WeWriWa: “Nothing to Give” . . . An Untarnished Hero W-I-P

If you don’t ask, you’ll never know . . . and knowing is half the battle (my favorite GI Joe battle cry!) So, after finishing the first drafts and near final versions of two Texas-set contemporary romantic suspenses (my favorite to read and to write!), I girded my loins and emailed my former Silhouette editor asking if she’d be willing to take a look at my new project. Breath held . . . she said, “Send them!” You know how I love a challenge. Now, so do the characters in AN UNTARNISHED HERO, the first book in what I hope develops into a meaty series of western lawmen – my favorite kind! Here’s a look see . . .

An old passion lost.

After months of silence, Willamina Redbone is two steps away from signing papers to reclaim her maiden name when the battered love of her naïve past returns without apology or explanation. Always a man of honor where the law was concerned, she can trust Jimmy Redbone to protect her and help save her ranch, but can she trust herself not to make the same mistake with her heart. . . only to watch him ride away again?

A past love reclaimed.

Injured out of the line of duty by the man who destroyed his wife’s family, U.S. Marshal Jimmy Redbone returns to her isolated West Texas ranch to heal his wounds and rebuild their marriage along with the neglected acres while secretly protecting her from the now freed killer her testimony put in prison. And to take his own retribution upon the man who dared threaten what was once his . . . and hopes will be once again.

A dangerous debt unpaid.

With the lives of three young men unavenged and a fortune in drug money still missing, the clock is ticking down on their chance for a future together as old secrets and dangerous truths push between the lawman and his lady. But they hadn’t anticipated the efforts of a crotchety retired Ranger and a protective stray to help them defend the life they long to build . . . together.

 The Excerpt 

She’d never belonged with him in Houston, caged in his apartment, longing for the freedom of the life she’d led. But she loved him, so she stayed.  Until fate set her free from their marriage prison by calling her home.

After basking in her light, his own darkness suffocated him without her. He’d always known he had nothing to give, that she, like everyone else in his life, was only temporary. He’d figured he’d just get over it and go on with the perilous routine of his days and longer nights. 

Until Angel Soto gave him a reason to hope. 

He’d sunk his teeth into that chance to make things right, seeing only the end result and none of the consequences. Even at the risk of throwing twenty years of respect and hard work away.

( . . . and a bit more . . .)

He’d come to The Cut Above ready to face hell . . . and found himself in an unexpected heaven.  All he had to do was reach out to grab onto everything he’d dreamed of having.

What the Texas-bred hell was he doing wasting precious time on coulda, shoulda, woulda? He had eight days left before he’d return to full duty. Eight days to see justice done. Eight days to rectify four years of mistakes and neglect.  To convince the woman he’d failed to protect and provide for that the broken thing binding them together was worth fighting for. Eight days to find a path to a future they could walk together. 

I’d just begun to think I had nothing to give toward a future in contemporary romance. Silly me. What do think? Are your spurs a-jingling? Wish me luck. Here’s to getting back on the book shelves! Yee Hah!

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