NEED A FEEL-GOOD READ TO TAKE YOU AWAY?

In North America, summer is almost gone. We've had too much sun and not enough rain. 

If you're like me, you're ready for a break from the heat and busy days. I'm waiting for a cooler autumn with the brisk breezes and the new crop of red apples and fall vegetables. 

Her Country Heart by Reggi Allder Sierra Creek Series Book 1 of 4 books. Amy Long needs a forever home. Downsized, she lost her apartment in the city and returned to the small town of Sierra Creek to find a fresh start. In the California foothills, she plans to run her grandmother’s organic apple farm and harvest the apples. 

Does Amy belong? Cowboy Wyatt Cameron doesn’t think so. She’s in the way of his plans and as executor of her grandmother’s estate, he has the power to send her packing.

What can she offer to change his mind?

5 stars reviews “If you love cowboys, small towns, second chances, and real-to-life characters, the Country Heart Sierra Creek books are for you!” “Perfect when you need a feel-good read.” “A seriously great book!!” “Great characters, I couldn’t stop reading to find out what happened next!” ★ 

Excerpt: 

Her Country Heart by Reggi Allder

Wyatt’s black pickup truck was parked at the curb in front of the building when she came out of the courthouse.

“I’ll drive you to Granny’s farm.”

Don’t you mean your farm? She bit back the caustic reply. A thief, the thought of sitting next to him in the truck turned her stomach. But with no cab or bus in town, a five-mile walk to Granny’s house dragging a giant suitcase in one-hundred-degree heat wasn’t appealing either. She squelched the need to tell him what he could do with his ride. With a hiss under her breath, she got in his truck and slammed the door shut.

“Amy, did you say something?”

“No.”

He looked unconvinced but started the engine without saying anything more.

A few minutes later, the Ford turned off the two-lane highway onto Star Route Three.

She waited for Granny’s property to come into view at the end of the road. Had it been two years since she’d come home? It seemed like yesterday. How could everything look the same when her world had totally changed?

In anticipation, she sat forward. The apple orchards appeared first, the trees green-leafed and flushed with fruit almost ready to be harvested. No matter how many new brands of apples came on the market, the red delicious apple defined the fruit for her.

The white two-story traditional American farmhouse with its pointed gables and wraparound porch, so popular in the Sierra Foothills, glistened in the late afternoon. Her chest tightened at the sight.

Soon, the sun would be setting. So many times, she and Granny had sat on the porch peeling apples for applesauce as they watched the late afternoon sky turn orange.

Wyatt drove the truck into the driveway and turned off the engine. Anxious to get into the house, she reached into her pocket and felt for the key Granny had given her many years earlier.

“If you will get my suitcase out of the truck, I won’t keep you. I’m sure you’d like to get home.”

Wyatt’s eyebrows rose as he turned to face her. “I thought you understood—I live here.”

  Buy links: 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012U5UTGW

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012U5UTGW/

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B012U5UTGW

https://www.amazon.ca/ebook/dp/B012U5UTGW 

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If suspense is your thing, try Dangerous Denial by Reggi Allder. Reviews: "An enthralling read that takes you in from the first sentence and hold you until the very end." "Very well written, suspenseful, and intense!" "I couldn't put it down."

Have You Thought About Moving to the Country and Living off the land? by Reggi Allder

    Many of us have thought about moving to the country and living off the land. In the Sierra Creek Series, the main character does just that. The four books follow Amy as she discovers  life on a farm,  finding love and meeting the people of the small town. 

Now meet the new people in town and solve a mystery in Book 4 My Country Heart. 

  One day, I was grocery shopping and saw a cute little pink sign with a unicorn and a butterfly. The quote was, “Do what makes your heart smile.”

 Well, that stopped me in my tracks. I had never thought that way. I was too busy doing what I needed to finish daily chores, family business, and promised duties. So, there I was with a basket full of groceries wondering if I should pay for this nonessential item when everything in the supermarket seemed to be higher than ever.

I put the little sign back on the shelf and went to get frozen food. After a quick stop to pick up eggs, milk, and cheese, I headed toward the nondairy ice cream bars for the family. Then I planned to go to the checkout counter.

