Sunday, December 4, 2011

In Time for Christmas: Right to Bragg...Book Four. Hearts Crossing Ranch and

One of my favorite Christmas songs has long been Amy Grant’s “Grown up Christmas List.” Well, I get weepy easily, but it’s one of those songs that really starts the waterworks.  Mostly—because I have some really wing-nut relatives, I like to change a couple of words so that the lyrics can easily pertain to a family in need.

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies.

Well, I'm all grown-up now
And still need help somehow.
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream.

So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a family (world) in need

[Chorus:]
No more lives torn apart,
That fights (wars) would never start
And time would heal all hearts.
Everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up Christmas list.

When I started my latest release Right to Bragg, the fourth book in my Hearts Crossing Ranch series, I knew the heroine Tiffany Vickers is a woman alone, abandoned, dealing with wing-nuts of her own and trying to find her way. Cowboy Bragg Martin uses his own faith to help guide her…even as he struggles with guilt of his own. Then somehow, as the story took off and I plotted all the why’s and wherefore’s, the setting ended up being Christmastime. The time of hope and healing, reunion and peace.

I hope you enjoy Tiffany’s falling both in faith and love during a picture-perfect Christmas on that fictional little ranch, Hearts Crossing, where everybody loves to come home.


BLURB:
Disowned by her family, Tiffany Vickers faces a lonely Christmas and takes great comfort in the baby boy in her care. Her faith in tatters, she guards her heart against the baby's uncle, handsome cowboy Bragg Martin, a man with baggage of his own. While Bragg longs to open his heart and family to the lovely nanny, he doesn't understand her interest in his arch enemy. Saving a man's life and saving Tiffany's faith bring the couple together…and home to Hearts Crossing Ranch. 

EXCERPT:
     Tiffany got up for another cup of coffee, Matty’s eyes watching her every move.
     “He sure notices you,” Bragg remarked as the baby drained the bottle.
     “Yeah. We bonded right off. I’m so glad about it.” As she’d made a snap decision just then, she rushed on. “I left behind my precious nephew. I guess in my psyche somewhere I figured maybe nanny to Matty might help ease that hole in my heart.”  Gently she rubbed her hand over Matty’s head, the edge of her hand tugging at Bragg’s shirt and causing a funny havoc. Mostly though he listened to her pain.
     She sank back down into a kitchen chair, resting her cheek in her hand. “I was with Connor from the moment he was born. Paul and Diana wanted me there. Then things went haywire. It was my fault. You talk about forgiveness, but there isn’t any in this case. And I miss that little boy. Oh, I miss him so. I need him. His love was unconditional, you know. He’s three now. I can’t let him forget me.”
     Bragg’s heart tugged at the agony on her face, and Matty’s little hand flailed. Tiffany took it at once. “It can’t be that bad, can it?”
     “I’ve been disowned, so, yeah, Bragg. It’s that bad.” 


For a chance to win a PDF copy. please comment and leave your e-mail address at any of my posts today. I'll draw one winning name at the end of the party. Thanks so much. 

5 comments:

Debby said...

I never heard of that song before. I will have to look for it. Love the premise of your book.

Maria D. said...

This looks really interesting, I've enjoyed the Hearts Crossing Ranch series so far and have this one my list. Thanks for the excerpt

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Tanya Hanson said...

Thanks for posting today, Debby. It's a really beautiful, heart-rending song. Sigh.

Tanya Hanson said...

Maria, I am so honored to hear you like my series. I think you'll like this one, too. At a recent book signing, a reader told me my books should all be Hallmark movies. Best compliment I ever received.

Thanks for posting today.

Jen B. said...

Thanks for introducing me to Hearts Crossing Ranch! The story sounds really good.
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