It’s been wonderful and difficult being book ten in the Pink Pistol Sisterhood series. Good because I’ve had wonderful books to read that have come before mine, but hard because I’ve had to wait so long to wait for my story to be released. But Jade and Dalton’s day finally arrived Friday!
As we’re all recovering from the long Fourth of July weekend, I decided to do something simple and share an excerpt of Aiming for His Heart with you today. I’m so excited to hear what you readers think of Jade and Dalton’s journey to happily ever after.
When they reached the airport exit, sliding glass doors whooshed open. The surprisingly brisk Texas wind swirled under Jade’s coat and up her skirt, chilling her. As she followed Dalton outside, she tucked her coordinating brown-and-camel plaid scarf around her neck and pulled on her leather gloves.
As they crossed the street between the terminal and the parking garage, she tried to lengthen her stride to keep up, but her skirt refused to allow anything but dainty feminine steps, forcing her to take three to his one. When she stepped onto the sidewalk, her heel caught in a crack. She tried to tug it free, but it wouldn’t budge. “Dalton, hold up.”
He glanced over his shoulder, shook his head, and returned.
She peered up at him. “I can’t free it.”
“I hope you packed decent shoes in your monster suitcase.”
“Of course, I brought casual shoes. I’d have changed into slacks and low heels, but I went straight from work to the airport,” Jade said as he tugged her shoe free—minus the heel.
She stared at her now-destroyed favorite black Jimmy Choo heel that he handed her. “What am I supposed to do with this?”
“Wear it until you can change into one of the store’s worth I’m guessing you’ve got in there from the weight,” he said, nodding to her suitcase.
“If my bag is too heavy, maybe you should add strength training to your workout,” she tossed out in frustration as she slipped on the heelless shoe and penguin-walked behind him.
She almost laughed. No one would believe strength training could improve on the perfection good old hard work had done.
The deep, rich, vibrant sound of Dalton’s laughter teased her ears, sending little tremors radiating through her. “Now, that’s funny. I think you’re lucky they let you on the plane with this anchor.”
“In my defense, it’s winter. Sweaters are bulkier and winter shoes are heavier. Plus, I packed for a month.”
“We have things called washers and dryers here, you know,” Dalton said and then chuckled again.
When they reached his truck, she stared at it for a second. Sure, he’d mentioned his truck, but she hadn’t envisioned one almost big enough to qualify for a monster truck rally.
Dalton opened the passenger door and held it for her. She leaned forward and placed the Ferragamo work bag she’d snagged on sale for almost half price online inside.
How would she get on the seat wearing a Zoey-original sleek pencil skirt made of barely stretching fabric? Noting to discuss the fabric choice with her friend, Jade lifted her leg to step on the silver board thing running along the truck. When her skirt tightened enough she worried it could rip, she returned her foot to the ground.
“Need help?” Dalton asked, amusement in his voice.
What could he do? Lift her into the truck? No way. She shook her head and scrambled to find an excuse. She pulled off her shoes and tossed them into the truck beside her bag. “I got this. I just couldn’t get decent footing.”
“Whatever you say.” Dalton grabbed her suitcase.
When he turned to place her bag in the truck bed, Jade grabbed the armrest with her right hand, her skirt with her left, hiking it up to mid-thigh, and started pulling herself up. The tailgate clanged shut, insisting she’d run out of time. She glanced over her shoulder, finding Dalton—feet apart and braced—staring at her with an intensity that sent happy hormones dancing through her. A slow, sexy smile spilled A slow, sexy smile spilled across his face as his gaze moved downward. “Nice legs.”
I hope you enjoyed this short excerpt Aiming for His Heart. Click here to buy the book and read the rest of Jade and Dalton’s story.
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.
I’m glad they’re both eye candy, & I’m sure they have a happy ever after, but I hope she gets some better functioning clothes & he helps out & doesn’t just ogle her! This exchange made me cringe just a bit.
Ami, I’m sorry the scene made you cringe. 🙁 This is the first scene where Jade and Dalton see each other in person. They are both feeling awkward. That’s part of what these two have to work out–how they feel about each other and their past. As to her clothes, Jade is in the fashion industry and came straight from work. That’s part of her journey, reconnecting with that part of her that loved being in Oklahoma. They grow and change, but they are definitely flawed characters.
Why do I think of the saying, “You say bodice ripper like it is a bad thing.”
Interesting bit of text.
David, that’s an interesting question. I remember when the issue first was talked about in the 70s. Here’s my answer. To me, bodice ripper has a violent connotation. If I want to show someone’s excitement and impatience, I prefer to show them fumbling with buttons or both characters tossing clothes around when they’re removed. So, to me I guess bodice ripper is a negative comment. I also feel when the term is used people are focusing on one part of a story. I remember thinking the people who called romance “a bodice ripper” failed to see all the emotional, family, societal, and other issues the stories also dealt with. Does that make any sense?
