Blog Party Hop: Hard Core by Jennifer Lowery (Feature/Giveaway)

Today we are happy to celebrate Jennifer Lowery's debut contemporary romance, Hard Core, with Lyrical Press's Blog Party Hop! 

Hard Core
Jennifer Lowery
Genre: Romance/Contemporary
Price: $5.99
ISBN: 9781616504045
Length: 84,000 words
ePub Page Count: 233
Publication Date: October 8, 2012
Formats: pdf, epub, mobi, print

He takes lives. She saves them.A supposedly hassle-free job for mercenary Cristian Sladebecomes a mission of mercy when he saves a life instead oftaking one. Slade's new mission might be his most dangerousyet, because the danger is to his heart.Tragedy has sent esteemed surgeon Alana O'Grady to a remotea remote Nicaraguan island where she immerses herself in thelives of a native American tribe, using her talents for goodwillinstead of wealth and prestige. But life turns upside down whenher work requires she protect a rugged mercenary whocommands her attention when she's awake and dominates herdreams while she sleeps.Doctoring Christian puts her entire tribe in danger from theman who's hunting him. Is it her professional oath or herunprofessional attraction to him keeping her from sending himaway to heal on his own? Alana's fire warms Christian's heart,but he's a hardened assassin and has no business falling forsomeone like her. Can they fight hard enough to keep what theymight have together?Content Warning: Sexual content.

• Available through Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes, Books A Million, Sony and wherever digital and print books are sold.
• On Goodreads



EXCERPT: 

Copyright 2012, Jennifer Lowery

All rights reserved, Lyrical Press, Inc.

Exhausted, Alana walked into her hut, stripped out of her wet clothes without the aid of a lantern, and left them on the floor. Stiff, sore and plain worn out, she shuffled toward her bed. The storm had injured many, demolished a couple houses, but taken only two.

She already shed tears for Madal and Cendela, wishing they didn’t have to bury anyone, but grateful they weren’t burying more. The storm had passed, leaving behind a warm, humid aftermath. It clung heavily to her skin, making her long for the waterfall, but she was too tired to walk there. All she wanted was her bed and to forget Cristian had come back and then disappeared again.

He’d come back.

Confused, she rubbed her aching temples. Why did he come back? But if he hadn’t…

No, not going there. The boy was safe, nothing else mattered. He suffered a broken leg, but he was alive. She would never get the chance to thank Cristian, doubted he’d even listen if she tried, but she would never forget the sight of him standing in the rain, soaking wet and shirtless, muscles bulging.

She swallowed hard and pushed her hormones down. They ran rampant again. They always did when it came to him.

God, she was tired.

Alana fell into bed.

“You’ll bleed all over your sheets, Doc,” he murmured from across the room in the darkness.

Alana jumped, hissing out a breath. His voice, so low and husky, so masculine, slid over her and caused her belly to tighten.

Absently, she reached up and touched her shoulder. Warm blood seeped onto her fingers. How did he know she was bleeding? She’d forgotten.

“It’s just a scratch,” she said, distracted by the images that filled her head. Images of a half-naked Cristian helping save that boy’s life.

“I should look at it.”

“You’re not a doctor.” And she wasn’t in any position to be close to him. Her nerves were frayed, her emotions running high. The last thing she needed was for him to touch her.

“Expert opinion?”

“Of course. Besides, you’re the one who needs tending. You ripped your stitches, didn’t you?” There would be repercussions from his heroic act, though he’d never admit it.

She didn’t expect him to answer, knew he wouldn’t. Weary, she pulled the blanket off the bed, wrapped it around her like a toga, then reached for the lantern. He wouldn’t let her stitch the wound again, but she could put a bandage on it to hold it together as it healed.

She found the lantern and lit it, illuminating the room in soft glow. Cristian stood in the corner, shoulders braced against the wall. Her breath caught. He seemed larger than life in the small space, his presence as intimidating as his build.

Something dark and forbidden shone in his eyes. Muscles tightened low in her belly. She swallowed past a suddenly dry throat. He’d come back. But why?

She wasn’t aware she’d spoken the thought aloud until his expression hardened. He straightened, pushed off the wall.

“Hell if I know,” he said, low, angry. “Put a Band-Aid on that scratch, Doc.” With that he was gone, walking once again out of her life.

About Jennifer Lowery

Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and two children. She has dreamed of being a writer since shewas a child and loves everything there is about romance. Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet theirmatch with her strong, independent heroines.Her favorite part of writing is the journey her characters take her on to reach their happily ever after andshe’s happy to share that journey with her readers.Visit Jennifer Lowery Website, Twitter and Facebook!

~*GIVEAWAY*~

Lyrical Press is giving away one digital copy of HARD CORE to one reader. To enter, please go to Lyrical Press' Facebook Page and 'Like' it and then fill out the Rafflecopter below.  For more chances to win, follow the HOP!

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