TAKE A TRIP TO PIKE'S RUN WITH KARA O'NEAL

 

I have a very special guest today! My friend and fellow writer, Kara O'Neal! Kara and I have known each other quite a while and she is a delightful lady and a very talented writer. The people of Kara's Pike's Run Series are so warm and real, it's a treat whenever one of her books comes out and you get to return to that world! I highly recommend her! 

Since Kara stopped in, let's get to know her a little better. 

Do you have a job outside of writing? What is it and how does it mesh with your writing?

I am the Academic Lead Teacher for the Special Education department at a middle school in Texas. I am involved with the quality of life for families, and my years with them have taught me so much about life and love and what matters most. This has helped my storytelling so much.

 

Share with us a little about your family. Married? Kids? Pets?

I am married to my hero. He is the perfect combination of Jim Halpert, Captain Steve Rogers and Mr. Darcy. We’ve been married for twenty-two years, and they have been wonderful. Sometimes painful. But wonderful. We have three children, and they are growing up and making their life decisions. It’s so amazing to watch them become the people they are meant to be. Truly, they are gifts from God.

 

If you owned a CB radio what would your "handle" be?

Ummm, probably “short stuff” or “tiny red”. (I’m five foot two and have red hair.)

What CD is in your CD player right now? Or what was the last song you listened to in your digital library?

I listen to Spotify, and I have many artists in my playlist. My absolute favorite is Curtis Grimes, and I just saw him in concert! For the first time! It was soooo great. The last song I played was “Sober Heart of Mine” by Flatland Cavalry. (Another favorite)

Name your favorite children's story.

Oh…this is gonna be hard. Either Rikki Tikki Tavi or pretty much anything by Shel Silverstein. Or Little House. Or Nancy Drew. (Ok. I didn’t answer that very well.)

I'm with you with the Little House and Nancy Drew! What was your nickname growing up or now?

“Red”.

Who was your hero when you were a child, and what did you do to be like them?

I had MANY role models growing up. My mom and dad definitely, but also a couple ladies who were like second mothers to me, Trish and Rhonda. They are kind and fun and faithful and strong and smart and giving. I do everything I can to be like them.

What one thing (modern convenience) could you not live without?

Well, it’s probably Netflix. (I’m blushing. Isn’t that horrible?) I am a binger. My favorites are The Office, Once Upon A Time, Virgin River…ok…I’m going to stop now.

Good choices! What are your three favorite smells?

I love the smell of baking bread, the earth after it rains and Baby Magic baby wash.

 Okay, I think that's the first time I've gotten Baby Magic as an answer! :)

Tell us about one of your books.

The Sheriff’s Gift

Texas Brides of Pike’s Run Series, Book 2

Historical Romance

 

About:

The Sheriff’s Gift was a wonderful book to write. It allowed me to delve into the lives of the people in the town I was creating. Alice Parker, the heroine of the story, is the schoolteacher, and Conner Lonnigan, the hero, is the sheriff. They are highly involved in the lives of the townsfolk and are often called upon to help. Alice and Conner are strong-willed people with caring hearts and no-nonsense attitudes. Not only are they perfect for the town, they are perfect for each other.

The Sheriff’s Gift sets up several other books in the series. Many of the students, once they are old enough, end up with their own stories. It has been so much fun watching them grow and change and establish their futures. Writing is a joy, and I’m so glad I get to spend time with these wonderful characters!

 

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Sheriffs-Gift-Texas-Brides-Pikes-ebook/dp/B08CNFMZ41/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1TWSVIE338V04&dchild=1&keywords=kara+o%27neal&qid=1594413465&sprefix=kara+o%27neal%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2

Barnes and Noble link: https://bit.ly/38juYvY

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-sheriff-s-gift-3

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1521104564

 

Blurb:

Strong-willed and independent, Alice Parker is certain she’s meant to be a school teacher. She accepts her first position in Pikes Run, ready to mold the minds of young children, but unprepared to deal with her attraction to Sheriff Conner Lonnigan. If the board finds out she’s tumbled into his embrace more than once, she would be fired.

