My Review Stop on the DARK FUTURE series tour by KC Klein with #excerpt + #giveaway

DARK FUTURE Series

by KC Klein

To Buy A Wife – To Keep A Wife – Dark Future

TO BUY A WIFE (Book 1)

In a harsh land where corruption rules and women are few, cold realist Hudson Land must purchase a wife to save his farm. Instead of an auction, he witnesses the start of an execution. With his first look at a beautiful woman in years, Hudson knows he has to have her—no matter the cost. Lake, a chemist and a rebel fighter, is resigned to her death, but when some back-hill farmer rescues her from the chopping block she has no intention of simply becoming his wife. She’s pledged her life to the Rebellion and being bought for some stranger’s bed doesn’t change a thing, even if his soft caresses are damn distracting. As lies and secrets build between them, are the quiet moments they’ve shared enough to stand against two warring factions in a world where only the strong survive.

My Review:

TO BUY A WIFE is Lake's story. Yes, we meet Hudson first, but we learn what he needs from Lake—protection for his farm, his men, future children, and companionship. I feel we even get a hint of his wanting love. After Hudson brings Lake to his farm, he makes a deal with her that she may have twenty-four hours to do what she needs—something she won't tell him—but that she must return willingly to him as a wife and eventual mother to his children. Lake agrees but has absolutely no intention of keeping her promise. It's at this point that I feel Hudson becomes a secondary character. It becomes Lake's story, her journey, her mission, and eventually her fight. Hudson comes across as nothing more than a second thought, and bodyguard. When he does go after her and makes a deal with the Rebels to retrieve Lake's brother, Vonn, I felt it even before he declared it that he would easily accept Vonn into his family—I like Hudson.

Lake is a strong character, a strong female character—KC is good at writing strong female characters—but I get the feeling of Lake resigning herself to being Hudson's wife more than desiring it. There’s a bit more feeling from her at the very end of the story. The romance wasn't wholly evident in this science fiction romance.  

You're probably saying to yourself, uh oh, she didn't like TO BUY A WIFE— not at all—I liked it very much, I just would like to have seen Lake recognize the good man that Hudson was from the beginning. He was gentle with her, caring, treating her like the dove in the story he tells her. The premise of the story is intriguing. It carries a sci-fi western-esk feel about it reminiscent of FIREFLY and I like that. I just wanted to feel that Lake really was falling in love with Hudson.

As the start of this amazing series that truly does work best read in order, TO BUY A WIFE is a must read to understand what comes next. 

TO BUY A WIFE (Book 1) is currently available for FREE at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobobooks, and iTunes.   

TO KEEP A WIFE (Book 2)

In the shards of civilization ruined by a global war, Lake has gotten the life she never dared dreamed of—a safe haven, and the love of a good man, her husband, Hudson Black Creek. But Lake’s hard-won happiness doesn’t last long when powerful Elders lay siege on Black Creek Manor in retaliation for a past defiance. As Lake watches everything she loves go up in flames, she sacrifices herself for the chance to keep Hudson and her brother alive. Syon, a diabolic Elder with his own agenda, will push Lake to her breaking point, forcing her to compromise—heart and soul— in order to survive.

Hudson wakes from a head wound to find that his whole world is reduced to ashes. With no memory of why he’s sacrificed everything for a woman whose name is tattooed on his chest, Hudson is determined to make his heart match the emptiness of his mind, and wipe out everything except the hatred for those who are to blame—the Elders and the wife he sought to protect.

As evil and fear spread across a war-torn land, Lake and Hudson are tested like never before, and both will have to forgive betrayals and risk greater heartbreak if they want a chance at saving their lives… and their love.

My Review:

We met Lake and Hudson in TO BUY A WIFE, and learned that a man, who has a wife, is revered with respect, envy, and believed to have great prestige in this war-torn society. We catch up with Lake, Hudson, and Lake’s little brother, Vonn, in the midst of an attack on the farm. Lake realizes that the Elders want her and will stop at nothing, and spare no one to get her in their clutches. She convinces a wounded Hudson to protect her brother, let the Elders take her, and come for her later. Things don’t work out exactly how Lake had hoped. Now a prisoner of the maniacal Syon, too much time has passed for her to believe that Hudson is ever coming for her. It’s just her again, alone to fend for herself, and her unborn child.

