Hot on Her Trail - Sweet Version Cover Reveal!

Hot on Her Trail - Sweeter Version

Coming Soon to Amazon, the Sweeter Version of Hot on Her Trail! 

Sweet, Sable Hunter? Hell Yeah!

Today I have Sable Hunter as a guest on my blog and she's got some venting to to! No matter the case, I love Sable and I love her books so sweet or not, I'll be reading them! ;) 

Sweet. Sable? Hell Yeah!

I have decided to venture into the world of the sweeter romance. It’s hard for me, erotic romance is very much my comfort zone. I have a wonderful base of readers that I would never trade for anything in the world, and I have assured them that I will never abandon this genre. But I am also releasing my erotic books in a toned down, (not much) version. Not eliminating the erotic – in addition to. Why, you might ask?

It’s complicated.

I have always been the good girl. I had a reputation for years of never venturing outside the established boundaries of acceptable behavior in my small-town, redneck, conservative community. In fact, I was the one they called if they needed to discuss problems – for example – a) do I think the Lord will return in my lifetime, b) how do I explain to my grown son that he needs to have his family in church, or c) why can’t I forgive myself for the mistakes I made in the past. And I would try and help them. I was involved in several community endeavors on multiple layers – until the day it was discovered that their sweet, friendly neighbor was in fact Sable Hunter.
I can’t even begin to tell you what I’ve been through. I have been made to feel like I have created the most vile works known to man. And the sad thing was – none of the folks yelling the loudest even bothered to read a word, they just saw the words ‘erotic’ and attacked. I won’t go into detail, or tell you what was said or how I am dealing with it, but it gets lonely when your world turns against you.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not stopping what I do. I enjoy creating sensuality and celebrating physical love – and anyone who reads my romances know that I handle the explicitness with respect, gentleness, lots of loving dialogue and a complete commitment between the two parties. I have been told I write delicious sex – and that makes me smile. Sex is never in my books for sex’s sake, but – as we all know – sex is the way a couple demonstrates their affection and desire and lust and - - Lord, we all do it – even the ones who wanted to hang me in the town square – do it. But, what gets me is that some people won’t give the work a chance, if it is a certain heat level. And I have a story to tell, my stories and characters and plots and energy and hope and dreams are more than just sex.

So, I want to venture out and let the ones who wouldn’t touch me with a ten foot pole have a chance to read my vision. My books are me. I am on every page. All of the insecurities and fears and fantasies are mine. But this is true of any author, we pour our very hearts and souls into every word.

So, I’m launching the McCoy’s into mainstream, and it’s not just about broadening my reader base or tapping another market. It’s about proving to those who would judge me that I can pen a love story where the message is pure, the hero is worthy and the story is more than just a slap and a tickle with a happy ending. My books deal with abuse and prejudice, my heroines face obstacles like cancer and dyslexia. I delve into the world darkened by blindness and bound by fetters of a past they have no control over. What I yearn to do is touch people, I want to connect my heart vision to theirs. And I have, I get letters and emails telling me that something I said made a difference in their lives – and really, that’s the bottom line. I want to make a difference. I don’t want to just be known as someone who writes ‘smut’, although I will fight that notion with all that is in me – Libby and Aron’s love is not smut, Patrick’s redemption of Savannah is not smut, Jacob’s embracing of Jessie and her child is not smut, Isaac’s realizing he is worthy of Avery’s love is not smut. Beau pulling Harley back from the brink after a rape is not smut. Ethan teaching Annalise that her scars make no difference is not smut. Ah, well. I’ll hush now. I’ve had my say. And I thank this dear friend for allowing me to vent. 

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Please visit me - - I’m really not as crazy as I sound (*Laci's note - She really isn't crazy, she's a sweet heart)...

Here’s the link to Cowboy Heat - Sweeter Version And My Website (Sable's) And author page Facebook
I will answer each and every email I receive – sablehunter@rocketmail.com.

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I offer a Sweeter version for you or one for your friend – leave a comment and I’ll let Mojo nose the winning name.Here’s a glimpse into Aron and Libby’s sweeter world – haha.

