Saturday, July 22 is National Day of the Cowboy, so this week we're dedicating our blog to a celebration of cowboy lore and culture all week long!
To help me celebrate, I've rounded up five other authors who write across a range of sweet, sexy and suspenseful romance featuring cowboys. Today, Linda Broday joins us to share her latest top-selling romance, Heart of a Texas Cowboy, as well as her extensive knowledge and wisdom about cowboys.
"I'm a New York Times
and USA Today bestselling author of historical western romances and I reside in
the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and Comancheros once roamed. I
can feel their ghosts lurking around every corner. I love research and looking
for little known tidbits to add realism to my stories. Chocolate is my best
friend. It just soothes my soul."
The Heart of a Texas Cowboy is Book 2 in the Men of Legends series
One bullet is all it takes to shatter Houston Legend’s world. He
swore he’d never love again, but with the future of the Lone Star Ranch on the
line, he finds himself at the altar promising to love and cherish a woman he’s
never met—a woman whose vulnerable beauty touches his heart.
All Lara Boone wants is a name for her baby. She never expected to
fall in love with her own husband—or any man—after the heartache she’s endured.
Yet when her troubled past catches up with them, Houston will move heaven and
earth to protect his bride…and discover depths to a marriage of convenience
neither realized could be theirs to claim.
Here's an excerpt
With night wrapped around her like a
cloak, Lara hummed while she washed the dishes and put everything away.
Houston sat on the ground with Gracie,
his back against his saddle. The babe lay on his chest with his hand patting
the small back. He caught Lara looking and winked as boldly as some scoundrel.
Heat rose to her cheeks. She lowered her gaze and made quick work of the
dishes.
“Do you want me to take Gracie to her
bed?” Lara asked, joining him.
Houston was so near his soft breath
fanned her cheek. Her pulse raced. This man she’d married invaded every
thought. He’d shown kindness and caring and brought hope back from the grave
where she’d buried it.
He laid a hand on her arm. “You’ll be
back?”
“Yes. I won’t be long.”
“I’ll only be in camp a little while,”
Houston said, yawning. “Have to spell the other drovers.” At her questioning
glance, he explained, “Everyone shares guard duty, me included.”
She nodded and hurried to lay Gracie
in her crib next to her crib beside the chuck wagon. With her precious daughter
sleeping soundly, she returned to the fire to find no sign of Houston. Her
heart sank with disappointment. She’d missed him, missed her goodnight kiss
that he’d begged for.
Houston called quietly from the deep
shadows. “Over here, Lara.”
Following his voice, Lara discovered
him leaning against the trunk of a mesquite tree. Rays from the full moon
lightened the dark brown strands nestling against his collar, adding glints of
silver.
“I didn’t want to take a chance on us
being interrupted so I walked out here,” he explained.
Lara wet her lips. “I thought you’d
changed your mind.” That he didn’t want to kiss a woman so scarred.
“Not a chance, lady,” he growled low
and pushed away from the tree. “It’s all that’s been on my mind since you
agreed.”
When she moved to him, he opened his
arms. She walked into his embrace as though it was door and pleasure awaited
there. Inhaling the scented air, she laid her head against the hard wall of his
chest. She wanted to stay there forever.
Houston lightly rested his chin on the
top of her head. “I’m real glad you came on this drive. Nights can get lonely
out here.”
His deep voice vibrated inside her. It
was like he became part of her. “I’m glad I did too. Even though I had to work
to convince you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m a stubborn fool.”
He put a finger under her chin and
lifted her face. Without a word, he lowered his mouth. The minute his warm lips
touched hers, Lara had to clutch his arm to keep from falling. Her heartbeat
pounded as though trying to keep up with the blood racing through her veins.
A hot, demanding, achiness swept over
her. She needed this man and at the moment didn’t think she could live without
him. Nor did she want to try.
Find more from Linda:
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lindabroday1/
E.E.: Describe in your own words what makes a “cowboy” a cowboy.
Linda: It’s a lot more than clothes or fancy boots. A cowboy shows
fierce pride in the way he carries himself. His confident attitude comes from a
place deep within and in many cases, it’s something that’s been passed down. A
cowboy lives by a code, or a set of rules, that’s he’s laid down for himself
and he’ll never break one. He has honor, courage, and dogged determination in
spades. The land is in his blood and there’s no getting it out. The love of
family and animals lives inside him.
E.E.: Why do you think the “cowboy culture” remains so appealing?
Linda: We live in a society where so much is fake. People are
looking for someone to look up to who is genuine in his beliefs. These men are
larger than life. If you need something done they’ll step up to the plate. And
I have to admit that my heart always beats a little faster when I’m around them
here in the Texas panhandle.
E.E.: What is it about cowboys that you find attractive, and/or
inspiring?
