 Maureen McKade takes a few minutes to answer Sybil’s burning questions. Add yours to the Comments – Maureen will be around today to respond…
Do you think the climate is any different for westerns today vs. where they were a year ago?
Western romances have always had a core group of loyal–though not particularly high–number of readers and they’ve kept the westerns alive. Speaking with some booksellers at RWA last month, I found that they have seen some increase in western romance sales over the past year. IMO, after reading one type of romance for a length of time–like the more popular paranormal or Regency or romantic suspense–readers like a change, and some are checking out the western romances for the first time. (And I hope liking them!)
Have you discovered anything about the Forrester’s brothers that you didn’t plan on, like they have a sister, and you will write her book after A Reason to Sin? Hey, I can hope.
Sorry, no sister in sight. However, I believe there are some little Forresters running around at the end of each book…
Out of all of your books, do you have one that is a favorite? Is there a book that stands out in your mind?
 It’s usually the one I’m working on.  :)  I don’t have a favorite, per se, but if I would choose the most emotional, it would be A Reason to Live. For the most adventurous, To Find You Again. For the best verbal sparring, Arouse Suspicion.  And I have to put Winter Hearts in the mix simply because it was the first book that I ever wrote.
 
I know you don’t read westerns while working on one, so what do you have on your TBR pile? Do you wait until you have completed a series to read another? Any can’t miss books you would recommend?
I’ve got Elizabeth Vaughan’s Warlord on top of my pile. That’s the third book of a trilogy and I have read other books between the series books. I have to admit that I prefer to read all the books in a series one right after another, and I’m usually so far behind that it’s not a problem. 🙂  I have the first two books of Robin Hobb’s new series — The Soldier Son Trilogy — and am probably going to wait until the final one is released in February to read them. Just a few more on my TBR pile — Cheryl St. John’s The Preacher’s Daughter, Pamela Clare’s Ride the Fire, and Tamera Alexander’s Remembered (another series book). As for guilty pleasures, I enjoy Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and I’m a sucker for a CSI (Las Vegas) paperback.
What would you like to know about Maureen, her characters, what cover model she’d most like to be lost on a desert island with?Â
Not so much a question as a comment – although if you can find a question in this rambling – that would be good.
I’ve never understood really, the demise of the Western. I’ve been reading for years and while I started off with the typical Regency, I branched into other settings and had a real appreciation for them. I would take a silent, hard-working western hero any day now over a pampered Duke or Earl or whatever. The heroes of Westerns just seem more ‘real’ somehow. I can’t suspend belief much anymore at the overabundance of hero-like, ‘spy for their country’, good looking, yet compassionate titled heroes. I would much rather read about a reformed outlaw or damaged sheriff any day.
And considering that it’s closer to the average American’s own history, I don’t really ‘get’ why they aren’t more popular.
In the meantime, me and a number of other dedicated Western fans, Sybil, Rosie and Wendy for example, will continue to bang the Western drum hoping that other romance readers will start hearing us.
I’m glad you’re still writing Westerns as so MANY of my favourite former Western authors have left the genre.
It is encouraging that sales have gone up a little. Let’s hope they continue to go up so us readers can get the selection back that we used to have.
I’ve always been fascinated with this time period. Even as a young child~Little House on the Prairie, to my teen years~the Young Guns movies (hey I was a teen and had the hots for Emilio Estevez and Lou Diamond Phillips *wink*), to college and older~ the TV show Young Riders (about the Pony Express) and western romances.
There is just something about the men of that era *sigh*
I guess I don’t have a question right now, just a comment! LOL
How much research do you do for a book?
Hi Maureen. I love Western romances. I was so excited when I read about your books. Can’t wait to read them.
Maureen, I’m one of those readers who continue to love and ask for these westerns! After reading my first western historical romance of Maggie Osborne, THE PROMISE OF JENNY JONES, I was feeling so good inside with the time period. It felt like it fit so close. I love them both in contemps and historicals. Yep the cowboys, but too, the ranch, the beauty in the descrptions of the outside, the culture at that time, and so much more. So when historicals come out, I try not to miss them! I know I probably missed many good historicals and thats why I’m glad they asked you here what you enjoy reading too! I’m going to check up those that you recommeneded too!