Seeing Aron reminded Libby that she needed to talk to Nathan at the first opportunity and remind him of her temporary status. Handing Nathan his lunch, she answered, “I sure do, Big Man. Ham and cheese sandwiches, apple chips and lemon bars. Does that sound like something you’d like?” Nathan stepped forward and clasped her around the waist.
“Thanks Libs.” He had heard Aron call her that. “And thanks for helping me with that paper last night. You are really smart. I didn’t know there were so many different Indian tribes living in Texas so long ago. And that program saved my life, it made everything a lot easier. I don’t know what we ever did before you came along.”
Returning his hug, she looked guiltily at the men watching her. Why did she feel like she was doing something wrong? Trying to do as Aron asked, she cleared her throat and began. ”You did just fine before I came. Miss Bess took great care of you and when I’m gone, she’ll be right here taking good care of you again. You know I don‘t want to leave, but I have to. This is your home and Bess’s. I’m just merely passing through.” Patting Nathan on the back, she looked up at Aron with a small smile and an expectant look, seeking his approval. She was trying to do as he asked.
Aron excused himself from his brother and whacked Nathan on the shoulder as he left to catch the bus. His baby was looking at him with the saddest eyes. He knew she was just doing as he had asked; she was trying to remind Nathan that her time on Tebow would soon draw to a close. Well, to hell with that!
He should never have asked her to distance herself from any of them. He was a fool, and it was time this fool set things straight. She had turned away from him and was watching Nathan walk toward the road. He slipped up behind her and caught her back against him. She melted into him like butter on toast.
“Did I please you?”
Turning her in his arms, he pushed her back and back until he had her cornered in the butler’s pantry. “You have pleased me in countless ways, Libby: the heat of your kisses pleases me, the feel of your pebbled nipples on my tongue pleases me...I’d say everything about you pleases the hell out of me.” He held her flat against the wall, both of her hands captive in one of his. Touching his forehead to hers, he pinned her down. “But I find that what you did this morning, telling Nathan we would get along just fine without you—that pleased me not at all.” Aron growled out the last words.
Straining to read his expression, Libby was confused. “I did as you asked, Aron. I reminded Nathan I was leaving, and that Bess would be back where she belonged.”
“I know you did as I asked, but you didn’t take one thing into consideration.” He began to rain peppery little kisses all over her face, attempting to convey to her how much he cherished her.
“What’s that?” He had magical kisses. Libby arched her neck, giving him full access to her throat, and when he dipped down to the open vee of her T-shirt, she shamelessly thrust her breasts against him, begging for him to take his petting to the next level.
Aron laid his head on her shoulder, allowing her to lower her hands, and she immediately settled them around his waist. He said nothing for a few moments, and then he spoke softly, “You didn’t take into consideration that I am a fool...I can’t stand the thought of you leaving. Sweetheart, I don’t ever want you to leave.” Dropping to his knees, he nudged her shirt up with his nose and he kissed her soft, flat belly.
Libby was shaking. Cradling his head in her hands, she turned his face up to look at her. “Aron, it’s okay. I know Bess is coming back, and I know there’s no legitimate place for me here.”
“You’re wrong. There is a place for you here. In my home, in my room, in my bed, but most importantly...in my heart.” Damn! He was about to make a declaration in the crappin pantry. Without asking, he picked her up and headed for the stairs.
“Aron, it’s not even eight o’clock. We just got up, and you have to leave for an auction in less than an hour.” Not that she was complaining, she would never, ever turn down a chance to love on Aron.
“I realize that, but I forgot to do something last night.” Thank goodness his door was open, so he didn’t want to slow down long enough to open it, but he did kick it closed. “I can work wonders in an hour.”
“Yes, you can,” she agreed with him. “You are a master of the erotic experience, a connoisseur of caresses, an oracle of orgasms...” Aron tackled her and for a few wonderful moments, they wrestled around on the bed. “It’s not fair...” Libby gasped.
Aron straddled her, holding her immobile. “What’s not fair?” he queried, smiling like the devil he was.
“You’re so much bigger than me, I don’t have a chance.” Her mouth puckered into a pout, which he kissed away.
“You like me bigger,” he teased, his eyes alight with mischief, rubbing his groin against her privates.
“Well, true.” He had her full attention. Lord, he was an irresistible force.
Aron sobered, climbing off and stretching out beside her. “You like me bigger, because I can take care of you.”
She stared into his eyes; they were the color of a summer storm. “I’ve enjoyed that sensation, yes.” She couldn’t bring herself to say the words which would lay claim to him. She didn’t have any right to expect his care. She was temporary.
“Let me take care of you now, Libby.” Slowly he undressed her, kissing each exposed area tenderly before moving on. Next, he shed his own clothing. No words were necessary. He knew she wanted the same thing he did.
Sitting up on the edge of the bed, he pulled her into his lap. He placed her smooth back to his front. Libby nestled into his lap snuggly, with a wiggle. His organ was distended to such a degree, that when she opened her legs, he slid right in between them, not entering her, but cradled securely within the folds of her womanhood. Opening the drawer of his nightstand he took out a little vial of oil. “What’s that?” Curiosity got the best of her.
“Massage oil,” his voice was husky with desire.
“What are you going to massage?”
“You.”
“Oh.” Her breath hitched in response.
He rubbed the oil on his hands. A little earthquake of excitement shivered up her spine. He felt the tremble, and he chuckled, as if he knew she was dying of anticipation. “I smell chocolate.”
“MMMMMMM, love chocolate,” he confirmed her comment. “No, I take that back—it used to be my favorite flavor. Now it’s number two.” Nipping her shoulder blade, he clarified, “You’re my number one flavor. But to be specific, the scent I’m about to massage into your soft skin is Chocolate Crème Brule.”
“Sounds yummy.” Actually, it did. Several places on her body were calling for a taste.
He rubbed the oil into his hands and she practically shouted hallelujah when he cupped her breasts. From this angle all she could do was lay back and enjoy. Dang! There were so many things to enjoy, she decided to count the ways. One, his chest felt glorious against her back as she slowly moved from left to right and back again. Two, those talented hands were shaping and kneading her full round mounds of flesh as if they were molding clay and he was creating a masterpiece. Third, her sex was opening like a night blooming flower, aching to be claimed and filled. “Aron, it’s too much.”
“No, it’s not.” He proceeded to love her from head to toe. Sinking his teeth into her neck, he held her still like a stallion would a mare. With his forefingers, he traced circles around her nipples—wide, concentric circles that shrunk with each lap.
“Please, please,” she begged. If he didn’t touch her nipples, she thought she just might scream. The warmth of his hands and her body combined to heat the fragrance so that the chocolate smelled like hot fudge. “Nipples, Aron, please pinch my nipples.”
“My Libby’s a little Wild-woman,” he growled approvingly. He rewarded her boldness, sending her hormones spiraling out of control. Taking both peaks between his fingers, he rolled them, arousing her to frantic heights. Twisting her head back, she blindly sought his lips. Aron feasted at her mouth, sucking on her tongue, as he manipulated her breasts into trembling mounds of passion. Her arousal became evident, flowing over him, proclaiming a desperate need for his brand of possession.
In a fever-pitch, she was totally uninhibited, abandoning all pretense of propriety. “I’ve got to have you, Aron. Please, come inside me—I’m so empty.” She wiggled her hips in supplication. “Take me, sweetheart, don’t make me wait. I need you so.” Libby was pleading, begging for his love.
Aron lifted her, his hardness seeking her heat like a moth to a flame. She opened to him, her molten core swollen and flushed a deep rose. With a moan of relief, her body stretched to receive the full length and breadth of his manhood. Almost immediately she flew apart, and he literally had to hold on tight to keep her from catapulting out of his arms. She shook, her body shuddering with intense spasms. Aron was amazed at her ability to give herself over to him, taking whatever he offered and giving him more than he ever dreamed he could demand. “Good girl.”
Her unmitigated enthusiasm was a powerful aphrodisiac. Aron became a mad man, his hips pistoning in and out of her like an out of control jack-hammer. Laying back, flat on the bed, he pulled Libby back with him. “Stay with me, Cowgirl,” he encouraged as he bent his knees to give her body something to push down against. Using her breasts as the world’s most glorious hand-holds, he moved her up and down on top of him, her back sliding up and down the full length of his torso. Wrapping a leg over each of his, she moved in rhythm with him until he bellowed his fulfillment. Shivers and jerks of pure pleasure made her whole body quiver in response to his powerful climax. They lay quietly for a time, until he coaxed her to turn over on top of him. There was something he had to say, and there was no better time than the present. “Libby, look at me.”
She was wonderfully sated, but lifted her eyes to meet his. Unable to resist, she shifted upward to place her lips softly on his. One sweet heartbeat later, she whispered, “You have made me so happy, Aron.”

