Interview with Mischief and Hunter: Meet the Stars of "Forbidden Paths" ~ Ruthie L Manier

Interview with Mischief and Hunter: Meet the Stars of "Forbidden Paths"

A Cowboy Kisses Exclusive with the Clayton Boys

Introduction

Welcome to this month's Cowboy Kisses blog! I'm thrilled to bring you a special feature: an exclusive interview with Mischief and Hunter, the unforgettable heroes from my published book, Forbidden Paths, the first installment in my series, The Clayton Boys. As I prepare to release the second book, I want to introduce new readers—and reacquaint loyal fans—with these leading characters whose story has captured so many hearts.

Getting to Know Mischief and Hunter

If you've journeyed with me through Forbidden Paths, you've already come to know Mischief's daring spirit and Hunter's steadfast loyalty. For those just joining us, Mischief is the wild-hearted cowgirl whose reputation precedes her, while Hunter is the quiet strength anchoring the Clayton ranch. Their paths cross in unexpected ways, turning the dusty trails of the Old West into a landscape of forbidden choices and passionate hopes.

Author’s Interview with Mischief and Hunter

Q1: Mischief, can you tell our readers a little about yourself?

Mischief: Sure thing! Folks call me Mischief for a reason—I’ve never been one to follow rules just because they’re there. Life on the Clayton ranch suits me; the wide-open spaces and the thrill of taming wild horses keep my restless soul busy. I may get into trouble now and then, but my loyalty to my chosen family runs deep.

Q2: Hunter, what is your role on the ranch, and how would you describe your relationship with Mischief?

Hunter: I’m the foreman at Clayton Ranch. My job is to keep things running smooth, whether that means settling disputes or making sure we get the harvest in on time. Mischief and I? We’re as different as night and day, but we’ve learned to rely on each other. She has got a way of seeing things I sometimes miss, and I try to keep her grounded.

Q3: What makes the path you both travel in the book "forbidden"?

Mischief: There are rules in this town—written and unwritten. Sometimes, love and loyalty mean breaking those rules, even if it puts you at odds with everyone else. Hunter and I had to choose between what was expected and what felt right in our hearts.

Hunter: It’s not easy, going against the grain. We faced threats, misunderstandings, even danger. But the bonds we formed along the way are stronger than any fence or boundary.

Q4: What do you hope readers take away from your story?

Mischief: I hope folks see that courage isn’t just about-facing enemies—it’s about being true to yourself, even when the world says you’re wrong.

Hunter: And that sometimes family is chosen, not born. The people who stand with you in hard times matter most.

From "Forbidden Paths" to What's Next

As the story of Mischief and Hunter continues, readers can expect even deeper challenges and more unexpected turns on the trail. Book two in The Clayton Boys series will introduce new faces, old secrets, and the kind of high-stakes drama that fans of Western romance love.

Thank you for joining this special interview! If you haven’t yet read Forbidden Paths, now is the perfect time—it’s the gateway to a world of adventure, loyalty, and love in the heart of the American West. Stay tuned for more updates on the next book in the series!

Connect with the Author

I always love hearing from my readers. Share your thoughts, questions, or favorite moments from Forbidden Paths in the comments below or connect with me on social media. Until next time, happy reading and may the trail ahead be filled with promise!

 

Character Interview with Chip Colucci ~ Julie Lence

 

Last month, I sat down for a chat with Bailey Bennett from The Singer Ropes A Cowboy. This month, I’m chatting with her hero, Chip Colucci. A Belmont Park stable hand turned ranch hand on his way to becoming a veterinarian, I’m meeting up with Chip at a coffee shop across from Ringo’s Casino.

Good afternoon, Chip. Thank you for meeting with me today. Tell my readers a little about yourself.

“Afternoon”, he responds, removing his hat and setting it on the seat beside him. Before he can say anything else, the waitress appears to take our drink orders. He orders a coffee and I’m having an iced tea.

“There’s not much to tell. I grew up in Queens, New York. My family still lives in the same neighborhood, except for my older brother. He lives in Brooklyn. Pops busted his leg last year, but thanks to Bailey and the therapist she hired, he’s getting around much better. His old foreman might even let him back on the job site. 

And your mother? I ask.

“She went back to her job at the bank.” He pauses as the waitress sets down our drinks. “Thank you.” He stirs a bit of milk into his drink. “Mom still cooks big meals. She has to. My brother, Dominic, eats enough for two people. Maybe even three.”       

Tell me about Bailey. What did you think the 1^st time you met her? She’s prettier in person than in the pictures in the gossip magazines. People at the track leave them lying around. I look”. He shrugs.  

What was your 2^nd thought? In the getup she was wearing, she really didn’t belong in a barn. But then, she’s Bailey Bennett, country music’s sweetheart. She does whatever she wants, without thought for someone else. Sam as the she-devils at the club. He scowls. Least the debutantes never shunned Pops, like Bailey did. Hated the disappointment on his face when her goons turned him away from meeting her.    

Sounds like she wasn’t your favorite person.

