It’s my
pleasure to be taking part in the Spotlight Tour for author Leigh Greenwood’s
latest historical western romance release, NO ONE BUT YOU.
At first
glance Leigh may not appear to be what is typically thought of as a romance
writer, but don’t let that fool you. Leigh’s tantalizing book will hold you
spellbound from beginning to end. As part of this tour, you can enter to win one
of five print copies of NO ONE BUT YOU being given away. Please
see the end of the post for more details on the tour-wide giveaway.
Title: No One
But You
Author: Leigh
Greenwood
Pubdate: July 5th,
2016
ISBN:
9781492608257
First
Comes Marriage…
Alone in the world and struggling
to make ends meet, Texas war widow Sarah Winborne will do anything to keep her
two small children safe and her hard-won ranch from going under. She hasn’t
fought for so long to lose everything… and if that means marrying a stranger to
protect her family’s future, then so be it.
She
never expected anything but a business arrangement, but something about Benton
Wheeler’s broad shoulders and kind eyes awakens emotions she’d long since
buried. He makes her feel beautiful. He makes her feel desired. He makes her
feel like a woman again. And even though their marriage was never intended to
be more than a matter of convenience, as Benton stands between her small family
and the wild and dangerous West, Sarah may just realize that the cowboy she
married is the love she never dreamed she would find…
NO ONE BUT YOU is available to purchase
at the following sites: Amazon, Apple, Books-A-Million, Chapters, and Indiebound.
Now here’s an excerpt from the book
for your reading pleasure:
“Do you like Salty?” Jared asked.
The question punctured her
thoughts. The unexpectedness of it was like a physical blow. “Of course I do. I
wouldn’t have married him if I hadn’t.”
“You said you only married
because you had to.”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t have married
a man I didn’t like or didn’t trust.”
Jared had finished setting the
table and putting out the bowls for the food, but he hadn’t put out the
glasses. “Do you want him to stay after he fixes things so we won’t starve? He
said he couldn’t get the land until you divorce him.”
Sarah didn’t know what had
prompted Jared to ask these questions. She had always tried to be forthcoming
with the children, but maybe she’d told them too much. “That’s a long way in
the future.”
“Would you let him stay if he wants
to?”
Sarah dragged her attention back
to the stove. She moved the potatoes off the heat and checked the bottom of the
cornbread to make sure it hadn’t burned. “Why are you asking this?”
“Because I want Salty to stay.
Forever.”
Sarah forgot her potatoes and
cornbread. She looked at her son. “Do you like him that much already?”
“I wish he could be my papa.
Arnie said he wanted to be my papa, but I didn’t want him. I want Salty.”
Sarah pulled her son close and
gave him a swift hug. “Honey, I know how important your crutch is to you, but
anybody could have made you one.”
“But nobody did.”
And Salty had indeed made one,
had made it a priority despite staying up all night. He’d taken them to eat in
a restaurant, bought them a dog, and let them stay in a hotel. No wonder Jared
wanted him to stay.
“He might decide to sell his land
once he gets it,” she cautioned.
“He won’t.” It wasn’t a question.
It wasn’t even an opinion. Jared spoke as though his belief were an established
fact.
“Why do you think that?”
“He doesn’t like Mr. Wallace.”
“Did he say so?”
“No, but I can tell.”
And that apparently settled the
question for Jared, because he started setting out glasses.
Sarah hadn’t let herself think
about what Salty might do when it came time to sign over half of the ranch; not
lately. He had become part of her plans nearly as quickly as he had done for
Jared. She was more attracted to him than ever. But that’s not what worried
her. She liked him. That wasn’t in her plans.
It was okay to like him as a
co-worker. It was okay to like him as a friend. It was even okay for her to
start to depend on him for physical labor, seeing as he was her husband.
However, it was not okay to want him around all the time. It wasn’t okay to
think of him touching her, holding her, even kissing her.
She’d been on edge so long she
probably wasn’t thinking clearly. She was simply grateful to find someone who
might actually solve her problems. As a result, she had started thinking she’d
like him to stay around forever. But was she so grateful, so relieved, she’d
forgotten what her father was like, or Roger? Had she forgotten the men who’d
worked for her, who were more interested in getting into her bed than in doing
the work they were paid to do? Rose Randolph might have found a man she could love
in a fairy-tale way, but Sarah didn’t trust any man that much.
