Nicole Zoltack, Fantasy Romance Author, Where Fantasy and Love Take Flight

Purchase links:

Freya's Bower

ARe

Blurb of One Touch, One Glance:

Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned romance? Remember reading about a man's clothed physique, or how a fellow admired a woman in a pretty red dress? How about stories where couples fall in love with just one glance or that first gentle touch? Then open this anthology and enjoy 18 beautiful stories of love lost, love found, intrigue, heartache healed, the miracles of life, passionate admissions, and tearjerkers that make one sigh with longing. From best friends who find romance to time travel to a bit of Christmas magic, step into the realm of hearts on fire and love everlasting.

Blurb of Little Cowgirl by Nicolette Zamora (my contribution):

Greg, a grieving widower, investigates a party and finds a sexy cowgirl named Nan . Can she lasso his broken heart?

Excerpt:

Greg Louison grumbled to himself. Why couldn’t he have forgotten his cell phone? Then he would never have picked up his mother’s call, demanding that he instruct her neighbors to turn down their ‘wretched music.’ Instead, he would be on his way home, ready for a cold brew and watching ESPN highlights.

Although his shift had ended, Greg figured that his uniform would be more inspiring, more conducive toward getting the partiers to quiet down. However, it shocked him to realize that he wasn’t the only police officer there. Well, not that he had ever seen a cop wear a uniform that tight and with so much skin and cleavage showing. A costume party. Great. He’d fit right in. So much for uniform encouragement.

Greg maneuvered through the throng. Loud music played, and everyone enjoyed plenty of food and beer. People mingled, danced, and kissed on the front lawn. As Greg tried to locate the host or hostess, he couldn’t help but wonder when the last time he’d been to a party was. Years ago. With Helena.

He sighed and shook his head. He didn’t want to think about Helena right now.

“You seem a little out of place,” a gentle voice said.

At first, Greg thought he’d imagined it.

“Well, I….” He cleared his throat and turned around. With gleaming hazel eyes and a small, up-turned nose, the woman demanded his appreciation. Greg wondered if she had any flaws. She was a natural looker with no make-up, yet her slightly provocative cowgirl outfit, a tight fringe vest over a white t-shirt, and extremely short shorts didn’t match her gentle voice.

Laughing, she raised a curved eyebrow. She didn’t seem to mind his lingering glance, although she did self-consciously tug at the bottom of her shorts, drawing his gaze to her long legs. “You aren’t on the guest list, are you?” she asked.

“Not exactly,” Greg said. “You see, my mother lives next door.” He pointed to the house on the left. It was nine P.M., so his mother should still be up watching the Game Show Network, but there wasn’t a single light on in the house. Was his mother even home now? “She…ah, called me and wanted me to ask if someone would turn down the music. I don’t really think it’s that loud. Not too loud at least.”

The striking woman laughed again, revealing strong, white teeth. Greg stared at her lips. They were a little too large, he decided, so her beauty wasn’t flawless after all. It made her more approachable.

“I wouldn’t mind the music being turned down a little either. Better do it while Meg’s busy.” She flipped her long, wavy hair over her shoulder and gestured toward another woman who wore a bar wench’s outfit with a tiny, tight mesh shirt that barely covered her breasts, and a skirt so short she didn’t dare bend over.

Her face reminded Greg of the cowgirl’s, only more severe with firmer features and harsher lines. “Your sister?” he guessed, following the cowgirl.

“Yep.” She reached the speakers and turned the music down. No one else noticed as the party seemed to grow even livelier. “Nan Windslow.”

“Greg Louison.” He held out his hand and hoped she wouldn’t notice how callused it was from his part-time hobby of woodcarving. “Does she throw parties often?”

“No. But when she does, she really knows how to throw ’em.” Nan smiled.

Greg found himself smiling back. Maybe he would just have his cold brew here.