“At that time, she wasn’t. But now…” A grand smile lights up his features. “She’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”    

What do you like most about Bailey?  She’s sweet, thoughtful, caring. She adores her family, including her brothers, even though they shun her.  She has a twin, Barbie. Those two are thick-as-thieves. And she loves me. Goes outta her way every day to prove it, not that I’m blind and can’t see.  

How would you describe Bailey? She’s smart when it comes to her career, and ruthless. Some say she’s snotty and demanding, but she doesn’t have time to carry on a conversation with everyone she meets. She’s loyal to her fans, tries her best to keep them happy, and she guards her feelings. Most won’t notice when something’s digging at her, but Barbie does. So do I.     

How would Bailey describe you? Tall, sometimes moody, someone who has a soft spot for animals and wants to help them any way he can. Someone who puts his family before himself. Someone who loves her and would do anything for her. The  man she can always depend upon and trust to never hurt her.     

How do you relax? Bailey has a suite at the family’s casino in Reno. She and I sneak away from her singing and my ranching duties as often as we can to enjoy a quiet night listening to music or watching a movie on the television. We did spend the new year in Italy. Maybe one day we can go back.  

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Married to Bailey, living in our own home on her family’s ranch. Maybe a kid or two. Definitely working in my own veterinary clinic and watching her sing on stage every chance I get. Did I tell you she has the sweetest voice… Pride shines in his eyes.

Thank you for chatting with me, Chip. My readers thank you, too, and know to pick up a copy or The Singer Ropes A Cowboy to learn more about you and Bailey.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1J88PH

      

Character Interview with Bailey Bennett ~ Julie Lence

Greetings, readers. I’m hanging out backstage at Ringo’s Casino with country music’s sweetheart, Bailey Bennett. She’s just finished the day’s rehearsals for her summer tour and has agreed to chat with me before a costume fitting. Following her into her dressing room, I expected to find numerous photos of Bailey hanging on the walls and many of her awards littering tables. But such is not the case. The only photograph on the cream-colored walls is a painting of cowboys galloping across a field, and except for a glass of tea, the two small tables flanking the plush sofa are bare. A wardrobe on wheels hugs the wall directly across from the sofa, the hangars holding various western shirts and denims. A makeup chair faces the lighted mirror on the back wall, the shelves below the mirror housing an array of makeup, brushes, and hair products. Bailey gestures for me to take a seat on the sofa, then sits next to me.           

Thank you for meeting with me this afternoon, Bailey. My readers are eager to know you better. “My pleasure.” She gestures to the small refrigerator in the front corner. “Would you like something to drink? I have iced tea or soda.”

 I decline the offer and get right to the questions.  

Tell us a bit about The Singer Ropes A Cowboy.  The Singer Ropes A Cowboy is the tale of how Chip and I met. He’s my better half, and my favorite person in the entire world. My twin sister, Barbie, is a close second. Chip and I met last fall in New York City. Barbie and I were in Manhattan to buy Bella Cosmetics, something she’s wanted for a long time. I was also in the city to look over a racehorse at Belmont Park. My sister-in-law said the filly loathed racing and was in need of a good home. Chip was working Belmont that day I went to see Potent Polly, and by his side was a mangy looking pinto. He explained someone had abused her and he was nursing her back to health. He also was quick to inform me Polly was enamored with the pinto and wouldn’t leave her side, hence if I purchased Polly and brought to the family ranch in Reno, the pinto would come, too.

In my initial meeting Chip, it was easy to see he had a way with horses. The abused pinto adored him and Polly did, too. To make the acclimation from Belmont to Reno as easy as possible for the horses, I hired Chip to come with us. Not only did I find his softness for the pair endearing, his dark eyes and muscles were irresistible. Looking back on those few days in the city, I have to say that even though Chip and I started off on the wrong foot, asking him to come to Reno with me was the best decision I’ve ever made. Life without him isn’t worth living.        

What did you think the 1^st time you saw Chip?  That morning at Belmont, she begins, running her fingers through her long dark hair, I was instantly attracted to his rugged handsomeness and his muscles. But then, he spoke, and something in his tone suggested he knew me… that he believed some or all of the gossip surrounding me. I tried to put him at ease, get him to smile, but he rebuked my efforts and made it clear there was nothing I could do or say to change his opinion of me. Funny thing is, even when he was glaring at me, I couldn’t seem to stop my stomach from somersaulting.    

What was your 2^nd thought?  That I should keep my distance, but then, keeping the two horses together was a concern, and with the pinto only trusting Chip, I thought it best to ask him to hire on with me… until I ran into him at a nightclub. His sneer for me and the cameras that night was worse than at the track, and something inside was sure him and I working together was most definitely not a good idea. I said my goodbyes and promised myself to steer clear of him. But those dark eyes… and those muscles…  (Bailey inhales sharply.)

Anyway, Chip needed the job I offered that night at club, to help his family, and wormed his way into my good graces. I still had reservations, but as Barbie was quick to point out, my attraction for Chip wasn’t going to fade any time soon, that he was the 1^st man I took an interest in since breaking off with John. She urged me to bring him to Reno, to give him a chance to prove there was more to him than brawn and a never-ending glare. And if not, I could always send him back to New York. I took her advice, and never regretted it.  

