Capture Cate by @gcmeadows1 Ghost #Bookhugs

Capture CateBlurb: Capture Cate

Cate Collins suffers the tragic loss of her parents at the tender age of eleven. She is forced to move to Connecticut with her billionaire grandparents, who she has never even met. Her grandfather, Edward Hollingsworth, disowned her mother. He was furious when Julia married her father without breaking off her engagement to his best friend’s son. On Cate’s first day at the mansion, she finds out her grandfather does not want her in his home.  She is determined to become a spy and works hard to achieve her goal, so she can die heroically and once again be reunited with her parents.

Excerpt

Cate took each step down the long hallway in trepidation before approaching her mother’s side. “You wanted to see me.”

“Your grandma’s going to look after you. I love you, sweetheart.”

As the words were released, she witnessed her mother let go. “I don’t know her. I want you. Mom . . .”

The monitor that previously showed a faint heartbeat had gone flat. Medical staff began rushing into the room and ordered her out. They tried to restart her mother’s heart, but the attempts were in vain. She ran to the comforting arms of June in the waiting area. The doctor soon followed to report there was nothing he could do.

Cate demanded from her grandmother. “Where’s my dad? I want to see him.”

“Oh, sweetie. Your father died in the accident.”

Cate’s grief was more than her tender heart could bear. “No!” She screamed and fell to her knees in despair. Her world had been so perfect the previous evening. If only her parents had allowed her to go along, she would not be faced with a life without them.

 

Circumstances only became worse. Cate stood in front of her mother and father’s caskets, wearing an ugly black dress, while complete strangers uttered condolences about how sorry they were for her loss. She wanted to run away screaming, but stayed rooted in place to repeat the words “thank you” over and over. Her parents’ comforting presence hovered near and insisted she remain strong. She could almost visualize them next to her.

After the funeral, Cate’s grandmother informed her that she would be moving to Prominence to live. The woman was met with a stubborn refusal. “I don’t even know you. I want to stay with June and Robert. They’re my family.”

“Cate, dear, I gave your mother my word that I’d take care of you.”

“I don’t understand why my mom would ask you for anything. I used to sit at the top of the stairs and listen to my parents talk about you and my grandfather. He sounds like a hateful old man. You can’t make me live in the same house as him.” If her grandmother believed she would give in without a fight, she had sorely misjudged her. She did not intend on leaving Pleasant Valley.

“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. I’m your legal guardian now.”

“Why do you want me?”

“I love you.”

“If you love me so much, why didn’t you ever visit me or send me presents on my birthday and Christmas?”

Her grandmother placed her hand on her head and did not speak for several minutes. “I’m going to bed, dear. It’s been a long day for both of us. We can talk again in the morning.” She started up the stairs.

Cate yelled, “I won’t be changing my mind! My dad was the best man in the whole world, and I want to marry someone just like him! Grandfather will hate me too!”

Readers may purchase Capture Cate at: Amazon US

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Message from G.C. Meadows

Money did not buy my character, Cate Collins, happiness or free her from her problems. Realize material possessions do not matter in the long run and should never take priority over personal relationships. People need to be more important in your life. Treat them with kindness and love.

Author GC MeadowsAuthor Bio for G.C. Meadows

My love for writing started with poetry and short stories in elementary school. The past seven years have been spent harnessing my vivid imagination into three series of contemporary and historical romance novels. My books are meant to entertain and promote love, the greatest emotion known to human kind. Even through trials and tragedies, including a murder or more, the heroines in my tales always have a happy ending (or happy for now until the sequel) with a man they profoundly love.

For more information about G.C. Meadows and her books, please click on the following links:

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Blog | Website

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Note from Linda/Lyndi: This is the last of the Ghost #Bookhugs posts. I hope you’ve enjoyed the exchange.