This story covers so much in so short a time that you will almost feel like you’re watching a film in your head. Lake was almost content to be on her own in TO BUY A WIFE, but in TO KEEP A WIFE, KC Klein weaves a wonderful story about the fear of loss, fear of abandonment, and the wonder of how love can pull back loving memories from the darkness and bring a family back together. TO KEEP A WIFE by KC Klein is the perfect finish to a couple’s story that began with a match not exactly made in heaven, but ends with a happy ending which will lead us on even more adventures.

I highly recommend TO KEEP A WIFE by KC Klein, but do be sure to read TO BUY A WIFE first because without that lead-in, the fast paced action of this one might confuse and sully the wonderful intricacy of this amazing tale. 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobobooks | iTunes

DARK FUTURE (Book 3)

A woman caught between two futures…

Awakened in the middle of the night by a future version of herself, Kris Davenport is given a mission: go travel in time to save the world–and his life. Of course, her future self doesn’t tell her who he is just sends her into the darkness and straight into an alien invasion.

…must choose between the man who has her heart…

He turns out to be ConRad Smith, the callous, untrusting military commander of Earth’s army and the world’s last defense. There’s only one way for Smith to know for sure if this strange woman is an alien spy–slice her throat. Except, he didn’t anticipate the desire he would feel as he interrogates the hot-tempered, warm-blooded woman.

…or the fate that saves the world.

As Kris and ConRad struggle to trust each other in a world on the brink of destruction, they each will have to face the ultimate choice of whether to fight or die… survive or forgive.

My Review:

DARK FUTURE by KC Klein is just that—dark, and dangerous. There’s no deception in the title. The story, written in first person, takes the reader on a journey with Kris Davenport into a very dark future where danger exists 24/7 and not always just from the aliens trying to destroy every human being in the universe. This riveting tale about a future resembling TERMINATOR SALVATION without the giant machines is dark, bloody, and action-packed.

Kris is a normal girl trying to make her way in a normal life as a medical intern when suddenly she finds herself confronted with her future self, who in comparison is more Sarah Connor than Kris Davenport. Her future self tells her that she must travel to the future and save him. Who is this mysterious him? He is ConRad, the Commander of a military force located on a dark world that is the last barrier between an alien force and Earth. Kris reluctantly goes. The connection between these two is turbulent, hot, sexy, and at times frustrating but if you’ve read the first two books, everything begins to come together. The adventure Kris embarks on is none like she ever expected, and over time, she discovers a stronger self and a love that is stronger than time itself. As a time travel, it has its flaws, they all do, but KC does it up well, and this is by far one of my all-time favorite futuristic dystopian science fiction romances—ever! And I’ve read all of KC’s. This was her debut, and oh what a debut!

I highly recommend this amazing dystopian/sci-fi romance, but I warn you that although this is a romance, it is not for the faint of heart. It's a futuristic tale with lots of action but if you're at all squeamish about blood and torture, this might not be for you. If you're good with lots of action, gun battles, evil men, mysterious women and don't mind some scenes of torture, then you'll not be able to put it down. I know, because I couldn't.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobobooks | iTunes

Excerpt from DARK FUTURE:

“Mmm, you taste human. Like salt or more like … warm sunshine?” He pinned me with his gaze. His eyes spoke a primal language. Desire warred with anger; need against punishment.

I looked away. Embarrassed. Violated. His body crushed mine, suffocating in its nearness. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe without crushing my breasts against him. I always considered myself strong and physically fit, but he subdued me with barely any effort. Heart racing, I panicked.

The feeling of no control would break me—complete powerlessness always did. I used whatever weapon was available; whatever maneuvers would give me a fighting chance. This was no different. I turned my head, opened my mouth against his neck, and … sunk my teeth in.

He cursed. Grabbed hold of my shirt, picked me up, and slammed me back against the wall.

A painful whoosh came from my lungs. My vision rocked—brain swished inside my skull.

“You bit me.” He sounded shocked.

My head hurt so bad I had to blink hard to keep my eyes in their sockets. “You licked me,” I shouted back.

He assessed me, aqua blue eyes hooded with thick, long eyelashes, for what seemed like an eternity. “I will ask you one more time. Who are you?”

