Sharp Shootin’ Cowboy
By Victoria Vane
Hot Cowboy Nights, Book 3
June 2, 2015
Contemporary Western Romance
ISBN: 9781492601180
$7.99 paperback
TAKE
YOUR BEST SHOT, COWBOY…
Weary
warrior… After eight years as a Marine sniper,
war-scarred Reid Everett is back in his native Wyoming. He knows and loves this
rugged land, so working for wildlife services to reduce the booming wolf
population suits him to a T.
Caring
crusader… Wildlife biologist Haley Cooper is
desperate to make a difference. Leaving the world of academia behind, she
accepts a position as a wolf advocate to protect the animals she loves.
Raw
attraction… Their jobs set them on a collision
course, but chemistry sparks like wildfire between Reid and Haley. They’ll have
to brave some rough territory if they hope to reconcile their polarizing views
with a passion that won’t be denied.
SHARP SHOOTIN’ COWBOY is not a typical
romance. Reid Everett and Haley Cooper are two very different personalities.
They are like opposite poles of a magnet and just as powerfully attracted to
one another even though they are constantly at odds. This was a risky book for
me because I knew many readers would tend to side with one character over the
other based on who is more closely aligned with the reader’s own
socio-political views, but I had to write it anyway.
To quote my hero Reid Everett, “Being on different
sides doesn’t necessarily make us enemies. Good people are allowed to disagree.
Some of the best solutions to the hardest problems result from differing minds
coming together, meeting in the middle.”
That’s what SHARP SHOOTIN’ COWBOY is
really all about- meeting half way and finding compromise, even when the odds
are against it. I hope readers will enjoy getting to know and like both Reid and Haley.
Warmest regards,
Victoria Vane
What’s
your favorite hobby?
Haley – “I don’t have much time for hobbies
but I read a lot and love to run on the beach.”
Reid – “I grew up in Wyoming where my
family runs a backcountry hunting outfitting operation so I have always loved
anything involving the outdoors- camping, fishing, hunting and horses.”
What’s
your favorite color?
Haley – “Ocean blue.”
Reid – “Forest green.”
What
do you consider your greatest achievement?
Haley – “Achieving my PhD in wildlife
studies.”
Reid – “Keeping my men safe in Iraq.”
About
the Author
Victoria
Vane is a multiple award-winning romance novelist
and history junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic
romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Victoria also writes historical
fiction as Emery Lee and is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical
Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog.
Connect
with Victoria Vane: Website | Facebook | @AuthorVictoriaV | Pinterest | Goodreads
Praise for Rough Rider by Victoria Vane:
“Victoria
Vane continually surprises the reader in her latest western romance Rough Rider
as she plunges audiences into the world of bull riders and cattle ranchers.”
–
The Examiner
“Ms.
Vane entertained me... had me at the edge of my seat with twists and turns, and
even had me scream at Dirk's stupidity, so she completely EARNS my top score of
5 fingers up & 10 toes.”
–
Avon Romance
“I
honestly loved this book! This is an unconventional love story about second
chances. The characters were great on their own, but it was the unique way that
the plot unfolded that sold the book for me... The romance was passionate, and
the road to a happy ending was bumpy with some detours along the way.” – The Romance Reviews
“Another
winner. It was a really good tale in the rough and tumbled world of cowboys and
bull riding... if you get a chance,
check it out and also, check out [Victoria Vane’s] other books. You won’t be
disappointed.” – BTS Magazine
Excerpt from SHARP SHOOTIN’ COWBOY by
Victoria Vane
He could see her getting more worked up by the minute, and damned
if he wasn’t also—just not in the same way. She’d been baiting him from the
start, spewing arguments that usually just pissed him off, but in this case, it
was turning him on.
His gaze locked on her mouth. Her tongue darted out as if she read
his thoughts. She drew a breath as if to formulate another rebuttal, but he’d
had enough. Before her lips could spout off anymore of the Pacifist Tree
Hugger’s Manifesto, he pulled her into his arms and silenced her with his.
***
The kiss
came without warning, and Haley was too stunned at first to react. He began
gently enough, his lips sliding over hers, hands cupping her face, thumbs
stroking her jaw, and then he grew more insistent, his tongue probing the seal
of her lips. His callused hands were simultaneously firm and gentle, and his
lips paradoxically soft and commanding.
Mere seconds had her head spinning and stomach fluttering. She was
slipping fast and not about to let him pull her in any deeper. Part of her
wanted to give into it, to see where it might lead, but the other half resented
his audacity. Her pride won out. She resisted the urge to soften, to open to
him, then stiffened, pressing her hands against his chest.
He released her instantly.
She stepped back, knees weak and pulse racing. “I didn’t come here
looking to hook up.”
“Neither did I. But sometimes unexpected things happen.” His gaze
locked with hers, a look of speculation gleaming in his eyes. “When they do,
it’s best to just go with your gut instinct.”
“That so? Well all my instincts scream ‘no marines,’ so don’t let
it happen
again.”
Suddenly remembering the cue in her hand, Haley turned back to the
table. It took all of her will to focus back on the game. She could hardly
believe how he’d nearly unraveled her with a single kiss. Then again, no one
had ever
kissed her like that. She made her break, pocketing the one, and then moved
methodically around the table, calling each shot as she sank every solid. Only
the eight ball remained, but it was trapped behind two stripes.
Reid’s lips curved with smug certainty. “Looks like I’ll get my
turn after all.”
“Don’t count your chickens, cowboy.” She laid down her cue and
searched the wall behind her for a shorter one. “Jump cue,” she answered his
silent question.
“You’re kidding right?”
“Nope.” Approaching the table, she angled for her shot. She could
almost feel his eyes on her ass. She glanced over her shoulder. Sure enough. He
was leaning against the wall with both arms crossed over his broad chest, his
gaze zeroed in on her behind.
“Enjoying the view?”
“Sure am,” he confessed, unabashed.
He was sadly mistaken if he thought he’d unnerve her. Keeping him
in her peripheral vision, she widened her stance and stretched out over the
table. All sign of smugness evaporated from his face. He tugged on his jeans.
Haley grinned, reveling in her small victory, and then prepared
for a bigger one. “Eight ball, side pocket,” she declared with confidence. On a
three count she took the shot, jumping the stripes to pocket the eight. “Yeah
baby!” She threw down the cue and fisted the air, gloating in her triumph.
Reid gaped at the table. “I’ll be goddamned. How did you learn to
do that?”
“My grandpa was a regional pool champion.”
“That bit of information was mighty sneaky to withhold.”
She shrugged. “You didn’t ask. Loser buys. I’ll take a mojito.”
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