What do you like most about Chip? His honesty. His dedication to his family, and to me. Whether I’m at his side or thousands of miles away, I know he loves me. I feel his commitment to me deep in my bones.     

How would you describe Chip? Kind, caring, trustworthy. Patient with the world I live in. Protective, hard-working; a man who was born to take care of animals.       

How would Chip describe you? Hmmm… (She pauses for a sip of tea. From the glass I noticed on the table upon entering the room.)  Full of anxiety… impatient… unease. I think he understands it took many years for me realize the type of fame I have, to learn how to live within the realm of the entertainment industry while keeping as much of my personal life as I can out of the tabloids. I’m sure he would be quick to say I’m also dedicated to my family and my horses, but above all, he would say I love him with everything that I am.    

What is your biggest fear? At the moment, life is good. Beyond anything I imagined my teenage years. I have money, and a comfortable home. If I woke up tomorrow and found my voice was gone, I’d wouldn’t care, because I know in my heart that no matter what the future brings, Chip will always love me.    

How do you relax? I take a few weeks off in the fall from singing to unwind, usually at Bennett Ranch. Just recently, Chip and I vacationed in Italy over the new year. I’m thinking him and I in Hawaii to usher in the next new year.   

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Well… she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip for a long moment. You can’t tell Chip, but I see him and me married and living in our own home somewhere on Bennett Ranch. I’m still turning out albums and touring during the summer months. Our son accompanies me on the tour bus so Chip can finish his schooling while tackling the ins and outs of opening his own veterinary office.  

Thank you for talking with me this afternoon, Bailey. I’m sure my readers have a better understanding of who you are and look forward to reading your story.

The Singer Ropes A Cowboy is available through Amazon in both E-book and paperback. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1J88PH 

 

  

Interview with Creel Weston ~ Julie Lence

Last month I sat down and talked with Racine Weston from No Luck At All. This month, I’m talking with her husband, and hero, Creel Weston, in the privacy of his home.   

Hello, Creel. Thank you for chatting with me today. What did can you tell us about Racine? What did you think when you 1^st met her?

Racine’s father is a doctor, and my professor. Every year he has a fancy supper for his interns. I honestly didn’t want to attend, thought to pick up more work at the docks. But Dr. Somerfield insisted I join him and the other interns, so I went… and I thank God that I did. Racine was sitting beside her mother staring at the floor. Her father introduced us and when she lifted her chin, I thought I was gonna pass out. With her auburn hair and pale blue eyes, she was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

What was your 2^nd thought?

That I wasn’t leaving Boston without her. Somehow, some way, she was going to marry me.

We know you and she wed before you left Boston, but Racine said you changed the night of your wedding. Why?

Before I proposed to Racine, her father blackmailed me. He said if I didn’t marry her, I wouldn’t graduate. At the time, he didn’t know I was already looking at rings and planning to propose to Racine. She made my blood pound in ways no woman ever had, but Somerfield wouldn’t give me a chance to explain. He said Racine and I were to remain in Boston, where I’d go into practice with him and live in some grand house, that this was what Racine wanted.  All this time I thought her sweet and innocent, not selfish and conniving.

I married her hoping to find some common ground with her, because fool that I am, I still loved her. Even thought that maybe in time she’d forget her spoiled ways and love me for who I am and not for who she wanted me to be, but when I intercepted her return ticket to Boston, I was sure she’d never warm up to my modest home on a ranch, or support the clinic I planned to open. The only way to find out for sure was to ask her.

Did you?

I did.

What did she say?

(Grinning) You’ll have to read the story to find out…

No Luck At All is available only through Amazon and can be found here:

www.amazon.com/dp/B0064R6NVI

Don’t forget to check these other stories in the Weston Family Series, all sold through Amazon.

Luck of the Draw

Lady Luck

Bring Me Luck 

Interview with Racine Weston ~ Julie Lence

 

It’s always fun (and sometimes a relief) when the characters in the book you’re writing talk to you. I’ve had secondary characters blurt out their name, and main characters take me in directions I never imagined, but never has a character talked to me as much as Racine Weston. Racine is the heroine in No Luck At All. Originally, I had written the story more toward her hero’s POV. (That would be Creel Weston.) But the 2^nd go-around, Racine took over the story and wouldn’t let go. Right from the beginning, she had so much heartache built up inside her and needed for me to not only help her find the strength to confide in Creel, but to help her find a path to peace.  

Here, Racine sits down with me on a pretty spring afternoon to answer some of my questions.       

Thank you for meeting with me, Racine. What can you tell me about Creel?  What did you think the 1^st time you saw him?

Papa is a well-known doctor in Boston. He’s also a teacher. Every year he hosts a dinner party for his interns, and every year I beg off attending, but Papa insists I join the festivities. I don’t know why. Mama says my scars are hideous and scare off every man I meet. I can’t argue that, because she’s right, so I arrive at the party more than fashionably late and find a chair in the corner where I can keep to myself. It’s much easier this way. Papa’s interns don’t have to feign an interest in me, and I don’t have to pretend they overlook my appearance. But this year, Papa is guiding a man toward me. And not just any man. He’s tall, heavily muscled, and just about the handsomest man in all of Boston, maybe the entire world. He smiles at me when Papa makes introductions, and asks for a dance. Suddenly, my throat is dry… and my stomach is somersaulting in a most peculiar way.           

