The Lawman's Agreement
Official
Blurb:
Post-Civil War Mississippi
U.S. Marshal, Zack McCade takes pride in protecting the good folks of
Greenville—especially the beautiful Dr. Suzanne Martindale. He doesn’t always
understand her need for independence, but he sure does like getting under her
skin. It’s not like he’s looking to settle down—his job is too dangerous to
risk taking a wife and family.
In an era when women aren’t readily accepted in the male dominated world of
medicine, Suzanne doesn’t have time for courting—especially a charming Cajun
rogue like Zack. When he proposes a fake betrothal to keep the matchmaking town
out of their hair, she’s sure it’s a bad idea, but can’t deny her longing for a
respite from the over-zealous bachelors in town.
Their ruse starts a fire in their
hearts that neither expected, but will the re-emergence of Suzanne's real
fiancé douse the flames?
Buy Links:
Other links will be up on the Entangled
Website the day of release.
Excerpt:
“I heard the yelling,” Suzanne
confirmed. “I thought for a moment when the door opened that I was getting a
customer.”
“No, it was just two half-drunk
gamblers fighting. I don’t think either of them was sober enough to do any
damage, even if they had landed a solid punch.”
“Much to the crowd’s disappointment,
I’d imagine.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, something like
that. You know how the working ladies and bar patrons love a fight.”
“It’s been quiet around town lately.
Not much for a decorated marshal to defend.”
“You trying to get rid of me, Doc?”
“Now why would I do that? If you were
to leave, who else would I have to argue with?”
“We don’t argue,” he said, his gaze
meeting hers in challenge. “We discuss…heatedly.”
“It only gets ‘heated’ when I’m winning.”
He shook his head and leaned back
against the side of the desk. “If you say so, cher.”
“As to your offer of an escort, I can
see myself home, Marshal. There’s no need to wait.”
“I’d feel better if you let me escort
you.”
She sighed deeply, and Zack waited
for her to launch into another of her “independent woman” speeches. Or, at the
very least, remind him that he was being over-protective.
“I’ll only be a minute or two, if you
insist on waiting.”
“I insist.”
She could have said she needed another
hour and Zack would have gladly stayed. Despite what he’d said to Pete Bailey
earlier that evening, Suzanne Martindale was a breath of fresh air among the
over-zealous horde of ladies hounding his every move. She was beautiful,
well-educated, independent, and beautiful.
Zack shook his head, trying to shake
the repeating thought free. Obviously, no matter what her many assets, her
beauty was the one thing tying him up in knots. Or, maybe, it was the fact she
didn’t use it to her advantage, as some of the other ladies did. Instead,
Suzanne relied on her brains and taunting sense of humor to get her where she
wanted to go.
“All set,” she said, drawing Zack
from his mental inventory of what made Suzanne Martindale the most desirable
woman he’d ever met. And, at the same time, not at all what he was looking for
in a wife.
Once she’d locked the door to the
clinic, Zack offered his arm. Nodding toward the hospital next door, he asked,
“Do you need to stop?”
“No, the night nurse is there, and
our only patients are the new mother and babe. They’re in good hands.”
They strolled along in comfortable
silence until they’d reached the walkway leading to the small stone cottage
where Suzanne lived. She stopped just short of the gate.
“Shall I walk you to the door?”
“This is fine, thank you, Marshal.”
“Marshal? I thought we’d agreed on
Zack?’
She met his gaze, rolling her eyes
for exaggerated emphasis, he supposed. When she shook her head, a small lock of
blond curls fell free of its pins. Zack’s hand itched to take the silky strands
in his fingers and tuck them back where they belonged.
“You suggested Zack and Suzanne. I
don’t remember agreeing. I’d much prefer Dr. Martindale, or just ‘doc’.”
Her continued attempts at formality
amused him and he asked, “Tell me something, cher,
do you ever let your hair down and just relax?” Before she could answer, he
added, “Have any of your friends ever been tempted to call you Suzie?”
She paused briefly before saying,
“Only those who wished to be soundly kicked in the shins.”
Nancy Fraser:
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.
Twitter: @nfraserauthor
Patti Shenberger:
Patti Shenberger recently signed a contract
for her twenty-first romance novel/novella sale. She’s published in short
contemporary, historical time travel, paranormal and erotic romance, as well as
multi-published in fiction and non-fiction magazine length work.
Patti is a wife, mother of two,
mother-in-law of two, brand new grandmother to a beautiful baby boy and pet
mommy of two. Patti resides in Michigan, where she complains about the heat in
the summer and the snow in the winter. When she’s not writing, Patti can be
found with her nose buried in a book.
Twitter: @pattishenberger
Nancy & Patti are giving away a digital copy of The Lawman's Agreement or Gambling on Love, to two lucky commenters. Please leave your email address along with your comment. Drawing will take place Sunday evening.
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