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Saturday, January 9, 2010

Cowboy Lovin' Day 9: Beth Williamson


Today's guest author needs no introduction. Let's give a very warm Cozy welcome to prolific western romance author - another one of my personal favorites - Beth Williamson!

"Living Life by the Code"

Many people think I'm a little looney to continue to write (and read) historical western romances. I mean, it's a small genre without the giant sales or big shiny bling in the publishing world, right? Ah, but I have loved western romances from the moment I read my first one, which was Elizabeth Lowell's Only His.

I was hooked. HOOKED! The reason why? For many reasons, not the least of which was the fact that western men, cowboys live life by a code of honor. Even the most alpha male has a sense of honor, an ingrained code he abides by.

What does that mean? Why, cowboys are like modern knights. Fierce warriors who carry a weapon, defend those who are defenseless, protect damsels (whether in distress or not), and are just waiting for a strong woman to tame them.
*sigh*
Oh yeah, that's exactly it. I am all about the strong man and the strong woman finding that balance between them, the love that blossoms, and of course, the conflict that arises because of all of it. :)

Cowboys to me are always alpha, whether flamboyantly or just quiet and fierce.

It appeals to me as I have my own ingrained sense of honor, to always make the right decision even if it sucks, and to stand true to what I believe in. I find it incredibly sexy in a man to be hard, unmoving and stubborn. LOL. A cowboy can be tamed if he finds the right woman. ;)

Then of course, it's the whole appeal of a man on a horse. There is just something the sight of a man's behind on a saddle that's just... magic (not to mention the chaps that can frame a nice package ;). They're up high on a horse, thighs gripping the leather saddle, and riding past. It's a thing of beauty, isn't it?

My heroes are usually that hard riding alpha man just simmering with issues and emotional, and sometimes physical, scars. However, they live by the code. Their souls are entwined with honor, even if they're a pain in the ass at first.
I have many favorite cowboys of course, but I'll have to pick Caleb Black in Only His by Elizabeth Lowell. Of my own heroes, I'd have to say that Zeke from Devils on Horseback series is my favorite.

How about y'all, who's your fav and why?

Whew! Thank you very much, Beth, for bringing the gorgeous covers and the great post! That's a good discussion topic, too. Readers, go ahead and sound off! You know you wanna...
Also thank you again to all guest authors and readers for making Week 1 of Cowboy Lovin' so special! There's still fun to be had here at Cozy, starting tomorrow with another western romance author and then a VERY special guest on Monday! Remember, too, that today is your last chance to enter to win Carok Finch's The Kansas Lawman's Proposal. Both the winner for it and the winner for Cindy Spencer Pape's All The Way Back will be announced Tuesday, January 12th, so be sure to stop back in!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

If all cowboys are so great, why do they have so many cathouses out west??

Unknown said...

Hmmm, strange 1st comment!! We answered this question yesterday , I think!! I am also an Elizabeth Lowell fan. Luved her older reads. It's funny how an author evolves and then they lose me. I LUV any and all of Linda L Miller's cowboys. She seems to do all right w/ historical westerns. There must still be a fan base for these reads. I tend to to read the best selling western writers so I have to say all the authors are new to me this week. I do plan on checking into all these reads. I'm always looking for new authors. Thanks,Sue

Donna B said...

You got that right. Cowboys are the quintessential hero. And boy they do look good in the saddle. (Your description was HOT.) It's funny. I'm from the northeast - have never really spent any time where the cowboys are but man, there's just something about a cowboy and romance!

I love Elizabeth Lowell, and Linda Lael Miller, and Linda Howard...and oh my gosh everyone else who rights about those strong, cowboys who know how to treat a woman.

Beth Williamson said...

anonymous ~ Not sure what your question means... there are brothels everywhere. In the old west, there were a lot more men than women.
Sue H ~ Yes, I know what you mean. I only wish some writers would write more western historials (like EL).
Donna B ~ You can be from the northeast (I am) and still be a cowboy lover. I now live in a heavy horsey area in NC and couldn't be happier. *SIGH* :D

Anonymous said...

I loved Only His too. Actually, I enjoyed the whole series. I love to read about cowboys. Glad to see that there is still a market for them.

Beth Williamson said...

Me too Phyllis! I even bought the whole set again when they re-released so they'll look pretty on my keeper shelf. LOL. :D

Linda Henderson said...

I do enjoy a good cowboy story. There has always been a big interest in cowboys. They are so rugged, brave, trustworthy and dependable. Who doesn't want one of them.

Mary Ricksen said...

I just love a man on a horse in boots, Jeans and a Western Hat, getting a visual here... Yeh, for cowboys!

Julie said...

Your entire post made me swoon a little. ;) There's just something about a guy on a horse...

I don't know if I have a favorite fictional cowboy, but I was introduced to the subgenre by Diana Palmer and Linda Lael Miller, if I remember correctly. Thanks for the chance to win!

Marie-Nicole Ryan said...

Congrats on your NY contracts, Beth. You deserve your success.

I love a man with a code of honor whether his story is contemporary or historical.

Beth Williamson said...

Yep exactly y'all! Living by the code, and looking like a real man. Oh yeah, that's the way you get me! LOL.

Lisa G said...

Love those cowboys, no matter whether historical or contemporary.

robynl said...

I love cowboy stories and cowboy shows. I used to watch Bonanza, Roy Rogers, etc.

I liked Sandra Brown's Texas Trilogy featuring Chase, Sage and Lucky.

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