Tall, Dark and Cowboy {+ Awesome Giveaway}

What woman hasn’t daydreamed about a tough, sexy cowboy? What man hasn’t imagined himself as a handsome, rugged cowboy?

Today I’m delighted to bring you information about (and the opportunity to win) six wonderful books featuring sensuous cowboys. We have six delightful authors stopping by to talk about their writing and of course, seductive cowboys. Thanks to the lovely Fareeda at Grand Central Publishing, three winners (tour wide) will receive a collection of books from the authors of the Tall, Dark and Cowboy box set. Please see the end of the post for giveaway details.

First, let me tell you briefly about the books, followed by an amusing Q & A with the authors.

About the TALL, DARK AND COWBOY BOX SET:
Everybody loves cowboys! Now in this special six-book box set, meet the best of the tall, dark, and handsome cowboys and get ready for the ride of your life . . . 

* SOMEBODY LIKE YOU by Lynnette Austin: Cash thought he had plenty of time to find the right woman-until he learns that he must marry soon or lose his family's Texas farm. When Boston beauty Annelise enters his life, Cash wonders if she's what he's been looking for all along.
 
* AIN'T MISBEHAVING by Molly

Cannon: After her ex-husband leaves her for another woman, Marla Jean won't settle for another lonely night. And her childhood crush, Jake, may just be the right man to help make this good girl go a little bad. 

* THE SWEET SPOT by Laura Drake: Charla Rae thought she was over her ex-husband-they'd both been through too much together. But when the championship bull rider comes back into town and offers to help with her ranch, will he also convince her to give their love a second chance?
 
* LOOKING FOR TROUBLE by Erin Kern:

Fleeing her rich, overbearing family, Avery makes her way to Trouble, Wyoming. She soon tries things the old Avery wouldn't dare, like having a sizzling affair with her sexy new boss, Noah-and discovering he's just the kind of trouble she needs. 

* GOING COWBOY CRAZY by Katie Lane: When Faith is mistaken for her identical twin sister in Bramble, Texas, there's bound to be trouble-especially with her sister's ex-boyfriend Slate.
 
* MONTANA LEGACY by R. C. Ryan: WhenAmy left Jesse, she broke his heart. Now she's back in town and stirs his old desires, even as she promises to help him find his family's gold. But under the prairie skies an unseen enemy is closing in to threaten their love-and their lives.

Now join me in welcoming the ladies as they answers some interesting questions.

What is the funniest note you’ve received from your editor?

Author R.C. Ryan

R.C. RYAN - "Whew.  Hot." I love reading that in the margin. Despite hot love scenes, scary shoot-outs with bad guys, what really got my editor all charged up were the food scenes. She claims to love the meals I serve my cowboys and their ranch families, and put a note in a margin that just reading the scene had her salivating.  
ERIN KERN- It’s hard to say, because I’ve received a lot of notes! And after a while they all kind of run together. I’d say my biggest “doh’s” are the typos that even my five year old wouldn’t have made.
KATIE LANE- It’s not a note as much as pictures. My editor owns a cat named Clara, and every Halloween, I get a picture of Clara in costume. The cute photos always brighten my day and make my granddaughters giggle.
LAURA DRAKE- N/A
MOLLY CANNON- She asked if I was willing to change my cat into a dog. I was reluctant at first because I loved my kitty cat, but finally agreed when I found a picture of the puppy that became Sadie.
LYNETTE AUSTIN- Lauren Plude, my fantastic editor, chewed out Ty Rawlins in Nearest Thing to Heaven. Lauren is a vegan, and every once in a while I stick something in, just to make sure she’s paying attention. And she always is. :) Poor Ty got in trouble for it. Riding to his favorite fishing hole, he asked Sophie, “You don’t have a problem with fishing on some philosophical level, do you? I mean, you’re not a vegan or anything. I watched you devour too much Texas beef at the wedding to believe that.” Lauren’s comment? Hey no ragging on vegans, Ty! :)

What would readers be surprised to find out about you?

