Country Roads by Nancy Herkness
A Whisper Horse Novel
When sheltered artist Julia Castillo flees her hometown, she has one goal: to prove to her overbearing family she can make it on her own. She knows they only want the best for her, but when they question her artistic vision, it’s time to break free. Julia’s search for independence carries her to the small town of Sanctuary, West Virginia. There, her courage is tested as never before—by her love for a handsome country lawyer, her bond with a dangerous black stallion, and a secret she is desperate to keep…
Paul Taggart abandoned his high-powered legal career to return to Sanctuary, giving up his own dreams to care for his troubled brother. Then Julia Castillo blows into town like a fresh mountain breeze, changing his staid, predictable life forever. Has Paul earned his second chance at happiness? Or does loving Julia mean having the strength to let her go?
Excerpt Three:
Waiting for her, he felt ease soak deep into his body. With Julia, he didn’t have to be the responsible brother or the respectable mayor or the do-good lawyer. It was a welcome respite, if a brief one. He couldn’t expect someone like Julia Castillo to hang around Sanctuary for long.
She walked back in, already flipping the pages of her pad. Turning the book around, she held it in front of her body as she came across the bed on her knees.
He reached out to take it from her, but she drew back. “Nope. You have to look from the right distance.”
“But you’re covering up my favorite sculpture.”
She blushed adorably. It always surprised him that he could embarrass her. She was so fiercely sure of herself in some ways, and so vulnerable in others. He focused on the drawing, and felt both awe and laughter expanding in his chest.
He was nude all right, shedding water as he strode out of the shallow water. He didn’t know how she managed to give his skin the sheen of wetness with just some shading of her pencil. She had idealized his body, making him look like a male model, but the face was definitely his. He wasn’t sure he liked the tilt of his head; it held a touch of arrogance. True to her word, she had given him a nice big fish to cover his private parts.
“Is it a bass or a trout?” he asked.
She smacked his shoulder lightly. “Careful, or the drawing will go to the auction.”
A moment’s recklessness tempted him to tell her to go ahead. Then he thought of the ripples of shock and disapproval that would run through the crowd at the gala. It just wasn’t worth it.
My Thoughts
Country Roads by Nancy Herkness is a sweet, enjoyable romance. I live in Ohio right on the WV border, and it was fun to read a story set in West Virginia. I liked the characters and the story line. I was engaged in the story right away and found myself looking forward to visiting the town of Sanctuary.
About the Author
Born and raised in the mountains of West Virginia, Nancy Herkness’s passion for writing romance began the day her grandmother gave her a Georgette Heyer novel. After graduating from Princeton University with honors in English literature and creative writing, she had successful careers in retail, computer programming, and marketing before finally returning to her first love: writing. The author of Take Me Home and three other contemporary romances, Herkness was named one of 2003’s Best Up and Coming Authors in the Affaire de Coeur’s readers’ poll. She is also a winner of the Golden Leaf Award, the Aspen Gold Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. She currently resides in New Jersey with her husband and two mismatched dogs.
Website: http://www.NancyHerkness.com
Blogs: http://fromthegarret.wordpress.com/ and http://sistertowns.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyherkness
Twitter: @NancyHerkness
Buy links: Kindle: http://amzn.to/17FKFFx
Amamzon Print: http://amzn.to/15GulD9
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1,084 total views, 1 views today
Mippy Foofalina
Freedom and independence
Nancy Herkness
Yes, Mippy!!! Exactly! That’s the feeling I was hoping for!
Goddess Fish Promos
Thanks for hosting!
Brooke Bumgardner
You’re welcome!
Kathy Power
love finding new to me authors….added to my wish list!
Nancy Herkness
Kathy, I hope you’ll enjoy COUNTRY ROADS!
Rita Wray
I enjoyed the excerpt, thank you.
Nancy Herkness
Rita, so glad you liked it!
lindabass
PEACE SERNITY
Nancy Herkness
Linda, that sounds lovely! I’m glad you saw those qualities in the cover!
Nancy Herkness
Brooke, thank you for hosting me here! I’m delighted you enjoyed COUNTRY ROADS, especially for the setting!
Brooke Bumgardner
My pleasure, Nancy!
Nancy Herkness
I will be checking in off and on all day, so if anyone has a question for me about the Whisper Horse novels or about being a writers, just ask it here! I love chatting with readers.
lindabass
THANKS NANCY.
DJ Sakata
carefree youth
Nancy Herkness
DJ, that’s a wonderful interpretation! Thank you!
momjane
I really enjoyed the excerpt. this sounds like a fun story.
Nancy Herkness
Thanks so much, Momjane! You can read another excerpt from COUNTRY ROADS on my website if you’re interested. http://www.NancyHerkness.com.
Nova Conover
lots of breathing space & happiness
Nancy Herkness
Nova, “breathing space”… that is a wonderful image! It’s just what Julia is feeling in the book. You’re spot on!
Elise-Maria Barton
Exuberance
Nancy Herkness
Definitely, Elise-Maria!!! That’s what it says to me too!!! Thanks for your comment!
Kathleen Manthey
For me, it evokes the feeling of coming home. I was raised a country girl and I sure miss that lifestyle!
Piroska
It evokes joy and peace.