I’m so excited for the release this month of the fourth book in my Wishing, Texas Series, To Marry A Texas Cowboy. Mark your calendar. September 28th is the day Zane Logan’s story arrives.
Zane is the playboy in this group of heroes. Women fall at his feet, and there’s never been one he couldn’t handle. Do you see trouble coming? Of course you do, and you’d be right. Here’s an excerpt from To Marry A Texas Cowboy. I hope you enjoy it, and don’t forget to mark your calendar.
“Are you okay?” Mr. Stop Traffic asked, stepping into the light. She must have showered him with champagne because his shirt lay plastered against his chest, revealing his well-defined abs. Oh, my. His chest looked as wonderful as his face.
“I need to get to the generator,” McKenna said, but she’d no sooner gotten the words out when the lights came on.
“What happened? There’s blood smeared on your face and sleeve, and your nose is swollen.”
McKenna resisted the urge to groan, his comment obliterating all her feminine warm fuzzy feelings. While she was thinking about how dreamy he was, he’d been worried about her bloody, swollen nose. She should’ve known something practical accounted for his interest.
“Something hit my nose when the lights went out.”
“Bet it was the cork from my champagne bottle. It got away from me when the lightning hit.” He glanced around. “Mrs. Severance, you’re a nurse. Come check this out.”
Thanks. Call more attention to the fact that I got hurt and probably resemble a rodeo clown, while you, dripping wet with champagne look…marvelous.
McKenna smiled and waved the older woman off. “No need. I’m fine.”
“If you’re sure,” Mrs. Severance replied.
She nodded as Mr. Stop Traffic moved past her, lifted a glass, and filled it with water from a nearby pitcher. Next, he grabbed a napkin, dunked the square into the water, and returned. Increasingly embarrassed and fighting the urge to run, McKenna reached for the napkin, but he pushed her hand away. “You’ll only smear it more.”
His brows furrowed in concentration as he wiped the blood from her face. His green eyes held tiny flecks of gold, making them almost sparkle. He had the most mesmerizing eyes. Paul Newman, never-forget kind, except in green instead of blue. Her breath caught in her chest. She couldn’t think. Oh dear. No man had ever sent such a warm rush of pleasure pulsing through her before. Not even during sex.
“You need medical attention. Your nose is really swollen.”
His words obliterating her sexual feel-good haze, she leaned forward, kept a smile on her face, and whispered, “Stop saying how swollen my nose is. I’ll deal with it later. Right now, I need to do my job.” Then she straightened and announced, “I’m fine, everyone. If I wasn’t, I’d say so. Now let’s get this party back on track and toast the happy couple.”
She placed her empty bottle in the tub and selected another. This one she opened before handing it to him. “Pour. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Hey, Zane,” came Ty’s voice again from the dance floor, “everyone okay back there? You about got that champagne poured?”
McKenna froze. Zane? While that wasn’t a common name, it wouldn’t be unheard of for two men named Zane to be in attendance tonight.
Right, and if you believe that then you’ve got less brains than God gave a fruit fly.
“Don’t get your britches in a knot, Ty. We’ll be ready for the toast in a minute,” Zane replied.
No, she couldn’t have done what it appeared she had—assumed her boss’s grandson was temporary hired help, ordered him around, and spilled champagne all over him.
This man couldn’t be Ginny’s grandson, the video game designer from Los Angeles, because nothing about this man said California. He was all Texas, including Wrangler jeans, a crisp black western shirt, a silver oval belt buckle with Texas written in the center, and freshly polished cowboy boots.
Despite the evidence, she had to be certain. “You’re not Ginny’s grandson Zane, are you?”
“The one and only.”
Despite their awkward first encounter, when Zane takes charge of his grandmother’s wedding planning business and becomes McKenna’s temporary boss, she doesn’t let him run roughshod over her. Zane doesn’t know quite what to do with a woman he can’t impress, and there are plenty of fireworks.
