A Cowgirl's Pride, Book 4 in the Thunder Creek Ranch series.
Leah Manning grew up among so many domineering, protective males that it left her frustrated, longing for a different life. Her family couldn't, or wouldn't, understand that she needed to dance, and she'd lived away for several years. Unknowing, she'd embroiled herself in a deadly game from which there seemed no way out. Now she was home. Would they welcome her back? What if trouble followed? Most importantly, did Cal still work the ranch?
Brian Calhoun, Cal to his friends, had hated Leah when she'd left, but hated himself even more for not going after her. Now she was back and more lovely than ever. Would his adolescent love for her return, develop into something more, or die a slow death at the hands of this new Leah?
Trouble does follow Leah home, and her ex will stop at nothing—even murder—to silence her. Will the terror draw them closer together or drive them apart forever?
Welcome Lorraine Nelson, author of the Thunder Creek Ranch Series. She's readying to release Book #4 - A Cowgirl's Pride very soon, so I sat down to ask her a few questions.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about your Thunder Creek series?
The Thunder Creek Ranch is located in Alberta, Canada, and sweeps back to border the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The series focuses on the second and third generations of the Manning family, their lives, their loves, and their struggles, as they work together to keep the ranch prosperous. Above all is a strong sense of family loyalty, as evidenced by their willingness to care for and protect each other when trouble rears its ugly head.
2. What was the catalyst that made you try your hand at writing?
I've always enjoyed writing, and published books and posters for children in the early nineties. When my marriage dissolved, I concentrated on my children and earning a living, allowing my writing to fall by the wayside. But in the fall of 2008, my thumb was amputated due to a bone infection. Hoping to return to my day job as a CSR at a call center involved typing, so to regain flexibility in that hand (and get used to not having that thumb) I began typing up a story. That was in February, 2009, and I haven't looked back since.
3. I know your books are all hawt cowboys, ever consider writing another genre?
Ooohhh, I do love my cowboys! I've also written several other books, and although most tend to have an element of suspense to them, not all the heroes are cowboys. Love on the Rocks (releasing 08/12 through BP) and Blessed Homecoming (releasing 07/12 through BP) have doctor heroes; Her Unlikely Bodyguard (releasing 06/12 through BP) has an ex-military turned teacher hero; Daydreams & Nightscenes (not yet contracted) has a billionaire hero; and in Mistletoe & Mr. Hoe (available on Amazon), the hero is a baker. I write what I enjoy reading, and if a hot hunk comes to mind, I run with it.
4. Thoughts on the current Paypal e-book cleanup?
Basically, I think they're nuts! We are the ones paying for the books. If not for using our money, Paypal wouldn't have a business. I'll be acquiring credit cards to make purchases from here on in. No one is going to tell me what I can or cannot purchase to read.
5. Last book you read from another author that you absolutely loved?
That's hard to say. I've read so many. Although I'm reading Timeless Heart by Karyn Gerrard at the moment and it's fabulous. Love the time-travel element.
6. What’s on deck next?
I signed 5 contracts in January, so the past couple of weeks I've been plowing through edits on 3 of them. LOL!!! 3 down, 2 to go!
I feel honored that Breathless Press has contracted 3 of my books, one of which is an inspirational. Blessed Homecoming, a romantic suspense, is to be the first title released in their new Blessings line in July this year.
Hawk's Woman is a western historical, included in Evernight's Virgins Behaving Badly anthology due out in March. A Cowgirl's Pride, Book 4 in my Thunder Creek Ranch series, is Leah Manning's story and I'm hoping for a March release through Evernight. I'm currently writing Book 5, Cameron's Quest (working title-this may change). Cameron rediscovers his lost love—a fiery, red-headed Irish woman—uncovers a secret, and a murder. After that, who knows? There are plenty more ideas floating around for this series and a lot of unfinished work on my hard drive that's been calling to me.
It's hard to believe that at this point last year, I was still unpublished. By August, 10 months after Zakia and the Cowboy was released, I'll have 11 books available for sale.
Thanks for stopping by, Lorraine. Below you'll find an excerpt for A Cowgirl's Pride as well as a blurb to her short in the Virgins Behaving Badly Antho.
Excerpt - A Cowgirl's Pride, Book 4 in the Thunder Creek Ranch series
He was so hot for her! If he didn’t get these damned jeans off soon, his erection just might pop the zipper. That’s how hard he was for her—so stiff the skin stretched tight over his cock and it ached.
She suddenly pulled free and backed away from him. He almost swore out loud in frustration, thinking she’d changed her mind, but she’d only gone to close the vertical blinds at the windows.
“Just in case,” she said, smiling a come-hither smile as she turned back to him.
He felt guilty for his unjust thoughts, but closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, relieved to have her back in his arms.
“I’ve missed you, Cal,” she said as she ran her fingers through his thick, wavy hair.
“No more than I’ve missed you. I was beginning to think you’d never come home.”
“Oh, I wanted to, so much, but it just wasn’t possible.”
“You’re here now,” he said, grabbing the hem of her sweater and pulling it over her head to expose beautifully shaped breasts enclosed in see-through peach lace. “And I’m so glad you’re back.”
He bent to suckle her nipples through the lacy cups, her mindless purr of delight going straight to his groin. If he got any harder, he’d explode. Still, he took his time, banking his desire as best he could to give her pleasure.
Slipping his hands inside the waistband, he worked her blue jeans and sexy peach colored thong down over her hips, promptly falling to his knees at the sight of her curls. He leaned forward, reaching out to touch her satiny skin, smell her spicy vanilla scent and taste the creamy essence that was Leah. He wanted—needed—all of it—all of her.
Thunder Creek Ranch books are available at:
Evernight Publishing http://www.evernightpublishing.com/
Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Lorraine-Nelson/e/B005XMAYFQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1/188-7193462-3918419
All Romance Ebooks http://www.allromanceebooks.com/
Bookstrand http://www.bookstrand.com/
1 Place for Romance http://1placeforromance.com/romantic-fiction/
Lorraine can be found:
Website: http://www.lorrainenelson.weebly.com
Twitter: @lornelca
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/
Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Lorraine-Nelson/e/B005XMAYFQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1/188-7193462-3918419
Hawk's Woman is a western historical novella, one of nine short stories to be included in Evernight's Virgins Behaving Badly anthology, coming in March, 2012.
Tabitha Meadows, a member of Boston's elite, elopes with her boyfriend, only plans change when he absconds with her money. The conductor throws her off the train at the next stop. With no money and unwilling to face the scandal in returning home, she meets Brody Hawkins (Hawk) and takes a job as entertainer in his saloon. The handsome cowboy draws her fire and her passion as no one before. Does her virginity stand a chance of surviving his charms?
Tabitha Meadows, a member of Boston's elite, elopes with her boyfriend, only plans change when he absconds with her money. The conductor throws her off the train at the next stop. With no money and unwilling to face the scandal in returning home, she meets Brody Hawkins (Hawk) and takes a job as entertainer in his saloon. The handsome cowboy draws her fire and her passion as no one before. Does her virginity stand a chance of surviving his charms?
Hawk isn't looking for a woman, especially one as innocent as Tabitha, but he finds himself drawn to her just the same. He should be a gentleman and buy her a ticket east on the morning train, but he wants her in his bed. Could he convince her to stay?
















