@TastyBookTours Interview & Review: Hot Texas Days Box Set by Jessie Evans

Hot Texas Days Box Set


Lonesome Point, Texas #1-3
Jessie Evans


Genre: Western Romance
Publisher: Self Taught Ninja Press
Date of Publication: February 16, 2015
Number of pages: 654
Cover Artist: Sarah Hansen & Violet Duke

Available at the following retailers: 

Amazon     BN     Kobo

HOT TEXAS DAYS BOX SET

Hot Texas Days, Hotter Texas Nights…

Three full-length hot, suspenseful novels by New York Times Bestselling author Jessie Evans, featuring rugged, alpha cowboys and the women feisty enough to tame them. Welcome to Lonesome Point!

Leather and Lace

Cowboy bikers, fireworks, and romance, oh my...

Wild girl, Mia Sherman, has a secret--she isn't as fearless as she pretends. Descended from Lonesome Point, Texas's founding family, Mia grew up hearing tales of an old Irish curse that had followed the Shermans to America. At age twenty-four, Mia is still terrified of the stories, because they aren't stories. They are a warning about what will happen if Mia allows love and romance into her life. The curse struck Mia's grandmother and her great-great-whatever grandmother, and Mia knows she could be next. The first-born daughter of every generation is cursed to lose her husband on her wedding night, which is one of the many reasons Mia has sworn off relationships.

Until the fateful day Sawyer Kane rides his Harley into her life ...

Rancher turned restoration expert, Sawyer Kane, can't believe his luck when the feisty owner of the lingerie shop next to his hotel turns out to be the curator of his latest project, a ghost town he's been sent to restore. He's looking forward to long, hot days talking history, and hotter nights with Mia, but the redhead with the killer smile seems determined to keep him at a friendly distance. But when a dangerous man from Mia's past arrives in town, Sawyer finds himself drawn into her inner circle, and into the legend of Lonesome Point itself.

Can true love conquer all, even a centuries-old curse? Mia and Sawyer may be the first to find out.

Saddles and Sin

Even sweet cowboys have a sinful side...

Robert Lawson--Bubba to his friends--is six feet, four inches of tall, dark, and handsome cowboy, with a panty-melting voice and a face made to launch a country music career. But when his family's ranch hands go down with the flu, Robert cancels his high-profile auditions in Austin, and returns home to Lonesome Point to help out. Fortune and fame are all well and good, but family and friends come first. Besides, he's ready to enjoy some off-the-clock time with his manager, a woman who has him dying to show her what a good man can do to a woman when he's given permission to be bad.

Marisol Medina has been looking for her golden ticket since she became a country music manager. A scandal with one of her clients nearly destroyed her, but now she's close to launching an artist who will make her career. Robert Lawson has it all--talent, charisma, and a naughty side the flicks all of Marisol's kinkier switches. But Robert is off limits. She refuses to mix business and pleasure, even if it will be hell resisting temptation while spending a week at the Lawson family ranch, doing her best to convince Robert to ditch the saddle and embrace his future as a star.

But as Marisol and Robert grow closer and the passion between them ignites, Marisol must decide if fear is stronger than love, or if a chance at forever is worth breaking all her rules.

Diamonds and Dust

The home run neither of them expected...

Pike Sherman is a legend in Lonesome Point, a hometown boy who made it to the big leagues. Literally. Professional baseball acquired one hell of a pitching arm and its latest celebrity bad boy when the gifted Pike was drafted seven years ago. Pike's broken heart came along for the ride, too, but he kept that private, and since leaving Lonesome Point has kept his distance from his hometown. But when Pike's little sister, Mia, begs him to be the Dude of Honor at her wedding, he can't refuse. He takes advantage of a break in the season and returns home to find himself thrown together with the one woman he never wanted to see again.

Tulsi Hearst is on the verge of losing her Equine Therapy business, and letting down all the kids she's come to love. After a mix-up with the grant board, she needs to concentrate on finding more funding, not dealing with Pike Sherman, the boy she sacrificed so much for, and the one person she's ever lied to. And what a lie it is... Pike would hate her if he found out. She knows she should stay far away from the brooding man her summer love has become, but Tulsi can't resist a slow dance with the only boy who ever made her blood rush.

