Debra Johnson

“Marcus, there are some things that shouldn’t be done in front of children or horses.” “There are no children here. And my horses don’t gossip.”
― Lisa Kleypas, A Wallflower Christmas

“You know what kind of man Assail is. You know his business.” “And.” As those old eyes glared right back at her, she wanted to curse some more. But she knew better. And she should have known “criminals” and “against-the-law” were relative terms to her vovó. The woman had a long history with people who were less than on the up-and-up. Make that loved ones who were not all that law-abiding. Fine, time to bring out the big guns, Sola thought. “He’s not Catholic.” “He will convert.”
― J.R. Ward, The Thief

“Lillian offered him a placating smile. “I never thought you would actually betray me that way. I was just afraid that you found her tempting. And I—” “The only thing I find tempting is the idea of taking you to the tack room and applying a saddle strap to your bottom. Repeatedly. With vigor.”
― Lisa Kleypas, A Wallflower Christmas

“Unhappily, Chase ended on the bottom of the tussle. Ashbury’s knee sank into his gut. “God Almighty, man,” Chase said. “What the devil’s wrong with you? Besides all the obvious things.” “You veriest varlet.” Ashbury lowered his mangled face to within an inch of Chase’s nose. “This. Is. Nap. Time.” Chase was nonplussed. “What?” The duke rolled aside, resting on his elbow as he worked for breath. “My infant son is currently upstairs, sleeping for the first time in nineteen hours. The only thing keeping me from disemboweling you here in the entrance hall, you cream-faced rooting hog, is that you’d probably wake him with all your sniveling and sobbing for mercy.” “Oh.”
― Tessa Dare, The Governess Game