Close
to Heart
Healing Harts #3
Healing Harts #3
By: T.J. Kline
Releasing July 14, 2015.
Avon Impulse
Blurb
It only took an instant
for her world to come crashing down…but Heart Fire Ranch is a place of new
beginnings, even for those who find their way there by accident
As
the only veterinarian in town, Justin Hart doesn't have time to think about
romance. So when A-list actress Alyssa Cole crashes her car outside his clinic,
it's entirely unexpected when there's a spark between them he can't ignore.
Still, she's a movie star, and he's just a small town cowboy.
Alyssa
has learned the hard way not to believe first impressions, especially not in
Hollywood. But, 400 miles from her former life with nowhere to go and no one to
turn to, she places her trust in the handsome vet who comes to her rescue.
There's
no denying the connection between them, but when Alyssa's past shows up at the
door, will their new relationship be able to withstand the storm?
Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/06/close-to-heart-healing-harts-3-by-tj.html
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23434072-close-to-heart?ac=1
Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/146550-healing-harts
Excerpt #2
Alyssa hung up before
Franklin could ask any more questions and made her way down the hall to where
Justin waited, feeling as if she was carrying too many burdens on her
shoulders. Until calling Franklin, she’d been avoiding facing the reality of
her situation—her marriage was over and she was on her own. There was no
turning back. The only real decision left to make was what she would ask for in
the divorce, for her and their child. It was enough to deal with finding out
her husband was cheating on her, had been for almost the entirety of their
marriage, but to have him cast her and their child aside, to know the apathy he
felt for their child, hurt too much to bear.
“Would you like tea or
water?” Justin asked as she came into the kitchen. Two sub sandwiches sat on
the table as he opened the refrigerator. When she didn’t answer, he looked back
at her over his shoulder. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, I just . . .”
She was tired of keeping
secrets, but she wasn’t sure how much she could tell Justin. She didn’t know
him, not really. He turned toward her as if waiting for her to say more, his
eyes seeking hers, and she imagined she could see empathy in them.
“Things sounded a little
heated in there for a minute.”
If he thought that was
heated, he would have been shocked to hear Elijah when he got started about how
she didn’t want him to be successful just because she dared to question his
decision to sign on to represent yet another new young actress. She suspected,
now, he’d wanted to do far more than “represent” them, but she couldn’t prove
it. And, after her last confrontation with him, he’d probably throw it in her
face just to hurt her.
Justin had been kind to
her, rescuing her and giving her a place to stay. She knew he didn’t really
need her to work in the clinic and was just using it as a way to help her out.
He was more tender than Elijah had ever been with her, treating her like a
porcelain doll that might break.
Other
than that kiss.
Just the thought of his
kiss made her body hum to life. The mere brush of his lips against hers had set
her body aflame, making her want to pull him down onto the bed with her. His
touch made her forget the years with Elijah, the emotional turmoil he caused,
the pain of his rejection, making her wonder how real her marriage to Elijah
had actually been, if there had ever been any passion in it. She slid into the
chair at the table and buried her face in her palms, trying to stop the tears
from burning her eyes.
“Hey.” Justin moved to
the chair beside her. “It can’t be that bad.”
Alyssa looked up at him,
trying to keep the tears at bay. “Are you kidding?” She couldn’t help the
bubble of irrational laughter that fell from her lips. “I’m eight months
pregnant and I just found out my husband has been sleeping with every woman in
Beverly Hills for over half of our marriage. Not to mention that I have no
money, no career, and he kicked me out of our house.” She threw up her hands
and rose to pace the kitchen as the truth fell from her lips unbidden. “I have
nothing. Even that car is in Elijah’s name.”
She realized she’d just
told him far more than she’d intended.
“Was that who you were
talking to?”
“No, I called my friend.
He’s a lawyer.” She slid her hand over the top of her stomach. “I wanted to
find out my options.”
“And?”
“He suggests I ‘divorce
the no-good bastard.’ ”
“I have to agree.”
Alyssa faced him, running
her hand over the side of her stomach as her baby kicked against her hand. “I
wish it were that easy, trust me. But how am I supposed to support us, where
are we going to stay? I was on my way to my parents’ house last night after he
kicked me out.”
Justin rose and moved
toward her. His hands cupped her face gently, tipping her gaze up to meet his
eyes. “Your husband is an idiot. He has no idea what he’s giving up.”
Her parched heart soaked
up his words. After listening to Elijah’s criticisms for so many years, it was
like rain on a desert plain.
“You’re welcome to stay
here as long as you need to. That’s probably the only way I can help you.” He
smiled and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Unless you want me to
kick his ass? I’d be happy to do that for you.”
She laughed quietly. “I
appreciate the offer, but that’s probably not in your best interest. I don’t have the money to bail you out of
jail.”
The dimple cut into his
cheek as he gave her a lopsided smile. “Then I guess the ass-kicking is going
to have to wait.”
Alyssa couldn’t look away
from his hypnotic blue gaze. He saw her, really saw the woman inside. He didn’t
see her as a movie star. He looked past that to the hurting woman beneath. His
nearness seemed to demolish every protective barrier she’d erected over the
past six years. He made her feel wanted and worthy.
Alyssa didn’t think about
what she was doing as she slid her hands to the nape of his neck, pulling him
toward her, their mouths exploring, seeking. Justin’s kiss was tender, far
gentler than she wanted him to be. Her fingers dug into the hard muscles of his
shoulders and he responded. His hands slid into her hair, while his tongue
teased hers, tasting her, his teeth nipping at the corner of her full lips.
Author Info
T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and rodeo queen competitions
since the age of 14, She has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the
culture involved. She has had several articles about rodeo published in the
past in small periodicals as well as a more recent how-to article for
RevWriter. She is also an avid reader and book reviewer for both Tyndale and
Multnomah.
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1 comment:
Thank you so much for hosting CLOSE TO HEART!
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