After just a few days back in Lonesome Point, Pike can't imagine life without the girl he left behind, but when Tulsi's secret is revealed, his heart is broken all over again. The only thing worse than losing Tulsi, is losing six years with the daughter he didn't know he had.

Excerpt: 

Excerpt from LEATHER AND LACE:

Sawyer searched Mia’s face in the glow of the moon, the soft light making her look even sexier than she had in the yellow bulbs strung above the farmer’s market. “I really like you. A lot.”

“I like you, too,” she said, her full lips curving at the edges.

“But I meant what I said before, about not being ready for anything serious.” The words tried to stick in his throat, but Sawyer forced them out. He owed Mia honesty, and he wanted to make damned sure they were on the same page before things went any further. “I want to make sure that’s still okay. I wouldn’t ever want to hurt you.”

Her smiled faded, but her eyes remained soft, unguarded. “You won’t hurt me.” She ambled down the stairs, stopping on the stair above his, putting them face-to-face and their lips inches apart. “I’m fine with a night, or a week, or the summer…however long feels right. And when it stops feeling right, we go our separate ways, no anger, no regrets.” She lifted her arms, twining them around his neck, sending arousal surging through his body. “This is exactly what I need, Sawyer. You are what I need, and I can’t wait to touch you. Everywhere.”

Any hope of resisting vanished as that last word feathered between her tempting lips. Sawyer closed the distance between them, claiming her mouth as his arm wrapped tight around her waist, crushing her body to his. Her breasts flattened against his chest and her body heat caressed him, making his pulse spike and a moan sound low in his throat. He wanted this woman—badly. And he was past ready for them to be alone in a room with a bed, a door, and a lock to keep the rest of the world out.

Sawyer lifted Mia off her feet, carrying her through the shop entrance before kicking the door shut behind them.

“Up the stairs,” she whispered against his mouth. “Bedroom’s up there.”

Interview: 

Today, we welcome Jessie Evans to Musings and Ramblings. Let's all give a big Geeky welcome!

Thanks! Geeky welcomes are my favorite. Thanks for having me on the blog ☺.

Let's start with some writer specific questions before moving into the fun stuff. That way everyone can really get to know the person behind the writer. We will finish things off with a round of Think Fast. Ready for the interrogation to begin?

*puts on interrogation hat* Yes!

Writing Specific

Is your writing style more plotter or pantser?
Plotter—it’s the only way I can write as fast as I do, I need to know where I’m going—but I give myself permission to pants when something feels like it’s not working. Like all things in life, I think writing benefits from being flexible.

When is your favorite time/place to write? Do you write structured or patchworked?
I love writing first thing in the morning with hot coffee and the sun shining in my window and in the late afternoon right before dinner, while my husband is grilling and I know I’m going to be rewarded with yumminess as soon as I get my words done. (My husband is an amazing grill master. I’m a lucky woman.)

What one thing do you wish someone had told you before you started writing?
No matter how many books you’ve written, you will always hit that point in the writing process where you’re like “oh my glob, do I know how to do this?!” Every single time. Every book is different and will challenge you in different ways. It’s just part of the process and no reason to freak out.

Tell us something about yourself that's not in your bio.
I used to be crazy into rock-climbing after college. I suspect I may be part mountain goat, probably on my father’s side.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Sew, bask like a lizard in the sun, play board games or Just Dance with my kids, and learn new things.

Fun Stuff

What was the last movie/concert/show that you saw?
I saw “Into the Woods” and it made me so SAD. I wasn’t expecting the fairy tale to get so “real life-y” at the end. I left the movie feeling cranky, no matter how good the performances.

Tell us 2 positive and 2 negative character traits you possess.
Positive: Loyal and compassionate. Negative: Stubborn and impatient.

You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?
Really good sunscreen, a swanky tent, and a mosquito-netted bed. (I live in a very mosquito-y part of the world. It has taught me appreciation for protection from bugs!)

Pick two celebrities to be your parents. Who are they and why?
Willie Nelson (I love him so much. He’s the coolest ever and was preaching tolerance way before it was en vogue). And Susan Sarandon (she seems grounded, enlightened, smart, and fun).