Paige, Laci. (2013, June 19). Sweet Sabel Hunter? Hell Yeah! [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://lacipaige.blogspot.com/2013/06/sweet-sabel-hunter-hell-yeah.html

*Any references to contests or giveaways have expired*

Anticipation of Sweet - Hot On Her Trail Excerpt

Excited for the next installment of the Sweeter Version of the Hell Yeah! Series? Here's an excerpt to tide you over while you wait:

The next day brought trouble. Jacob had promised Libby he would teach her how to ride a horse. Aron had wanted to do it, but he got called away to a meeting with the family lawyers about the management of their parent’s trust fund. The economy was hitting everything hard, so it became more of a challenge each year to invest in ventures that provided a decent return. It was also his responsibility to review all the allocations that were meted out to worthy teenagers and sick children. They also had a program to loan out money to cancer patients who wanted to further their education. Necessary business, but Jacob knew Aron hated to be away from Libby and that he would get through the day as quickly as humanly possible.

After listening to Libby plead, Jacob had relented and chosen Molly. She was the most gentle of their horses and he knew Aron would kill him if he let anything happen to Libby. Oh, Aron talked big and pretended that his time with Libby didn’t matter to him, but Jacob knew they were falling in love with each other. He also knew that Libby felt like her time was limited, but Jacob was a big believer in positive thinking, faith and miracles.

From his work with the various fund raisers for cancer victims, he knew Doc Mulligan personally and when the Doc had learned that Libby was coming to work on Tebow, he had given Jacob a call himself. The Doc had cautioned Jacob about Libby taking any unnecessary risks. Doctors and science didn’t really understand what threw someone who had cancer into remission, or out of it, but there were some studies which suggested that trauma to the body could shorten a remission period. Anyway, there was no use taking chances—that’s why he had chosen Molly.

Jacob also knew about the test she had to return for in less than a month. Hopefully, by that time there would be good news and Aron would start coming to his senses. Libby belonged on Tebow. Libby belonged to Aron. Jacob had never been surer of anything.

“Hold the reins like this, Libs. Not too tight.” He led the old horse around, adjusting Libby’s feet in the stirrups. “That’s right. You don’t have to be afraid. Molly is as gentle as a lamb.”

Libby wasn’t afraid; it was just a long way to the ground. Her balance wasn’t the best in the world, but this was one thing she had promised herself she would do while she still felt good. “You’re doing great, Libby. I’m going to walk you over to the corral and you can just go round and round in a circle until you feel secure enough to take a real jaunt.” Jacob’s words were reassuring. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her, not if he could help it. Smiling, she knew Jacob was fond of her, but he was also scared of Aron.

Aron cared about her. Libby knew that he did. But even if Aron changed his mind about the nature of their relationship, it still wouldn’t change the reality of her disease. No, she was in remission, she reminded herself. Remission. She knew the statistics, there was no use playing like she didn’t.

