by Strong, passionate, rugged, a man of principle, honor and duty. That’s my take on the western hero.
When it comes to reading and writing, I choose westerns first. There’s nothing more compelling to me than a man of the west who is faced with a conflict that defies his integrity, honor and sense of right. There’s nothing sexier to me than watching our heroes struggle with temptation and adversity, defy the odds and come out the winner.
I write about the west mainly because I have a deep love of American history and a resounding affection for a really good romance. Blend the two together and you get a rich explosion of often, fun, definitely sensual and absolutely satisfying stories.
True, my romances are hero driven. What can I say?
I love a real good man, whether alpha or beta. Toss in a Stetson, a killer swagger and an attitude to match and I’m in romance heaven.
I set my westerns in the mid to late 1800’s, a time when all things were possible, but nothing came easy. There are endless opportunities when writing in the old west for setting and conflict.
In Taming the Texan, my hero is battling his father’s young widow for her share of the wealthy empire she inherited. Tess on the other hand, is no wilting flower; she’s had a rough life, hiding a few secrets and feels that the Double H Ranch is her true home. In the May anthology, Western Weddings, my hero in “Springville Wife”, Caleb Matlock teases and torments his childhood nemesis, Grace Landers, the town’s new schoolmarm. Only this time, he’s got more than pulling her pigtails in mind.
I’ve written about sheriffs, bounty hunters, ranchers, half-breeds, gamblers, widowers and more from California to Arizona to Texas. And their traits are as diverse as their occupations. Who wouldn’t want to redeem a man who’s been hardened by life and circumstances? Who wouldn’t fall in love with a man who has been heartbroken and hides his pain with stubborn pride? Who wouldn’t line up to fall for a man who has lost everything, including his memory?
And besides, where else can a man say, “Tarnation” or “Hot Damn” and get away with it?
Western heroines are no slouches either. They are strong and determined and often see through the heroes’ tough exteriors to find the really good men underneath. Don’t you love it when that happens?
So what happened to Westerns and are they coming back?
I’ve written westerns for Harlequin since 1999 and though their popularity might have waned for a short time, staunch dedicated readers and lovers of the west have never faded. I have to commend Harlequin for recognizing that and keeping the line alive and prosperous. Other genres come and go, but the American western is tried and true and I think, here to stay.
I love cowboys and western men so I don’t discriminate in time periods either. My next western is set in Crimson Canyon, Arizona in present time. Five-Star Cowboy will be hitting the shelves in August and is a sizzling romance between a rugged millionaire cowboy and the beauty with brains he needs to possess in order to succeed.
So, what’s your favorite kind of western hero? Do you love a brooding rancher, a steadfast sheriff or a witty gambler? Is there one particular western hero that stands out in your mind whether from books or television shows?
I’ll be sending out a copy of Taming the Texan or Western Wedding to one lucky commenter today.
Happy Trails and Happy Reading!
Oh, I love a good western. A brooding rancher does it for me every time! A memorable one for me is Linda Howard’s Reese Duncan from Duncan’s Bride, where he advertises for a wife and instead of a quiet, biddable woman, gets the indomitable Maddy who soon shows him the error of his ways.*grin* A classic.
SOLD! 😉
I’m not a huge fan of historical Western’s, though I have enjoyed some in the past. Course, now that you asked I can’t think of a single title…
I do love contemporary cowboys. I 2nd Willa’s selection of Reese Duncan from Duncan’s Bride. I just adore him.
I’d also have to go with Joan Johnston’s cowboys. Yum. 😛
Hi Holly and Willa! Thanks for stopping by today. I like a brooding hero too. Though I wouldn’t want to really live with one! But they are fun to write. I’m going to have to get Duncan’s Bride. That’s one western I haven’t read. Sounds like fun.
Charlene
Special thanks to Sybil and TGTBTU for inviting me to post today. Your support is wonderful!
Gee, my other post didn’t go thru. I wanted to say hello to Willa and Holly! I love a brooding rancher too, but I wouldn’t want to live with him!
I haven’t read Duncan’s Bride but it sounds like a keeper.
I love westerns. A brooding rancher would be my pick. One that’s strong, passionate, rugged, stetson and a gun on his hip. Clint Eastwood is probably my favorite. He takes brooding to a new level. That’s my take on the western hero.
Jess Harper as Laramie in Wagon Train.
Hmmm, I have never read a western before – haven’t really seen any western movies either. I do love historicals though!
xoxo
Thanks all for posting today! You should try westerns – they have some great rugged heroes!
Holly won my random drawing! I’ll be sending Holly a book!
Please contact me at charlenesands@hotmail.com
I am laughing because in my book that’s coming out in December, my hero says “What in tarnation?” several times! LOL
“Tarnation” was my favorite cuzz word in my first western too. My hero used it all the time. I don’t think I’ve used it lately at all. It has to fit the character!
I was busy all day yesterday. le sigh…
But I was wondering is there something different you have to do when flipping from a historical western to a contemp western? Really anyone who does both can answer ;).
Well Cheryl shouldn’t cuz she isn’t allowed to do contemps anymore. No really she isn’t.
oooh…a good western, I’m gonna need to pick some of these titles up, I haven’t read a good Western in quite a long time and I love me a sexy cowboy.
I so agree, a good romance is hero driven…especially if he’s wearing a Stetson! =)
I adore westerns. My favorite is a brooding rancher. But, I like all the heroes you mentioned.
Hi Sybil,
The pacing in a contemp is different in mine, because they are shorter books. My voice changes to “modern, everyday” from a more western sounding voice and there’s not a lot of room in my shorter stories to develop other characters or subplots. So there’s quite a different mindset writing from one time period to another. It keeps life interesting!
Hi Crystal, Becky Jean and Rowena – thanks for posting today. I love both contemp and western stories. For a while I loved medieval and Regency. I tend to go in cycles. But if you like strong heroes, westerns are the way to go!! They are my favorite kind of hero. 🙂
The sheriff has to be my favorite. Violence can erupt quickly in Westerns and a strong sheriff is great to have around.
I love western heroes. They are so strong, rugged, and just plain manly! I especially like the aloof but lonely rancher and the honest and dedicated sheriff. Reformed bad buys are nice, too.