“I’ve told you everything.” My voice sounded desperate, tired, even to me. “I went running and fell into the dark … I’m a doctor at a hospital. If you don’t believe me, just call them. I’ve worked there for years.”

He stood still, his body hard against mine, creating an insurmountable barrier. His face so close I could see his pupils enlarge, almost hiding the hard blue of his irises. The rage in him lived and breathed. One hand ran along my scalp in a mock caress, grabbed hold of my hair and pulled.

“Liar,” his voice barely a whisper, the knife was back … shaking at my very exposed, very vulnerable artery. “There hasn’t been a hospital anywhere on Earth since the year 2075.” And in one efficient movement, he drew the knife across my throat. 

Happy Reading Everyone!

About the Author

KC Klein has lived most of her life with her head in the clouds and her nose buried in a book.

She did stop reading long enough to make a home with a real life hero, her husband, for over seventeen years. A mother of two children, she spends her time slaying dragons, saving princesses, and championing the belief in the happily-ever-after. Her debut novel, DARK FUTURE, was a 2010 Prism finalist and has been honored with a reviewer’s choice award. She’s the author of the sexy cowboy Texas Fever series, which starts off with, TEXAS WIDE OPEN, available now, and HUSTLIN’ TEXAS, due out December 2013, and also a contributing author to the fun, sci-fi romance anthology, HOTTER ON THE EDGE and HOTTER ON THE EDGE 2. KC loves to hear from readers and can be found desperately pounding away on her laptop in yoga pants and leopard slippers or more conveniently at www.kckleinbooks.com.

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Unwrapping a Review of THE SPACE CAPTAIN'S COURTESAN, an Omega Galaxy novel by KC Klein

I love science fiction, I love romance, and so when you put the two together, I am in seventh heaven and THE SPACE CAPTAIN’S COURTESAN of the Omega Galaxy series by KC Klein kept me there from the first page to the last. I had such a great time reading this wonderful story. KC Klein never disappoints me.

***purchased for my own personal reading and sharing my honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for THE SPACE CAPTAIN’S COURTESAN:

Mya is having a crap day.

Princess Mya Centauri is stranded and alone on the shady Bates Space Station. With rumors of her father's dethronement escalating, she needs more than her wits and entitlement to protect her--she needs a hero. So when she unexpectedly finds herself mistaken for some whore by Centauri's most notorious assassin, and at one time her father's most trusted man, she decides things can only get worse.

Jax is having a crap decade.

Framed for a crime he didn't commit, Captain Jax Rouss, an ex-Royal Guard, is now an escaped prisoner with a price on his head. Embittered after years of trying to clear his name, Jax wants nothing to do with the family he once swore to protect. So when he wakes up to find that the sweet, smelling patron-pleaser he's purchased is not only lovely, but already in his bed, he decides things can only get better.

But with lives at stake and kingdoms in jeopardy, Mya will do anything to convince the one man who hates the Royal family above all else to become her hero, even if it means being the one thing he can't resist...The Space Captain's Courtesan.

~*~             ~*~             ~*~             ~*~

Princess Mya was sent away from her home on Centauri for her own safety, only now alone after her aunt died, she’s stranded on the Bates Space Station and trying desperately to fend for herself and earn enough credits to get passage home. Thievery is not beneath her at this point and the best victims are those who will cause the least trouble…the ones recovering from stasis. Having managed to enter her latest victim’s room, she finds he’s not only not completely unconscious but expecting a patron-pleaser…or courtesan. When it becomes apparent he's not going to let her leave until he gets what he paid for, she has no choice but to knock him out. Before he's completely out, he makes sure she can't leave, and to make things worse, she knows him…he’s the Royal Guard on whom she’s had a crush for years and the man accused of trying to kill her father.

Captain Jax just wants to recover from stasis and be on his way again. Having pre-paid for a patron-pleaser seemed like a good idea at the time, and the one sent to his room is more than he’d hoped for except she wants to leave and he’s not ready for what she came there to offer. After snapping current cuffs on her and attaching them to himself, he passes out only later to find himself dragged aboard his ship. Then she asks him to fly her to Centauri, the last place in space he ever planned to go again after having been framed for an attempted assassination of the King he vowed to protect. When he discovers the truth of her identity, his determination to stay as far away from her and her family pulls him in closer until his heart and his honor won’t allow him to escape.