What would we find in your refrigerator right now?
Lemons, bok choy, chicken, tilapia, spinach, butter (three different kinds), wide array of sauces, some gross bacon grease my mom left there and my husband and I keep pretending we don’t see because neither of us wants to clean it up, passion fruit wine, massive bag of shredded cheese to make the boys quesadillas, and an old box of chocolates I refuse to throw out b/c chocolate deserves better than that.

Think Fast

Elvis or Sinatra? Sinatra
AM or PM? AM
Mountains or Sea? Sea
Meat or Veggies? Veggies
Summer or Winter? Summer

Thanks for coming by and spending some time with us. Any final words of wisdom to pass along?

I’ve always liked the quote “follow your heart, but take your brain with you.” That seems like good advice. Brains and hearts are both handy things to have.

Thanks so much for having me over to visit!

Review: 

I am always up for a good cowboy romance. There is just something about them that makes me smile. I have this real sweet memory of watching about 8 or 9 guys, soaking wet from rain, line dancing to Watermelon Crawl at a concert years ago. There they were - in nothing but skin tight wranglers and ropers, not a shirt in sight, thumbs tucked in jeans and hips shaking... *fans self* Did it get a bit warm in here? What was I talking about? Oh, yes. Cowboys. Whether actual riding horses cowboys, or those of a more neon persuasion, there is just something about them that can turn a girl's head and dazzle her eye.  So, three books in one? Oh hells yes, sign me up.

Leather and Lace:
In this book one, we are introduced to the town of Lonesome Point, Texas. Mia is in the middle of planning a panty & bra decorating prank with the help of Ugly Ross and Bubba. It's in the middle of almost getting caught that she meets (and kisses) Sawyer. Mia is a master prankster and troublemaker. Her relationships with her friends and family showed that she is not only well loved, but genuinely liked as well.

Sawyer is this big ole yummy guy. I don't remember reading a book where the hero was deliberately bald before (Sawyer shaves his head), but it added a nice unique touch to the story. Sawyer was a nearly perfect hero, with plenty of patience in dealing with Mia and her craziness.

Saddles and Sin:
Book 2 follows Bubba and his fledgling country music career. I had liked Bubba from Leather and Lace, so I was happy to see that he was as genuinely nice as he appeared. Sometimes a character can change from one book to another, but not Bubba. Again we get a sweet guy with a big heart and patience to deal with his woman's issues.

This was another book that took be by surprise with an element that I had never read before. The scandal that Marisol survived was one that I had not seen done before. Though thinking about it, it seems weird that I hadn't seen it before now. It was definitely something that made me think and even feel for anyone who has been affected by this particular issue. (No I'm not giving spoilers, read the book!)

Diamonds and Dust:
This time up to bat, is Tulsi, Mia's best friend. Tulsi and her little candy poker fiend daughter, Clementine, have had it rough. But Tulsi isn't a complainer, and continues to do the best she can for her daughter. With no help from Clem's unnamed father, Tulsi shoulders her father's disappointment and works hard to provide Clem the best she can.

When Mia's famous baseball player brother, arrives for Mia's wedding, Tulsi knows things could get complicated. Especially with Pike in town for an extended visit. Neither of them plan on the attraction that is still white hot between them. It's not until Pike decides that he won't let Tulsi get away again, that she realizes that their past could destroy the possibility of a future.

Overall:
I quite enjoyed the three stories. Ms. Evans has a fresh, new voice that combined the timelessness of the west with today's modern issues. The stories were original, funny yet thought provoking. I give this series 4 stars.

Giveaway: 

15 Amazon Gift card and 2 Digital Copies of the Box Set

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessie Evans, gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary Southern romances she loves to read. 

She's married to the man of her dreams, and together they're raising a few adorable, mischievous children in a cottage in the jungle. She grew up in rural Arkansas, spending summers running wild, being chewed by chiggers, and now appreciates her home in a chigger-free part of the world even more. 

When she's not writing, Jessie enjoys playing her dulcimer (badly), sewing the worlds ugliest quilts to give to her friends, going for bike rides with her house full of boys, and drifting in and out on the waves, feeling thankful for sun, surf, and lovely people to share them with. 

To connect with the author online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads