Celebrate National Day of the Cowboy with Amanda McIntyre

National Day of the Cowboy is this coming Saturday, July 22. But why limit it to one day? We've decided to celebrate cowboys all week! 

Up today is Bestselling Author Amanda McIntyre. Her storytelling is a natural offshoot of her artistic
creativity. A visual writer, living in the rich tapestry of the American heartland, her passion is telling character-driven stories with a penchant (okay, some call it a wicked obsession) for placing ordinary people in extraordinary situations to see how they overcome the obstacles to their HEA. A bestselling author, her work is published internationally in Print, eBook, and Audio. She writes steamy contemporary and sizzling historical romance and truly believes, no matter what, love will always find a way.

RENEGADE HEARTS is the third book in her Kennison Legacy series.

Dalton has the reputation as a good-timin’man. But this past year his life was upended. With both brothers now married, its’ enough to make this bachelor turn on his heel and run. Until the past waltzes back into town, looking more beautiful and less interested than when last they met. Dalton, usually on the run from relationships, finds himself trying to convince Angelique that he’s a keeper. And while her kisses imply her attraction, she’s holding something back and Dalton’s determined to find out her secret.

Angelique’s past is the topic of an afternoon talk show—caring for an alcoholic mother, involved in an abusive relationship that nearly cost her and her daughters lives. Fate offer her a second chance to turn things around, but when she returns to End of the Line, sparks fly between her and Dalton and threaten to reveal secrets that could change their lives forever

Here's a blurb:

    Angelique waited until they were up the hill before spinning on her heel to face him. “You and I might just as well have this out right now.”

    Dalton chuckled, guessing what likely the featured topic would be at tonight’s supper table. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was about damn time they cleared the air. Circumstances being what they were, they were bound to run into each other here on the ranch. Damn, he hated confrontation, unless it was with his fists. “Come on, then.” He crooked his finger and led his horse, Beauty into her stable. He took care of filling her trough with oats and looked up to find Angelique standing in the doorway, her arms folded across her chest.

    “Well?”

    He let out a short laugh, wishing he had a drink. “Whatever you’ve got to say, just get it out.”

    “You aren’t going to like it.”

    “Figured that.” Yeah, he could be a bit abrasive at times, but what guy wasn’t? Just the same, it wasn’t the first time a woman wasn’t happy with him and he didn’t think it’d be the last.

    She blew out a breath and breezed past him, stopping to scratch Beauty’s white spotted nose. “I’d just as soon the whole house didn’t hear us.”

    He raised his brows. Not that they weren’t likely already lined up along the front porch railing anyway. “Is this going to get violent?” He smiled, hoping to ease the look of tension in her eyes.

    She turned on her heel and walked toward the back of the barn, her boots thumping the hard dirt floor in her stride. She opened the back door and let it slam behind her.

    “Oh, hell yeah, this oughta be fun.” Dalton blew out a sigh and followed. Stepping outside, he found her looking at the mountains. Her chin lifted slightly in defiance gave her profile a regal beauty. Hard as he tried to fight it, he swore she grew more beautiful each time he saw her. Memories slithered to the surface, snaking through his brain as he waited for her to notice his presence. Images of thick steam fogging his truck windows on that cold, rainy night, her soft lips bending to whisper that she wanted him, ran through his mind.

    “Look.” She swung her gaze to his. He inadvertently took a step back, reacting to her stern tone. “I don’t know how to act around you. You’ve made it perfectly clear on more than one occasion that you regretted what happened. Or maybe you were just too drunk to remember it fully.”

    If he’d harbored any doubts that her recollection of that night was different than his, she’d just set the record straight. “I remember,” he replied quietly.

    She searched his eyes then shook her head in disbelief. “Whatever. That was a long time ago, right? And I admit, we were both maybe a little buzzed. The thing is, we’ve both moved on. Now I have another life--at least, I’m trying to make another life that doesn’t include my past. So, if we could just play nice, I’d appreciate it, okay?” Having said her piece, she started around him.

    He caught her arm. “What about Emilee?”

    Her gaze snapped to his and pure fear flashed in her eyes. He dropped his hold as though she was on fire. Her expression eased some, but she looked away. He’d heard bits and pieces--mostly rumors—that her marriage hadn’t been stellar, that she’d been in an abusive relationship. “What are we going to do about the promise I made to her about the trail ride?”

    Her gaze, softer now, looked up at him, but she held her ground. “We aren’t going to do anything. I’ll need to think about it, like I told her.”

    “Fair enough, and while you’re at it, think on this. There may be one or two things about that night I don’t remember too well.” He touched her chin and forced her gaze to his. Those dark eyes bore into his sorry excuse for a soul. He knew he didn’t deserve someone like her, but that didn’t make things any easier in the middle of the night. “I must have said something that hurt you enough to make you detest me like you do.”

    She jerked her arm from his grasp. “I don’t detest you, Dalton. I just don’t see any possible future with you. To be honest, I’m not sure I ever did. I admit, I’m as much to blame for what happened that night. It was careless and stupid.”

    “It might have been careless, might have been many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them.”

    “I’m surprised you felt anything. Figured as much time as you spent at Dusty’s that day….” She shook her head and looked away.

    That stung, and maybe he deserved it. He could refute it, but it was true--he’d been there most of the afternoon. Still, if darts were being thrown, it would be easy to pin her with why she’d given up her daughter for the past four years to be raised by someone else. Maybe there was more to the story, maybe not. He’d known one woman in his lifetime who hadn’t thought one red hot damn about abandoning her children. But that wasn’t what challenged him. It was her disbelief in his memory. Because he’d sure as hell remembered that night--remembered Angelique’s sighs, the way her hands fisted in his hair as she called out his name. “That’s not at all how I remember it.” He took a step closer, knowing he risked bodily injury. “In fact, I felt everything in vivid detail. And so did you, let’s be truthful about that, shall we?”

