Who Doesn’t Love Cowboys?

Join me in welcoming Melissa Keir on the release of Cowboy, Mine, a boxed set filled with great cowboy stories by Melissa and five other authors: Kathleen Ball, Krista Ames, Cheryl Gorman, Lyssa Layne, and D’Ann Lindun.

Cowboys… Are They All the Same?

Melissa Keir grew up watching the old television westerns like The Rifleman and Maverick. The heroes were always wearing the white hats (as in being good guys) and protected their town and families with a gun. But these shows point out how each cowboy could be a little different. Let’s take a look at two very similar shows—The Big Valley and Bonanza

Victoria Barkley (The Big Valley) heads up life with her family on a ranch in California's San Joaquin Valley in the 1870s. One of the adult children is the by-product of her husband’s infidelity, but she’s also got two legitimate sons and a headstrong daughter. Family is at the center of their shows even while dealing with bank robbers, escaped convicts and farming.

The Cartright family (Bonanza) lives on the Ponderosa Ranch located near Virginia City, Nevada. Ben is the father of three big strapping sons who were born to three different wives, each now dead. During and after the Civil War, Ben raises his sons to be strong men who defend their neighbors as well as deal with the dynamics of differences of opinions about the Civil War.

On the surface, we see two strong families who live on ranches but each is unique to their situations. Both are western shows centered around multi-generational families. They ride horses and are seen working on their ranch in some episodes.

Yet the men of the Big Valley were quite a bit different than the ones on Bonanza. Little Joe, the youngest Cartright lived a life of luxury. His family had the money to afford a Chinese house-boy who took care of the house and cooking. We see Little Joe getting into hot-headed situations where he has to charm or fight to escape. Hardly do we see him working or toiling around the farm, but rather visiting the bar in the nearest city.

Heath is a more somber character due to his upbringing. He was raised by his African American Nanny and snuck off to the Barkley ranch when he learned who his real father was. His father never claimed him and yet Heath becomes a vital and accepted part of the family. He’s hard working and is often seen working on the ranch (with his shirt off). While he does get into fights, it’s usually to protect his sister or step-mom.

Let’s get to why she’s talking about these old shows…My cowboy in Chalkboard Romance is not a typical cowboy. He was raised on a working horse ranch but it was his father’s dream, not his. Mac’s dream was to report on big changes in the world and make a difference. Money wasn’t his goal, it was personal gratification.

In Chalkboard Romance, Mac does take Lauren horseback riding as a way to cool down their romance after the one night stand. He knows he’s in for more than a fling and has to prove it to her. I think of Mac as more of the Rifleman than Maverick. He’ll do anything to protect his son, even while teaching him the tools he needs to become a man.

5 Star Review by Amazon Reader:  "Did somebody say the words Cowboy and boxed set? I haven't read the entire set yet, but I most certainly will...From the very beginning, I was transported right into the books setting, while the characters swept me away along with them, as they fought their internal struggles and dealt with life's sometimes difficult road."

 Texas Haven Kathleen Ball

Can love shine through the clouds of treachery and misunderstanding?

Advertising for a wife seems like the answer to all of Burke Dawson's problems. He wants a wife and kids without emotional attachments, but he has no idea how much havoc one woman can cause.

Annie Douglas has her heart set on her hunky cowboy's love and she isn't about to stop until she gets it.

Take Me Home, Cowboy by Krista Ames

When tragedy strikes, will building tension and pride destroy a growing attraction or show them the way home?

Ally Kincaid returns to Rock Creek, Wyoming, to see her father after a two year absence. Anticipating a quiet family reunion, she finds herself butting heads with Matt Gentry—her father’s foreman—instead. The man’s arrogance and sexy drawl push all her buttons, making her wonder what he’s hiding beneath his cowboy swagger.

When tragedy strikes, will building tension and pride destroy their growing attraction or show them the way home?

Honeymoon Ranch by Cheryl Gorman

Can two reluctant partners ride off into their own blissful sunset on Honeymoon Ranch?

When wedding planner, Summer Conroy, discovers she has inherited half of Silver Creek Ranch, she is stunned to learn the other half is owned by sexy cowboy, Bryce Jericho. Her idea of turning the ranch into an exclusive wedding and honeymoon destination is met with a wall of resistance from Bryce who doesn’t want his ranch ruined with a bunch of wedding nonsense. He is determined to conceal his vulnerable heart that beats in fear of being betrayed again. Will this woman with dreams of happily-ever-after in her eyes transform his fear into love everlasting?

Chalkboard Romance by Melissa Keir

Will a One Night Stand prove to be their disaster or their salvation?

Lauren Walsh, a divorcee and elementary teacher, wants to feel sexy again after her ex tosses her aside for a younger woman. Her best friend encourages her to sign up for The Playhouse--a renowned dating agency. Forced to stay away from his young son, Mac Thomas lost the ability to trust. After the death of his wife, he returned to care for his son but his sister wants more for him. She sets him up with The Playhouse.

Passion ignites but Mac’s a parent of one of Lauren’s students. A teacher and a parent dating could cost Lauren her job and her chance at happiness. Will Mac be able to convince the school and Lauren, that love is the most important thing?

Until You Fall in Love by Lyssa Layne

Can a longtime friendship suddenly blossom into love?

Single mom Jordan Glastetter doesn't know how she'd survive without her best friend, Abram Tomko. He's the father her son never knew and he's the rock she's always leaned on.

When Abram's father suffers a heart attack, it's Abram's turn to depend on Jordan, finally seeing her as the woman she's become and not the little girl he grew up with.

Will they risk their friendship for a chance at love?

The Cowboy’s Baby by D’Ann Lindun

Cat wanted to keep her baby: Tanner insisted she give it up...can they find common ground seventeen years later?

Cat O’Brien left her heart in Granite, Colorado, seventeen years ago—her first love, Tanner Burke, and the baby girl she gave birth to at sixteen. Suddenly, both Tanner’s high school sweetheart and the teenage daughter they gave up for adoption are back in his life.

Cat is adamant their daughter keep her baby; Tanner isn’t as sure. Just like seventeen years before, he and Cat are butting heads over the fate of an unborn child.

For a limited time offer, Cowboy, Mine is on Amazon for $.99.

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-939590-99-2

BUY LINKS:

Amazon ebook:  http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Mine-Kathleen-Ball-ebook/dp/B016QYF6PM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1445033681&sr=8-2&keywords=Cowboy%2C+Mine

Amazon print: http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Mine-Kathleen-Ball/dp/1518613810/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1445033994&sr=8-6&keywords=Cowboy%2C+Mine