“Okay, take off.” He set Molly and Libby into a safe circular path. Or it would have been safe if a big ole chicken snake hadn’t decided to crawl across the enclosure. Those old chicken snakes knew no fear. Aron wouldn’t let any of them be killed because a) they didn’t have any chickens or eggs and b) chicken snakes ate their weight in rats, regularly. Molly didn’t know they were harmless, however, and Libby was deathly afraid of even a rubber snake. So when Molly shied from the snake, Jacob hollered, causing Libby to jerk. Molly bucked and when Libby saw the snake while struggling to hold on, all hell broke loose. Libby came crashing down. Jacob thought that everything was all right. It was just a little fall. The snake hadn’t looked back and Molly didn’t step on Libby. But, Libby didn’t move. He ran to her and found blood all over the back of her head. She had hit the top railing of the fence on her way down to the ground.

Aron was homesick. He hadn’t even been gone a whole day, but he was nearly aching with longing. And it wasn’t Tebow he was homesick for, or his brothers. Aron was homesick for Libby. She had slept in his arms all night, but right now he felt as if a piece of him had been cut off. Never would he have believed that a little slip of a girl could get under his skin the way she had. He thought about her all the time.

Libby had surprised him. She fit into their life like she belonged. Nothing was too much trouble; she pitched in and helped in every project they took on. That is—she tried—Aron had a hard time trying to keep her safe. Other than her overblown fear of snakes, she was absolutely fearless. Just the other day, he had caught her trying to coax one of their biggest Beefmaster bulls into a stall so she could give him a bath. The dignified, registered, blue-blood Warpaint was not amused. Neither was Aron.

Again and again it hit him how different from Sabrina that Libby was. He had received a call from their neighbor, Clyde Cummings, an elderly widower. He had requested one of the boys to come over and help him pull a tractor loose that had got stuck in the mud. In the process of trying to free it himself, the old man had hurt his back. Libby had taken Clyde casseroles and soups for a week, until he was feeling up to par. Nothing like that would have ever even occurred to Sabrina. The nice things Libby wanted to do for others reminded Aron of his mother.

The day before yesterday, one of Aron’s prize heifers had begun to calve. It was her first, and Aron was worried about her. The bull he had bred her to was big and he didn’t want to risk any birth complications. Libby insisted on attending the blessed event, nothing less would do. When Aron had been forced to put his arm up the cow’s birth canal and turn the calf, Libby had been right there with hot water and towels. (Not that he needed hot water and towels, but he humored her.) When they finally pulled the little bull free of his mother, Libby had thrown her arms around Aron and almost knocked him down. She had named the little bull Muffin. Now how was that going to look on the official Beefmaster Association Breeder’s forms? Actually, Aron didn’t care. He was so enamored of Libby that he was almost giddy.

And the sex. Lord Have Mercy, as he always said. The sex was utterly incredible. She was so sweetly responsive, eager and uninhibited—yet, at the same time, enchantingly innocent. It was a heady combination and one that kept him in a state of constant arousal.

Libby had made herself at home at Tebow and, most especially in his heart.

Although the trip had been a necessary one, Aron was glad it was almost over. Never had the road seemed so long from Austin to Kerrville. Never had he been so tempted to floor it. When he got to the last leg of the journey, the dirt road that led from the blacktop to the Tebow ranch gate had never looked so welcoming. He noticed the wildflowers that grew along the way. Had they always been so bright and colorful? Everything seemed better somehow. The air was sweeter, the food tasted better...hell, he even liked his worthless brothers more.

Mostly, he couldn’t wait to hold her in his arms again. Last night’s loving had only left him hungry for more. That was the way it always was. He just couldn’t get enough of Libby Fontaine. Lately, he had been rethinking his future. He had made a decision. A huge decision. He wanted Libby in his life; there was no way he could face a lifetime without her. Marriage wasn’t the word he would use just yet, but he was definitely thinking long-term. The only problem was convincing her of that. Something was holding her back. He knew she cared about him. There was no doubt in his mind, since she showed him every day in more ways than he could count. Why was she so adamant that their time together was short? Yeah, he knew it had been his idea to start with. Hell, he was ready to admit he was wrong. Yet every time he put limits on the relationship, she had been only too happy to agree. Aron didn’t like for her to agree so damn readily. He wanted her to fight for him. So, when he got home, the mission had changed. Win Libby Fontaine was his new goal.

When he started up the drive, he knew instantly something was wrong. It was only three o’clock and all of the brother’s trucks were there. They were pulled haphazardly around the front, as if they had all been in a hurry to get out and get into the house. His heart clutched in his chest and a wave of anguished concern ripped down his back. The air left his chest, seized in his lungs like wet concrete, and the blood pulsed into his head. He didn’t want anything to happen to any of his brothers, but all he could think about was—Oh God—don’t let anything have happened to his precious Libby.

He drove faster as he got closer and ended up skidding his King Ranch dangerously close to the wide front verandah steps. Leaping from the cab, he took the steps three at a time. Charging through the front door, he yelled, “What the hell is wrong? Libby! Libby, answer me right now!”

“We need to call Doc Mulligan.” This was Jacob’s voice. A doctor? Who was Mulligan? By, God he’d find out. He followed the voices.

“Shit, Aron’s here.” That was Isaac.

“Like he’s not going to find us?” Joseph stage whispered. “We’re in the den, Aron!”

Aron barreled into the ‘man-cave’ as Nathan called it and saw four of his brothers kneeling by the leather sofa. And in front of them was—aw hell, it was his Libby.

In a few short moves, he had displaced brothers both left and right. Kneeling at her side, he whispered, “Libby? Sweetheart?” She was so small and pale and her eyes were closed.

“What the hell happened?” He looked directly at Jacob, pinning him with his menacing gaze.

“Aron, oh Aron.” Libby opened her eyes, held out her arms, and as he took her, she began scooting over into his lap. “I am so glad you’re here, Aron. So glad. I missed you so.”

As Aron cuddled her close, he demanded again. “What happened to her?”

“She fell off of Molly.” Jacob’s voice was level and quiet.

Aron’s hands at once began moving over her body.

Isaac snorted. “It’s her head, Aron.” Laughing, he said, “I thought I’d tell you before you felt her up in front of us.”

“Hush up, Isaac. There‘s nothing funny about this.” Aron’s voice was direct and succinct. He held her with one arm, while he began parting her hair, looking for a wound.

“She hit her head on the fence when Molly threw her.” Jacob sounded as guilty as he felt.

At Aron’s indrawn breath, Libby feared for Molly and Jacob’s safety. “It wasn’t Jacob’s fault, I begged him to teach me. And it wasn’t Molly’s fault. It was that humongous, horrible deadly snake that scared us!” Aron fought with everything he had not to smile. This was too serious.

“It was a chicken snake.” Jacob muttered dryly.

“A huge, ugly, vicious chicken snake!” Libby was very anti-serpent.

“Why aren’t you in the hospital?” He looked at Libby, then at the brothers.

“No, no, no, no.” She clung to his neck. “No hospital! Some of the worst days of my life have been spent in hospitals.” Aron pulled her closer still, if that was even possible.

Jacob knelt by her and took her hand. Aron’s eyes widened. “Libby, see the doctor, please.” Jacob’s voice was low, but he spoke from his heart.

“I’m fine, Jacob. I don’t need to see him.” Her eyes pled with him to let it drop. Knowing that Aron would take up Jacob’s mantra, Libby changed her tactic. “Aron, please take me to our room. I want to lie down and I need you to hold me.”

That’s all it took. Aron rose and started off with her. Before he left the room, he turned and faced his brothers. “If I ever come home again and find her with so much as a paper cut, there will be hell to pay. I go off and leave the most precious thing I have in the world in your care and you let a horse throw her,” he paused and a small smile escaped his lips, “and a Godzilla-sized snake nearly swallowed her whole. It will not happen again!” With that he stalked off, Libby held close to his heart.

“Yeah, this is a temporary thing. You can tell. He don’t care a thing in the world about her.” Isaac observed dryly.

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sablehunter

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Email Address: sablehunter@rocketmail.com

Hope you enjoyed this excerpt. Hot On Her Trail Sweeter Version will be out soon.

Thank you for reading.

SABLE AND THE COCK

Yea, I got your attention, didn’t I? Good. Things happen to me. I’m an accident waiting to happen. There are days when I dread going out of the house cause I know life is just waiting to pounce on me when I’m not looking. I have goat problems. I don’t know where they come from, but sometimes I go outside and they are standing on my picnic table. I shoo them off and they go about their business, but in a day or two they’re back. I have raccoons that I’ve fed and now they won’t leave. They stand on my porch and I swear to God, they knock on the door to get my attention. I fed one raccoon some grapes and now I have an army of the little suckers, all wanting a handout. I need a vineyard!  And the skunks! I have cats so I keep cat food outside and sometimes I go out at night and I’m surprised by all of these cats with white stripes down their back and fluffy tails!!! Polecats! But they have never sprayed me – yet. Once, I went out and there was little powder puff baby skunks and I melted. I knelt down about two foot away from them and I watched them eat and I longed to pick them up and kiss them – but I knew better. The mom never offered to hurt me, but I was lucky.

A lot of wild things have happened to me. I have swallowed a bug while trying to sing. I have got a microphone hung in my mouth on a stupid dare (story detailed in BADASS). I have went into the boys bathroom by mistake twice (well once was on purpose). I have tried to drive a stick shift car and only been able to turn right, so I drove 15 miles out of the way so I could get home with all right turns. Things just happen to me. I have to go to the bathroom at the most inopportune moments, I have worn my dress wrong side out and two different shoes. But once, my ill luck turned out for the best. Allow me to tell you about the day I met John Stamos and the cock.

When I worked as an accountant in Beaumont, my office was in one of the older bank buildings. It was near the port, so sometimes at lunch, I would drive down there with my sandwich and watch the ships come in to be unloaded. Water has always fascinated me. Yes, I wasn’t in the best part of town. And yes, I was alone – but I have always been fearless! I drove a silver Camaro Z29 back in those days. It was low-slung, fast and I looked good driving it! Ha! – well, maybe. I love cars. I’ve had a Camaro, a Jag and a Lexus and I’m thinking about buying a 2014 Corvette Stingray – seriously.  Well, anyway- back to my story. I would drive my Camaro down by the docks, eat my sandwich and watch the boats. One day, when I was leaving, I noticed some cars outside this disreputable looking house and there appeared to be a scuffle on the porch, so I slowed down to watch and it appeared to me that there was a drug-deal gone bad going down. These guys were roughing up these other guys and I sorta enjoyed the show. One of them noticed me, so I eased on off. 

