Author C.H. Admirand, Guest Blogger

Please join me in welcoming author C.H. Admirand to Thoughts in Progress today as the special guest blogger. C.H. makes a stop on her virtual book tour.

C.H.’s latest book, TYLER (THE SECRET LIFE OF COWBOYS), was just released. Thanks to C.H. and Danielle at Sourcebooks, I have 2 copies of TYLER to giveaway to those commenting on C.H.’s post. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Visitors have until 8 p.m. (EST) on Friday, March 11, to comment on this post. Be sure to include your e-mail with your comments if it isn’t included in your profile.

Here’s a brief synopsis of TYLER: “Desperate times call for desperate measures…
When Tyler Garahan said he’d do anything to save his family’s ranch, he never thought that would include taking a job as a stripper at a local ladies’ club. But the club’s fiery redheaded bookkeeper captures Tyler’s attention, and for her, he’ll swallow his pride…

And one good turn deserves another…
Emily Langley feels for the gorgeous cowboy. It’s obvious that he’s the real deal and wouldn’t be caught dead in a ladies’ revue if he wasn’t in big trouble. And when he looks at her like that, she’ll do anything to help…

Working days on the ranch and nights at the ladies’ club, Tyler is plumb exhausted. But could it be that his beautiful boss needs him just as much as he needs her …”

C.H. stops by today to answer some questions for me about her writing.

Mason - What would you say to someone who has never read western contemporary to encourage them to give it a try?

C.H. - Lovers of contemporary romance, isn’t it time you read a romance starring the quintessential American hero…the cowboy? Cowboys are the perfect hero. He is a man of the land; one who has an innate kindness and love of animals that enables him to care for his herd, whether he raises cattle or horses. He depends on his physical strength and works with his hands every day. His core set of values are what keep him going when times are hard and the Mother Nature is against him. The women who fall in love with these men are every bit as strong, perhaps stronger, because it takes a special women to want to stand beside her cowboy through thick and thin, but it’ll be worth every moment, because a man who is that strong and dedicated to making his living off the land, knows how to value the love of a good woman.

Mason - Where did the inspiration to write about a cowboy turn stripper come from?

C.H. - It was during RT in Houston a couple of years back. One of my author friends suggested we go to a local club to support her publisher and the Ellora’s Cave models. I had no idea what I was getting in to, but used my embarrassment to get my creative juices flowing. I started to wonder (since we were in Texas) what would it be like for a cowboy to be up on stage. Not one who dressed up like one, but the real deal, a man of the land, one used to working hard for a living. Economic times are hard all over, and I wondered what would it be like for someone who only knew and understood ranching to have to look for a job and not be able to find one that would utilize his particular skills? It was the furthest thing from ranching that I could think of to test my cowboy and his love of his family ranch.

Mason - What type of research did you do for this book?

C.H. - I’ve been to Texas a couple of times, including a trip across the country with my family when I was a teenager. Life out West, and the majestic sites we visited, left a huge impact on me. I’ve been going to the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show for years…actually since it was the Branchville Fair back when I was a kid. The events range from Dressage to exhibiting horses, cows, etc. We had a pony for a few years and I learned the hard way not to tether her wearing sandals! But in my defense, I was twelve and knew everything! I grew up watching westerns on Saturday mornings: Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and silver screen legends: John Wayne and Gary Cooper, instilling a love for one of my favorite heroes: Cowboys.

Mason - What was the most difficult part of writing this book?

C.H. - Toning down the relationship between Emily and her cousin Jolene. They kept trying to take over the story.

Mason - If you could change places with any of your characters for a day, who would it be and why?

C.H. - I’d like to change places with Tyler Garahan, and spend the day living at the Circle G Ranch, working with the cattle and horses, pitting myself against the land and Mother Nature. I really hope I’d last longer than a couple of hours!

Mason - What do you want readers to come away with after reading TYLER - is there a message or just fun reading?

C.H. - I do hope that it is a fun read, but hope the readers will take a moment to be thankful for their jobs and their homes, if they have them. Many people across the US have been hit hard by these economic times and are struggling to make ends meet on a daily basis. We’ve been blessed in our house; all five of us are employed—my husband and I, and our three grown children—yes, they still live with us. I have friends and siblings who have not been as lucky.

Mason - What can readers look for next from you?

C.H. - DYLAN, Book 2 in The Secret Life of Cowboys will be released in January 2012 and I’m working on the youngest brother, Jesse’s story right now.

C.H., thanks for guest blogging here today. The idea of putting a cowboy in a most unusual job just to keep things going on the ranch is a fun and unique twist.

Now, let me give you a little background on C.H. She was born in Aiken, South Carolina and has published 9 bestselling novels for the library market. TYLER is her tenth book and her first mass market release. She lives with her husband, who is the inspiration for all of her heroes’ very best traits, in northern New Jersey. For more information, visit her website at http://www.chadmirand.com/.

What are your thoughts on unusual jobs? Can you see your favorite cowboy handling this problem?