Virtual Book Tour - Sagebrush Bride by Tanya Anne Crosby

Welcome to my stop on Tanya Anne Crosby’s Virtual Book Tour for Sagebrush Bride.  Please leave a comment or question for Tanya to let her know you stopped by.  You can follow the rest of Tanya’s virtual tour here.  

Sagebrush Bride

by Tanya Anne Crosby

Historical Western Romance

Publisher: Oliver Heber Books

Release Date: March 13, 2013

Heat Level: Steamy

Length: 372 pages

Available at:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Description:

Fiercely independent, Elizabeth Bowcock – “Doc Liz” as she’s known by all -- vows to raise her orphaned niece as her own. Unfortunately, the child’s grandfather has declared the unwed doctor to be an unfit guardian and refuses to deliver her to Liz's care until she finds herself a man...

Enter dark-haired, devil-eyed Cutter McKenzie. Outcast for his Cheyenne blood, the handsome halfbreed volunteers to pose as Elizabeth’s husband. But though his wicked sex appeal threatens to undermine Liz's independence, the road to St. Louis promises even greater perils…

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Excerpt:

“Mmmm, mmm,” Cutter murmured, embracing her as though she were his long-lost kissin’ cuz. “You’re looking better than ever, gal.”

Elizabeth’s heart jolted violently at the deep, unfamiliar voice. Warm lips kissed her cheek in a familiar way, taking just a fraction too long to leave her flushed skin, lingering at her lobe.

She swallowed convulsively.

He whispered in her ear. “Gotta loosen up, Doc, if you want this to look good... Come on now,” he coaxed, forcing her weight against him.

His husky voice set Elizabeth’s pulse to pounding, and her body into sudden paralysis. Powerless to fight him, she let him adjust her at will. Her legs felt wobbly, her body no more than mush in his hands.

“That’s it, bright eyes; now turn real slow,” he whispered, his lips scalding against her face, “act like you’re damned glad to see me.”

Elizabeth suppressed a helpless shudder as she worked up the courage to turn, fully intending to slap the britches off the fool who’d dared to be so intimate with her. But the man who faced her left her momentarily dazed, her throat too thick to speak.

Good night, but he was tall!

Her eyes refused to lower, but neither would they move up to his face. She forced them, and found dark hair flowing from beneath a dun-colored hat.

He cocked a brow at her, amusement flickering in his black eyes. He winked and she felt her knees go instantly weak... yet she couldn’t tear her gaze away even as they buckled.

He reached out to steady her, but Elizabeth continued to gape, helpless to do anything else. The longer she looked, the more she swore he didn’t have pupils, his eyes were so blessed dark... his face too tawny... his cheekbones too high. But it was those lips of his that unnerved her so: insolent, smug, kicked up only slightly at the corners, as though he couldn’t quite stifle his humor at her expense. His gaze roved, lazily assessing her, sliding down over her body slowly, seductively, then returning to her face to bore into her with silent expectation.

He anticipated some reaction from her, Elizabeth thought dimly, but couldn’t think what—couldn’t think, period. Staring as though transfixed, she tried to decipher his stony features but found her brain as useless as her limbs. But it occurred to her in that muddled moment that maybe he had appraised her with more than a mild interest, and her pulse quickened at that prospect. No one had ever looked at her in quite that way.

Not anyone.

Those dark eyes still piercing her, he raised two fingers to his brim, tipping his hat in greeting as the remnants of a smile turned the corners of his mouth. “Howdy, Liz,” he said huskily. “It’s been a mighty long time, gal.”

Long time?

Elizabeth shook her head, denying it, for if she’d ever set eyes on the man before now, she would have remembered. He wasn’t the type to be forgotten. Unconsciously she lifted a finger to her cheek, to the spot where he’d kissed her. Her throat constricted, seeming suddenly parched, and she licked her lips desperately as they parted to speak.

To her mortification, no words came.

For the first time in her life, Elizabeth Bowcock found herself dumbstruck. In spite of the man’s amused expression, he wore an air of menace about him like a second skin, and a tremor shook her as she averted her gaze to his boots. Dangerous, she thought.

The man was dangerous.

She hadn’t missed the fact that he had the most vicious-looking revolver she’d ever spied jammed into his gun belt, but she’d only just spotted the ink black knife hilt peeking over his faded leather boots. And those boots of his told a tale in themselves, for they were unmistakably U.S. Cavalry, and ominously inconsistent with his buckskin dress. There was little comfort in that he didn’t wear his weapons as Dick Brady did, like cheap jewelry. The fact that he kept his blade concealed and wore his gun casually, as though it were not there at all, told her all she needed to know. He was no gun-strutting cowpuncher. He was the real thing. As for the boots, she could think of a dozen reasons he should be outfitted so, not one of them reassuring.

