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.
Great post! I love the blurb and book cover and what you wrote.
As for how much realism I want, it really depends. I’m a total mood reader. Right now I’m reading a Christian military romance that is very realistic, heck it’s written by a former JAG officer and he keeps it as real as possible while still being fiction.
But there are times I want total fiction. So for me it just depends. Most of the time, I want some truth with my fiction. I hope I’m making sense.
I have a question, while writing this series do you keep a timeline or board up with the characters and where they are? How do you keep it all straight? Do you find characters from other stories, ie your mysteries you said you write, wanting to pop in?
What advice would you offer aspiring authors?
hugs,
WendyK
Hi Lorelei!
Your romances are definitely my cup of tea:). The stories feel real and have depth, in short, they’re awesome!
About those dangling threads…you are a meanie! I can’t wait for the other books in your Rough Rider series.
You mentioned gritty mysteries under other name? What name? Inquiring minds need to know.
Hi, Lorelei! Love the title for that book! Whew! And it sounds delicious. 😉
I agree with Wendy about realism, it depends. For me, it depends on the story. I don’t mind if the truth is stretched a bit . . . after all, it IS fiction.
Lorelei, great post. To me the stories that include more realism are the ones that touch my heart on a deeper level and stay with me the longest. Sure some days I want a simple straight romp, but most often I want a story that’s going to grab my heart and take me for a real ride. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Lorelei! Cowgirl Up and Ride sounds great. Love the cover. I find that realism in a book helps me to connect more with the characters. If they have to overcome some obstacles to find true love, I find myself emotionally drawn to them and want them to find their happily ever after.
Good morning! (even if it’s a Monday :wink:)
I like realism in the sense that the characters behave accordingly to what we know of them and the circumstances they find themselves in. While I adore children’s stories in which the beaten, starved, abused, neglected child maintains her cheerful, sweet, and generous disposition even after she’s rescued, as an adult I prefer more realism.
And perfection is tiring, is it not?
So when I discover flawed characters who overcome their baggage–or learn to live with it–and work their way to a HEA in a believable manner, I’m all over that.
Ooh…I LOVE a good western!
I agree that it all depends on my mood and how well the fiction and non-fiction is blended. I don’t really find myself reading too much non-fiction though!
Hi Lorelei,
This not only sounds like a wonderful book, but a great series ~ I love wicked westerns!
I like your take on how decisions can affect a persons life and I look forward to reading your work.
Good morning everyone!
Great question, Wendy. I don’t keep a detailed timeline, per se, but I do have documents full of notes for each book, and as a whole arc. At this time, the space between each Rough Rider book is about a year, so I have to remind myself of the characters physical ages.
I had back to back deadlines, and so I was a little worried that randy cowboys might show up in the mystery, or that in the romance the character would get tired of all the bs and pull out a gun and shoot someone Luckily, I kept it straight, neither of my editors at either publishing house went, “Huh, who is this character? And why is there sex? Or why is there a dead body?” 🙂
My advice for aspiring writers? Write what you like to read. Write whenever you can, the muse is nonexistent, she needs to be whipped into submission, and don’t give up your day job 🙂
I like realism in the stories I read. I HATE wimpy heroines. Here’s a story that I overall enjoyed, but didn’t like the woman. First, she’s a virgin in the Wild West era in the US. Okay, she’s been teasing this guy and he kidnapps her, and makes her his own (if you know what I mean). He takes her to his house, where now she’s got to fit in with the rest of the family. She’s hot in the sack and lackluster in the house.
At this point, I wondering, where is her gumption? She goes into town and defends a lady who’s being beat on by her husband. Now…maybe I’m wrong…but how do these two personality traits reconcile? You don’t do anything at home, but in town you kick butt????
I’m all for realistic settings and character angst. Just make them realistic to me.
The bottom line, Lorelei, unfortunately is this- you will not please everyone all the time. Some people LIVE to tear down other peoples’ creations. It’s a sad thing but so true. Stick to your guns, build your fan base, and give the royal “bird” to those who don’t like your work. Hey, I don’t read every romance genre out there. But…I do…read yours! Keep up the stories, lady!
I have’t read a good western in awhile, this one sounds good!
I like my romance gritty and real. I also like utter and complete fantasy. Lucky me, romance has it all so no matter what I’m in the mood for I can find it. *g* I love what you said about the connections in people’s lives, how it shapes their character and choices.
