We hope you have added some great new titles to your TBR list. And don't forget to complete the Rafflecopter for a chance to win the great prizes donated by these awesome authors, too. There will be 1 Grand prize winner and 2 second place winners.
Love Under Two Adventurers
Lusty, Texas
by Cara Covington
an Erotic Cowboy Menage Romance, M/M/F
Rebecca Jessop had just decided to damn her pride and go after Greg Benedict, when he arrives with his lover Cody Harper! But loving two adventurers brings complications she never saw coming. Greg, who already lost one lover to tragedy, knows he’s got to face his own demons if he wants to build a future with Cody and Rebecca. Nothing could please him more than to realize there’s a strong bit of lust at first sight between Cody and Rebecca. Now if only they can surmount one more hurdle. Cody is in need of recuperation time after a harrowing ordeal in Europe, but he’s suffering a little more than he wants to admit. Will the love of two people, and the support of an entire community, be enough to help Cody slay his own dragon? Rebecca’s not without her demons. It only remains to be seen if the threat to her is identified before it is too late.
Cara Covington is giving away a $15 Strandbucks gift certificate (to be used at Bookstrand/Siren).
Love Me Tomorrow
by Ethan Day
a Contemporary Romance MM
Event planner Levi Goode is positioned to inherit the newly vacated throne, becoming the in-demand party planner for Wilde City’s elite. Years of hard work and perseverance are finally paying off as Levi lands his next big fish, working with socialite Julia Freeman-Kingsley. Distracted by work and dealing with his head strong mother, an ex-Vegas-showgirl suffering from debilitating health issues, Levi has his hands full. Time for love or even the occasional one-night stand, is one aspect of life Levi hasn’t been able to master.
Sparks of interest fly during a chance meeting with a paramedic called to the aid of his mother, and thanks to Ruby’s meddling, Levi finds himself on a movie-date with the handsome Paramedic Jake. Personal and professional worlds collide when Levi realizes his new love interest is actually Jake Freeman, estranged brother to his brand new client. Discovering the man of his dreams already has a boyfriend, leaves Levi stunned realizing any hopes he had for something more with Jake were never going to be anything more than wishful thinking.
Struggling to downshift his expectations and remain friends with Jake while continuing to work closely with Julia quickly consumes all of his time and attention. Wondering if there will ever be a special someone to love him, is where Levi’s love story begins.
Ethan Day is giving away 3 ebook copies of Love Me Tomorrow
Infected: PARIS
by Andrea Speed
a Paranormal Romance MM
In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds.
Roan is working a frustrating stalker case, with no shortage of suspects and little solid evidence, when he comes across a startling eyewitness living in his car across the street from the scene. A tiger-strain infected, the only one Roan’s ever met, Paris Lehane is a former Canadian golden boy who suffered a breakdown after becoming infected in college.
While Roan's ex, Diego “Dee” Cole, warns against falling for the infected Paris, a man doomed to die, Roan struggles with his attraction and the knowledge that no happily ever after is possible for them.
But is the knowledge enough to discourage him from following his heart? Roan helps Paris out of homelessness, and maybe a special hospital can help Paris with the infection, but Roan’s got his hands full with this case, and there’s no end in sight.
Andrea Speed is giving away an ebook of Infected: Paris
Always and Forever
a Warriors of the Light novel
by AJ Jarrett
an Erotic Paranormal Romance, M/M,
vampires, shape-shifters, witches
Death was supposed to be the end but when a powerful witch is your fated mate, it's only the beginning. Aaron Watkins doesn't know what to think when he learns that he's been dead for the past four years and brought back to life by a witch. Not just any witch but the first in all creation and his mate. Aaron thought things couldn't get much worse until he discovers he's also human. Finding his mate should have been the happiest day of Ares's life but being mated to a hard headed warrior isn't easy. Ares knows that using his magic has back fired and now his once wolf shifting mate is now a human and Aaron isn't happy with the outcome. In their world nothing ever comes easy. The rise of evil is getting stronger and now Aaron must decide whether to become the one thing he despises or give up and allow death to take him once again.
One stripping entrepreneur, a high power business man, and a lawyer all have Lucy in their sights. Now all they have to do is prove to her that she fits perfectly into their lives and that she’s meant to be theirs forever.