Author Erin Kern

R.C. RYAN - I've been singing since I was a kid, and thought about a career as a singer. I chose instead to marry young and raise five great children. And then tried my hand at my great, driving passion - writing.  ERIN KERN- Probably that I used to be a dancer. I danced ballet for about twelve years and actually performed with the Oakland Ballet two years in a row.
KATIE LANE- I married my high school sweetheart and he inspires all my heroes. (Even when he forgets to take the Chapstick out of his pant pockets and the entire load of laundry ends up with grease spots.)
LAURA DRAKE- I’m a thrill seeker. I Love roller coasters, riding motorcycles and I’ve even skydived – until my last jump when chute didn’t open, and I had to throw the reserve. If I were younger, I’d try getting on a bull!
MOLLY CANNON- I’m really good at trashcan basketball.
LYNETTE AUSTIN- I have, at present, sixty-two pairs of flip-flops, and one of those pairs traveled to Morocco with me where I rode a camel. I can’t resist a great pair of flip-flops.

What is the most interesting thing you learned from research?

Author Katie Lane

R.C. RYAN - Just how dedicated our farmers and ranchers are to maintain the lifestyle and the land of their ancestors. It takes true grit to stay the course when fighting fickle weather, predators, and the rising cost of feed for herds. Ranchers and farmers can never take a vacation from their demanding job.  
 ERIN KERN- In the Trouble books, the brothers are in the restaurant industry. I was really surprised to learn that chefs work really long hours. Way longer than I expected.
KATIE LANE- I did a lot of research on famous brothels for Miss Hattie’s Henhouse in Trouble in Texas. It is believed that the infamous Chicken Ranch got its name during the Great Depression. Money was so scarce that the prostitutes started taking chickens in exchange for services.
LAURA DRAKE- Next weekend I’m auditing a three day Bullfighting class! Not the ‘El Toro!’ type – the ones who distract the bull from a downed bull rider. Cannot wait!
MOLLY CANNON- I love researching recipes for my books. Reading cookbooks is less fattening than eating the finished product-but not as much fun.
LYNETTE AUSTIN- Cowboy hats should always be set down brim-up. Not only does this help preserve the shape, but it allows for all the luck that passes by to collect in it. Fun, huh?

What makes a cowboy, a cowboy?

Author Laura Drake

R.C. RYAN - Hard, dirty work.  A love of the land.  A courtly, fiercely protective attitude toward family, women and children. Their work makes them rough and tough, but their heart and soul, their innate goodness makes them the perfect hero. 
 ERIN KERN- Have you seen a cowboy lately?? Scuffed up boots, worn jeans, callused hands, a little five o’clock shadow, slightly too long hair….shall I go on?
KATIE LANE- I think it has to do with the legend. Cowboys have always been heroes (Wait, is that a song?)—strong, alpha men who can wrangle a steer and know how to treat a lady. It’s this mixture of tough man and mannerly country boy that makes a true cowboy . . . and makes women go crazy. That, and a snug-fitting pair of jeans.
LAURA DRAKE- Old world manners, an unbreakable word, and a wild side.
MOLLY CANNON- Well worn boots
LYNETTE AUSTIN-Attitude. A cowboy is strong and confident, and he’s not afraid of an equally strong woman. He carries in his heart old-fashioned values. He stands for his country and its flag, says yes, ma’am and no, sir, and loves his mama and daddy—kind of a throwback to a slower, easier time but with a kickass edge.

Have you had any funny and/or memorable fan interaction? (i.e. a Facebook comment, a run-in at RT, RWA,etc.)

