Heart of Clay (The Women of Tenacity)
by Shanna Hatfield

Blurb:
Strong-willed, successful and determined, Callan Matthews lives the facade of a happy, wonderful life. Unfortunately, unbridled chaos runs amuck in the deep, dark places of her heart as she struggles to keep herself together. Her once beloved husband, Clay, tugs relentlessly at the last few threads keeping her from completely unraveling. His fun-loving, laid-back attitude only serves to drive her further away instead of drawing her back into his arms.

Easy-going cowboy Clay Matthews is a respected college professor. He’s the man family and friends turn to for help, or when they need a good laugh, since he’s a huge tease and practical joker. Life would be almost perfect, except for his relationship with his wife. Clay is completely baffled by Callan. He thought he knew everything there was to know about this woman. Suddenly, she’s turned into a mystifying female he barely understands. He’d give just about anything to recapture the feelings they used to share, but she seems to want no part of it. Just when he decides to get to the root of the problem no matter the outcome, he discovers a secret she kept from him that’s too painful to bear and too big to forgive.

Will their love be strong enough to withstand a revelation that could rock the foundation of their marriage?

Excerpt:
Clay had no intention of behaving himself. Taking Callan’s shoulders in his hands, he turned her around and gave her a kiss that left them both rattled. With determination set in his jaw, he reached over and tugged the clip out of her hair, tossing it onto the nearby table. Gently, he ran his hands through her hair, letting it fall down her back and on his arms.
Taking a step back, he stood and drank in the sight of her. “I haven’t seen your hair down for a while. It’s beautiful.”
Callan looked into his eyes and watched the blue depths grow darker, stormy with longing. Didn’t he realize how good that color looked on him? Goodness, what was he thinking showing up looking and smelling so irresistible?
When she saw him leaning against the wall at the party, she couldn’t help thinking some woman was very blessed. Then she realized it was her Clay. It still amazed her that he had chosen her to marry, especially with all the girls who would have jumped at the opportunity.
With his hot blue gaze locked intently on her hers, he stirred her emotions in a way that made her feel like that this could have been their first date, not a nice evening enjoyed by a couple long married. Although it had been a while since either of them had been this close and interested in each other.
It was then she noticed the nick on his chin that hadn’t been there last night. Without thinking, she took a step forward and put her fingertip on the spot before pressing a tender kiss there.
Clay closed his eyes and savored the feather-light kiss on his chin for the second it lasted. He was afraid to hope, but couldn’t wait any longer to know if Callan was going to return his feelings. Pulling her close, he buried his face and hands into her hair.
“Callan, let me love you tonight,” he rumbled in her ear. He felt her nod as her hold on him tightened.

Available at Amazon

Beverly’s Review:
A wonderful tale of love. Clay just melted my heart with his sweetness and devotion to Callen. I was glad he got tired of her snarkiness and put his foot down. It was just what Callen needed, a way to break through her misery. I bawled when I read about what happened. Clay took it better than expected. Better than anyone I know would have when Callen broke her silence.

I was totally involved in this story. It made me late to work and late returning from lunch because I just had to keep reading. I really enjoyed this down to earth, moving love story.