What was your 2^nd thought?

That Papa should examine me, because I must have caught an illness. Never have I felt this way. Then again, never have I seen eyes that pretty on a man. Or thrilled to the sound of a deep voice. But as Creel waltzed us around Mama’s ballroom, his heated gaze bore into me, and I changed my mind about Papa examining me. Papa should examine Creel, for surely he was the one with poor eye sight and feeling ill.     

How did Creel convince you he wasn’t ill?  

He wrangled for the seat beside me at supper and engaged me in conversation on a variety of subjects. When someone thought to interrupt, he glowered at them, and then returned his attention to me. At the end of the evening, he asked Papa’s permission to call upon me tomorrow morning. Papa approved, and the next day, Creel whisked me away in a carriage for a picnic in the park. After that, when he wasn’t in class or studying or working his job at the docks, he was with me… Hideous me! We went everywhere together; the theater, restaurants, the park again. Always he held my hand and treated me like a lady. And then, he proposed. I felt as though I was walking on air, but our wedding night, he changed. And not for the better. Deep down I feared I had made a grave mistake, that I shouldn’t accompany him to his home in Colorado. But, with Mama loathing me and shooing me out the door faster than one can blink an eye, I wasn’t sure if I should trust my heart or trust what I know.           

What did you do?

I followed my heart and boarded the train with Creel, hoping he would forget his disdain with me and love me again. Some days he was sweet and kind. Other days he barely tolerated me. His was definitely a Jekyll-Hyde personality, but at the Denver hotel, he accused me of blackmailing him into marrying me and scheming my way back to Boston. Of course, he was wrong, but something inside hinted didn’t believe me, that was better for him and I to part ways in Denver than later when we were both beyond miserable.      

Did you tell him you loved him?

Or course. That’s why I offered to set him free, so he’d have a life of happiness. Not a life of misery. 

How did he react? 

In a manner I never would’ve likened to him. 

To find out exactly what Creel did, and if Racine finds the peace she longs for, grab a copy of their story and start reading today. Available only at Amazon.

www.amazon.com/dp/B0064R6NVI

 

Introducing Sam Johnson from The Johnsons of Junova ~ Raine Rochelle

Greetings!  

The second book in The Johnsons of Junova series, Heartbeat, is still a work in progress, but I thought it would be a good time to meet the main character, Sam Johnson. To that end, I’ve had a brief interview with him to give you an idea of the sort of guy he really is:

For such a handsome cowboy, Sam doesn’t come across as the most confident guy in the coffee house. He gives me a shy—but totally breathtaking—grin as he nears the table where I’m enjoying a cup of tea. I watch him pick up a shawl that has fallen from an elderly lady’s chair, and his smile isn’t lost on her as he hands it to her. Arriving at our table, he removes his hat before reaching out to shake my hand. His manners are impeccable, and I hide a gasp as he takes the chair opposite me.

“I hope I haven’t kept you waiting,” he says, with sincerity in his gorgeous eyes.

I assure him that he hasn’t, and the waitress brings him a coffee before I start with the questions.

So, you met Lydia at the hospital where your father was being treated following his heart attack. Was she a patient at the time?

He nods, a dreamy look emanating from his whole face. “Yes. She has arrhythmia, which means that her heart doesn’t keep the usual, steady rhythm. At the time she’d just been helping her family move house to Brightside and may have been overdoing things a little. Her heart was beating too fast so she’d been taken in while they monitored it and observed her.” With a little laugh he adds, “Though they didn’t observe her all that well as she kept sneaking off the ward whenever she wasn’t wired up to machinery. She said she got bored and went off to explore the rest of the hospital.”

What first attracted her to you?

He laughs, looking a little sheepish. “She’s very beautiful. But I was really taken by the way she was so upbeat about everything. So positive. We got talking and she really made me feel quite optimistic about my dad, who’d had a recent heart attack, as you probably know. She even made me laugh at times when I thought my whole world was about to come crashing down on me. Dad didn’t make a lot of progress at first, and the family were all real concerned about whether he’d pull through.”

How did Lydia cope with her own health situation?

Sam gives me an incredulous look. “The same way she copes with everything—with positivity. She’s lived with her condition all her life, but it’s just recently that it’s started to become a problem. She knows her family worry about her, but she wishes they wouldn’t fret so much. Lydia’s a sensible girl; she takes her meds regularly and tries to live a healthy lifestyle. The last thing she wants is to be treated any different from anyone else. She doesn’t see arrhythmia as an illness or anything, it’s just something she lives with.” He smiles. “She’s amazing.”

Is she ‘the one’?

He beams. “You’ll have to find that out for yourself. Love never runs smoothly, but I will say that’s she’s an incredible and very understanding woman. You can’t help but love her.”

 

Looks like we’ll have to wait for the release of Heartbeat to find out more, but I hope this gives a little insight into the guy himself. I’ll let you know as soon as I have a launch date organised.