But, maybe she could take him as
a lover?
The thought shocked her so much
she nearly dropped the pan of cornbread she was taking off the stove. She’d
never had such a thought in her life. What was wrong with her? But the thought
of being held and kissed by Salty caused her temperature to rise. Something
deep inside her longed for the physical contact, and it wasn’t just a sense of
safety she might find in his arms. She sought something much more fundamental,
something she hadn’t felt with Roger or any other man. It was as though she
needed him. She could understand want, could even understand lust, but where
had need come from? It wasn’t physical. She could take care of herself. It was
an emotional need, one she’d never been able to fulfill, only deny.
“Hurry up with the cornbread,
Mama. Ellen and Salty are almost here.”
Sarah’s impulse was to run to her
bedroom. How could she face Salty with her thoughts in such disarray? She stood
frozen while the pair entered the house. Then she did something she’d never
done before. She fainted.
Author Leigh Greenwood |
Leigh never intended to be a writer, but he found it hard to
ignore the people in his head, and the only way to get them out was to write.
Visit him at www.leigh-greenwood.com.
This tour-wide giveaway is for five (5) print copies of NO
ONE BUT YOU by Leigh Greenwood. The giveaway will end on July 18.
To enter the giveaway just click on the Rafflecopter widget
below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so
please be patient.
Thanks for stopping by today. Do you think men can write
romance just as well as women? When you read a romance book can you tell if it’s
written by a male or female?
Of course men can write romance. And feel romance. Which is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read many romance novels by a man but this sounds like a terrific story!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I am a longtime Leigh Greenwood fan!!! I do think that men can write great romance stories--like Leigh Greenwood. Sometimes, I can tell the difference--it all depends on the skill of the writer. "Marriage of Convenience" is one of my favorite storylines. It's one that I reach for time and time again. The hero and heroine are often trying to overcome great hardship, or, in order to move forward with their lives for financial gain, they must marry. They discover much about themselves as they get to know each other and adapt to their new relationship.
ReplyDeleteHey, that author lives in my neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteI would struggle with romance. Really struggle. Hat's off to you, Leigh.
Cool to see another Charlotte-area writer!
ReplyDeleteI've tried romantic subplots for mysteries and it's tough for me, although I think I've improved (slightly). I do think men can write romance just as well as women and good to see them doing just that!
I like the setting and context for this one, Mason. Thanks for sharing. And I think the more we see different sorts of authors writing different sorts of books, the more quickly we'll get beyond the idea that 'men don't writer romance,' or 'women don't write sci-fi.' I don't think Those stereotypes are productive.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really cool story. Especially since it takes place in Texas :)
ReplyDeleteSome people think men can't write romance and women can't write crime fiction. You rock, Leigh.
Thanks for hosting him, Mason!
Thanks for this captivating giveaway. Men can write beautiful romance stories.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be interesting to read a man's take on romance.
ReplyDeleteMr Greenwood is almost singlehandedly the reason why I write historical romances. And the Seven Brides series (from which this book is spun off) is one of my favorites. ^_^
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking when I saw the name, "Is that the male romance writer?" I thought it was. I believe he was president of RWA for a while?
ReplyDeleteI think a romance from a man's POV would be very revealing and probably highly educational. Now I'm wondering, are there others?
ReplyDeleteOf course men can write romance. Romance through a mans prospective!! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late commenting, but it has given me a chance to read these interesting comments. Men have to be romantic. Otherwise, women in search of romance would forever be doomed to disappointment. I know of too many successful marriages to doubt that. As for POV, men and women are definitely different, but I believe they look for the same things in romance. They just happen to view them from slightly different angles.
ReplyDeleteI had always wanted to write a spinoff about one the characters from the Seven Brides series. It was years before my editor would agree, but when she did I knew the story had to be about Salty. I'd gotten many comments from readers about the twins, William Henry, Dodie, Jordy, and several others, but the most requests were for Salty. I hope you enjoy his story. As for a "marriage of convenience", I think this could be more accurately termed a "marriage of desperation."
I can't think of any specific Marriage of Convenience Books Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteAbove I answered the question in The Rafflecopter The other questions I imagine they could write Romance just the same but I don't know of any
Delete