Please welcome talented author Linda McLaughlin. Today I’m featuring her California-set Western
romance.
Lily and the
Gambler
by Linda McLaughlin
Blurb: Respectability
is in the eye of the beholder, or so Lily hopes. After her lover’s death she
pretends to be his widow and travels to California to marry a mine owner. Then
she meets King Callaway, a charming gambler. King knows he’s found his Queen of
Hearts. But can he convince her to take a chance on a foot-loose card sharp?
Only Lady Luck knows for sure...
Lily and the
Gambler
is available at:
Amazon
Kindle US: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MYMEKMD/
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/728787
Excerpt:
“Do
you tell fortunes, too?”
“As
a matter of fact, I do. Is the lady interested?”
“Perhaps,”
she said, aware he was flirting with her again and annoyed with herself because
she was enjoying it. “There should be a deck of cards here somewhere.”
“No
cards required. Just let me see your palm.”
Unable
to stop herself, Lily stripped off her gloves and let him take her hand. He
held it in his left hand, and with his right index finger, traced the lines on
her palm. Shivers ran up her arm at each caressing touch. His scent, a mixture
of bay rum, male musk, and a faint hint of tobacco, overwhelmed her.
“What
do you see?” she asked, her voice suddenly breathless.
“Health
and long life.”
“What,
no handsome stranger?” she joked.
He
raised his head and stared into her eyes. “Oh, yes, I see romance ahead for
you. With a dark haired fellow. But he isn’t a stranger.”
For
what seemed an age, she stared into his green-gold eyes while her pulse
quickened and warmth stole through her veins. It would be so easy to surrender
to the feelings he evoked.
“I
also see a fork in the road ahead,” he added softly. “You have a decision to
make. A very important decision.”
She
snatched her hand away, knowing she couldn’t afford to be distracted by him. It
wasn’t as if he had made her any promises. “I think you need to practice your
fortune-telling skills, Mr. Callaway.”
He
chuckled. “There’s something else I’d like to practice.” Cupping her chin, he
stared at her, his eyes full of half promises. “Oh, hell, I may get my face
slapped for this, but…” His hand moved to the back of her neck as he lowered
his head and captured her lips in a kiss that stole her breath away.
For
a moment, she closed her eyes and gave herself up to the kiss. Then a door
slammed somewhere in the house, reminding her of where they were. She pushed
him away. “How dare you?” she hissed.
He
gave her a lazy grin. “What’s that old saying? Nothing ventured, nothing
gained?”
“I
think you’d best be going.”
He paused at
front door, turned and held her gaze for a moment, then left.
She
sighed and leaned against the doorjamb. What had she been thinking to let him
kiss her, however briefly?
Author bio:
Linda
McLaughlin grew up with a love of books and history, so it's only natural she
prefers writing historical romance. She loves transporting her readers into the
past where her characters learn that, in the journey of life, love is the
sweetest reward. Linda also writes steamy to erotic romance under the name
Lyndi Lamont, and is one half of the writing team of Lyn O'Farrell.
You
can find her online at http://lindalyndi.com
Twitter:
@Lyndi Lamont https://twitter.com/LyndiLamont
Thanks for hosting me today, Kathleen.
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