Thanks for being here today and have a blessed rest of the week.
Monster truck and designer everything? Sounds like lots of money to me! Also sounds like a fairy tale but I like fairy tales.
Rhonda, Dalton’s truck really isn’t monster truck size. It just appears that way to Jade. 🙂 As to her designer clothes, Jade’s best friend, the one she wants to start a business with, makes a lot of then. When she says a Zoey original, her friend made it. I didn’t say it in this scene, but later she tells Dalton that one of the perks of her job is they get a clothing allowance to buy clothes from the company, So, her clothes costing a lot of money is deceptive.
Thanks for being here today. I hope you have a fantastic rest of the week.
Sounds like a good book to me. Love the back and forth, the give and take.
Ann, thank you for your kind comment. One of the things Jade needs to learn is to accept help. At the beginning of the book she is determined to do everything herself. She refuses to rely on anyone. This causes some conflict because Dalton was raised to help out his neighbors and community.
Thank you for stopping by today. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Sounds good, but like they plenty of money.
Dalton and Jade really don’t have a lot of money, but I can see how it comes off that way in this scene. That’s the hard thing about showing a small excerpt because you don’t see the Zoom type meeting that comes a couple scenes before this one. There we learn Dalton used his savings and emergency fund to buy the property adjacent to his. Doing so prevented a developer from buying it and putting up a small neighborhood. Then he had a good part of his herd stolen, and he’s in a financial bind. We also learn Jade’s ex took everything he could in the divorce.
It’s hard to pick an excerpt. Some people say don’t use the first scene in the book. But picking a different one can give the wrong impression in some ways the way this one did. Oh, well. It’s like everything in life–there are positives and negatives.
Thanks for being here. Have a super rest of the week.
What a fun excerpt!
Happy Book Release! I was too late to the party last week. We had a new addition to the family on Thursday.
Denise, I’m glad you enjoyed the peek into Jade and Dalton’s story. And no worries about being late to the party. That’s what’s fun about it going on for a bit. People can come and go.
Now, I need details about the new addition!
sending you an email
Julie, I loved your story! And Mrs. Broday in it as a character!! This excerpt is my favorite. Loved the interaction and chemistry between Dalton and Jade. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Linda, thank you for being so sweet, and I hope you don’t mind me borrowing your name. I get so stuck sometimes. I think I’d read your blog that day and went with it.
I hope you’re hanging in there and this Texas heat isn’t driving you too crazy!
Hey Julie! I’m reading it now! And that blurb was so cute! I can just see her trying to make that step in her dress! LOL Yes, even my husband has a monster truck. Even though it’s not! But, it is a big step just wearing jeans! LOL I’m about half way in the book. I’m enjoying it even though contemporary books aren’t my thing. I’ve told myself I will follow the Pink Pistol to the very last book! ; -)
Thanks for being #10 and hanging in there!
Tracy, thank you for your sweet comment! I’m thrilled you’re enjoying the book. Considering contemporary romance isn’t your favorite, it’s a huge compliment.
When I wrote the scene I remembered times when I was getting into my oldest son’s truck. I’m 5’4” and you’re right, it was interesting in jeans.
Thank you for being here today and for giving us contemporary authors a try!
welcome and thanks for this post today. I have this book on pre order and so look forward to it
Lori, I hope you you enjoy Jade and Dalton’s story. Thank you for stopping by the corral today. Have a great rest of the week!
What a great excerpt to share, Julie. Having just finished Aiming For His Heart, I can verify that Jade and Dalton’s journey to a happily-ever-after was not an easy one. Great story!!
Jan, I’ve been meaning to reach out to you to say how sorry I was to hear about your sister. You and Ali da have sure had a rough 2023 so far. I’m praying God blesses you with joy through the remainder of the year.
Thank you for the kind words about the book. Your praise means a lot!
Ok, so I was sorry to hear about the heel breaking off the Jimmy’s… 🙂 Cost more than a first class plane ticket… Looks like a fun story!
Rachel, I hate it when I lose a favorite pair of shoes.
Thank you for stopping by today and I appreciate the kind comment. I hope you enjoy Jade and Dalton’s story. Have a fabulous rest of the week.
Thank you so much for sharing. I love your cover. God bless you.
Debra, Shanna Hatfield did my cover. She’s a woman of many incredible talents.
Thank you for the excerpt. I am now more curious than ever about the story. I look forward to reading their story.