Author Molly Cannon

R.C. RYAN - At one of my book signings, a reader told me after reading Montana Legacy, she broke up with her current boyfriend and contacted her high-school love via Facebook, and they were now together again. She said after falling in love with my cowboy, she knew she had to hold out for her own lost love, because he'd remained on her mind all this time. A Montana rancher's wife emailed me, asking me how long I'd been ranching, since she just knew I had to grow up on a ranch to get so many details right. I had to admit to her that I live in a suburban neighborhood now, but did grow up in the country on acreage that my father farmed on weekends, to satisfy his need to farm as his father had in Canada. But that's the closest I've come to farming or ranching.  
ERIN KERN- One day I went to visit my husband at his office in Dallas. He works with a lot of women, and just about every woman on his floor had read my books and were so excited when they saw me. It was my first fan experience and definitely one I’ll always remember.
KATIE LANE- I have such great fans. They’re dedicated and write the sweetest emails, Facebook, and Twitter posts. One of my fans is doing the entire family tree for my characters. It makes me happy to know that my readers get so caught up in the series that they feel like part of the town, just like I do.
LAURA DRAKE- Last year’s RWA conference was my debut author year. I was in line at an event and the lady in front of me turned around, read my nametag, and squealed – scared me half to death – I thought I’d stepped on her heel or something. It turned out to be Cathy Genna, that year’s RWA Bookseller of the Year, and she LOVED The Sweet Spot! She took me up and down the line, introducing me to people and telling them to buy my book! And here I was, impressed to be standing next to HER!
MOLLY CANNON- I just attended RT and was riding in an elevator stuffed with tired and hungry writers and readers. One woman said she felt bad for people who still had workshops to attend. My aunt and one of my biggest fans misunderstood and said loudly-I could go for a pork chop about now, too. The whole elevator erupted. It was hilarious!
LYNETTE AUSTIN- The most memorable was that first time a reader came toward me in a bookstore, asking, “Are you Lynnette Austin? I just finished reading Somebody Like You, and I loved it!” I’ll cherish that moment forever!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

LYNETTE AUSTIN

Author Lynette Austin

My first book was born as I drove across Oklahoma on a trip from Wyoming to Florida, with two eleven-year-old boys and way too much luggage stuffed into the very tiny backseat of a Porsche 944. Instead of tuning into their squabbles and the “are we there yets”, I turned my mind to hunting down a Nazi war criminal as I drove down the interstate. That book, The Final Solution, is now hiding out in a closet, and, because I love you all, that’s exactly where it’ll stay.

I love nothing better than to lose myself in my characters’ world. I love to read, and I love the chance to give my readers a story to remember. So grab a bag of Cheetos or M&Ms, put up your feet, and relax. Join me in the land of fiction.
For more on Lynette, visit her website and connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

MOLLY CANNON
Molly lives a charmed life in Texas with her husband, Mr. Wonderful and her extremely large cat Nelson. When she's not writing, she spends her days reading, taking dance classes with MW, and watching every kind of sporting event imaginable. Molly has three grown children, all married to terrific people and two wonderful grandchildren. Life is good!
For more on Molly and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

LAURA DRAKE
Laura Drake is a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways, or a serious cowboy crush. She writes both Women’s Fiction and Romance.

She sold her Sweet on a Cowboy series, romances set in the world of professional bull riding, to Grand Central. The Sweet Spot (May 2013), Nothing Sweeter (Jan 2014) and Sweet on You (August 2014). The Sweet Spot has recently been named a Romance Writers of America ^®   RITA^®   Finalist in both the Contemporary and Best First Book categories. Her ‘biker-chick’ novel, Her Road Home, sold to Harlequin’s Superromance line (August, 2013) and has expanded to three more stories set in the same small town. The Reasons to Stay will release August, 2014.

Laura has long wanted to make a foray into another genre she loves, and she currently has a Women’s Fiction novel out on submission. This year Laura realized a lifelong dream of becoming a Texan and is currently working on her accent. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write full time. She’s a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours.

