Forever’s Western Blog Tour and Giveaway

Cowboys have always been a favorite of mine so for that reason I’m delighted to be a part of Forever’s Western Blog Tour featuring the lovely Katie Lane, author of CATCH ME COWBOY, and lovely R. C. Ryan, author of QUINN, A Wyoming Sky Novel.

The ladies are offering a special giveaway. Thanks to the talented authors and the good folks at Forever, I have 3 book packages which includes a copy of CATCH ME COWBOY and QUINN to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for the giveaway guidelines.

Here’s a brief synopsis of CATCH ME COWBOY: Shirlene Dalton has it all: a dream marriage to a man who spoils her rotten and the most outrageous mansion Bramble, Texas, has ever seen. But when her husband unexpectedly dies, Shirlene finds herself right back where she started-in a rundown trailer on the wrong side of the tracks. Never the type to let a little bad luck and a whole heap of heartache get her down, Shirlene is ready to prove to the local gossips she can make it on her own . . . until she ends up living next door to the most tempting cowboy in town.

Billy Wilkes has a score to settle and a plan to wipe Bramble right off the map. But when his sexy, redheaded neighbor figures out what he's up to, his good ol' boy charm won't be enough to save him. With the town on his tail, Billy will have to come clean quick-or kiss Shirlene goodbye.

Here’s a brief synopsis of QUINN, A WYOMING SKY NOVEL: The Truth Can Be an Irresistible Temptation . . . 

As a young boy, Quinn Conway was shattered by his mother's mysterious disappearance. Today, as the oldest of the Conway brothers, his only concern is protecting his family and their ranch. One look at beautiful, strong-willed Cheyenne O'Brien tells him she's also no stranger to tragedy. A series of increasingly dangerous "accidents" are plaguing her and her land, and Quinn can't stand idly by while a woman is in danger. 

Fiercely independent, Cheyenne isn't one to lean on others, yet she can't deny her attraction to the rugged rancher offering help. Soon, the passion building between them proves as wild and untamed as the land she loves-and just as impossible to resist. But a relentless enemy is about to make one final devastating move. To survive, Quinn and Cheyenne must put their cherished freedom-and their hearts-at risk.

Both authors have graciously answered some questions for me.

Mason - How has the publishing industry changed since you first began writing?

KATIE - In one word—eBooks. Not only have they changed the way the readers get their books, but they’ve opened up more avenues for writers to get their work published. Do I think that printed books and bookstores are going to become obsolete? I hope not. I love going to libraries and bookstores and browsing the shelves. I love to hold a hardcover or paperback in my hands and feel the crisp pages as I turn them.

R.C. - Huge changes. The most obvious is the closing of so many brick-and-mortar bookstores and the proliferation of eBooks. The Internet has changed the rules of the game. 

Mason - Do you think books containing western themes have grown or declined in popularity in the past few years? 

KATIE - Grown. Just look at bookstores or online. Hot cowboys are everywhere. Yee-haw!

R.C. -  I don't know the statistics, but from the response of my readers, they seem hungry for a good western story.  (thank heavens.)  I think, like most genres, the pendulum swings back and forth. But even when a different genre gains in popularity, readers will embrace a good story that is well-told.

Mason - What can fans expect next from you?  

KATIE - I have a contemporary Christmas novel, HUNK FOR THE HOLIDAYS, coming out September 2012. No cowboys, but a really hot construction worker. And I just finished TROUBLE IN TEXAS (plenty of cowboys) and it should be out in late 2012.

R.C. -  Book 2, JOSH, and Book 3 JAKE will follow (in October.

Thank you ladies so much for answering these questions for me. Katie, I’m with you on hoping printed books don’t become obsolete. R.C., I also agree the Internet has changed the rules of the game.

Here are five fun facts about Katie.
*  Katie can’t country two-step. (She always wants to lead.)
*  Katie got her idea for her hero, Colt Lomax, in MAKE MINE A BAD BOY at a ROT (Republic of Texas) motorcycle rally in Austin, Texas. (What’s hotter than a good-looking man straddling a slick machine?)
*  Kate loves the Dallas Cowboys. (She’s a Witten kitten.)
*  Katie once knitted a 20-foot scarf. (Things can never be too long.)
*  Katie is on Facebook. (She says, "I think I now have eleven friends. What’s the limit?") 

 
Here’s a bit of background on New York Times

bestselling author R. C. Ryan. She has written more than 90 novels, both contemporary and historical. Quite an accomplishment for someone who, after her fifth child started school, gave herself the gift of an hour a day to follow her dream to become a writer. THE UNQUIET, an anthology of stories by J. D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Patricia Gaffney, Mary Kay McComas, and R. C. Ryan writing as Ruth Ryan Langan, was published in fall 2011 and became a New York Times bestseller.

In a career spanning more than 20 years, R.C. has given dozens of radio, television, and print interviews across the country and Canada, and has been quoted in such diverse publications as the Wall Street Journal and Cosmopolitan. She has also appeared on CNN News, as well as Good Morning America. 

Now the giveaway guidelines. To enter this giveaway, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com). Your subject line should read, “Win Western Tour Set.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. In addition, the publisher is advising winners that they will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the case of grouped giveaways) in the mail. (Winners here have always be great about letting me know if they have already won the book somewhere else so another winner can be selected. However, this announcement is something that has to be passed along from the publisher). And, just so you know, I don’t share the mailing information or use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a chance at one of the 3 book packages (CATCH ME COWBOY and QUINN) will be 8 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, April 4.

What are your thoughts on cowboys and intriguing reads that portray them? Thanks so much for stopping by today. Sorry that I’ve been AWOL from the blog and blogdom but you know how life gets sometimes.