THE SPACE CAPTAIN’S COURTESAN by KC Klein is an action adventure through space, visits to places less than desirable for vacations or even brief stops, and intrigue that will keep you turning the pages and hoping things work out the way you hope. KC is wonderful at conjuring up characters that pull you in, make you wish them to be your friends, and desire only happiness for them. Mya and Jax are those kinds of characters and there are times when you’re not sure things are going to turnout the way you want, which keeps you turning the pages even more addictively.

As science fiction, THE SPACE CAPTAIN’S COURTESAN is exemplary with its unusual settings, modern yet old-fashioned living style and technology, and almost medieval punishments. As a romance, Jax is a charming yet irritating hero who frustrates so delightfully, you want to knock him in the head, and then kiss it to make it better. Mya is perfection in a match for Jax because she's just as stubborn but so in love, even as she despises him at times. I love how it has a Firefly feel to it. So there you are, if you’re a fan of Firefly, and that space western kind of atmosphere, you’ll love this book. Jax carries himself in that Captain Mal way and is just as stubborn and sexy, while Mya is thoroughly princess but with the desire and heart of a courtesan like Inara.

I highly recommend reading THE SPACE CAPTAIN’S COURTESAN, an Omega Galaxy novel by KC Klein because it’s an adventure, escapism, and even if you’re not a fan of science fiction, if you love romance, you will love Jax and Mya’s story…a fairy tale space story.

Happy Reading Everyone!

THE SPACE CAPTAIN’S COURTESAN, an Omega Galaxy novel by KC Klein, Indie publish, and available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, (print) B & N, and Kobobooks.

***click on links above or cover below for purchasing information, remember even pennies per sale using my links help keep this blog alive. Thank You.

   

Unwrapping My Favorite Second Chance Romance Novels...

Second Chance Romances are some of my favorite romance reads, whether in contemporary, historical, or even paranormal. After all, PERSUASION by Jane Austen is a classic second chance romance. I love the idea of two people recognizing how they’ve changed since the breakup, and who are now willing to prove themselves worthy of a second chance to win back love. We get to watch the spark that brought them together originally re-ignite and grow into something amazing. I’ve seen studies, which show how some couples who marry, divorce, and reunite in a second marriage usually have a stronger marriage and commitment to each other than the first time around. With experience, and age come wisdom, as well as maturity, I suppose, and those things in combination probably do make for better relationships.

When it comes to romance novels, it always seems to come down to the feeling that two people are truly meant to be together. If they’re not, no matter how connected they are, attracted to each other, or in love, the reader won’t get behind it.

I was watching a scene from THE NOTEBOOK, and got to thinking about Noah and Allie. If she hadn’t decided to face her misgivings about marrying Lon, she might never have met up with a Noah again. Then what? Would they have met again later in life? Is it fate or just luck when it comes to a second chance at love?

Of course, I’m still trying to figure out how he got up those stairs with his pants around his ankles. What an amazing man to be able to do that without falling. Hee Hee!

Of course, Mr. Sparks refuses to call his book a romance but we all know it has the sweetest happily ever after of any.

Some of my favorite second chance romances are:

The entire Second Chance series by Peggy Bird…all worth reading.

TEXAS WIDE OPEN by K.C. Klein…an amazing book which takes you to the past, back to the present, and back again, all while telling an incredible love story.

COLLIDE, a Barker Triplet novel by Juliana Stone…one of my all-time favorites.

ACADIAN WALTZ by Alexandrea Weis is 
not a traditionally second chance romance in that the relationship was unrequited but once they were together, it was explosive. Love this book.

SECRET MANEUVERS, an Ex Ops novel by Jessie Lane – I still love the way this was written, first person from two different points of view.

SWEETEST MISTAKE, a Sweet Texas novel by Candis Terry…it’s a Candis Terry novel, what more do I need say? Jackson and Abby forever.

VAMPIRE INTERRUPTED, an Argeneau novel by Lynsay Sands…it’s only fair that the family matchmaker get a second chance for romance with her beloved Julius. I really should write a review for this one…

And of course, PERSUASION by Jane Austen because Anne was a woman who grew with her years, and who learned to stand up for herself against family and society. Of course, had the Captain not been able to forgive, Anne and Elliot might never have had a second chance at love

So what are your favorite second chance romances? Movies work too!