Stay safe and well until next time,

Raine

The Johnsons of Junova is a continuation of The Billionaires of Brightside Ranch that can also be read as a standalone series.

Book 1 in the Series, Heartstrings is available HERE.

Don’t forget that The Billionaires of Brightside Ranch series is currently FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Character Interview with Camille Prescott ~ Julie Lence

 

Last month our interviewer sat down with Burke Montgomery from All I Want for Christmas Is You. This month our interviewer is sitting down with Burke’s heroine, Camille Prescott. She’s lived on a farm her entire life with her parents and older sister. Her father took ill not too long ago and passed, leaving Camille, her mother and sister to take over his chores and keep the farm going. Even before losing her father, Camille knew she never wanted to labor in the fields or chop wood. Watching her sister don a man’s coat and trousers and struggle to keep up with their father’s chores solidified her determination to find a man wealthy enough to ensure the future she wanted. But, as Camille and I settle around the table in her kitchen, a pot of tea and a plate of cookies before us, you’re about to discover that the best laid plans are always susceptible to change.

 

Thank you for meeting with me, Camille. What can you tell me about Burke Montgomery? What did you think the 1^st time you saw him? The first time he came to the farm was with Landry, to help Slade put a new roof on the barn. Slade’s an outlaw and married to my sister. Landry is Slade’s brother. He’s also an outlaw and owns the saloon in Jackson Creek. Burke is his bartender. I only caught a glimpse of Burke that morning as he and Landry rode across the front yard toward the barn. Ma snuck up behind me and yanked me away from the window, bade to mop the floors. From what I remember, Burke sat upright in the saddle and didn’t wear a hat.   

What was your 2^nd thought? I really don’t know. I guess I thought him handsome enough, (she answers, adding a dollop of cream to her tea.) His shoulders are a lot broader than Doug McCallister. Doug is my sister’s ex-fiancé and wealthy. He had enough men working on his ranch to guarantee I’d never work in the fields. He seemed to like the way I brushed up against; I was sure he’d propose marriage to me before the end of the year. (She wrinkles her nose.) Burke has the nicest eyes, but he didn’t have the wealth to keep me from blistering my hands the way my sister blistered hers when she took over Pa’s chores… before Slade came along and took control of the farm.

How did you go from having an interest in Doug McCallister to having an interest in Burke? Doug and his father fell on hard times and moved away. Before that, Ma insisted on several occasions that Burke join us for the evening meal. He was quiet those nights and had impeccable manners. (She pushes the plate of ginger cookies toward me. ) Have one.

I can’t resist; fresh from the oven, they smell heavenly. Thank you. (I bite into the cookie. Mmmm… they taste every bit as heavenly as they smell.)  So, it was during one of those meals that you began to have feelings for Burke?  Good heavens, no.  His chiseled cheeks may have been enticing, but he was still Landry’s bartender, and bartender’s don’t make a lot of money. (She breaks off a bite of cookie.) Besides, it was right before Doug moved away that Glen Stafford came to Jackson Creek to help his uncle enlarge the Stafford property. Glen has pretty eyes, and gossip around the church yard hinted he had just enough wealth to afford me the lifestyle I wanted. Then Sarah Jane stole him from me. (Camille pouts.) I was heartbroken. (And brightens.) But then, Burke happened along and that’s when I had a change of heart regarding him and his work.

What do you like most about Burke? Where do I start? (She bites down on her fingernail for a moment.) He’s loyal, kind, caring. He loves me, and when he holds me in his arms—arms that are more sinewy than any man I know—I feel cherished and safe, happier than I’ve ever been.  He’s a good man, and I’m a lucky girl.

How would Burke describe you? Smug, sassy, bold… He likes that about me. (She smiles fondly.) He’d also say I’m a good cook, the prettiest girl in all of Texas, and the only girl he’s ever loved.

And you love him? More than anything in the world. 

To find out just what caused Camille to have a change of heart and determine she loves Burke, grab a copy of their Christmas story and read today. Available only at Amazon.

www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDGFKF7N

 

    

Character Interview with Burke Montgomery ~ Julie Lence

 October 2022 saw the release of my short Christmas story, All I Want for Christmas Is You, featuring Burke Montgomery and Camille Prescott from the Jackson Creek Series. Burke is the bartender at Landries and has had a soft spot for Camille ever since he arrived in Jackson Creek. Trouble is she wants someone else, someone he deems isn’t the right man for her. Our interviewer caught up with Burke at Landries to afford you the opportunity to get to know him better. As usual, Burke is presiding over the saloon from behind the bar, a soiled cloth in his hand as he rubs at an imaginary spot on the polished wood.

