E.E. Burke's Best of the West: The Heart of a Texas Cowboy

Today I'm thrilled to welcome back Linda Broday, a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, who has a second book out in her Men of Legend series.   

One bullet is all it takes to shatter Houston Legend’s world. He swore he’d never love again, but with the future of the Lone Star Ranch on the line, he finds himself at the altar promising to love and cherish a woman he’s never met—a woman whose vulnerable beauty touches his heart.

All Lara Boone wants is a name for her baby. She never expected to fall in love with her own husband—or any man—after the heartache she’s endured. Yet when her troubled past catches up with them, Houston will move heaven and earth to protect his bride…and discover depths to a marriage of convenience neither realized could be theirs to claim.

I've been waiting eagerly for this book and I can assure you it was worth the wait! The Heart of a Texas Cowboy has been garnering well-deserved praise...

~~ STARRED REVIEW Publisher’s Weekly

The exciting plot, rich setting, and superb writing will delight fans of historical romances.

~~ 4 Stars Romantic Times

This compassionate, poignant marriage-of-convenience love story demonstrates Broday’s ability to bring a wide range of emotions to her characters in a fast-paced plotline without losing a bit of the powerful love story.

~~ Long and Short Reviews - 5 stars

“One of the sweetest love stories I’ve read in a long time.”

Here's an excerpt:

  With night wrapped around her like a cloak, Lara hummed while she washed the dishes and put everything away.

  Houston sat on the ground with Gracie, his back against his saddle. The babe lay on his chest with his hand patting the small back. He caught Lara looking and winked as boldly as some scoundrel. Heat rose to her cheeks. She lowered her gaze and made quick work of the dishes.

  “Do you want me to take Gracie to her bed?” Lara asked, joining him.

  “If you can pry open her fist to get my vest out of it. For such a little thing she’s sure got a grip.”

  Houston was so near his soft breath fanned her cheek. Her pulse raced. This man she’d married invaded every thought. He’d shown kindness and caring and brought hope back from the grave where she’d buried it.

  He laid a hand on her arm. “You’ll be back?”

  “Yes. I won’t be long.”

  “I’ll only be in camp a little while,” Houston said, yawning. “Have to spell the other drovers.” At her questioning glance, he explained, “Everyone shares guard duty, me included.”

  She nodded and hurried to lay Gracie in her crib next to her crib beside the chuck wagon. With her precious daughter sleeping soundly, she returned to the fire to find no sign of Houston. Her heart sank with disappointment. She’d missed him, missed her goodnight kiss that he’d begged for.

  Houston called quietly from the deep shadows. “Over here, Lara.”

  Following his voice, Lara discovered him leaning against the trunk of a mesquite tree. Rays from the full moon lightened the dark brown strands nestling against his collar, adding glints of silver.

  “I didn’t want to take a chance on us being interrupted so I walked out here,” he explained.

  Lara wet her lips. “I thought you’d changed your mind.” That he didn’t want to kiss a woman so scarred.

  “Not a chance, lady,” he growled low and pushed away from the tree. “It’s all that’s been on my mind since you agreed.”

  When she moved to him, he opened his arms. She walked into his embrace as though it was a door and pleasure awaited there. Inhaling the scented air, she laid her head against the hard wall of his chest. She wanted to stay there forever.

  Houston lightly rested his chin on the top of her head. “I’m real glad you came on this drive. Nights can get lonely out here.”

  His deep voice vibrated inside her. It was like he became part of her. “I’m glad I did too. Even though I had to work to convince you.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m a stubborn fool.”

  He put a finger under her chin and lifted her face. Without a word, he lowered his mouth. The minute his warm lips touched hers, Lara had to clutch his arm to keep from falling. Her heartbeat pounded as though trying to keep up with the blood racing through her veins.

  A hot, demanding, achiness swept over her. She needed this man and at the moment didn’t think she could live without him. Nor did she want to try.

Meet Linda

I'm a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical western romances and I reside in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and Comancheros once roamed. At times, I can feel their ghosts lurking around every corner. I love research and looking for little known tidbits to add realism to my stories. Chocolate is my best friend. It just soothes my soul.

Where you can find out more about me and my books:

Website: www.LindaBroday.com

Facebook Author Page:  http://www.facebook.com/lindabrodayauthor 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lbroday  

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Broday/e/B001JRXWB2

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1204489.Linda_Broday

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lindabroday1/

E.E.: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

Linda: Well, since I don’t know how to perform brain surgery and I’m far too old to learn, I’d have to do something related to books. Way back when I was young, I yearned with all my heart to be a librarian. I still do. Back then in 7^th grade, I got to work in the school library and I thought that was the greatest thing. I loved to be surrounded by books. And if I can’t be a librarian, I’d want to own a small bookstore so I could smell the paper, the ink, the adventures between the pages all day.

E.E.: What do you do to unwind and relax?

Linda: I watch TV, go to the movies, or read a book. I love to immerse myself in stories even when I have a free moment. Is that strange or what? Maybe we need to call the men in white coats. But it’s relaxing to me.

E.E.: Which era would you least like to have lived in, fashion-wise and why? Most?

Linda: I wouldn’t have wanted to live during the Civil War years. Oh my goodness, those corsets, hoop skirts, and five layers of clothing would’ve done me in.  I don’t know how they sat down, rode a horse, or anything else. Their clothing was so restrictive. I would love to have lived during Cleopatra times with their soft, flowing dresses. No corsets, just all natural.

E.E.: If you were a T-Shirt, what color would you be and why?

Linda: Purple. I’ve always been drawn to the deeper hues of the color. Maybe it’s because purple is a royal color and worn by kings and queens. Put me in something purple and I’m very content. I get this feeling that everything’s right with the world.

E.E.: What three things are, at this moment, in your heroine’s purse or satchel?

Linda: Lara Boone would have diapers for her baby daughter, a change of clothes for herself…and a gun. She’s being stalked by a man who wants to capture or kill her so Houston Legend gives her a gun so she can defend herself if he’s not around.

E.E.: What drew you to write the genre you do?

Linda: I grew up watching all the westerns back when they were in their heyday. We didn’t own a TV but my aunt and uncle did and we’d go over to their house. I saw how honorable, tough and loyal they were and how they sought justice for themselves and others. When I set out on this writing path, I fashioned my heroes like those cowboys on TV. Only instead of riding off into the sunset alone, I wanted to give my men someone to love because no one should be alone. Just think what would’ve happened if Matt Dillion had told Miss Kitty he loved her? Sure wish he had.

E.E.: What books are in your TBR pile?

Linda: Hallowed Ground by Darrell Sparkman

Chasing the Heiress by Rachael Miles

Tempting the Earl by Rachael Miles

Saving Mercy by Abbie Roads

Blame it on the Cowboy by Delores Fossen

Closer to You by Amanda McIntyre

Today's GIVEAWAY:  Two autographed copies of THE HEART OF A TEXAS COWBOY

QUESTION FOR READERS:  What is it about Marriage of Convenience stories that you love?

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