Hi everyone. We’re again experiencing a heat wave and I’ve got to be honest, I’ve spent most of the week playing in the swimming pool. It’s too hot to think, lol.
I’m posting the last snippet from Breed True, Eclipse Heat #7 which will release on August 16th (Tuesday).
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As Julie looked down at the red-colored animals browsing in the feedlot below, Grady put two fingers to his mouth and emitted an earsplitting whistle.
One red head came up and a fierce-looking bull trotted to the edge of the corral and stood, nostrils distended, scenting the air. Then he pawed the dirt, lifted his head and blew through his nostrils, issuing his challenge.
“That’s Pretty Boy, brought all the way from New Hampshire by my father. I’m carrying on his breeding plans; these Herefords will change ranching for sure.”
As Julie listened, Grady enthusiastically described the red-coated beasts below.
“Dad saw this breed when he was a boy in the Old Country and predicted that being a hardy stock, they’d do well here.”
“The Old Country?” It was odd hearing a man who looked so much a part of this land, speak knowledgeably about such a faraway place.
“Scotland,” he said and added, “I’m Scots-Kiowa, a mix of the two mightiest warrior-people God put on earth.”
©Gem Sivad 2016
Breed True 
Desperate to give her twin daughters a decent life, Julie Fulton agrees to marry Grady Hawks and produce the son he needs to inherit Hawks Nest ranch. At the end of a year, child or not, Julie will receive enough money to escape to San Francisco and leave behind her rough existence.
Grady intends to breed back to the fair skin and Scottish features of his father and Julie meets every requirement. Her red hair and pale skin are an excellent way to dilute Grady’s half Kiowa blood. If Julie breeds true, their child will prove that the Hawks family is “white” enough to own Texas land.
The formula is right, but the outcome unexpected. Siring a son is the last thing on Grady’s mind when he discovers pleasure in Julie’s bed. And San Francisco no longer seems like paradise to Julie when she finds heaven in Grady’s arms.
“a mix of the two mightiest warrior-people” ==> I love this line! Great snippet, Gem! 🙂
Best laid plans…
Great snippet
I agree with Jessica.
“a mix of the two mightiest warrior-people”
This is a classic line.
I love the variety in the stories you write, Gem. Thank you for sharing.
I like how his discussion of his breeding sort of echoes the discussion of the breeds of animals
Wonderful, Gem-all of it with so much information and more to come. Ordering this day.
Ed has it right – good breeding will tell!
As a redhead myself, I can attest to Pretty Boy’s reaction from males anywhere in the vicinity. Ha ha! I also love the line about the two mightiest warriors ever put on the earth. Great snippet!
Lucky me, I just ordered your book! Thanks.
I think it’s ironic he’s attempting to “breed out” one of the lines of warrior people from his bloodline. Of course, that’s part of the conflict that makes your characters so interesting. Great snippet.
Loved the excerpt, unusual but fascinating for the insights into the hero. Terrific snippet!
A mix of the two mightiest warrior-people… great line. Enjoyed the snippet and am intrigued to know more.
I love how proud he is of his mixed heritage, although he does seem to have other issues with it. Nothing wrong with being a bit complicated. : -)
Love the pride (ego?) in that last line. He certainly is proud of his cattle, though!
True words nicely spoken! Great line regarding the warrior heritage. I also enjoyed the breeding analogy that Ed pointed out. Good snippet!
Love his pride in his dual heritage, even though he wants to breed out the Kiowa traits. The cows remind me of the old movie The Rare Breed. 🙂 Great Snippet! Just pre-ordered!
Love this snippet so much, Mix of two mightiest warriors!
The line about his heritage at the end was fantastic.
Nice scene… You really capture the spirit of the bull. It feels very real.
A mix of the two mightiest warrior-people – i love his pride of his heritage. great snippet!
Maybe it’s just me, but he sounds a bit stuck up about his heritage. He sure has a passion for his cattle though.