 

Thanks for meeting with me, Burke. What can you tell me about Camille Prescott? What did you think the 1^st time you saw her?  Landry—he’s the owner of Landries—and me had just come to town.  Houston didn’t hold our interest anymore, even with Landry owning a saloon there, so he sold the place and we headed west. We only stopped in Jackson Creek for food and a night’s sleep in a real bed. But Landry couldn’t sleep after we ate. He went for a drink and a game of stud. Next morning I found him where I’m standing now, learned he won this here watering hole over the last hand, same as he did the saloon in Houston, and was laying down the rules to the girlies that came with the place… rather, they was laying down the rules to him. There was three of ‘em. Patsy and Myrna are still here. Tawny married Landry’s brother and they moved to a ranch outside of town. Anyway,  Landry and me been friends since our days on the riverboat. I ran the saloon for him in Houston and figured I'd do the same with this one, only the kitchen was filthy. I went to the mercantile for supplies and that’s when I saw Camille. She was standing outside the mercantile’s door batting her eyelashes at some boy. Prettiest little thing I ever did see… and bold. (Burke pauses from rubbing at the wood to crack a fond grin.) Females like her… young, innocent… usually don’t flirt with a boy in broad daylight for the whole town to see for fear their ma will learn of their doings and take a paddle to their backside. (Burke’s grin widens.) But not Camille. She just kept on flirting with the boy. 

What was your 2^nd thought? That she should forget the boy and flirt with me. Her soft curves would fit perfect against me, but I knew she wouldn’t do as I wanted. I’m older than her… not much to look at… rough around the edges… I have a reputation, not quite as bad as Landry’s, but one that a proper girl such as her wouldn’t welcome. 

Do you think you fell in love with her at first sight? (Burke shrugs.) Don’t know.  Maybe. (He rubs at the imaginary spot on the bar again.)  She did set my heart to thumping. Then again, other females have done the same. (He stills his hand, stares at the wall across from him, his eyes clouding over.) Camille’s the only one who’s made my gut shake. I’ve laid awake a lot of nights staring up at the ceiling thinking about her. So yeah, maybe it was love at first sight. 

What do you like most about Camille? Her smugness. Most would be quick to say that’s a bad thing, but Camille’s smart. She knows what she wants in life and isn’t afraid to go after it, including pampering herself. That’s not to say she lounges in bed and demands others to wait on her. She doesn’t. She cooks, cleans, launders clothes, and affords a lot of care to her features and hands; something I appreciate and others consider arrogant or spoiled. 

How would Camille describe you? (Redness creeps into his neck and he rubs at the wood again.) She says she thinks I’m handsome and strong. I think she needs to have her eyes examined; I ain’t nothing special to look at. (He rubs harder at the spot.) She also says I’m a good man, sincere, and caring. And, she likes my smile. (He meets my gaze.) She’s the one who’s good and caring… and naïve to the things I’ve done, the men I’ve had to kill to stop them from hurting someone else.

What is your biggest fear? That the Lord will banish me to Hell instead of letting me spend eternity with her.

How do you relax? Before Camille, I’d grab a bottle of whiskey and seek solitude in my room. Now, I join her on the sofa and watch the flames flicker in the fireplace. Ain’t nothing on this earth better than her curling against me and caressing my chest. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Landry signed over ownership of the saloon to me just after the new year. Camille and I are planning to serve the noon meal 6 days a week. A lot of places in Dodge and Cheyenne do. She’s a good cook. I am, too, and five years from now, with the money we’ve earned, I see us having help at the saloon’s kitchen and two kids sleeping upstairs while she and I continue to relax on the sofa before the fire.  

Thank you for talking with me, Burke. You and Camille are a beautiful couple and your readers and I wish both of you a lifetime of happiness. Appreciate that.  

 To get the full scoop on how Burke turned Camille’s attention from the boy at the mercantile to himself, curl up in your chair with their story, All I Want for Christmas Is You. Available only at Amazon.

www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDGFKF7N   

Character Interview with Tawny Monroe ~ Julie Lence

 

Last month, Cowboy Kisses caught up with Hunter Barlow from the Jackson Creek Series (Book 3). This month, Cowboy Kisses sits down with Hunter’s leading lady, Tawny Monroe. The only child of a Baltimore shipping entrepauner, Tawny’s parents perished in a carriage accident when she was young and she was sent to live with her father’s sister. Her growing up years, Tawny favored the taste of the sea air on her tongue, strolling in the gardens behind her aunt’s stately manor, and working alongside cook in the kitchen. The never ending bickering between her and her aunt she loathed, so when she spotted an advertisement for a mail-order bride in Austin, she readily snuck away to Texas, only to find her intended had passed away. Penniless, she was forced to take a job as a working girl, but the bruises to her skin were to her disliking so she fled to Jackson Creek. Two years she’s been working in the town’s only watering hole and saving coins earned from tumbling customers for a ticket to freedom. And then, deliciously handsome army sergeant Hunter Barlow made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.           

At army headquarters, a cup of tea on the small table beside her, Tawny settles into the crook of the sofa and gives me her full attention.

What did you think the 1^st time you met Hunter?

Tall, dark-haired and handsome, I immediately noticed his sculptured chest of muscle, imagined curling against him and letting go of my troubles. I had no idea he was an army man. He didn’t wear a uniform, and I merely thought him a stranger passing through town.  

What was your 2^nd thought?

To accept the job he offered to cook and clean for him at his headquarters. Besides fawning over his muscles, something about him spoke to me, said that I could trust him to not hurt me.  

Did you feel it was love at 1^st sight?

If it was, I was unaware. I thought whatever urged me toward him was more of a kinship. 

What do you like most about Hunter?

