Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Alexa Martin’s new release: By the Bootstraps
A cowboy romance enthusiast discovers that everything’s bigger in Texas—even love—in this swoony novel from beloved author Alexa Martin.
Fueled by a love of romance novels, Luna Starr was destined for a life with her head in the clouds. Her delusional tendencies serve her well…or at least they used to. When life throws her a curveball, she decides it’s time to turn her cowboy fantasies into reality and purchases a tiny farm in Celestial, Texas. After all, don’t all heroines try to outrun grief?
Tate Jacobs hates cowboys, which is a small problem, considering his family happens to own the largest ranch in Celestial. Life might not have gone the way he wanted, but as head coach at his old high school and the town’s best (and only) handyman, he’s figured out how to stay busy and keep his head down—until the new girl in town shows up. Luna’s new property is a bad accident waiting to happen unless someone helps her with her DIY home renovations.
As Tate and Luna spend more time together fixing up her house, unexpected feelings and undeniable chemistry bubble to the surface. Luna might’ve moved to Celestial to make her cowboy dreams come true, but somewhere beneath the vast Texas skies, she discovers that love in the real world can be far better than she imagined.
Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from By the Bootstraps
“You are talking very fast.” Remnants of his smile linger in his eyes even as it fades from his mouth. “Are you embarrassed?”
I feel like most men would use this as an easy opening to try to pick me up, but to my complete disappointment and dismay, there’s only unassuming curiosity in his words.
“You know, shouting at a stranger in the middle of a restaurant would leave me embarrassed any day, but it doesn’t help that I just moved into town and this is my first night in Celestial.” I fidget with my hands, wishing more than anything I had a cocktail to hold and alcohol to ease my nerves. “I’ve been talking a big game and telling anyone who asked that I didn’t have any second thoughts about moving here, but I guess I’m a little nervous that I won’t fit in. It’s scary not knowing anyone.”
I regret the words as soon as I say them. It’s almost as if by saying my fears out loud, I’ve invited them in and given them permission to come true. I don’t know what it is about this man, but I can’t seem to stop myself from saying the first thing on my mind when I’m with him.
“If it makes you feel better, I’ve lived here my entire life and I don’t think you need to worry about fitting in. But trust me”—he leans in and his voice drops to a whisper—“fitting in around here is overrated.”
Goose bumps snake down my spine as the warmth of his breath dances along the shell of my ear. His proximity knocks me completely off-balance, and I struggle to keep my slow, measured breaths from turning ragged. I know it’s been a month or twelve since I’ve had sex, but this is absurd. There’s no reason to be turned on by a literal whisper.
Before I can do something stupid like tell him about the time my mom banned me from the stairs after I fell and put a hole through the wall, or worse, invite him back to my place for the night, Nolan reappears holding a paper bag. The man, the stranger, leans back and I get an up-close view as the last bits of his smile flee and shutters fall over his eyes. It’s devastating and I would do anything to put another smile on his face.
“Your usual.” Nolan slides the to-go bag across the bar, completely oblivious to the huge loss I just suffered. “Dan told me to let you know he put the extra ranch in the box on the bottom this time.”
“Appreciate it, Nolan.” The man beside me takes his food, only looking back to me after he unfolds his long body from his stool. “Good luck in Celestial. I hope you like it here.”
Panic hits me like lightning. Heat blazes from my head down to my toes when I realize that after all that, I don’t even know his name. He turns to leave, and like the rest of the time we’ve spent together, I act before I can think better of it.
I jump off the barstool and wrap my fingers around his wrist.
“Luna! I’m Luna,” I shout, repeating myself when his questioning gaze meets mine. “You didn’t tell me your name.”
It sounds more like an accusation than a question, but our earlier interaction must have softened him to my antics, be-cause he doesn’t seem fazed at all.
“Tate.” He turns his palm over and shakes my hand with his strong, calloused one. “Nice meeting you, Luna.”
I’ve never loved my name more.
“Nice to meet you too, Tate.” I return the sentiment and let go of my grip on his hand, knowing that nice doesn’t come close to describing what meeting him felt like. “See you around again someday?”
“Maybe.” Maybe sounds a lot like no the way he says it. “It’s a pretty small town.”
My smile only wavers a little bit. “I think I’ll take that as a yes.”
A quick nod is his only response and then he’s gone.
Excerpt. ©Alexa Martin. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
Giveaway: 1 copy of BY THE BOOTSTRAPS by Alexa Martin, US only
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Meet the Author:
Alexa Martin is the USA Today bestselling author of romance and women’s fiction novels. Her books have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, and NPR. She lives in Dallas with her husband, four children, and German Shepherd. When she’s not dreaming up her next romance hero, you can find her catching up on whatever Real Housewives franchise is currently airing or filling up her Etsy cart with items she doesn’t need.
Buy: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747068/by-the-bootstraps-by-alexa-martin/
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