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New Release: Silent Signals, A Cowboy Christmas by @lcarrollbradd

Silent Signals, A Cowboy Christmas series
by Linda Carroll-Bradd
Publisher: Prism Book Group
Release Date: 11/18/16 (24,431 words)

Silent Signals cover

Blurb for Silent Signals:

After losing half his herd in the Great Blizzard of 1886, rancher Konrad Werner needs to safeguard his cattle. Tomboy Anora Huxley trains the Australian Shepherds and Kelpies that run the family’s sheep herd. Although cattlemen and shepherds are at odds, the pair discover common interests. A threat is overheard, and Konrad rides out to Anora’s ranch to protect her. The tense situation reveals their true feelings. Will Anora be swayed by family loyalty, or will she listen to her heart that responds to Konrad’s silent signals?

Available now at Amazon Kindle.

Excerpt:

Mikel returned, dropping two rolls of wire onto the counter. “I have a new shipment of barbed wire too. Perhaps that works better for your needs?”

Konrad turned and laid a hand on the smooth wire. “The fence to pen in my cattle has several components, so this is what I need. But thanks, Toussaint.”

The shopkeeper shrugged. “Some ranchers prefer the barbed.”

“I do too, and I may have to resort to that when the winter weather sets in. But I’ll wait on that purchase.” He leaned his other hand on the counter. “This year, I’m building a brush fence. I’ll use what I can from downed branches and rocks cleared from the field that will be planted in the spring.” He shrugged and straightened.

“Makes sense.” Mikel nodded as he pulled the pencil from his ear. “I remember those types of fences in old country. Uncle had them around his vineyard.”

Konrad was sure his wasn’t the only sad story the store owner had heard over the last year. “Gotta come up with the cheapest solution for protecting my cattle.” He shook his head. “The ranch can’t withstand any more losses like last year.”

“Excuse me, sir.” A female voice floated in the air.

The tone was pitched low, almost intimate. Konrad shifted and raised an eyebrow at the tall woman dressed in an ill-fitting coat and a split skirt that showed several inches of boot-encased legs. “Are you speaking to me?”

“Have you considered using herding dogs to contain your cattle?” The blonde woman took one step closer, her gaze intent.

“No.” This stranger had an opinion about how he ran his ranch? His body stiffened.

“I train the dogs that work the sheep at Green Meadows Ranch, and I don’t see why the dogs couldn’t be used with cattle.” She glanced over her shoulder and then back to connect with his gaze. “The principles are the same, as long as the person uses the right cues.”

He squinted at the green-eyed woman who stood only a few inches shorter than his six-foot height. Wisps of blonde hair had escaped the edges of her plain black bonnet and straggled along her cheeks. Her face was pleasant enough—probably would be more so without the frown creasing her forehead. “Have we met?”

“I apologize, Mr. Werner. I’m Anora Huxley.” A blush reddened her cheeks. “I am acquainted with Gaelle.”

His younger sister by five years. Which explained why he didn’t know this woman from his schooling years. Huxley did sound familiar, though. But he didn’t have time to contemplate why because the woman now stood by his side. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a thick-set scowling man hovering two feet away who looked madder than a newly branded steer. The second member of the arguing duo.

“My dogs are exceedingly smart. A special breed with strong herding instincts. They respond to hand signs and whistles, and from a distance of more than ten rods.”

He held up a hand lest he be stuck here listening to her run down every detail. “I do not wish to be lectured on how to run my ranch. My brush fence will suffice.” Regretting the stiffness of his tone, he lifted a finger to tap the brim of his hat. “Good day, Mrs. Huxley.” He spotted the brief widening of her gaze before scooping up the roll of wire and headed toward the storeroom. Irritation at the outspoken women and her high-handed advice put an extra punch into each footfall.

Cover Contest Finalist

Also, voting is open until November 20th for the winter cover contest sponsored by Still Moment Magazine. I’m proud that Silent Signals is one of ten finalists. To vote, leave the title or the #9 in a comment on the magazine’s Facebook page.

Linda Carroll BraddAbout the Author:

As a young girl, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about fascinating characters having exciting adventures in places far away and in other time periods. In later years, she read and then started writing romances and achieved her first publication–a confession story. Married with 4 adult children and 2 granddaughters, Linda writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor from her home in the southern California mountains.

Linda’s Links:     Website     Blog    Facebook     Twitter     Goodreads