The Starlight Motel

THE STARLIGHT MOTEL

Amy Craig

 

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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

Experienced muralist Kada took charge of her family's Palm Springs motel to give her mother time to grieve. As a grant deadline approaches, Kada must convince her mother to manage the motel so she can return to her art. Late in December, Kada encounters a horseman approaching the property. Dane, the reserved son of a local farming family, is a loyal workaholic with limited spare time or experience outside the valley. When lightning startles his horse, he lingers at the motel and stirs up Kada's emotions about leaving the desert oasis. Wary of mixing business with pleasure, she struggles with her attraction. As New Year's Eve approaches, will the cowboy convince her to chart a new course?

 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Her skin warmed from the heat of his palms. “I can’t afford to sit around the laundry room and gossip with the guests.” 

 

“Trust me, Kada, I’m not here to gossip.” 

 

“You’re ready to pitch in on odd jobs? You’re such a good neighbor.” She swallowed past the dryness in her throat. She had a three-date rule, but if she never started the first date, did the rule apply? “Thanks for helping with Lucky.” 

 

“Any time.” He tipped up her chin. “Are you sure that’s where you want to stop? You brought me your number and rode out into the desert with me, but now you’re skittish?”


 

Her throat felt parched, but she wanted to lean forward and test his intent. Instead, she kicked her feet against the machine’s vibrating drum. “I’m not skittish, but I’m not into quick romps on a washing machine.” 

 

He raised his eyebrows. “I wasn’t suggesting a quick romp.” 

 

She wanted to test the innuendo behind his offer, but the sequence felt out of order. Before she considered kissing the handsome farmer, she needed dinner, candlelight, and time to breathe. 

 

Her body offered a different opinion. Clearing her throat, she hopped off the washing machine, ducked under his arm, and ran her tongue along her teeth. In the tiny room, his skin smelled like fresh lime, warm spices, and a hint of honey, but his shirt held the leathery undertones of a hard day’s work. He looked handsome, and she wanted to taste his kiss, but she needed a different setup. “Or long romps.”

A Word With Author:

1.Did you always want to be an author?

 

I started writing after the birth of my first child. I also wrote during high school and appreciate everything my English teacher did to encourage me. I dedicated one of my first books, A WINTER ROSE, to her. She bought a few copies and had me sign them, which made my day!

2.Tell us about the publication of your first book.

 

A WINTER ROSE was my first indie published book. Revising it was SOOO much work, but I appreciate the lessons I learned from the editorial staff and the resulting  writing improvements. A neighbor read the book a few years after its publication and said it inspired a date night with their spouse, so that’s a win!

3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in?

 

My oldest daughter wants to know ALL my favorites, but I have a hard time pinning down my responses. Mint chocolate chip? Coffee? Pistachio ice cream? Also, I’m lactose intolerant. Ice cream is a BIG treat.

 

I do appreciate authors who promise a good time. Slow clap, Colleen Hoover. Nora Roberts deserves a lot of respect. I picked up “Montana Sky” in middle school, and I still have a thing for cowboys. More recently, Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Her witty, smart, and deeply engaging stories always teach me something new.

4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst?

 

I turn curiosity and personal experiences into complex stories with happy endings.

I turn hours of free time into social media posts.

I think you know which is the best and which is the worst!

5.What are you working on now?

 

The third book in a mafia series, THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, comes out September 3, 2024. 

 

Working with two publishers, The Wild Rose Press and Totally Bound, means release dates occasionally overlap! In THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, a corporate bodyguard finds himself protecting a stubborn cowgirl and untangling windswept politics in Patagonia, Argentina. Every time I read it, I want to go back to Patagonia and ride along the windswept pampas!

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Amy Craig lives in Louisiana with her family and a small menagerie of pets. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense featuring intelligent heroines. In her spare time, she plays tennis and expands her husband’s honey-do list. Before writing, she worked as an oilfield engineer, project manager, and incompetent waitress. For more information and giveaways, visit www.amy-craig.com or follow her on social media channels.

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/amycraig

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@authoramycraig

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_amy_craig/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmyCraig/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18011214

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-craig

Website: https://www.amy-craig.com/

 

https://linktr.ee/authoramycraig

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Amy Craig will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. 

 

Please use the following code on your post:

 

 

1.Did you always want to be an author? I started writing after the birth of my first child. I also wrote during high school and appreciate everything my English teacher did to encourage me. I dedicated one of my first books, A WINTER ROSE, to her. She bought a few copies and had me sign them, which made my day! 2.Tell us about the publication of your first book. A WINTER ROSE was my first indie published book. Revising it was SOOO much work, but I appreciate the lessons I learned from the editorial staff and the resulting writing improvements. A neighbor read the book a few years after its publication and said it inspired a date night with their spouse, so that’s a win! 3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in? My oldest daughter wants to know ALL my favorites, but I have a hard time pinning down my responses. Mint chocolate chip? Coffee? Pistachio ice cream? Also, I’m lactose intolerant. Ice cream is a BIG treat. I do appreciate authors who promise a good time. Slow clap, Colleen Hoover. Nora Roberts deserves a lot of respect. I picked up “Montana Sky” in middle school, and I still have a thing for cowboys. More recently, Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Her witty, smart, and deeply engaging stories always teach me something new. 4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst? I turn curiosity and personal experiences into complex stories with happy endings. I turn hours of free time into social media posts. I think you know which is the best and which is the worst! 5.What are you working on now? The third book in a mafia series, THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, comes out September 3, 2024. Working with two publishers, The Wild Rose Press and Totally Bound, means release dates occasionally overlap! In THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, a corporate bodyguard finds himself protecting a stubborn cowgirl and untangling windswept politics in Patagonia, Argentina. Every time I read it, I want to go back to Patagonia and ride along the windswept pampas! 1.Did you always want to be an author? I started writing after the birth of my first child. I also wrote during high school and appreciate everything my English teacher did to encourage me. I dedicated one of my first books, A WINTER ROSE, to her. She bought a few copies and had me sign them, which made my day! 2.Tell us about the publication of your first book. A WINTER ROSE was my first indie published book. Revising it was SOOO much work, but I appreciate the lessons I learned from the editorial staff and the resulting writing improvements. A neighbor read the book a few years after its publication and said it inspired a date night with their spouse, so that’s a win! 3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in? My oldest daughter wants to know ALL my favorites, but I have a hard time pinning down my responses. Mint chocolate chip? Coffee? Pistachio ice cream? Also, I’m lactose intolerant. Ice cream is a BIG treat. I do appreciate authors who promise a good time. Slow clap, Colleen Hoover. Nora Roberts deserves a lot of respect. I picked up “Montana Sky” in middle school, and I still have a thing for cowboys. More recently, Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Her witty, smart, and deeply engaging stories always teach me something new. 4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst? I turn curiosity and personal experiences into complex stories with happy endings. I turn hours of free time into social media posts. I think you know which is the best and which is the worst! 5.What are you working on now? The third book in a mafia series, THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, comes out September 3, 2024. Working with two publishers, The Wild Rose Press and Totally Bound, means release dates occasionally overlap! In THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, a corporate bodyguard finds himself protecting a stubborn cowgirl and untangling windswept politics in Patagonia, Argentina. Every time I read it, I want to go back to Patagonia and ride along the windswept pampas! 1.Did you always want to be an author? I started writing after the birth of my first child. I also wrote during high school and appreciate everything my English teacher did to encourage me. I dedicated one of my first books, A WINTER ROSE, to her. She bought a few copies and had me sign them, which made my day! 2.Tell us about the publication of your first book. A WINTER ROSE was my first indie published book. Revising it was SOOO much work, but I appreciate the lessons I learned from the editorial staff and the resulting writing improvements. A neighbor read the book a few years after its publication and said it inspired a date night with their spouse, so that’s a win! 3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in? My oldest daughter wants to know ALL my favorites, but I have a hard time pinning down my responses. Mint chocolate chip? Coffee? Pistachio ice cream? Also, I’m lactose intolerant. Ice cream is a BIG treat. I do appreciate authors who promise a good time. Slow clap, Colleen Hoover. Nora Roberts deserves a lot of respect. I picked up “Montana Sky” in middle school, and I still have a thing for cowboys. More recently, Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Her witty, smart, and deeply engaging stories always teach me something new. 4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst? I turn curiosity and personal experiences into complex stories with happy endings. I turn hours of free time into social media posts. I think you know which is the best and which is the worst! 5.What are you working on now? The third book in a mafia series, THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, comes out September 3, 2024. Working with two publishers, The Wild Rose Press and Totally Bound, means release dates occasionally overlap! In THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, a corporate bodyguard finds himself protecting a stubborn cowgirl and untangling windswept politics in Patagonia, Argentina. Every time I read it, I want to go back to Patagonia and ride along the windswept pampas! 

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