“There’s
this thing between us that refuses to die. I’d like nothing better than to be
able to…” His words faded. He’d give anything to change people’s views about
his race… to be able to make her his wife. But
the world wasn’t that simple. Not for people like them.
She was a pickpocket and he a half-breed…bound
by a love that’s stronger than iron bars.
All
his life, Brett Liberty has straddled two worlds: white and Iroquois. The only
place he’s truly at peace is with his wild mustangs. Arrested for the color of
his skin, he discovers Rayna Harper in the cell next to him. Rough and tumble
Rayna has known little kindness, but Brett sees the depth of her heart hidden
beneath layers of hurt and fear, and he refuses to leave without her.
Something about the damaged, flame-haired beauty calls to him. Yet even as the two outcasts are drawn together, terrible danger at the hands men eaten with hate threatens to tear them apart. Brett knows he should let her go, but he’s taken with the woman who looks at him as if he were just any other man...and melts in his arms as if the brush of his lips is enough to chase all her demons away...
Something about the damaged, flame-haired beauty calls to him. Yet even as the two outcasts are drawn together, terrible danger at the hands men eaten with hate threatens to tear them apart. Brett knows he should let her go, but he’s taken with the woman who looks at him as if he were just any other man...and melts in his arms as if the brush of his lips is enough to chase all her demons away...
Check out this excerpt from Forever His Texas Bride:
“I had some dreams once—and
hope.” Rayna hated the bitterness that crept into her voice. “But I learned
that hoping and dreaming were for other folks, not me.”
Brett took her hand. “Those
aren’t allotted only to certain people. Anyone can have them.”
“Not me. My heart can’t take
any more blows.”
“Courage is getting back up
once we’ve been knocked down. Shame is in not trying. I’ll help you get back
up.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to. I see a
spark inside you just waiting to flare brightly.”
“My father hammered into me
that people like us don’t get to be normal…or liked. We’re outcasts. We stay
with our own kind. I made a mistake in forgetting that.”
“As Cooper would say, that’s
hogwash. You’re just as normal as anyone. Stop limiting yourself.”
Rayna inhaled the fragrant
breeze, wishing she didn’t have to keep hobbling the yearning welling up inside
at times so strong she couldn’t breathe. “I have to. It’s a lot less painful.
If you don’t pin your hopes on things, your heart doesn’t get broken as often.
Our fight is my fault. I have this problem of always thinking things mean more
than they do. It’s just that I wanted what we had so badly to be true that I
got lost in pretending.”
He hesitated only a moment
before putting his arm around her shoulders. “If I was able to take a wife for
real, I’d want it to be you. But I’ll never marry anyone. I’m a color that no
one appears to have a particular fondness for.”
“It doesn’t make any difference
to me. I see your heart, not your skin.”
“Thank you, but it does matter
a great deal to some.”
Rayna rested her head on his
shoulder. “Not to the people of Battle Creek. Mabel told me that everyone loves
and accepts you.”
“This town is only one place in
thousands, and the resentment others harbor outside of here would fall to you
also. I refuse to let that happen. No one will hate you because of me.”
“It’s not because I’m no lady?”
“No. I swear it.”
“Do you think all this hating
will ever change?”
“I hope so.”
Relief flooded Rayna. “Then I
will wait for you.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
She lifted her head from his
shoulder and sat up straighter. “I’m volunteering. I will wait however long it
takes.”
“Change may not happen in this
lifetime,” he warned.
“Then we’ll try to hurry it
along.”
“Dear sweet Rayna, I wish
others could see things through your eyes. So you’ll let me try to help you?”
“I suppose.” Rayna picked at a
loose thread of her patched dress. “I’ll need something to do while I wait for
the world to get some sense.”
.…..They walked in silence for
a minute. “Brett, I’m sorry for getting angry. Thank you for coming after me.”
“You’re welcome.”
With her arm tucked in the
curve of Brett’s, Rayna’s heart settled. She swallowed the last of her
resistance and bitter disappointment.
As they passed under the shielding
overhang of a big evergreen tree away from the glare of the saloon lights, she
turned to stare into the dark shadows of his face. “Could I have something to
remember the time when someone almost loved me? One final kiss? After this
moment, we’ll be nothing but friends.”
“I don’t think that’s wise.”
She sensed Brett’s yearning as
his hand rose to touch her, only to let it fall.
Powerful need for one last feel
of his fingers on her skin gave her the courage to beg. “One light brush of the
lips between friends here in the darkness. It won’t mean anything.”
“Rayna…” The word came out
hoarse and wounded.
Tingles raced up her spine as
he gently traced the curve of her lips as though he, too, was filing a memory
away. She lowered her lids in an effort to soak up the sensations. Her breath
hitched when he lowered his sensuous mouth to hers.
Hunger…
Sweet ache…
Torment…
Desire blazed with the heat of
a raging prairie fire.
This first kiss without steel
bars between them, was full of raw power, danger and beauty.
Brett’s hands plunged into her
hated curls, holding her just like she dreamed. This man, hunted and despised,
seemed to pour all the secrets of his soul into this kiss. With a low moan, she
slid her hand around his neck, drawing him closer.
Delicious agony arced out like the branches of
the old tree they were under, reaching, straining for more of the sweetness.
The jolt of his thigh brushed
her hip when she leaned into him. She knew she overstepped boundaries he’d set,
but she couldn’t stop herself. Her need to store up memories for the lonely
times ahead was too great.
Touching Brett’s face, she met
his dark stare. “I think my brother was right.”
“What about?”
“Kisses do have magic.”
Meet Linda
Linda is a New
York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her interest in reading and
history came very early, so it was no surprise when she began writing western historical
romances. She resides in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and
Comancheros once roamed, where ghosts from the past lurk around every corner.
Humble roots and the love of family have become focal points of each book she
writes.
CONTACT LINKS:
Visit me at: www.LindaBroday.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/linda.broday1
Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/lindabrodayauthor
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/lbroday
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Broday/e/B001JRXWB2
BUY LINKS:
Now, on to the questions...
E.E.: What sound or noise do you love?
Linda: The
sound of the ocean is hypnotic to me. I love the waves, the horns on boats and
the seabirds squawking overhead. It’s like I’ve come home. My soul feels at
peace and I sleep like a baby. I can spend hours just sitting on the beach
watching the waves.
E.E.: What was the first story you remember writing?
Linda: I
wrote a story when I was in the seventh grade about a family of ants playing
football in the family’s sugar bowl. This was big stuff for me then, but not so
riveting now. It was a start though. I remember the deep yearning back then to
tell the stories that were in my head.
E.E.: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them or
let them influence your writing?
Linda: Yes,
I do to both questions. I want to know what readers and reviewers think about
my books. I always welcome their comments except for the nasty ones that I
ignore because some people get their kicks by being mean. Over the years I’ve
learned that I can’t please everyone. Some will give you a negative review no
matter what you do. The constructive criticism is great and I believe me I do
listen. I’ve been known to change certain things in my stories because of
reviews.
E.E.: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?
Linda: I
prefer coffee with Splenda and one cream. I love the taste on my tongue and the
warmth of the liquid sliding down my throat. Can’t beat it on a cold winter’s
days. Or when I’m dragging. It lifts me up. Coffee doesn’t judge or criticize.
It sits there like a silent friend.
E.E.: What one thing about your hero drives his heroine crazy? And what one thing
about your heroine drives her hero nuts?
Linda: Brett
Liberty is one of firm convictions. Once he makes up his mind there’s no
changing it and this really gets under Rayna’s skin. She simply can’t change
Brett’s mind about letting her live on his ranch and not for the lack of trying.
And for Brett, Rayna has this obsession with superstition. Every single thing
is a harbinger of bad things to come and her constant need to try to involve
him in her beliefs drives Brett nuts.
E.E.: Which already filmed movie represents your writing style?
Linda: The
Outlaw Josie Wales. That movie had everything—a strong hero that was driven to
avenge the deaths of his wife and children, drama, suspense and danger. I just
love this movie and even though I’ve watched it probably two dozen times I
still find it gripping and full of raw emotion.
E.E.: What drew you to write western historical romance?
Linda: It
was Angel by Johanna Lindsey. He was a ruggedly handsome hired gun with eyes as
black as sin. I fell hard for him and I knew I wanted to write those bad boy
heroes with a fast gun. But it was more than the character. I loved the danger
and excitement and that yearning for something he could never have. And there
was the love of a beautiful woman who had to try to tame him. That book sparked
the deep desire to write like that.
I’m a big movie fan and, when I’m writing, I
see everything unfolding in my mind like I’m watching a movie. What was the
last movie you went to see and how did you like it?
Today, Linda will give away an eBook copy of FOREVER HIS TEXAS BRIDE to a lucky commenter. Just answer the question and enter the drawing. "LIKE" and Tweet to improve your chances.
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