Finding Love at Compassion Ranch
Book 2 – Novella in Pet Rescue Romance
Series
By Gayle M. Irwin
Genre: Small town romance, Clean, contemporary western romance
Themes: Second Chance Love, Cowboy, Pet Rescue
Keywords: Wyoming; Yellowstone National Park; Pet Rescue; Clean,
Contemporary Romance; Cowboy, Rescue Dogs, Animal Rescue, Veterinarian, Widow
ISBN – Paperback: 979-8640712735
ASIN – Digital: B0886LR487
ASIN – Digital: B0886LR487
Length: Novella length, 246 pages
Heat Level: G/PG
Release Date: May 4, 2020
Cover Artist: Jessica Greyson
Buy Links:
Amazon - Print: https://bit.ly/2XhZbq3_CompassionRanchPrint
Amazon – Ebook: https://amzn.to/2AM7sLk
Tagline:
A second chance for people and animals – but
will either risk hope and healing?
Blurb:
A
ranch like no other …
Erin Christiansen is still adjusting to life as a widow. She
seeks additional healing by volunteering at Compassion Ranch, a sanctuary for former
research animals. Upon arrival at the majestic and unique northwestern Wyoming
ranch, she meets Mike, a man she knew in high school, whose compassion for
animals and people might be the balm Erin needs.
Retired veterinarian Mike Jacobs is no stranger to loss. Five
years after the accidental death of his wife, he now serves as ranch manager of
Compassion Ranch. He not only fixes fence and provides tours, but he applies
his veterinary skills and his heart for animals to his work. Upon recognizing
Erin from high school, he can barely believe his first love will spend a few
weeks at the sanctuary.
Can Erin and Mike span the years since they have seen each
other or do they, like many of the rescued animals, have wounds that run too
deep to trust and love again?
Excerpt:
Erin
heard the sound that escaped from Mike’s mouth, even with his lips sealed over
hers. She attempted a step back, but the wooden fence, and Mike’s body,
ensnared her. So did the feelings which resurrected. The only man who had
kissed her in more than twenty-five years had been Daniel. He hasn’t even
been gone two years and look at yourself, Erin’s brain raged. She pulled
her mouth from Mike’s. Immediately warmth drained from her. She placed her
hands on Mike’s brawny shoulders.
“I’m sorry, Erin,” he whispered. “I
shouldn’t have done that. I just … I’m just so attracted to you and seeing you
here, so filled with compassion and grace, your loveliness just shines, and I’m
drawn to you like I haven’t been to anyone since I lost Elizabeth.”
“You’re so sweet, Mike, I just don’t
know what to say. Except I …” Her hands dropped to her sides. “Daniel’s been
gone less than two years. I’m still processing ...”
“I completely understand. That’s why
I’m apologizing.”
He backtracked toward the gate and
held it open for her. “Here, let’s step out and talk for a bit.”
Erin gave one more pat to Hope before
stepping out of the enclosure. She walked to a whining Winston, untied the
dog’s leash from the post, and picked him up into her arms. She carried him
through the open barn door and stopped near the corral. Erin gazed at the sky,
filled with twinkling stars. A full moon overhead shone like the sun upon the
landscape, topping the nearby mountains with golden glitter. Shadows of pine
trees fell upon the landscape. The quiet of the night enveloped her and the
attraction toward Mike danced within the landscape and entangled within her
heart, beckoning her to join subtle music. Erin sighed. She sensed his presence
beside her.
“Beautiful night,” he whispered.
“Yes, it is,” she responded.
Erin set Winston near her feet and
turned to Mike. “I know we have feelings for each other, and we share a common
tragedy. I’m just not sure I’m ready to leave Daniel’s memory behind right
now.”
Mike placed gentle hands upon her
shoulders and looked into her eyes. “I do understand, Erin, believe me. I don’t
want you to feel you’re betraying Daniel nor am I asking you to forget him. The
two of you shared many years together; Elizabeth and I did, too. I won’t ever
forget her. Just as I needed time to accept her passing, you need time to
accept Daniel’s passing. I guess what I want you to know is … I loved you when
we were in high school. I missed you every day those first few years, and I
never forgot you. I let you go because I knew we were both young, but I really
didn’t want to let you go.”
“Why didn’t you tell me then how you
felt?”
He sighed and glanced to the sky
before returning his gaze to her face. “I tried. I did ask you to come to
Seattle, if you remember.”
She nodded.
“I remember. But all you said was you wanted me to come to Seattle; you didn’t
say why or that you loved me.”
“I
wanted to, but I listened to my dad and my best friend and kept my feelings
bottled up. I focused on my schooling and my career. I made a mistake by not
being truthful about loving you. I didn’t know what happened to you, where you
were, but I looked for you at our fifth high school reunion. I thought if I saw
you there, I could tell you how I felt and maybe we could try again. But you weren’t
there.”
She
shook her head. “I was planning my wedding then and since I had only attended
high school that one year, I didn’t have the inclination to go.” She stared
into his eyes. “I actually thought I’d hear from you that first year of
college. I did wait, Mike, but by my sophomore year, I figured you weren’t
interested after all, and I moved on.”
“To
Daniel.”
She
shook her head. “Not at first, but I began dating. I met Daniel the start of
spring semester. By summer, after meeting each other’s families, we were
serious. I figured you had moved on, too.”
He
nodded. “I dated a bit, but my feelings for you didn’t subside. I didn’t try to
find you because … well, my parents kept pushing me to do well in school and
get into vet school and launch my career. I regret listening to them, and not
my heart.”
He
placed his hands on her face and looked deeply into her eyes. “I still love
you, Erin, and now that we’ve reconnected, I want you to know I’m here for you.
Whenever you feel ready, I’ll be here. We can stay in touch, visit each other
now and then, and see what happens. Maybe you’ll come to love me, maybe you
won’t. I’m okay with that. I’m not going anywhere. But, if nothing else, you
can know you have a good friend, even a special companion if you want. I’m
here.”
Her eyes
searched his, and she saw honesty and integrity … and love. She lay her head on
his shoulder and felt him wrap his arm around her waist.
Author Bio:
Gayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by
Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her
works. She
is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and the author
of many inspirational pet books and stories for both children and adults. Her
first novel, a clean, contemporary pet rescue romance titled Rescue Road,
released November 8, 2019; the second book in that series she calls Pet Rescue
Romance is titled Finding Love at Compassion Ranch – the book released in May
2020. Gayle subtly weaves important life lessons within the lines and pages of
her stories, including the importance of pet rescue and adoption. An animal
advocate, she volunteers for various dog rescue and humane society
organizations and donates a percentage of all book sales to such groups. Gayle
resides in Wyoming with her husband and their adopted animals. Learn more about
the author, her writing endeavors, including a weekly blog, and her pets, and
receive free stories and resources by visiting her website: www.gaylemirwinauthor.com.
Social Media Links:
Website:
Author Facebook page:
Amazon Author page:
Twitter:
@wyoauthor1
Pinterest:
2 comments:
Thanks so much for showcasing my new book!
Happy to have you here!
Post a Comment