Rebecca Carey Lyles – Real Life Romance & Excerpt – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Romantic Suspense author, Rebecca Carey Lyles shares how she met her husband and how her characters met with an excerpt from her latest release, Winds of Freedom, the second book in the Winds (Kate Neilson) series. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: Feb 27th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Rebecca:

My husband, Steve, and I met on a big-city college campus at the student mailboxes. He was cute and funny! The heroine in my “Winds” series met her future husband, Mike, at an isolated guest ranch. He was cute and grumpy! Here’s their first encounter in “Winds of Wyoming.”
Excerpt from Winds of Wyoming:
Kate parked in front of a log building with a wide porch. Red window boxes with bright flowers accented the amber exterior. A large wooden arrow with the word “office” painted on it was attached to the wall beside the door. Two deer nibbling at the tulips that skirted the rock foundation lifted their heads to watch her for a moment before silently disappearing behind the building.
She turned off the engine but remained seated, listening to a breeze rustle through the aspen trees that shaded the porch and wishing she could be more excited about seeing deer outside of a zoo. This was the most monumental day of her life—other than her release from prison—and she wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out. She had so fervently hoped to eradicate her past and begin her life anew. But her past was as close as her shadow. She could smell its foul breath and feel its evil claws at her back.
Kate stepped from the car. The sharp slap of a screen door made her jump. She looked up. “Oh, hello.”
A twenty-something man with hat-sculpted hair and a white forehead stood on the veranda holding a dirty cowboy hat. “Can I help you?”
“I have an appointment with Laura Duncan.”
“Appointment?” His left eyebrow arched.
“She’s expecting me. No particular time.”
The collie that tailed the man clambered down the steps to sniff Kate’s shoes and nudge its nose under her fingers. She scratched behind its ears, enjoying the soft warmth of the fur and the dog’s apparent appreciation. How many years had it been since she’d touched an animal other than Prissy? She smiled, wondering what her great-aunt’s little cocker spaniel-poodle-mix city dog would think of this big country dog.
“We don’t take guests without a reservation.”
“I’m an employee.”
He looked her up and down. “So you’re the one.” He aimed a thumb at the door behind him. “Ring the bell inside. She’ll come talk to you.”
“Thanks.”      
The man knocked the hat against his leg before placing it on his head. “Come on, Tramp.” He limped across the porch and down the wheelchair ramp at the end.
Tramp licked her hand before chasing after him.
Kate watched them go. Beautiful dog. But the cowboy was about as friendly as a constipated correctional officer.
End of Excerpt
Kate and Mike, of course, eventually have positive encounters. My first meeting with Steve was definitely positive—like I said, he was cute and full of fun. But we were fresh out of high school and acutely attuned to the fact that the school teemed with dozens of other interesting individuals of the opposite sex. Although the initial attraction never diminished, we dated others and each other off and on for six years before we decided to marry. That was forty-one years ago.
In “Winds of Freedom,” the second book in the series, Kate’s best friend, Amy, flies to another city to meet a man (he’s handsome and charming!). Amy is immediately attracted to him. However, looks can be deceiving and she soon has second thoughts.
First impressions. Sometimes our instincts are right; sometimes they’re wrong. As Proverbs 3:5 says, we need to trust in the Lord for guidance and not depend on our own understanding.
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23
About Rebecca: Rebecca Carey Lyles grew up in Wyoming, the setting for her award-winning Kate Neilson novels, “Winds of Wyoming” and “Winds of Freedom.” She now lives in Idaho, where she serves as an editor and a mentor for aspiring authors. She and her husband, Steve, host a podcast they call “Let Me Tell You a Story.” (http://www.beckylyles.com/podcast) Her third book in the Winds series, “Winds of Change,” is scheduled for release in the spring of 2016. Learn more and connect:

Rebecca’s Website               Rebecca’s Facebook              Rebecca’s Twitter              Rebecca’s Linked In

About the book – Winds of Freedom: Winter storms blast across the Whispering Pines Guest Ranch and a cold wind blows through Kate Neilson’s soul. Despite her pain, Kate’s well-being takes a backseat to the needs of loved ones: her best friend, who’s been ensnared by evil; her failing great-aunt, whose dementia care keeps Kate guessing; and Laura and Mike Duncan, whose ranch and livelihood are threatened by a land-grabbing neighbor.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Purchase your copy now: Winds of Freedom
Question for readers: Have you ever had a relationship that started off on the wrong foot but then a special bond developed between the two of you? Or one that started good but then soured?

Come back Feb 22nd for K. Dawn Byrd!