Let’s think about how about they look for starters. Boots,
jeans, and a hat are okay, but if a cowboy wears them…oh my! I write historical
western romance for other reasons too. Cowboys make great heroes. It’s that
inner strength and confidence that just won’t let them quit. You may get him
down but he doesn’t stay. He’ll fight to the gates of hell and beyond for
something he believes in. He’s tough as grit yet tender underneath all that
hardness.
E.E.: Who are some of your favorite cowboys?
Linda: My lists are as long as your arm, but these stand out in one
way or another.
On the big screen, a few are: John Wayne, Sam Elliott, Clint
Eastwood, Kevin Costner, and Robert Duvall. These actors have what it takes to
fill a cowboy’s shoes.
In history: Charles Goodnight, Jesse Chisholm, Wyatt Earp,
Oliver Loving—they were men who blazed trails and cast a long shadow.
In books: Johnny Cain (The Outsider,) Rowdy Rhodes (A Wanted
Man,) Brady Wilkins (Pieces of Sky,) and Chance Wyatt (The Tender Texan.)
E.E.: Any favorite cowboy quotes?
Linda:
From The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – “See, there are two
kinds of people in this world, my friend. Those with loaded guns and those who
dig. You dig.”
From Tombstone— “Are you going to do something, or just stand
there and bleed?”
“Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear,
or a fool from any direction.”
“Generally you ain’t learnin’ nothing when your mouth’s a
jawing.”
“Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.”
“A real cowboy ain’t the man who gets on a bull to show off
for a bunch of girls. It’s a man who is out in the snow at 10 below, caring for
his herd before anything else.”
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 Carolyn Brown, and discover the Toughest Cowboy in Texas.
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
How about you? Do you have any favorite cowboys?
Who are they, and why are they your favorites?
QUESTION OF THE DAY $5.00 Gift Card during Cowboy Week
How about you? Do you have any favorite cowboys?
Who are they, and why are they your favorites?
Very nice blog and excerpt, Linda! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Beth. I'm glad you liked it.
DeleteAnother great book, Linda !!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angi. He's a true cowboy all the way.
DeleteYes I have my favorite cowboys, My Dad is my favorite, he is my hero and has always been. From the time I was 6 months old I was riding horses with him, of course me seated in front of him at such a small age. He taught me how to ride, rope, and how to take care and put my animals needs before my own. So he was and will always be my favorite cowboy.
ReplyDeleteLove all of yalls blogs.
Hey, Miss Tonya.....Your dad is pretty special. He taught you all the right things and instilled a love of cowboy life inside you. Thanks for coming. Big hugs!
DeleteLinda, you're answers are spot on and inspiring, and your stories are the kind that stay with me long after I'm finished reading. Thank you for joining us this week and sharing your love for cowboys! Big hugs!
ReplyDeleteHi Elisabeth.....I wish I could've come up with something cute and funny but when it comes to cowboys I'm dead serious. This land wouldn't be settled if not for them. In many, many cases they acted as lawmen and dispensed their own brand of justice. Love you, lady!
DeleteThank you for sharing. Wonderful interview. Charlene Whitehouse
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous....Thanks for dropping by. I'm glad you enjoyed my post. Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteHi Linda! Love you! Some of my favorite cowboys are from Linda's books. Her books are fantastic! She's my favorite western romance writer and a very dear friend. Also I dated a few cowboys and a bull rider back in the early 80's in Lubbock, TX. I'd prefer not to give names. But HOT DAMN they were good. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa!!! I love you too. I'm glad you came by. Oh to have been a fly on the wall back in early 80s in Luboock! Oh the stories you could tell. One thing I know about you, you lived life large and full out and apologized for nothing. I admire you so much. I hope you're able to read a little. I'm still going to come and snatch those cowboy boots right off your feet.
DeleteLinda, I won! I won! Hope I'm not too late. I just e-mailed them. So years ago my mom told me I should write a story about my life. Now a few days ago a nurse said the same thing. Hmm...perhaps? I admire you too, Linda. And I love you with all my heart. I'm so glad you came into my life. You have helped me more than you know. HUGS!! PS. I'm hiding my boots!
DeleteLove this blog = so much great information shared to the world!! Thanks ladies for this week!!
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa.......I'm so glad you came by to help us celebrate. These cowboys sure do give us a lot of reading pleasure. Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteA Fav cowboy... it changes... I have enjoyed so many from different authors over the years!
ReplyDeleteHi Colleen......Wow, it's great to see you! Well, if you're like me you just love 'em all. Good luck in the drawing!
Deleteno fav
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful book and love to read about cowboys! I don't have a fav but I do fall in book love with one every time i read as my dad called them Westerns. I remember going to school and they asked what I did over the weekend and I would say I got to go with my dad and we walked to the library as he had to get a new western book to read. He passed his love of these books and reading to me even though I didn't have him or my mom to perm live with little did he know our walks influnced my life by my avid reading.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great interview, Linda!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the excerpt, sounds like a great read!I have to say Clint Eastwood is my favorite, he just has this calm, cool demeanor that is how I picture a cowboy should be like.
ReplyDelete