But what the hell is one woman supposed to do with three men? Three sexy, successful, dominant, sweet, sexy men… Color her skeptical, but Lucy would never have thought that a one-night stand with a stripper and a bartender would ever amount to more than a really great birthday memory. She certainly never expected another man to be added into the mix, or that she would be so tempted to fall for all of them.
After months of gentle wooing, Adam and Jake Kendall know their sweet Ginny Rose is on the verge of saying yes to a romance with them. But then her former abuser escapes from jail, and suddenly, all bets are off. Ginny can't reason through the terror that grips her when she learns Deke Walters is free. He threatened to kill her and her son Benny—and Ginny will do anything to keep Benny safe. Adam and Jake assure Ginny that they can keep her and her son safe, but Ginny has had enough of feeling like a victim. Besides, how can she stand tall and behave like a whole woman when deep inside, she knows the wounds she suffered never truly healed? Bold action is required, and Ginny finds her courage, but will that discovery cost her the love of the men she knows she can't live without?
Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among siblings. ** A Siren Erotic Romance
Victoria Saccenti is donating a signed copy of Destiny's Plan.
One empty bus seat. Two aching hearts. A future written by Fate…
When Raquelita Muro’s overbearing mother rips her and her little sister away from their beloved Papa, one tiny, rebellious corner of Raquelita’s heart is grateful that the bus is crowded, and the only seat left is out of Mama’s sight. Next to a handsome young man.
Michael Buchanan’s beautiful traveling companion is more than something pretty to look at before he ships out for Viet Nam. Deep in her sad, whisky-colored eyes he glimpses a new dream to replace the ones he’s leaving behind. It breaks his heart to leave Raquelita in her tyrannical mother’s hands, but she gifts him with a token of love and a tender promise to exchange letters in secret.
But their first, shy “hello” has reached the ears of Fate. Fate is in the mood to see how far it can push two lonely hearts—to the brink of temptation, desperation, and despair—before they break. Perhaps beyond any hope of healing…
Elle Boon is donating a signed Paperback of Delta Salvation by Elle Boon and any ebook from her indie titles to the winner.
Delta Salvation is the 1st book in the Phantom Force series.
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION…For Navy SEAL Kai, he takes that vow seriously. Keeping Alexa safe is his number one priority, even if it means his heart is laid bare.
A NAVY SEAL ‘Failure is never an option’ and Kai lives by that SEAL code. He and his team have rescued Alexa not once, but twice, and now he is faced with the biggest challenge of his life. Alexa has come to mean more than she should, but his life is too dangerous for hearts and roses, and she has had too much heartache to settle for anything less.
A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS… Alexa is tired of all of the curveballs life has thrown at her. The final straw comes when she is confronted with a six foot plus man, who could either be her salvation or her downfall. It is up to her to convince her stubborn SEAL that they are worth taking a chance on.
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE… When Alexa’s past is revealed and she and Kai find out she is not who she thought she was, some of the world’s most wanted come out to play. Can the team keep her alive long enough for her to prove to Kai that what they have is worth fighting for?
Maria Elena Alonso Sierra:E-book - one each of her books : (1) The Coin and (1) The Book of Hours
Andrew Jericho: All three e-books in the Rock Series: "Rock Hard" (Rock Stars 1), "Sex, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll" (Rock Stars 2), and "Flirting with Heaven" (Rock Stars 3)
Amber Daulton: one ebook copy of 'A Hero's Heart'
Paige Tyler: signed paperback of Hungry Like The Wolf
Jessica Lemon: signed paperback Forgotten Promises ARC
HIDING IN FEAR Beth Hildago feels shattered after the time she spent in the hands of the Mexican drug cartel. Now her life is on the line as corrupt authorities try to hunt her down.
FIERCE PROTECTOR Jack Preston is a decorated Navy SEAL whose family’s Texas Ranch is the perfect place for Beth to hide.
ON THE RUN When Beth’s cover is blown, she is once again forced to run. This time Jack is not going to leave her side. But what happens when there is an enemy no one ever expected? Can he keep her safe?
Who will win the coveted HOTTEST COWBOY Beltbuckle?
Which cowboy could you ride off into the sunset with?
Which cowboy really knows how to use his rope?
Nominate your cowboy bookboyfriend today!!!