That little sign was calling to me. Although it was totally unnecessary, it didn’t cost too much, and my birthday was coming up. Okay, months from now. Lol. But… Before my frozen food could completely melt, I went to the gift area and was pleased that the little sign was still there.

I brought it home and then thought it was a good idea to share this quote. I told the kids. That way they might feel free to make their heart smile too. 

 Now, I can see the quote while I’m working. I put it in front of my computer and when I look up from the screen, I remember to make my heart smile. Having that little reminder is helpful in my life and my writing.

When I’m stumped and don’t know what to do next with a new character, I ask myself, what makes their heart smile? What is stopping them from smiling? What should they do about it?

In book 4 of the Sierra Creek Series, My Country Heart, Lauren must learn what makes her heart smile.  

 "If you love small towns, second chances, and real-to-life characters, the Sierra Creek Series is for you! It's the perfect feel-good read." NL reviews

My Country Heart by Reggi Allder  

The two new residents in the small town of Sierra Creek are at a crossroads. Each is searching for answers to direct them toward their separate futures.

Lauren Walsh detests small villages, but she is in the town to work with a renowned silversmith. Then she will leave ASAP and return to the city where she belongs.

Chance Williams is Sierra Creek's new fire chief. Recovering from an injury sustained in a disastrous fire, should he remain on the job in the small town or leave fire fighting and go back to his Bay Area home?

A jewelry designer and a firefighter have little in common. Still, forced to live in close quarters, sparks will fly?

The engaging characters in the other Sierra Creek Series books return. See how Amy, Vanna, Sophie, and their partners are doing. Also, a mystery is an added ingredient in  this book. 

Excerpt: My Country Heart Sierra Creek Series book 4 by Reggi Allder 

          A gust of wind hit her convertible. Lauren’s hair flew in her face. Unable to see, she pushed it out of the way and looked up to see the air filled with squawking chickens and a huge man in the middle of the road waving at her. 

    “Stop!”

    Lauren slammed on the brakes so hard the seat belt jerked tight, preventing her from hitting her head on the steering wheel. The car came to an abrupt halt, inches from a handsome guy, tall, tan, and furious.

“What the hell are you doing driving so fast on this road?”

“I’m….” She screamed as clucking birds flew at her. Her heart thundered. She forced down the memory of her childhood fear of birds.

When fowl surrounded the car, she honked the BMW’s horn. The chickens flew closer and she continued to scream.

“Stop! The dammed chickens are already upset. Be quiet and stay out of the way until things are under control!” the stranger demanded.

A hen flew into the passenger seat. She shrieked and jumped out of the car and ran into the guy.

In tooled leather cowboy boots, blue jeans and a navy T-shirt he glanced at her. “You damn near ran me down.” He grabbed one of the birds off the hood of her convertible and let it go. Another flew at her and she shrieked.

“Quiet!” He snatched the bird away, holding it with one hand. “You’re alarming the poultry. They’re terrified. After all this yelling, it might take days before they lay again.” He glared and his blue eyes flashed as he brushed his dark brown hair from his forehead. “Be calm around them. They’re delicate—gentle if you’ll stop scaring them. After all, they’ve been in an accident.”

“Me, scare them!” She scoffed. “Are you crazy?”

A car honked and more birds flew into the air, clucking.

He handed her the one he held and ran after a hen about to run across the road.

“Don’t leave!” Breathless, she trembled. The chicken wiggled and tried to fly, while she gingerly held it away from her face, fearing it might peck her.

The farmer directed a car past the disabled truck, and then came back to her. “I’ll take that bird.” With the fowl held securely in his strong arms, he jogged to the truck and put it in a wooden crate. The sign on the door of the flatbed vehicle read, “Edgar’s Egg Farm.”

Frightened, she watched the stranger collect the rest of the poultry.

She opened the door to her convertible and found a hen comfortably sitting in the jump seat. Another stood in the driver’s spot. It pecked at her when she tried to shoo it away. She waved her arms, shouting, “Get out of my car!”

“Hey, enough! They’re more afraid of you than you are of them.”

