Quick draw: Western romance authors rec some faves
A Highlander craze may be sweeping the romance community, but these Western romance authors know that cowboys are just as swoonworthy. They join HEA to talk about their favorite Westerns and how their characters would deal outside of their time.
Carolyn Brown, author of Cowboy Boots for Christmas
In Cowboy Boots for Christmas, all retired Army sniper Finn O'Donnell wants for Christmas is peace and quiet. But before he can settle in to his new ranch in Burnt Book, Texas, an old friend shows up looking for protection and a place where nobody knows her name. For Callie Brewster Burnt Boot seems like the perfect place to be anonymous, but it turns out a small town with big drama is no place to hide…
My hero never leaves home without his … charm. A hero might lose his hat, get his boots taken away from him, or ruin his tight-fittin' jeans, but no one can rob him of his charm. Not even a sassy heroine!
If Betsy Gallagher, the heroine in my WIP, was transported back in time, she would probably enjoy playing poker in a saloon or going on a cattle drive. Being a woman wouldn't slow her down a bit, and Lord help the man who tried to get in her way.
If I were going back in time to the Old West, the one modern-day item I'd take with me would have to be ... a ballpoint pen. I could get paper there, but the ballpoint was not available to the public until 1945 and was so expensive that not many folks could afford it. I would have to write down everything that happened — what I saw, ate and smelled while I was there. What if a hero pushed through the swinging doors of the saloon and my pencil had to be sharpened before I could take notes on that handlebar mustache?
My favorite contemporary Western romance is …Montana Sky by Nora Roberts. I will always love the first line in that book and the way those sisters came to grips with the situation.
My favorite Western historical romance is …Hummingbird by LaVyrle Spencer. It's a perfect story of conflict between the heart and mind. The heroine was the very proper Abigail to one man she was nursing back to health and in her mind she knew that he was the stable man who would provide a good living for her. However, her heart wanted the other man she was nursing back to health … the one who called her Abby but was an outlaw.
Rosanne Bittner, author of Desperate Hearts
In Desperate Hearts, Elizabeth Wainwright is on the run. Accused of a murder she didn't commit, she has no choice but to cut ties with her old life and flee West. The last thing she wants is attention, but when her stagecoach is attacked, she suddenly finds herself under the fierce protection of Lawman Mitch Brady, one of Montana's famed vigilantes.
My hero never leaves home without … ME! NEVER! I created him so I am always with him, and he is always with me.
If my heroine were transported to the present, she'd enjoy … gardening. (Here I refer to Randy Harkner from next year's Do Not Forsake Me. She loved her rose bushes.)
If I were going back in time to the Old West, the one modern-day item I'd take with me would be … my automatic washing machine. Wouldn't want to scrub everything on a washboard.
My favorite contemporary Western romance is …One Night With a Cowboy by Cat Martin. Sizzling, sizzling, sizzling sex!!
My favorite Western historical romance is …The Proud Breed by Celeste de Blasis. Old book — set in California — beautiful love story that covers two generations but centers around one primary couple, which is my favorite kind of writing.
Linda Broday, author of Texas Mail Order Bride
Texas Mail Order Bride introduces Rancher Cooper Thorne. Thorne thinks his life is finally on an even keel — until Delta Dandridge steps off the stagecoach and claims she's his mail order bride. Brash and quick-witted, the meddling Southern belle is everything Cooper thought he never wanted … and everything his heart is telling him he needs.
My hero never leaves home without his … gun belt and Colt because he wants to be ready for trouble.
If my heroine were transported to the present she'd enjoy …Dancing With the Stars because she loves to dance. She'd also love the costumes and the often shirtless men.
If I were going back in time to the Old West, the one modern-day item I'd take with me would have to be ... a huge first aid kit with lots of Band-Aids of all sizes and gauze and medicine for snake bites.
My favorite contemporary Western romance author is … Carolyn Brown.
My favorite Western historical romance author is … Kaki Warner, Love her books.
Leigh Greenwood, author of To Love and To Cherish
In To Love and To Cherish, Laurie Spencer is determined to be independent, but she needs Jared Smith's help to escape her controlling family. Jared's trying to make it in Texas and the only way there may be with Laurie's offers a partnership. He's just not sure he'll be able to respect the terms of their agreement and keep his eyes — and his hands — to himself.
My hero never leaves home without his … horse. Not only does he depend on his mount to get him from one place to another safely as well as be his work partner, his horse carries his rifle, his lasso, and his saddlebags which contain food, water, a sleeping bag, and a slicker to keep him dry.
If my heroine were transported to the present she'd enjoy ... romances, of course. She'd probably love Jane Austen and all those gorgeous English costume dramas.
If I were going back in time to the Old West, the one modern-day item I'd take with me would have to be ... penicillin. More people died of simple infections than anything else.
My favorite contemporary Western romance author is … I don't read many contemporary Westerns, but I would guess Linda Lael Miller.
My favorite Western historical romance author is … Louis L'Amour.