We will be taking nominations Dec. 2-7 from YOU, the readers. Then on the 8-9th, we will have a run-off vote between the cowboys who received the top 10 most nominations. So be sure to come back each day to nominate.
Each day, we will promos from our Grand Prize packages. Each time you nominate/vote for a cowboy, you get an entry into the random drawing. Come back Dec. 10 to see who won the coveted titled of
Hottest Cowboy
The two Grand Prize packages will be offered. Come back each day to re-nominate and to see more information about these books.
Grand Prize A Natalie Alder - an ecopy of Crewel Work Elizabeth Otto - $20 Amazon gift card Sable Hunter - Kindle copies of Texas Wildfire and Texas C.H.A.O.S Victoria Vane - signed paperback: SLOW HAND Randi Alexander - paperback of Jackson: Sons of Dusty Walker Cara Covington - $20 Strandbucks gc Cat Johnson - signed paperbacks: One Night With a Cowboy & Midnight Ride Elle James - signed paperback Heir to Murder Grand Prize B
Tina Donahue - 3 ebooks from backlist of 25 titles Desiree Holt - Naked Cowboys mug & tote, $25 AMZ gc Victoria Saccenti - signed paperback of Destiny's Plan & swag Victoria Vane - 3 signed paperbacks: SLOW HAND, ROUGH RIDER, SHARP SHOOTIN’ COWBOY Donna Michaels - $10 AMZ gc Sahara Roberts - $10 Amazon Gift Card Sabrina York - ecopy from backlist Heather Rainier - an e-copy of Tangled in Divine and a swag bag
Laci Sinclair came to Lusty at the urging of her best friend, Chloe Jessop.
The last thing she needs is romance. So how did Trace and Lucas Benedict get
under her skin so fast? Trace and Lucas leave Montana to find a place of their own, with a stop to
visit their cousins in Lusty. Once they meet Laci, they know their drifter days
are over. Though leery of working with family again, they give their cousins
the benefit of the doubt and decide pretty fast they like family, Lusty style. They hope to cure Laci’s relationship reluctance with two men ten years her
junior by offering to be her “friends with benefits.” But they soon discover
she’s hiding something from them—and that something could end their love before
it ever truly begins. Meanwhile, Ricoh Stone knows it’s time to find out about Angela Monroe’s
past, and he turns to a rodeo friend who now lives in Divine—Julián
Alvarez. A Siren Erotic Romance
Genre: erotic
romance, contemporary, Cowboy Ménage a Trois, M/F/M, HEA
Morgan
has been a writer since she was first able to pick up a pen. In the beginning
it was a hobby, a way to create a world of her own, and who could resist the
allure of that? Then as she grew and matured, life got in the way, as life
often does.
She got married and had three
children, and worked in the field of accounting, for that was the practical
thing to do and the children did need to be fed. And all the time she was being
practical, she would squirrel herself away on quiet Sunday afternoons, and
write.
Most children are raised knowing the
Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule. Morgan’s children also learned the Paper
Rule: thou shalt not throw out any paper that has thy mother’s words upon it.
Believing in tradition, Morgan
ensured that her children’s children learned this rule, too.
Life threw Morgan a curve when, in
2002, she underwent emergency triple by-pass surgery. Second chances are to be
cherished, and with the encouragement and support of her husband, Morgan
decided to use hers to do what she’d always dreamed of doing: writing full
time.
Morgan has always loved writing
romance. It is the one genre that can incorporate every other genre within its
pulsating heart. Romance showcases all that human kind can aspire to be. And,
she admits, she’s a sucker for a happy ending. Morgan also publishes as Cara
Covington.
Morgan’s favorite hobbies are
reading, cooking, and traveling – though she would rather you didn’t mention
that last one to her husband. She has too much fun teasing him about having
become a “Traveling Fool” of late.
Morgan lives in Southwestern
Ontario, Canada, with a mysterious cat that just showed up one day, a dog that
still has no dignity, and her husband of forty-two years, David.
~Robbed of her family’s legacy, Gwen Henderson blindly sets out to win it back. In Divine she finds employment until she rejoins the rodeo circuit for one more winning year. What she doesn’t foresee is getting tangled up with two cowboys who have her yearning for life in Divine when her dreams are in Colorado. Rolling like a tumbleweed through life, Julián Alvarez takes the chance to be with Gwen, knowing she can’t stay permanently and his heart may be in ruins when she leaves. Resigned to loneliness, Chris Potter believes his faults and lack of finesse may mean he’ll spend life looking out for others but never knowing love-until the day he sets eyes on a feisty cowgirl named Gwen. Can she trade her dreams of life in Colorado for love in Divine, Texas-and is she even capable of leaving the two cowboys who have stolen her heart? BUY LINKS:
Chris hummed along with Gary Allan as he sang “Right Where I Need To Be” on the radio while pulling into the drive-thru at Divine Drip. He had a hankering for a snack, and one of Cassie’s kolaches and a fresh cup of coffee would do the trick. He eased past the decrepit truck and horse trailer that were double-parked in the parking lot and shook his head. It looked like moving day for someone, since the horse trailer was filled to the roof with plastic bags, boxes, and drop cloth-covered furniture. “Damn, I’d hate to be moving on Christmas Eve.” The rig had crud caked to the wheel wells and fenders like it had come a great distance through snow, salt, mud, and ice, which was slowly melting into great clods on the ground around the tires. It was cold as a well digger’s ass in Divine but wherever that rig had come from it was even colder. He pulled up to the drive-thru window and greeted Cassie when she ran up and opened it, gathering her sweater around her to ward off the frigid blast of air. “Hey, Chris! I just pulled some fresh sausage kolaches from the oven! Want some coffee too?” Chris grinned at the vivacious woman. “How you doin’, Cass? I’ll take a couple of those kolaches and the biggest cup of coffee you got.” Cassie blushed as she set to work putting his order together and called out, “Cream and four sugars, coming up! You all ready for Christmas? Seeing family tomorrow?” “No, I spent Saturday night at home with them and came back yesterday. Got to see my folks, my brothers and sisters, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles—you name it, I saw it.” “You’re from Junction, right? That must be nice to have so much family, and for them to be not too far away.” “Yeah, it’s nice,” he said with a nod as she handed him his order of kolaches in a white paper bag. “But a little loud when we’re all talking, which is all the time. My ears are still ringing.” “I can imagine! I put an extra kolache in there for you. Merry Christmas!” He returned her wishes and began to roll forward as Cassie called out. “Wait, Chris! Don’t forget your coffee!” Chris stopped the truck with a jolt, and laughed as Cassie leaned out of the window with his big cup of coffee and he met her in the middle. “Merry Christmas to you too, Cass!” He winked and rolled forward as she blew him a cheeky kiss. He heard a frightened yelp and a soft thump on the hood of the Dodge, and his heart lurched with fear. Holy shit! Engage brain before accelerator! He squinted out the windshield and his heart did a double take when he saw the frightened little face peeking out from the fuzzy Elmer Fudd hat that was just inches above the truck hood. Oh God! Did I hit her? He shifted into park and sat there, glued to his seat, staring like a dumbass, watching as the fear and pain left her deep blue eyes and was replaced by absolute fury. She slammed her bare hand down on the hood and began shouting at him. Firing obscenities at him until the air practically turned blue, she was the most stupendously, majestically beautiful angry woman he’d ever seen in his life.
* * * *
“You stupid motherfucker! Don’t you have eyes? Where did you get your driver’s license from? A Cracker Jack box? You could’ve killed me, you big dumbass!” The guy in the black cowboy hat sat there frozen, staring at her for several long seconds, then suddenly he threw open his door. “You need a keeper—or–or—glasses! You blind dumbass mother—” He climbed down from the truck and the rest of the epithets froze in her throat when he stood to his full height. He was enormous and he stood there staring silently at her, his expression unreadable as he closed the truck door and quickly crossed the distance between them. She backed up, her heart in her throat and her elbow throbbing. She’d struck it against his grill in a reflexive movement when his vehicle had rolled toward her as she walked out of the coffee shop. He caught her by the upper arms and yanked her toward him as another vehicle pulled around his, the irritated driver tooting his horn and giving them a dirty look. “Careful,” he murmured in a soft tone. She jerked her arms loose from his big hands as another vehicle behind his in the drive-thru line honked at his truck, which was blocking the window. The woman who worked behind the counter called out through the window, “Everything okay, Chris?” Distracted, he turned his face away so she could see his craggy profile topped by his black felt cowboy hat and called out, “Yeah, I nearly hurt this little lady. I’ll move the truck. Sorry, Cassie!” Little lady, please! To her, he said, “I’ll be right back. Where are you parked?” He gently cupped her upper arms again as though he thought she needed steadying. The caring humanity in his touch nearly undid her. She couldn’t have that. “Don’t bother. I’m fine. Jerk. Just watch where you’re going, damn it.” She tugged her arms from him again and gestured at her truck and horse trailer which looked really sad and dilapidated as the ice thawed and melted off of it, making a mess out of the neat little parking lot. This was the first day of above-freezing temperatures she’d seen since her little journey had begun but even then it was still frigidly cold and damp. “My vehicle is right there. Just”—she glanced into his deep brown eyes that were ringed with jet-black lashes—“leave me alone. I’ll be just fine .” It didn’t help when her voice cracked on the last word.
ADULT EXCERPT
Gwen pulled Chris down for a kiss as she slid her other hand down his chest to his groin. He brushed his lips against hers, his touch seeking, before he stroked her bottom lip and joined his mouth to hers. The girth of him filled her hand as she caressed the enormous steel pole in his jeans. Holy shit! Santa brought me a pony! She purposely looked into his eyes as she stroked his impressive length, her cunt tingling in anticipation. “Perfect.” The relief in his expression made her heart ache as he kissed her again. Had he been rejected for his manhood too? She would need patience to fit that big cock inside her, but she was taking every inch to prove that he had nothing to worry about or to be ashamed of. He was perfect. Delicious warmth pressed against her as Julián closed in behind her and pulled her hair back from her shoulder to kiss to her throat. He slid a hand between her and Chris to stroke her belly before his fingertips ventured to the waistband of her jeans. She gasped as he slid his hand straight down and fingered aside the crotch of her lace panties. “You don’t waste any time, do you, Julián?” she panted excitedly. In a husky drawl, he replied, “I’ve waited a long time for you, Gwen.” He raked his teeth over her shoulder, creating a flurry of hot tingles that danced over her flesh and centered in her clit. She cried out as his fingers invaded the slick cream coating her cunt. “You’re soaked and ready for us, aren’t you, Gwen? So fucking hot and ready.” “Yes! Oh yes!” She arched against him as he teased her aching, hot lips. As he kept up his finger play, she felt the beginnings of her climax but he chose that moment to withdraw, leaving her empty and unsatisfied. She ground back against his hardened cock, trying to stimulate herself to orgasm, but Julián gripped her hips with a negative grunt. “Don’t stop! Julián, please!” Frustration and desire made her mind hum as she sagged against Chris, and waited for Julián’s next move. Just like that, she was putty in their hands. Chris’s scent, a mixture of his soap and his own masculine essence filled her nostrils as she pressed her face against his thickly muscled chest. She realized they were whispering to each other right about the time they stopped and Julián stepped away from her. Chris stroked her jaw and kissed her as Julián pulled her shirt out of her jeans and stroked her flesh as he slid it upward, sending tickling shivers racing over her torso. Julián whispered, “I’ve been looking forward to this all day, woman. To feel your silky skin and to have my hands on this lush, gorgeous ass of yours.” He gripped her hips for a second before sliding his hands down to cup and squeeze her butt cheeks. Her cunt pulsed and ached with rapacious need as he continued pushing the shirt up before Chris took over and removed it, breaking their kiss for only a moment before reconnecting. He tasted of minty chewing gum and his own natural flavor and she pressed her lips against his, wanting more of him. He groaned softly as she pressed her breasts against him and his hands trembled as he fought the hooks that held the blue lace bra together at her back. There were several of them, because her breasts were abundant and she needed the support, but he eventually got her free of it. Julián growled as he had similar challenges with the fly of her jeans and jerked her hips back from Chris where she kept rubbing against him. He finally got the button and zipper undone and she moaned again when his hot hands slid inside the denim confines and pushed them down. “My boots,” she murmured against Chris’s lips. Julián chuckled as he moved to the bed. “I like them right where they are for now. That way our little filly is nicely hobbled and at our mercy.” She pulled her lips from Chris’s and peered dazedly at Julián who had taken his position at the end of Chris’s bed, his shirt now gone. His bare, black-furred chest and rippling abs were lit by the lamp light. She fantasized about running her fingers through all that sexy, manly hair and then his words registered. “Oh, shit.” Julián patted his denim-covered lap and chuckled. “Don’t worry. I think you’ll enjoy it more than not.” She pooched out her lip in protest but her pussy clenched in