When Elly trades the skyscrapers of Dallas for a small Texas town, she learns that the past has a way of reappearing—both for herself and for the man who could be her future.
Reeling from betrayal by her fiancé, Elly Macauley leaves the skyscrapers of Dallas for Shannon Ridge, Texas, volunteering to help her grandmother recover from a broken ankle. She hopes her time in the small town will be the perfect opportunity for both she and Granny to recover from their wounds.
Landscaper Derek White maintains the grounds of Sunset Acres and looks after the senior citizens as if they were his own grandparents. But the disappearance of his wife eight years earlier has put his life and aspirations on hold. After one kiss from Elly, he wonders if it’s time to take another chance on love. But how can he explain an ex-wife who ran away? And is he sure he’s a free man?
When Derek’s past threatens and Elly’s ex-fiancé reappears, she must decide—give her former love a second chance or gamble on a man whose history may ruin everything.
Excerpt
After dinner he'd taken Elly out to the lake to watch the sunset. Pink and orange rays filled the western sky until the sun slipped behind a dark cloud. He couldn’t have planned a more beautiful scene. With a sudden spring shower pattering the truck’s roof, Derek leaned back against the headrest, relaxed and at ease. Even when the conversation lagged, he felt no need to fill it with words, but instead, just enjoyed the sound the raindrops made and the presence of Elly beside him. In response to something she said, he gave her a quick hug, and when she put her hand on his thigh, he pulled her to him in an embrace.
In response, she moved even closer and kissed him. In seconds, they were making out like kids at the drive-in movies. Impatient with the steering wheel in his way, he moved to the center of the seat and pulled Elly onto his lap, thankful that the old truck had a bench seat. She wrapped her arms around his neck, wiggled on his lap, and gave him a kiss that made him shiver and sizzle at the same time. When she tickled his ear with her tongue, he groaned, a surge of heat going straight from his brain to his groin.
Does she have any idea how crazy she’s making me?
We’d better slow down.
But his body had other ideas.
Derek shifted in the seat, his jeans uncomfortably tight. He turned Elly so that she lay in his arms and nibbled kisses from her ear down one side of her neck. He lingered at the neckline of her blouse.
When he paused, she sat up, fingered the top button of his shirt, and unfastened it, her glittering eyes on his. Button by button, she opened the shirt to reveal his bare chest. He watched, unable to move, almost unable to breathe, letting her take the lead. She pushed her hands beneath the fabric and ran her fingers across his chest, stopping only to smile up at him. He gasped at the brush of her fingertips on his nipples.
Damn.
Still no words passed between them.
With trembling fingers, he loosened the buttons down the front of her blouse. He paused when he neared the last one and looked into her eyes.
Elly nodded and pulled the shirttail from her skirt.
Derek pushed back the folds of cotton fabric. The sunset’s pink light revealed a bra that did little to conceal her breasts. Her taut nipples strained against the cups, as if begging for his touch. He covered them with his hands, teasing with his thumbs. She mimicked his movements on his nipples as well, bringing another groan.
Damn.
Mrs. Macaulay's granddaughter.
Hot damn.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so turned on.
Professional Reviews
Great Chemistry & Wonderful Romance
Elly Macauley lives in small-town Shannon Ridge, Texas, helping her granny recover from an accident and hiding from the ever watchful eyes of the neighborhood’s narrow-minded president. After a painful break up, she isn't sure she believes in love or happily ever after. That is until she locks eyes with the tall, handsome, and rock hard landscaper hired by the park residents.
Derek White is jaded and cautious when it comes to relationships and love—plus he has a past he’d rather not reveal. Too bad for him as there’s something about Elly that has him thinking and feeling things he’d rather ignore.
I looked forward to reading this book as it was the first I’ve purchased by this author. I wasn’t disappointed. Sandra’s story kept me reading from the first chapter through to the end, and that’s saying a lot. The dialogue was believable and the characters were so well presented that I felt myself drawn to them in a way that pulls you toward people you like. Derek and Elly are the type of characters who’d make great friends and neighbors.
The chemistry and passion are perfect—just enough to get things hot then let your imagination take over.
This was a wonderful story with all the elements of a good romance plus some suspense thrown in to make it move along at a good pace.
I’d highly recommend Bluebonnets for Elly to anyone looking for a beautiful romance. I’m looking forward to more books from Ms. Nachlinger!
Beautifully Written - Couldn't Put It Down
This sweet romance has it all, great writing, deep character development, a fun and unusual setting, sexual tension without the details and solid relationships between the people: Granny and Elly, Granny an Derek and the main characters with the supporting crowd.
Did I forget to mention suspense? It has that, too. What I loved most, next to the romance, of course, was the flavor of the small town, and the seniors who live there. The writing is so smooth, it flows beautifully and the tale told so well, I couldn't put the book down. It sucked me in from the beginning. This is an excellent romance of the highest quality. Can't wait to read Ms. Nachlinger's next book.
You Can't Hide From Love
When Elly decides to care for her grandma, romance is far from her mind. First off, there's Elly's cheating fiance who dumped her for another woman. Then there's the fact that Granny lives at a 55+ trailer park. Doesn't bode well for romance. Hiding out with Granny and her senior friends suits Elly just fine, thank you very much! But, ready or not, and in spite of complications and doubts, love finds Elly when she least expects it.
"Bluebonnets for Elly" by Sandra Nachlinger (co-author of "I.O.U.Sex") is a sweet story and a testament to the belief that love will find you, wherever you may be hiding.
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