The last place city girl Desiree Burke expected to find herself was living at and working on a ranch, much less butting heads with the ranch’s sexy cowboy owner, Zach Gamble. But that’s exactly where she ends up after an incident at work leads her to her best friend Rory’s doorstep. Desiree is a gifted physical therapist, and Rory knows exactly where her brand of tough love is needed the most. Zach’s been through hell and back. A devastating car crash left his brother gone, his father paralyzed, and him with mental scars a mile wide. His survivor guilt alone makes him sure he doesn’t deserve to find love. But as Des works her way into his ranch, his family, and his life, suddenly the last person who belonged there is the only one he believes belongs…with him.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
I like it when I can put faces to the voices in my head. I know that sounds a little crazy, but oh well.
Carson Granger, from Three River Ranch, was easy: Josh Holloway, who played Sawyer on Lost.
Zachary Gamble, the hero of my latest book, His Reluctant Rancher, is a wounded (of course) and environmentally-conscious Montana beef producer. Zach is tough, rugged and gorgeous… but that’s as far as I got. I knew his character immediately. I knew he was tall, dark and handsome. But that’s as far as I got.
So tonight, while watching The Walking Dead, my daughter was texting me photos of actors she thought might work. Tough job, right?
Eric Bana? Very nice. But a little too civilized.
Jake Gyllenhaal? Also very nice, but he’s got blue eyes. Zach’s definitely brown and brown.
Then The Talking Dead came on… AND JOE MANGANIELLO was a guest!
“Mom, it’s Zach!” yelled my daughter. “Isn’t it?”
(She doesn’t read my books, so she was going by my description of Zach. We have a mutually agreeable policy involving immaculate conception and “don’t ask, don’t tell.” It works for us. When you’ve raised three daughters, you can judge me.)
Anyway. “Yes!” I yelled back.
“He looks a little fat,” said my husband, then ducked to avoid the flying remote control.
So, Cowboy Joe. What do you think?
What do you think about cowboys in general? Are you a fan? Is it the chaps? Is it the horses? Why do you think cowboys have such enduring popularity in romance novels?
Drop us a line. All comments will be entered to win a prize. I can’t remember for sure what it is… but probably a $20 Amazon gift certificate.
Honorary Mention of Book Sluts 'R' Us Blogger Awards by 
RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk 
I do like cowboys. I think it’s the fact that they tend to be the strong, silent types. Got to love that. That doesn’t change over time.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Ah yes, Mary, strong and silent, what’s not to love?
i love cowboys in romance novel..they are hot especially if the cowboys are rodeo…yumm ;p
Me too! I especially love watching barrel-racing, for some reason.
Sounds like a good read.
Thanks, Debbie! I hope you like it.
I do exactly what you do when I read a book. Sometimes I see an actor or actress in my head as I read a book. Then when a book gets turned into a movie I check out the actor/actress they picked for the role. Saw Safe Haven over the weekend and never thought of those two as the leads in the role. LOL
Real cowboys just do it for me. The whole strong, silent type and hard work ethic. What’s not to like?
We must be highly visual learners! The worst one for me? Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher. COME ON! Only if they put Tom on stilts.
Sounds like a great book. Cowboys are rather mysterious for me. You never really see them at work. But they sure do fill out those jeans. And they just have that attitude that says, I am all male. Yummy.
All that physical work certainly keeps them buff… at least, that’s the fantasy!
I tend to think of cowboys as being rugged and independent, and the reader can see oneself perhaps being on a ranch, as opposed to thinking (realistically) that you might find yourself in a castle with a ‘white knight’. Joe Manganiello would make a great cowboy.
I meant to include photos with this blog!! See Cowboy Joe here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=603395143007577&set=a.510201232326969.131412.357603917586702&type=1&theater
Sounds like a great book. Will have to put it on my list.
Thanks, patoct! I hope you enjoy it!
Duh, didnt answer questions: Like cowboys because they are rugged, have a good work ethic which carries into their personal life and that drawl and tight jeans.
Oh my yes. All those.
Cowboys have a since of well-being. They are independent, and know what they want, and when they want it. They loook rugged on the outside, but on the inside they can be the most generous, helping, loving person anyone has ever met. But hey, that’s just my opinion 😉
LOVE it! Everything a woman wants in a man!
I love cowboys, I don’t know why..maybe because they are so handy dandy, not afraid of anything and they have all those muscles.
Z
Maybe this will help: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=603394066341018&set=a.510201232326969.131412.357603917586702&type=1&theater
Love Cowboy, they are always describe as a rich, handsome,arrogant,bit possesive, protective, strong and have a tender heart, that is why I love Cowboy 😀
You can forgive a lot for a tender heart, right, Eli?
I love cowboys. I love reading about them. They are so cute and hot. lol.
Here, Amy, now you can enjoy looking at one too: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=603395143007577&set=a.510201232326969.131412.357603917586702&type=1&theater
Lol, this was a fun guestpost, thank you. I do love a courteous cowboy holding open the door for you.
Courtesy goes a long way, doesn’t it? Glad you enjoyed it, Xaurienx!
I like cowboys because they’re loyal.
Ah yes, loyalty… a vital characteristic in a hero!
You know, I like the idea of cowboys, but the reality is that the smell of horse poop makes my eyes burn. And unfortunately I”m quite the realist. So I enjoy photos of cowboys with sixpack abs, and that’s about it, lol.
HAHA, Rebe! That’s awesome! And that’s the whole thing about fantasy, right? You get to drool over the muscles, without smelling the sweat.
I love sexy, hunky cowboys. Why? Because they usually have very nice muscles from all that hard work and they usually carry a little extra rope around, lol. Just kidding.
HAHA, Lin! Love it!
Cowboys are real men with principles and values. reading about cowboys is always appealing.
Glad to hear it, darlin’! Hope you enjoy this read!
I really don’t care for western romances. I have read romance with cowboys as heroines and they were well written and I enjoyed it but it wouldn’t be my first choice.
Thanks
Thanks, Lori.
I like cowboy romances and settings on ranches. It’s so far from what my life is like, that I love to be transported to that type of world in what I read.
Linda, I think that’s why I enjoy writing them! I know I’d perish without high-speed internet, but a part of me loves to imagine working on a ranch, way out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by horses… and a couple of border collies…
But in reality, I *adore* my poodles…
I can’t believe your husband thinks Joe is fat. He’s a great choice. Cowboys are sexy, work hard, treat their moms and their animals fantastic(so you know they’d treat their woman great), and they look amazing in chap, jeans, or nothing.
Haha, Joanne! He wasn’t serious! And yeah, any guy who treats animals kindly gets points with me!
I always enjoy cowboy stories. This sounds like it has a great mix of emotion and entertaining. Who can resist a cowboy?
I hope it is, Na! Let me know what you think!
I think th boots are great. Love the cowboy hat, too.
BOOTS! No kidding! I was so thrilled when I saw the cover of His Reluctant Rancher… Desiree is wearing the most awesome boots with her little lacy skirt! Makes me think I oughta get myself a pair… ooh Runner10 I might be in trouble…
I enjoy westerns, both contemporary and historical with strong, independent heroes. I think they remind me of the western TV shows of the 50s and 60s. And there is always the tight jeans
Yeah there were some fun shows back then, weren’t there, Cheryl?
I love cowboy there is something so sexy about them, I think is a combination of both, I think we see in the what we want in a man in our real life 🙂
A woman after my own heart, Yohanna!
I live in Texas. Of course I think cowboys and rodeos are great! Thanks for visiting.
Texas is, of course, home of the quintessential cowboy and I hope to see it one day! But being a Canadian, I had to try and get a little closer to home… and I love Montana.
I love reading reading stories with cowboys. It’s something about hard working men that are connected to nature. The combination of tough and humor is another touch that I like. There is something about that iconic image that the reader gets to see another side of.
Oh yes, Leni, they’ve GOT to have a good sense of humor!
Joe is soooo hot! And I love cowboys too!
Vicky, you know what I just realized? Joe Manganiello is who I see my character Zach as… and his dad in the story is named Joe.
Zach is hot. Joe M as Zach is hot. Joe G in the wheelchair… not so hot.
I love cowboys. I think they are so hot. They are hardworking and look good in jeans and a cowboy hat. They are loyal, strong and protective. It makes for an interesting love story.
Yup, jeans and hat. Can’t go wrong!
Love me some cowboys!!
Then you’re in the right place, Martha!
I think cowboys in general are pretty darned sexy, I love the jeans, the cowboy boots, the horses, and those rugged good looks. I think cowboys have such enduring popularity because even if they’re bad boys, they always have a heart of gold underneath it all, and a girl can count on her cowboy, what’s better than that?
Yeah, the heart of gold is pretty hard to resist. And of course, the horses!
love cowboys. sounds good
Thanks, Lori.
Cowboys are just sexy. They carry themselves with confidence, They look great in jeans and boots and are protective of their women. Love strong!!!
josiehink122026(at)gmail(dot)com
You’re in the right crowd, Josie!
Love, love, love cowboys. Rugged, tanned….what’s not to love? Cowboys are our American heroes….where else do you find a cowboy? Thanks for the giveaway.
Glad to hear it, Karen!
I love cowboys. They are so sexy in chaps, boots and Stetsons. Your book sounds great.
Thanks, CrystalGB! I hope you like it.
I think cowboys are so appealing for their strength and boldness and being able and willing to go after what they want. I love the history they have in the US and other countries, and of course, who wouldn’t love a man so obviously good with his hands. And rope 😉
HAHA! You’re not the first one to mention rope!
So much fun that your daughter helps you looking for the men who represent your heroes. I like cowboys, they are hot, courteous, and know how to use their hands! And of course, tight jeans really emphasize their assets…
Yeah, it was fun! My girls are mostly grown up now, so it’s nice when they’re around, and even nicer when they’re interested in my stuff! And really, it was a pretty sweet assignment…
I love cowboys because they have that rugged, sexy, all american feel. Tight jeans, boots and a sexy hat is just a plus 🙂
It is primal sort of attraction, isn’t it Jolene? Tough, alpha, get-er-done kind of guys.
Cowboys as heroes are very versatile. I mean they are typically easy going, good with animals, rugged, strong, warrior types – that most times give off a bad boy persona, but are true heroes and protectors. So, they are always good for a read 😉
evanlea at gmail dot com
Such a good combination, isn’t it, Josette?
I’m a big fan of cowboy stories – still love the John Wayne movies – and it’s always satisfying to read the story of someone that comes thru their tragedies and into the light.
Redemption, overcoming adversity… those are themes that always appeal to me and seem to come out in my writing. If you give Zach and Des’s story a try, be sure to let me know if I accomplished that, Diane.
Love cowboy and cowboy stories!
YAYY, Pennie! My favorite kind of reader!
Congratulations to LENI, the winner of a $20 Amazon Gift Card as part of the launch of His Reluctant Rancher! Thanks for chatting with me about books and cowboys, readers – it was great fun.