J . ARLENE CULINER ( Cont .) DESERT ROSE
J . ARLENE CULINER ( Cont .) DESERT ROSE
BLURB :
Secrets are the best protection against love
Rose Badger is the local flirt , and if the other inhabitants of backwoods Blake ’ s Folly , Nevada , don ’ t approve , she couldn ’ t care less . With a disastrous marriage and a dead-end career far behind her , settling down is the last thing she intends to do . Newcomer Jonah Livingstone is intriguing , but with his complicated life , he ’ s off limits for anything other than friendship . Besides , Rose has a secret world of her own — one she won ’ t give up for any man .
The last person geologist Jonah Livingstone expected to meet in a semi-ghost town is the sparkling and lovely Rose Badger . But Rose , always surrounded by many admirers , doesn ’ t seem inclined to choose a favorite . So why fret ? Jonah keeps his personal life well hidden … and that ' s the best way to avoid disappointment .
Review by Whispering Stories Book Blog : Oh what a great romantic novel it is — and without the use of erotica . It is beautifully and concisely written with two fascinating lead characters . I was anxious to get back to
EXCERPT
The saloon door opened . Rose glanced over . Jonah . How delectable he looked . Her heart sighed . If only she had the right to kiss that lovely mouth of his . Or touch him , right there , on the shoulder of his black leather jacket .
Casually , in that sauntering way of his , he joined them . “ Jonah is covering every inch of the desert ,” she said , hoping her voice sounded calm . “ As a geologist , he covers the stuff no one normally sees .” . . . “ How about if we sit down . Get comfortable ,” Rose suggested . She noted how crushed the barflies were . But they ’ d soon be moving in closer so as not to miss a word .
She slid into the booth on her right ; Jonah was beside her . She could smell the natural scent of him , the hint of fresh air , sand , and something else : a subtle but sexy musk . Her hand was resting on the seat , right next to his thigh , not touching him , but itching to do so . Casually , she moved it closer , until she could feel his heat in her fingers . No one would notice , would they ? Certainly not Jonah , who wouldn ’ t allow himself to think of her in a sensual way like that .
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