“Stealing Hearts” Excerpt and Giveaway!

StealingHearts-300dpiCongratulations, Heidi Pergolski! You are our winner! Please message us at https://www.facebook.com/southernbornbooks with your address so we can mail your prize. Happy reading!

It’s time to head back to Magnolia Bay for Mick Atwell and Lucy Waverly‘s story in Stealing Hearts by Erika Marks! Who remembers Mick from his appearance in A Very Married Christmas?

As a special treat, we have another exclusive excerpt below for you. To enter the giveaway for a chance to win the prize pictured below, (an anthology of Southern Born Books, a mug with hot cocoa for two, and lots of reader swag!) leave a comment here and tell us what you love about this moment between Mick and Lucy!

Winner will be announced here on Friday, February 13th. Good luck!

Excerpt & Giveaway2-9-2015 Erika

Speaking of Mick…She glanced toward the bar, hoping to touch base with him. When a few customers left the bar, allowing for a thin opening, Lucy grabbed her chance and slipped into the gap, leaning across the bar to search for Mick. She found him at the other end with Tim who’d lost his chef’s hat, not to mention loosened his collar.

She waited until Mick looked up before she waved, fast enough to catch his attention. A moment later, he came down to meet her.

“How’s business over here?” she asked.

“Busy. Loud. Crazy.” He grinned. “Otherwise known as an opening night dream.”

She took another survey of his outfit, reminded again of how especially sexy he looked in his suede vest and cowboy hat. “I’ve been taking bets on how many women have asked you to read them their rights tonight.”

“I’ve gotten a couple of “Looks like there’s a new Sheriff in town” and the obligatory requests to see my gun.”

She’d bet.

He leaned forward on his elbows, rolling closer toward her. She felt his arm brush against her hand. “Funny thing, though…I can’t stop thinking about this Cat Lady who’s been slinking around the bar. All black. Great tail.” He grinned. “I’m hoping she’ll let me take her home later.”

“Only if you have some catnip.”

“I think I have some around here somewhere.”

“I’d settle for a few candy hearts. It is Valentine’s Day, after all.”

“Which reminds me…Don’t go anywhere.”

He didn’t have to worry about that, she thought as she watched him disappear back down the bar. Barely two minutes later, he returned with a slightly fizzy garnet-colored drink, a curl of orange peel hanging off the rim, and a small pile of pomegranate seeds at the bottom of the wine glass.

“A little something I made up for the opening. It’s sangria—with a kick.”

She brought the sparkling scarlet drink to her lips and took a small sip, tasting his secret ingredient at once. “Tabasco!”

“I got inspired to heat things up.”

She leaned in. “I thought we already did that last night.”

“Exactly.”

God, did he want to kiss her as badly as she wanted to kiss him? Lucy searched his eyes, trying to decide. Maybe if the world could just dissolve around them for ten minutes. She’d even settle for five.

She wanted to ask him why he hadn’t told her the truth about Emily, to tell him she was sorry his heart carried such a heavy load. She wanted to help him lighten it. She wanted him to let her.

She wanted to tell him how much she longed for his kiss, his body, his touch.

She wanted to tell him that she was falling in love with him.

She wanted him to tell her the same thing.

But her wishes were dashed in the next moment when Tim called down the bar for rescue.
Mick grinned. “I’ll find you later, kitty.”

“Wait—before you go.” She reached over into one of the dishes of conversation hearts they’d placed along the length of the bar instead of nuts to honor the night’s theme and plucked one out.

She set the candy heart down in front of him. I’M YOURS.

“Your tip,” she said.

He scooped it up and dropped it into his vest pocket. “Best one I’ve gotten all night.”

138 Comments

  1. Their conversation is easy but in her heart and mind, she is wanting him forever and he seems very interested in her. I can’t wait to read the book. Very awesome. Thanks so much for sharing.

  2. i love the good-natured teasing they have going on with each other. a well paced, interesting, and playful scene!

  3. I like the teasing part and the tension! I also love the description of the book. Mick helping his friend and than wanting to get out of town… until his friend’s sisters comes along! I love it!

  4. OH! the memories this brings to mind! Can’t wait to read all. I loved the tension and teasing but mostly the feeling between them. Wonder who will give in to the game their playing and loose their heart first?

  5. Love the chemistry between them. I thought it was funny about the Cat lady and she will come over if he has some catnip

  6. Besides the sexual tension, they seem to really be into each other with the promise of a very delightful night ahead. The reference to the catnip and the candy heart tells me this book is well worth reading. I would love to!!!! :-)

  7. Love this statement:
    “Funny thing, though…I can’t stop thinking about this Cat Lady who’s been slinking around the bar. All black. Great tail.”
    It’s a cute and sexy statement and makes me want to read this book. Thanks for sharing and getting to know about this book.

  8. yoy know what they are doing tonight. I wish I was that quick thinking on my feet to come out with them comments.

  9. I love that it’s sexy, sweet, & innocent all at the same time! You can tell that they’ll ignite fireworks together! Can’t wait to read this book!

  10. I loved the excerpt and want to read this one in the worst way! I am a cat person and love this exchange:

    “Funny thing, though…I can’t stop thinking about this Cat Lady who’s been slinking around the bar. All black. Great tail.” He grinned. “I’m hoping she’ll let me take her home later.”

    “Only if you have some catnip.”

    I think I melted!!! Their easy banter and cute dialogue drew me in. I must buy this – STAT! :)

  11. I enjoyed their flirty conversation between the Sheriff & Kitty. It was short, but each one knew what the other wanted. Cute, and to the point.

  12. Communicating your feelings using a conversation heart is sweet; “I’m Yours” and having the guy pocket it makes it even sweeter.

  13. I was drawn in just from this little excerpt, and I can’t wait to read more about them and see how their relationship develops. I can sense their chemistry just from the little bit that I read. Love it!

  14. I love LOVE love did I say love yet? I LOVE the I think banter is the right word between the two of them… or is it flirtation the right word? Hmmm either way the cuteness of the whole catnip part and the tip Oh my, I wish my guy was as cute as this guy seems to be!!!!

  15. I really want to read this new book. I think one of the things I liked about their conversation is how easy it seemed for them to talk to each other, but yet they had a sassiness to their conversation, a sassy banter. But, you could tell that they share a chemistry. That they would be great together. Just in this excerpt, I know I have to read this book.

  16. I liked the banter that was going on between Lucy (Kitty) and Mick. I have to say that I liked the tip she gave him the best. too cute.

  17. I love their flirting and their fun with each other. Plus, the candy heart thing at the end? Sweet move, Lucy!

  18. This is the conversation I love with Mick and Lucy~ She wanted to tell him how much she longed for his kiss, his body, his touch.

    She wanted to tell him that she was falling in love with him.

    She wanted him to tell her the same thing.

  19. i can’t wait to read the entire book! I love the flirting and teasing going on. That you for the excerpt… :)

  20. I love this! Love the teasing and flirting! I can’t wait to read this…I’m adding it to my list! Thank you!

  21. I love how they flirt with each other and how she realizes that she has a dilemma in convincing him that he really wants what she wants and that the road must be traveled. I can’t wait to read . Thanks for the opportunity!

  22. What a deliciously fabulous Valentine read! Thank you for this wonderful giveaway ~ so many lovelies! I am looking forward to reading “Stealing Hearts”. Happy Valentine’s Day~ and happy reading and writing ~ ❤️

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