Happy Reading Everyone! 

WRITING PROCESS BLOG TOUR

Welcome to the continuing Writing Process Blog Tour where authors are invited to answer the same four questions.

My appreciative thanks to KC Klein, author of the fabulous TEXAS WIDE OPEN and many more amazing stories, who invited me to join this wonderful tour allowing us to learn a little more about authors and get a peek into their world.

What am I working on?

I’m proud to say that I just completed my first suspense romance, KEEPING FAITH, and hope to find a home for it soon. In the meantime, when I’m not busy with helping other authors ready their work for submission or publication, I’m working on another suspense romance, which has a lot less scary moments than KEEPING FAITH, but that I hope touches the heart in a way most suspense stories don’t.

***Here’s a small teaser:
          I heard the hurt in my daughter’s voice and it pained me to know she felt the need to be responsible for her parents when she should be caring for her own family. I watched my over-concerned daughter turn away, toss her shoulder-length, still nearly black hair over her shoulder as she pulled a chair from the edge of the attic, and placed it near a stack of boxes.

          “I appreciate all of your help, honey, but I’m not ready to be an old woman yet.” I grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.

          I looked deep into those soft green eyes that carried far more of her father’s beautiful brown than my blue. “It’s difficult enough watching your father fade from the man I married. I feel like I lose a little bit more of him every day.” Tears stung my eyes so I glanced away and I cleared my throat yet again. “Let’s start with those boxes.”

          Tina dipped her head and wiped away a tear she hadn’t wanted me to see before she pulled a box over in front of the chair. I smiled at her and was relieved when I received a small grin in return. She snagged another chair and set it nearby before pulling another box from the stack. I watched her as she concentrated on what she was doing. I knew all of this was hurting her as much as me. Her father was her world. He was the first man to ever dance with her, twirling her around to the sounds of Elvis Presley singing Can’t Help Falling In Love. He’d been the first man to give her roses, and he was the man who escorted her down the aisle when she married her own knight in shining armor.

          I sighed as the recollection of those times sprinted across my thoughts. Where had the years gone? What would the next years bring – good memories or only sad? 

          – Untitled Work in Progress

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I’m not sure how my work differs from others in the same genre except that I believe I focus more on the relationship between the characters more than the suspense/mystery of the story. Especially this new one which, when my mother read this passage, she had to stop because she was crying. And it's only in the first chapter. 

Why do I write what I do?

I’ve always had a desire to create. At one time, I seriously considered art school but even as much as I love to create art, by the time I was roughly fourteen years old, I’d fallen in love with creating stories, characters, and of course, I’d discovered romance. Creating a story is like painting a portrait of a moment in the life of my characters. If what I create brings a touch of joy, sadness, fear, or delight to my readers then my creation has done what it was meant to do. Just as my tastes in reading vary, I suspect my writing will also. I never know where my muse may take me next and that’s part of the fun.

How does your writing process work?

I am a pantser, which means I let my characters take me where they will. Yes, I pull together ideas as the story progresses. I even make notes, but I don’t plot out the story before I begin. I do consider my characters relation to each other, their back stories, and setting but I let my muse lead me to where my characters live and then let the characters tell me the rest.

With KEEPING FAITH, I woke up one morning, and for whatever ungodly reason, I wrote a scene of murderous terror where an unnamed man kills a woman by coating her body in oil and puts her in a crematory oven. Where it came from only my muse knows, but it certainly inspired me to keep going even as it made me cringe. The idea for this new story came from a desire to take my characters back in time but show how love can last forever, even under the most stressed times in a couple’s life. Even though my own marriage is ending, I still believe in love and a happily-ever-after. Maybe someday I’ll realize my own outside the pages of my work. 

Thanks for joining me today and I hope you'll continue to follow the Writing Process Blog Tour for a chance to get a peek into more authors' worlds.

Your next week's traveling companions are:

Alexandrea Weis, the award-winning author adult contemporary romance like COVER TO COVERS and paranormal romance fiction like GHOSTS OF RUE DUMAINE, is also a nurse, animal lover, permitted wildlife rehabber, as well as avid New Orleanian.

Brandy Dorsch, who is living her dream in Pittsburgh, Pa with her husband and two sons, is the paranormal author of EVERLASTING HUNGER.

