Well, as much as I love reading historical westerns as much as y’all – the polite, alpha cowboy on his white horse and the town’s school marm with loads of gumption getting their HEA, but I also love reading contemporary westerns – that same polite, alpha cowboy who’s been raised right by his mama in today’s world and a more world-wise, modern heroine who can now be anything she wants other than a school marm.
I’ve not read huge amounts of contemp westerns, but I have my favorite authors who I go back to time and again, plus others I still have in the TBR mountain and know I’ll enjoy just as much when I finally read them.
1. Lorelei James is the first to come to mind. I have the best time with her Rough Riders and Wild West Boys series. The books center around the McKay and West families, and while they are definitely erotic stories, the way she weaves family with tragedy and fun and emotion with all the lovin’ going on behind closed doors, her books are always at the top of my list. Her cowboys walk and talk like they should too. No ugly western speak on any of her pages. My faves are Cowgirl Up and Ride, Tied Up Tied, and Branded as Trouble — all for three very different reasons. You can see my reviews of these three books and others of Ms. James here.
2. I discovered Catherine Anderson from the ladies at an historical romance chat group I’m in, and with her first book in her Kendrick/Coulter series, Baby Love, she hooked me not only with her storytelling and characters, but the emotion she wrings from with every book. I’m sorry to say I’ve only read a couple of Ms. Anderson’s books so far, but I know when I do pick up another, it’s going to be one terrific ride. My favorite of those few I’ve read to date is Phantom Waltz. Lordamercy, the emotion in that book will set you back a few days.
3. As good as Linda Lael Miller’s historical westerns are, her contemporaries are just as good. I loved her Montana Creeds trilogy released just recently (see my DDS review on the Creeds here) and still have her McKettrick follow-up books to read, which I know I will love as much as the original books.
4. Anna Jeffrey nee Sadie Callahan nee Dixie Cash is a one-woman force when it comes to contemp westerns. I have read her Jeffrey and Callahan books but have yet to sample her Cash stories. The few I have read so far have turned out to be pleasant surprises, especially Lone Star Woman under the Callahan pseudonym (see my review here). I have plenty more Jeffrey books to read and look forward to getting to them.
5. Though I really love her paranormals, Lisa Renee Jonesgave readers a look at another side of her writing with Lone Star Surrender last year. This is her only contemp western, but I’m hoping she’ll write more down the road. Lisa is one of those authors who knows how to put the sizzle in love scenes whether it’s in the western or paranormal style, so more of her cowboy lovin’ would be a treat.
6. As for contemp western authors whose books I have but have not yet had the pleasure to read, there’s a few that come to mind: Jodi Thomas, Mackenzie McKade, Joan Johnston, Patrice Michelle, and if you’re in need of a guilty pleasure, Diana Palmer.
So. Have you read any of these authors? What’s your take on their books in the modern western world? Who else do you love/hate when it comes to contemporary westerns? I know I’ve not thought of a lot. Hit me with it, pardner!
Sandy thank you! I have a Rodeo hero for Blaze out next year. And more cowboys in the works:) I hope to have some updates on that soon. I’m from Texas so I do love my sexy cowboys!
Great list Sandy!
I do LOVE Lorelei James’ books. They have some seriously smokin’ hot cowboys, not to mention scenes in them.
I’ve also really enjoyed LLMiller’s contemps, Joan Johnston, “Lone Star Woman” and the LRJones book. (Glad she has a new one coming out!)
I’m excited to try some of the others you recommened – especially the McCades and the Andersons.
BUT, I’m not a Palmer fan. (Sorry.) To me, all her cowboys and heroines are the same, just give them new names and physical/psychological flaw for each book. I also don’t think the characters have a ‘with the current times’ feel to them. The Palmer books that I’ve tried, read like the characters are living in the 1950’s with their mannerisms and ideals (and I’ve tried at least 6, because I wanted to like her books).
Lisa, that’s great to know! Really looking forward to those new ones you’ll have for us.
Georganna, I have to admit that I’ve never read Diana Palmer. I have a couple of her books that friends have recommended for one reason or another, and other friends who always say she’s a guilty pleasure for them, lol, so that’s why I worded it as I did. One day I’m sure I’ll get to one and see for myself. She’s usually a hit or miss with folks, so I’m curious to see what I’d think!
Have to agree with Lorelei James, Catherine Anderson and Linda Lael Miller for sure. Of course, I love Anderson & Miller’s historicals, too. And of course, Diana Palmer. And I haven’t read Patrice Michelle in a long time, but I do remember enjoying the heck out of her books. I still have a Jodi Thomas sitting on my TBR pile… so many books, so little time! Thanks for the reminder of all these awesome authors!
Love Lorelei James, she was the author that actually turned me on to western romances. Can’t go wrong with one of her books, and can’t wait for her new one next week Shoulda Been A Cowboy. Out on 8/25 or 8/26, I’ll be waiting in the virtual line to buy this one 🙂
I iz the Diana Palmer whore you speak of… I would say she is a guilty pleasure but I have no guilt. It doesn’t even make sense to me why I like her. But I do…
Cattleman’s Choice, Fit for a King and her newest one should have a review up soon by my fellow Palmer junkie lime. If she ever does it.
And you know *g* Dixie Cash is really a two women force, it is Anne Jeffrey and her sister. ACK IIRC
I have started to read LJames again after all your chatting her up here. Catherine Anderson I adore some of her older books. Baby Love is good! But I admit most of her newer contemps I haven’t read. Should pick one up again. (historicalbreak-READ Keegan’s Lady & Cherish).
Great to see you here Lisa and wonderful to hear you have another cowboy coming. Am I remembering wrong or wasn’t your novella in Alluring Tales a contemp western? Maybe it was just in texas?
Sybil– Alluring Tales was set in Texas but no cowboy. As for cowboys — Linda Howard writes a really hot wonderful cowboy! Against the Rules is my absolute favorite. Loved it. I have several of her earlier western romances on my keeper shelf and never plan to let them go. Sandra Brown had an early series with Cowboys too that was really great. Before she went more mainstream. I think Texas Lucky is one of the titles.
Lisa-
YES! ‘Texas Lucky’, ‘Texas Chase’, and ‘Texas Sage’ where 3 of the first romance novels that I read (back in the day, when I was supposed to be studying at college).
WOW, thanks so much for the spotlight on contemporary westerns…I am honored to be on the list 🙂
I really need to pick up LLM’s Creed series. I know Sybil really liked those books too.
I know I have Anna Jeffrey in the TBR. ::digging, digging, digging:: OMG! I have FOUR of her books in the TBR. Dear Lord, I really am out of control.
I tend to gravitate more naturally towards historical westerns, but when I do read contemporary ones, it tends to be under the Harlequin umbrella. Readers can find lots o’ cowboys in the Harlequin American and Harlequin SuperRomance line….
Oh, how could I have forgotten the Brown Texas! trilogy. Loved that one too. Definitely needs to be on my list!
Wendy, I have hoards of the HAR and HSR lines in the TBR pile. Unfortunately they’re the ones who get pushed to the back of the pile to make room for everything else. I am, however, putting some series together as I find them to hopefully do some DDS reviews in the future. I do enjoy the Harlequin/Silhouette lines and I know I have some westerns in there somewhere!
I have read 2 by Anna Jeffrey: Salvation, Texas and Sweet Water – both very good (B+). Oh man, I loved that Texas! trilogy, they were keepers.
I have read just about everything by Catherine Anderson (my GF loves her and insists on loaning her books to me) and I agree that Phantom Waltz is probably her best. I see there are lots of other authors I should be trying. *sigh* Too many books, so little time….