Heather Huffman is back on My Fiction Nook!!
Some of you may remember the tour stop we did last year for Jailbird, and now Heather has returned with her latest novel, Roses In Ecuador. And even though I haven't had a chance to read it yet, I already know it's going to be just as fantastic as her previous books.
It's available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon TODAY!
From the blurb:
Jane Russell is certain she’s had enough heartbreak for one lifetime, and love is the last thing on her mind when she arrives in Ecuador. Focused and determined, she settles in to write a book on the local jaguar preservation. Devon McAllister, the wealthy and handsome son of a corporate mogul in the U.S., has broken his share of hearts despite his best intentions. He moved to Ecuador to escape his father’s destructive greed and pursue his passion to do good in the world, opening a fair trade rose plantation.
When the jaguar preservation comes under attack by what appears to be a group of angry locals, Devon jumps in to help Jane fight for the animals they love. As the danger grows, the motives of the attackers are revealed to be much more sinister than either could have ever imagined. Unsure of whether they’re more frightened by the prospect of love or the danger to the jaguars, they must decide whether they can open their minds–and their hearts–to trust again.
An Excerpt:
Devon McAlister watched the pretty blonde from across the open-air bar in the heart of the little Ecuadorian village in the center of the Amazon Basin. He tried in vain to remember what color her eyes were, then wondered why he cared. Maybe it was something about the way wisps of curls escaped their binding to frame her delicate face. More than likely, he was forced to admit, it was the complete apathy she showed him. That wasn’t a sentiment he was used to garnering from anyone.
Even now, she
seemed completely oblivious to his presence as she chatted with her
friends. Occasionally, her eyes would flit about the room as if she
were looking for something or someone. Maybe she could feel the
weight of his gaze, and it was him she sought.
From what the
locals said about her, there was no way she was looking for a man.
Some rumored that she hailed from a convent and likened her to Mother
Theresa. Others swore she simply had ice in her veins, though the
latter sentiment often came from poachers who’d made the mistake of
wandering onto the stretch of Amazon Basin in her care.
He watched her
cheeks flush as the table around her erupted in laughter and knew
neither rumor was true. Still, why had the pretty young
teacher from Arkansas moved to a jaguar preserve in
Ecuador, especially one that was under constant threat from local
farmers?
He wanted to
approach her but was rooted to his spot by an unusual feeling:
uncertainty. Devon was only vaguely aware of the conversations
floating around him. His mind was too busy trying to solve the puzzle
of Jane Russell.
She rose from her
chair, waving off those who would follow. He knew if he wanted to
approach her without an audience, this was his moment. As he wound
his way through the crush of people on the dance floor, he wondered
what he would say to her. There was no way to make this look like a
casual encounter.
“Jane,” he
called out when it looked like she was going to slip away.
She stopped and
turned to him, her large green eyes giving away how startled she was
by the sound of his voice.
“I’m Devon.
Devon McAlister.”
“I know.” Her
reply was clipped. She took a deep breath and smiled, her tone
softening as she explained, “We’re two of three gringos
in this town.”
“Right, well, I
just wanted to formally introduce myself. You’ve been here a while;
it doesn’t seem neighborly that I haven’t even come by to say
hello.”
“I wasn’t
worried about it.”
“Oh, well….”
He didn’t have a response, yet another feeling he wasn’t
accustomed to.
“That probably
sounded really rude. I’m so sorry. I think I’ve forgotten how to
talk to people,” she apologized, rubbing her fingers across her
forehead as she did. “I just meant that I’ve heard you’re a
busy man, so I didn’t think anything of you not stopping by.”
“No offense
taken.” He found her mannerisms adorable.
“So, anyway…
pleased to meet you.” She extended a hand toward him. He enclosed
it in his own, marveling at how dainty and smooth it felt in
comparison to his own large, work-hardened hands.
He cleared his
throat. “Pleased to meet you as well. Listen, if you ever need
anything, I’m just right down the road from you.”
“Thank you.”
Her voice was soft, like a caress.
“You’re
welcome.” He was riveted.
“Devon?”
“Yes?”
“There is one
thing I need.” A grin twitched at the corner of her mouth.
“Anything.” He
flashed his dimples.
“My hand.”
About the author:
What has always impressed me about this author is her dedication to shed light on human trafficking through her novels. Her writing is superb, her plots always plausible and well researched, and the romance realistic and believable.
Heather is giving away one electronic copy of her book as part of this tour stop. Enter the raffle for your chance to win! Good luck!
Buy links are provided as a courtesy to the reader and do not constitute an endorsement by this blogger.
Thank you for having me as a guest today!
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