I’m so looking forward to your new one, but too, finding your other historicals. I need to find your site to see what I missed. But I can say this, there’s a warmth, beauty and comfort with reading your historicals. Thanks for all you do.
I really love a cowboy. Almost nothing makes happier than sitting down to read a good western.
Keep writing these wonderful stories.
Do your books stand alone or is it best to read them in order?
I’m a big fan of western romance books. I’ve been reading them for a long time and so far, I’m not tired of them and the stories keep me turning pages. I think it’s because it seems like they had to struggle so much during those times and I like to see how it all turns out. My question is..what is something that you struggle with in life and you wish was a whole lot easier?
I love Westerns…and your books. My question is, do you think that Westerns are making a comeback?
I’m with you, Kristie(J). I, too, don’t understand why the western seems to be the red-headed stepchild in the romance genre. The American West and everything–good and bad–that it entails is part of our history. Lawmen, cowboys, cavalry soldiers, etc are all part of that past and I absolutely love creating characters in those molds and bringing them to life, complete with some not-so-sterling backgrounds. The same with heroines of that time period. And I’d like to personally thank all who continue to bring attention to the western romances and keep them coming into the bookstores!
Are all the books you’ve written historical westerns? Like many others here that is what I’m interested in, so I’d like to know if that’s what I’ll find if I pick up one of your backlist. Not that I’m averse to reading something else, but you’ve got me jonesing for westerns. 🙂
Great shows, Tracy! I remember them well, along with The Magnificent Seven with Michael Biehn and Eric Close. :::sigh:::
Hey Maureen! It was really great to meet you in Dallas. I have been waiting for this book to come out – I’m off to Borders tomorrow! I’m sorry I missed your author day (I’ve been in “real” work conferene since Sunday).
Hooyah! Let’s continue to repopulate the westerns – there can NEVER be enough cowboys.
Yeehaw!! 🙂
My research time varies from book to book, MaureenC. I have a fairly extensive research library in my office that covers many of the general aspects of the old West. The more specific questions I address on Google or Ask.com. With “A Reason to Believe” I had to find out how vegetables were preserved in the 1860s. The canning lids and jars used today weren’t around yet so I found myself chasing URLs looking for info for that specific question. More recently, with “A Reason to Sin,” the heroine is a singer and I had to find out what songs were popular in that timeframe. Using both my research books and the internet, I came up with some songs, mostly Stephen Foster tunes, along with the verses to give some authenticity to the scenes where she’s singing. Also, since I didn’t know much about faro, I had to do some research on how that was played since Slater is a house dealer in the saloon. So, all in all, it depends on who my characters are as far as how much research I have to do.
Hey Beth! Great to see you here! Yep, let’s keep them cowboys from ridin’ off into the sunset.
In answer to your question, Jane, I’ve written 9 western romances, 1 western romance novella, 1 time travel (under Maura McKenzie), and 2 romantic suspense. And you can find my backlist at my website at http://www.maureenmckade.com Thanks for asking!
Welcome Crystal B! All of my older Avon titles are out of print now, but I’m pretty sure you can find used copies floating around in cyberspace. Hope you enjoy my books!
OMG, wasn’t THE PROMISE OF JENNY JONES a great book? I adore all of Maggie Osborne’s books, and she’s such a wonderful person, too. I mourned when I heard she was retiring. There are still a handful of western writers out there, including Jodi Thomas, Bobbi Smith, Linda Lael Miller, Leigh Greenwood, and if you haven’t read any of Lorraine Heath’s older westerns, do so and keep a hanky handy.
Thanks so much, Paula! As long as my editor will let me, I’ll write westerns. 🙂
Willa, I would say they’re standalones. The characters from the previous book(s) only come into the next ones at the end of each.
Kim W., the things I struggle most with are writing the middle of my books, my weight, and balancing my time between my husband, writing, and our four-footed children.
