Tag Archives: Kings of Country series

Spotlight – Song for a Cowboy

29 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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“Cute”, “feel good”, “sappy”, “sweet” – just a few things that Goodreads readers are saying about Sasha Summers newest release!

*****

Song for a Cowboy

Kings of Country series

by Sasha Summers

Blurb:

Country star Emmy Lou King is singing the blues over the cowboy who got away…

Emmy Lou King’s whole family is legendary in country music. When she lands the opportunity to sing the American Football League anthem and serve on one of the AFL’s anti-drug charities, she’s sure she can handle working with Brock Watson. She was charmed by the cowboy once upon a timeβ€”and she’s never loved anyone elseβ€”but she can handle it. Right?

Brock Watson is feeling the pressure. From dealing with his father’s declining health, to keeping their ranch running, staying in game-ready shape, and his dedication to the charity that changed his life, there’s no time for anything else. Emmy Lou included. After six years, he’d like to think she couldn’t mess with his head anymore. But one look, one smileβ€”and he knows she’s as dangerous as ever. He can’t resist herβ€”he never could.

The more time Emmy Lou spends with Brock, the harder it is for them to keep their distance.

*****

Excerpt:

β€œDuly noted.” He stood, reached for her, and swung her up into his arms.

β€œBrock, I can walk.” Her hands pressed against his shoulder.

β€œI know.” He nodded at her ankle. β€œIf you want to make that worse, you can. Don’t you have a video to make tomorrow?” That was pretty much all the guys could talk aboutβ€”Emmy Lou King, her legs, her voice, and wondering what sort of getup she’d be wearing for the video.

She was going to argue, he could tell. Instead she said, β€œI need my purse.”

He stooped and let her grab her purse.

β€œThank you.” She stared at her purse.

With his focus fixed on the door to the locker room, he carried her across the field. He didn’t think about the brush of her ponytail against his bare arms or the hitch in her breath or the way she relaxed into his hold, her slight frame too fragile. She’d always done thisβ€”brought out his protective side. Little did he know, he’d been the one who needed protecting from her.

β€œWhat about your leg?” She sniffed.

β€œWhat about it?” He frowned.

β€œShould you be carrying me?”

No, definitely not.Β But that had nothing to do with his leg and everything to do with the effect she had on him. β€œI’m fine, Emmy Lou.” He would beβ€”once her scent wasn’t filling his nostrils.

β€œI wasn’t angry about Ricky Ames,” she said suddenly. β€œI mean, I was. But not about anything he said to me. Guys are like that sometimes.”

I bet they are.Β Men tended to notice beautiful women. But noticing and acting like a complete prick weren’t the same thing.

β€œI was upset because of what he said…about you.” Her words ended on a hiccup.

Why the hell did she care what Ricky Ames said about him? He risked a look at her.

β€œI get that the team has to bring in someone until you’re released to play. But…it’s like he doesn’t know who you are.” Her cheeks were going red again. β€œDoesn’t he know your record? Does he have four hundred and sixty-nine tackles? Ninety-one sacks? Does he watch Reggie White footage to be a better defensive end? Does he even know who Reggie White is? Or thatΒ thisΒ is your team? AndΒ youΒ carry this defensive line? He really thinks he can replace you?”

She was talking about football. His stats, but football. And he liked what he was hearing a hell of a lot. β€œNever pegged you as a football fan.” He waved Todd Flynn, one of the trainers, over and carried her into the game-day emergency clinic. Gently, he set her on an exam table and started unlacing her tennis shoes.

β€œThank you.” Her gaze shifted, meeting his.

He nodded, carefully sliding the pink sequined shoe off her foot. Her hands fisted at her sides. β€œSorry.”

She nodded. β€œIt’s fine.”

He inspected her now apple-sized swollen ankle. Her sock was stretched tight. Pink socks. Pink shoes. It had always been her favorite color. Hell, he’d worn a pink tie to prom for her.

He nodded as Todd came in. β€œHer ankle.”

β€œI can see that.” Todd bent, his fingers moving over the inflamed joint. β€œTell me if this hurts.”