Sheriff Conner Lonnigan is awed by Alice Parker. He falls for her almost immediately, but the demands at home forbid him from marrying. Conner’s duties as sheriff control his days, and his mother’s panic attacks control his nights. He doesn’t have the freedom to devote himself to Alice, but that can’t stop him from pursuing her anyway.

Alice and Conner fight their love for each other, but the wants of the heart become too much to ignore. As they battle the demands of their jobs, the couple finds that ultimate fulfillment can only be found in each other's arms.

 

 

Excerpt:

“What is it?” Alice asked.

He didn’t reply until she was outside. “I have somethin’ for you.”

She gave him a sideways glance. “I hope it isn’t another complaint from Beulah.”

He grinned down at her. “Nope.” He jerked his head in the direction of the yard. “Come on.”

She followed him into the yard and toward the barn. When they entered the building, the cows lowing and the horses swishing their tails, he stopped and pulled her into an empty stall.

They were alone except for the animals. This was what she’d tried to avoid, and here she was, despite her usual unflinching self-control, in the wrong situation. Though her heart exalted, her mind raced for ways to get this over with quickly.

He smiled down at her, his hand still at her elbow from when he’d pulled her over. “You look pretty today.”

“Only today?” she heard herself ask. Oh, dear! She was flirting.

He chuckled low and deep. “Every day. You’re always pretty.”

In her wildest dreams, she’d never thought to hear a man say such a thing. “What did you want to show me?”

He flushed beneath his confident smile. “A present. I ordered it for you.”

Alice’s heart stopped then sped like a locomotive. “Truly?” she whispered.

He nodded.

“But…but I didn’t get you anything,” she protested.

His smile turned soft, and her knees went to jelly. “Just havin’ you here is present enough.”

If he said anything else as tender and beautiful, she might faint from want of him. “Oh,” she murmured.

He gazed at her for a few moments more before reaching into his coat and pulling out a box wrapped in brown paper. He handed it to her.

Gingerly, she took it and unwrapped it slowly, wanting to savor the moment. Once the paper was gone, she sprung the latch on the box and lifted the lid. Her throat ached with emotion when she saw what sat in the velvet casing.

A small ceramic house, the rooftop covered in snow, stared up at her. It was beautiful. She ran a finger over its smoothness. “Thank you,” she rasped.

“There’s more.” He took it from her and lifted it out of its case. “It’s open in the back. You can put a candle here and since the windows are cut out, it’ll look like there’s—”

“Firelight,” she breathed. Awed and deeply touched, she gazed up at him. He’d remembered her memory of her mother and bought her a gift to commemorate the time. “Oh, Conner. How wonderful.”

He swallowed. “You like it?”

She closed her eyes in disbelief then opened them once more to look up into his handsome, dear face. “I adore it.”

And in that moment, everything she’d ever wanted changed forever. She loved Conner Lonnigan with all her heart. The emotion stampeded through her, causing her to tremble with its force. She couldn’t stop herself from rising up and taking his lips with hers.

 

Bio:

Born and raised in Texas, the state had to be the setting for my first series. From the food to the fun, like floating the rivers, it is the fire in my blood that inspires me. My family and friends take center stage in my books. My sisters and best friends are my heroines, and my husband created my favorite hero. Love and family are the point of my stories, and I seek to entertain, relieve stress, and inspire people. Books can take one on a journey that one can relive over and over. I am extremely grateful to those authors who did that very thing for me. I learned and I fell in love with their words and characters. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. To get all my book news, sign up for my newsletter Love and Lone Stars!

 

Social Media:

Website –  www.karaoneal.com

Bookbub –  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kara-o-neal

Amazon –  http://www.amazon.com/Kara-ONeal/e/B00FL19TH8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1465007993&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble –  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kara+o'neal?_requestid=845025

Facebook –  https://www.facebook.com/KaraONeal84/

Twitter –  https://twitter.com/KaraONealAuthor

Pinterest –  https://www.pinterest.com/karaoneal7/

Goodreads –  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7278350.Kara_O_Neal

Blog -- http://www.karaoneal.com/blog

Blog – The Story Continues -- http://www.karaoneal.com/the-story-continues

 

~ You Need To Be Reading A DEEP THING! ~

Please welcome A.K. Smith and A DEEP THING...