“You want to bet?” she yelled in a voice she didn’t recognize. “Take these out of my car!”

He turned from her.

OMG, she was making a fool of herself, but as a kid, a huge black bird had dive-bombed her and pecked at her. Though she’d only been six years old, the event remained fresh in her mind. The bird chased her until her father rescued her.

The guy crawled into the back seat and grabbed the resting bird then stood up from the car.

“Lady, next time drive more slowly around these roads. You might have hit someone!”

“Look cowboy—whatever your name is.” She poked her index finger at his solid chest and glared up at him.

“Chance Williams.” He grinned.

His mocking smile irritated her. “Mr. Chance, I don’t need your comments about what I should do or how to drive.”

“Williams.”

“What?” She removed her sunglasses and stared.

“Williams. My name is Mr. Williams.”

“Yeah, whatever!” She waved him out of her way as a chicken flew at her. “Keeps those birds away from me. I thought you had all of them.”

“All but this Rhode Island Red.”

He grabbed the frightened Red, took it back to the flatbed truck and found a crate to put it in.

“Get out!” She opened the driver’s side door, pushed a final chicken out and sat down.

     “You can leave, but go slowly.” Chance Williams scowled at her. “Then drive off to the end of the world for all I care. Just don’t speed on this road again!” 

    Damn. He was handsome as he turned from her and walked away. Lauren couldn't stand good-looking men who thought they ruled the world.  She combed the last of the chicken feathers from her hair and applied pale pink lipstick. She must look a mess, and certainly felt like one. Ignoring her rapid heartbeat, she pushed back the images of the gorgeous farmer with his rude behavior and cruel words. She’d never been talked to that way before. Drive off the end of the world.  

She scoffed. “This is the end of the world.”

 

Buy  My Country Heart Sierra Creek Series

https://www.amazon.com/Country-Heart-Sierra-Creek-Book-ebook/dp/B0BJ5L1K2V 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Country-Heart-Sierra-Creek-Book-ebook/dp/B0BJ5L1K2V

https://www.amazon.com.au/Country-Heart-Sierra-Creek-Book-ebook/dp/B0BJ5L1K2V

https://www.amazon.ca/Country-Heart-Sierra-Creek-Book-ebook/dp/B0BJ5L1K2V/

 Do you love suspense? Dangerous Web by Reggi Allder  One of for Dangerous books, Dangerous Denial, Dangerous Money, Dangerous Moves, and coming next Dangerous Sisters. Amazon buy link 

 When the past returns to threaten Emma’s present, is the key to her safety the man offering protection? Will his secrets put her in greater danger?  “5.0 out of 5 stars will hold you on the edge of your seat as you follow Reggi’s real-to-life characters.” “Romantic Suspense from beginning to the thrilling end!” “The characters take you away!”

Like/ visit Reggi Allder's Links: 
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Bluesky

 

How About a Chill in the Summer Heat? By Reggi Allder

Stay Safe on Hot Summer Days. Five Summer Safety Tips Below.  

Be careful. Some people will do anything for Dangerous Money. Book Three in the Dangerous Series by Reggi Allder.  5 Stars-A darn good read. The romantic suspense thrill ride will take you away. Dangerous Sisters coming next. 

Whether it involves business or family, everyone has a secret in their life, even if they aren’t aware of it. That’s the premise in Dangerous Money- Buy link

When my heroine realizes her dream job, she’s thrown into the world of the super-rich and the ruthless and finds herself surrounded by a web of lies.

A caterer, she’s given the job to plan the birthday party for a billionaire software developer. Money is no object and only the best is acceptable. But before the evening is over the man is poisoned and she is the prime suspect.

She’s stunned when the police believe she’d kill a man she only met once. A reporter, looking for an exclusive story to revive his career, is her only possible ally. Can she trust a man who’s only interested in his job? Not only that, why is someone trying to kill her? 

Excerpt: Chapter One, Dangerous Money by Reggi Allder 

 In the midnight gloom of a residential street in Carmel, California, business owner Kathryn Carlyle watched the city’s dim lights from the back seat of a speeding police car. She gasped for air as dread tightened her throat. This can’t be happening to me.