Brock crossed his arms and watched her face. She scrunched up her features and closed her eyes as Todd slowly moved her foot one way, then the other.

β€œThat.” Her hands pressed, flat, against the exam table.

β€œProbably a sprain. Ice and elevate. I’ll go get some. Might call your doctor, get an X-ray to make sure.” Todd nodded and glanced his way. β€œUm, looks like you could use some ice, too?” He shook his head and left the room, saying, β€œBe back.”

β€œI’m not.” She swallowed, staring down at her ankle and wiggling her toes. β€œA football fan, I mean.”

β€œNo?” He leaned against the counter. β€œI thought only die-hard fans cared about stats?”

β€œI guess.” She shrugged. β€œI only know yours.”

For a split second, he was frozen.

Don’t. Don’t do this.Β He wasn’t eighteen years old anymore; he knew better.

*****

Author Info:

Sasha Summers grew up surrounded by books. Her passions have always been storytelling, romance and travel–passions she uses when writing. Now a best-selling and award winning-author, Sasha continues to fall a little in love with each hero she writes. From easy-on-the-eyes cowboy, sexy alpha-male werewolves, to heroes of truly mythic proportions, she believes that everyone should have their happy ending–in fiction and real life.

Sasha lives in the suburbs of the Texas Hill country with her amazing and supportive family and her beloved grumpy cat, Gerard, The Feline Overlord. She looks forward to hearing from fans and hopes you’ll visit her online.

*****

Spotlight – Jace

06 Monday Apr 2020

Posted by in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Let’s keep that cowboy theme going, whadayathink?

*****

Jace

Kings of Country series

by Sasha Summer

Publication Date: 3/31/2020

Music is all he has…but is it enough to heal them both?

Jace Black went from an oilfield roughneck to an overnight singing sensation. Now he’s working on a duet with country music legend Krystal King, and he’s determined to earn his way to the top. But the more time he spends with Krystal, the more he finds himself falling for herβ€”and he’s beginning to be more interested in her than he is in making a name for himself.

Krystal King grew up on stage and in the spotlight. No matter how golden her life appears, her past left deep wounds. But Jace Black makes her wish things were different. To do that, she’d have to risk letting him in… And that might be too big a risk for her battered heart to take.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NvhST4

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Apple: https://apple.co/2OT1Kv9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2SLKA3V

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/31PgMaI

Bookshop: http://bit.ly/31QRDwg

BAM: http://bit.ly/38mUrCT

*****

Excerpt:

β€œHow’d you get here?” she asked, a smile on her face.

β€œMy sister. She entered me in that reality show and everything changed.” He shook his head. β€œAll this”— he pointed around the studioβ€”β€œis still a shock to my system. Your dad in there. Your sister. Being opposite you. Singing with you?” His voice deepened. β€œI am in my head a little.”

Her expression shifted, from curious to…concerned. β€œI’m guessing there’s a reason you’re working so hard?” She cleared her throat. β€œWife? Kids?”

β€œNo.” Not anymore. Thinking about what he’d lost still tore him up inside. Talking about it here, now? No way. β€œLittle sister. A lot of medical bills to pay off.” He didn’t elaborate. β€œShe’s a freshman in college now.” He ran his fingers through his hair. β€œShe’s a kid. A good kid. Deserves having her chance.”

β€œWhat about you?” she asked. β€œEver stop to think this is your chance?”

This was definitely his chance. But he’d been putting Heather first for so long, putting her first now just made sense. β€œA chance I can’t afford to screw up,” he agreed.

She grinned. β€œJace Michael Black. My daddy thinks you can sing. And if my daddy thinks you can sing, you can’t be all that bad.”

He laughed. Was it wrong that hearing her say his name felt good? And her grin. Damn but she was a pretty thing. Even without all the makeup and fancy clothes she’d been wearing the other night. If anything, he preferred her like thisβ€”young, natural, casual. And then he realized, she was relaxed, all the defensive tension and anger gone. She loved this, loved music. They had that in common.

β€œWhat’s your sister’s name?”

β€œHeather,” he said.

β€œShe’s named Heather and you get stuck with Jace?” She shook her head.

β€œStill not over the name yet?” he asked, his gaze falling to her long neck.

β€œTold you, I’m not sure what I think yet,” she said.

β€œI’m fine. I mean, I’m ready now.” He rolled his head. He could do this.

β€œYou sure?” she asked, picking up her headphones. β€œWe could go once, no music. If you want?”

He shook his head and put on his headphones.

Krystal gave the sound booth the thumbs-up and a slight hum flooded his ears. The yearning strains of the guitar flipped a switch inside. The melody was sweeter than he’d expected. And when the lead-in notes rolled over him, he closed his eyes and sang, β€œI remember you, standing in the sun, smiling at me, and suddenly the world caught fire. Blinding, beautiful fire.”

The music kept going, but Krystal was silent.

He opened his eyes to find her staring at him, her lips parted and her eyes wide. He’d screwed up? His gaze bounced from the pages to Krystal. She just kept right on staring. Shit. What had he done? He glanced at her, skimmed the lyrics, then turned to the sound booth. β€œAw, was my timing off?” As far as he could tell, he’d been spot on.

Hank King chuckled. β€œNo. You were great. You just blew her socks off, son.” He was still chuckling. β€œHow about we start again? Will that work for you, Krystal?”

Jace looked at Krystal then, really looked at her. There weren’t many musicians he admired like Krystal. She was the real deal, what singers and songwriters should strive to be. And he’d impressed her. He’d impressed her? β€œDid I?” he asked, disbelieving. β€œKnock your socks off?”

She shook her head but didn’t say a word.

β€œI did.” He sat a little straighter, more than a little pleased.

β€œDon’t let it go to your head,” Krystal teased. β€œBesides, I’m not wearing socks.” She smiled at him. β€œYou keep singing like that and you’re going to do just fine.” She blew out her breath. β€œOkay. Let’s do this.”

One minute, he was feeling pretty damn proud of himself. The next, he was drowning in the heat of those green, green eyes.

β€œLet’s go,” Hank said.

He slid his earphones back on, the swell of the music flooding his ears. She liked what she heard. And this time, he didn’t close his eyes. He watched her. β€œI remember you, standing in the sun, smiling at me, and suddenly my world caught fire. Blinding, beautiful fire.”

She blinked, green eyes flashing before she closed her eyes to sing, β€œI remember you, taking my hand, holding me close, and suddenly my world caught fire. Blinding, beautiful fire.” Her voiceβ€”damn, her voice. It reached inside and grabbed hold of him.

β€œYou were everything. My breath, my home, my night, my day. Didn’t care what people said. Didn’t need a thing but you,” he paused a beat. β€œTill the flames inside burned too hot, and you tried to run from the heat.”

β€œYou were everything. My hope, my fear, my night, my day. Didn’t know my heart was gone. Didn’t know you took it all.” The words gutted him. β€œAnd your words, your lies, your promises were the sweetest pain of all.”

The chorus was together. Her gaze met his then, locked together as the words hung in the air between them. β€œLove isn’t love when the flames burn it down. There’s no hiding or forgiveness from the damage that it’s done. When the smoke clears away, you’ll still find me searching here. Searching for the ashes of my heart.”

He was lost in her green-eyed gaze by the time they’d finished the second verse. And the chorus, together… Singing with her was more than he could ever have anticipated.

Her lyrics were powerful and real. He knew what it was to love someone and suffer betrayal. The anger and pain took some of the joy out of life. If he thought about Nikki and Ben too long, the pain made it hard to breathe. How many times had he replayed that night, over and over, wishing he could go back and change it?

Excerpted from Jace by Sasha Summers. Β© 2020 by Sasha Summers. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.

*****

Author Info:

Sasha Summers’s passions are storytelling, romance, and travel. A bestselling and award winning-author of more than 20 romance novels and novellas, Sasha continues to fall in love with each hero she writes. She lives with her family in the suburbs of the Texas Hill country near San Antonio.

Author Website: https://sashasummers.com/

*****

Giveaway:

3 Copies of Jace

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af7878/

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