I loved reading the post. I agree that the characters have friends and family and the rest and it would influence how they act and think. I don’t mind realizism as long as there is an HEA. 🙂 the realizism can really spice a book up and make you think and that is a good thing. I also believe that a tragedy can make you understand the characters more and add a great deal to the story.
Waving at aztec, crystal, andrea, brownone, christy, and teresa, thanks for stopping by and chatting.
Charlene, always good to see you!
And Miz Laura, thanks for the words of wisdom. I think the reason this topic strikes a chord with me, is partially because I’ve taken some hits on writing about subject matter in romance that makes people uncomfortable. No one wants to see a loved one struggling with alcoholism. I used it as a catalyst for change not for just one character, but for several. And honestly, it is such a small part of the book, why is it singled out? Because it is out of the norm?
Here’s where I’ll probably get into trouble…ready? Not all sex scenes are meant to be sexy. Sometimes they have a seamy underside and the author has an ulterior motive.
I hear you say WHAT?
For example, ever been in the middle of doing something and you go – “What was I thinking?” Why can’t that happen during…sex?
It can, it does, and not many people write about it because it’s ummm….not sexy and we’re supposed to be writing about romance, after all. Don’t you think that sometimes, what sounded like a good, hot, idea, say a menage with your boyfriend’s best friend, might start out with everything being cool and hot and the “aren’t I sexually liberated” mentality, but then, you get into the nitty gritty down and dirty part…..it doesn’t end that way. It ends with the “wow that was SO not what I was expecting my fantasy to turn out like” not necessarily a sense of regret, but that experience –good or bad — can be used as a catalyst for the hero and heroine to fall more deeply in love with each other, because they realize that’s all they need? Sexually and emotionally?
Or you can use it as just a hot sex scene ;). It depends on the characters, but no two characters react the same. Trust me, my writing life would be so much easier if I had control over the characters.
Yes, believe it or not, there are guys who get squicked out seeing an up close and personal view of male/male sex – and yes, it is not PC, and yes, it might be something that is the norm in urban areas, but the reaction of the characters in Wyoming and the west is different. How do I know? Dude. I live here. Do I like the realities of local attitudes? Not always, but if I sugar coat it, or change it to be PC, then not only am I doing a disservice to the characters, I’m doing a disservice to myself, to the setting, and ultimately to the book.
Not all readers like m/m. I’m cool with that. But that is also why I put a funny warning on (I love that Samhain let’s me write my own “content” warnings), so those folks who are looking for a different type of erotic western romance aren’t surprised with what they find inside 🙂
Gee, who’s chatty today?
Hi, Lorelei~~What a great blog!! And after reading the comments, what a great conversation…so, lemme see…I’m like Charli, I some times like the gritty reality, the no holds barred truth. But sometimes I want the fairy tale, I want that fantasy, I want things to smoothed over over made to be work just for my hero and heroine. I am so not one of those readers who looks for flaws. I read for enjoyment…and luckily there is so much out there to read, there is always something that falls into the category that I am in the mood to read.
As for male/male…eh, I admit I shy off that one. A menage?? That’s sexy…but Fatin here recently convinced me to read Lauren Dane’s Tri Mates…I hemmed and hawwed, just knew 2 men could not love the same woman and convince me of it. But I loved the book!! And I loved the dynamics between the hero/hero/heroine…and lol, of course, now Fatin has a list of books I have to read. But slowly but surely my horizons are expanding, so I have to say even things that make me uncomforatable I am open to.
Oh, oh….and I forgot….I LOVE to read connected books. I WANT to read about secondary charachters, I want to get glimpses back into the lives of the charachters that I’ve read about in the past. I don’t see it as a selling ploy…I see it as a familiar atmosphere that readers love to return and catch up with friends. I hate to see a series end…a point in fact was Nora Roberts MacGregor series…she could have wrote those books forever and ever, and I would so have kept buying them.
Melissa! I keep telling you…would I ever steer you wrong? You just gotta trust me, lady. 😉
Hi!
I like a lot of realism in my books…the more real or relatable a character is the easier it is to escape into the story.
I need to get your books…they sound good.
Give me a good western anytime…Love them…I enjoy connected books, but the only thing I hate is when I miss out on one. I want to know all the details about the characters and missing one ruins it for me.
Nope, I know you wouldn’t, Fatin. I trust you completely. And since you DID make me read that first Shelley Laurenston, too, gotta tell you I just finished The Beast in Him…I LMAO. That woman is GOOD. No, GREAT, lol. You are the book GODDESS!!
I bow to your wisdom!!
Hi Lorelei, I am really enjoying this series. I like realism when it comes to the characters emotions and motivations, but skip over parts of storylines that deal with torture and abuse. For me, reading romance stories is all about the fantasy, the HEA, and the characters overcoming the odds to be together. I just prefer when the violence is a bit less graphic.
Hi Lorelei,
Great post. I’m a big fan of realism in romances… to a degree. It must be believable, but, no reason to drag the reader around in the mud or seriously depress them, like a Thomas Hardy book :-P. (I love Hardy, I just can only take small doses.) I read romances to “escape” – and I get enough depressing stories from the news, and work, and friends.
However, if the author is going to touch on a serious subject [Rape, murder, drugs, etc – I’d prefer for them to be realistic, not sugar coat everything. If I get distracted and stop reading to say “That’s not true at all!” it’s not a good thing.]
I’m all about connected books, because as a reader that’s what interests me too.
And Cathy, that’s where I’m at. Romance can run the gamut, in a contemporary tale there can be everything from bondage games to a sweet kiss. There is a line that separates romance from romantic suspense and from romantic suspense to suspense and from suspense to mystery. I think most jacket copy differentiates the variances, and I can skip the ones with gay 17th century pirates or a poodle solving sleuth
Melissa, how do you get your recommendations on what to read? Friends? Reviews? Who do you trust implicitly?
I’m interested as an author, because as a reader, reviews really don’t mean anything to me. I like what I like, and lots of times a book I’ve adored has been panned and vice versa. But boy, as an author get a crappy review, especially from someone who’s not a professional reviewer but a reader with an agenda, a need for excessive snark, and there is no recourse. The last thing I need is to explain myself to someone who’s not looking for a different viewpoint or the truth, just looking for more ammo to blast me with…
Joy, you serious about wanting my other name?
Hi, Lorelei! That is a very lovely cover and the insides sound pretty intriguing too!
I agree with a few other commenters–how much realism kind of varies with my mood. But I do prefer that no matter what the circumstances, that the characters behave and develop in a consistent way–or are written at least in a way that I can swallow the big turn-arounds or transformations or redemptions… I tend to prefer more real than not, and totally agree that people tend to exist in community, and do enjoy reading stories that incorporate people’s networks, not just the love interest.
I enjoy realism in the books I read.
Sounds like a great story! As for realism in my stories, I am a bit of a mood reader I like a large variety of genres to read from so my TBR pile is huge. Sometimes I want some realism in my books and sometimes I want to be able to escape into a story that is so totall y unreal.
Thanks for the answer, Lorelei. As for the discussion of M/m and so forth. I can’t say, I haven’t read one as of yet. But then Erotica is new to me really. I still say the sexiest scene, even considering the few Erotica I’ve read, to date is Nina Bruhns, Nocturne.
But I try to keep an open mind. I do understand about staying true to the setting. That’s why as a Tarheel it irks the crap out of me when someone sets a book her and gets the dialect wrong, or what we call something ie not all areas call drink, drink or a shopping cart a shopping cart or a ways down the road, yonder. And not all Southerns are alike. So IMHO if you are gonna write about an area write it correctly. We don’t react to m/m or f/f the same way a town just 2hrs from us does. And when we hear a hurricane’s coming we react completely different than say a New Yorker would. Does any of that make sense?
So for that part and not being PC I think you shouldn’t. I hate when you read a historical and everyone is PC and women are given all these rights they didn’t have. Please. Keep it real. Sorry that’s pet peeve of mine.
Okay I’m done ranting.
One more question, you say as a reader you don’t really do reviews, as an author do you feel reviews have helped your books?
For me I do read reviews, I am a reviewer and love what I do. And if not for the site I review for and fellow reviewers I would never have found a ton of New to me authors. Especially with the high cost of books.
And on that, do you feel your print work gets more notice than ebook work?
What is the difference in sales for your mystery and romances? Do you see a real difference? Do you feel as an author of both that your mysteries are seen as more “respectable” than your romances?
Okay now I”m really done. I probably won’t be back until tomorrow. Gotta go cook for fatherinlaw.
hugs,
WendyK
Of course I’m serious Lorelei!
I really enjoy your writing style and I’ll read anything you write as long as there is some sort of romance in it. I need sizzle!
Re what you said earlier. I don’t go by professional reviews. When I read a book by an author and I like it, I go out an buy another one (in your case download another one 🙂 ) then I buy ALL.
I’ve also gotten great recommendations from another readers on groups who like the same authors I do.
I read the second book before I knew there was a first! Now there is a 3rd! I have a lot of reading to catch up with. 🙂
I like some realism in my romances. This sounds like a really good book. I haven’t read any contemporary westerns in quite a while.
i’ve not read any of your books but I do love me some cowboys. I am adding this one to my tbb list.
sounds hot. great cover. i prefer real in my romance.
Hi Lorelei – I haven’t tried your books. Cute title and I love the cover. I like to read books with realism, but it sometimes depends on the mood since I have a variety of TBR books from different genres. 🙂
Lorelei~~I have some friends who I trust…such as Fatin. I’ve been taking recommendations from her for years, actually, and she hasn’t ever steered me wrong…
I have many authors who are on my autobuy list…and many of them will recommend other reads…sometimes I will try those authors. Do you ever get stuck on subject, like shapeshifting, or witches, or FBI, and just gloom everything you can find??? Because I do, and I find authors that way, too. Have found some incredibly great authors that way that are on my keepers list.
I don’t use reviews to influence me one way or the other to buy, more to get info on the book. There are a few sites that I’ve found their reviews meet my needs, because they give you the run down of the story without the slant, with the summation and opionion at the end~and I’ve figured out some of their reviewers styles. I’m not really interested in what the reviewer thought, because I’ve read books I still hold in my top 10 that I’ve read horrible reviews on. And I’ve not really gotten into books that others have raved about.
I think it’s about different things…what kind of mood you’re in when you pick up a book, what kind of reader you are, what kind of subject you like, and so on. I’m very flexible, and love just about everything, but I’m also very much a mood reader, and have found that I might not be able to get into a book the first time I pick it up, and a few months later I may pick it up and devour it in one sitting.
Oh, and I don’t think you should explain yourself to someone like that. I think your average reader detects the snark and disregards the review…I know I would. Hope this helps!!
This was an awesome blog, btw!!
Okay, Joy, since you asked so nice 🙂
I write mystery under Lori Armstrong
http://www.loriarmstrong.com
I have three books out: BLOOD TIES, HALLOWED GROUND, SHALLOW GRAVE and the 4th one, SNOW BLIND will be out in Oct. 08
There’s a romantic thread, but nothing like the erotic books! They truly are first and foremost, a mystery.
Thanks Lorelei!
I’ll check them out.
You guys have made really great comments and asked lots of good questions, which I completely appreciate.
I’ve panned exactly one book in a public forum, years ago, and after I did it, I realized I’d never do it again. I’ve stuck to that and no regrets. And like you all, if it’s a review site I trust, or a person I trust, that recommendation holds weight. Otherwise? I skip it and buy it anyway, knowing my opinion will likely be different. Lots of people panned JR Ward’s last book. I loved it. And I’ll keep buying her. So, I don’t read those reviews any more.
Wendy K – because I was published first in mystery, and because my mysteries have been nominated for a major mystery award, and won a literary award, there is that level of respectability. But see, I’ve always written both romance and mystery, I always wanted a career in both – that’s the reason I have two names. Some folks in the mystery world are surprised than not only am I willing to do both, I admit to writing both, as if writing romance is somehow a dirty little secret. For me, it’s not. SO not. Ask me and I’ll tell you what you who I am and what I write. The two names are strictly for shelving purposes in bookstores and libraries, honest.
I’ve found that romance readers will give my mysteries a shot, but the reverse isn’t necessarily true. BUT, I spoke to a book club yesterday who’ve read all three of the mysteries and DIRTY DEEDS and the reaction was positive, except they indicated they probably wouldn’t read LONG HARD RIDE because it’s more graphic, sexually, than what they read from any author. Some readers don’t want that – so that’s why I’m glad there are so many books to choose from that can fit anyone’s mood!
Good points Lorelei. And thank you for taking the time to comment and answer. I’ve loved reading your answers. And I agree alot of times even trusted friends and review sites differ from my choice. I’ve seen books I hated get high rating and books I loved get low. It’s a matter of taste espeically with reviews.
I’ll have to give your mysteries a try. I tend to not read many mysteries. I guess I just want my romance.
hugs,
WendyK
I love reading series. This one sounds great! I like realism in the stories that I read.
I love a good romance series. And I like my characters real. I like to be able to relate to them.