Monday, March 11, 2013

Today's Special - - Tina Leonard


USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Tina Leonard likes books that make her laugh, cry, or get up off her fanny.  She enjoys writing about smart women who always get the hot hero.  With over seventy books either published or contracted, Tina stays busy watching her heroes and heroines win each other’s hearts.
   
It's my pleasure to welcome Tina to her first visit with us at The Romance Dish.  I've been a fan of her books for about fifteen years and am looking forward to reading her new book, Hotter than Texas. Take it away, Tina!  
  




STAYING POWER IS HOT


In Hotter than Texas we meet a favorite town son who is trying hard to avoid the commitments his town is trying to foist on him, only to find himself falling for the woman the town certainly does not want in their opinionated Southern-bred society!  But Jake Bentley knows Sugar Cassavechia is just right for him, and that’s all that matters to him.

Jake definitely has Sugar’s back!  And he has “staying power”—he’s not about to let Sugar go if he can help it.  I fell in love with Jake as I saw how committed he was to fitting Sugar and her family into a community that really doesn’t welcome them to their tight-knit little town.  That’s romantic!


Have you ever asked the man in your life what he thinks you do that is romantic?  Sexy?  We all know our guys have some annoying habits, but what’s your favorite thing he’s ever done for you (or what is it about him), that makes your heart sing He’s so romantic! 

I hope you’ll join me in Pecan Creek for the first book of my new series, Hotter than Texas A $15 Amazon e-cert will be given away to one randomly selected commenter on this blog!  Good luck!


HOTTER THAN TEXAS excerpt

Sugar found herself sitting in Jake’s truck the next evening, picked up almost as if they were going on a date. They weren’t. He’d called it “dinner to make amends for being a dumbass,” so she’d accepted. “This is not necessary.”
“Don’t want my renter ticked at me.” Jake pulled in to a tiny bar and grill with a small white-gravel parking lot. “Pecan Fanny’s” flashed in pink neon above the black roof. “This is the place you never hear about if you’re a tourist.”
“Does Pecan Creek have many tourists?” Sugar asked.
“Not enough,” Jake said. “Only at Christmas for the small-town parade bullcrap we put on. We get a few antiquers in the summers. Occasionally someone on the road back from Louisiana when the highway’s jammed up. We’re an out-of-the-way side road, but folks stumble on us that way.”
Sugar smiled. “You love this place, don’t you?”
“I’m pretty sure I don’t love anything except my mother in a maternal sense. Maybe my buddies, in a fraternal sense.” He shook his head. “The military had my loyalty and my gut. I loved it until I realized I was too lazy to be a lifer.”
“You aren’t lazy.” She looked at Jake as he got out of the truck. He came around to her side, helping her out. “You talk about being lazy like it’s a goal. But I don’t think you’ve quite succeeded yet.”
“I’m working my ass off on it, though.” He walked her inside, and they took a table by a sparkly clean window that looked out over an open field. “Can I get you a drink, Sugar?”
She looked at him. “I’d love a beer.”
“Good woman. Two longnecks, Suzy,” he told the waitress, who looked pleased to see Jake in the tiny eatery. “So, Sugar, I’m sorry about the other day.”
“Why?” She was curious to know exactly what Jake was apologizing for.
“For saying I’d like to get you naked. I would, of course, but don’t let it worry you. I know how to keep my inner animal locked away.”
“Good.” Sugar looked at him. “I shouldn’t have dumped you in the pond. I have a short fuse for jerks. And I think I’m pretty much not ready for men who are probably nice guys but say something jerky.”
“Understood.” He raised a longneck to her when Suzy put them on the table. “Apology accepted?”
She nodded. “The thing is, I think my basic frustration with you is Maggie. I feel like you have an opportunistic side, and I don’t want you using my mom.”
“I get it.” He nodded. “You think I’m playing the whole Cassavechia family .”
“Well, not Lucy. Lucy’s too clever to let some guy use her.”
He sighed, and Sugar wondered what was on his mind. But he drank his beer and pretended to study the menu, not broaching whatever he was thinking. Sugar did likewise, almost too jittery to select something to eat, until she realized she was jittery because she actually forgave Jake for jumping the gun with the naked comment, and maybe she even kind of liked him, and then she felt a little ill.
It was far too soon to fall a little bit in like with someone, especially a sexy, handsome guy like Jake who had a tiny blonde that would make her feel like a basketball player standing next to her.
A huge truck painted with camouflage pulled up on the gravel next to Jake’s truck, and Jake sighed. “Here comes excitement. Do you mind company?”
Sugar looked at the door in time to see three big guys come in with two women. “Friends of yours?”
“Lifelong.” Jake grimaced when his buddies filtered over to their table, crowding around and pulling up chairs. “Everybody, this is Sugar. Sugar, in case you don’t recall, this is Bobby German, Evert Carmichael and Kel Underwood. They own the Bait and Burgers. This is Cat Jenkins, who works at the coffee shop, and Sandy Goody, the sheriff’s daughter. They’ve got a farm that keeps Sandy busy.”
“Hi, everyone.” Sugar nodded, smiling.
They pulled up a table, connecting the two together, and sat down in a noisy flock of fun. Evert sat Cat next to him, tagging them as a couple, and Sandy took the chair on the other side of Cat, obviously unattached. “I’ll call Lucy to round out the group,” Sugar said, and Jake said, “No!”
She put her phone back in her purse. “O-kay.”
He put a hand over hers, leaned close. “I’ll tell you later.”
His hand was warm; he smelled great. Sugar blinked, feeling something snap inside her. She gazed into Jake’s dark eyes, just four inches from hers, and felt herself gripping hard on to the edge of the side of sanity.
If she let go, if she slipped and let herself fall into the pit of love again, she knew she would regret it. It was a dark, foul pit full of heated emotions and sharp ups and downs, the roller-coaster ride from hell.
No roller coaster of love for her.

Please join Tina at www.tinaleonard.com, www.twitter.com/Tina_Leonardwww.facebook.com/tinaleonardbooks, and “like” her at www.facebook.com/authortinaleonard!

46 comments:

  1. Hi Tina,
    I saw this book on another website and put it on my wish list on amazon...it sounds like something I would like..
    Since I dislocated my elbow last year I am at everyone's mercy to get around my hubby knows how I love books and he asks me to go to B&N to look at books and get their coffee to me that is romantic....he doesn't like me to get cabin fever.

    Donna

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    1. I think that's a very sweet and romantic thing for him to do!

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    2. Hi, Donna! Thank you for visiting--and for putting my book on your wish list! I too love to go to B&N just to look at their books and get a hot drink--I love that your hubby will take you to enjoy the time out. How long does a dislocated elbow take to heal, by the way? Hope it's not much longer!

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  2. Best wishes for continued success with your books!

    The most romantic thing my husband did for me was to gift me with a dozen roses after the birth of each of my 4 children.

    We both hate to shop so we have a ban on gifts.

    He does occasionally drop me a note with a drawing that I do treasure.

    Sexy me. He likes the fact that I can still fit in my clothes from my college days.

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    1. He does occasionally drop me a note with a drawing that I do treasure.

      It's little things like this that I find so romantic.

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    2. Hi, Laurie G! Thank you for your kind words! Your guy sounds sweet! 4 kids--4 blessings! <3

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  3. My husband is not romantic at all but his devotion and kindness make up for this. For the past year I had been recovering from breast cancer and he was there for me.

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    1. Petite, I think someone who is there for you during difficult times is very romantic. I hope your health is improving!

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    2. Hi, petite! Thanks for sharing! That's what I love best about my husband, too--he's always there through thick and thin! Hope you continue to enjoy good health!

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  4. My husband gives me flowers and sometimes even not for a special occasion.
    patoct@yahoo.com

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    1. It's those unexpected gestures that mean so much. My late dh used to do that too.

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    2. Hi, Pat L! It's fun when they just do something sweet like that--when there's no reason except that they love you! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  5. Thank you for this lovely post which I enjoyed greatly. romantic gestures are always appreciated but rare indeed. When my husband makes me a cup of tea I am surprised. That is to me very welcome and lovely.

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    1. Again, it's small and unexpected gestures like that that mean so much, at least to me.

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    2. Hi, traveler! I agree with you--I love it when my husb does the "small" things--it's so appreciated! I agree with PJ--unexpected gestures mean so much! Thank you also for the kind words about my post! :)

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  6. Every once in a while my husband will bring me home a book!!! He knows me well lol. Much better than flowers! And I just love books that make me laugh and/or cry - it means it's really hit my emotional buttons!