For more on Laura, visit her website and connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

ERIN KERN
For more on Erin, visit her website and connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

KATIE LANE
Katie Lane’s interest in romance was sparked in high school in the backseat of a ‘65 mustang—okay, so maybe it wasn’t romance as much as raging teenage hormones.  Still, coupled with a wild imagination, those make-out sessions inspired many a steamy storyline along with a strong belief that true love does prevail.  Katie lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the owner of that mustang and is the bestselling author of the Deep in the Heart of Texas series.  

For more on Katie and her writing, visit her website, and connect with her on Twitter and Facebook. You can also read more about Katie in her long biography, click here.

R.C. RYAN
New York Times bestselling author Ruth Ryan Langan (also writing as R.C. Ryan) has written over a hundred novels, both contemporary and historical. For a complete list, see Ruth's Book List.

For more on Ruth and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This giveaway is for a box set of six books from the authors of the Tall, Dark and Cowboy genre. There will be three winners tour wide. To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, please be patient.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Reading about cowboys is always fun. What’s your idea of a cowboy or what do you think it takes to be a cowboy?

*This post contains affiliate links. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Joanne Kennedy Discusses Writing And Offers A Giveaway

It’s always a pleasure to welcome the lovely author Joanne Kennedy back to Thoughts in Progress to talk about her writing and her latest release: TALL, DARK AND COWBOY.

Here’s a brief synopsis of the book: She’s looking for an old friend…
In the wake of a nasty divorce, Lacey Bradford heads for Wyoming where she’s sure her old friend will take her in. But her high school pal Chase Caldwell is no longer the gangly boy who would follow her anywhere. For one thing, he’s now incredibly buff and handsome, but that’s not all that’s changed…

What she finds is one hot cowboy…
Chase has been through tough times and is less than thrilled to see the girl who once broke his heart. But try as he might to resist her, while Lacey’s putting her life back together, he’s finding new ways to be part of it.

Thanks to Joanne and Danielle at Sourcebooks, I have 2 copies of TALL, DARK AND COWBOY to giveaway to 2 lucky visitors who comment on this post between now and 8 p.m. (EST) on Monday, Dec. 12. The giveaway is open to residents of U.S. and Canada only. Be sure to leave your e-mail address if it’s not included in your profile.

Joanne has graciously answered several questions for me about her writing.

Mason - As a published author, has your perspective of authors changed?

Joanne - Yes. I never realized how hard they work! When you’re an aspiring author, you tend to see publication as the ultimate goal. Once you’re published, you have about five minutes to dance around and say “I made it!” before you have to get to work staying published. You have to promoting your books, establish a name with readers, and most important, write another, better book to build your reputation. Getting that first offer flings open the door to a great new career, but it’s up to the writer to make the most of the opportunity, and that means lots of hard work.  

Mason - In what order do your characters come to life - name, physical description, personality?

Joanne - It feels like they come to me as whole people, with their physical appearance and personalities defined—but they don’t usually have names right away. I usually picture them in a scene—for example, I pictured Chase Caldwell of TALL, DARK AND COWBOY sitting behind the counter at his used car lot, looking very out of place. My heroine walked in, he reacted, and we were off! I develop characters as I write, watching how they respond to situations and other characters. It’s fun to watch their personalities unfold.

When I sit down to write them, I assign them names that feel right at the time—but these sometimes change. For instance, my agent once suggested that a character’s name was too much of a “good girl” name and I needed to change it.

 

Mason - Of these three elements (name, physical description, personality), which is the easiest to develop and which is the hardest?

Joanne - Names are probably the hardest for me, because they determine how a reader will see the character and everyone’s perception of a name is different. Creating the characters themselves—how they look, how they walk and talk—is the fun part for me, because it’s such a process of discovery. It’s like getting to know a new friend.

Mason - How would you encourage someone who has never read your genre to give it a try?

