Publisher: Loveswept (Random House)
Date of publication: April 2016
With its thriving military
base, Seaside, North Carolina, is teeming with heroes of all stripes. But, as
the Hero’s Welcome series from Annie Rains continues, it takes a cowboy to
rescue the town’s newest resident from heartache.
After a bad breakup leaves Julie Chandler
completely devastated, she comes to Seaside seeking a fresh start. A talented,
compassionate yoga teacher, she has developed a program to help alleviate the
effects of PTSD, but getting a bunch of bullheaded Marines into downward facing
dog might be impossible. So Julie’s shocked when one of her first students
dives in headfirst—and almost tempts her to take down her walls with his easy smile
and electrifying touch.
Welcome Home, Cowboy is the second book in the Hero's Welcome series. I enjoyed the first one and I can honestly say I liked this one even more. This is Julie and Lawson's story. Julie is Kat's sister from the first book. She has returned home after ending an abusive relationship and is trying to focus on finding a job and new life. Lawson is fighting his PTSD that prevents him from getting back into a helicopter after a devastating accident during the war.
I really loved this couple together. I liked how they started out as friends and it slowly built into love. Both of them were struggling, but gave each other the strength to go after what they wanted. I wanted to drop kick Lawson at one point because he was so blind, but he redeemed himself nicely!
I have never been a fan of yoga the couple of times I tried it, but after reading this book, I am wondering if I should give it another try. Maybe it will eventually help me with stress reduction. Just like Lawson, I can have my mind changed.
This was a great addition to the series. I look forward to Val and Griffin's story coming up later in the summer!
Excerpt
“Come ride with me anytime,” he said, helping her
dismount from the horse when they were back at the barn. He didn’t place his
hands on her ass this time, which was both regrettable and a relief. Instead,
he steadied her waist with his hands. She turned to face him after he helped
her to the ground, and was surprised to find how close they were standing.
Close enough that the brim of his hat on her head nearly touched his chin.
“This belongs to you.” She took off the hat and went up on her tiptoes to put it back where it belonged. Their eyes locked as the movement brought them even closer together. Her heart bucked again, like a wild horse ready to bolt.
Returning to flat feet, she started to step away. Needed to step away. Too bad Bon-Bon was still behind her, blocking her escape.
“Julie?” he said, making her feet pause and her heart stutter. She liked the sound of her name on his lips. Low, deep.
“Yes?” she asked breathlessly.
He reached out his hand to tame a strand of her hair brushing against her cheek. “You have what I call hat-hair.” He took his time smoothing the hair around her ear, awakening every nerve in her body. Then he slowly dipped, keeping his blue-as-the-ocean eyes on hers, and kissed her.
She melted into him instead of stepping away. The side of his cheek on hers was warm and inviting, intoxicating. His tongue tapped softly against hers, just once, as he swept his hand behind her neck, pulling her gently toward him.
A soft moan escaped her throat, betraying her. She parted her lips for him, inviting him in, begging him to stay, which he did for just a moment longer. Then he broke it off, keeping it sweet. The kiss had threatened to be more, though. It had threatened to take her inside that barn, lay her down on a blanket of hay, and be a whole hell of a lot more.
“See you later, Lawson,” she said, forcing herself to step away from him, away from the horse and the barn. She turned toward her car and didn’t look back. Otherwise, her hormones were going to win and drag this cowboy into the barn and slam the stall doors behind them.
“See you later, Julie,” he called after her.
“This belongs to you.” She took off the hat and went up on her tiptoes to put it back where it belonged. Their eyes locked as the movement brought them even closer together. Her heart bucked again, like a wild horse ready to bolt.
Returning to flat feet, she started to step away. Needed to step away. Too bad Bon-Bon was still behind her, blocking her escape.
“Julie?” he said, making her feet pause and her heart stutter. She liked the sound of her name on his lips. Low, deep.
“Yes?” she asked breathlessly.
He reached out his hand to tame a strand of her hair brushing against her cheek. “You have what I call hat-hair.” He took his time smoothing the hair around her ear, awakening every nerve in her body. Then he slowly dipped, keeping his blue-as-the-ocean eyes on hers, and kissed her.
She melted into him instead of stepping away. The side of his cheek on hers was warm and inviting, intoxicating. His tongue tapped softly against hers, just once, as he swept his hand behind her neck, pulling her gently toward him.
A soft moan escaped her throat, betraying her. She parted her lips for him, inviting him in, begging him to stay, which he did for just a moment longer. Then he broke it off, keeping it sweet. The kiss had threatened to be more, though. It had threatened to take her inside that barn, lay her down on a blanket of hay, and be a whole hell of a lot more.
“See you later, Lawson,” she said, forcing herself to step away from him, away from the horse and the barn. She turned toward her car and didn’t look back. Otherwise, her hormones were going to win and drag this cowboy into the barn and slam the stall doors behind them.
“See you later, Julie,” he called after her.
Author Info
Annie Rains is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love
stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of
America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight
for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good
woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband
and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.
Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/11/welcome-to-forever-heros-welcome-1-by.html
2 comments:
Thank you for hosting and reviewing WELCOME HOME, COWBOY today!
Crystal, Tasty Book Tours
Thank you so much for sharing Welcome Home Cowboy with your readers! I'm glad you enjoyed reading!
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