got hurt real bad in Cheyenne. Also, my Loretta caught pregnant.”
“Wait, what?” He blinked, trying to process that.
“It’s true. She’s due right after Christmas.”
TJ rolled his eyes. “No, doof. About Wacey. What happened?”
“Dunno. Something about the horses, I think.”
No. No, that didn’t make a lick of sense. Wacey Bene was a dick of the highest order, but the man had been born on horseback. He wouldn’t get in any kind of accident with a horse.
“How bad is he hurt?”
“Did you not hear me? I am having a baby, you cocksucker.”
“Hey! Congratulations.” He grinned wide, knowing it made Josh nuts to be ignored. “Go you.”
“I know, right? I thought it would never happen. She’s over the moon.”
“Are you sure it’s yours? What if you’re shooting blanks?”
“I will shoot you right here, fudge packer.” Josh’s smile never ever faltered. Everyone deserved that—to be loved and trusted without a bit of hesitation. Josh had married Loretta the day after high school graduation, had put her through college at UNM, and had built her the house of her dreams. Those two were disgusting in love.
He grinned. “I’ll arrest you for trying. Seriously, man, congratulations. Kids will change your life forever.”
TJ knew all about that. His boys were the light of his fucking life.
“Good. I would have been happy one way or the other, but my girl? She was getting plumb down in the mouth about not being able to catch.”
“I know. When it’s time, it’s time. Jenny, give Josh another round of pancakes on me.”
“I can do that.” She nudged Josh’s arm. “Congrats, man.”
“Thank you.”
“So, what were you asking about?” Josh murmured. “Oh! Wacey. He broke a leg or a hip or something. Bad enough that he’s in a wheelchair for like another six weeks.”
“Ouch.” He winced, because that had to be hell for the kid and his folks, both.
Kid. Yeah, TJ reckoned Wacey wasn’t a kid anymore, but he hadn’t seen the jerk in ages.
Hell, damn near ten years, he guessed. Had it been that long since the oldest Bene son had been home? Surely not…. Then again, TJ would have heard about it if Wacey was around.
Josh grabbed the syrup. “Yep. Sucks to be him.”
“I guess so.” Christ, they’d been hot and heavy, once upon a time, but that was a different world, and he’d been a scared kid. No way they would have made it.
“You gonna eat that bacon?” Josh asked.
“Yes.” He made a stabbing motion with his fork. “Back off.”
“So, you got plans today besides sitting on your ass?”
“Yeah. I have a good bit to look into, actually.” He had dick. Turquoise, New Mexico, was a tiny town with pretty tiny problems. Miz Ruth’s complaint, which he wouldn’t even research, was going to be the biggest deal of the day.
Josh gave him an exaggerated yawn. “Poor Chief.”
“I know, I know. I’m overworked and underpaid.” Hell, he loved his job, loved his kids, loved his life.
“You want one more round of pancakes for the road?”
“Heck yes.” Why not? He would work it off.
“Good deal. I’m eating for two now, you know.”
“I don’t think that’s exactly how it works.”
“No?” Josh laughed loud and long. “Any excuse to eat. Jenny! Bring on another round.”
“Lord have mercy. We should all have a hollow leg.”
“Someday I’ll be all paunch, but for now, I can shed it fast.” Josh winked broadly.
Shit, as much as Josh was climbing up and down ladders, the man would never be chunky.
TJ waved Jenny over to pay the bill. This round he was going to have to eat and run, but he would suck down the butter and syrup any way he could. He had to pick his boys up after school today, not to mention all the paperwork at the office.
They powered through one more plate each. “Okay, Josh, I got to go. Keep an ear out about Wacey Bene.” TJ could have bitten his tongue. Why did he say that?
“Will do.” That was the sign of a good friend—when they knew when to just agree about the ex.
He left the tip on the table before rising. “Later, bud. See you on Friday, Jenny!”
“Stay safe, Chief,” she answered, just like always.
That was always the plan too. He had too much to live for to get caught flat-footed out there. Good thing Turquoise was probably the least dangerous town in New Mexico. Time to do his job and keep it that way.
Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy's Girl, BA spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she's not doing that, she's writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA's personal saviors include her wife, Julia, her best friend, Sean, and coffee. Lots of good coffee. Y'all know that song, The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA? That's me, down to the bone.
Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the high desert and now lives the good life in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.
enjoyed the excerpt
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good review, Cat. Being from Texas myself, I kind of inherited a love of cowboys, and B.A. does have some sexy ones. Glad to see she has some more in this one. - Purple Reader,
ReplyDeleteTheWrote [at] aol [dot] com
Thank you for the review and excerpt!
ReplyDelete