The Engagement Gamble
by Nancy Fraser
GENRE: Historical Romance
BLURB:
Marshal Zack McAlister has made it his mission to protect the good citizens of Greenville, MS. In particular, one very opinionated and independent lady doctor. The only hinderance to his professional obligations are the dozen or so single women vying for his attention.
Suzanne Martindale, M.D., has quickly become a fixture in Greenville since taking over for her semi-retired predecessor. And, like Marshal McAlister, she’s been inundated with unwanted suitors.
When Zack proposes a fake engagement, Suzanne is reluctant at first and claims in order for anyone to believe they’re actually courting and in love, there has to be chemistry between them.
Zack sets out to prove they can easily fool the people of Greenville into believing their ruse. Will his smooth Cajun charm and steamy-hot kisses do the trick? Or, are they destined to be victims of their own charade?
When outside forces threaten the entire McAlister clan, can Zack keep his family, and his faux fiancé, safe? And, will a life-threatening accident show them anything, even love, is possible if you have trust?
~ ~ ~
The McAlister family welcomes you back to Mississippi with a third adventure, and maybe a sneak peek at yet another devastating seductive McAlister man!
NOTE: The book is on sale for $0.99.
Excerpt:
“It’s been quiet around town lately. Not much for a decorated marshal to defend.”
“You trying to get rid of me, Doc?”
“Now why would I do that? If you were to leave, who else would I have to argue with?”
“We don’t argue,” he said, his gaze meeting hers in challenge. “We discuss…heatedly.”
“It only gets ‘heated’ when I’m winning.”
He shook his head and leaned back against the side of the desk. “If you say so, Cher.”
“As to your offer of an escort, I can see myself home, Marshal. There’s no need to wait.”
“I’d feel better if you let me escort you.”
She sighed deeply, and Zack waited for her to launch into another of her ‘independent woman’ speeches. Or, at the very least, remind him that he was being over-protective.
“I’ll only be a minute or two, if you insist on waiting.”
“I insist.”
She could have said she needed another hour and Zack would have gladly stayed. Despite what he’d said to Pete Bailey earlier that evening, Suzanne Martindale was a breath of fresh air among the over-zealous horde of ladies hounding his every move.
She was beautiful, well-educated, independent, and beautiful. Zack shook his head, trying to shake the repeating thought free. Obviously, no matter what her many assets, her beauty was the one thing tying him up in knots. Or, maybe, it was the fact she didn’t use it to her advantage, as some of the other ladies did. Instead, Suzanne relied on her brains and taunting sense of humor to get her where she wanted to go.
“All set,” she said, drawing Zack from his mental inventory of what made Suzanne Martindale the most desirable woman he’d ever met. And, at the same time, not at all what he was looking for in a wife.
Once she’d locked the door to the clinic, Zack offered his arm. Nodding toward the hospital next door, he asked, “Do you need to stop?”
“No, the night nurse is there, and our only patients are the new mother and babe. They’re in good hands.”
They strolled along in comfortable silence until they’d reached the walkway leading to the small stone cottage where Suzanne lived. She stopped just short of the gate.
“Shall I walk you to the door?”
“This is fine, thank you, Marshal.”
“Marshal? I thought we’d agreed on Zack?’
She met his gaze, rolling her eyes for exaggerated emphasis, he supposed. When she shook her head, a small lock of blonde curls fell free of its pins. Zack’s hand itched to take the silky strands in his fingers and tuck them back where they belonged.
“You suggested Zack and Suzanne. I don’t remember agreeing. I’d much prefer Dr. Martindale, or just ‘doc’.”
Her continued attempts at formality amused him and he asked, “Tell me something, Cher, do you ever let your hair down and just relax?” Before she could answer, he added, “Have any of your friends ever been tempted to call you Suzie?”
She paused briefly before saying, “Only those who wished to be soundly kicked in the shins.”
Interview with Nancy Fraser
What made you want to become a writer?
I’d always intended to write. However, my focus had always been non-fiction and usually related whichever career I was pursuing at the time.
As for romance, that started as dare. A co-worker offered me a romance novel to read on my lunch break. I foolishly said, “Anyone can write one of these.” She dared me to try. Never one to back down from a challenge, I decided to write two chapters to prove I could do it. Needless to say, I was hooked.
What inspired you to write The Engagement Gamble?
This third book in the series was never actually intended. Yet, I loved the interplay between the two main characters during their supporting stint in the second book. I still had things about the post-Civil War era I wanted to write about, so it made sense to just keep going.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Engagement Gamble?
Marshal Zack McAlister and Suzanne Martindale, M.D. were introduced in the second book in the series (His Marriage Gamble). They love to “heatedly discuss” aka argue almost every subject that comes to mind. He’s adamant his job is too dangerous to take a wife, she’s an independent woman with no desire to be tied down.
It’s inevitable that they’ll realize what sets them on edge isn’t their differences but the feelings they can’t deny.
You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?
Elizabeth Lowell. She writes a perfect combination of romance, steamy love scenes, and yet manages to teach you something new and interesting with each book.
Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the future?
What don’t I have planned? I have a release scheduled for each month this year. I’ve got three series going at the moment, and each one needs a second or third book. Plus, I’m committed to three group projects, both as an author and publisher.
The second book in my Cougars & Cubs series comes out in April. In May, I’ll be releasing a five-story anthology set in the 1950s. June is a re-release/update/scene added story from a previous box set that will lead into my all-new July release, an ultra-steamy contemporary romance.
The remainder of the year is just as busy with two more group projects, and some holiday fun!
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Re-visiting the McAlister family. I’ve come to love each and every one of them. I love the family support and camaraderie, the strength of my heroines and the downright sexiness of my heroes.
Plus, I love the time period. The post-Civil War years were a wonderful year of growth and healing. I love that I’m making the McAlister family part of that growth.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.
Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.
Nancy has published over thirty-five books in full-length, novella, and short format.
When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
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4 comments:
Thank you so much for hosting this stop on the tour. I look forward to checking back later for more comments.
Oh, my goodness, Nancy! When do you sleep? I can barely manage getting three books out a year! I'm impressed and a little jealous. At my pace, I'm going to have to live to 108 to put all my stories down on paper! Loved your excerpt and the whole idea of a fake engagement between two people who don't seem to get along that well. Loved it so much, I purchased the book! Thank you for sharing your talent with us! Best wishes for THE ENGAGEMENT GAMBLE!
Great chemistry between these two characters! Fun premise.
I love fake engagement stories!
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