Word Count: ~80,000
Cover by: Okay Creations
Summary from Goodreads:
All Beatriz “Bia” Fernandes wants is to prove herself—to her family and friends—though it’s hard to prove anything with an overbearing father and three famous polo-playing older brothers. After her acceptance into college results in a heated family argument, the Brazilian girl leaves everything behind to find her own American dream.
College life away from home is perfect until the people she believes to be her friends turn on her. With lies and rumors threatening to suffocate her, Bia turns to her only freedom. Riding.
But one thing gets in the way of her escape. Garrett Blackwell and his bad cowboy attitude. Working at the ranch is his obligation, bugging Bia is his newfound hobby. His thick skin and easy grin don’t hide what Bia already knows—this misunderstood and lonely cowboy fights his own demons. Brushing horses’ coats and mucking out stalls shouldn’t be this sexy, and it isn’t long before he becomes a part of her distraction.
However, escaping won’t solve her problems, and it’s up to Bia to break down the fences around her and prove her strength—not to her family and friends, but to herself … and for Garrett. Because standing on her own doesn’t have to mean standing alone.
College life away from home is perfect until the people she believes to be her friends turn on her. With lies and rumors threatening to suffocate her, Bia turns to her only freedom. Riding.
But one thing gets in the way of her escape. Garrett Blackwell and his bad cowboy attitude. Working at the ranch is his obligation, bugging Bia is his newfound hobby. His thick skin and easy grin don’t hide what Bia already knows—this misunderstood and lonely cowboy fights his own demons. Brushing horses’ coats and mucking out stalls shouldn’t be this sexy, and it isn’t long before he becomes a part of her distraction.
However, escaping won’t solve her problems, and it’s up to Bia to break down the fences around her and prove her strength—not to her family and friends, but to herself … and for Garrett. Because standing on her own doesn’t have to mean standing alone.
** Companion novel of Breaking the Reins. Can be read out of order.**
Available from:
Amazon l B&N l Kobo l iBooks
Companion Book:
(cover linked to Goodreads)
Excerpt
Tom
was working on untacking the horses, while Carl hosed them down, and another
man brought the tack inside the stables. Eyeing Midnight Dream, I dismounted
close to them, and started unbuckling Pepper’s saddle. If they let me, I would
do it all myself. Midnight saw me and slowly approached me. He poked my back
with his muzzle while I unstrapped Pepper’s saddle.
“You
want to play, big boy?” He poked me again, nickering. I laughed.
The
trainer came out of the stables, and I froze with the saddle in my arms.
Midnight Dream shot away from me, and not having seen or recognized me, the
trainer chased after the horse for a couple of minutes until he finally caught
his reins.
The
trainer turned to bring the horse to the stables and halted, his eyes on me.
“What
are you doing here?” Garrett asked. His brows knotted in a deep frown.
I
forced myself to move and set the saddle on the fence rail. “Riding.” I kicked
my foot in the air, showing off my black and white cowboy boots. “Did you think
these were just for show?” I picked up a hose. “And you’re a trainer here?”
Without
acknowledging my question, he led the horse inside.
Whatever.
I
hosed Pepper off and she nickered in delight.
A
moment later, Garrett was by my side. He took the hose from me. “I’m an
instructor, a trail guide, a trainer, caretaker, handyman, and everything else
in between.” He washed Pepper’s hot coat. “I work here full time.”
“Of
all the places I could have chosen to ride,” I whispered, taking a step back.
Which wasn’t true. There weren’t that many places around.
He
finished hosing Pepper, and then pulled her inside the stable. I followed, but
only because I had to go through it to reach the parking lot on the other side.
However, with Garrett walking right in front of me, it was hard to focus on anything
else. He wore fitted blue jeans, a gray T-shirt that showed a hint of the
muscles under it, his brown boots, and hat. There was a small stain of sweat
right between his shoulder blades, and I wondered if I could get close enough
to sniff him. Not that I liked sweat per se, but a hot guy sweating from hard
work? Add that to a great natural scent and I was done for.
I
wasn’t a slut like the girls from the sorority made me look like, but I wasn’t
a saint either. I liked boys. I liked staring at boys. I liked kissing boys. I
liked … I sighed.
Garrett
opened a stall and put Pepper in. He closed the door and picked up a bucket of
water for her. I leaned over the door and caressed her long neck.
“Thanks
for the ride, girl. I needed it.”
I
turned and found Garrett right behind me. He stared at me with those hazel
eyes, and I wondered what was going on in his mind. He probably had heard about
the lies Audrey and Sarah were spreading about me. I wouldn’t be surprised if
he believed them. Everyone on campus, except for Phoebe, believed them. What
could I do? I seemed to have “Brazilian Slut” stamped on my forehead.
“I …
I should go.” I turned to the door as the girl sauntered out of the tack room.
She
flipped her long, blond hair back and looked me up and down with disinterest
before shifting her gaze to Garrett. “Am I dismissed?”
“Yes,
Delilah,” Garrett said, walking around me to meet her.
The
girl, who couldn’t be older than eighteen, stopped by Midnight Dream’s stall.
“Goodbye, M.D.” She reached her hand inside, but the horse retreated.
I
frowned.
“Hey,
if it isn’t the Brazilian girl,” Jonah’s voice filled the air, and I turned
toward it. He was entering the stable. “What a nice surprise.”
(cover linked to Goodreads)
About the Author:
New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.
Author Links:
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I do like horses, but haven't read any books about them.
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