Jesse by C.H. Admirand

Good wholesome stories that focus on family, friends, love and caring are always fun and uplifting to read.

Author C.H. Admirand has such stories in her The Secret Life of Cowboys series with her latest release, JESSE, being a great example.

Admirand makes her characters realistic people you’d really like to know. She sprinkles in a little mystery, some steamy romance and a delightful sense of humor for a well-balanced story.

Jesse Garahan is a sexy and charming cowboy who has given up on love after being hurt twice by the same woman. Being a true cowboy though, Jesse stops to give a stranded motorist help and finds more than he bargained for.

Danielle Brockway doesn’t much care for cowboys anymore thanks to her ex, a bull rider. She’s just trying to get to her uncle’s with her little girl to start a new life. When Jesse stops to help, life takes an unexpected turn.

The easy flowing conversational-style writing moves the story along while holding your attention. It will have you shaking your head and laughing. It may even pull on your heart strings a bit and have you turning up the AC as things heat up between Jesse and Danielle. You won’t be able to resist Lacy either.

JESSE is the third and final installment in The Secret Life of Cowboys series but is a stand alone read. Readers will be treated to characters from the previous installments - TYLER and DYLAN - but won’t be at a loss as to what is going on.

For a fun-filled afternoon of pleasant, steamy reading, be sure to include JESSE in your list of books.

Author C.H. Admirand’s website is http://chadmirand.com/

 
Jesse by C.H. Admirand, The Secret Life of Cowboys, Sourcebooks Casablanca, @2012, ISBN: 978-1402265198, Paperback, 352 Pages 

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

 

Do you enjoy books with a cowboy theme where family comes first? Be sure to stop by tomorrow when author C.H. Admirand joins us. She will answer some questions about her writing and tell us about her new series.

Author C.H. Admirand: Cowboy Tidbits And A Giveaway

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… 

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.

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.

 

Tyler by C.H. Admirand

It's always fun to read about cowboys and their problems, but the latest book by author C.H. Admirand puts a new spin on the story.

TYLER, THE SECRET LIFE OF COWBOYS by C.H. Admirand

Family and land mean an awful lot to a cowboy and he’ll do just about anything to save either one.

When Tyler Garaham, the eldest of the three brothers, is faced with losing the family’s ranch he goes looking for extra work in town. He never expected to land the kind of job he did nor did he plan on falling head over heels for a fiery redhead.

Emily Langley wasn’t looking for a man and she especially wasn’t looking to fall in love with a cowboy. Emily and her cousin have always had each other’s back. When the new headliner her cousin hires has Emily daydreaming about night things at all hours, she starts to wonder could there be more.

TYLER is most definitely a love story with enough heat and passion that it would be a good idea to keep a cold drink handy just so you can cool down before the next chapter.

However, author C.H. Admirand has also created a story filled with loyalty, honor, friendship, endurance, hope and some values from a simpler time. She has even thrown in a few characters you’d like to see horsewhipped for their lying ways.

The author touches on the hard times many people are facing and what lengths some will go to hold on to what they can.

Tyler has turned to taking his clothes off to save the family ranch. What will happen when his brothers find out? How will Emily feel when she learns he’s a real cowboy down on his luck with not much to offer her?

Meanwhile, the ladies of The Lucky Star are having to deal with threatening phones calls and someone taking shots at their business. Seems it’s also happening to two other businesses in town operated by women. To add to the problems, Tyler also has his hands full when his ex-girlfriend decides to stir up trouble.

TYLER is an entertaining and enjoyable read from beginning to end. There are sprinkles of humor throughout while making you consider what you’d do in the same situation. This is not your typical cowboy rides to the rescue book.

Author C.H. Admirand’s website is http://www.chadmirand.com/

Tyler by C.H. Admirand, The Secret Life of Cowboys Series, Sourcebooks Casablanca, @2011, ISBN: 978-1-4022-4375-2, Paperback, 352 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.

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?