Sunsets, wide open spaces, cowboys, and unexpected romance — Sunset Ledge has all the feels!
I’m so excited to share my new novel, a “silver fox” or later-in-life contemporary romance set on the beautiful Armstrong Ranch in Texas. It’s a stand-alone story, but also revisits some of the people and places from my earlier book, The Story Between Us, a sweet contemporary romance.
Sunset Ledge features Jack Armstrong, the self-assured, widowed loner who owns the ranch . . .
Jack Armstrong lives like a recluse on his Texas ranch. In the difficult years after his wife’s death, he goes through the motions of life and wants to be left alone.
Caroline Tate, a widowed ecology professor, arrives at the ranch for a much-needed break and to take nature photos for her sabbatical project. But relaxing is a challenge when she finds herself at odds with the curmudgeonly cowboy who owns the place.
Jack generally steers clear of the guests, but this time, it’s not so easy. Vivacious Caroline doesn’t fade into the background. This city gal comes with pearls around her neck, a big red flower on her floppy hat, and way too many questions. Her self-assured, adventurous spirit gets under Jack’s skin, and she soon stirs feelings long dormant inside him.
Sunset Ledge is available in ebook and paperback formats from most online retailers! Visit these retailers and my social media links to hear what reviewers are saying about Sunset Ledge!
Happy reading, and thanks for helping me celebrate today!
Darlene
Here’s a sneak peek!
Jack spotted the car first. But as the road curved around the creek, he saw the woman. He watched as she set up a tripod then pulled a bag from her car. No equipment, huh?
She tossed off the hat she’d worn the day they’d met and moved up to the camera, hair blowing around her.
He signaled Charlie, his trusted Appaloosa, to move forward. As far as Jack could tell, she was taking pictures of rocks. He didn’t much care what she was doing, but he wanted her to know he saw her and all the stuff she had strewn about.
As they approached, she turned, shading her eyes with her hand.
Jack tipped his hat. “Afternoon, ma’am. I understood you weren’t bringing equipment.”
“Good afternoon, Jack. It’s Caroline. Do you mean the tripod?”
What else would he mean? He nodded toward her set-up.
“I understood you didn’t want a crew of people and video equipment. All I have is a single tripod for a single camera used by a single person. It helps steady my hand.” She held up a hand and added with a light laugh, “I prefer my pictures to be in focus.” She gestured toward the rock. “These little guys move so fast.”
Jack squinted. “What guys?”
“I’ve got three or four lizards running around here.”
“Ah.” Jack adjusted on the horse, feeling a bit foolish. Probably best to move on and leave her to it.
“I got a great shot of a rattler a while ago.”
Alarm pulsed through him. “You did? A rattlesnake here on the ranch?”
“Yes. It was amazing, but a little…rattling. Pun intended.”
She let out that soft chuckle again.
“I admit it gave me a scare for a minute, but after a short standoff, we gave each other our space and went our separate ways. Want to see?”
She fiddled with the camera a moment, and Jack was compelled to swing down from the horse. He did want to see.
When she held it toward him, he peered into the back of her camera, and found the cold-blooded face of a rattlesnake staring at him at close range. His heart bounced. He turned his gaze back to the woman beside him—and wondered if the ranch had adequate insurance to keep her on the property.
She’d captured one hell of a shot. The snake, obviously alerted to her presence, sat tensed, partially hidden beneath a rock, but its rattle erect and sending the telltale warning to the intruder.
“What do you think?” Caroline asked.
Jack shook his head. He couldn’t say what he really thought in the presence of a lady. He blew out his breath. “Caroline, we try to keep our guests out of harm’s way on the ranch and would appreciate it if you’d help us out in that regard by not doing something foolish. How close were you?”
The hand she placed on his arm sent unexpected—and unwelcome—jolts of heat through Jack.
“Don’t worry. It’s a long lens. I wasn’t as close as it might seem. Also, if it gives you any comfort, I carry a snake kit in my backpack.”
Disbelief rolled through Jack. That sounded like a line of bull to him. He stared hard. He’d better make sure they had a fresh supply of the kits just in case. It’d been a while since he’d seen a rattlesnake around.
“Remember?” Caroline prompted. “I’m a biologist. I’ve taught college-level biology and ecology for twenty-five years. Technically, I’m ‘Dr.’ Tate.”
She added a saucy smile that crinkled around her warm eyes.
Caught off guard, Jack cleared his throat. “No, I don’t think you mentioned that.” The information explained the hint of arrogance in her attitude. Well, fine. No need for him to worry about her then. “Very good. I should let you get back to your picture taking.”
He put his left foot into the stirrup and swung his right leg over Charlie’s back.
“Hey, Jack.”
He would’ve moved along had she not called to him. Instead, he turned back. She didn’t seem to have any trouble with his first name. In fact, it rolled from her lips as if they were old friends. He squirmed in the saddle. “Yes?”
She dusted her hands against her jeans before meeting his eyes. “I understand you’re all alone in the big house. Would you have dinner with me tonight? I’d love to learn more about the ranch.”
A hot flush crept to Jack’s collar. She had to be kidding. Who had she been talking to? And why would he want to have dinner with her? Sweat rolled down the back of his neck. Because he could use the company? And she was an attractive, interesting woman?
She glanced at her watch. “I’m ready to wrap up here. It’s been a full day, for sure. Want to say around six-thirty?”
He hadn’t said yes.
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Happily, I’m ending the decade with seven published books, an essay in an anthology, a new romance in the queue with The Wild Rose Press publishing house, and works in progress that include a women’s fiction story, a general romance, and a Christmas romance.
Stories. Some writers can draw a reader in with just a short novella. Others require a saga. I’m pretty much in the full novel category. I like multiple plot lines woven through my books, and depth in my characters, so it takes me about 95,000 words to craft a novel.
Well, it’s January, it’s freezing cold, there’s snow covering the yard, and I haven’t written about winter yet. I guess it’s time.
darlene deluca 