Readers' Pick #2 – June – Aug 2011

Readers’ second most visited post for last summer is mine. I feel like Sally Field. You like me, you really like me. And the timing couldn’t be better, White Pearls just released on Kindle. To celebrate, I’ll giveaway a copy of White Doves and Rodeo Hero. Two winners. Comment on this post–deadline: June 9th, 11:59 pm central time.

Excerpt from White Pearls:
A tap sounded on Shell’s door. “Hey, need some help?”
Her chest tightened. Her home. A boundary Ryler had never crossed, even during their relationship. “Um, sure. Come on in.” She stacked paper plates, napkins, and plastic forks on the table.
His huge frame made her living room seem small. Masculinity overtook everything despite the feminine, flowery decor.
“If you can take these, I’m in the process of making sweet tea real quick.”
“Now you’re talking.” He grabbed the stack of paper products but paused in the doorway to her bedroom.
Crossing another boundary. “Excuse me?”
“Sorry. Couldn’t help but notice what a neat freak you are. I never even make my bed and you’ve got everything just so. How long does it take to arrange all those frilly little pillows?”
“I like my surroundings neat.” The only thing she could control. She had to get used to seeing him daily, without her heart threatening to flutter out of her chest. Become immune to him. If that were possible. “After work, would you like to come by and have coffee with me?”
“Having coffee was how it all started with us.” Knifelike words delivered in a stone-cold tone. “This time around, let’s keep it business only. Just business.”
Even though he’d misunderstood, his rejection stung. “Exactly what I had in mind. Listen, I don’t like being uncomfortable around someone I work with. So, I thought maybe we could become friends.”
“Friends?” He frowned. “I guess we could give it a try.”
“Good. I’m tired of the tension.” Sucking in a relieved breath, she removed the cold brew bag from the pitcher. She dissolved the sugar in hot water and dumped ice in. Grabbing Styrofoam cups, she carried the pitcher out, only to have Ryler take it from her.
The men stood in a pack around the lasagna, ready to pounce.
Ryler stuck two fingers in his mouth and delivered an earsplitting whistle. “Hey, ladies first. She made us sweet tea.”
No one had ever called Shell Evans a lady. It sounded kind of nice. Except that Ryler knew she wasn’t a lady. And he wanted nothing to do with her.
About the book: Shell doesn’t have a good reputation… 
But no matter what everyone in Rose Bud, Arkansas, thinks of her, she’s back in town with a job to do. She’ll stick it out and make the best of things. But why does Ryler have to be the landscaper on this project? She was just getting her heart under control. 
Ryler has his own reasons for being in Rose Bud, and they don’t include Shell. Spying on his birth family was going to be hard enough. He doesn’t have time to worry about a woman who dumped him…even if his heart says otherwise. 
But God’s love can change even the hardest heart. In the light of His presence, even the darkest past can be overcome. They may not know it, but the people of Rose Bud are about the change!
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/White-Pearls-ebook/dp/B0084L47WY/ref=sr_1_4_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338401152&sr=1-4
Come back June 4th for Sherrie Hansen Decker.