Tempest!

Tempest! is available as a Kindle book, a paperback book and a large print paperback, which meets the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) guidelines and is typeset in APHont ...


Synopsis

Unbeknownst to her, Kaitlyn Baldridge is the child of 15 year-old Rebeccah Baldridge and 16 year-old Joshua Ortiz and was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory. She was not the daughter of Rebeccah's parents, nor was she born in Montana Territory as she had always been told. In this first volume of the new Cody Weston, MD, Trilogy, Kaitlyn is now an exquisite 18 year-old beauty living in Sutter's Creek, Montana Territory, with her brother, Marc – Marc who is actually Rebeccah's brother and Kaitlyn's uncle. Her parents (her real grandparents) have passed away, leaving Kaitlyn under the care and protection of Sheriff Marc Baldridge. Marc wasn’t told of Kaitlyn’s parentage until his father lay dying and then he was sworn to secrecy.

Tall and handsome, with dark hair and deep blue eyes and looking more than a little like a gunslinger, Dr. Cody Weston has just arrived in town from Chicago to be the town's new doctor and is soon mesmerized by Kaitlyn. Unfortunately for Dr. Weston, Kaitlyn’s best friend, spoiled and self-centered Hayley Larson, is desperate to be married and has set her sights on the good doctor, who must do some fancy footwork to sidestep her attempts to ensnare him.

In the second book of this trilogy, Thunderstruck!, Kaitlyn leaves Montana for Santa Fe in search of her parents, who are married and now have four sons of their own. Dr. Weston soon follows her. Thunderstruck! has a tentative publication date of first quarter 2011.

The final book in the trilogy is called Serenity and has a tentative publication date of first quarter 2012.

EXCERPT--

Kaitlyn stiffened. “I also have a fully loaded Colt .45 in my saddlebag,” she said in defense, although why she felt she should have to defend herself to him, she couldn’t say.

He crooked a brow and looked over his shoulder at her horse. She knew what he was thinking. The pistol was no closer than the rifle was.

“Can you shoot it?” he asked, a smirk in his voice.

“Of course, I can shoot it,” she snapped. He watched her expression change slowly. She smiled up at him mischievously. “Would you like me to prove it? I’ll tell you what.” She clapped her hands together once and said in a condescending voice, “You stand over there in the open, and I’ll try to shoot you. If I miss, you’ll know I’m a lousy shot. If I don’t, well, then you’ll have your answer, won’t you?”

In spite of himself, Cody almost smiled. He was amazed at her quick wit and the sparkle that came into her eyes just before saying something so outrageous. He found himself eagerly awaiting her next response.

His mood soured instantly when he recalled the reason he had ridden out here to speak with her. He sighed. “As much as I’ve enjoyed trading insults with you, that’s not why I came out here.”

“Oh?”

“No.” He motioned toward a large rock at the creek’s edge. “Please, sit down. I have a problem that I hope you can help me with.”

Kaitlyn arched a brow but said nothing. She walked quietly to the rock and sat down, folding her hands in her lap and looking up at him expectantly.

Cody hunkered down in front of her until their eyes were on the same level. “A few days ago,” he began, “your friend, Hayley Larson, showed up at my house at about six-thirty in the morning.”

He reached out and nudged her chin, forcing her head up until her eyes met his. “You know, I thought this was such a quiet, peaceful town. Are there other women around here whose intentions I’ll have to be wary of from now on? Trisha Clark? Or you?”

Kaitlyn stiffened. “You overestimate your charms, Doctor.”

“Really?” he asked, as his head lowered. “What do you say we find out?” His arm snaked out and caught her around the waist, hauling her against his length. Her soft curves fit perfectly to his hard angles and planes.

He saw her eyes slip closed as his mouth descended on hers. Kaitlyn was expecting a warm, gentle kiss. Cody was anything but warm and gentle.