Title: The Queen of Paradise Valley
Author: Cat Dubie
Genre: Historical Western Romance
Book Blurb:
Diana Rennie, daughter of a wealthy rancher, attempts to persuade Del Russell to forgive her father for past mistakes. Her careful plan goes awry and results in a shotgun wedding and a prison sentence for Del.
Four years later, Del is back with a vengeance—back for his rightful share of Diana's ranch, back to prove he isn't a criminal, back to finish what the two of them started years ago in a passionate daze. And he isn’t going anywhere, no matter what beautiful, treacherous Diana does or says to try to get rid of him.
Excerpt:
Diana climbed the fence for a better view above the choking dust, her hands clenched so hard her fingers ached. By goading Del she had hoped to reveal him as a fraud, but her ploy had backfired. The men were full of admiration for him, the new boss.
A plume of brown dust and tailings of grass followed Del as he galloped across the valley. When he headed back at a fast lope, Diana turned to the men. "Aren't there chores to do?"
At once everyone was busy at some mundane task. Del, sweat-stained shirt glued to his chest, trotted the lathered mustang into the corral. Mosquito ran up with a halter, and Del slid to the ground.
"Guess Diablo's gonna be yours, hey Boss? You tamed him good."
"Like taming a woman." Del rubbed the mustang’s flank.
"Yeah, sure. You strip 'em, gentle 'em with your hands, then ride the hell out of--uh--" Spying Diana on the fence, Mosquito ducked his head. "Mierda. Forgive me, Miss Diana--"
She didn't speak; her cold expression was punishing enough. Muttering, "Uh-oh," Mosquito walked the mustang away.
Del called after Mosquito, “I’ll be there in a few minutes to clean Diablo.” It had been an exhilarating ride, unconstrained, hell even joyful, something he hadn't experienced in years. Hobo, his pinto cayuse and companion for the past year, didn't have the mustang's fierce stamina, the pumping power of its legs.
Soaked strands of hair clung to Del's forehead. He swiped them away and strode to the fence, squinted up at Diana. "Looks like I earned myself a horse. Any objections?"
She looked over his head. "You won, didn't you? One tough brute taming another."
He untied the bandanna from his arm and held it out. "Your token, ma'am. It doesn't smell as good as it did a few minutes ago."
Her gaze flicked over the limp black cloth. "Keep the damn thing. I don't want it now."
Why did she challenge him at every turn? On impulse he reached for her waist and lifted her off the fence. She was light and lithe and fluid as she twisted to free herself, but when her feet touched the ground she stiffened like a piece of hardwood and dug with frantic force at his fingers. "Take your hands off me!"
Was that a note of desperation in her voice? "Doesn't the knight get a kiss from the queen after he wins the battle?"
Cheeks darkening, she pushed on his chest but wasn't quick enough to evade his mouth. He touched his lips to hers and she jerked back. "How dare you embarrass me in front of the men? You stink like a sweaty horse, like a--a--"
Hands in the air, he took a backward step. "Like a man? And you're afraid of men? Is that why your lips are as cold as ice?"
Buy Links:
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-queen-of-paradise-valley-cat-dubie/1127176154?ean=2940158564567
What makes this book a must-read and/or what inspired you to write this story:
As a longtime fan of all things Western: movies, TV shows, books, my plan was to write romances in the old West. These characters sprang to life on their own. They did not like each other. At first. So naturally, it had to be an enemies to lovers tale, filled with conflict, obstacles, natural and personal disasters, and of course passion. And eventually love.
Giveaway:
Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $25 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $15 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $10 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Open internationally
Runs September 1 – 30
Drawing will be held on October 1.
Author Biography:
Cat Dubie was the girl who always had her nose in a book, the one who read with a flashlight under the covers or, when the moon was full, sat by a window for hours laughing, crying, loving characters whose adventurous lives wouldn’t let her sleep.
She has traveled the world in books. She has traveled back to the dawn of time and far into the future in books. Her keen interest in history determined the nature of her books, and the first Historical romance novel she read, settled the genre.
After working for various levels of government, she retired and now lives in the beautiful province of British Columbia, where she indulges in her need for creating stories about romance, adventure, passion, mystery, love ...
Social Media Links:
Twitter @CatDubie
BookBub
Goodreads