anticipation. “I’m not so bad I need a spanking, am I?” Julián smiled but determination was in his eyes. “Bad? Never, baby. Never . But you took off without letting anyone know your destination. You never checked in with any of us. You camped all by yourself in a very unsafe place. You made truck repairs on the side of the road.” “Huh? So I changed a couple of flat tires. Big deal.” “Changed tires barehanded in the snow and ice.” He pointed at the bandages he’d helped apply that afternoon. “Patched broken linkage with baling wire on the side of the road.” She gasped and looked at Chris accusingly, but he lifted his hands, chuckled, and said, “I didn’t say a word. Angel tattled on you.” “Shit.” “I checked it out too,” Julián growled. “You had to crawl under your truck to make that repair. I’m picturing you lying in the icy, dirty gravel on the side of the road.” Gwen made a noise of disgust. “Would you rather that I stood there wringing my hands until the Chupacabra came and ate me?” “Not funny, Chiquita.” He patted his lap, a glimmer of amusement warring with the concern in his eyes. “I love a self-sufficient woman but you put yourself in too much danger. I promised you a spanking and I’m more than ready to deliver it.” BIO: Heather's Bio:
Heather Rainier lives and writes in South Central Texas. Her stories offer up the content of her fantasies, with autobiographical humor, triumph and tragedy mixed in. Heather's love of romance fiction began as a teenager when her mom gave her copies of Kathleen Woodiwiss's "The Flame and the Flower" and Bertrice Small's "Skye O'Malley". To this day she's pretty sure that was her mom's version of the "birds and the bees" talk. Heather writes the type of novel she loves to read: More erotic and edgy than the mainstream, with plenty of sweet romance mixed in and a happily ever after guaranteed. Heather's favorite type of hero is the gentle, lovable giant but readers will discover a wide variety of heroes and alphas on the pages of her novels, from nearly perfect to very flawed. When not happily typing at her keyboard, Heather is usually busy corralling her kids, or loving on her smokin' hot husband, who thankfully loves to cook. Heather invites readers to e-mail her at heather.rainier@yahoo.comand also to visit her website at www.heatherrainier.com
Two loves ... Janice Combes has two loves, bucking bulls and Dirk Knowlton. But Dirk only has eyes for a dazzling rodeo queen. How can Janice ever compete while mired ankle-deep in manure? Exchanging playful banter with Dirk is all Janice can expect-until the stormy night he knocks on her door dripping wet and needing a place to crash.
Different Dreams... Dirk Knowlton is living the cowboy dream. Life should be good-roping, branding, backing broncs, riding bulls, but there's a void he can't seem to fill. After getting hung up by a bull, he wonders if this is really the life he wants. Restless and rebellious, he bolts...but there's a certain cowgirl he can't forget.
When a battle-scarred Dirk returns to his Montana ranch he's determined to hang on at any cost. Janice has come back home to lick her own wounds. When old dreams turn to dust, can two wary hearts take another chance on love?
EXCERPT
He stared at her in incomprehension, his mind still reeling at her appearance. He still couldn’t believe she’d walked into his life after all this time. He didn’t understand her motivation either, but did he really care? He’d done his best to warn her, to chase her off even. He hadn’t exaggerated. He was a fucking wreck, one that no sane woman would take on. But here she was, sane or not, and he wanted her with a desire that penetrated his marrow. The same need shone in her eyes, the kind of deep physical, gut-wrenching need that he shared, and the only kind he could fulfill.
He mumbled a stream of curses before hoisting himself to his feet. “Last chance, Janice. I can only fuck things up and make you miserable. It’s all I’ve ever been good at.”
Nevertheless, he offered his hand.
Her brown eyes met his unwavering. “I’m a big girl, Dirk. I think I can take it.”
The softness in those eyes betrayed her tough words. That same softness and
vulnerability cried out to him. After six years in the marines, there was nothing soft left in him.