Danielle, I do believe they’re on a slight upswing right now, but how high they’ll swing is something I don’t know. Publishers look at the bottom line–sales. If western sales overall aren’t doing very well, they won’t buy new ones. If western sales are moving upward, they’re more likely to take a chance on a new western author or allow a pub’ed author to write another western. Using myself as an example, my book “To Find You Again” did very well in sales so I was asked to do more westerns. However, sales for “A Reason to Live” were much lower but thankfully I was locked in for two more westerns at that time. I wish I could explain the decrease, but I can’t. Clear as mud, huh? 😉
Well, the sales for your Westerns will be going up as I will be buying them now! 😀
Maureen: I see that you have Ride the Fire in your TBR pile. That one is a FABULOUS book. It’s another genre that is published even less and one that I love too. Again, I don’t know why since it really deals with the beginnings of the United States.
Hi, Maureen. I love westerns and always will because it was a western by Rosanne Bittner that brought me to the romance genre. You’re one of my favorites, and I hope you’ll continue to write the excellent, emotional westerns we love.
I love historical western romances and was wondering if you have a favorite setting or location for your books?
Maureen,
I am one of those readers that is a recent convert to western romance books. I started with reading a couple Linda Lael Miller books, and now I’m addicted to this subgenre of romance. I hope that you and other western romance authors will continue to write these compelling books.
I do have a question. If you were to recommend a book of yours to a new reader, which one would you suggest they read first?
Hugs, Zara
Hi, Maureen! I’m a big fan! Well forget the “big” label, I’m medium-sized but I love your books. *g*
It’s always interesting to see into the development of the stories I enjoy.
It’s great to see so many western readers! Ten western romance authors are ready to launch a new site:
http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com
Maybe I can bribe Sybil into a plug when we launch NEXT WEEK!
Smooches,
Cheryl St.John 🙂
Maureen, I’m wondering why you broke from Westerns to write the two suspense novels. Was it that you wanted a change of pace, that westerns weren’t selling that good, or some other reason?
I love reading and writing western romance. Nothing else satisfies my hunger like a good, gritty cowboy story. Like KristiJ commented, these stories are more real to readers who live in the U.S. than the historicals about earls and dukes. It’s our history. Our ancestors lived it. I’ve got to head to the bookstore for my copy of A Reason to Believe! Didn’t know it was out yet. What a hunky cover.
Good luck and much success!!
LindaB
As far as my favorite setting goes, Christy H., I don’t have any one favorite. My first book was set in Montana and I’ve had Wyoming, Kansas, and Texas settings also. I’d like to do a Dakota setting someday since it’s where I live. It pretty much depends on the book and if I want four seasons or not…
Good question, Zara. Hmmm, if I had to choose one, I think I’d go with “To Find You Again.” Followed closely by “Winter Hearts”, “A Reason to Live”, A Reason to Believe”, “A Dime Novel Hero”, etc. 🙂
In answering your question LindaB, I have to tell you that at the time I started writing my first romantic suspense, westerns were just not selling and I was without a publisher. Romantic suspense were (and still are) hot and it was something I thought I might enjoy writing. However, at the same time, I was also working on a western proposal, “To Find You Again.” Fortunately, both my romantic suspense and my western were picked up for Berkley Sensation. So, the answer to your question is yes, I thought a change of pace might be good *and* westerns were not selling very well.
Thanks for stopping by, Cheryl, and for getting out the word on Petticoats and Pistols! I know I’m sauntering on over there to check it out. 🙂
Hey, Maureen! You’re stirring up a lot of excitement around here. I’m loving reading what your fans are saying about you–and western romance.
Petticoats and Pistols (www.petticoatsandpistols.com) will be launching Monday. You’ll be hearing from me . . . .
Pam
Hi Maureen,
I LOVE your cover and the titles of your stories! I’m so glad there’s rising interest in Westerns! I know there’s more westerns coming out in the movie theatres soon. Do you have a favorite western movie?
I’ll probably be blogging about it soon on petticoatsandpistols.com and I’d love to hear your thoughts on favorite movies. I loved High Noon. Butch Cassidy and some of John Wayne’s classics.
Charlene
Hey Charlene, you mentioned one of my faves, Butch Cassidy, plus I’ve enjoyed the Sackett movies–Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott just fit their roles like well-worn boots. Did you see Broken Trail on A&E a few months back?