SYNOPSIS:
Taylor Berry is the quintessential city
girl who can read through someone’s B.S. without batting an eyelash. Her no
nonsense attitude is one her great friends and awesome boyfriend love. When he
asks her to go with him to his parents’ house for the weekend, she’s not sure
what to expect, but hey, it’s a few days and nights with the man she loves.
What could go wrong with that?
Bryson Reed is a country boy who always
looks forward to going back home to Texas for his family’s big annual reunion.
A weekend of cookouts, fishing, and swimming. What could be better? In fact,
this year he’s taking his girlfriend, Taylor, to introduce her to his family
and join in on the fun. But the perfect weekend he’d envision starts to fall
apart right after they arrive. When his mom puts Taylor in the guestroom … not
in his old bedroom with him.
Taylor is shocked at the sleeping
arrangements, but gets furious when Bryson doesn’t insist on them sleeping
together. He thinks his mom is old fashioned and doesn’t see the problem while
Taylor wonders where the line is between gentleman and momma’s boy.
Even though Taylor is mad at Bryson for
how he handles the situation, she thinks his mom is up to something, and as the
weekend progresses, she knows she’s right. This weekend of sweet tea and
feigned southern hospitality cannot end fast enough.
But when the truth comes out and
secrets revealed, something else might come to an end as well.
PURCHASE
LINKS:
Blue Balls and Push-Up Bras (Book 1)
Can be downloaded for FREE
Blue
balls and Southern Drawls (Book 3)
EXCERPT:
“Why is
your skinny a*s eating nothing but lettuce?” Taylor asked Morgan as they sat at
the bistro around the corner. “H*ll, your man finally proposed. Not like you
need to reel him in with toothpick thighs.” She was only partially joking. The
glow on Taylor’s friend’s face couldn’t be ignored, and Taylor was just giving
her some fun ribbing. But seriously, the woman could use a steak or twelve.
“Oh hush. There’s also cranberries
and feta in this salad.”
“It’s not a salad unless there’s
dressing involved.” Taylor picked up her gourmet sandwich filled with shaved
turkey, seasoned tomatoes, and loads of fresh, melted mozzarella cheese and
took a bite. It was like a margarita pizza, but on a buttery roll with meat.
“I have dressing,” Morgan said,
slightly affronted.
Taylor snorted. “It’s still in the
cup beside your bowl.” She shook her head. “Seriously, girl, it’s not like you
need to lose weight before your wedding.” She looked up, one eyebrow raised.
“Which will be … when exactly?”
Morgan shook her head slowly. “Oh,
no. We’re not announcing anything until after Hannah and Lucas tie the knot.”
Taylor pouted. “You’re no fun.” She
took another savory bite of her yummy sandwich.
“Like you’re one to talk.” Morgan
smirked.
Taylor dropped her sandwich.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, come on. Bryson’s taking you
to Texas to meet his family. Don’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about what
this means where wedding bells are concerned.”
Taylor chuckled. “Bite your tongue.
I already told you it’s some family reunion they do every year. It has nothing
to do with making plans for the future.” Gah, she couldn’t even say the word
marriage when it represented her. She loved Bryson dearly. He may even be the one, but it was still too soon for
talk of that.
“Mmm-hmm, just tell yourself that.
Don’t be surprised if he drops to one knee beside a horse or something.” Morgan
waved her fork at her before taking another bite of her bird food.
“You don’t know Bryson. He wouldn’t
do something like that.” Taylor was sure of it. Marriage hadn’t been on his
radar, either. She was a smart woman, and he’d never been able to get anything
by her. Before last Christmas he’d dropped hints for weeks without meaning to.
She still acted surprised when she opened her gifts. She didn’t want to hurt
his feelings, and he’d been so excited—none of which had been romantic, but all
she’d still needed and loved. Bryson was a caring and generous boyfriend. But
she knew beyond any shadow of doubt that the man hadn’t given one thought to
their future together.
She was okay with that. More than
okay, actually.
“Don’t be surprised. That’s all I’m
saying.” After another bite, she said, “When are you two leaving anyway?”
“He’s picking me up at two o’clock.
We should get there by dinner—his words, not mine.” She chuckled, relieved by
the subject change.
“You all packed and ready?” Morgan
pushed her half-eaten salad away and moaned as if she’d just eaten a cow.
Taylor rolled her eyes.
“Yeah. Took the day off to finish
this morning. It’s just for the weekend, but it’s freaking hot, and they have a
lot of outdoor activities scheduled. I had to make sure I stashed enough for
necessary wardrobe changes.”
“Totally understand that.” Morgan
sighed. “I have to get back to the office. Not all of us took the day off to pretend
this weekend wasn’t significant to our relationship.” She winked.
“So not listening to you.” Taylor
shook her head and waved for the waiter to bring their tickets. After they both
paid and hugged their goodbyes, Taylor rushed back to her place to grab a few
things she’d forgotten to pack that morning.
When her phone chimed a text
message notification, she didn’t have to look at it to know it was Bryson
letting her know he was on his way. He always announced his arrival before he
showed up. She chuckled. Bryson had his little quirks, but he liked his
routines. She wasn’t one to complain about that. She’d dated some real slackers
in the past.
Bryson was different.
Besides knowing what he wanted and
never shying away from it—which was freaking sexy just by itself—he was strong,
dependable, funny, charming…
And gorgeous.
Damn, but the man had a body
cultivated from his years growing up on the ranch. His brown hair and puppy-dog
eyes just added to the total physical package.
H*ll, no physical about it. He was
the total package.
A knock sounded, but she didn’t
answer it. He always knocked before using the key she’d given him about six
months ago, after they’d been dating a year. She’d told him he didn’t have to
knock, but he also had this shy, gentlemanly quality about him.
AUTHOR
BIO:
Mandy Harbin is an award-winning, bestselling author of several books across multiple romance genres ranging from contemporary to paranormal erotic romance. She is also the number one bestselling author in teen romance under the pen name M.W. Muse with her popular Goddess Series. She is a Superstar Award recipient, Reader’s Crown and RWA Passionate Plume finalist, and has received Night Owl Reviews Top Pick distinction many times. She studied writing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, earned several degrees, and even pursued an MBA until she realized becoming an author did not have to remain an unfulfilled dream. Mandy is a PAN member of the RWA and lives in a small Arkansas town with her non-traditional family, and although she is a direct descendant of British royalty, they refuse to call her princess. When she’s not penning her latest book, you can find her hanging out online where she loves to connect with fellow readers or stalking Mickey Mouse at Disney World.
AUTHOR MEDIA
LINKS:
Email:
mandy@mandyharbin.com
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