Cowboys and foster kids. What
does one have to do with the other? Thanks for asking. J
I happen to like cowboys. In
my mind, the ideal cowboy is rugged and tough on the outside, but inside he is thoughtful
and sweet. He is loyal to a fault, has a strong work ethic and is deeply rooted
in his land. When he finally meets the right woman–even if he doesn’t realize she’s Ms. Right for
a good two hundred pages or so–he falls
hard and loves with his whole heart.
I like foster kids, too. For several
years now, I have volunteered at Treehouse, a foster care agency based in Washington
State.
Despite challenges and hurdles most of us can’t even imagine, many of
the foster kids I have met possess the spit, spirit and grit that help them grow
into responsible, capable adults.
Putting a cowboy and foster
kids together seemed like a natural thing to do, especially in Saddlers
Prairie, Montana. The fictitious ranching town is home to my Saddlers Prairie
miniseries, and Her Rancher Hero is the third book in the series.
Cody Naylor, a rancher with a
big heart, has taken in four foster teenage boys and is in desperate need of a
housekeeper. For Autumn Knowles, the housekeeping job is a way to stay out of
jail after a minor scrape with the law. If that isn’t a recipe for a story…
But I’m not going to give
away anything.
Do you like cowboys? What’s
your favorite ranch story setting? Leave a comment for a chance
to win an autographed copy of Her Rancher Hero.
***Ann's winner is EllenToo! Please email totebag@authorsondrelations.com with your mailing information and the prize will be on the way to you soon!***
I do like cowboys. There is something rather special about them. I don't know that I have a particularly favorite ranch story setting.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Mary. Cowboys are special. Sigh. :-)
DeleteI like cowboys, too, and high country ranches. They don't have to be particularly big and rich, just scenic! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm with ya, Liz. :-)
DeleteI love cowboy stories especially those set in Texas ranches.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Ellen.... my editor was pleased that I chose Montana because there are so many stories set on Texas ranchers. I like those stories too!
DeleteI enjoy cowboy stories as well. Like Mary, I don't know that I have a particular ranch story setting that is my favourite. That being said, I DID enjoy reading RANCHER DADDY in Montana (wink, wink).
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed Rancher Daddy, Laney4. :-)
DeleteCowboys always seem so hardworking and like a family man. They seem approachable and real.
ReplyDeleteCambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
You're right. They are symbols of what we all want in a man. Along with other things...
DeleteDo I like cowboys? I love cowboy stories!
ReplyDeleteMy first "grown-up" reads, as a pre-teen,
were by a couple of authors by the names
of L'Amour and Grey! (My Dad shared his
reads with me.) As for a favorite, after
some sixty years of reading, I would be
tempted to choose one of those early works
of art!
Pat C.
Pat, I know what you mean. Those old books are classics for a reason. :-) Do you like Larry McMurtry? That man can write with the best of them.
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI love reading about cowboys, love the way they are usually portrayed (rugged, heart of gold, tough, loyal) by authors. And of course the women who win them are usually fun to read about also. Some of my favorite settings are ranches in Montana, Colorado and then of course I do love those big Texas ranches.
Thanks for the chance
Pam
You know, Pam... I think I love ranches, period. As long as there are cowboys involved. ;-)
DeleteI love cowboys. I don't have a particular setting that I prefer. They are hardworking, love what they do, and fall hard for their other half even if it takes them 100+ pages.
ReplyDeletekscathy AT yahoo DOT com
That's the fun part, Cathy. Waiting for love to smack them upside the head. :-)
DeleteAs a native Texan, I love cowboys & am particularly fond of the big Texas ranches! Of course, there's no "bad" ranch setting. So long as cattle, horses & cowboys are involved, I'm happy!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteThanks for the great post and congrats on the new release! I enjoy cowboys :) Haven't read any good books lately though...
ReplyDeleteErin, there are tons of great books to read. Here's hoping you choose and read some soon. ;-)
DeleteLove cowboys and some of my favorite story settings are when there is conflict between doing things the way they've been done as opposed to adding new ideas into the mix.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, Leni. And a great place for conflict. Change versus status quo....
DeleteI like cowboys and most ranch settings.
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteI really enjoy cowboy and ranch stories. I don't care where the setting is from Texas, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma and many more states to Alberta and to the Australian outback. People who work on the land are usually hard working, very honest and very direct. A lot of ranchers I know are also quiet, well educated, have a unique sense of humor. Their lifestyle is at the mercy of the weather and all they have worked for can be gone in almost a blink of the eye.
ReplyDeleteI love stories with kids in them and foster kids seem very vulnerable.
Exactly, Kaelee. I hope you enjoy Her Rancher Hero. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, I love cowboys because they are hard working, strong and reliable and have a tenderness deep inside for those they love. And I love how protective they can be. No particular setting I can think of either.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot com
Happy New Year to you, too! :-)
DeleteSeem my entry does not appear, love cowboy story but I don't familiar with ranch so I don't have any fave ranch
ReplyDeleteI'm not so particular about the ranch, it's the cowboys and sweaty hard work and those ripped muscles that I'm looking for. And the fact that usually cowboys are men of few words.
ReplyDeleteYou betcha I "heart" cowboys - John Wayne was my first crush.
ReplyDeletesallans d at yahoo dot com