I hadn’t gotten far till this low-slung foreign car pulled right in behind me. I looked in the mirror and it was one of those guys from the porch. He motioned me to pull over. I didn’t. He crowded me. I sped up. He pulled along beside me – he was cute – I smiled, but kept going. If this was a drug dealer, he was an attractive drug dealer. He looked like a young John Stamos, it was hard to be afraid of John Stamos. But I didn’t stop. Finally he whipped around in front of me and cut me off and I had to stop or hit his car. He sauntered over to me and asked to see my license. I told him that he didn’t look like any cop I had ever seen. He smiled and told me he was under cover, and I had to bite my tongue to ask if he wanted to be under my covers.  He asked me what I was doing in the area and I told him that I was eating my lunch and watching the boats. He laughed. John Stamos told me that there was a report of a car like mine involved in a drug chase. I looked down at myself – all 5 foot 3, 100 pounds of girly-girly with waist length dark hair, big blue eyes weaingr a white eyelet sundress and ballet slippers. “I didn’t do it, Officer,” I blinked at him.

“Okay, you get on out of here and go back to the right end of town,” he motioned me on my way. I left – reluctantly, but was happy to see that he followed me. I returned to my office parking lot which was a few blocks from the building. When I got out of the car, I looked around, but didn’t see my sexy cop. WHOOSH! All of a sudden, I was attacked! I thought I was being mugged or pillaged! I fought off my attacker – I squealed – I bounced – I yelled. Amidst all of the chaos, I tried to figure what had a hold of me! Finally, I realized it was a rooster! A big cock! How I had attracted this feathered fiend I had no idea. He flapped his wings and fluttered around my head and kicked at me and I thought I was gonna die! I danced and bounced and carried on until I felt the beast being removed from my shoulders. “How in the world did you find a cock in the middle of downtown, Little Girl?”

I looked up and my John Stamos was standing there holding the rooster by his feet – his wings still flapping – just a grinning at me. “I don’t know, just lucky I guess.” I answered. He tossed the bird off in the bushes and escorted me to my office building. I was late. Later, I had to try and explain to my boss why I was late. The boats, the drug deal, the undercover cop, the cock in the parking lot. He didn’t believe me. But it was worth it - - I had a helluva date the next Saturday night.

Sable and the Cop/Cock. . . . .  and the story continues. . . ha!

Now available on Amazon

Sweeter Version of Cowboy Heat

Here's an Excerpt from Cowboy Heat (Sweeter Version)

The next day brought trouble. Jacob had promised Libby he would teach her how to ride a horse. Aron had wanted to do it, but he got called away to a meeting with the family lawyers about the management of their parent’s trust fund. The economy was hitting everything hard, so it became more of a challenge each year to invest in ventures that provided a decent return. It was also his responsibility to review all the allocations that were meted out to worthy teenagers and sick children. They also had a program to loan out money to cancer patients who wanted to further their education. Necessary business, but Jacob knew Aron hated to be away from Libby and that he would get through the day as quickly as humanly possible.

After listening to Libby plead, Jacob had relented and chosen Molly. She was the most gentle of their horses and he knew Aron would kill him if he let anything happen to Libby. Oh, Aron talked big and pretended that his time with Libby didn’t matter to him, but Jacob knew they were falling in love with each other. He also knew that Libby felt like her time was limited, but Jacob was a big believer in positive thinking, faith and miracles.

From his work with the various fund raisers for cancer victims, he knew Doc Mulligan personally and when the Doc had learned that Libby was coming to work on Tebow, he had given Jacob a call himself. The Doc had cautioned Jacob about Libby taking any unnecessary risks. Doctors and science didn’t really understand what threw someone who had cancer into remission, or out of it, but there were some studies which suggested that trauma to the body could shorten a remission period. Anyway, there was no use taking chances—that’s why he had chosen Molly.

Jacob also knew about the test she had to return for in less than a month. Hopefully, by that time there would be good news and Aron would start coming to his senses. Libby belonged on Tebow. Libby belonged to Aron. Jacob had never been surer of anything.

“Hold the reins like this, Libs. Not too tight.” He led the old horse around, adjusting Libby’s feet in the stirrups. “That’s right. You don’t have to be afraid. Molly is as gentle as a lamb.”

Libby wasn’t afraid; it was just a long way to the ground. Her balance wasn’t the best in the world, but this was one thing she had promised herself she would do while she still felt good. “You’re doing great, Libby. I’m going to walk you over to the corral and you can just go round and round in a circle until you feel secure enough to take a real jaunt.” Jacob’s words were reassuring. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her, not if he could help it. Smiling, she knew Jacob was fond of her, but he was also scared of Aron.

Aron cared about her. Libby knew that he did. But even if Aron changed his mind about the nature of their relationship, it still wouldn’t change the reality of her disease. No, she was in remission, she reminded herself. Remission. She knew the statistics, there was no use playing like she didn’t.