Joanne - I love this question, because I firmly believe that men should read more romance novels and have made it my mission to talk them into it. I stress the humor and suspense elements in my books, and mention romance writers who have made the crossover into mainstream fiction, like Sandra Brown. I have a secret weapon in the former sportswriter at our local Cheyenne paper. His first assignment when he moved to the features department was to read and review COWBOY FEVER, and he loved it. He wrote a wonderful article on reading romance from a man’s point of view.

 

Mason - What can readers look for next from you?

Joanne - My next book, COWBOY CRAZY, will be out in June 2012. It’s about a rodeo cowboy from a wealthy Wyoming oil family. He’s doing his best to “get real” and shed his privileged past, but then he falls for a small-town girl who can’t get away from her rural roots fast enough. It’s my favorite of all my books, with my hottest hero yet. I love rodeo and did a lot of on-site research for the book, which was a lot of fun!

Joanne, thanks so much for guest blogging. I love your response about getting men to read more romance. They don’t realize what great books they’re missing by not reading ‘romance’ novels. Besides, you’d think they’d be more interesting in finding out what their wives and girlfriends enjoy about them. 

Now for a little background on Joanne. She is the author of three previous contemporary Western romances for Sourcebooks. She brings a wide variety of experience, ranging from chicken farming to horse training, to her sexy, spicy cowboy stories. 

Joanne is a 2011 finalist in the prestigious Romance Writers of American RITA© Awards, for ONE FINE COWBOY. She lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she is working on her next book, COWBOY CRAZY (June 2012). For more information on Joanne and her writing, be sure to visit her website at http://joannekennedybooks.com/. 

Whether you are a writer or a reader, how would you encourage men to read romance novels? From the men out there, have you read romance novels and not told anyone about it? Remember the giveaway for 2 copies of TALL, DARK AND COWBOY ends at 8 p.m. on Dec. 12th. Be sure to leave a comment. Thanks so much for stopping by.

 

Sunday Salon: TALL, DARK AND COWBOY by Joanne Kennedy

 

The days are passing by quickly, the chill in the air is lingering and it’s time for Sunday Salon where we relax a bit to discuss the fascinating books we’ve discovered this past week.

Refill that cup with steaming coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Settle into your favorite chair. Today I’m sharing a delightful story about a cowboy and a cheerleader.

TALL, DARK AND COWBOY by Joanne Kennedy

When a woman down on her luck takes time to rescue a stray dog from certain death, you know there’s something special about her even if she’s not sure herself.

That’s Lacey Bradford for you. She’s on the run from her crooked ex-husband’s business partner but helps a stray. When she calls it Sinclair, he was hers.

Lacey heads back to Grady, Wyoming, to seek help from a high school friend who’d been a little sweet on her. She was a cheerleader and he was a farmer. She hopes he still feels favorable toward her as she doesn’t want anything to do with the ill-gotten money Trent had accumulated.

Chase Caldwell runs a used car lot not because he loves it, but because Trent Bradford stole his family’s farm. Chase also blames Trent for his father’s death and Lacey for breaking his heart. He’s torn between helping Lacey and his hatred for her ex-husband.

As the two re-connect, they discover they have changed as has their attraction for one another. Their renewed friendship is a sexy journey with a mixture of humor, suspense, and intrigue. There are lovable, zany supporting characters that add another layer to this delightful story.

Kennedy gives her characters enough problems to be realistic leading readers to feel compassion and understanding for them. There’s not so many problems, however, that readers cry, ‘not another one’ and flip ahead to avoid it. With Kennedy’s characters, readers want to savor each page to learn more about them and what drives them.

You can’t go wrong with a damsel in distress and a sexy cowboy to the rescue. TALL, DARK AND COWBOY is a quick and fun read.

Author Joanne Kennedy’s website is http://joannekennedybooks.com/

Tall, Dark and Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy, Sourcebooks Casablanca, @2011, ISBN: 9781402251443, Paperback, 384 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this book and it was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

I hope your Sunday is a relaxing and enjoyable day for you and your family. Thanks so much for stopping by. What was on your reading list this past week?