Today’s giveaway is a signed copy of book 3 in the Wishing, Texas series, To Tame A Texas Cowboy, and an insulated cup, Less Monday More Summer. Since Zane steps in to run his grandmother’s wedding planning business, to be entered in the random drawing leave a comment what you enjoy most about weddings, a wedding trend you like, detest or just don’t understand.
Julie Benson has written five novels for Harlequin American, and her Wishing, Texas series is available from Tule Publishing. Now that her three sons have left the nest in Dallas, when she isn't writing, Julie spends her time working on home improvement projects, rescuing dogs, and visiting Texas wineries with her husband. Visit her at www.juliebenson.net.
Love watching the couple exchange vows.
denise
Denise, thank you for stopping by today. That is a lovely moment. I especially think it’s cute when his voice is loud and booming while hers is soft, barely audible. Wouldn’t it be a fun twist to make the heroine’s voice loud and have the groom’s quiet?
Well that’s one way to meet!
Abigail, I wanted to do a meet-cute like in many romantic comedies. (I hope I said that right. I usually say it backwards. Lol!) My favorite hero/heroine meeting in my books is in Roping the Rancher. But I had a tough time coming up with something since I wanted the book to open with AJ and Grace’s engagement party. I wanted McKenna to be working. I tried various scenarios. Then I posted some of the ideas on Facebook and asked for input. I took some of the ideas posted there, tweaked them, and finally came up with that scene.
Thank you for stopping by today and stay safe!
I like meet-cutes, this sounds like a great idea!!!
Thanks Abigail! I love a meet-cute, too!
I enjoy getting a chance to see family and friends again since we live quite away from our hometown. As for trends I do not quite get, it is the odd “style” (or lack there of) of attire. Wedding parties all dressed in camouflage, over the top, huge dresses in rainbow and neon colors, etc. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was tastefully done……nah. There is no way to do it tastefully.
Patricia, oh my goodness! I’ve never heard of those, but I have to agree, I think they sound odd. I bet in ten years the couple will look back on their wedding photos and wonder what they were thinking! I’m sitting here shuddering over particularly the neon! Camo I can maybe see, but neon? And huge dresses? That’s just a big no! Now I’ll have to research those trends because I’ve GOT to see pictures. I wish I’d heard of those trends before I turned in the book. That would’ve made for a good joke. McKenna could’ve mentioned a couple of those trends and Zane would’ve been off and running on that!
Thanks for stopping by today and giving me a good laugh. Stay safe.
I love the father daughter dance. I’m not a big fan of the smashing of the cake in the face.
Charlene, the father daughter dance is a special moment. I also agree with you that smashing the cake in each other’s face isn’t fun. I’ve always thought it seemed mean-spirited. It would be interesting to research where that “tradition” came from. Personally, I think wedding cakes are way to yummy to waste that way!
Thank you for dropping by the corral today and stay safe!
I like the dancing.
Minna, you must be a good dancer. I’m a lousy one and have always been self-conscious. I was never brave enough to dance at weddings. Thank you for stopping by the corral today.
When the wedding match begins and the Bride makes her appearance, I always get a lump in my throat. Such a beautiful moment of love shared between a loving couple fixing to pledge their love to God, family, and friends.
Tonya, I think that is my favorite moment, too. It always reminds me of the new future the couple is embarking on. I can’t remember what movie it’s in, 27 Dresses maybe, where someone says he or she loves that first glance of the bride, but they watch the groom to see his reaction. But your description is lovely. You have a poignant way of phrasing things. I wish I’d had my heroine say it. Take care and stay safe!
Thanks for sharing such a great excerpt of your book! I really need to know more about the past of the people mentioned. It made me think of the toast at my wedding and one of my bridesmaids leaving over and saying, “This stuff must be expensive because it actually tastes really good!” I had to laugh because the grandson of Will Rogers, himself had bought the champagne for my wedding party! Yes, yes indeed it was expensive and oh so good! The guests had no idea what they were missing out on!
