It’s always fun when author C.H. Admirand drops by to talk about her latest cowboy-themed release or discuss writing in general.
Today, C.H. joins us to answers some questions about her characters and their likes from her current release, DYLAN. In addition, thanks to C.H. and Danielle at Sourcebooks, I have 2 copies of DYLAN to giveaway to 2 lucky visitors who comment on this post by 8 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Be sure to leave your e-mail address in the comments, if it’s not included in your profile.
Here’s a brief synopsis of DYLAN:
There was nothing he couldn’t tame…
Dylan Garahan might be an old hand at lassoing fillies, but one night at the Lucky Star club, and he ends up wrapping his rope around someone that even his formidable strength can’t tame. She’s wily and beautiful… and she’s his new boss. Dylan’s had his heart broken bfore, but even an honest cowpoke has to wrestle with temptation…
There was nothing he couldn’t tame…
Dylan Garahan might be an old hand at lassoing fillies, but one night at the Lucky Star club, and he ends up wrapping his rope around someone that even his formidable strength can’t tame. She’s wily and beautiful… and she’s his new boss. Dylan’s had his heart broken bfore, but even an honest cowpoke has to wrestle with temptation…
Until he got his lasso around her…
Ronnie DelVecchio might be fresh off the bus from New Jersey, but she’s a hard-edged businesswoman and has had her fill of men she can’t trust—although she might consider getting off her high horse for that big handsome rancher with a Texas drawl.
Ronnie DelVecchio might be fresh off the bus from New Jersey, but she’s a hard-edged businesswoman and has had her fill of men she can’t trust—although she might consider getting off her high horse for that big handsome rancher with a Texas drawl.
Now for the questions.
Mason - Do your main 2 characters have a library or a collection of books? What would be their favorite genres to read?
C.H. - There are a couple of shelves in the living room at the Circle G filled an eclectic mix of books and magazines that the Garahans have collected over the years. Classics—American and British, murder mysteries, science fiction, back issues of National Geographic, The Cattleman Magazine, The Texas Longhorn Journal, and their family treasure: a set of Encyclopaedia Brittanica from 1880. When Ronnie married Dylan she brought her collection of romance novels with her.
Mason - List 5 of their favorite books.
C.H. - Dylan’s favorites are: To Kill a Mockingbird and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Ronnie’s are: The Last Honest Woman, Falling for Rachel, and Born in Fire.
Mason - Tell us one thing about each of the 2 main characters that even their friends don't know.
C.H. - Dylan is a romantic at heart. Ronnie always wanted a big family.
Mason - How did these main 2 characters first come to you?
C.H. - Dylan and Jesse came to me almost immediately while writing their older brother Tyler’s story. Once I began Dylan’s story, I knew he needed a strong, feisty woman to give him a run for his money while teaching him how to love. Ronnie was right there as soon as I started plotting Dylan’s story.
Mason - Do you try to include some type of meaning or message (such as enjoy life) in your story or does it just develop on its own?
C.H. - Because of the strengths, weaknesses, faults, and virtues that I’ve given each of my characters, there is always a meaning/message in my stories. Life isn’t for the faint of heart and everyone deserves to be treated well and loved for who and what they are. As my characters grow and develop their particular message becomes clearer to the reader so that they’ll be cheering for my characters as they struggle through adversity to reach their happily ever after.
C.H., thanks so much for guest blogging today. I enjoyed learning more about Dylan’s taste and how Ronnie’s character came about.
Here’s a bit of background on C.H. She was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and has published 9 bestselling novels for the library market. Her Secret Life of Cowboy series, published by Sourcebooks Casablanca includes TYLER (available now), DYLAN (in stores January 2012) and JESSE (in stores July 2012).
She lives with her husband, who is the inspiration for all of her heroes’ very best traits, in northern New Jersey. For more information on C.H. and her writing, please visit http://www.chadmirand.com/ or follower her on twitter, @chadmirand.
What are your thoughts on cowboys/cowgirls and their books? Remember to leave a comment by 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, for a chance to win 1 of 2 copies of DYLAN. Thanks so much for stopping by today.
C.H., thanks again for guest blogging. It's fun learning more background on characters. It makes them seem more realistic. Wishing you much success.
ReplyDeleteNot entering to win, but I see feisty ladies are popular right now. Good to know!
ReplyDeleteI love stories that focus on characters. That's what the world is made up of anyway.
ReplyDeleteCowboys are heroes and have the most wonderful character. many thanks for this giveaway. great post. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWe need more cowboys in our world. They are to me admirable and special. Thanks for your writing. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteReading about cowboys reminds me of my youth when I watched series in TV like the Virginian.
ReplyDelete"everyone deserves to be treated well and loved" is a very good message.Good luck with this book.
Thanks C.H. and Mason
I love a good cowboy and love reading about them. How do you "find" your characters?
ReplyDeleteHi Mason:
ReplyDeleteOMGoodness! I'm soooo sorry for the delay in responding.
I'm delighted to be hear again chatting with you and your followers.
Cowboys are everyday heroes...what's not to love? It was my pleasure to give you a more in depth glimpse into Dylan and Ronnie's life.
Thank you again for your dedication to romance readers!
Slainte'
C.H. Admirand
Hi Alex - Feisty ladies rock. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI come from a long line of feisty Irishwomen, so it's hard to imagine a heroine being any other way.
A few years back I had a heroine who put her child first and was quite selfless...the reaction from readers wasn't what I'd hoped for...but the character could not have been written any other way.
Thanks for stopping by!
Slainte'
C.H. Admirand
Hi Diane -
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite authors have created characters that have kept me company for the last decade.
That's my goal, to write characters that stick with a reader and have them going back to their bookshelf and reaching for that book to re-read it. :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Slainte'
C.H. Admirand
Hi Traveler -
ReplyDeleteI am a sucker for a man with broad shoulders, a strong back, and working-man hands...cowboys totally fit the bill!
I'm glad you enjoyed the post!
Slainte'
C.H. Admirand
Hi Petite:
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. I think it is because cowboys work with the land and most often have to depend on themselves to keep their herds alive through a rough winter, or dry summer.
Their ranch and everyone who works for them depends on their ability to juggle the present with the past--the present being juggling bills to keep the ranch going and the herd fed--and the past using their God-given talents to work long after most of us would drop from exhaustion.
Farmers are cut from the same cloth as ranchers--some grow crops, others raise animals. They are all to be admired...IMHO.
Thanks for stopping by!
Slainte'
C.H. Admirand
Hi Danielle-momo:
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I could remind you of something that's been missing on TV, IMHO, Westerns that have more of a message than violence.
While the West was wild and men had to learn to survive using their wits, talents, and buckets of luck, I wish some of the westerns depicted today would tone down the violence just a bit and show more of the internal struggle and man against nature struggle that were just as big a part of taming the West as the violence.
OK...getting down off my soapbox now...LOL!
Thanks for stopping by!
Slainte'
C.H. Admirand
Hi Renee:
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoy reading about cowboys.
I don't really find my characters as much as they find me...whispering in my ear at odd moments of the day or in the middle of the night.
Different things can trigger a character working his/her way into my overactive imagination--a story on the news, a scene from a movie, a man working construction alongside the road, people I see in my everyday life.
I'm just glad they still talk to me...there was a brief point a few years back when they weren't.
Thanks for stopping by!
Slainte'
C.H. Admirand
I enjoy reading about cowboys and cowgirls since I live in the Northeast and enjoy reading about people and places in areas that I have never visited.
ReplyDeletemce1011 AT aol DOT com