Cowboys Make Hot Heroes I recently returned from San Antonio where thousands (yes!) of Romance Writers gathered to conference and celebrate. I would be willing to bet that nearly every one has written or proposed to write a western romance with a hunky cowboy hero. So how could I make Max, my hero in TEXAS SIZZLE, different? The wacky movie, Something's Got To Give inspired me. It stars the ever-lovin Jack Nicholson, the forever ditzy but lovable Diane Keaton, and the OMG young and quite lovable Keanu Reeves. Be still my heart! As I watched the movie relationship development, my evil writing muse woke up. She screamed, No-no-no! Let me tear the story apart and rewrite it the right way, the way it should be! Now I love Jack as much as the next woman but honestly, I was not turned on by his slobbering kisses, his rolling around the bed under a huge white sheet, or his bare butt showing from a hospital gown! No! Not! Ever! Who in their right mind would reject young, beautiful Keanu for older, wealthy Jack? But wait – I get to write the story I want to read. And I believe it is perfectly fine to love a younger man. In my contemporary western romance, TEXAS SIZZLE, Kathryn is a sophisticated 40-ish widow who must undergo a considerable attitude adjustment in order to connect with and love the 30-ish cowboy hero, Max. (I love when that happens). As a former football player, he's got a heart as big as Texas and the money to make a difference. She gets to choose between a wonderful older, wealthy man and the much younger Texan who loves her thoroughly and completely. She finds herself in love with Texas. (And so am I!) What do you think? Are you ever inspired to rewrite books or movies? TEXAS SIZZLE - available now! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L7E67DM Our love of a good, solid falling-in-love-with-a-cowboy story has never diminished. I know I've written my share of them. (My Romancing the West Series) But would you know how to really love him if he landed in your space – or your bed? After spending a month in Arizona's cowboy country, I got an insight into the psyche of cowboys – scraped together from the local free newspaper in tributes to real, honest-to-goodness Cowboys! In honor of our cowboy heroes, I'm willing to share. Cowboy Ethics: Honest as the day is long. Loves the Earth around him (Arizona, Texas, or Wyoming – loyal) Loves the folks of the west; everyone else is "city slickers." Loves his dawg, his horse and herding cattle. Loves his woman – maybe not in this order. Proud to be a "country boy." Often suffered many broken bones. (hmmm… ) Possibly struck by lightning at some point, from the back of his horse. Likes his whiskey straight and women curvy. I would add: tends to be stubborn. Code of the West: Scrape your boots or take them off before coming in the house. Don't drive your 3-4 wheelers into a herd of cattle; it startles & scatters them. If you come through a closed gate, close it behind you. If you come across a muddy dirt tank don't drive through it. It waters our cattle, deer and elk. Actually, cowboys are pretty good guys but not slick, corporate types. Can our heroines be the loyal, country-loving, rough 'n ready-to-love woman he needs? I like to pair my cowboys with an uppity city slicker (as in CALLAHAN'S GOLD or TEXAS SIZZLE) that presents challenges for both. . . until love wins out. Who is your favorite cowboy hero? |