Blurb ~

What was her husband hiding in the jungles of Mexico?

Rocked by her husband’s tragic death, Kendall Jackson strives to put her life back together. But Ryder, her nineteen-year-old stepson, is bitter and wants nothing to do with her. And she can’t keep the grief at bay. Sometimes, it’s so strong, she wonders if life is worth living.

A call from a cave diver in Mexico gives her hope of mending the relationship with her stepson. Before his death, her husband arranged a diving expedition as a birthday gift for his son. Kendall persuades Ryder to honor his father’s last wish.

From the campus of Western Maryland College to the woods of Camp David and the caves of the Yucatán, Kendall and Ryder take a journey to discover what her husband worked so hard to hide, and to protect his treasured secrets from falling into the wrong hands. The choices they make will decide their fate and the future of others. Will they risk everything for the truth?

EXCERPT ~

Kendall, sat cross-legged on the bed, staring at her laptop. A glass of white wine, sat untouched on the bedside table. She put her iPod in, selected Jason Mraz and turned it up loud.

She turned off the Wi-Fi. Her mind was battling thoughts of hackers and computer surveillance.

She held the unusual memory stick in her hand before plugging it into the side of her computer. Black rubber surrounded the stick like the rubber on an underwater camera. Here goes. She watched it upload. Let’s see what this is all about.

Ten documents labeled by date flashed on her computer screen. Six documents dated years before Tim and Kendall met; the other four ranged from the beginning of their relationship to one dated three days before Tim died.

Inhaling deeply, she touched her mouse, pulling down to the right and clicking without hesitation on the last icon, a video file. She squeezed her eyes to hold back tears as Tim’s face filled the screen. The background was the upstairs office over the garage. She hit play.

“This message is for my wife. Kendall, if you’re watching this video, I’m so sorry not to be with you. Obviously, something happened to me for you to be hearing this. I know life’s been hard for you. I’m sorry, my love, I’m sorry I kept a secret from you, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy to protect a division of the US government. I hoped they will share this video with you. I can’t disclose the details about my job, but it’s not important to us. Something I did, not who I am. You know who I am, Kendall, you’re the only one who really knew me.”

She wiped the tears running off her chin.

“Stay close with Ryder, he’s not your blood, but he is a part of me and I want him in your life. UWMA, Kendall, UWMA I love you, Lambie.”

Her brows furrowed as tears ran down her face and her open mouth. She gasped for air. A division of the US government? Some type of CIA agent? The badge said Navy. UWMA. Was this truly happening?

LINKS ~

To purchase A DEEP THING:

https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Thing-K-Smith-ebook/dp/B01MG3FOXS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500825620&sr=1-1&keywords=a+deep+thing

For A.K. Smith:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/A.-K.-Smith/e/B01MPZX7X0/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

FB: https://www.facebook.com/aksmithauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aksmithbook

~ They're Playing By The HARD RULES! ~

Please welcome Lisa Renee Jones with her upcoming release, HARD RULES...

Blurb ~

How bad do you want it?

The only man within the Brandon Empire with a moral compass, Shane Brandon is ready to take his family’s business dealings legitimate. His reckless and ruthless brother, Derek, wants to keep Brandon Enterprises cemented in lies, deceit, and corruption. But the harder Shane fights to pull the company back into the light, the darker he has to become. Then he meets Emily Stevens, a woman who not only stirs a voracious sexual need in him, but becomes the only thing anchoring him between good and evil.


Emily is consumed by Shane, pushed sexually in ways she never dreamed of, falling deeper into the all-encompassing passion that is this man. She trusts him. He trusts her, but therein lies the danger. Emily has a secret, the very thing that brought her to him in the first place, and that secret could destroy them both.

