Why do we enjoy writing and reading about the West? What is
it about cowboys that is just plain irresistible? Over thirty authors and
bloggers tackle these and other questions by explaining why we love Romancing
the West.
But
that’s not all, as you enjoy some awesome blogs and find fantastic books, for
every post you comment on with your email address, you will be entered for some
amazing prizes.
***PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO QUALIFY***
Grand Prize: A
swag pack which includes books (both ebooks and paper), Amazon gift card,
custom made butterfly jewelry, book cards, magnets and much more all tucked
away in a keepsake box. (Available to US residents only. Winner will be
announced on February 26 at 10 PM EST)
We at NovelFriends are giving away a
*$20 Texas Roadhouse Gift Card!
*$20 Texas Roadhouse Gift Card!
Why do we love Romancing the West?
Donna: I fell in love with the west thanks to NYT bestselling author Linda
Howard. While filling my basket at the local used book store, I came across a
copy of A Lady of the West
by Linda Howard. I did and BAM! I was in love. Not only with this amazing
author (who is still one of my favorites!), but with the beautiful western
states: Texas, Wyoming, Montana…Colorado. My love of Colorado deepened thanks
to my NovelFriend, Stacey, And I was compelled to set my own story against the
backdrop of those majestic Rocky Mountains.
Jamie: It’s hard to resist loving a cowboy. A man who is
strong, hard working and has a love of the land. A guy who stays in shape by doing
his job everyday, not because he spent hours in a gym. I’ve spent many hours
admiring the cowboy heroes of Diana Palmer and Linda Lael Miller. How can you
not love a man who is rough, tough, protective and true all in one very fine
package?
 |
Delia:What isn’t to love about cowboys? I grew up
wanting to be the Cartwright brother’s little sister, it didn’t take long for
that fantasy to evolve along less familial fantasies. These are men who spend their lives
both working with and fighting against the elements, using their strength and
wits to not only stay alive, but to make a living while doing it. The fact that
it’s done with a gun strapped to their hip and their butt looking all snug in a
saddle just ramps the sexiness up a few levels (yeah, I’m talking about you,
Little Joe).
Stacey: I love horses, and I love good-looking, hard-working men in jeans and flannel or a button-up cotton work shirts. Putting the two together is a win-win no-brainer for me. Rolled up sleeves that reveal tanned, muscled forearms is sexier than a guy standing buck-naked—though I’d probably look either way. *grin* In my contemporary western Chasin’ Mason, Tripp is modeled after my all-time favorite cowboy picture: Matthew McConaughey in his Stetson Cologne ad.
* * * * *
So there you have it from the NovelFriends! To enter for our prize of the $20 Texas Roadhouse Gift Card, just use the Rafflecopter below.
ALSO, to enter for the Grand Prize SWAG PACK of the Romancing the West Blog Hop
, you must include your EMAIL address leave acomment along with your EMAIL address.
** To be entered in our raffle, simply tell us who's your favorite cowboy, or what's your favorite western romance novel...or both!
Best of luck from the NovelFriends!
(* If there is no Texas Roadhouse restaurant near you, we will substitute a $20 Gift Card of winner's choice)
Romancing the West Blog Hop
favorite cowboy...easy...John Wayne!
ReplyDeletevideoclimber(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would have to say my favorite cowboy is John Wayne.
ReplyDeleteskpetal at hotmail dot com
You've both made a great choice - John Wayne is a classic and a perfect example of what we love about cowboys. Thanks so much for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteGreat reason for loving the West, ladies!
ReplyDeleteI think I fell in love with the west when I first watched the movie Pure Country--young George Strait was HOT. Remember those tight jeans? I also love country music and often pair my love of western romance with my love of country mucic and I've got several heroes who are cowboys and superstar singers.
I also loved Bonanza (though I'm too young to have seen it other than in reruns) and I love Linda Lael Miller. Her books are my favorite of all the western writers I've read.
Ooh, Pure Country! I forgot about that one. Which then reminds me of 8 Seconds with Luke Perry. :)
DeleteI had forgotten about both of those movies! I think I need to do a country movie marathon this weekend. I'm in the mood for some cowboys.
DeleteI loved John Wayne as a child, then came Clint Eastwood. Whew! I loved him through my teen years.
ReplyDeleteMel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
Clint's great! And then there's Back to the Future 3 where Marty calls himself Clint Eastwood when they go back to 1855. I love it! :)
DeleteThe Coleman brothers from Vivian Arend's Six Pack Ranch series. :)
ReplyDeletebimmergrlmd at gmail dot com
I haven't heard of that series, sounds like one I really need to check out. Thanks Barbara!
Deletegrew up with clint eastwood's movies - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteClint Eastwood is another prime example of a cowboy. Can't pick which of his movies is my favorite. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeletemy first love was Little Joe Cartwright- been hooked on westerns ever since
ReplyDeletekathleenball@hotmail.com
Kathleen, you and our Delia would get along well. Thanks for stopping by our blog.
DeleteJohn Wayne
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
John Wayne is a popular choice. There will never be another cowboy like him.
DeleteI grew up watching westerns and loved all the cowboys. Clint Eastwood starred in Rawhide and became a huge western star. I've liked him for a long time.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Ah, Clint. Another popular choice. I think quite a battle is shaping up between CE & JW.
DeleteI have to agree that every actor and movie mentioned above shaped my impression of cowboys. I am probably a bigger fan of country music now than ever before. From George Strait to Toby Keith and Alan Jackson -- they are all great singers, songwriters and all-round-gentlemen. It's country musicians today who foster my image of cowboys and cowgirls -- I still consider Shania Twain a country artist and a damn fine horse rider.
ReplyDeletesusan_francesny [at] hotmail [dot] com
Country music - now we're talking! I think adding those amazing voices and musical talents to the image of a hard living, rough, tough cowboy is the icing on the cake for me. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteHave so many favorites as I grew up watching westerns. Have to go with John Wayne.
ReplyDeleteSue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
I believe that puts John Wayne in the lead. So many fantastic movies to choose from between John Wayne's and Clint Eastwood's. It's a cowboy round up.
DeleteI love the Rough Riders series by Lorelei James
ReplyDeleteI've heard some great things about this series, but haven't had the pleasure of reading it yet. Will add to my TBR list. Thanks!
DeleteIt doesn't matter if it's a historical or contemporary, Linda Howard's books always rock. I still try to find a little time to enjoy the Cartwright boys.
ReplyDeletenaggingdilemma(at)yahoo(dot)com
LOVE Linda Howard! Her heroes can be harsh, but there's just something so appealing about them as well. She a master. I need to dig some of her older titles out of my closet and do some re-reading. :-)
DeleteJess, sounds like you, Delia and Donna would have a lot to talk about. I love historical and contemporary cowboys, too.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite cowboys are John Wayne and Sam Elliot. My favorite western romances are the Rough Riders series by Lorelei James. Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeletethompsonem3 at aol dot com
Sam Elliot is a fabulous choice - he is so ruggedly handsome and that voice - wow! Thanks for stopping by the blog.
DeleteOh, yeah! Another Sam Elliot fan here! Though my favorite role for him was probably in Mask. :-)
DeletePst..Ive read all of these! They are fantasticly, awesome books! So dang good! One of my favorite series is The Long, Tall Texans by Diana Palmer! I cant pick a favorite, i adore just about then all! Thank you for the awesome hop and giveaway!!! :)
ReplyDeleteshadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Shadow! The Long, Tall Texans has a great sound to it. Very intriguing. Thanks for coming by--great to see you here!
Delete