Once in awhile you create a book that
seems to resonate with people, and this is one of them. A historical Western
that was born in my fascination for my childhood hero, Paladin. So, Dylan
Coulter is a combination of Paladin's urbane charm and sophistication and his
lethal side, of course. Maggie is a woman a little ahead of her time, strong,
compassionate, and independent. I hope you'll like her. I hope you enjoy their
story, it's exciting, and passionate, and has some surprises in store
too! This book has just been re-released by New Dawning International Book Fair.
Winner Take All
Historical/Western
Erotica Novella
Available in ePub, PDF, Kindle, and more at:
When Dylan Coulter
rides into Sparkling Springs, he quickly discovers the woman who runs the local
saloon is worth the risk of facing the hangman. Things get ugly fast when Dylan
is accused of killing the only son of the richest rancher in the area. Unwilling
to leave her behind, Dylan takes Maggie with him as he tries to dodge bounty
hunters and a determined Pinkerton agent who just happens to be Maggie's old
love...
Read a short
excerpt...
“Thank
you, Mr. Coulter,” she answered with a beaming smile lighting her face. “Be sure
to come by with Maggie for breakfast. I’ll have something special prepared for
you.”
Dylan
didn’t have to look over his shoulder to know that Maggie had followed him and
overheard the woman’s invitation. She was no doubt glowering at him, and he
ignored it.
“That
would be my distinct pleasure, ma’am,” he said. “You’re a lucky man, Jonas,” he
added as he glanced at the café’s owner. “Hang onto this lady, or I’ll be taking
her away with me.”
Jonas gave a hearty laugh and shook his
hand.
“You
can try, son,” he said with mock ferocity. “But ain’t no man makin’ off with my
Martha. Not even a dandy like you.”
“Dandy!” Dylan repeated in horror. “You offend me deeply,
sir.”
“I’d
like to get to bed some time tonight, Mr. Coulter,” Maggie interjected, and
almost fainted with embarrassment over her choice of words when he turned his
insolent smile on her, and the undercurrent of innuendo filled the space between
them like a tangible presence.
“Far
be it from me to keep a lady out of her bed,” he murmured, his eyes dancing with
amusement as she glared at the three of them when they all laughed at
her.
“Good
night!” he snapped with ill grace and strode from the café, the solid thump of
her shoes on the wooden planks testimony to her
annoyance.
When
Dylan caught up with her, she was waiting outside the Spur, and a glance told
him that her mood had soured considerably in the brief minutes she’d been forced
to wait for him. He unlocked the door, handed her the key, and tried to keep the
smile off his face as he trailed her to the upper level. When the door to her
rooms slammed shut with a bang that probably woke every other person in the
place, he let himself laugh quietly.
Entering the clean, tidy room, Dylan loosened the leather thong
that kept his gun held close to his thigh, then unbuckled his gun belt and hung
it on the peg next to the door. He tossed his jacket on the bed, unbuttoned his
vest and slid his tie free of his collar. Continuing his trek to the door that
opened onto the balcony that ran along the entire upper floor of the saloon, he
stepped outside and lit a cheroot.
He was
leaning against the wall of the building, smoking in silence a short while
later, when the door at the other end of the balcony opened and Maggie came out
into the night. She wore a thin cotton nightgown, and her sun-kissed golden hair
was loose and cascading in heavy waves down the curving length of her back. She
closed her eyes and leaned forward, hands braced on the solid wooden railing.
She tilted her head back and Dylan’s breath caught in his throat as he let his
eyes caress the delectable line of her profile as it flowed down to the much too
enticing shadow between her breasts. The moon had risen and bathed the night in
silvery white, turning everything it touched to shimmering frost. Maggie’s lips
parted and she drew in a heavy breath that he felt so acutely it was as though
she’d drawn the air into his lungs as well as her
own.
He
flicked the butt of his cheroot into the night, pushed away from the saloon wall
and walked toward her. “Beautiful night, isn’t it?”
