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And now for devil number two

Today marks the release of Jake, book two in my new series, Devils on Horseback. This series challenges me to go where I haven’t gone before and to tackle sensitive issues I may have shied away from. I’m digging deep, y’all, and hope you’ll come along for the journey.

You see the devils series takes place right after the end of the Civil War, when the country is at its most vulnerable. Society, especially in the southern states, is adjusting to the significant changes, at the same time dealing with the grief of so much death and destruction.

I wanted to bring to life the struggle told through the eyes of five men who survived the war. All friends, brothers, comrades who not only fight to survive in a post-war culture, but wage war against the demons who haunt them.

Nowadays, the emotional battle scars suffered by soldiers is well-publicized and known. 150 years ago, men were not so forthcoming when they were in trouble, particularly when it came to showing signs of weakness.

I allow my devils to fight and claw their way through the tangled aftermath in their hearts and minds, to find the woman who would become theirs, and in the end, emerge a better man, one who has faced the darkest corners of his mind.

Jake’s story is one of heartbreaking triumph, of love and of redemption. He’s a charming, redheaded thief who delights in living life, but his dark secrets are destroying him bit by bit. Join me, along with Jake and Gabby, as he finds his way back into the light.

~~~
Haunted by war, a thief finds salvation in the arms of an angel.

Devils on Horseback, Book Two

On the surface, Jake Sheridan is an easygoing man whose problems roll off him like water off a duck’s back. Truth is, Jake holds so many past demons inside him, he daren’t let them out for fear he’ll never get them all back in.

He and the Devils are hired to help rebuild a town ransacked by marauders. Everywhere they turn, they encounter secrets—enough secrets to turn the town to dust if they don’t uncover the truth.

Only one person in town isn’t glad to see them: Gabrielle Rinaldi, the miller’s daughter. A strong and independent woman who is used to being disrespected for speaking her mind, she makes no secret that she doesn’t believe hired guns are the answer to the town’s woes. Yet she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic and charming Jake.

In spite of himself, Jake falls hard and fast for Gabby. But she’s wary of handing her heart to a man who lives by his guns.

When tragedy strikes, Jake and Gabby must fight to find a way to save the town—and their hearts.

Excerpt:

The thought of running into Gabby after their last confrontation put a knot in his stomach the size of a watermelon. Jake looked forward to the day when he could leave Tanger behind and start over again.

As they approached the mill, his step faltered at the sight of Gabby and Allison. Zeke sucked in a breath.

“You want to head someplace else?”

“No, we’ll just say our howdys and get to work.” Jake was determined to ignore his feelings for Gabby. He had to finish what he started on the mill—the town counted on the Rinaldis for flour and more.

Allison straightened up and darted behind Gabby. She peeked out from behind the taller woman and when she spotted Zeke, her eyes shuttered. Stepping forward, she smiled and gave a little wave. Jake actually felt pain in his chest at the welcome emanating from Allison.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen.” Allison’s gaze never left Zeke.

“Ladies.” Zeke tipped his hat. “Jake here is gonna finish up the wheel this afternoon while I watch.”

Gabby nodded jerkily. “Appreciate your help.” She took Allison by the arm. “We’ll be out of your way in a minute.”

Allison glanced at Gabby with a frown. “We won’t be in the way. Why, I’ll bet we can even help, can’t we?”

Zeke was apparently unable to resist the woman. A grin split his face. “Absolutely. You can hand up the nails and wood.”

Jake resisted the urge to run like hell and leave Zeke to finish the job Jake had started. He didn’t say anything though, instead, he walked past the women and toward the back of the mill. The sound of the rushing water soothed his agitation a bit, but he still felt as tense as a piece of wood. The stacks of fresh lumber sat waiting for them to begin.

After Jake stopped the wheel, he removed the boards and replaced them one by one while Zeke sat and handed him nails. Allison stood below them, smiling and making cow-eyes at Zeke while Gabby spent her time snapping at them. After an hour, Jake’s patience reached its limit.

“Enough. Jesus, what is this, a circus tent?” He climbed down from the wheel and came nose to nose with the woman currently making him loco. “If the two of you are going to distract us we’re never going to finish. Can’t you go someplace else?” Jake growled, surprising himself with the vehemence of his reaction.

Gabby’s eyes widened. “I am not trying to distract you. I’m making sure the job is done right.” She flapped her hand in the air. “Allison came by for a visit for the first time in six months. I am not about to tell her to go home.”

Allison seemed to shrink right in front of Jake. Her bright smile faded into a pinched expression he remembered from the first time they met. Jake felt about two inches high at that moment. Zeke stepped up beside him.

“Some reason why you turned into an ass?” He scowled and gestured to the women. “And decided to scare the hell out of them? Pardon my language.” Zeke inclined his head to Gabby and Allison.

“I want to get this job finished.” Jake’s chest constricted painfully and a shadow of panic slid down his back. “I need to get it finished.”

Gabby took hold of his arm and yanked him toward the mill, leaving Zeke and Allison to stare after them. By the time they got inside the mill, Jake was leading Gabby, marching her inside. His emotions thundered through him like a storm, leaving him angry and confused.

They whirled to face each other in the silent mill. Jake’s nostrils flared as Gabby’s scent assaulted him. Arousal mixed with his fury and before he knew it, she was in his arms and his lips were on hers. Sweet delicious heat slid through him as the memory of her passion washed over him.

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