For the Love of Bookends: Guest Post/Giveaway: Baby Stetson by Nikki Lynn Barrett

Baby Stetson

Love and Music in Texas, Book One

By: Nikki Lynn Barrett

Guest Post:

Hi everyone! Glad to see you today. I appreciate this opportunity.

You know, I was all ready to talk about the inspiration behind Baby Stetson, but I thought that it might be better coming from someone else...how about Avery and Lucas? This is their story, after all. I'm just the slave driver that put their thoughts into words. :)

AVERY: Wow...this was a surprise. Nikki, I didn't think you'd let Lucas and I out of your sight after the way he picked on you a few weeks ago. But, I'm glad you did. I like talking to readers. <turns back to audience> Hi everyone! Well, I'm not prepared with a big speech or anything, so I hope I don't drive you crazy or something. I'm much better at singing than I am at talking. So, we'll see how this goes.

I haunted my author for years about my story. See, I live in a small town in Texas, and I love music. I've had a great life, I couldn't ask for anything more except knowing the circumstances of why I was left on the inn's front steps as a baby.

My adoptive parents are wonderful and I'm very fortunate to have been raised by them.

But it always stayed in my mind about my birth parents. I didn't know anything! It took me a long time to realize that it stopped me from fully living. It's like this deep fear that I never knew I had until one day it slapped me in the face. I had this nickname that followed me everywhere. Everyone in town knew me as Baby Stetson. It wasn't easy in school, growing up sometimes....you know how bullies can be. They found a way to get at me, and that was it. Picking on the girl that knew nothing about her birth.

I hid my feelings within the walls of my heart. I didn't want my parents to think I was ungrateful, but there had always been a bit of emptiness inside. I started writing songs in my teen years. I used to sit on the front porch with my best friend Jameson and we would play music together, and perform for his family. It took some convincing, but Jameson finally got me to an open mic night and from there, we started the band, Baby Stetson.

I was so ecstatic when I got Nikki to write my story. There are a lot of emotional moments, but I think they are needed. There are so many things I never expected. Lucas was one of those unexpected, but amazing surprises.

Thanks for listening.

LUCAS: I heard my name. Does that mean it's my cue? I'm not really good at these things....I hope you'll bear with me. I really have no clue where to start and what to say.

I didn't expect to find myself in a story, that's for sure. Avery was the persistent one, I really was more of a surprise. But Nikki didn't take long to create me once I popped in her mind.

I'll admit, I wasn't the best person, especially in the beginning of the story. I thought Harmony's Echo was going to be another stop on the endless ride that was my life. That town and the people changed my life. Especially Avery.

I was a jaded man for the longest time. I didn't have a care in the world. It was like I just roamed aimlessly I never imagined someone like me had a shot at a better life to redeem myself and become a better guy. I think being around Avery helped. We both have a similar history, but with drastically different results. I had a huge abandonment in my life, too, and it took a toll on me. I learned a lot from Avery. To this day, she still has no idea just how much she's been a better influence on me. It took a few mistakes for me to get it right, but I'm finally where I want to be. I think I'm the product of the kind of guy my author has been known to fall for before she finally got it right. It's like the what if scenario, with much better results.

Our story is of two people that share a common history, formed a bond and despite the secrets, the troubles, we managed to find ourselves needing each other more than ever.

Is that good now? I'm getting a little stumped on what else to say <Smiles> I appreciate you listening to my crazy rambling. I hope you'll give our story, Baby Stetson, a chance.

And because I'm a stubborn pain in the butt, our author has more in store for us in Love and Music in Texas, Book 2. Which finally has a name! The Melody in My head.

And no, I won't give away any details about what happens. The book will be out in a few months and you'll find out then. Besides, Avery might kick my butt if I give any spoilers. <Winks> Thanks again!

Blurb:

In small Texas towns, strangers come and go...

Left in a Stetson hat, on the steps of the local bed and breakfast, Avery Callimer came into the world on a wing and a prayer. Raised by loving adoptive parents, she's never lacked for love...only the knowledge of her past.