Nikki Lynn Barrett, author of BABY STETSON, who lives in Arizona with her husband and son, runs a book blog, an online used bookstore, and writes various genres of romance.

Thank you for stopping by! Feel free to leave a comment and of course, share the news of the Writing Process Blog Tour! 

As always -  Happy Reading Everyone!

And A Copy of HUSTLIN' TEXAS, a Texas Fever novel by KC Klein Goes To ...

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to join in the fun

of celebrating the new release, HUSTLIN' TEXAS,

a Texas Fever novel by KC Klein.

I hope you enjoyed the special scene KC and I wrote 

just for the occasion and for you.

I hope you'll all check out this amazing

series starting with TEXAS WIDE OPEN 

and continuing with 

HUSTLIN' TEXAS.

Speaking of which, we promised

one lucky random entry would 

win a digital copy of this 

amazing new contemporary romance

and the winner is:

Cynthia D'Alba

Congrats Cynthia!

Cynthia has been notified by email so I hope she'll 

check her mail, especially her spam folder in

case it goes in there.  Cynthia will have until end of day 

on Thursday, December 12, 2013 to get back to 

me or I'll have to randomly choose another

entry who will get her book. 

Thanks again and Happy Reading Everyone!

Release Day Celebration for HUSTLIN' TEXAS by KC Klein + Giveaway

Welcome to my Release Day Celebration for HUSTLIN’ TEXAS, book two of the Texas Fever series by KC Klein and I hope you'll join me in wishing KC a very Happy Release Day. Yesterday, I reviewed this amazing, new contemporary romance and can’t recommend it enough to everyone. I’m also thrilled to have KC visiting with me today. Feel free to click on the title to read my review but hurry back because KC and I have some fun in store for you, including a giveaway!

When thinking about how to celebrate, I thought I’d challenge KC to a little character fun. I wrote the following lead-in and asked KC to finish it for us. Think of it as a teaser. You can read an actual excerpt a little later, but in the meantime let us get some insight into what some are thinking about the return of Nikki Logan to Oak Groves, Texas. Enjoy!

Cole and Katie Logan relaxed on their front porch to watch the day end. Katie’s cherry red boot-clad feet settled casually on the top of the railing as she leaned back in her favorite seat in the porch swing, while Cole sat cross-legged in an old rocker. His denim wrapped legs still carried the evidence of a hard day’s work seeing to the horses and his dirt smudged tee shirt stretched nicely across his broad chest as he chewed a piece of sweet hay he’d snagged from the bales he spent the afternoon loading in the barn.

Katie smiled in appreciation of how much she enjoyed looking at the man who owned heart. However, she wasn’t happy that she was about to shatter the peace of the moment.

“I hear Nikki’s back in town,” Katie mentioned as nonchalantly as possible all the while knowing how Cole was going to take the news.

“Where did you hear that?”  The rocker halted its relaxed motion as Cole’s boot hit the wooden floor.

“There’s been some rumors floating about, is all,” Katie remarked. She brushed away an annoying fly while hoping Cole would just let things lie. She only threw it out there to find out if he knew and since she still wasn’t sure what he may or may not know, she wasn’t about to push him.

“Jett know?”
         

Katie shrugged her shoulders but didn’t meet Cole’s inquisitive stare. She wasn’t going to add any fuel to that fire either.

“Does it matter? The way she left I mean,” Katie said with a deep sigh. “There are going to be a lot of folks in town not too happy to see your sister. But I’m only worried about you?”

Cole stared out over the land. They both listened to the sound of the horses settling down for the night as the sun slowly sank into the horizon spreading stripes of pink and orange across the sky.

Amy:  So, KC, how does Cole feel about Nikki’s return to town?

KC:  As far as how Cole feels, I had to think about that for a moment. Cole and Katie’s relationship is a bit rocky, especially at this juncture in the story. Deep down Cole is worried about his sister. He has been for a while, but he just doesn’t have the tools to deal with her. Like a lot of men, Cole finds the female brain a mystery. He’s had a lot of responsibility thrust on him at a young age, and though he knew there was more to raising a teenage girl then just providing food and a roof over her head, he was totally clueless as to what that meant.

