COWBOY IN A KILT
When former bronc rider Lavonda Leigh is asked to guide a Scottish archaeologist through the Arizona desert, she’s expecting a fussy egghead. But then she discovers tall, strong Jones Kincaid competing at the local Highland games. She can't help her interest in him—and that's before he puts on his cowboy hat and hits the trail like a pro.
Jones is after more than he's letting on. His quest could clear a past scandal and let him live his dream—studying the old West. But as he spends time with Lavonda in this rugged landscape, he realizes that what he wants isn't just academic—he yearns for a life with her on the ranch. If she discovers his deception, this professor-turned-cowboy will lose his reputation…and Lavonda, too.
When former bronc rider Lavonda Leigh is asked to guide a Scottish archaeologist through the Arizona desert, she’s expecting a fussy egghead. But then she discovers tall, strong Jones Kincaid competing at the local Highland games. She can't help her interest in him—and that's before he puts on his cowboy hat and hits the trail like a pro.
Jones is after more than he's letting on. His quest could clear a past scandal and let him live his dream—studying the old West. But as he spends time with Lavonda in this rugged landscape, he realizes that what he wants isn't just academic—he yearns for a life with her on the ranch. If she discovers his deception, this professor-turned-cowboy will lose his reputation…and Lavonda, too.
A former innkeeper and radio talk show host, Heidi Hormel has always been a writer. She spent years as a small-town newspaper reporter and as a PR flunky before settling happily into penning romances with a wink and a wiggle.
While living in the Snack Food Capital of the World, Heidi has trotted around the globe from forays into Death Valley to stops at Loch Ness in Scotland.
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Jan Schliesman: How often do you Get Lost In A Story?
Heidi Hormel: Just this morning. I am working on a proposal for more books set in
Angel Crossing, Arizona. As part of that, I am writing the first three chapters
and this morning I got to typing and I was right there with my characters. I
love when that happens.
Jan: What’s the best part of being a Harlequin author?
Heidi: The community of readers, fellow authors, and editors are awesome. I
don’t know where else I would have found such a supportive environment to start
and grow my career. (There’s also a Harlequin party that made my whole 2015!)
Jan: How much research do you do?
Heidi: It depends on the book. I usually do internet research as I hit snags
or have questions but, boy, can that eat up a lot of time. I often write about
careers, places, etc. that I have passing knowledge of so I only need to do
research on the nitty gritty details. Take THE ACCIDENTAL COWBOY. I took an
archaeology course in college, visited the Tucson area and even had a chance to
see petroglyphs in the “wild.” I took all of that first-hand knowledge then did
research as needed.
Jan: What do you love
most about The Accidental Cowboy?
Heidi: That’s like asking me which is my favorite knitting pattern. I’m going
with the magic number three and listing three favorite things: the animals
(Reese the miniature burro and Cat the cat); the kilt; and Lavonda, the heroine
who has helped everyone around her and finally gets to find happiness for
herself.
Jan: What’s your favorite sports team?
Heidi: Sports? You mean like competitive reading and shopping? Seriously, I
don’t follow sports, except my great-niece and great-nephew’s lacrosse teams. Go
Ox!
Heidi: My ritual is to get up early (3 a.m. is not unheard of), make coffee,
feed the cat, and sit down and write. Celebrating when the book is done?!
Sleeping doesn’t count does it? I need to come up with a better way to jump and
down with excitement. Any ideas? Anyone?
Jan: I know you were a
journalist in your previous life. If
you could go back and pick a different career, what would it be?
Heidi: Hmm … Radio Talk Show Host. I did for just a little while and always
wished that had been my full-time career.
Jan: Best vacation
you’ve ever taken?
Heidi: Wow, that is a toughie. I took a once-in-a-lifetime vacation with my
mom to Hawaii; there was a drive from Phoenix to Northern California and back
that’s stuck with me…I’ve been fortunate to travel quite a bit so it’s hard to
say one vacation. I would say the three spots that still fascinate me and to
which I’d return in a heartbeat are: Iceland, the Orkney Islands and Death
Valley. Now, that’s a range of places, isn’t it!
Jan’s GOTTA ASK: What is your unhealthiest
habit?
Heidi’s GOTTA ANSWER: Unhealthiest habit? There are so many…coffee (I would drink it by the
gallon if I could); any processed sugar product; and obsessing over commas!
UP NEXT: THE KENTUCKY COWBOY’S BABY (Angel Crossing, Arizona), out in August 2016.
HUGE THANKS TO HEIDI for sharing her writing world with us! She's giving away an autographed copy of THE ACCIDENTAL COWBOY to a U.S. reader! Please scroll down to the Rafflecopter for ways to enter and thanks for visiting Get Lost In A Story.
Great having you back on the blog, Heidi!
ReplyDeleteHello to Heidi and Jan. It's the whole package. Boots, jeans, hat and a cowboy shirt. Pllus, the Cowboy attitude and ethics.
ReplyDeleteI'm more about the attitude than the outside packaging ... on the other hand, a nice pair of ... jeans is good :-)
DeleteI'm so happy to be back! Thanks to Jan for asking some great questions!!! I'm still looking for a good way to celebrate hitting THE END. Maybe jewelry?
ReplyDeleteHis values, code of honor, love of the land... Thanks for sharing with us today!
ReplyDeleteI agree with love of the land! That's why I think cowboys and small towns fit together well, too!
DeleteThe hat and boots are external trappings. I think what makes a man a cowboy is a sense of self-sufficiency. "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!" is the cowboy creed, IMO.
ReplyDeleteI love that quote! Although my love of the phrase: I may need it some day has equaled an attic filled to overflowing ;-)
DeleteThe way he is with his cattle, horses and animals and that rugged hard look
ReplyDeleteI think how a person treats an animal does tell a lot about him or her!
Deletehorse
ReplyDeleteI like their loyalty packaged in jeans, boots, shirt and hat.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely loyalty is in the mix -- do you think they learn that from their faithful dogs?
DeleteHello! I love the family values and work ethic of cowboys. They know how to treat a lady. :)
ReplyDeleteYes to every one of those!
DeleteHis ruggedness ... his hardworking motto ... his dedication to family and land ... his appreciation of animals
ReplyDeleteI think hardworking should be added to the criteria for People's sexiest man!
DeleteAside from the cowboy look it's the strength, courage, and work ethic.
ReplyDelete