To update you a little, Ty and Cassie’s story is To Love A Texas Cowboy. Ty is the one preparing to make the toast in the above scene. AJ and Grace’s story (the couple whose engagement is being celebrated) is To Catch A Texas Cowboy. We don’t see Cooper is the excerpt above, but he opens To Marry A Texas Cowboy, by telling Zane, “I suppose you think jumping a fence naked is a good idea, too.” Cooper and Cheyenne’s story is the book I’m giving away today, To Tame A Texas Cowboy. The heroes were all friends in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University.
I chuckled when I read your bridesmaid’s comment on the champagne. How special that Will Rogers’ grandson gave it to you. Just once I’d like to have champagne like that. What a cute memory from your wedding. Did you keep the bottle? I’m curious what the champagne was.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your memory. Take care and stay safe.
Ooohhh…. I can’t wait to read this book. My favorite part of a wedding is the reception. I like how everyone relaxes and just has fun. And of course there is cake. You can’t go wrong with cake. 🙂
Janine, I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt. This book took me on a very different journey than I planned. This is the second time a smooth-talking womanizer clammed up on me when I gave him his own story. The first was my second novel for Bet On A Cowboy. Zane gave me fits. He refused to open up, but eventually I figured him out. Unfortunately, it made for a lot of rewriting before the scenes turned out right.
I agree with you about not being able to go wrong with cake. Then if you add in champagne and a reception has to be a hit.
Thank you for dropping by the corral and stay safe!
Those cowboys sure like to be difficult, don’t they? 😉
Janine, Zane sure was. It’s always the ones who try to take over a story who clam up when it’s time to tell his story. I had so much trouble keeping Zane corralled in the other stories.
Sounds like a great read. Thanks
Debra, I hope readers enjoy Zane’s story. Before I wrote this book, I expected it to be full of laughs and wedding bloopers, but Zane and McKenna had other ideas. Not that there aren’t funny moments, there are, but not as many as i thought there would be. Zane turned out to have an old soul. Now that I think of it, though, a lot of comedians and people who love the spotlight, do.
Thank you for stopping by today. Take care and stay safe.
I enjoy the fun and cake the most! I do not understand why so many spend so much money on weddings these days. I like things simple and keep the money for a down payment on something. 🙂
Katie, doing research for this book, I was astounded at the money a wedding costs. I think in a lot of ways the saying “less is more” should apply to weddings. For example, wedding favors for guests. I don’t get the reason for those. Most of us are trying to declutter and really don’t want whatever the favor is anyway. Why spend the money? I agree with you. Spend less on the wedding and save the money for a down payment!
Thank you for stopping by the corral today. Take care and stay safe.
I don’t really go to weddings. I don’t understand why they spend so much money on a wedding when you could use the money getting set up with the things you really need. I guess I just like the simple things in life.
I agree with you. If I had it to do all over again, I’d go to a small chapel with my closest friends and family instead of a bigger wedding. (Mine wasn’t a huge event, but too big for a chapel.) Unlike a lot of girls, I never had a vision of a “dream” wedding. I also found the timeline, rule (during the 1980’s), details and planning a pain. But then, I get decision overload pretty easy.
Thank you for stopping by to chat today. Take care and stay safe!
I love to see the Flower Girl and Ring Bearer! Inevitably, they steal the show!! I’m not crazy about big expensive weddings. My nieces and nephews that are married all opted to get married outside, one at the beach. I like small weddings the best.
Trudy, thank you for stopping by today to chat. I forgot about the Flower Girl and Ring Bearer! My middle son was in a wedding when he was 2 or 3. He and the flower girl were a hoot! First, Zachary insisted on carrying his blanket with him. After reaching the altar, he walked to us (we were seated with the family), handed the blanket to us, and returned to the wedding party. Then he and the Flower Girl sat down and ate the goldfish crackers out of her basket.
