Friday, November 6, 2015

A Heartwarming Thanksgiving Tour/Excerpt: Her Thanksgiving Soldier by Leigh Riker


On tour with Prism Book Tours.

TODAY'S FREE SHORT STORY:

Her Thanksgiving Soldier by Leigh Riker

After ten years of war, black-ops soldier Caleb Henderson must decide whether to stay in the military—it’s all he knows—or to come home. Daisy McCall just might be his answer…but she doesn’t want to love another man in uniform.

Read it HERE!

Excerpt:

On Wednesday morning Daisy kicked into high gear. After cleaning house for the upcoming holiday while Caleb apparently slept—he hadn’t shown up for coffee yet—she made her grocery list. And, oh, they had to pick up the now-dressed fresh turkey at the farm.

Then Caleb came into the kitchen. And Daisy felt her heart skip a beat.

She tried to focus on her list, but it seemed his image was imprinted on her mind. Sleepy eyes and tousled hair. He looked good enough to…love? Even after yesterday when she’d cried in the car, and he’d kissed her, she wasn’t going there.

“Good morning. How does a trip to the store sound?”

“Like torture.” He poured his coffee. “I’ll hold down the fort. Got a few calls to make. Other stuff too.”

“Really,” she said.

“Well, no. But I’m not a fan of turkeys—or supermarkets.”

“Too bad,” Daisy said. There was no way she’d leave him at home. Caleb needed to be around people. She had several ex-soldiers at the rehab center who were the same. Whether he liked it or not, she would keep trying to open him up, hopefully without his knowing it. “I need your help carrying that monster bird. And the rest won’t take long. You can let me know what you’d like for dinner tomorrow. Everyone gets a choice.”

“Not in the military,” he said.

She studied him, frowning. “Hmm. And you’re good with that?”

“For now. I’m trying to decide if it’s time to leave the team. Problem is, that only creates another problem. I’d be leaving my buddies behind. And could I even get a job? What job when the military’s all I know? Would I be able to fit in?”

“On the outside,” she finished for him.

“Yeah.”

“That would certainly be safer,” she said, as if anything was.


Award-winning author Leigh Riker began her career with short stories then novels, and she still loves to write romance. When not writing, or thinking about writing, she likes to read, watch movies (funny or sad), dig in the garden, travel, and play the piano—with gusto if not finesse. At home in the Southeast she is (of course) working on a new novel.


Other Heartwarming Titles by this Author

If I Loved YouIf I Loved You

She deserves a man she can count on

Eight years ago Brigham Collier broke their engagement, and Molly Darling's heart, when he put the military first. Now Molly is a childless widow, and the returning soldier's back in town…with the most adorable baby she's ever seen. He needs help looking after Laila, left in his care by a fallen teammate. But time is running out. Who will keep Laila when duty calls again?

Molly can't turn her back on an orphan, but Laila reawakens her longing for a family of her own. And her feelings for Brig. If he shared her dream—instead of living for the next dangerous mission—she might dare say yes to him again. But he'll never leave his post, and she won't trust him with her heart a second time.


All Heartwarming print titles are 30% OFF during November from Harlequin as well! Use code HEART1115.

TOUR SCHEDULE

We'll be highlighting 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors that will be available from Harlequin during November via their site.

Don't miss any of these FREE novellas! Stop by each of the tour stops each day:

11/2: Snow Day Baby by Amy Vastine
Singing Librarian Books, The Power of Words, & Katie's Clean Book Collection


11/4: Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty
My Love for Reading Keeps Growing, Babs Book Bistro, & Heidi Reads...

11/6: Her Thanksgiving Soldier by Leigh Riker
Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima, Mel's Shelves, & Brooke Blogs

11/9: Mr. Right All Along by Jen Snow
Katie's Clean Book CollectionMin Reads and Reviews, & Love thy Shelf

11/11: Falling for the Cowboy by Sophia Sasson
Kindle and Me, The Power of Words, & Colorimetry

11/13: The Marriage Gift by Tara Taylor Quinn
deal sharing aunt, Babs Book Bistro, & Brooke Blogs

11/16: Heart of a Hero by Pamela Tracy
Writing Pearls, Wishful Endings, & Waiting For Wentworth

11/18: Thankful for You by Karen Rock
Christian Chick's Thoughts, Getting Your Read On, & Love, Laughter, Friendship

11/20: Autumn at Jasper Lake by Carol Ross
Reading Is My SuperPower, I Am A Reader, & Colorimetry

11/23: The Firefighter’s Promise by Kate James
Canadian Book Addict, Mel's Shelves, & Beck Valley Books

11/24: Wedding of His Dreams by Cari Lynn Webb
Bookworm Lisa, Kindle and Me, & Zerina Blossom's Books

11/25: The Sweetheart Tree by Rula Sinara
The Written Adventure, Reading Is My SuperPower, & Writing Pearl

11/26: Married by Thanksgiving by Melinda Curtis
Heidi Reads..., Love, Laughter, Friendship, & Singing Librarian Books 

11/29: Grand Finale

11/30: Facebook Party

GIVEAWAYS

Goodreads Giveaway
13 Harlequin Heartwarming Books
Enter on Goodreads HERE.

Pinterest Giveaway

 
Pin one or both of these images to spread the word and enter to win this adorably festive Thanksgiving Table Set:


Pinterest Prize includes: four reversible, quilted placemats, four matching napkins, hand-painted matching napkin rings, matching table runner, matching quilted hot pad/trivet, floral centerpiece in pot, and hand-crafted pilgrim pair.
- Enter via the Rafflecopter below
- Open to US only
- Ends December 4th


Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize: Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription (Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only)

$40 VISA card (US only)

13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy's, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international)

8-Book Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
Ends December 4th

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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4 comments:

Liz Flaherty said...

I stopped in and read this story this morning. Don't miss it. It's truly the personification of Heartwarming.

Pamela Tracy said...

I'll be reading it between breaks at work today. Looking forward to it. So far all the Heartwarming shorts have been great.

Katie W said...

I love this month! What a great idea to showcase good authors and to have a free little snippet to read every other day. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Terrific excerpt, Leigh! I look forward to reading the full short story.

Melanie, thank you for being part of our Heartwarming Thanksgiving blog tour.

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