'Cowboy 12 Pack' authors react to hitting 'The Lists'

Cynthia D'Alba, an author in the Cowboy 12 Pack boxed set with A Cowboy's Seduction, asked her fellow authors in the set to react to the news that the set hit both the Paste BN and New York Times bestsellers lists.

Cynthia: Hi y'all! Cynthia D'Alba here. Something happened to me this month that's never happened before. It's … well, let me start at the beginning. Last fall I was invited to be in a collection of contemporary Western romances. Of course I jumped at the chance. The collection, Cowboy 12 Pack, was released in January. Within the first week of release, we hit the Paste BN and New York Times bestseller lists!

When I heard about hitting the Paste BN bestseller list, I was ready to celebrate, but my dogs needed their nightly walk. When we got back, my dryer of permanent press clothes had to be hung up and the wet load transferred from the washer. Then, the pile of dirty dishes in my kitchen had to be dealt with before I could celebrate. By now, it was bedtime and it dawned on me … I need minions! Doesn't Paste BN give minions with its bestsellers list? Making the bestseller lists will always be one of the highlights of my life.

I asked the other collection authors what hearing the news was like for them. Here's what they told me …

Beth Williamson, author of The Harder They Fall

I'm still stunned to hit the Paste BN bestseller list and the NYT extended list for Cowboy 12 Pack. I sat back and thought ... hell, this is like fitting into a size 6. For those of us who are double (or more) a size 6, you'll be nodding your heads right now. It's been 10 years of writing and publishing almost 40 books for me. Lots of people looked at me askance and said, "Why Westerns?" As if they were less than worthy to write. I'm here to tell ya, they are more than worthy. They're the stories that reside in my heart. I'm here to stay and I'm dancing in a circle in my virtual size 6 savoring the sweet, sweet taste of making the list. *fist pump*

Sable Hunter, author of Badass

The day I hit the bestseller list was the day I realized I needed more friends. Oh, I posted on Facebook and that was great. But you should have seen me in real life. Since I'm a full-time writer, I work from home. I don't get out much. I have NO social life. So, I was desperately hunting someone to tell — anyone! I ran through the neighborhood like a crazy woman. So, now the produce man, the lady at the post office, the woman walking her cat down the street and the guy who is installing a new septic system across the road all know that I AM A Paste BN and NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR! BA-BAM!

Elle James, author of The Billionaire Husband Test

Yesterday, I learned Cowboy 12 Pack made the Paste BN and New York Times bestseller lists. I screamed and danced like a fool. My dogs were not impressed. My husband patted my head and said, "That's nice. What's for supper?" I rarely see my neighbors because I'm always on deadline, which leaves my sister, also a writer. She knows the importance of a list and shares my happiness. Most people don't get it. That's OK. And I'm secure in the fact I wear my PJs to work and dream all day long about love stories.

Lexi Post, author of Cowboys Never Fold

When I first read the news we hit the Paste BN and New York Times bestsellers lists, I just stared and said to my husband, "Am I seeing this right?" I looked at him and a slow smile curved his lips as if he'd known it was going to happen and had been keeping the secret. OMG! I just had to tell my family and friends! But I have just moved to a new state and my family and friends are all over the country. So I spent the next four hours e-mailing, texting, calling, tweeting and Facebooking, and with every interaction it became more and more real. Wow. I'm a Paste BN and New York Times bestselling author. I really am.

Sabrina York, author of The Real McCoy

When I got the word Cowboy 12 Pack hit the Paste BN bestseller list, I was thrilled. I think my feet left the ground. Of course, I had to share the word. Everyone was thrilled ... Well. Almost everyone.

Oh so breathlessly and quivering with delight, I told my sister. (Not a writer. Not even a reader, really.) She glanced at me and smiled and said, "OK. I'm ordering Chinese tonight. Do you want anything?" I had to laugh, because, thank God for family. They do keep our feet firmly planted on the ground, don't they?

Donna Michaels, author of Her Uniform Cowboy

The day I hit the bestsellers list I was across country at a writer's retreat with an author friend, sequestered from the world as I worked on another cowboy ... story. Shh ... don't tell the other cowboys. They get all alpha and cranky. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? After calling my family back home, I woohooed and yeehawed and jumped up and down. My apologies to the tenants below. No, it was not an earthquake, it was a — oh my God, I'm a Paste BN and NY Times bestselling author — victory dance. OK, so it most likely resembled an earthquake. Graceful I am not. But I am a bestselling author.

Paige Tyler, author of Sadie and Her Cowboy

Making the Paste BN and NY Times bestseller lists means different things to different people, but to me, it means that the path I'm on is the right path, and that there are readers out there saying, "I love your books." Hubby and I went to P.F. Chang's to celebrate, where we came up with ideas for other books in my X-OPS and SWAT Series, and when we got home, I immediately got to work on the next book. Hope makes the USA and NYT lists, too!

Shoshanna Evers, author of I Am Not Your Melody

When I first hit the lists in March 2014, my husband took me out for lobster dinner to celebrate "getting my letters." The waitress brought me the lobster still alive on a tray for me to approve, which was awkward. I mean, what do you say to your dinner? So I told it I was a Paste BN and NYT bestseller.

Randi Alexander, author of Chase and Seduction

For me, the thrill of hitting the Paste BN bestseller list with Cowboy 12 Pack felt twice as exciting as the first time I hit the list at this same time last year. Twice as thrilling because I truly did not expect it, but I don't know why I didn't. After all, the 12 Pack includes authors I'm in awe of, authors whose books I read the minute they're published, and authors I've met in person and have become friends with. The mix of new cowboy authors and those of us considered "old-timers" in the genre makes this anthology a truly bestseller-worthy book.

Cora Seton, author of The Cowboy Wins a Bride

Hitting the Paste BN bestseller list with the other women in the Cowboy 12 Pack made a great experience even better. I couldn't have asked for better company along the way on this particular journey, and I can't wait to see what we do next!

Becky McGraw, author of Cupid's Cowboy

What was my reaction to finding out the Cowboy 12 Pack hit the Paste BN bestsellers list? Me: *Gasp* *Wet myself a little* *Squealed like a pig* Hubby: "Why are you crying? You never cry — and what the heck is all that squealing about? Are you hurt or slaughtering a pig?" Me: "We hit the lists!" Hubby: "Lists? What list?" Me: "The Paste BN List!" Hubby: "That's awesome, congratulations, but don't scare the crap out of me like that again."