Breaking News!

HOWDY, PARDNERS!

Rodeo round up time for THE CODYS:FIRST FAMILY OF RODEO SERIES has come to an end for this 2010 season.

It’s been full of thrills and chills. We lucky ladies who were asked to write for this miniseries have lived through the heartaches and triumphs of a remarkable Wyoming family who made the rodeo into an art form.

Between the six of us, we authors are so gratified by the response from our readers. It’s clear from all your feedback that the rodeo is a great and loved part of our national heritage and always will be. I know I speak for everyone when I say we’re sad it’s over. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read the whole series, I’ve listed the titles here:

June 2010 Walker: The Rodeo Legend by Rebecca Winters
July 2010 Dexter: Honorable Cowboy by Marin Thomas
August 2010 Dusty: Wild Cowboy by Cathy McDavid
September 2010 Mark: Secret Cowboy by Pamela Britton
October 2010 Elly: Cowgirl Bride by Trish Milburn
November 2010 Jesse: Merry Christmas, Cowboy by Lynette Kent

For those of you who can’t get to the rodeo right now, you have the option of watching bull riding on television. I thought for a final farewell, I’d give you some quotes from some NON-FICTION rodeo champs who have drawn my attention to the bulls themselves.

Oklahoman J.W. Hart, veteran of 13 seasons as a pro rider in the PBR puts it this way: “The machine doesn't simulate the action of a bull. That's probably the very beginner stages of it, but once you get to this level, the machine doesn't move ahead. It doesn't roll. It doesn't back up. It stays in one place. So it's pretty easy to match moves. Bulls develop bucking patterns but don't always stick to them. So it's unwise to shift in anticipation of what a bull will do. All it is is a dance contest, really. I mean you're just dancing with him the whole time. He's the one leading the dance, and you've just got to match the moves.”

Adriano Moraes, a native Brazilian who won his record third PBR wor
ld title last season, is one of the bigger riders on the PBR tour at 5-10, 185 pounds. He has bulging muscles in his left arm — the arm he uses to hold the rope. He has added these thoughts: “Our riding arms are always a little bigger, a little stronger. Bull riders are strong, but no rider overpowers a bull. You don’t move before the bull moves because he's liable to go the other way. Then you're screwed because the bull leads, and you just follow. You're talking about animals that weigh 2,000 pounds. You bring me the strongest guy in the world, and he's not strong enough to ride on strength. It's why most of the bull riders you see look more like gymnasts than they do like a bodybuilder. Gymnasts don't work through their moves with brute strength. They work through them with finesse and correct form and correct timing. It's the same thing here."

Lastly, Canter, another champion, says: “When the chute opens, you have to rely on skills that have become second nature. Things are happening so fast, there's no time to ponder each move, but moves must be made in rhythmic harmony with the bull. Nothing is going through my head. I've just got to stay on. That's it! You know, it ain't but eight seconds, but it seems like it’s fifty!"

Interesting info from the horse’s mouth so to speak, don’t you think?

Well, that’s it for now, pardners. But y’all come back to view the latest exciting titles coming out from all our Harlequin American Romance authors in 2011, ya hear?

Rebecca Winters

Cowboy Wooing Advice

Okay so we've established our love for the cowboy hero and heroine in romance novels. And the Cody men, Walker, Dexter, Dusty, Mark and Jesse are among my favorite all-time romance heroes, each unique in their own way—not to mention easy on the eyes. Elly, the lone Cody daughter is a strong, stubborn independent heroine whom all women can admire. Cowboys and cowgirls have a unique way of looking at life and love compared to the rest of us common folk.

Here's a bit of cowboy "wooing" advice from the book Just One Fool Thing After Another/A Cowfolks' Guide to Romance by Gladiola Montana and Texas Bix Bender.



Sometimes flowers don't say it very well. You need to explain yourself.

Attention without intention is flirtation.

To bring somebody into your life, take a step into theirs.

When you fall into somebody's arms you're fallin' into their hands as well.

A heart that ain't broke thinks it's okay to go around breakin' others.

Marry somebody with brains enough for two, and if you're lucky you'll come out even.

It may be more romantic to be the first love, but it's better to be the last.

A woman wanted by men but disliked by women is nothin' but trouble.

When you go to town, go together.

The only time a woman can easily change a man is when he's a baby.

Try not to make a ring around a finger feel akin to a rope around the neck.

