RISK FACTORS by Calisa Rhose

Thanks for inviting me back Melissa!

You're welcome! Always happy to have you, Calisa! 

 I’m so excited to be able to share Risk Factors with readers. Some may be saying it’s not a new book, and you’re right. But at the same time it is new in that, since Risk Factors first released a year ago, my small epublisher Lyrical Press merged with the much bigger publisher, Kensington Publishing Corp as their new digital first imprint.

What this means for many of Lyrical authors is after signing a new contract we are now Kensington authors! Cool? I think so. Here’s the refresher blurb and a never-before-seen excerpt.

RISK FACTORS

Love, like life, is not without risk.

Veterinarian Vivian Dane has purchased her uncle’s practice in the tiny town of Wales, Missouri, where most residents still doubt her ability to treat their pets. But Viv is used to being considered less-worthy than her predecessors. After all, her parents are world-renowned wildlife vets, and most everyone is unimpressed she’s chosen to not follow directly in their footsteps. Now Connor, a patient’s owner, and is hot for Viv, but clearly doesn’t think she’s dating material because he has a daughter…who he believes no woman is good enough for.

Being a perfect dad is EMT paramedic Connor’s life focus. He can’t seem to stay away from sexy Doctor Viv, but attraction is as far as he’ll ever let it go. His mother abandoned him, leaving him to be raised in the foster system, and then his wife abandoned both him and their daughter. He absolutely will not risk bringing another woman into his little girl’s life and having her feel the hurt of being left…again.

Forfeiting is easier than attempting and failing. So why does Viv feel compelled to prove she’s a sure bet for Connor and his daughter? Can Connor trust Viv--and himself--enough to play the possibilities?

CONTENT WARNING: Happy-ever-after mixed with four-legged friends.

A Kensington-Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance

Excerpt:

“Tell Dillan no sign of a baby, and Joel took the dog.”

The warmth of his breath fluffed Viv’s hair lightly and she jerked away, relaying the message as an excuse. She would take time to fill the chief in on her treatment of the animal later. News of a possible missing child disturbed her though, and she leaned to the medic again.

“What baby?”

“There’s an empty seat in here, but no sign of an infant. I’m guessing it’s with a sitter. At

least I hope so.”

As he worked his voice remained soft, constantly soothing. His honeyed tones revealed how much he cared for the people in the car. Saving lives wasn’t just a job to this man. Viv doubted his awareness of the other emergency workers as he spoke to the victim.

Tiny shivers massaged over her scalp at the gravel in his tone and the intimacy of their position. She leaned from his proximity as much for air, as to hide her shame. They were trying to save lives, and she had some misplaced attraction for a strange man who probably didn’t remember, or care, if she was next to him. Well, except that he needed small hands.

Would he appreciate her hands on him, doing who-knew-what to him? Best to stay in the fresh air and not suck up his woodsy scent. Her head swam from his body pressed close to hers. The dizziness crowding in had nothing to do with her predicament, but everything to do with the man at her side. The man, so close and so virile, caused her tummy to twirl and dance like there was no tomorrow! Who was she kidding? Viv recognized the lie. No matter how the paramedic made her feel, the accident, the moaning people in the crushed car, the dread, overwrote any nice sensations. The excuse worked for her though, shutting the other vague face inside the vehicle from her mind.

Get a grip, Dane. The dog provided an excuse to escape as she said, “I should go check the dog again.”

“Put your fingers on this vein while I hold the other one.”

***

To celebrate the re-release of Risk Factors I’ll give a free copy to one commenter in their format choice today. Not only that, but if you don’t win a copy here, Risk Factors is only $2.99 (on sale as of this writing for $2.51)!!!

Buy Links:

Kobo

iTunes

Amazon

Author Bio:

Small-town country girl Calisa Rhose is the author of a vintage historical novella, her first sale, and typically writes heartwarming romance in a few genres; steamy contemporary and light paranormal being her favorites—so far.

She’s been writing romance since she was a teen growing up in central Oklahoma, and reading romance books even longer. It wasn’t until 2005 that she decided if “they” can do it, there was no reason why she couldn’t write and get published, too. That realization began her journey into the world of publishing. Calisa dove into writing seriously and hasn’t looked back.

Since that day she’s become more determined than ever to see her name on bookshelves. As a member of the online group Marketing For Romance Writers and several other help groups, she loves to nurture other writers however she can. She continues to grow as an author since her first sale in April 2011.

After raising three lovely daughters, Calisa now enjoys relaxing with her husband of more than thirty years. They have a small plot of dirt for their menagerie of animals that include a Guiney pig, a cat, a goat, four small dogs and two horses. She loves spending time with her five granddaughters and crafting when she’s not reading or writing.

She’d love to hear from her readers at calisa.rhose@gmail.com and you can visit Calisa at www.calisarhose.com Find out about her first books on the Bookshelf page.

Also find her on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, Pinterest and Amazon.