A quick, wide-eyed glance to Jo told her that she was in no immediate danger, however. Jo’s lips lifted at the corners, and she, too, was on the verge of a smile, her kindly cinnamon eyes warm with humor.

Not really understanding why she felt compelled to, Elizabeth decided to play along. “Uh... um...”

Mercy’s sake, she didn’t even know his name! How was she going to pretend to know him if she didn’t know his blessed name? In panic, her gaze skidded to Jo.

“Cutter,” Jo supplied with a laugh, seeming to read Elizabeth’s thoughts. Her eyes gleamed with mischief. “I believe you have her tongue-tied, brother dear. Reckon she thought she’d never see you again.” Seeing Elizabeth’s confused expression, she laughed softly. “Isn’t that right, Liz?”

“Right?” Elizabeth nodded woodenly. Jo’s brother? “Oh—yes! I did think I’d never see you again!” She nodded dutifully for the benefit of their audience.

All eyes reverted suspiciously to Cutter, leaving her somewhat doubtful of her performance. Her brow furrowed.

Warmth invaded his eyes as he gently chucked her under the chin, much as a brother would a cherished younger sister.

Elizabeth felt suddenly too warm, almost as though she were being roasted over a slow fire. And the heat of his fingers... lingered upon her chin long after he’d withdrawn his hand. Mortified that he could affect her so, she averted her gaze to Brady. He was watching her with unflinching eyes.

His eyes narrowing to shadowy slits, Cutter turned to Brady and his men, sending them each an unspoken challenge. Brady fidgeted, flinging Elizabeth a doubtful look before turning away. The rest of his outfit followed immediately, slapping one another consolingly on the shoulder.

Elizabeth’s brows rose as she watched the exchange, astounded at the ease with which Cutter had handled Brady and his men. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words stuck in her throat like a spoonful of dry sugar. The man was just too smug for his own good. He’d had no right to be so familiar with her, but she did owe him her gratitude, no matter how reluctant it came. “I suppose I should thank you,” she said.

Cutter grinned. “Anytime, Doc.” 

About the Author:

Tanya has written seventeen novels, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including the New York Times and USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, two dogs and two cats in northern Michigan.

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My Review

A historical romance set in the Dakota Territory at the end of the Civil War; Tanya Anne Crosby’s Sagebrush Bride has a light touch of humor, well developed characters and lively dialogue.  Adding just the right amount of spicy, sexual tension between the primary characters, Ms. Crosby introduces us to an educated heroine with abandonment issues and a hero, whose half- breed heritage, has him being extremely cautious with his heart.  A page turning story, Ms. Crosby’s Sagebrush Bride is definitely an enjoyable read.

An educated woman who took over her father’s medical practice after his death, Elizabeth Bowcock, or “Doc Liz” as she wants people to call her, is determined to taken seriously by the citizens of Sioux Falls.  Notified of her sister and brother in law’s deaths, Liz discovers she’s become guardian of Katie, her four year old niece.  Only, her sister’s former father in law won’t Liz take Katie unless she’s married and can provide her a loving home.  Needing a “pretend” husband, Liz finds herself traveling to St. Louis with Cutter McKenzie, her best friend’s brother.

Half Irish and half Cheyenne, Cutter McKenzie is a man caught between two cultures.  Not accepted by either side, Cutter has spent the last couple of years working for the army.  Attracted to the spunky and outspoken doctor, Cutter agrees to pose as Elizabeth’s husband and agrees to take her East to St. Louis.  Determined to keep her safe, Cutter soon realizes Elizabeth is much more than just another pretty face.  He just needs to remember to keep her out of his heart.

The scenes between Liz and Cutter are fun, full of verbal give and take, and smoldering chemistry.  Ms. Crosby does a good job developing both characters; both scared of becoming hurt, Liz is used to people abandoning her, while Cutter fears rejection because of being a half breed.  As Liz and Cutter are forced to spend time together while they travel, they begin to realize the acceptance and love they’re both looking for can be found in each other. 

The secondary characters are also well written and each contributes a little something to the story.  I especially liked Jo, Cutter’s younger sister and Elizabeth’s best friend, who saw them both for who they really were.  I hope someday she gets her own story.  I also really liked Katie; she’s a cute little kid, even though her timing sometimes got in the way of Liz and Cutter’s burgeoning romance.

Will Liz and Cutter be willing to turn their pretend marriage into the real thing?  Will they be able to take Katie back to the Dakotas to start a new family?  You’ll have to read Sagebrush Bride to find out.  I enjoyed it and I think you will too.   

                                                                                                                                                  My Rating:  4 out of 5 Stars   

FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of the book reviewed as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.  I was not compensated in any additional way for my opinion of the material provided.