“Okay, take off.” He set Molly and Libby into a safe circular path. Or it would have been safe if a big ole chicken snake hadn’t decided to crawl across the enclosure. Those old chicken snakes knew no fear. Aron wouldn’t let any of them be killed because a) they didn’t have any chickens or eggs and b) chicken snakes ate their weight in rats, regularly. Molly didn’t know they were harmless, however, and Libby was deathly afraid of even a rubber snake. So when Molly shied from the snake, Jacob hollered, causing Libby to jerk. Molly bucked and when Libby saw the snake while struggling to hold on, all hell broke loose. Libby came crashing down. Jacob thought that everything was all right. It was just a little fall. The snake hadn’t looked back and Molly didn’t step on Libby. But, Libby didn’t move. He ran to her and found blood all over the back of her head. She had hit the top railing of the fence on her way down to the ground.

Aron was homesick. He hadn’t even been gone a whole day, but he was nearly aching with longing. And it wasn’t Tebow he was homesick for, or his brothers. Aron was homesick for Libby. She had slept in his arms all night, but right now he felt as if a piece of him had been cut off. Never would he have believed that a little slip of a girl could get under his skin the way she had. He thought about her all the time.

Libby had surprised him. She fit into their life like she belonged. Nothing was too much trouble; she pitched in and helped in every project they took on. That is—she tried—Aron had a hard time trying to keep her safe. Other than her overblown fear of snakes, she was absolutely fearless. Just the other day, he had caught her trying to coax one of their biggest Beefmaster bulls into a stall so she could give him a bath. The dignified, registered, blue-blood Warpaint was not amused. Neither was Aron.

Again and again it hit him how different from Sabrina that Libby was. He had received a call from their neighbor, Clyde Cummings, an elderly widower. He had requested one of the boys to come over and help him pull a tractor loose that had got stuck in the mud. In the process of trying to free it himself, the old man had hurt his back. Libby had taken Clyde casseroles and soups for a week, until he was feeling up to par. Nothing like that would have ever even occurred to Sabrina. The nice things Libby wanted to do for others reminded Aron of his mother.

The day before yesterday, one of Aron’s prize heifers had begun to calve. It was her first, and Aron was worried about her. The bull he had bred her to was big and he didn’t want to risk any birth complications. Libby insisted on attending the blessed event, nothing less would do. When Aron had been forced to put his arm up the cow’s birth canal and turn the calf, Libby had been right there with hot water and towels. (Not that he needed hot water and towels, but he humored her.) When they finally pulled the little bull free of his mother, Libby had thrown her arms around Aron and almost knocked him down. She had named the little bull Muffin. Now how was that going to look on the official Beefmaster Association Breeder’s forms? Actually, Aron didn’t care. He was so enamored of Libby that he was almost giddy.

And the sex. Lord Have Mercy, as he always said. The sex was utterly incredible. She was so sweetly responsive, eager and uninhibited—yet, at the same time, enchantingly innocent. It was a heady combination and one that kept him in a state of constant arousal.

Libby had made herself at home at Tebow and, most especially in his heart.

Although the trip had been a necessary one, Aron was glad it was almost over. Never had the road seemed so long from Austin to Kerrville. Never had he been so tempted to floor it. When he got to the last leg of the journey, the dirt road that led from the blacktop to the Tebow ranch gate had never looked so welcoming. He noticed the wildflowers that grew along the way. Had they always been so bright and colorful? Everything seemed better somehow. The air was sweeter, the food tasted better...hell, he even liked his worthless brothers more.

Mostly, he couldn’t wait to hold her in his arms again. Last night’s loving had only left him hungry for more. That was the way it always was. He just couldn’t get enough of Libby Fontaine. Lately, he had been rethinking his future. He had made a decision. A huge decision. He wanted Libby in his life; there was no way he could face a lifetime without her. Marriage wasn’t the word he would use just yet, but he was definitely thinking long-term. The only problem was convincing her of that. Something was holding her back. He knew she cared about him. There was no doubt in his mind, since she showed him every day in more ways than he could count. Why was she so adamant that their time together was short? Yeah, he knew it had been his idea to start with. Hell, he was ready to admit he was wrong. Yet every time he put limits on the relationship, she had been only too happy to agree. Aron didn’t like for her to agree so damn readily. He wanted her to fight for him. So, when he got home, the mission had changed. Win Libby Fontaine was his new goal.

When he started up the drive, he knew instantly something was wrong. It was only three o’clock and all of the brother’s trucks were there. They were pulled haphazardly around the front, as if they had all been in a hurry to get out and get into the house. His heart clutched in his chest and a wave of anguished concern ripped down his back. The air left his chest, seized in his lungs like wet concrete, and the blood pulsed into his head. He didn’t want anything to happen to any of his brothers, but all he could think about was—Oh God—don’t let anything have happened to his precious Libby.

He drove faster as he got closer and ended up skidding his King Ranch dangerously close to the wide front verandah steps. Leaping from the cab, he took the steps three at a time. Charging through the front door, he yelled, “What the hell is wrong? Libby! Libby, answer me right now!”

“We need to call Doc Mulligan.” This was Jacob’s voice. A doctor? Who was Mulligan? By, God he’d find out. He followed the voices.

“Shit, Aron’s here.” That was Isaac.

“Like he’s not going to find us?” Joseph stage whispered. “We’re in the den, Aron!”

