Country Roads by Nancy Herkness Review Tour

Country Roads

by Nancy Herkness

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BLURB:

When sheltered artist Julia Castillo flees her hometown, she has one goal: to prove to her overbearing family she can make it on her own. She knows they only want the best for her, but when they question her artistic vision, it’s time to break free. Julia’s search for independence carries her to the small town of Sanctuary, West Virginia. There, her courage is tested as never before—by her love for a handsome country lawyer, her bond with a dangerous black stallion, and a secret she is desperate to keep…

Paul Taggart abandoned his high-powered legal career to return to Sanctuary, giving up his own dreams to care for his troubled brother. Then Julia Castillo blows into town like a fresh mountain breeze, changing his staid, predictable life forever. Has Paul earned his second chance at happiness? Or does loving Julia mean having the strength to let her go?

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Excerpt:

Sharon, the owner of Healing Springs Stables, kept up a running commentary as she led them through one barn, out to the paddocks, and back into another barn. The stable hands all greeted Paul by name.

“No wonder you got elected mayor. You know everyone!” Julia said.

“I kissed a lot of babies too.” He gave her hair a teasing little tug that sent shivers of pleasure waltzing down her spine.

She was so caught up in the deliciousness of the sensation that she paid no attention to the black horse with its head thrust over the stall door. A blur of motion made her turn her head, just as the horse bared its teeth and lunged for her arm. Paul’s hand went from her hair to her shoulder in a split second as he clamped her hard against his side and yanked her out of range of the snapping jaws.

“Now who the hell forgot to shut Darkside’s cage?” Sharon exclaimed, dodging the vicious teeth as she shoved the horse’s head back inside the stall and swung a barred half door closed over the opening. “I’m sorry he nearly tore a strip off your hide. He is the orneriest SOB I have ever met.”

Julia stared at the horse through the bars. This was the dark, menacing creature she had been painting over and over again. Excitement shivered through her. “He’s my Night Mare,” she whispered, Sharon kept up a running commentary as she led them through one barn, out to the paddocks, and back into another barn. The stable hands all greeted Paul by name.

“No wonder you got elected mayor. You know everyone!” Julia said.

“I kissed a lot of babies too.” He gave her hair a teasing little tug that sent shivers of pleasure waltzing down her spine.

She was so caught up in the deliciousness of the sensation that she paid no attention to the black horse with its head thrust over the stall door. A blur of motion made her turn her head, just as the horse bared its teeth and lunged for her arm. Paul’s hand went from her hair to her shoulder in a split second as he clamped her hard against his side and yanked her out of range of the snapping jaws.

“Now who the hell forgot to shut Darkside’s cage?” Sharon exclaimed, dodging the vicious teeth as she shoved the horse’s head back inside the stall and swung a barred half door closed over the opening. “I’m sorry he nearly tore a strip off your hide. He is the orneriest SOB I have ever met.”

Julia stared at the horse through the bars. This was the dark, menacing creature she had been painting over and over again. Excitement shivered through her as she tried to make out the black shape in the shadows of his stall. “He’s my Night Mare,” she whispered.

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Review

Paul Taggart had no idea that when he pulled over to help a damsel in distress, she was elusive artist Julia Castillo.   He has no clue about Julia, but as they become closer he realizes that Julia has been sheltered her whole life and her fears are ever apparent.   

Julia fled to Sanctuary hoping that she could find her out if her artwork was really as bad as her uncle claimed.  Finding that so much of her life has been based on lies, Julia decides to stay in Sanctuary bonding not only with a temperamental horse but finding a mutual attraction to Paul.  Julia is holding a secret, a secret that would expose the hidden meanings behind her paintings.

This was a tearjerker for me.  I felt for Julia, she is timid, afraid, and finding her independency.  Paul is suave but with Julia he is unsure of his actions.   Wonderful read.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Born and raised in the mountains of West Virginia, Nancy Herkness’s passion for writing romance began the day her grandmother gave her a Georgette Heyer novel. After graduating from Princeton University with honors in English literature and creative writing, she had successful careers in retail, computer programming, and marketing before finally returning to her first love: writing. The author of Take Me Home and three other contemporary romances, Herkness was named one of 2003’s Best Up and Coming Authors in the Affaire de Coeur’s readers’ poll. She is also a winner of the Golden Leaf Award, the Aspen Gold Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. She currently resides in New Jersey with her husband and two mismatched dogs.

Links:

Website: www.NancyHerkness.com

Blogs: http://fromthegarret.wordpress.com/  and  http://sistertowns.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyherkness

Twitter: @NancyHerkness

Buy links: Kindle: http://amzn.to/17FKFFx

           

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