Hello Again Friends!
What better time to introduce to you my novel, Tempered Hearts than in the month of Easter? Especially since the Scripture reference for this novel is Ezek: 36 “I will give you a new heart,” says the Lord. “I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
We all need to examine our hearts from time-to-time and that is no less true for rancher Craig Harris and veterinarian Tamera Collins, our h/h in Tempered Hearts, book 1 in my 4 (maybe one day 5) part series.
Here is a little bit about each character:
Under the guidance of his grandfather, Adam Craig Harris the Third has shouldered the responsibility of the Rockin’ H Ranch since the death of his parents at age fifteen. Disillusioned and distrustful from a past wrought with scandal, tragedy and disastrous relationships with women, Craig is immediately on guard against his feelings toward the little veterinarian despite his growing attraction for her.
Tamera Collins has worked hard to earn her degree as a large-animal veterinarian and finds it very distasteful that any one-especially an arrogant jerk cowboy- would doubt her ability just because she’s young and a woman. The death of her parents and her fiancé’s betrayal has left her raw, wounded and questioning both God and her faith. She hopes this job will give her life new meaning and purpose despite the secret shame she carries.
Blurb: Rancher Craig Harris and veterinarian Tamera Collins clash from the moment they meet. Neither is aware of the true identity of the other. He is heir to the Rockin’ H Ranch, she is the veterinarian his grandfather hired for the summer. Innocence is pitted against arrogance as tempers rise and passions ignite to form a love as pure as the finest gold, fresh from the crucible and as strong as steel. Thrown together amid tragedy and unsated passion Tamera and Craig share a strong attraction that neither accepts as the first stages of love. Torn between desire and dislike, they must make peace with their pasts and God in order to open up to the love blossoming between them. It is a love that nothing can destroy when they come to understand that only when hearts are tempered, minds are opened and wills are softened can man discern the will of God for his life.
Excerpt: Chapter One
Craig Harris pushed his half-empty plate away and signaled the waitress for a cup of coffee. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he rubbed his tired, gritty eyes and looked out the window, hoping to avoid idle chit-chat with the woman as she sidled up to him, coffee pot in hand, seductive sway to her hips, a hint of suggestion in her smile.
“Wonder when I’ll have the opportunity to leave you looking so haggard,” she remarked. His gaze cut to her in a quick, scathing look that stopped further conversation.
A flash of movement and color caught the corner of his eye. Craig glanced out the window to see a red Corvette toting a horse trailer pull into service station across the street. Impossible, he thought, shaking his head. He rubbed his eyes again, positive he was hallucinating. Sure enough, it was there, plain as day. Seen it all now, he thought, watching as a petite blonde disembarked from the vehicle, spoke to the attendant then unloaded her horse; admiring the care she lavished on the huge animal. Admiration turned to awe then anger when she loaded the horse back in the trailer and headed in the direction of the diner where he sat. He lay in wait until she was seated comfortably at the counter before approaching her.
"Gonna leave that horse out there long while you sit in here where it's nice and cool?" he asked. As a rancher, Craig detested the misuse of any animal, especially horses.
Tamera Collins turned and looked into the angriest - and prettiest - steel-gray eyes she'd ever seen. "Are you talking to me?"
"No," he snarled. "I'm talking to Harry. Who else would I be talking to? You're the only idiot I’ve seen put her horse in a trailer in one hundred-degree heat!"
Tamera knew the stranger had no way of knowing that her horse trailer was equipped with oscillating fans to keep its occupant cool and it was on the tip of her tongue to tell him, but the sheer audacity of him attacking her stayed her words. She stiffened and desperately held on to her rising temper. "Look, Mister, I don't know where you get off being so rude, but I'll have you know that my horse is well taken care of."
With a low growl he grabbed her by the arm, nearly unseating her. "It's hotter than blazes outside, and even hotter in that trailer! I want to know how long you're going to leave him in there before you get moving?"
Tamera’s already strained temper shot up another degree. "Don't manhandle me Mister," she warned, jerking free from his grasp. "My daddy never manhandled me, and you can bet some half-cocked stranger's not going to either!"
A collective gasp sounded in the cafe, followed by absolute silence as the customers waited to see what happened next. Not one of them would have crossed him in any manner, and everyone wondered what he'd do to the mere slip of a girl who dared to.
Caught between surprise and shock, Craig bit back a curse. Little spitfire. Got nerve too. "Looks like your daddy never spanked you, either, Sweetheart," he drawled. "Now answer me and make it soon. I'm not used to waiting when I ask a question, and I'm extremely low on patience right now."
Tamera saw red - bright, hot, furious, red. Low on patience? More like low on manners! How dare he manhandle her, insult her father then calmly demand an answer to an unwarranted attack on her ability to take care of her horse! "Cool off, Mister. Show some courtesy from now on and next time you just might get your answer.” Before he could blink she grabbed her glass of water off the counter and tossed it in his face. She stormed into the bathroom, locked the door and burst into tears. "Arrogant jerk cowboy!" she seethed, the confrontation an overload to her taut emotions.
Tempered Hearts is available in
E-book and
Print!
Until next time take care, God Bless and remember… only when hearts are tempered, minds are opened and wills are softened can man discern the will of God for his life.
Pamela S Thibodeaux
“Inspirational with an Edge!”