By day she works the Inn, but by night...Avery comes alive as lead singer in a band. Life was good...stable, until new guests blew into town.

Some strangers come with secrets and lies.

Lucas Bennett is one such stranger. Drifting from one mess to another has left him jaded. Doesn't matter the dramas are never his doing. Giving it one last shot to make a fresh start lands him Harmony's Echo, Texas and smack dab in front of the tantalizing Avery.

Despite his best efforts to ignore the burn Avery's ignited within, he's intent to keep his distance. Secrets have followed him. Secrets he doesn't want Avery to know. Each time they're near the other things heat up like a brushfire on a dry Texas prairie. But maybe, after the dust settles and the smoke clears, love can bloom with a fresh start.

Add this book to your goodreads list!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17341981-baby-stetson

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Excerpt:

“Wow. This is a nice kitchen,” Lucas said, closing the door behind him.

Avery faced him. “You like to cook?”

“Oh yeah. I learned at a young age that I had to take care of myself, so I taught myself to cook. Now it’s something I enjoy.”

“Are you good at it?”

“I’m good at a lot of things, Avery.” Lucas closed the gap between them.

Too close, too close!

She couldn’t back up anymore, though. Behind her was the counter. Her back was already pressed up against it. Lucas looked at her like he wanted to devour her.

“Lucas...”

“I know I need to stay away from you, Avery. All I want is one kiss. I’ve got to taste you. Tell me no, right now, and I’ll back away.”

Lucas pressed his body to hers. He slid his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. His face, only inches from hers, lowered. “Tell me now, Avery. Because if you don’t, I’m going to kiss you.”

Don’t! No! Yes! Do it! No!

She couldn’t get the words out. All she could think about were Lucas’s lips, mere inches from hers, sexy, tempting, inviting. Avery opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.

“I’m not supposed to be so attracted to you, Avery,” Lucas whispered, then his lips crashed down on hers.

He cupped her face, pulling her into his kiss. She didn’t even have time to decipher what that comment meant. Avery tilted her head upward, responding to his kiss. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders as her fingers dug into them. Holy hell, this man could kiss. The deep urgency of his kisses drove her mad.

“Lucas,” she muttered against his lips. His touch was lethal. It wasn’t supposed to feel this good. Or amazing. Or sensational. Avery wasn’t supposed to react to him this way. She didn’t even know this man! Oh, but she knew his gaze, so intent on her, and she was fixated on him.

“Yes, Avery?”

He trailed kisses along her neck now. Desire burned within, igniting quickly. His lips were back on hers now. He darted his tongue out, touching the corners of Avery’s lips, pushing his way in gently. Avery opened for him, needing another taste. Lucas’s erection pressed into her, only making her want him more. She lost all senses, other than to kiss him. Lucas hoisted her up, still pressing her against the counter. Avery squealed and wrapped her legs around him. More fiery kisses came next. His tongue was gentle, daring, inquiring.

“Avery.” He moaned against her lips, nipping lightly. “I want to take you to-”

They broke apart as the sound of loud voices neared. Lucas put her down quickly and backed away from her.

About the Author:

Nikki Lynn Barrett lives in Arizona with her husband and son. She's an avid reader, a dreamer, and loves everything about books. She runs a book blog, an online used bookstore, and writes various genres of romance. Nikki can also be found outside with her camera when a storm is near, snapping photo after photo. Her dreams of becoming a writer started when she was young, when she started writing books in one subject notebooks by the fifth grade. The Secret Santa Wishing Well is her debut book. You can visit Nikki's site at: www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com for more information. She is working on her next book. Nikki would love to hear from readers. Email her at nikkilynnbarrett@yahoo.com

Author Links:

Other books by Nikki Lynn Barrett

The Secret Santa Wishing Well

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16159845-the-secret-santa-wishing-well

Giveaway:

Nikki is offering a $20.00 AMAZON Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter throughout the tour. To enter use the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway