Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Release Day Party for "Gambling on a Heart"


FOLK'S, WE'RE HERE TO PARTY!
 
Come on in to Vintage Vonnie. I've been all aflutter this morning getting ready for Sara's book release day party. Here, grab a plate and fill it with some goodies. I think I made something for everyone's tastes. Sara said she loves strawberries, so I may have overdone with them a tad, but you know how I aim to please.
 
I just love new books and when they have a sizzling rating, well, who can resist. A "hawt" story makes for a great beach read. First, snatch a flute of bubbly while I tell you about my guest. Sarah Walter Ellwood is an award winning author whose  novel Gambling on a Secret was names by bestselling author Carolyn Brown in the Happy Ever After Blog on USA Today as one of her favorite romances of 2012.
Although Sara has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her stories. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for nearly 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia.
I'm from Pennsylvania, too, Sara, south-central. Now, while Sara shares her blurb and an excerpt, don't be afraid to keep your plates filled. There are goodies galore. Before I forget, if you're not into champagne, my Calvin is manning his cuppachino maker and he'd love to brew you something special.


Gambling On A Heart
Book 2 of The Colton Gamblers

 
Blurb:

She once lost his heart on a bluff. Will she risk everything to win it back?

Beautician Tracy Quinn spends her days making the women of Colton, Texas beautiful, while living down the nickname of Olive Oyl, given to her by the only man she has ever loved—Zack Cartwright. She spends her nights alone, despite what her ex husband wants their friends and neighbors to think.

Ex-rodeo cowboy. Ex-bad-boy. Ex-Marine. Widower and single dad Sheriff Zack Cartwright can describe his life in exes. One ex in particular reminds him of what’s missing in his workaholic life: Tracy Quinn. For years since she broke his heart, he’s practically made avoiding her a second job. He still wants her, but can never go after her.

When cattle rustlers target her brother’s ranch, Tracy and Zack are stuck working together. Her son could use a positive male role model, and his daughter is wild for a chance at a “substitute” mom. But Tracy’s ex threatens to sue if she lets Zack near her son, and the Colton grapevine is abuzz with rumors about their past relationship. Is it worth the gamble to see if what they have is more than lust?

CONTENT WARNING: Spicy sex
(Sorry, Sara, I couldn't resist!)

 

Excerpt:

“I was hoping you could keep me company this afternoon.” He skimmed his fingers over her cheek.

Her insides, heating up like lava under the surface of the earth, pooled in her low belly. Her lips parted.

Against her lips, he whispered, “Tracy, I want you.”

She had thought of little else since he’d left her standing on her porch Friday night. He was asking her to enter into a sexual relationship without any hope of a future--without love.

But she was already in love with Zack.

Both of their kids would benefit from them being together. Hadn’t that been what she’d decided while she tossed and turned in her big, empty bed?

With her gaze locked on his, she murmured, “I want you, too, but I have a stipulation.”

He leaned back. “What is it?”

“I’m no one’s bed-buddy, Zack. I know what my reputation is in this town, but it’s all wrong.” She swallowed her rapidly thumping heart back into place. “I’ll only go through with this, if you promise to treat me as a serious girlfriend. That means we date, we visit with our families and we share our kids.” When his expression hardened, she quickly added, “Mandy likes me. And I adore her. I’d like to bring her here, to the shop, for a few hours and play. And take her shopping. I know your mom tries, but she’s busy with her foundations and charities she does for the Junior League.”

The breath she sucked in was full of Zack’s scent of sage and leather. “Meanwhile, you can teach Bobby how to ride and maybe take him to the sheriff’s department and show him around. Jake won’t like it, but I’ll deal with him.” Having laid her demands out on the proverbial table, she held her breath, waiting for him to tell her what she could do with herself. After all, a man of Zack’s caliber could have any damned woman he wanted. Tracy was just handy, and according to the gossip of her ex-husband and mother-in-law, she was easy.

He studied her for a few moments. “That’s more than one stipulation.”

“Take it or leave it.”

“Tracy, it won’t change what I told you Friday night. I’m never getting married again.”

His words stung as much now as they had the other night, but she didn’t show him how much. She kept her face determined, as if she were haggling over one of his horses, rather than her body and soul.

“Fine. But I’m not a floozy. Yes, I’ve made mistakes. But I have my son to consider. And I’d hope you’d feel the same about Mandy. They’re bound to see us together. What do you plan on telling your six-year-old daughter when she asks about me? That I’m your friend with benefits? I know that isn’t what I want to be teaching my son.” Moreover, she didn’t want to give credence to Jake’s claim that she had no sexual morals.

“Okay,” he said at last. “We’ll play the game your way.” He pressed her against him. “Luck would have it I’m off this afternoon, too. I’ve already put in sixteen hours.”

When his lips captured hers, she knew she’d made a pact with the devil, but she couldn’t stop the elation surging through her. There was something he wanted from her. Sex was a big portion of it, but something else kept Zack from walking away and hooking up with any one of the many available women in town.

 

     

Sara also writes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name of Cera duBois.

 

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 Giveaway:

*Please leave your email address to qualify*

Tour Grand Prize is a swag pack full of goodies! A signed copy of Carolyn Brown’s Just a Cowboy and His Baby, an ebook copy of my last release Gambling On A Secret, a notebook, a pen, and a custom jewelry set—all tucked into a keepsake box. A $20 value.

*Swag pack is for the entire six-week tour. Winner will be announced on September 1, 2013

*Open to Continental US citizens 18 years and older and where not prohibited by law.

 
WHEW! WE HAVE PARTIED HEARTY!
 
SARA, GOOD LUCK DARLIN'. HOPE YOU HAVE AWESOME SALES!

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks Vonnie, for the awesome party!!! I better not drink too much of the champagne though. I have to go to work. By the way, I live in South Central PA-- Carlisle to be exact.

Kristina Knight said...

happy book birthday, Sara! Hope you sell a million!

Ella Quinn - Romance Novelist said...

Great excerpt!!! I love strawberries and champagne. Congratulations on your release Sara! I tweeted.

Ella Quinn - Romance Novelist said...

Great excerpt!!! I love strawberries and champagne. Congratulations on your release Sara! I tweeted.

Jenna said...

Congratulations, Sara! Sounds like another fabulous read. I tweeted and Facebooked. :)

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Welcome, everyone! Sara, I grew up in Chambersburg and after my first marriage, moved to Waynesboro where my kids eventaully went to high school. With two boys active in football and wrestling, we spent many hours at the Carlisle H.S.

Looks like I might need to chill some more bubbly. Whoot! I love a party!

Tera Shanley said...

Happy release day party, Sara! strawberry pie and champagne are an awesome way to start the day :) I loved the excerpt and have tweeted for you.

terashanley(at)ymail(dot)com

jfulford said...

Congratulations, Sara. Hope your book hits a homer! In virtual good spirit, Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Ooo, what a fun release party! Happy release day to you, Sara. Great excerpt (I loved "Zack's scent of safe and leather." Yum!).

Nice to see meet some other Keystoners too *waves to Sara and Vonnie* I'm a Hershey girl!

D'Ann said...

LOVE this book! Get yours TODAY!!!
Wow, am I stuffed from all the goodies!

AJ Nuest said...

Whoo Hoo! I've left my own party to head over here where all the action is! LOL Great excerpt, Sara! Here's to a boatload of sales for your book!! XOXO

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the release Sara. I reposted Lyrical's link on my Facebook page. Loved the excerpt. Vonnie, thanks so much for hosting this amazing release party. Virtual or not, I had a fine time.

Calisa Rhose said...

Doesn't Vonnie throw the BEST parties? Congrats, Sara!

Unknown said...

Happy Release Day, Sara - great party - yeehah!xo

Rhonda D said...

I am definitely putting this in my tbr folder. I will be reading this series from the beginning. Sara is a new to me author and I can't wait to read this book. It sounds like it will be very emotional. I wonder how his "never going to marry again" works out for him.
slinkydennis@yahoo.com
I tweeted as well. @rhondadennis

Kyra Jacobs said...

Happy release day, Sara! Best of luck w/ book two in your series!

Angela Adams said...

Vonnie knows how to throw a great party! Best wishes with your book, Sara!

Unknown said...

Wow! What an awesome turnout! Thank you all for enjoying Vonnie's party for me. Isn't she just the best?

And Mae and Vonnie... Yay for Central PA!!!

Jan Hougland said...

Wow Sara! That was quite an excerpt on the blog this afternoon! Whooee! I think the cover on my e-reader would melt if this book was on it. :-) As you can tell, I would love to read more about Tracy and Zack and their "pretend" courtship dance. Congrats on your new release and continued success to you in your writing. jdh2690@gmail.com

bgbychristina said...

I love your blog! Definitely following now, stay in touch xx

thedailysugar.blogspot.com

Arthur Wooten said...

I found your great blog through the WLC Blog Follows on the World Literary Cafe! Great to connect!