Excerpts: 'Slow Hand' and 'Rough Rider' by Victoria Vane
Victoria Vane shares excerpts from her new release, Rough Rider (book two in her Hot Cowboy Nights series), and book one, Slow Hand, in which we see different sides of our hero brothers.
Victoria: In my stories I always endeavor to create complex characters who deal with realistic and sometimes painful situations. I am always thrilled when a reader has a strong emotional reaction to a character — either positive or negative. As a writer, I find it the ultimate challenge to shift a reader's perception from antipathy to empathy. This was very my goal in Rough Rider, the second book of my Hot Cowboy Nights series. In my first book, Slow Hand, readers immediately empathize with the charming, self-sacrificing, workaholic lawyer while taking an immediate dislike to his belligerent brother Dirk. Wade wants to sell the family ranch that's become nothing but a black hole. He also worries about his parents' ability to retire. In both stories Wade and Dirk are pretty much at each other's throats while each is desperately trying to do what he sincerely believes is the right thing.
SLOW HAND EXCERPT
"I can't believe all that sits right outside your door!"
"The ranch is in the heart of the Ruby Valley," Wade said. "We're surrounded by seven mountain ranges and have some of the best grazing lands around. I guess I've come to take the landscape for granted."
"I can't believe you want to sell," she remarked incredulously.
"Stupid as hell, isn't he?" replied a gravelly baritone from below.
The body attached to the voice came into view as soon as they descended the stairs. He wasn't as tall as Wade, but bigger, more weather-beaten, and doubly imposing. Maybe that last part was due to his expression—as hard and rugged as the mountains in the backdrop.
Wade's head jerked in his direction. "Mornin', Dirk."
She noted that neither of them smiled, but she'd been forewarned about their mutual hostility.
"Mornin'? Hell, it's closer to noon. Some of us actually work around here. The ol' man and I have been moving cattle for the past five hours while you've been lazing in bed." He raked over Nikki with a disapproving stare.
"Hold it right there," she blurted. "I'm not his girlfriend. if that's what you think. I'm a client." She looked to Wade, "Or will be as soon as I get a few things straightened out."
"A client?" Dirk's mouth twisted on the word. "Since when did my little brother start bringing clients out to the ranch?"
"Since they needed a place to stay," Wade replied. "Miz Powell's here because her father recently passed away and she lost her wallet on the trip up here. Nikki, this rude jackass is my brother, Dirk."
Dirk's expression softened at Wade's explanation. He tipped his hat with a look of chagrin. "Dirk."
She stepped forward and extended her hand. He accepted her hand with a brief squeeze of his own. "Sorry for your loss, Miz Powell. Welcome to the Flying K." Dirk resumed the look of a pit bull preparing for a fight. "The only jackass is the one who would give away the family farm."
"Seven point eight mil is hardly a giveaway."
"You can't put a price on four generations of blood, sweat, and tears. You've got no friggin' loyalty, Wade."
Wade's expression darkened, his lips compressed. The testosterone levels were rising as palpably as the flush invading Nikki's cheeks.
"Save it for later, will you, Dirk? Nikki doesn't need to witness our family feud."
—
Interestingly, readers who skipped Slow Hand and read only Rough Rider, came away with complete sympathy for Dirk and a strong dislike of Dirk's schmoozy brother Wade!
When the boot is placed on the other foot, it's just as easy to empathize with Dirk's struggles.
ROUGH RIDER EXCERPT
"God******!" Dirk hoisted the saddle onto his horse's back with a curse. "And double damn Wade!"
The only reason he'd sent Wade after the cattle was his own difficulty riding. He used the ATV most of the time for cattle work, but there were a number of strays on the mountain and some of the cow paths were too treacherous and narrow to chance it with the ATV. He rarely rode a horse unless he had to. He couldn't do it like he used to, so he didn't want to do it at all. Riding with a prosthetic leg was a royal pain in the ass. He supposed his stubborn pride was an even bigger pain in the ass, but that's just how it was.
If the missing cattle wasn't already enough to fire him up, Allie Evans had just shown up with another offer on the ranch. He'd thought the issue of selling out was laid to rest a week ago, but here was Allie back again. She might have Wade in her pocket, but she was wasting her breath if she thought to change Dirk's mind. He had a legacy to protect and he swore he'd do so with his very last breath. It wasn't just a matter of guilt on his part, it was a matter of honor.
The Flying K was all he had left. He knew he could turn things around but a new breeding program didn't happen overnight. It took time. Not weeks or months but years. It was also risky, but he knew in his gut it would pay off in the long run—if only his damned brother would have a little faith.
—
In the end, it is what the author chooses to reveal that dramatically impacts readers' feelings. Empathy for each character comes easily once the reader is able to understand their respective motives. This revelation can easily transform the antagonist of one book into the protagonist of another. In the end that's what empathy is all about — perspective!
Find out more about Victoria and her books at www.victoriavane.com.