A Family for the Rancher by Allison B. Collins #CowboystoGrooms #AFamilyfortheRancher #PlottingPrincesses #MFRW @allisonbcollins

Hi, everyone! It’s been ages since I blogged with the Plotting Princesses. So much has happened, but I’ll try to keep it short.

Under my real name, Allison B. Collins, I have a three book deal with Harlequin for a new series, Cowboys to Grooms!  It’s been a dream of mine for years to be a Harlequin author.  I’ve been reading their series for more years than I care to admit, and to now be writing for them—it’s better than the richest of chocolates and the bubbliest of champagnes. It really hit home last summer when I was invited to the Harlequin party at the Romance Writers of America conference.  Strictly for Harlequin authors and employees, I really felt like part of the Harlequin family. (I might have to write about it after the next one, so stay tuned!)

The first book, A FAMILY FOR THE RANCHER, just launched, and I’m over the moon excited about it. This series started out as a dream I had a couple of years ago. As soon as I woke up that next morning, I knew I had to turn it into a series of books. There are five brothers, so five books.  Nash is the oldest brother, and definitely a wounded hero home from the war in Afghanistan. I was so into writing about him that it made me cry several times. Kelsey Summers is the physical therapist Nash’s father hired to help Nash get better.  Kelsey arrives at the ranch with her mother and young daughter in tow. 

Blurb:

PART SOLDIER. PART SURVIVOR. ALL COWBOY.

Nash Sullivan doesn’t need help from anyone. Not his father, not his brothers and sure as heck not from a physical therapist—even a darn feisty one like Kelsey Summers. He lost his leg during his overseas deployment and he just wants to be left alone. Besides, the last thing a woman like Kelsey needs is half a man.

Single mom Kelsey knows all too well that the scars on the inside run the deepest. She needs to move on from her own tragic past, but the Sullivan ranch is starting to feel a little too much like home. And she can’t stop thinking about her wounded—and gorgeous—patient. Could Nash be the cure for her own broken heart?

Excerpt:

A knock sounded at the door, and her mother walked into the room. “I’ll get it, sweetie.”

Looking up to see who was at the door, Kelsey saw a deliveryman holding a huge vase of flowers.

Her mother squealed. “Flowers! I just love flowers. Thank you so much, young man.” She took the vase from him and closed the door. “I’ll bet they’re from Angus. Isn’t he just the sweetest?”

The urge to warn her mother again about forming a relationship with her employer died on her lips as Bunny looked at the little envelope on the arrangement and frowned.

“These aren’t for me. They’re for you. Who on earth would be sending you flowers? And here, of all places?” She brought the vase to the desk and set them down, handed Kelsey the card.

“There must be some mistake.” She read the outside of the envelope. It was her name all right. She slid a finger under the flap and opened it.

Thanks for last night. And for today. I appreciate it more than you know. Nash.

“Well? Who’s it from?” Her mother still stood next to her, tapping her foot.

“It’s nothing.”

“Then why are your cheeks red?” Bunny grabbed the card and read it aloud, then smiled. “Is that where you went last night? And just what is he thanking you for?”

“Mom, he’s my patient. I can’t talk about him.”

“I don’t think he was a patient last night when you left here so late. Are you seeing him?”

“No, Mom. In fact, his brothers were there. He just got in a little trouble, and we helped him.”

“I’ll bet he didn’t order flowers and have them rushed over for his brothers.” Bunny cupped Kelsey’s chin. “Angus told me Nash has been in trouble before. He used to get in fights, has always had an anger problem, and it’s escalated since he got out of the Army.”

Kelsey leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms. “Wouldn’t you be angry if you lost—had been through as much as he was in the war? He’s my patient. I have a professional relationship with him. That’s it. I don’t think you should be talking about him with Angus.”

“I don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all.”

“I’m not going to. This is my job, you know. I’ve never gotten involved with patients before.”

“I know. But you’ve also never worked with a really good-looking cowboy before. I mean, have you seen what those worn-out jeans do for his butt?”

“Mother! I can’t believe you said that!”

Bunny laughed. “I may be old, but I’m still a woman. I’m telling you, you should check it out.” She walked out of the room, giggling.

I love these Sullivan men and the women they fall for so much, and am having the best time writing their stories.  And to think it all started with that really intense dream.

If you’re an author, have you ever had a dream that you turned into a book?

For readers, do you have dreams that you think should be a book? What was it—if you want to share, that is!

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