I love outside weddings, but worrying about the weather would’ve made me a nervous wreck. Getting married at the beach is a beautiful idea–simpler clothing, gorgeous setting, and just the people really important to the couple sounds wonderful! I was married in Iowa so that idea never occurred to me. I got married before destination weddings were popular. Plus, with most of my family being farmers, they wouldn’t have been able to go.
Take care and stay safe.
We’re on the Space Coast of LF, so the beach is only about 20 minutes away from us by car. My nephew actually lives beachside, so it was much closer for him and his wife! She still had the long dress, he dressed up, but they were basically barefoot! My Mom and I stayed up on the boardwalk. It was too much to get Mom to walk in the sand. Then we had a short drive to the reception. It was kinda nice! It was a little overcast, but not too bad, and it was windy. You never know what FL weather will be like!
Make that FL! My fingers got mixed up! Lol!
Trudy, the wedding sounds lovely. I wish more people would choose a simple ceremony like this.
Loved it! A Canadian wedding tradition is to keep bringing food out and staying late. Our first Canadian wedding we went to did this and we obviously weren’t used to it and everyone kept saying it’s what they do! So much fun that way.
Susan, I can’t imagine how much it would cost if the bride’s family had to keep bringing out more food. I have a theory–people will keep eating as long as there’s food. But it would be great for the guests, especially for family and friends that don’t get to see each other much. If I ever get invited to a Canadian wedding, I’ll remember what you said about staying late, and take a nap before I go!
Thank you for your comment and stay safe.
I love sharing in their happiness… the unexpected or quirky things that can happen…
Colleen, weddings are a time to share in a couple’s happiness. It’s also a special time to share with friends and families. We get to visit with people we may not see very often because of geographic distance. And what would a wedding be without the unexpected? Thanks for stopping by today to chat.
I love the ritual of the ceremony, the dress and others clothing, the flowers and the music. all of it. oh, and the smile on their faces.
Joye, I love the ceremony, too. I think I enjoy that more than the reception. It reminds me of the sacred promise and how God is to be a part of marriage. I think the dresses are an interesting glimpse into a bride’s personality. Thank you for stopping by the corral today and stay safe!
I like that people have found love and someone they can be with for the rest of their life.
Jackie, it is special getting to see a couple form a bond and set out on their life together. Thank you for your comment and for stopping by today. Stay safe!
Congratulations on the upcoming new book, Julie! It looks excellent and that excerpt hooked me.
Thank you so much Linda! I appreciate the kinds words.
I am not a fan of destination weddings. It may be a beautiful location but it is often a hardship for many of the invited guests to attend. I also dislike the use of an “officiant”. It seems like anyone can perform a wedding ceremony in this state without being affiliated with a church or government office such as a judge. We have been to two weddings where a relative who was not a clergyman, judge or mayor performed the ceremony. It seemed like something was missing from the ritual even though it was nicely done.
I really like receptions where even young children are present. They have so much fun dancing with each other or just playing with friends. Watching a bride dance with a young cousin is so sweet.
Alice, I agree with you that destination weddings are a hardship on the guests. There’s the time off work, the expense to get to the destination (often flying), and then a hotel stay. I haven’t heard about the trend for friends or family to become an “officiant” to perform the ceremony. It’s different when one of the couple has a relative that’s an ordained clergy. That really adds significance to the ceremony. Thank you for stopping by and letting me know about that trend. Take care and stay safe.
This book sounds like a Great read and the book cover is Stunning! I love how happy the bride and the groom are as they are exchanging their vows, I love the cutting of the cake, but to me the smashing of the cake on each others faces is an absolute NO, I do not care for that at all, to me it is just not a good start for a wedding. I love, love wedding though.
Alicia, I’m so glad you like the cover. My cover artist is Lee Hyat and she has created all my covers for the Wishing, Texas Series. She knows what cover I need before I tell her anything other than who the hero and heroine are.
I agree with you about the cake smashing stuff. I think it’s awful. I have got to research when that trend started. I really think it’s mean spirited.
Thank you for stopping by the corral tonight to chat. Take care and stay safe.
Nice cover. I really liked the excerpt. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.