That was where Jett came in. Jett was able to provide more of the emotional support that Nikki needed through the years. But Cole’s blinded to where Jett is concerned. To Cole, Jett was the reason that Nikki up and left two years ago, and it would be over Cole’s dead body if Jett became the reason Nikki left town again.

Cole wants Nikki to stay and get her feet up underneath her. He doesn’t need Jett coming in and making things complicated for Nikki. Nikki can do that all on her own.

I accepted Amy's challenge and here’s my little snippet of Cole’s reaction to Katie’s news. I thought it was interesting how Amy wrote the scene from Katie’s perspective, so I decided to keep the POV the same:

Cole took the piece of straw out of his mouth and threw it over the porch railing. “Well, it’s a fine thing letting me know about it through town gossip. Doesn’t she have the decency to come and tell me herself that she’s home?”

Katie took a long slow deep breath in and out. There was a way that a person learned to deal with the Logans, and it wasn’t by rushing forward like a bull seeing red. “She’s just got in. Give her a few days to settle. I’m sure she’ll make her way over. And when she does—”

“And when she does,” Cole stood up, the rocker behind him careening forward and back like something possessed. “When she does, I’m sure gonna ask her about the other town gossip swirling around her. Typical Nikki, can’t just give the town one thing to talk about. Have to make it multiple.”

Cole said the last sentence under his breath, but Katie wasn’t one to let important matters slide. “Like what?”

“Like where the hell she came up with the money to go to college, that’s what?”

Katie had been wondering the same thing herself, and though she had some ideas of her own they weren’t ones she wanted to share with Cole just yet. “And you’re sure bringing that subject up on the first time you see Nikki in two years is the best way to calm the waters?”

“Well, fine then, what would you like me to bring up?” He turned toward her, his blue eyes already getting that hardened icy look to them. “Maybe something about a job? Like does she have one?”

Katie sighed and rubbed the spot between her eyes. How did she fall in love with a man who was such an idiot? “And when are you planning on having this little heart to heart?”

Cole resettled his hat and patted down his jeans to locate his truck keys. “No time like the present.”

“For Pete’s Sake Cole, just wait until morning. At least give the poor girl a solid night’s sleep before you go in there huffing and puffing.”

Cole stilled, then nodded. A wise-ass smile brought out the dimple in his left cheek. “Perfect. The morning is even better. I’m up around dawn. That should give her plenty of time to get settled in.”

Katie groaned. Damn Logans. Well, she gave Nikki as much reprieve as she could. The best Katie could hope for was that brother and sister somehow found their way back together. Poor Nikki, the least Katie could do was make sure the girl had some caffeine. Katie stood to go set up the coffee maker to automatically brew at some ungodly hour, because Katie sure the hell wouldn’t be getting up that early, not if the baby let her sleep in. She stifled a yawn. Not even Logan family peace was worth that.

*             *             *             *             * 

Thank you, KC, that’s some interesting insight into what’s in store for us in HUSTLIN’ TEXAS. Nikki is definitely a handful as both Cole and Jett know but we hope Jett can bring her back to earth. I hope everyone will read HUSTLIN’ TEXAS and find out. I promise you that KC delivers and delivers big –big like Texas!

KC, it’s always a delight to have you join me here at Unwrapping Romance and I’m so glad you brought Cole and Katie with you. You know you're always welcome here! Thank you so much for allowing me to co-write this scene with you. I’ve got one more quick question for you before we get to the Giveaway.

So, what can we expect from you next?

KC:  Next thing I am working on is book three in the series tentatively titled, RIDING ON THE EDGE.

Amy:  Awesome. I can’t wait to read the next one! In the meantime, if you'd like to read an excerpt from HUSTLIN’ TEXAS by KC Klein just click HERE but do come back, we’ve got that giveaway coming!

Thanks for joining KC and me for a Release Day Party celebrating HUSTLIN’ TEXAS by KC Klein and don’t worry, we can’t have a party without a prize now can we?!

But first, if you'd like to learn more about KC and her fabulous books, please feel free to visit her website and follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and at Goodreads.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

KC Klein has lived most of her life with her head in the clouds and her nose buried in a book. She did stop reading long enough to make a home with a real life hero, her husband, for over seventeen years. A mother of two children, she spends her time slaying dragons, saving princesses, and championing the belief in the happily-ever-after. Her debut novel, DARK FUTURE, was a 2010 Prism finalist and has been honored with a reviewer’s choice award. She’s the author of the sexy cowboy Texas Fever series, which starts off with,TEXAS WIDE OPEN, available now, and HUSTLIN' TEXAS out today, and also a contributing author to the fun, sci-fi romance anthology, Hotter on the Edge and Hotter on the Edge 2. KC loves to hear from readers and can be found desperately pounding away on her laptop in yoga pants and leopard slippers or more conveniently at www.kckleinbooks.com.