Aron barreled into the ‘man-cave’ as Nathan called it and saw four of his brothers kneeling by the leather sofa. And in front of them was—aw hell, it was his Libby.

In a few short moves, he had displaced brothers both left and right. Kneeling at her side, he whispered, “Libby? Sweetheart?” She was so small and pale and her eyes were closed.

“What the hell happened?” He looked directly at Jacob, pinning him with his menacing gaze.

“Aron, oh Aron.” Libby opened her eyes, held out her arms, and as he took her, she began scooting over into his lap. “I am so glad you’re here, Aron. So glad. I missed you so.”

As Aron cuddled her close, he demanded again. “What happened to her?”

“She fell off of Molly.” Jacob’s voice was level and quiet.

Aron’s hands at once began moving over her body.

Isaac snorted. “It’s her head, Aron.” Laughing, he said, “I thought I’d tell you before you felt her up in front of us.”

“Hush up, Isaac. There‘s nothing funny about this.” Aron’s voice was direct and succinct. He held her with one arm, while he began parting her hair, looking for a wound.

“She hit her head on the fence when Molly threw her.” Jacob sounded as guilty as he felt.

At Aron’s indrawn breath, Libby feared for Molly and Jacob’s safety. “It wasn’t Jacob’s fault, I begged him to teach me. And it wasn’t Molly’s fault. It was that humongous, horrible deadly snake that scared us!” Aron fought with everything he had not to smile. This was too serious.

“It was a chicken snake.” Jacob muttered dryly.

“A huge, ugly, vicious chicken snake!” Libby was very anti-serpent.

“Why aren’t you in the hospital?” He looked at Libby, then at the brothers.

“No, no, no, no.” She clung to his neck. “No hospital! Some of the worst days of my life have been spent in hospitals.” Aron pulled her closer still, if that was even possible.

Jacob knelt by her and took her hand. Aron’s eyes widened. “Libby, see the doctor, please.” Jacob’s voice was low, but he spoke from his heart.

“I’m fine, Jacob. I don’t need to see him.” Her eyes pled with him to let it drop. Knowing that Aron would take up Jacob’s mantra, Libby changed her tactic. “Aron, please take me to our room. I want to lie down and I need you to hold me.”

That’s all it took. Aron rose and started off with her. Before he left the room, he turned and faced his brothers. “If I ever come home again and find her with so much as a paper cut, there will be hell to pay. I go off and leave the most precious thing I have in the world in your care and you let a horse throw her,” he paused and a small smile escaped his lips, “and a Godzilla-sized snake nearly swallowed her whole. It will not happen again!” With that he stalked off, Libby held close to his heart.

“Yeah, this is a temporary thing. You can tell. He don’t care a thing in the world about her.” Isaac observed dryly.

Mexican Lasagna

I bake this is a 13 x 9 inch pan and Jess can eat it all

Grease your pan and preheat the oven to 350F degrees

Ingredients

6 large flour tortillas

2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar or a Mexican blend of cheeses (the ½  cup sprinkles on top)

2 cups roasted chicken breast meat diced or 2 cups tenderized steak diced (or you can mix it, Jess likes it mixed)

1 can tomato sauce

1 teaspoon of chili powder (plus extra to go on the meat, follow directions)

1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic 

1 Tablespoon

1 teaspoon cumin (plus extra to go on the meat, follow directions)

1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce

½ cup chopped sautéed onion -

½ cup chopped chile peppers

1 cup drained black beans

1 cup of good jarred or canned chili con queso

The first thing I do is prepare the meat. I roast my own chicken breast – two large ones. I spray them with cooking spray and spice them up with a sprinkling of cumin and chili powder. Once they are roasted and cooled, I chop them up and sprinkle with just a bit of sea salt.

If you are doing beef as well – I chop the tenderized beef steak and then brown them in a skillet with a ½ teaspoon of cumin and a ½ teaspoon of chili powder. I usually gauge it by using 4 tenderized steaks about the size of my hand. By the time they shrink during cooking, it’s about the right amount.

If you are mixing the meats – I usually do the whole amounts then save what’s left over for other dishes.

Prepare your sauce: In a small saucepan combine the tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of cum, ½ teaspoon of minced garlic and 1 Tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Stir this mixture over low heat until blended and warm.

NOW TO LAYER:

Put a tablespoon or two of the sauce on the bottom of the pan and then begin layering. You will probably have to cut the tortillas to fit. Layer it in this order – tortillas, a spreading of queso , meat, onions and peppers, black beans, cheese, then cover with light layer of enchilada sauce. Repeat this – beginning with tortillas and ending with cheese until your dish is full.

Bake at 350F degrees until the cheese melts and its warm through – about a half hour.

Raspberry Margaritas

(these are so good, I just want to lie down beside them and swoon)

This makes about 6 regular servings or 2 of my kind out of those gargantuous glasses that I have to hold with two hands.

1 cup unsweetened frozen raspberries

1 cup of Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur

1 cup of Jose Cuervo or whatever tequila you like   (Jose Cuervo you are a friend of mine – oh yeah!)

½ cup fresh lemon or lime juice – whichever you have on hand

4 Tablespoons of sugar – (I like it sweet – you might try two to start with and then add more sugar if you don’t like it as sweet as I do)

Throw everything in a blender and blend it up and serve over ice.

And be prepared to SMILE! HAHA!