The catering van driven to billionaire software developer Conner Harrison’s birthday party had been impounded by the police as evidence. She rubbed her throbbing temples to release the pain accumulated there.

Two blocks from her beachfront condo, she snatched a breath of air. “Please stop. I have to get out.”

The middle-aged officer guided the patrol car to the curb. “We’re not finished with you. Go, but don’t leave town.”

He’d probably been waiting all night to use that cliché. Don’t leave town. She almost laughed, except nothing funny had happened tonight.

She exited the car and inhaled the sea breeze as it rustled her hair. It was a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere that contaminated the police station where she’d spent the last few hours. How long before the officer came back to arrest her?

Relieved to return to her safe neighborhood, she took a deeper breath, kicked off her black leather pumps, and sat on a driftwood log overlooking the serene bay.

She swallowed as nausea swirled in her stomach. The fact that she hadn't eaten since breakfast didn’t help. Because she was always nervous before an event, she’d planned to eat after Mr. Harrison’s party. Now he hovered near death. The thought of eating brought bile to the back of her throat. Why did the authorities think she’d poisoned a man she’d only met once?

A nightmare had snared her and was holding her in its grip. When Mr. Harrison died, the charge against her would be murder in the first degree.

As the realization crept through her, she tensed. Two deep breaths calmed her but didn’t stop the headache from forming over her right eye.

True, she’d had the opportunity to poison him, but no motive. She only met him because he’d asked her to cater his birthday party. With his death, there was nothing to gain and a lot to lose; her reputation, her business, her life.

In the morning, the police would sort out the truth of her innocence. Still, adrenaline caused her heart to race. She rubbed her temples and tried not to think anymore.

A gust of wind circled her. She shivered and folded her arms in front of her. Damn. Her suit jacket was still in the patrol car.

Kathryn stood, brushed the sand from the back of her skirt, and picked up her high heels and shoulder bag. Time to go home. Sleep was doubtful, but at least she’d put up her sore feet.

Leaves crunched somewhere in the shadows of the nearby trees, she squinted into the darkness but didn’t see anyone. Even so, fear gripped her.

She forced her swollen feet back into her pumps and walked quickly up the dimly lit street. The click of her heels echoed in the quiet night air. The desire to flee from an unknown danger increased the speed of her footsteps.

The street was empty, except for a black truck parked at the curb. The pickup’s engine revved. The cab light was on and cast an eerie glow on the driver’s face. He smiled at her.

As she thought about waving to let him know the headlights were off, the vehicle drove straight at her. It jumped the curb, sideswiped her, and sent her flying.

With a thud, she landed on the muddy front lawn of a neighboring condominium. The sound of the engine faded as the vehicle disappeared.

She lay motionless on the ground. Cold mud oozed into the fabric of her skirt. A twinge jabbed her and terror banged against her rib cage.

Overriding the sense of shock was her need to go home where she’d be safe. She grabbed the strap of her purse and attempted to stand. Pain shot through her hip and down her leg. She fell back into the mud.

A man dressed in black came out of the darkness and stood over her. Before she could cry out, he bent down and covered her mouth with his huge hand. 

“Don’t scream. You’ll wake the whole neighborhood.”  Buy Link Dangerous Money

Remember to follow me on Amazon  , BookBub , FaceBook , BlueSky , 
Please leave a comment for a chance to win a novella. Thanks, Reggi Allder!

Five Safety Tips for Keeping Safe in the Sun: 

 1 Stay out of the sun during the hottest time of the day 10 am to 4 pm.

2 Wear sun block and reapply every few hours or when you go into the water.

3 Do not use sun block on babies under six months of age, instead keep babies in the shade. 

4 Remember to protect your eyes from the sun. If you use sun glasses be sure they are UV protected and if you can, wear a hat. This is good for babies too.  

5 Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. 

 Dangerous Web  is book one in the Dangerous Series by Reggi Allder 

“Non-stop suspense from the first chapter to the end!” “A fast-paced read, like a suspense film!” 

Emma lives a quiet life. When the past returns to threaten her present, is the key to her safety the man offering protection? Does he have secrets that will put her in greater danger?

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