I’m extremely happy to be back here at The Good, The Bad and the Unread! Thank you for having me.
It’s been a little over a year since my last visit, when I had the opportunity to introduce your readers to Luke and Faith’s story in Montana Dawn. I’m delighted to have this time again to acquaint them now with Book 2 of the McCutcheon Family Series—Texas Twilight.
Last year I described my books as “Lonesome Dove and 3:10 to Yuma” meets “Little House on the Prairie,” and I still hold by that. But, as I began to plot out the story behind Texas Twilight, the DVD I had in my workout room actually was 3:10 to Yuma. I must have watched the opening at least twenty times, where the stage coach is attacked by the hunky bad guy, Ben Wade (Russell Crowe). Even playing a hardened, cold-blooded killer, Russell Crowe is just too gorgeous. He’s known for many, many, many aspects….you all know what I’m talking about! And it’s not his Beautiful Mind! LOL
Anyway, moving on, I decided I just had to have a stagecoach attack scene in my new book, preferably in the beginning. One that would throw my hero, John McCutcheon, together with the woman who will become the love of his life. Lily Anthony is a pretty and young German immigrant traveling to Rio Wells with her Tante (that’s aunt in German) to open up a seamstress business. She’s read all about outlaws and cowboys—in dime novels, of course. She learns the hard way the real thing is much more exciting….
I’m giving away a copy of Montana Dawn and Texas Twilight to two different commenters. Just say hello, or, if you’re willing, tell us how you met your significant other. I’m sure it’s just as exciting as a rollicking ride on a stagecoach.
There’s nothing like a good shoot-em-up to get the action moving. 🙂
I totally agree, Jean Marie! I’ve always been drawn to action, if it’s in a historical setting. I’m not a huge car chase type action movie lover, just the horse and rider type. I can’t figure it out…. LOL
Thanks so much for the comment!
Little House on the Prairie was one of my favorite series growing up so I’m glad to hear you stories is in part reminiscent of it. A stagecoach attack sounds like an exciting way to bring two people together =)
I’ve read the book and I loved the opening. It definitely sets the pace for the rest of the story. I can’t wait to read your next story.
It sounds like an exciting beginning to the story and I do enjoy that in a story.
Hi Caroline, Just wanted to say I have read your book Where the Wind Blows and loved it, can’t wait to get this one.
Hi, Na S~~Thanks so much for stopping by! I think everyone in the world loves that series. I practically know them all by heart. If my creative well starts to run low all I have to do is get comfy in my big chair and watch a couple. Afterwards my brain starts churning up ideas.
Good luck in the drawing! 🙂
Hi, Sandy. Fancy meeting you here! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words. My next book, SOURDOUGH CREEK, will be out in a couple months.
Hi Caroline,
I love westerns. I’ll have to check out your books. In 3:10 to Yuma Christian Bale’s son was the hero. At least to me he was. I wanted him to shoot Ben at the end, but he didn’t. Instead Ben got on the train and I thought “Yay” but then he ecsaped again. That ruin the ending for me, but I still enjoyed the movie.
Thanks so much for commenting, Maureen. I’m like you. That rush of adrenalin get me reading! 🙂
Hey, Quilt Lady, thanks for taking the time to join in. I’m so happy to hear you loved WHERE THE WIND BLOWS! It was my first book and I’ll always have a bond with Chase and Jessie, and of course, Sarah, Gabe and Jake too…They feel like family to me. I hope you like the new books as well….
Hi Caroline,
I love westions. I’ll have to check out your books. In 3:10 to Yuma I thought Christian Bale’s son, forgot name, was the hero. At the end I wanted him to shoot Ben, but he didn’t. Ben got on the train and I thought “Yay”, but then it showed him escaping. I didn’t like the ending. I enjoyed the movie though. As a writer I wanted to rewrite that ending. LOL
Hi Caroline, I love westerns. I’ll have to check out your books.
Hi Caroline!
I’ve never read one of your books but wh can say no to cowboys? 😉 I’ve just been to your website and the covers of your books are really gorgeous. I love the colours and landscapes! The opening scene of your latest book sounds really intriguing.
Hi, Linda. I know what you mean about the ending of 3:10 to Yuma. A real heartbreaker. I did like how Wade whistled and his horse took off after the train. What was touching was he was willing to let himself be captured to save the boy. (I know a cold-blooded killer shouldn’t be touching, but, that’s how I felt.) Thanks so much for coming by and chatting. I saw from your website you write Texas too—and in a big way. Congrats on all your awards!
Hi Claudia!
I’m glad you like cowboys, too! Especially if they are as shy as they are handsome…..
Thanks for taking the time to visit my website, and loving my covers. I appreciate that tremendously.
Good luck in the drawing and stay in touch!
Hi, Caroline! I really enjoyed reading Texas Twilight! Lily is a sweetheart, but strong in such a gentle way – and while John takes his time figuring out how wonderful she is, the ending (and the story, getting there) is a fun read and very satisfying. 🙂
Ah, LOVED Little House, Caroline! How did you pick Lily for your heroine’s name? Love that name.
Hi Caroline!
Love the stage coach idea! I saw my husband at a college party. We made eye contact for awhile and I actually told a friend (sort of jokingly) that he was going to be the man I’d marry. Turns out I was right.
Hi, Leslie~~I’m so happy you enjoyed TEXAS TWILIGHT! And I’m glad you interpreted Lily as strong! Because to me, she is! Thanks for commenting.
Hi Valerie—Another Little House fan! We are everywhere!! I think it’s because Michael Landon was so cute. LOL Actually, I’m not sure where or how I came up with the name Lily for my heroine. I had a friend in college with that name and spelled it like that. That must be it….
Katie, what a cool story!! How long after the night with eye contact did you get engaged? That is soooo meant to be!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Caroline-Texas Twilight is a wonderful book, in fact all 3 of your books are wonderful reads! Can’t hardly wait for your Sourdough Creek Series!
Hi Caroline. Great post and your new book sounds terrific. I love Russell Crowe, although not so much in 3:10 to Yuma. For me he was the ultimate hero in Gladiator. But I certainly like the stagecoach attack idea. Great way to open your story.
HI!! The series sounds wonderful and exciting! And I met my DH in the most prosaic of ways. I was a computer operator with a malfunctioning computer, and he was the geek who saved me. We joke that I’m software and he’s hardware. LOL!
Hi Maggie O. Thanks for coming by. 😛
SOURDOUGH CREEK is also a historical western, but quite different from the McCutcheon stories. It’s back to a smaller cast of characters, as was WHERE THE WIND BLOWS….
Have an awesome Halloween!
Hi Lyn,
Gladiator was a fantastic movie! And I agree with you about Russell Crowe’s role in that as compared to 3:10 to Yuma. It was the movie that launched him into mega stardom and I think most people think of that when his name comes up.
Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it!
Kat, what great fodder for a romance! And I love your software/hardware analogy.
PS- I had to look up the definition of prosaic. Great word! I’ve made a note of it. LOL
Thanks for coming by…
Hi Caroline,
Great review and blog. I’m looking forward to reading this, my first Caroline Fyffe novel. As for Russell: I’m with the gals that loved, loved, loved Gladiator.
Sandy
Hi Sandy! I hope you enjoy it….. Be sure to let me know.
Thanks!
~C
Congrats to my winners, Claudia for winning Montana Dawn
and
Sandy Blair ,Texas Twilight. I hope you both enjoy the stories!
Thank you to The Good, The Bad and The Unread for such a fun day! I loved it!
~C