A note from Lisa:
I am SO excited for this series to come out, because it is so unlike my other series. I am hoping my readers love it just as much as I did when I was writing it! And there will be FOUR full-length novels in this series. I don’t have cover or buy links for them yet so, PLEASE be sure to sign up for my text list and/or newsletter, both found here: http://lisareneejones.com/text-list. That will be where/how I communicate when these titles, and others, are available for pre-order, on sale or when I have a big giveaway!

XOXO,
LRJ

Book Links ~

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26199231-hard-rules

Amazon Kindle: http://bit.ly/HardRulesAmazon
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/HardRulesBN

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/hard-rules

iBooks: http://bit.ly/HardRulesiBooks

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1UD6Cgy

Other: http://lisareneejones.com/books/hard-rules/

Author Bio ~

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series, which is now in development for a television show to be produced by Suzanne Todd of Team Todd (Alice in Wonderland). Suzanne Todd on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy - a modern girl we all can identify with. I’m thrilled to develop a television show that will tell Sara’s whole story - her life, her work, her friends, and her sexuality.

In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin's Press.


Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.


Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

Author Links ~

Website: www.lisareneejones.com
Twitter: https://Twitter.com/lisareneejones
Facebook: https://Facebook.com/lisareneejones
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/73977.Lisa_Renee_Jones
Amazon: https://Amazon.com/author/lrj 

~ There's No Place Like HOME IS WHERE THE HUNK IS! ~

Please welcome the lovely and talented Nancy Fraser! Ladies, she's brought with her a hunk. A hunk of major proportions! Right this way --->


Today I'm interviewing Evan Carver from HOME IS WHERE THE HUNK IS!

Q: Evan, I understand you own the Double C Ranch, just outside of Wharton, Montana. How many acres do you have and how did you decide on the name?


Evan: The Double C is named for the joined spreads of the Carver and Cain families. Lifelong friends, my parents and my late-wife’s parents had always dreamed of joining their lucrative ranches into one big conglomerate. After our marriage, and the passing of both sets of parents, it became important to us that we honor their dream. The ranch is a little over 5,000 acres, made up mostly of prime grazing land. We also have a number of streams, brooks and our own natural waterfall. The spread now belongs to me and my sister-in-law, Allison. Although, because of her successful career away from the ranch, the day-to-day decisions are mine.

Q: As a widower with a young son to raise, how do you balance work and family responsibilities?

Evan: (Chuckles) Very carefully. Ranching requires long days and great attention to detail. I’m blessed to have a wonderful network of long-time family friends to rely on. As well, my ranch staff are the best in the business. I do everything in my power to devote as much of my time to my five-year-old son, Cody.


Q: We hear that you’ve been dating? Is there another Mrs. Carver on the horizon?

Evan: Dating yes, ready to re-marry, not so much. Although, if the lovely ladies of Wharton are to be believed, I’ve got one foot on the altar and the other in a slippery pile of cow dung.


Q: You mentioned your sister-in-law earlier. We understand she’s on her way home for a vacation. How eager are you and your son to see her again?


Evan: Cody is over the moon. He loves his Aunt Ali very much. I’ve always considered Allison the little sister I never had. It will be great to have her home for an extended visit.


Q: You also mentioned her successful career. She’s a very in-demand photojournalist, correct?

Evan: Yes, very talented and sought after for many projects. Her constant traveling takes her all over the world. She just returned from six months in South America where she assisted in bringing some much needed relief to the poorer residents of a number of South American states.

Q: You must be very proud of her altruistic work. Does she have another assignment coming up?


Evan: Both Cody and I are very pleased she was able to share her photographs with the world and aide in making changes. As for another assignment, you’d have to ask her. All I can confirm is that she’s welcome to stay here with us for as long as she’d like.

Q: To get back to your status as a very handsome, successful and available man, what is it you’re looking for in a wife … assuming of course that you’re actively looking?


Evan: (Another chuckle) First of all, thank you for the glowing compliments. Of course I’d love to meet someone and fall in love again. A mother for my son, and possibly more children, is every sane man’s dream. If I had to pinpoint one or two attributes that I consider a must, it would be compassion and honesty. Any woman I would date, and consider marrying would have to be willingly open to loving and caring for my son. She’d have a kind heart and be a giving, loving person. She’d also have to be up front and honest. Her integrity must be beyond reproach.