It's a lot cheaper to borrow money than to marry for it.

Be quick to mend fences.

Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight it out.

Most marital graves are dug with a lot of little digs.

Stolen kisses require and accomplice.

A man in love is incomplete until he's married—then he's finished.

If women are foolish it's because the good Lord made 'em a match for men.

For better or for worse means for good.

Don't get involved with anyone whose wishbone is bigger than their backbone.

The ties of marriage are not slipknots.

Men react to specific needs. Women seldom have them.

Big problems will pull you together. It's the little things that tear you apart.

The best way to get married is with ignorance and confidence.

Never use a knife to cut a tender connection.

Man is straw; woman is fire. When the devil blows, it's hell.

If you're gonna leave, leave while you're still lookin' good.

Don't waste your time lovin' somebody you can't laugh with.

When the horse dies, get off.

Women don't make fools out of men; they just give 'em the opportunity.

Happy Trails!

Marin Thomas
Dexter: Honorable Cowboy (July 2010)
4 ½ Stars Top Pick RT Magazine!
Still available through online retailers
www.marinthomas.com

Western Decor

A few years ago, I spent an afternoon and night in Cody, Wyoming, while driving back from seeing my sister in Washington State. I'd spent the previous day driving around one of my favorite places, Yellowstone National Park. While in Cody, I was able to pop into a couple of shops and purchase a few comfy, fleecy items at the Sierra Outlet. But it was the western decor and art shops where I could have done some serious damage, making my credit card scream for mercy. It was this trip that helped inspire the Tangled Antlers Gallery in Elly: Cowgirl Bride, where Elly showcases her photographs.

I have always loved western and Native American-themed home decor. I have touches of it in my guest bedroom with some art I bought at the Red Earth Native American Festival in Oklahoma City a number of years ago. The wall is even painted a color called suede. But, wow, would I love to have one of those gorgeous western-style homes with a huge picture window looking out on the mountains. It'd be filled with big, comfortable furniture in browns and reds; large art pieces that captured the West; some antler chandeliers and cowboy lamps. Stuff like I found at a site called LoneStar Western Decor. The gorgeous chair and ottoman above are from their collection. Quick, someone give me a shopping spree! :) And remember, Christmas is just around the corner!

If I could have unlimited spending and a large truck (we're talking tractor-trailer rig here) to haul everything in, there would be three stops I'd definitely make -- one in Cody, one in Jackson, Wyoming, and one in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A few years ago, I was in Santa Fe for a work conference and had an afternoon to walk around the city. I loved it! I went to museums and shops filled with Native clothing, jewelry and home and lawn decor. And I have long loved the Southwestern, adobe homes, ones with an inner tiled courtyard with a fountain in the middle.

Why am I not rich again? :)

Well, until I am, I'll just have to window shop when I'm out West and peruse magazines like Cowboys & Indians.

Do you like western decor? If not, what is your favorite kind of home decor? What speaks to you and who you are?

"Boss of the Plains"

A cowboy just wouldn't be a cowboy without a hat. The original "Boss" was manufactured by John Stetson in 1865. The hat was flat-brimmed, had a straight sided crown and rounded corners. The lightweight, waterproof hat was natural in color. A plain hatband was fitted to adjust to head size and bore Stetson's name. A cowboy riding the range wearing the "Boss of the Plains" showed the world that he was doing well.

The cowboy hat was made famous with 'Black and White' movies. Bad Guys wore the Black hats and the Good Guys wore White hats. Roy Rogers’ white Stetson with a silver hatband was one of the most famous Hollywood cowboy hats. We can't forget that The Lone Ranger and his White hat brought justice to the Wild West. Today, hats colors have changed into seasonal apparel. Black or felt hats for winter and straw or White hats for summer.

The modern Cowboy still uses his hat to communicate different messages. A man can stake his claim on a woman if he gives her his hat (signifies they are to start dating) If a cowboy gives a woman his hat in a bar and she accepts it and wears it that means she's agreed to go home with the Hat owner. As the old cowboy saying goes, "It’s the last thing you take off and the first thing that is noticed."

Other famous cowboy hat wearers….Clint Eastwood in The Good the Bad and the Ugly wore a distinctive hat. President Regan wore a cowboy hat not only in his movies but in real life. And we can't forget Festus' Gunsmoke hat or Hoss Cartwright's 10-gallon hat.

As an admirer of all things cowboy, the "Boss" along with boots and tight jeans makes any cowboy sigh-worthy.

Marin

Cowboys and Country Music

It's a bit ironic that I live in Nashville and am not a big fan of country music. I like a song here and there, and mainly ones that either are more pop-ish or ones with more bluegrass in them by artists like Alison Krauss or Lady Antebellum, but as a general rule I'm more of a hard rock kind of gal. But in my mind, cowboys have always been linked to country music. After a rodeo or a day of riding the range, they might put on their best boots, cowboy hat and pressed Wrangler jeans and head out to a country western bar for a few drinks and some two-stepping.

Imagine my surprise when I attended a PRCA rodeo in Corpus Christi, Texas last year to do research for next month's installment in the Codys continuity, Elly: Cowgirl Bride. In between riders and events, they played...rock music! I don't know if this is common, but it surprised me.

But back to country music. I think cowboy songs and country music are forever entwined. CMT even did a special called The 20 Greatest Cowboy Songs. Here's their list. See if you agree.

Happy Trails (Roy Rogers)
The Cowboy in Me (Tim McGraw)
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (Willie Nelson)
Cattle Call (Eddy Arnold)
Back in the Saddle Again (Gene Autry)
Amarillo By Morning (George Strait)
Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Toby Keith)
El Paso (Marty Robbins)
Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) (Garth Brooks)
Don't Take Your Guns to Town (Johnny Cash)
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (EmmyLou Harris)
Rhinestone Cowboy (Glen Campbell)
Home on the Range (Gene Autry)
Ghost Riders in the Sky (several artists)
Cowboy Take Me Away (Dixie Chicks)
Cool Water (Sons of the Pioneers)
What'cha Gonna Do with a Cowboy? (Chris LeDoux)
The Streets of Laredo (Buck Owens)
I Can Still Make Cheyenne (George Straight)
Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (Willie Nelson)

Here's a little tune to get you in a cowboy song kind of mood, Toby Keith's "I Shoulda Been a Cowboy."

Family Brawls

When the editors told me that the hero in my book, Dexter, and his twin, Dusty, team-roped together I knew what team roping was—I've been to a few rodeos in my day and had watched the event several times. But I wasn't as familiar with the difference between the header (Dusty) and the heeler (Dexter) http://rodeo.about.com/

gives a brief overview of the event.

Team roping is the only team event in rodeo. It grew out of ranch chores from the past. Larger cattle would have to be immobilized for branding and doctoring by two ropers due to their strength and size. Today, team roping is a timed event that relies on the cooperation and skill of the cowboys and their horses. The two cowboys involved in team roping have unique goals. The first, known as the header, does just what the name implies and ropes the head of the cattle. The other cowboy, known as the heeler, ropes the heels or legs. Team roping is great event to watch due to the amazing coordination and cooperation of all the competitors. Team members must work well with each other and with their horses respectively.

American Romance is all about family. When family dynamics suddenly change in a dramatic way, everyone's lives are thrown into chaos. What made writing Dexter: Honorable Cowboy (July 2010) so much fun was knowing that while the twins were supposed to cooperate and work together to prepare for their next rodeo, the exact opposite was happening. Dusty split and left town after his old flame returned and dropped a bombshell on him. Dexter was so ticked off at Dusty and confused about his feelings for his brother's old flame that any practicing they did was ripe with tension and frustration. Of course, any cowboy story worth its salt includes an all-out brawl.

In the end Dexter and Dusty butt heads and throw a few punches. Like true brothers, especially twins, they resolve their differences and make nice.

So how about you….do you like an occasional family brawl in your western romances?
Marin

Codys, Behind the Scenes

Have you ever wondered how Harlequin romance novel covers come into being? Well, now you can get a glimpse via the new Love That Cowboy page on Harlequin's website. Here you can see some shots from the photo shoot for Merry Christmas, Cowboy, the sixth and final installment in our currently releasing Codys: First Family of Rodeo continuity series. As I looked through the photos, it was interesting to see how everything came together to make Lynnette's gorgeous cover.

And if you look at the next-to-last photo, next to the small shot of the cover, you'll see our fabulous editorial team at Harlequin American. To the very nice-looking cowboy's left are Johanna, Kathleen and Laura.

~~~

I did a bit of searching online to see if we'd be fortunate to have any westerns coming out anytime in the near future and found out that Christmas day will see the release of the remake of True Grit by the Coen brothers. The original was a John Wayne film, but news accounts say the new version will be truer to the novel by Charles Portis and be told from the point of view of the 14-year-old heroine, Mattie Ross. I don't believe there's a trailer yet available. The new film has some big names in Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin. The lead will be played by a young actress named Hailee Steinfeld.

I See My Books As Movies

While I write my books, I see them as movies and hear the music. In WALKER: THE RODEO LEGEND, I saw my wounded vet suffering in the hospital before returning to Wyoming. When he did arrive, he hung out in Markton, Wyoming, at an old motel for a few days, and ate a meal or two at a dive before contacting his older brother Jesse at the CODY ranch to let him know he was back. I think of these as my mood pieces.

Those two segments of my film didn’t make it into my final, polished creation and ended up on the cutting room floor. Neither did my title, RODEO WARRIOR. (Tears) I think maybe they were my favorite segments because, to me, they caught the flavor of this particular western, and summed up the feelings of this all American hero rodeo cowboy who’s been carrying around baggage for a long, long time.

I told you I hear the music as well as visualize the movie in my head. My first scene showed Walker lying in his hospital bed recovering from his IED wounds. His nurse, who has already fallen under his spell, comes in to take his vitals and flirt with this former rodeo hero, hoping he’ll bite, but no such luck. He’s so morose, she wants to cheer him up and turns on the radio to a country western station. Below is the song being sung by a female vocalist. (I wrote the words) When the song is over, he mutters, “That’s a flattering opinion you have of me.”

Hey rodeo fans, can you hear me? Better hold your sweetheart tight.
There’s an exciting new bulldogger coming into town tonight.
He’s hot out of the box, and he’s hot with the women,
He’ll mess with your gal, consider that a given.
Tall, dark and sexy, handsome as sin,
He’s the rodeo warrior lover who’s about to gallop in.
If you don’t want a broken heart before daylight,
Keep your gal out of sight and locked up tight.
Better put her in the barn and throw away the key,
Don’t let him near her, or believe you me,
He’ll take her for a horseback ride, And rob you blind,
Before he throws a steer, and leaves your gal behind.
He’s a charmer, he’s a talker, he’s a no-strings guy,
He’s the rodeo warrior lover, in town on the fly.

The other segment that didn’t make it into my movie shows Walker at the local dive. He’s just come into Markton. Since he doesn’t want company, he tells the waitress to find him a table away from everyone. “Right back here, cowboy,” she says before turning on the old juke box, picking the song that suits him to a T. For her understanding, he leaves her a fat tip at the end of the meal. Below is the song (again written by me)

Hey, Wanda? Bring the blue plate special, I’m eating alone tonight.

Put me in the corner, away from the light.
If anyone should ask for me, you know what to say, all I want’s the blue plate special, everyone else just stay away.
Don’t come any closer, don’t sit down with me, don’t tangle with me, honey, just leave me be.
I want the blue plate special, without the company.
Other gals have tried, much braver than you, save yourself the trouble, I’ll give you a clue. I want the blue plate special, I don’t want you.
You don’t want to be around me, you don’t know who I am, you think you have the answers, but honey, I don’t give a damn. I want the blue plate special, did you hear me? Scram!
Hey, Wanda? If anyone should ask for me, you know what to say. All I want’s the blue plate special, everyone else just stay away.

Hope you enjoyed this little insight into Walker’s psyche before he rejoined his family and met the love of his life. Read the whole Cody series and thrill to the challenges and joys of this first family of Rodeo.

Rebecca Winters

Loving Cowboys Started Early

My lifetime love of cowboy stories started very early. When I was growing up, we lived in a rural area where we only received three TV stations and sometimes we had to go outside to physically turn the antenna to get better reception. TV stations actually signed off at night after playing the national anthem. There was no TV channel where you could get westerns almost all the time, so my first exposure to them came on Saturday afternoons. I would curl up in the recliner and watch old movies starring actors such as John Wayne. I loved the whole idea of the white hat (good guy) versus the black hat (bad guy). Yes, it was simplistic and some would say formulaic, but I ate it up. I loved the western vistas, the horses, the cowboys, the triumph of the good guys. I was still too young to be annoyed by the fact that the Indians were not played by real Native Americans, something that thankfully has pretty much gone away with the emergence of many wonderful Native actors, or that they were often horrible caricatures that bore little resemblance to real Native peoples of the era.

As I got older, I'd get excited any time there was a western brought to the small or large screens. Unfortunately, they became less common. The heyday of the western was a bit before my time. Still, I can remember loving the TV show The Young Riders, about Pony Express riders, and the newer version of The Magnificent Seven starring Michael Biehn.

In 2005, TNT aired a mini-series called Into the West which told the stories of two 19th century families -- one of white settlers, one Native American. I loved it so much that I bought the DVDs and the soundtrack that was inspired by the mini-series. Not only did it have cowboys and beautiful western vistas, it starred many of my favorite Native actors like Irene Bedard, Gil Birmingham, Russell Means, Eric Schweig and Michael Spears. More recently, I really enjoyed the remake of 3:10 to Yuma with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe. Pretty much if a western is released, I'm going to see it.

When I began reading romance, it was no surprise that westerns were a favorite. Initially, it was just the historical westerns that reminded me of the western movies I'd always loved. But then I branched out into contemporary westerns too, tales of modern cowboys still ranching the gorgeous lands of the American West. I've also always enjoyed rodeos -- both live and on TV. I'd watch bull riders and cowboys atop bucking horses and get the same feeling I get when I watch Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel -- "These guys are crazy, but it sure is entertaining."

So when I was asked to take part in Harlequin American's first continuity, The Codys: First Family of Rodeo, I couldn't say yes fast enough. It was such an interesting experience to work with five other authors to create the Cody family, their ranch, the town in which they live, their relationships with each other and with the men and women with whom they'd eventually share their happily ever afters. I got to explore a setting -- the area around Cody, Wyoming, between Yellowstone National Park and the Big Horn Mountains -- that I've visited and absolutely love. If I wasn't so averse to cold weather, I'd love to live in Cody.

It's been a thrill to see the covers for the series as they've been created, to see the first book in the series hit store shelves. I'm eagerly anticipating seeing my October cover for Elly's book. I hear from my editor that it's great.

So, are you a fan of westerns, both historical and contemporary? If so, how were you introduced to the genre? Has it been a lifetime love? What's your favorite western movie?

Media Blitz Contest

Dear readers—let's rodeo!

June kicked off the debut of Harlequin American Romance's first-ever six-book continuity The Codys: First Family of Rodeo with Rebecca Winter's book, Walker:The Rodeo Legend. Following are the titles of the books in the series and their release dates.

June 2010 Walker: The Rodeo Legend by Rebecca Winters
July 2010 Dexter: Honorable Cowboy by Marin Thomas
August 2010 Dusty: Wild Cowboy by Cathy McDavid
September 2010 Mark: Secret Cowboy by Pamela Britton
October 2010 Elly: Cowgirl Bride by Trish Milburn
November 2010 Jesse: Merry Christmas, Cowboy by Lynnette Kent

In honor of this exciting occasion we ran a Social Media Blitz Contest at www.harauthors.blogspot.com on June 6th. Next month on Friday July 16th we'll be running another One-Day-Only Media Blitz Contest.

Contest Scoop: One day each month, one of the authors in the continuity will post a blog at www.harauthors.blogspot.com and discuss her contribution to The Codys: First Family of Rodeo series. After reading the author's blog, post the link http://www.harauthors.blogspot.com/ the title of the book and the author's name to your Facebook, MySpace and/or Twitter pages as well as your favorite blogs.

The more places you post the link and mention the book and its author the more chances you have to win! You can earn additional chances to win if you refer a friend and they in turn post a link to their favorite social media websites and blogs. Be sure to return to www.harauthors.blogspot.com and tell us where you're spreading the word so we can keep a tally of your activity. Remember its one day only each month through November 2010!

Authors will be giving away prizes to several lucky winners. Your name will be entered into a drawing for each social media site you promote Harlequin American's Continuity The Codys: First Family of Rodeo and for each friend you contact who in turn spreads the word through their favorite networks. You have twenty-four hours to link us and win!

The author will post the winners in the comment section of her blog the following day--be sure to return to see if you're one of the lucky winners.

Mark your calendars for Friday July 16th and stop by http://www.harauthors.blogspot.com/ to join the fun! Marin Thomas will be giving away copies of her book Dexter: Honorable Cowboy--RT Book Reviews Top Pick for July 2010 along with a few cowboy goodies to several lucky winners.