Happy Thursday, my friends! The weekend is almost here, and I have another author I’d love for you to meet, if you haven’t already. Tabitha Bouldin, welcome! She writes contemporary romance, and she’s giving away one e-book of Trial By Patience. One lucky winner will be randomly chosen from the comments on June 25th! Check out the blurb and excerpt below.
Danny Solomon owns and operates Break Away Acres, an equine therapy center for abused kids and teens. Phoenix Nichols is his new trail guide, but her history and her pain put her in need of Danny’s help. After years of abuse, both Danny and Phoenix struggle to find their place. While Danny is happy with the world he’s created at Break Away, Phoenix is ready to bolt at every shifting shadow. When her past drags her back, Danny will be left to pick up the pieces. Can he show Phoenix the way to God? Will Phoenix finally find a safe place to land?
Excerpt:
Saturday morning, Phoenix descended the steps from the tack room long before daybreak. She jumped the last three steps, landing softly on her bare feet.
“Be careful you don’t get splinters.”
Phoenix spun in a slow circle, recognizing Danny’s voice but unable to see him among the tack. Her heart staggered an unhealthy rhythm when he stepped from the corner wearing a dark-green t-shirt, jeans, hat, and boots. That was normal Danny. What she didn’t expect was the dark-brown leather chaps wrapping around his legs.
That…was new.
Her face burned, forcing her to turn away before he could see. She did not blush pretty. When her pale skin flushed, it looked more like she had measles than a blush. “Why are you in the tack room?”
“It’s Saturday.” Metal clanged, nearly drowning his voice. “I have a date with Flicka. Can you help me?”
Phoenix faced him. “With what?”
“With Flicka. She’s difficult to work with. Richard left late last night and won’t be back till Monday morning. Flicka is too much for Gail to handle.” Danny pulled an old-fashioned wooden toolbox off the shelf.
The scrape of wood against wood set her teeth on edge. “I suppose I’m capable of helping.”
“Good.” Danny moved toward the door then looked back when she didn’t move. “You coming?”
“You asked if I could help. Not if I would help. I said I’m capable. I never said I’d do it.” She sat down on the steps, pulling on socks then boots before standing again.
Danny stood beside the door, box in one hand, muscles dancing across his arm when he swung it back and forth. His jaw clenched, the muscle ticking a steady beat. “Are you always this difficult?”
“Depends. Are you always this insulted when someone is sarcastic? I’d expect you see a lot of it here with the kids. Is it because I’m the one saying it, or do you always react like you’re a bull and sarcasm is your red cape?” She tugged on the hem of her shirt, pulling until it nearly reached her thighs.
“Okay.” Danny set the box on the ground.
Phoenix tensed, and her hands curled into fists.
Danny shook his head. “Put the fists away, Phoenix. I’m not going to hurt you.” He crossed his arms and reclined next to the open door, indicating he wouldn’t reach for her. “You’re right. I’m not used to being challenged by adults. When the kids push, I know how to push back without being rude.”
“But when it’s me, you want to put me in my place.” Phoenix matched his posture but prepared to dash up to the loft if Danny moved so much as a toe in her direction.
“No,” Danny gave his head a savage shake. “It’s not that. I feel like you’re trying to push my buttons, just to see how close you can drive me to madness. You want to know what it will take to break me.” His green eyes blazed. Reaching for the box, he stepped backward through the doorway. “I’m not Richard. I’ll be in the barn for at least two hours. You can stay…or go. Whatever you want.”
Phoenix whispered, too low for Danny to hear. “I don’t want to break you, Danny. I just need to understand you.” She needed to know how Danny threatened her. Not because he acted violent. Because he didn’t. He never lashed out.
That’s where she had a problem.
Anger she understood.
Pain could be dealt with.
But a man who walked away instead of taking the bait she dangled…she had no idea how to deal with that.
A Little More about Tabitha:
Tabitha was born, raised, and still lives in the same small town in middle Tennessee. A member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), she has been writing for nearly five years but only recently began publishing her work. She is in her last year of college before obtaining her Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. Her books are meant to encourage others through the trials of life. While the stories are fiction, they come from situations that many of us face.
Connect with Tabitha:
https://www.facebook.com/tabithabouldinauthor
https://www.twitter.com/tabithabouldin
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