His honesty and how he wears his heart on his sleeve. He loves deeply, and I’m the lucky female recipient of that love.

How would you describe Hunter?

He’s loyal, hard-working, and loathes dishonesty. Growing up in a brothel, he was cast aside too many times, and lied to a handful of others. He expects those closest to him to not betray him, because when he loves, that love is for eternity.     

How would Hunter describe you?

From the hunger I see in his eyes when he looks at me, I can honestly say he favors me, but there’s more to his favor than lust. He genuinely cares for me and I think he’d describe me as a woman who is loyal, kind and considerate; a woman who is passionate about him, who cares greatly for him and who favors peace over turmoil in the same fashion as him.     

What is your biggest fear?

Before meeting Hunter, my biggest fear was my past catching up to me. Now that Hunter is a part of me, my biggest fear is loosing him. I don’t think I’d want to live without him; he means that much to me.

How do you relax?

By cooking. Whether sifting flour or roasting a chicken, peace always settle around me and deep within me when I’m bustling around the kitchen.   

Who is your favorite fictional character?

The knight in shining armor, because he is everything I have found in Hunter.  

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

To never give up, and that came from somewhere deep inside of myself.

Thank you for being with us today. It was truly a pleasure talking with you.

You’re welcome.  

 

To learn how Hunter became a big part of Tawny’s heart, grab a copy of their story from Amazon and begin reading today! www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNL43X9

Character Interview with Hunter Barlow ~ Julie Lence

 

November 2021 saw the release of Hunter, Jackson Creek Series Book 3. A hunky army sergeant carrying out his last detail as supply clerk, Hunter is Slade and Landry Barlow’s younger brother. Raised alongside them in a brothel, Hunter isn’t quite the outlaw that Slade and Landry are. That’s not to say he doesn’t have a bit of larceny in him. He does, and he’s looking to settle a score with Slade and Landry for forgetting their promise to come back for him. They left him at their California childhood home with Ma. Maddie Barlow wasn’t much of a mother and the brothel wasn’t much of a home, and the house lent to him for army headquarters is little better than the captain’s tent, but Tawny’s there… 

From headquarter’s kitchen table, with a cup of coffee before him, Hunter clears his throat as the questions begin:     

Tell us a bit about Tawny. What did you think the 1^st time you saw her?

(A devilish grin spreads on his lips) She was standing behind the saloon next to the other working girl and emptying a bucket of water. When she swiveled around toward me, I think I forgot how to breathe. Most of Ma’s girls were pretty, but never had I seen eyes as blue as Tawny’s.    

What was your 2^nd thought?

That she most likely favors coins and brandy over what matters most in life. Ma’s girls did, and they weren’t shy about letting a man know that.  

Did you feel it was love at 1^st sight?

Reckon that punch to my gut was love, but at the time, the thinking part of me wouldn’t admit that, reminded me I wasn’t looking for a woman, especially a working girl. Not because I looked down on them, but because working girls weren’t interested in keeping time with me, same as my brothers. (Pauses a moment, takes a long swallow of coffee.) The thinking part of me just liked her eyes.   

What do you like most about Tawny?

The shyness behind her smile… how her nose twitches like a rabbit… how she fusses over me… (That wicked grin returns) How soft she feels lying against me. She’s feisty and has a good heart, and she loves me unconditionally. Ain’t a  luckier bastard than me. 

How would Tawny describe you?

Hmmm… (He scrubs a hand over his jaw.) She must see something good in me; she did agree to work for me that first night. And she likes my muscles. (His gaze clouds over with thoughtfulness as he takes another swallow of coffee.) Reckon she’d say I’m honest and a hard-worker, someone she depends upon… someone she trusts with her heart.   

What is your biggest fear?

Waking up to learn that everything I gained since coming to Jackson Creek was a dream; my brothers still don’t bother with me and Tawny took the coins I paid her for cooking and cleaning and left town.    

 How do you relax?

I don’t. There’s always something needing done. If I take a day off, it’s means double the work the following day.     

Who is your favorite fictional character?

(Laughs) You’re funny. With all of my chores and taking charge of Tawny’s happiness… my own happiness… do you honestly think I have time to read something other than a list of supplies?  

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

To know happiness, I must forgive my brothers. Tawny said that, and I’ve come to learn she’s a smart woman.

Thank you for sharing more of yourself with us today, Hunter. It was a pleasure getting to know you.

You’re welcome.

To learn if Hunter’s fear of waking up to discover everything he gained in Jackson Creek was a dream,  grab a copy of his story at Amazon and find out if he gets his happily-ever-after.  www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNL43X9  

   

Interview with Paige Morgan from Luck of the Draw ~ Julie Lence

      

I began my writing career back in the early 90’s. Judith McNaught and Johanna Lindsey were, and still are, my inspirations for putting words onto paper. Ms. McNaught has a flawless voice and Ms. Lindsey’s novels fed on my fascination and addiction to nighttime soaps involving rich families. Dallas was my favorite. With his devotion to his parents and the family company, and his knack for scheming and coming out on top, J.R. was and still is the best villain. And Bobby and Pam were the couple found in romance novels. I wanted to create a family as entertaining and endearing as the Ewings, who had a lot of background angst and heartache, who were rough around the edges and physically strong, who were tender-hearted. My first two attempts were contemporary stories with a mob theme (another favorite of mine). Both went nowhere and I quickly realized I was more geared toward writing about cowboys and the old west (this is where my love for John Wayne’s cowboy persona came into play).     