And now for that GIVEAWAY!  

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR PLAYING.

Happy Reading Everyone! 

HUSTLIN' TEXAS, a Texas Fever novel by KC Klein, Kensington Press, available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

***click on links or cover below for purchasing information

   

Unwrapping: Review of HUSTLIN' TEXAS, a Texas Fever novel by KC Klein

Back in November 2012, I read and reviewed TEXAS WIDE OPEN by KC Klein and it isn’t often that I rave over a book but I did this one. KC blew me away with her story, her writing format, and the intensity of emotion that was created between the characters. In TEXAS WIDE OPEN, we were introduced to two additional characters besides Katie Harris and Cole Logan, and these two had an equally fiery and intense encounter – Nikki Logan and Jett Avery. I hoped KC would tell their story and she has, in HUSTLIN’ TEXAS, book two in the Texas Fever series.

***eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for HUSTLIN’ TEXAS:

Only one person in Oak Groves is happy to see bad girl Nikki Logan back in town…

Groves Oaks’ most beloved bachelor, Jett Avery, lives by a simple set of rules. Getting involved with a complicated woman isn’t one of them. He learned that the hard way two years ago when he spent one of the most incredible nights of his life with Nikki Logan. But then she hightailed it out of town, never to be seen again—until now. It might be time to break one of those rules…

Picking up the pieces of her life, Nikki is back in Groves Oaks, face to face with the one man she’s done her best to forget. But she has her reasons for being here—and they don’t include winding up in bed with Jett. Especially since he’ll never forgive her once he finds out the truth about why she’s back…

*           *             *              *             *  

Nikki Logan has returned to Groves Oaks, not to build a life, not to apologize to those who care about her, not to accept Jett Avery’s proposal of marriage but to pay a debt. When Mike, the owner of The Pitt – the local strip joint - lent her the money to go to college and make a better life for herself than what he knew awaited her if she continued on the destructive path she was leading, Nikki made him a promise and she kept it. Now she’s back to make good on it. She knew she could never just arrive in town and no one know about it, so she did what she always does – take the bull by the horns, namely the ones that belong to Jett Avery.

Jett had opened his heart to Nikki two years earlier and she left town without another word. He thought he was past the hurt she’d heaped on him but when she walked into the diner, he knew that nothing was over between them and if it was the last thing he did on this planet, he would make her his.

Just when I thought no relationship could hold more fire, more emotion, or more love than Cole Logan and Katie Harris in TEXAS WIDE OPEN along comes Nikki and Jett in HUSTLIN’ TEXAS by KC Klein.

KC knows how to conjure characters that capture our hearts, our imaginations, crush us when things fall apart, and makes us soar when everything comes together in a sweet happily-ever-after. Nikki is by far one of the most broken women ever created and Jett is her hero, her lifeline, and her savior. Oh, Jett is pretty well bruised as well – most of the time literally in this story – but he knows what he wants, what he needs, and most of the time, knows how to get it but with Nikki, all the rules change and it’s a delight to watch him flounder, stumble, and even screw up big time.

HUSTLIN’ TEXAS by KC Klein is amazing, wonderful, heartbreaking, exciting, edge of the seat anxious, and one that will have you begging for it to never end. KC gets better with every story she creates and I’m in awe of the emotion that she wrings from her characters and from us as we read her stories.

I highly, highly recommend HUSTLIN’ TEXAS, book two in the Texas Fever series by KC Klein if you love romance at all. It has it all in huge proportions just as it should be since it’s Texas all the way. This one is a must read, my darlings.

Come back tomorrow when KC joins me to celebrate the release of this amazing new contemporary romance with a special treat and giveaway!

Happy Reading Everyone!

HUSTLIN’ TEXAS, a Texas Fever novel by KC Klein, Kensington Publishing, releasing December 5, 2014 in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

***click on links or cover below for purchasing information