In Forbidden to the Texas Soldier a portion of the conflict between Dash Lange and Lainey Gallagher arises from the bro code. As I delved into the topic, I discovered many men and women held contradictory views. Kind of a Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus thing, if you’re old enough to remember that book.

Maybe the fact that a lot of men subscribed to the bro code failed to surprise me is because growing up with only one female cousin a distance away, I often played baseball or football, went canoeing or fishing with my dad, brother, uncles and male cousins. Probably for reason, too, discovering a lot of women believe the concept is ridiculous threw me. However, as I read blogs and posts both sides made sense to me.

But what if I didn’t get the male point of view, and I was attracted to my brother’s friend? (A completely what if scenario since my brother is three years younger.) That got my mind churning, and I turned to Dash and Lainey. I soon realized Lainey could drive my already tortured widower-survived-terrorist-bombing hero Dash crazy with that juxtaposition.

When Lainey’s deployed brother asks Dash to check on his family, they somewhat jokingly discuss the bro code with Dash insisting he’s not interested in dating anyone. Then his friend says, “So, if you meet her, no offense, pal, but don’t get any ideas. LJ needs a man who’s not fighting demons and can take care of her.”

Being a man who takes a promise seriously, though he’s attracted to Lainey, when they meet Dash informs her there can be nothing but friendship between them. He even explains his reasoning. Her brother could feel betrayed, especially by him since he agreed Lainey was off limits. Dash continues, claiming it’s tough to balance both relationships without someone feeling slighted and the guy being forced to take sides between siblings. Lastly, he says when dating a friend’s sister, he can’t confide any dating woes in his friend. Lainey tells him she thinks it’s a crock and asserts who she dates isn’t her brother’s decision. Then she vows to get Dash to throw the bro code out the window. She purposely pushes his buttons, stretching Dash’s self his self-control as tight as a woman who’s had too many facelifts. But bless his Texas cowboy heart and honor, Dash tries his best to keep his vow and his hold onto his virtue.

What’re your thoughts on the bro code? Have you ever had to deal with it because you had a crush on a brother’s friend? I’d love to hear your views and stories.

Dash and Lainey took me on an interesting ride while writing Forbidden to the Texas Soldier. I hope you enjoy their adventure, too.

About the Author

An avid daydreamer, Julie Benson doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t creating stories. After graduating from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Sociology, she worked as case manager for a social services agency before having her children. Three boys, and many years later, she started actively pursuing a writing career to challenge her mind and save her sanity. Now she writes full time in Dallas, where she lives with her husband, their three sons, two lovable black dogs, a mischievous brown one and a turtle. Julie says, while her house is never quiet or predictable, it is full of heroes.

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Home to the Cowboy

By Elsa Winckler

A sexy, small-town cowboy intent on righting some wrongs. A woman stranded and wanting to start over…

In the heart of Montana’s breathtaking ranch country, rugged cowboy Dylan Weston is determined to heal a decades-old family feud by uniting the Weston ranches with his cousins and brother-in-law. Strong family bonds and small-town loyalty runs deep in Dylan, and he’s determined to do everything to make this work. But his life and goals skew sideways when he rescues the stunningly beautiful June Kincaid, who is fleeing the big city and a cheating fiancé.

Publishing executive June craves the quiet charm of the quaint Western town to heal her heart and finally chase her own dreams of writing a children’s novel while she works remotely. Sure, the betrayal still stings, but the sexy, protective cowboy ignites a scorching attraction that complicates everything.

As sparks fly, and Dylan’s extended family dabbles in matchmaking, June faces a quandary. Can she leave New York for good and trust love again, finally having the family she’s always dreamed of?

The Heiress’s Cursed Desire

By Sarah Fischer

Magic, betrayal, and a forbidden love that could spark a war…

Layla Lenhardt never thought her entire life would implode, leaving her one person she could depend on, a magical hacker from the rough side of the city. Three months ago, she hired Livingston Security Firm to help find a missing woman. Their technomancer, Brock Hanes, fell instantly. Layla barely noticed—until danger forced them back together.

Layla is a privileged mortal working for her family’s powerful corporation, Lenhardt Creations. Brock has a bounty on his head from the Governor for using illegal magic to solve crimes. They come from opposite worlds with nothing in common but the risks they’re willing to take to go against the Governor.

Members of the magical community are disappearing in droves and it’s hard not to assume that this is the Governor’s response to the Black Bird Coven’s attack on his mansion. But when Layla uncovers proof that Lenhardt Creations is secretly backing the Governor’s violent retribution, she refuses to stay silent. Layla turns to Brock to expose the conspiracy, protect his people, and help her right her family’s wrongs. But secrets, fear, and divided loyalties threaten to tear them apart.

Because in a city where magic is a crime and love is a liability, choosing each other may be the most dangerous act of all.

Surgeon’s Surprise Baby

By Eve Gaddy

One woman. One baby. One chance to make it right.

After leaving the army, surgeon Ryan Hunter lives by one rule– stay safe. He never remains anywhere or with anyone for too long. And then he meets Aria DeLuca, and for two years, he breaks all his rules. When he realizes he’s fallen in love, he walks away, heading to Marietta, Montana.

Aria never expected forever. Her relationship with Ryan was supposed to be strings-free but tell her heart that. After Ryan leaves, she discovers she’s pregnant. Wrestling with her decision to keep her pregnancy a secret, Aria changes her mind after Sophie is born. Her daughter deserves to have a chance to know her father. But she is leery as Aria knows firsthand the pain of having a father walk away.

Aria arrives in Marietta—with a baby and a dream of opening a plant nursery. Ryan breaking her heart again is not an option.

Loving Aria and their daughter, Sophie, is easy. Believing he deserves them is not. Can Ryan prove he’s done running before the family he never knew he wanted slips away for good?

Bull Rider’s Baby Surprise

By Sinclair Jayne

A Champion bull rider in need of a reputation salvage. The ambitious intern who excels at spin. A forced exile and an unexpected baby. What else could go wrong?

At the end of the American Extreme Bull Rider tour, fan favorite Cash Hunter again sits at the top of the leaderboard. Standing in the winner’s circle opining about his chances in the finals, a woman he’s never seen runs toward him cursing before shoving a baby into his arms and disappearing. Suddenly the golden boy’s tarnished.

Madelyn Ramone always prepares for success and disaster. While tour execs panic, Maddy steps up with her redemption plan. Publicly embrace fatherhood. Go home. Lay low. Document daddy moments. Take a DNA test. Accompanying him wasn’t part of her plan. She’s going to need her own Kevlar vest to resist his potent sexual pull.

Cash is furious. No one believes the child isn’t his, especially the coolly judgmental Maddy. But he needs her. And she’s gunning for the opportunity. Neither wants to buckle up and head to the small Montana town that holds unpleasant associations and memories for them both.

The Dragon’s Shadow

By Susan Lute