In developing Luck of the Draw, the 1^st book for the Weston Family Series, I knew I wanted a cowboy hero as handsome as Bobby Ewing, physically fit with lots of muscles, who wasn’t afraid to throw a punch or fight for what was right, and someone who, when he found the right girl, would love her forever and wholeheartedly. Thus Royce was born, and with him came a family of cowboys with their own drama. I also wanted the family to be wealthy and own a sprawling ranch. There had to be a town nearby, a barn dance, and a villain worthy enough to step into J.R.’s shoes, and a heroine who suffered from amnesia. (I’m not sure where that detail came from, but it worked.)  But, who was Royce’s heroine? Where did she come from? And why did she have amnesia? All good questions, and hopefully Paige Morgan will enlighten you in this interview.

 

Likeness of Paige; Google

Hi Paige. Thank you for joining us today. Can you tell us a little about your childhood?

Hello, and thank you for having me as your guest. I grew up on a farm. There was Ma and Pa, my younger brother, Adam, and my older sister Michelle. We called her Missy. She helped Ma with the chores and kept Adam and me entertained. Pa worked hard in the fields and kissed us goodnight. But then, Ma died suddenly and Pa changed. He went to town often and stayed there for days. When he came home, his speech was slurred, he stumbled often and he was mean. If not for Missy feeding the animals and taking care of Adam and me, I don’t think we would’ve survived. Then one day, Pa came home and announced he sold the farm and bought a wagon, that we were leaving the only home we’d known. Part of me was a little excited. I hoped we were moving to town. But that proved untrue. While we journeyed to different towns, we camped on the outskirts of town instead of mingling with society. Pa taught Missy this game played with cards, and many nights, he dressed her in a strange dress and took her with him. Adam and I weren’t allowed to accompany them. We stayed in the wagon, and when they came back, Pa either crowed in triumph or whacked Missy on her bottom.

One night, Missy took ill and had to stay with a doctor. Pa said she’d be all right, but the next day, to my horror and wailing, he loaded Adam and me into the wagon and left Missy behind. That’s when I learned why he dressed Missy in a gown that revealed more of her skin than the dresses she and I normally wore, and why he took her to town. I was expected to step into her shoes and steal from men playing poker inside dingy, smoke-filled saloons. And as Adam grew, Pa figured a way for him to help with the charade he perfected with Missy. Not fun, but I didn’t have a choice. Pa hit hard when he was angry.

 

What did you think the first time you saw Royce?

I thought he was handsome, with the prettiest blue eyes I’d ever seen. But then, the way he kept watching Pa and me while we ran our charade to cheat him at the poker table, I knew he knew we were trying to best him.  

 

What was your 2^nd thought?

To keep him safe. He won me in an ante and took me upstairs to a room above the saloon, like he was supposed to. Adam and Pa were to find me, conk Royce on the head and steal the night’s winnings from him. But when I was alone in the room with Royce, with him demanding answers to his questions or he’d hurt me, something in the depths of eyes suggested he wasn’t a dangerous man. He was a man who had cared deeply. In that moment, I knew I couldn’t steal from him and spilled the truth, and sighed in relief when he left.

Pa wasn’t happy, and I felt the full effects of his anger. Adam suffered, too, and died by Pa’s hand. Days later, I woke up in a bed with male faces staring down at me. I had no idea where I was, who they were or how I’d gotten there. Worse, I didn’t know my own name or who I was. Royce stepped in and saddled me with the name Paige. Luckily, that was my name, and over the course of several weeks, he tried to get me to leave his family home. But when I remembered who I was and what happened to me, he stepped up to help me… and gave me his heart.

      

How would you describe Royce?

Formidable. Intimidating. Temperamental. Menacing. Honest to a fault. But when his arms envelop me and hold me close, and his hand caresses my hair, I know I’m loved and cherished for all of eternity.

 

How would Royce describe you?

Sassy. Gutsy. Loyal. Patient and caring. The latter two are what helped me break down the barriers he erected around his heart and carve out a niche for myself.

 

How do you relax?

On a ranch the size of Wooded Acres, there is always something that needs to be done, but Royce and I find time to sneak off to the hayloft. Snuggled in his arms and staring out at the stars is the best way to end the day.

 

Best piece of advice you can give?

Always watch your back and trust your instincts. I thought Royce was right about loving me and Pa not being a threat to me anymore. He was right about one and wrong about the other.    

 

Sounds intriguing. Thank you for joining us Paige. Hopefully, you’ll tame your cowboy.

Thank you!

 

Luck of the Draw is available at: www.amazon.com/dp/B0063VOS4E

 

Weston Family Series:

Lady Luck

No Luck At All

Bring Me Luck

 

Weston Family Christmas Stories:

Christmas Miracles

Christmas Hearts

Christmas Wishes