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!

Cowboy Lovin' Day 6: BLUEST HEART Launch!

It's HERE! Day 6 of Cowboy Lovin' and my second western romance launch! Bluest Heart officially releases today from The Wild Rose Press and I'm premiering the book video and giving all you Cowboy Lovin' readers an exclusive peak at the second book in the Wayback Ridge trilogy. For the video, I went with a fun, bluesy kinda theme. It's got a good Wayback feel to it, don't you think? :)





That track will be playing on my iPod all day long. I feel like I've been waiting for this day for a while. To fans of Blackest Heart, this is the story of Stella's brother, Casey, who - as you saw in the video - is "the good guy." And, ladies, Casey brings a lot of sexy back to the beta hero!

The Wayback bachelor is a dying breed, but that doesn't stop Casey Ridge from wanting to settle down. For this cowboy anyone but Josie Brusky would be an easy wrangle. Unfortunately for him, the Blue Bug singer and owner of Josie's Treasures doesn't believe in commitment much less marriage.

Years ago, Josie lost her heart to Casey's charm and dimpled smile. Since then she has done everything she knows to forget him. After all, she’s known as the local harlot and the daughter of the town’s biggest bigot. Casey could have any girl he wanted. Why would he saddle himself with her? In the wake of a shattering past, she refuses to give up her independence.

Casey digs down deep to win her over, but does he have what it takes to win Wayback's bluest heart?

And here for you now is an exclusive excerpt from Bluest Heart:

"Do you think I’m incapable of doing anything by myself?"

"No, Josie. I just offered to give you a hand."

"Stop," she warned. "I don’t want your hand. I don’t want you around period. I tried to tell you yesterday to stay away from me, Casey. What’s going to make that sink in for you?"

He grinned. "Oh, it’s sunk in. I’m just ignoring it. You know what I want."

"How do you expect me to believe you can make a relationship work when you can’t even do your own damn laundry?" she squealed, at wit’s end.

"Trust me."

She was so mad she stomped one foot into the floor. "What is your problem?"

"At the moment? You."

She scoffed. "You have some nerve!"

"No, you’ve got some nerve!" he told her, humor melting quickly into anger. "You looked me right in the eyes and lied to me yesterday. We both know it."

"So why are you stalking me?" she demanded.

"Because I still want you," he blurted. "And I know you still want me. I’m not going to rest until you admit it."

"Then you’ve got a lot of sleepless nights ahead of you."

He started for the door. "We’ll just see about that." He paused, propping the books on his hip and digging into his pocket.

"I forgot. I think this is yours."

Seeing what he tossed in her direction, she leapt over the counter to catch the black lace thong. She ground her teeth together, her cheeks flaring hot again. Desperate to get a last, cutting word in, she whirled toward the door.

It slammed shut at his back. She let out a furious growl. God, he was going to drive her out of her mind!

Bluest Heart (c) Amber Leigh Williams

I'll be posting more excerpts around the web throughout the day. You can catch some of them at my publisher's blog. Also be sure to drop by fellow TWRP author Emma Lai's blog today for more of Bluest Heart! Be the first to get your copy of Bluest Heart at The Wild Rose Press!

Be sure to stop by tomorrow through Saturday because three of my favorite western romance authors are dropping by Cozy to keep the Cowboy Lovin' celebration going! Yay!