Love, Diamonds, and Spades
by Violet Duke
She’s the Self-Proclaimed Wicked ‘Witch’ of the West Fiercely
independent single mom Quinn Christiansen is used to flying solo. She’s
been raising her young son and figuring out how to pay his pediatric
hospital bills on her own for years now. And truth is, Quinn loves the
notorious reputation she’s already gained in town of having a heart too
hard for any man to break. Because it is. Two carats too hard, to be
exact. Courtesy of the two-carat heirloom she’d had to barter to cover
her ex’s debts when he took off after she got pregnant. The day she’d
promised herself never again. So color her pissed when
the universe goes and decides to make the one man in Cactus Creek not
afraid of her natural ball-busting charm another gambling musician. A
ridiculously handsome, wickedly gruff and gritty, pushy one at that. He’s Everything She’s Sure She Can’t Possibly Want Rylan
Grey isn’t used to getting a woman so worked up…well, not in a bad way,
at least. But somehow, his mere existence seems to annoy the guarded
and gorgeous Quinn to no end. Surprising, really. A dirt-and-jeans
landscaper by day with a regular gig to perform for a packed house by
night, Rylan considers himself a decent guy. Sure, he’s made some
gambles to get to where he’s at, but they were all of the life variety,
with risks as important as the rewards, fate betting as the house, and
not a single dollar in play. While Rylan never wagers anything
he’s not willing to lose—namely his heart—he’s more than ready to ante
up once he sees past Quinn’s icy defenses. Quick as a firecracker, loyal
to a fault, and sweet when no one’s looking, she could be his riskiest
gamble yet.
independent single mom Quinn Christiansen is used to flying solo. She’s
been raising her young son and figuring out how to pay his pediatric
hospital bills on her own for years now. And truth is, Quinn loves the
notorious reputation she’s already gained in town of having a heart too
hard for any man to break. Because it is. Two carats too hard, to be
exact. Courtesy of the two-carat heirloom she’d had to barter to cover
her ex’s debts when he took off after she got pregnant. The day she’d
promised herself never again. So color her pissed when
the universe goes and decides to make the one man in Cactus Creek not
afraid of her natural ball-busting charm another gambling musician. A
ridiculously handsome, wickedly gruff and gritty, pushy one at that. He’s Everything She’s Sure She Can’t Possibly Want Rylan
Grey isn’t used to getting a woman so worked up…well, not in a bad way,
at least. But somehow, his mere existence seems to annoy the guarded
and gorgeous Quinn to no end. Surprising, really. A dirt-and-jeans
landscaper by day with a regular gig to perform for a packed house by
night, Rylan considers himself a decent guy. Sure, he’s made some
gambles to get to where he’s at, but they were all of the life variety,
with risks as important as the rewards, fate betting as the house, and
not a single dollar in play. While Rylan never wagers anything
he’s not willing to lose—namely his heart—he’s more than ready to ante
up once he sees past Quinn’s icy defenses. Quick as a firecracker, loyal
to a fault, and sweet when no one’s looking, she could be his riskiest
gamble yet.