New Release -- The Gypsy's Kiss by Jill McDonald @prairierosepubs #firestarpress #newrelease

City girl Sofia Marchant has just inherited something she does not need—a country estate! A quick trip to settle up with her solicitors and get the once-grand Mere Hall up for sale turns into more than she’s bargained for, and she ends up staying longer than she intended—in spite of the cluttered mess, the damnable country quiet, and the ghost of Great-great Aunt Eleanor!

To top it all off, her handsome, well-built neighbour, Jake Hartley, seems determined to interfere—and so much more! Gypsy Jake, as she comes to think of him, has an irresistible way about him—but he also has his own secrets. Though Sofia prides herself on her fierce independence, she has to admit that she’s awfully glad when Jake comes to her rescue on more than one occasion.

When Sofia’s greedy ex-boyfriend, Edward, and Gypsy Jake meet up, it makes for an explosive situation—one that forces Sofia into making a decision that will affect the rest of her life.

The secrets of Mere Hall are slowly revealed, and Sofia finds herself growing strangely fond of the old place, the beautiful yellow roses, and of Great-great’s ghost. But everything is not as it appears, and Sofia must make a choice… Will she give up the familiar city and start a new life here in the country? Can she risk it all on THE GYPSY’S KISS?

EXCERPT

With visions of her precious car disintegrating beneath pointed hooves, sharp horns and rough tongues, Sofia panicked and pressed the horn hard once more, at the same time shouting at the top of her voice.

“Leave it alone, you stupid creature! Get away! Will you!”

That was a mistake.

The sudden noise startled the animals and they lurched clumsily away from the source of the scare, jumping, kicking out, tossing their big heads and moaning loudly. The little car began vibrating and shuddering as tons of beef buffeted it in their haste to escape the noise.

Sofia squealed, screwed up her eyes and covered her head with her arms, ducking as far down behind the wheel as was possible in such a small car, convinced it was going to be up-turned and trampled to a pulp beneath the bull’s sharp, heavy feet. She would die horribly in the middle of the stinking country and no one would know about it.

The banging and moaning seemed to end abruptly, to be replaced by a harsh, masculine voice. Still Sofia didn’t dare look up.

“Get on you lot. Dot, come bye! No! Oh, what the… Don’t be stupid all your lives, take a day off occasionally. Move your fat backsides. Get on! Away there, Dot! Dot! Awaaay!”

He sounded rough, he was most definitely angry, and to make matters worse, he was talking complete gibberish. Typical of these inbred country bumpkins. If she kept her head far enough down, maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t see her. Yeah, right. Fat chance. Was there such a thing as a prayer to the gods of camouflage?

“You okay in there, miss?”