Ridin’ the edge of lust is fun—until someone falls in love.
A Rough Riders book.
Goody-two boots AJ Foster has waited her entire life for her dream cowboy Cord McKay to see her as more than the neighbor girl in pigtails. Now that she’s old enough to stake her claim on him, she’s pulling out all the sexual stops and riding hell-bent for leather—straight for his libido.
Divorced rancher Cord has sworn off all women…until innocent AJ suggests he teach her how to ride bareback—and he realizes she doesn’t mean horses or bulls. Between his responsibilities running his massive ranch, missing his young son and dealing with the sexual shenanigans of his brother and cousins, Cord is more than willing to take AJ up on her offer. On a trial basis.
The fun and games tie them both up in knots. AJ isn’t willing to settle for less than the whole shootin’ match with her western knight. But for Cord, even though the sexy cowgirl sets his blood ablaze, he’s determined to resist her efforts to lasso his battered heart.
Sweet, determined AJ has the power to heal—or heel—the gruff cowboy…unless Cord’s pride keeps him from admitting their relationship is more than a simple roll in the hay.
On Writing A Romance Series
I write modern day erotic western romances for Samhain Publishing, called the Rough Riders Series. I’ll admit when I started out writing these books, because I also write very gritty mysteries under another name, I’d intended to create something wildly different within the romance genre; a family type saga, spanning the course of several years and numerous books, where I can explore the true western way of life, warts and all, the tight-knit community and personal dynamics within multiple characters and a unique setting. Yes, my main focus is still on giving each couple their own story, plus a wickedly hot “anything goes” type romance including very explicit sex scenes, but I also keep in mind my goals for the arc of the entire series as I’m penning each book.
Because this is a series, the approach is different than what’s considered a “single-title romance” –one couple, one story, one happily ever-after. That means I’ve left little threads dangling from the get-go. Unfulfilled dreams. Broken hearts. Bad decisions. Need for redemption. Regret. Why? Because life is rarely tidy. I’m writing about the grittier side of life in rural America, which means not everything or everyone is politically correct, and the attitudes, circumstances and people one finds in urban areas, are not necessarily found here in the modern day wild west. It isn’t right or wrong: it just IS. It’s real. It’s not always pretty. As I strive to have my hero and heroine find their happily ever after, I mix it up and use humor, as well as tragedy to deal with racial (Native American) issues, prejudice, and sexual (homosexuality) stereotypes in these stories. I realize this type of romance is not everyone’s cuppa tea, but it doesn’t change the basic, hard fact that these books are first and foremost…romances. I feel fortunate to be with a publishing company like Samhain, that publishes romantic stories that are a little outside the box.
Fans of linear romantic stories sometimes see romance series and the author delving into the lives of secondary characters strictly as a gimmick to sell the next book. Not completely untrue, but for me, as an author and a human being, no main character or person is an island. They have family, friends, co-workers who influence their lives and their decisions—be it good or bad choices. Bad things happen to everybody. Everybody makes a bad decision once in a while. Sometimes those decisions haunt them. Sometimes they allow one incident to rule, damage, control or define their entire life. That’s where the good decision comes into play. When that character overcomes personal struggles, finds their other half, their perfect fit, their soul mate, the person who ‘gets’ them, and is knocked sideways by finding love that will last an eternity, the realization that they will do everything within in their power to hold onto that ultimate happiness, the reward of love and happily ever after—and yes, sometimes riding off into the sunset—seems so much sweeter.
How much realism do you like in your romances?
***Don’t forget to leave a comment. One winner will receive a print copy of LONG HARD RIDE.
Posted in Guest Blogger, I - J Authors