Maggie
turned to stare at him, and whatever she’d been thinking about had left her
dazed and dreamy-eyed. She didn’t answer, and Dylan stepped closer, making her
tilt her head back to hold his gaze as he let his body answer its own need
rather than think about what he was doing. His fingers slid under the heavy mass
of her hair and he cupped the back of her head as he bent to cover her mouth
with his. Her lips parted. Whether it was to object or accept him he didn’t
know, but he let his tongue slip into the sweet warmth of her mouth and he
deepened the kiss to an erotic, exploring caress that made him want to go on
kissing her forever.
Still
allowing instinct to rule good sense, Dylan pulled her closer, pressed her soft
feminine curves to the lean contours of his body. He hadn’t wanted a woman as
desperately as he suddenly wanted Maggie. His hands began to move with the same
demand as his mouth against hers. Whatever need was driving him came to an
abrupt and painful halt seconds later when she pushed hard against his chest and
freed herself from the intimate embrace. She was gasping and staring at him in
shock, something too near fear lurking in the deepest recesses of her eyes.
Dylan shivered, chilled to the bone for no apparent reason where only heartbeats
before he’d been swept into an inferno.
“I’m
sorry, Maggie,” he offered, his voice harsh with denied need. “I am,” he
repeated, and quickly turned away and headed for his own
room.
Read what the reviewers are
saying...
"5
Cups!...Keeps you glued to your seat, reading until all hours. You will
discover what someone will do to protect someone they love. This book takes you
to the days of the Wild West and gives a whole new meaning to 'Ride 'Em Cowboy.'
If you are a Western Lover, this book is for you."—Sherry, Coffee Time
Romance
"4
Angels!...An unvarnished look at the 'live by the gun, die by the gun'
mentality of the Old West. Maggie is content in her career as a bartender, but
when Dylan needs her, she gives up everything to help him out. She?s my favorite
kind of heroine?spirited, sassy, and independent. Dylan is a guy in simply the
wrong place at the wrong time, but comes to realize that he wants Maggie for
more than the short term. A wonderful novella by Denyse Bridger."—Michelle,
Fallen Angel Reviews
"5
Moons!...Outstanding! Even though the book begins in a rather typical
fashion, it is always interesting. Ms. Bridger is a very good narrator, and she
builds a sense of suspense and curiosity about the characters and plot
throughout the book. She mixes in some interesting historical facts, and the
underlying eroticism between Dylan and Maggie makes the book move quickly and
evenly. Everyone who is interested in the post-Civil War era will enjoy this
book. There are very well-developed supporting characters in this book as
well."—Ruth Moderhak, Mystique Books
"5 Stars!...It’s surprisingly difficult to write a review when the author
has sent me to my happy place, leaving me grinning and mentally pawing over the
details of a tale told well. In Winner Take All, Denysé Bridger hits all
the bullets points for a well-crafted novella in a genre I dearly love. Like a
gunslinger, she takes aim at the bulls-eye with unerring accuracy: bringing us
the handsome, charming stranger (Dylan), the blonde petite barmaid with knows
better ’tude (Maggie), the friend, the old sympathetic couple, the man who owns
the town with a son too dumb to live with a hard on for the Heroine, the ex-love
interest (Cord) and assorted miscreants.
The set-up, the narrative in general, is tight, the dialog
true, the sensual tension sublime. This was like watching Rawhide, Paladin and
even yes! Maverick for grown-ups. There’s humor, anxiety, dread and surprises
sprinkled throughout. And you know, you just know, if you could be in
Maggie’s shoes, you’d be throwing in that hand of cards before the dealer could
say ‘ante up’.
Ah, but then there’s Cord and questions and dilemmas. The
author’s done her job when you can say, ‘hmmm, I could console him.’ Or
do a sequel, I’m easy.
Gunfights, chases, smokin’ hot… Phew, I might have to read
this again. Let’s give it a Full House, Aces High. Well done Denysé Bridger.
Winner Take All does just that. ~Amazon Reviews
Available in ePub, PDF, Kindle, and more at:
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