The Billionaire Cowboy’s Proposition releases today!
She’s ready to put on the performance of a lifetime.
Cody Tomlinson and Mallory Moore have struck sparks off each other since high school theater, where she was sunny and talented while he was injured and angry. A decade later, Mallory is working to save Last Stand’s movie theater and convert it into a performance space for live theater and music. Thanks to his family’s lottery win, Cody has plenty of money to help. But Mallory’s the only woman in town who doesn’t want Cody’s charity.
It’s bad enough that Cody is sexy as sin with his tough, scarred cowboy looks. Now he’s rich and Mallory refuses to be another woman fighting for his attention. She won’t accept a financial gift for her business, but she’s not above a fair trade. Mallory offers a deal: Cody can invest in the theater if he volunteers on the renovation. Meanwhile, she’ll play the part of his fiancée to ward off fortune hunters.
But Mallory immediately realizes her mistake. Cody’s always driven her crazy, and now they’re spending all their days—and nights—together.
Praise for The Billionaire Cowboy’s Proposition
“It was so much fun to read.”
“This whole series has been fun, but this story really made me think.”
“I love returning to this little Texas town and the Tomlinson family. It’s like reconnecting with old friends.”
“The writer makes this a wonderful edition to the series, don’t miss it, it leaves you with ‘ the feel goods’!”
The Billionaire Cowboy’s Proposition is book 3 in the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series.
I like to include food in my books, because who doesn’t like a good meal or tasty snack? This book features a busy teacher, so she likes simple dishes that make for good leftovers. Here’s an excerpt from the book, and read on for the Slow Cooker Lasagna recipe below.
For a moment there, she’d almost thought . . .
But no. He saw her as a friend at best, and he was clearly struggling with his newfound fortune and fame. She’d gotten her wish for him to move back, but she’d been careless. She’d forgotten all the rules of fairy-tale wishes, all the warnings to be careful with the wording, lest the thing you wanted most become the very thing to hurt you. She’d never considered the possibility that the thing to bring him home would be an outrageous lottery win that had half the women within five hundred miles throwing themselves at him. She wouldn’t be one of them.
Well, she could be a good friend. She’d been on the receiving end enough that she owed he universe some payback.
“Let’s go to my place.” She kept her voice casual. Good thing she was an actor. “I don’t want to compete with every woman in a restaurant for your attention.”
He grimaced. “I know what you mean. Privacy has become an issue since the lottery for sure.” He flashed the smile that made her knees weak. “But don’t worry. You’ll have my full attention.”
That could be dangerous. He needs a friend. If she kept repeating it, she might forget she’d ever dreamed of anything else.
He followed her through town in their separate cars. The route to her house took them past some of Last Stand’s nightspots, which weren’t particularly happening on a Wednesday evening. Still, chances were high that some people they’d known in high school were in one of those bars and would be astonished to know cool cowboy Cody was going to mousy Mallory’s house. A few would even be envious.
Not that Cody and Mallory would be doing anything deserving of envy. And not that anyone would ever know. As a teacher, Mallory had a reputation to maintain. She didn’t have to be a saint—teachers deserved lives too—but she preferred to avoid people gossiping about whom she brought home.
Mallory pulled up to her cottage and headed for the door as Cody parked behind her. Her house was tiny, but it was hers, and it was all she needed. She had a few seconds to glance around and make sure nothing embarrassing was visible. Not that she typically left her bras and panties on the coffee table, but it was nice to be certain.
Cody followed her in and sniffed the air. “Something smells amazing.”
“Slow cookers are my friend.” For a moment, she couldn’t remember what she’d put in the pot that morning, so many hours ago. The smell tipped her off. Slow cooker lasagna. That would do nicely. She always made enough for leftovers, so she had plenty for the two of them. She’d just have to adjust her weekly meal planning.
Tiny claws scratched at the other side of a closed door. Cody’s eyes widened. Then he glanced at Mallory as if debating whether he should mention the small animals infesting her house.
Mallory opened the door and looked down at two furry faces. She scooped up the ferrets.
Cody stepped up next to her. “Who do we have here?”
“This is Titania, Queen of the ferrets. She’s one and a half pounds of pure attitude.” The little cream-colored girl was already trying to squirm out of Mallory’s hand, ignoring the four-foot drop to the floor. “And this is London, after Jack London.” She held up the big silver ferret with white paws.
Find all the books in the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series.
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Note: I call this lasagna because the original recipe called for no-bake lasagna noodles. I find it simpler to use any small pasta I have on hand. It’s a flexible recipe. You can adjust it to suit what you have on hand or your personal taste. Just make sure you have enough liquid to cook the pasta. Here it comes from the tomatoes. If you prefer a white lasagna, leave out the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and add 1 cup of milk.
one package (16 ounces) pasta such as rigatoni or spirals
1/2 cup chive-and-onion cream cheese spread
2 cans (10-12 oz) creamy mushroom soup
1 large can (16 oz) diced tomatoes
1 large can or jar (22-30 oz) tomato sauce
1-2 packages frozen spinach
Plenty of spices of your choice – oregano, basil, paprika, cayenne etc.
Optional: other veggies, crumbled Italian sausage or another meat.
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (1 oz)
Spray 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add all ingredients except cheese and stir.
Sprinkle with the cheese.
Cover. Cook on Low setting 6 hours. If possible, stir once or twice while cooking and make sure there’s enough liquid to get everything bubbling.
You might have also noticed the ferrets Mallory has. I’ve been waiting for a chance to use ferrets in a story. Here are mine, with Panda (Princess Pandemonium) hugging Bear Bear.
About the Author
Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. Get a free 30-page story set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter. You’ll also get a printable copy of 22 recipes mentioned in the cat café novels and a selection of mystery short stories. In the future, receive fun content, announcements of new books, sales, and more.
Kris also writes mystery and suspense novels. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven. If you love romantic suspense by Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels, try Kris Bock’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest.
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Congratulations on your latest book! Your recipe sounds good. I really need to start using a slow cooker again.