Q: One final question. Where should all of these compassionate, honest women go to apply?


Evan: Applications are not necessary. If, and only if, I’m interested, I’m confidant fate will intervene and I’ll find them on my own.


Hmm...Fate may need to buy me a ticket to the Double C! Thanks for joining us. Now here's a little bit more about HOME IS WHERE THE HUNK IS ~

Blurb ~

When globe-trotting photographer Allison Cain comes home to her family ranch in Montana it’s to get to know her nephew and to make amends with the widowed brother-in-law she’s left alone to raise his young son.



Evan Carver could never deny his late wife’s younger sister anything, despite the fact she’s been conspicuously absent over the past three years since her sister’s death. Now she’s home again on what she’s called an extended vacation. Evan’s first concern is for his son, Cody, and how his aunt’s visit will affect the five year old when she decides to return to her high profile career.



Allison has no intention of going back to work. In addition to getting to know Cody, she needs to confess her biggest secret to Evan. How do you tell the man you’ve always loved that you’re not just his son’s aunt, but also his mother?

Excerpt ~


Slowly she raised her head. Unshed tears filled her eyes, making them glisten like liquid stars. Evan felt a lump form in his own throat. She blinked rapidly in what Evan suspected was a conscious effort to hide her emotions. A knot tightened his gut. He had the sudden urge to take Ali in his arms, as he’d done the day she arrived, and bury her face against his chest, preferably without the argument that followed.

In the very back of his over-used imagination, he could see her coming willingly into his arms. He could feel the heat of her tears against his chest. His reaction surprised and frightened him in equal measure. He didn’t want to feel this way about her, especially when he knew she wouldn’t stay.

“Me, too,” she admitted softly, drawing Evan’s attention from her teary eyes to her soft, pink lips. The tears she’d been fighting back so tenaciously now pearled on her lashes, threatening to spill forth at any second.

Evan moved away from the tree, inching his way around Cody and close to Allison’s side. Cautiously, he lifted his hand and caught the first tear on his thumb, uncertain of exactly what had made her cry, yet knowing he selfishly welcomed the chance to offer her comfort.

“When I left South America, the only thing I could think of was coming here. I wanted desperately to feel the lush grass beneath my bare feet and to smell the fresh, clean air.”

“I don’t care what made you decide to come home. You’re here now and welcome to stay as long as you like.” Drawing her into his arms, he held her close and tilted her chin up with his fingertips until their gazes met.

At the first touch of his lips to hers, Evan tasted the cinnamon and apple of the dessert they’d just consumed. He pressed his lips more firmly to hers. She hesitated only briefly before returning his kiss with one of her own. He barely had time to consider what they’d done when Ali’s trembling voice broke through his consciousness.

“Evan,” she whispered. “Don’t, please.” Pressing her hands to his chest, she pushed lightly. Yet, when he would have backed away, she clenched the front of his shirt tightly in her fists. “We can’t . . .” she warned, still seemingly unwilling to let him go.

“Ali, it was only a kiss.”

She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes and Evan knew if he didn’t let her go he’d likely do something they’d both regret. Gently, he grasped her hands in his and pulled them from the death grip she’d taken on his shirt. With his thumb he wiped away a final spent tear then released her completely. A moment later he was on his feet and walking back toward the damaged fence. It would take every ounce of strength he possessed, he realized, to keep from turning around and taking her into his arms again.

Author Bio ~

Like most authors, Nancy Fraser began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.


When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five beautiful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people. She invites you to visit her website (www.nancyfraser.ca) and follow her on Twitter (@nfraserauthor). Or, more importantly, just enjoy what she writes.

You can find Nancy at:

Website: www.nancyfraser.ca

Blog: http://nancyfraser.ca/wordpress/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor @nfraserauthor Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser

You can buy HOME IS WHERE THE HUNK IS at:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Hunk-Nancy-Fraser-ebook/dp/B00OPJECVU/

Giveaway ~

Nancy has been kind enough to offer this giveaway, so be sure to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway