How many people love cowboys? The down to earth attitude? The strength from manual labor? The jeans perfectly covering a sexy rear? Oh, yeah. Make mine a cowboy too. Add in some dust, horses, and sweat from a day or chores and I'll sit up and take notice as I drink a tall glass of iced tea. Yep, cowboys are drool worthy.
Worth Fighting For
What is it about cowboys that draw attention? The romance of the West? The way they speak? The fact that they aren't afraid to work hard for their dream? What draws readers to a hot cowboy story?
I'm sure each person has their own reason. Growing up in the country, I can say that cowboys are a way of life for me. Weekend rodeos, the daily grind of caring for livestock, and the easy going nature that most possess sure catch my eye. They remind me of home, the rewards of hard work, and the goodness of living off the land. There's nothing like a hunky man dressed in form fitting jeans and a pair of boots. That's sex on a stick yummy to me. Add in a sweet nature and a horse or two and I'm hooked.
That's where Dusty Delaney comes in as the main character of Worth Fighting For, my latest release. He's a retired SEAL who returned from the service a changed man. He tried to fit back into the mold he'd broken out of, only to find it no longer fit. After a blow up with his family, he struck out on his own, intent to follow the beat of his own drummer. Hard labor earned him a fully functional stable with several boarders and a pristine reputation as a horse trainer. He loves his chosen career and spends his days surrounded by animals. To him, the situation couldn't be more perfect. Along with his war dog, Ben, Dusty believes he's found happiness in the small rural neck of the woods.
We never know what we have until it's gone. This phrase lends to the theme of Dusty's story. So much about his past remains unresolved. From the hurtful happenings with his family to the out of control wildfire threatening to wipe out his stable along with his dreams. The same goes for his newest boarder, a sweet nurse who's had a difficult past in her own right. She shows up every day, adds brightness to his life, and causes him to remember that not every woman has dollar signs in her eyes when she looks at him.
This story is deeper than just a cowboy romance. It speaks of regrets and second chances and dreams yet to be fulfilled.
And who better to catch those dreams, but a hot cowboy with a good heart. He's not afraid of work, sweat, or getting dirty. After all, that's just who he is. There's no more suited man to take on those challenge and turn them into successes than a cowboy.
All the more reason we love those men. Always have. Always will.
Author Bio:
Growing up in the Midwest, I began reading romance novels in high school, immediately falling in love with the genre, to the point where I decided to write professionally for a career. However, that dream splattered against a brick wall, resulting in a quick death in my first writing class in college when my professor told me bluntly that I wasn't any good at it. I shifted gears quickly, and left my writing dreams behind, eventually settling on becoming a nurse. A few years back, I stumbled across a fan-fiction writing site on a favorite author's webpage. I began to read stories others wrote, not only making some wonderful close friends from the experience, but also, really learning to write for the very first time. Here I was able to share short stories, practice my writing skills, and truly develop into a writer. More than that, the experience allowed me to revitalize my dream, as I rediscovered joy in writing. Now, I spend my days off with my alpha male characters, quick witted heroines, and see how much trouble everyone can get into. When I'm not working or writing, I enjoy working in the garden, canning, and seeing my backyard as a living canvas for my whimsical landscaping, and, of course, reading romance novels.
Blurb:
Former Navy SEAL turned stable owner, Dusty carries scars from war, manipulative women, and a hurtful tear in his family bonds. Content to be alone with his animals, he's happy with life on his own terms.
April needs a special stable to board her adopted horses. With a filly that has been abused and a history of her own suffering at the hands of men, April's hesitant but willing to give Dusty a try. If only he can work magic with her horses, she'll be overjoyed.
He's not thrilled with her but can't bring himself to send her packing. Not when his body responds so easily and his heart craves the salvation she offers. To make matters worse, a raging wildfire threatens to wipe out everything he owns and separate him from the one woman who makes him believe again.