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WEBSITE: http://www.amandamcintyresbooks.com/

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AMAZON .uk AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002C1KH2Q

E.E. Describe in your own words what makes a “cowboy” a cowboy? 

Amanda: A cowboy to me is an attitude as much as the boots, hat, and wranglers he wears. He lives by a moral code, a man comfortable in his own skin, protecting what is dear to him, helping where help is needed, compassionate, hard-working, a little rebellious, a bit of a free spirit, but steadfast and honest with who he is and what he believes.

The Cowboy Code (from A Look at Life From the Saddle by Armor Patterson)

*Speak the truth and let your word be your bond

*Never betray a trust or desert a friend

*Protect and care for those who can't help themselves

*Be gentle with women, children and the elderly.

*Care for animals and protect the land

*Be courteous, polite, and neat

*Learn all you can and cultivate wisdom

*Speak straight, speak properly, and don't speak too much

*Do the job you're paid to do with pride and honor

*Never quit when times are toughest

*It's fine to feel fear, but don't let it back you down.

*Remember that good never prevails without courage and grit.

*If something looks too good to be true, expect that it is.

Keep your sense of humor and don't meddle.

When you've done all you can, rest your faith. 

E.E. Why do you think the “cowboy culture” remains so appealing?

Amanda: I think there’s a desire to hang on to the idea that there is a contingency out there that lives by a moral code that’s a rare commodity in this self-serving world we live in. Hope that there still exists the rugged individual who faces fear in the eye, loves with all his heart, is grounded/humbled by his faith and is a grateful steward of the land and protective of all in his care. The cowboy, and so too, cowgirls, are the legacy of the American spirit that is part of who we are as a nation.

E.E.: What is it about cowboys that you find attractive, and/or inspiring? (Basically, why do you write stories featuring cowboy lore or American West historical or contemporary culture?)

Amanda: To me the allure is the indomitable, tenacious spirit. I hope that my stories reflect all those things I’ve explained previously. But to me, the humble everyday heroes, who work hard, love their families, their land, God, and aren’t concerned whether somebody finds that old-fashioned. That American spirit is in their DNA. I feel these are the heroes and heroine’s worth reminding people about with my hope my story will challenge, encourage, and maybe inspire someone.

E.E.: Who are some of your favorite cowboys (in history, literature, films, television, real life, whatever)? Pictures of them would be great!

Amanda: From early childhood, I remember my mom reading Louis L’Amour books. My dad was a country western fan so I grew up listening to Hank Thompson, Waylon Jennings, Gene Autry, Hank Williams and countless other radio cowboys.

I was weaned on TV shows that included heroes like James Drury in the Virginian, Chuck Conner in The Rifleman, The Roy Rogers Show, Marshall Dillon (James Arnez) and Miss Kitty in Gunsmoke and of course, the cowboys of the Ponderosa ranch in Bonanza.

In later years my love of cowboys was found in the music of Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Dixie Chicks, Asleep at the Wheel, and countless others.

Movies such as Maverick, Tombstone, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Shadow Riders, Django, The Magnificent Seven (both versions), Oklahoma (my birth state), Stagecoach, True Grit, Dances with Wolves, How the West Was Won, Cat Ballou, Silverado, The Quick and the Dead, Desperado, Quigley Down Under, Lonesome Dove continued my adoration of these salt-of-the-earth heroes.

One of my all-time favorite movies I can watch again and again is Legends of the Fall. The family dynamics, the characters portrayed by amazing actors and the tumultuous times captivates me. Not to mention that Brad Pitt as a cowboy is alone, swoon-worthy stuff, but his character was exceptional “cowboy” stuff!

More recently I fell in love all over again with the cowboy characters in the hit tv series, Longmire, and Cullen Bohannon in Hell On Wheels, and as gritty as it is—the series Deadwood is a fascinating mix of true-life characters.

Perhaps it’s in my DNA. After his death, I discovered my Uncle was--in his younger years--involved in bronc and bull riding and there are rumors in our family that my grandmother, whose maiden name is Younger from southern Missouri, may well have been a cousin to the Younger brothers. At any rate, long love the cowboy—his smoldering looks, his rebellious ways, and his denim-clad swagger and as for my writing, I offer up a line from one of my all-time favorite songs by Chris Cagle and in fact my inspiration for my third Kinnsion book, RENEGADE HEARTS-“Let there be cowgirls for every cowboy!”

In your own words, what makes a cowboy a cowboy?

Enter for your chance to win prizes in our Celebrate Cowboys giveaway. 

Glass boot filled with chocolate

Western book charm and signed copy of Maybe Baby

from E.E.

Readers choice Kinnison Legacy books, 

Last Hope Ranch books, or End of the Line books

from Amanda

Three $5 Amazon gift cards 

Premium swag packs with books from Beth 

Silver Boot Earring, a cowgirl hatpin

Books 1 & 2 Men of Legend series 

from Linda

Five copies of Toughest Cowboy in Texas

Three copies of Wicked Cowboy Charm

a $25 Amazon gift card

a $25 gift card to Longhorn Steak House Restaurant

from Carolyn

Texas wine charms & and autographed book from Angi

Winners announced Sunday, July 23 on this blog.

Tomorrow join New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Beth Williamson, 
and get her take on cowboys.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get Lost on Facebook   @GetLostInAStory  #GetLostStories

AND Join our Facebook Group: The Readers’ Spot
QUESTION OF THE DAY $5.00 Gift Card during Cowboy Week