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    1. Hi, catslady! I love your guy! How great when a man brings home books! That's a great story--thanks for sharing! :)

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  7. My husband isn't the romantic type. But I do appreciate it when he let me sleep while he took care of the newborn...

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    1. Hi, May! I remember those days! It's awesome when the husb does little things like that! Thanks for stopping by and sharing! <3

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  8. I love a good Texas romance. As for Hubby, he's not sweep-me-off-my-feet romantic, but he's loyal, dependable, intelligent and devoted to family and God. I enjoyed the excerpt; thanks for visiting with us today.

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    1. LSUReader--I can't say my hubbie's exactly a true "romantic," either, but I agree with you--it's those qualities that make a man a prince! My husb just took Friday off to help me for the weekend with my father who has Parkinson's--I guess that's not textbook romantic but it sure makes him my prince! Thanks for coming by! :)

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  9. I love your books. I have three of them on my kindle right now. I am disabled and a widower. The most romantic thing that my husband did was always every day he would tell me in his most sexy voice that he loved me both in English and Spanish.

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    1. Darlene, your husband is romantic! Thank you for your kind words about my work--and thank you for coming by! :)

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  10. I really enjoyed the excerpt, Tina. I especially like the line where Jake says he knows how to keep his inner animal locked away! ;-)

    My husband shows his romantic side when he brings me flowers "just because."

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  11. Hi, Chery C! Thank you for your kind words--and for sharing! Getting flowers is a treat! ;)

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    1. Cheryl C--I did reply to you, but I put it in the wrong place! :)

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  12. Hi Tina! Thanks for being here today. One of the most romantic things my late husband did was cook for me. Even better was when he washed dishes for me! :)

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    1. Hi, PJ! A man who cooks is awesome, yes? When my hubby and I were dating, and I had a little tiny studio apt with barely any patio, he bought a $25 Weber grill and would grill chicken breasts. I always thought that was so sweet. Thanks for having me to your beautiful blog! <3

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  13. Oh for the romance... my hubby does almost all the laundry!!

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    1. Hi, girlygirlhoosier--that IS romantic! And rare! :) Thanks for visiting!

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  14. Hi Tina! *waves* You know I loved the excerpt. How could I not? ;)

    My hubby is not romantic, LOL, but he does have a good heart and I know he loves me. He's just not good at showing it with romantic gestures.

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi, Marcy! Thanks for coming by! I know what you mean! My hubby doesn't do the overblown--he's more the quiet and steady guy who's always there, which I find romantic! :)

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  15. I am soooo hooked after reading the excerpt. You have another great book Tina. :)

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    1. Hi, Kim! Thank you so much--I'm so glad you came by! I am an excerpt junkie--I have to admit. Glad you liked it! :)

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  16. Hi, Tina! Welcome to the Romance Dish! I apologize for my tardiness--Mondays are always crazy, but the one after the time change is especially crazy! LOL!

    While my husband isn't the most romantic guy, he does have his moments. Most recently, he called someone to discuss something important and saved me from having to do it while crying. He'd do anything for me no matter what and I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world!!!

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    1. Andrea, I love your post! Thank you for sharing--it's never too late to come by and say hello! Yes, we love those kind of guys, don't we--always there when the chips are down? My husband's had to take off work this month twice to help me deal with family stuff--I wouldn't trade him, either! :)

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  17. Awesome excerpt. Love the character's name Sugar and Jake's comment "dinner to make amends for being a dumbass"- I love it already.

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    1. Hi, Lisa! Thank you for your kind words--I'm glad you like the excerpt. I loved writing this book--the guys are rascals. :) Nice to meet you!

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  18. Lovin' the way this book sounds!
    Haven't met my guy yet-- but I'm hoping for a romantic one! ;-)

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  19. Hot cverBcomgats, on book,
    Like a guys who is smart, sweet and kind
    Kimh

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  20. Thank you for the excerpt. I don't often read contemporaries like this, but liked the natural flow of the conversation and events. Pecan Creek sounds like it is a place to get to know, with a good variety of characters to keep you busy.

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  21. Best of luck with Pecan Creek, Tina and thanks for visiting with us today. You've been an awesome guest!

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  22. It was a good excerpt and I am wondering what will happen next.

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  23. Hi Tina, Congrats and best wishes on your latest!

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  24. Count me in.
    Patoct@yahoo.com

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  25. Hi, Tina! You are a new author for me. I loved your excerpt of HOTTER THAN TEXAS.

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