Thank you for inviting me to guest blog at The Good, the Bad, and the Unread today! I’m excited about my release this month, Tyler, and wanted to talk a little bit about one of my favorite scenes…

Tyler began as a romantic suspense. My fabulous editor envisioned a far different book and had the faith in me that I could re-create Tyler’s story and focus on what has turned out to be one of my favorite elements in the story—the zany humor. I’ve always been a fan of madcap romantic comedy, so adding this element into my story, featuring a real cowboy as the hero, was an intriguing challenge, but one I embraced.

Here’s a brief character sketch:

Emily and Jolene Langley are cousins who have been there for one another all their lives. The Langley women are curvy redheads who don’t like asking for help and won’t admit when they’re wrong.

Tyler Garahan is the oldest of three brothers, trying to make ends meet and keep their legacy—the Circle G Ranch—from going under and will do anything to save the ranch.

Scene set-up and background info:

Someone shoots the five-pointed star hanging outside of their club—while Emily and Jolene are standing beneath it.  Emily injures her knee and Jolene injures her collarbone. Tyler’s not sure if whoever did the shooting was aiming at the star, or lower. He and Jake decide to stay at the bar and watch over the Langley women even though the women are firm in their stand that they do not need help.

Twice in the book, the Langley women defend their property from a break in. During the first break-in Tyler and Jake disarm the women, confiscating the hockey stick and Louisville slugger the women intended to use on the intruders, nearly braining Tyler and Jake instead.

The second time, Emily is feeling sorry for herself, having sent her man home to his ranch knowing he’ll have to get up in just a few hours, but lying awake and missing him something fierce.  She hears the stairs creak and wakes Jolene. They know Tyler has left the bar, and Jake is sleeping downstairs keeping watch, so it has to be an intruder. They are weaponless, until Jolene has an idea and starts rummaging through the stack of shoe boxes in the corner of her room. She pulls out a pair of black velvet stiletto pumps, handing one to Emily. Since Emily has the use of both arms and can swing to inflict maximum damage, she goes first. Their plan is simple: spikes lifted high, they intend do as much damage as possible, and if that doesn’t work, Jolene is to run like hell for help. Stilettos held high…the women tiptoe to the stairs.

But Emily’s blow never connects; the intruder grabs a hold of her wrist and squeezes it until she drops the shoe. He spins her around and pins her arms behind her back. Adrenaline sprints through her system and she squints in the darkness to see who the intruder is. Hauled against his rock-hard chest, recognition slams into her with the force of a blow.

Tyler is incensed and demands to know what they’re doing, but doesn’t like their answer: protecting their club. Emily demands to know what he thinks he’s doing sneaking up the stairs when he was supposed to be driving home. He tells her he was halfway to the ranch when he realized he didn’t want to spend the night without her. Dead on his feet, he falls asleep while taking his boots off. Emily gently wakes him up and coaxes him into bed. He admits he’s too tired to do more than sleep, but in a tender moment, Emily tells him she has an overwhelming need just to hold him. They fall asleep in each other’s arms.

I just love when a man is strong enough to admit a weakness. No matter how long you’ve been in a relationship, you need to be aware and sensitive to your partner’s moods and needs. Emily’s reward is a sizzling wakeup call from Tyler the next morning. It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep can do for you!

[Ed. Two lucky commenters will win copies of Tyler, so be sure to leave your comments today. U.S. and Canada only, please.]