Do Cowboys Exist Anymore?

In one of my social media groups someone asked, “Do cowboys even exist anymore?”

I found myself smiling and almost without thinking answered, “Watch out for those cowboys! Seriously… They are deadly.”

It’s very likely I was thinking of Cord Archer.

I grew up in the US. The word “cowboy” stirs something spiritual in me.

Because of my country’s history? Possibly.

More likely because the word cowboy is dichotomous, and describes a kind of chivalrous, devil-may-care-but-honor your woman, free-thinking, no boundaries attitude that any business consultant will tell you is quite frankly the foundation of every new, out-of-the-box endeavor.

We love cowboys for their bad-boy-loves-the-good-girl-who-loves-to-be-bad ways. We love the twinkle in their eye, the cut of their jeans, the sprint in their step, the chink of their spurs, and the feel and smell of a man whose arms and legs know how to tame a mustang… and a woman. And who knows down deep that she’ll do a little taming, herself 🙂

Cord Archer is exactly this kind of cowboy.

And while he could have just about any girl, the only girl he wants is Mattie Rayne. The problem?

Cord’s daddy is the craziest, most dangerous psychopath serial-killer awaiting execution on death row in the Montana State prison system… and the world just won’t let Cord forget there’s such a thing as the psycho gene… which means one day Cord may wake up to find he’s just like his daddy.

Can the honorable cowboy he is allow Mattie to take that risk?

Meanwhile, Cord is being stalked by a sociopath who wants Mattie Rayne, dead.

The only thing deadlier than a psychopath is the random unpredictability of a sociopath. God help the man who has to contend with both.

CRADLE OF LIES available now on Amazon or through the publisher, Red Sage

So, do cowboys even exist anymore? I can only speak from my personal experience… and that is writing two cowboy stories caused me to absolutely fall in love with the cowboy as an IDEAL… and in my heart, I believe the true spirit of a cowboy still exits.

Maybe, just maybe there’s a cowboy in your future? 

If you’re looking for a cowboy, oh, how I hope you find him. And, if you need a little inspiration, read CRADLE OF LIES. It might scare your pants off, but isn’t that what cowboys are for? 🙂

Soft breezes, all. Thanks for dropping by.

Love,
Rebecca E. Grant
Love is Unstoppable
CRADLE OF LIES – Romantic Suspense – Red Sage Publishing
LIBERTY STARR – Sensual Contemporary award winner-Romance Writers Ink–Carina Press
Latest release: NAKED HOPE – Contemporary Romance available in print and e-book
The Wild Rose Press (print only)
Amazon (ebook and print)
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Today’s question: How do you feel sexy in minus 39 (F) degree weather?

Today’s question: How do you feel sexy in minus 39 (F) degree weather? Back to this in a moment.

We’ve all had this experience… we get word that a friend or beloved family member has passed, and scurry to arrange our lives to attend the funeral or memorial service. Sometimes these events only touch the surface of our hearts—maybe we weren’t close to the one who passed and so it’s more of an obligatory act of respect.

Other times, it ruins us… for a day… a week… years… and for some, even a lifetime.

A week ago, I set aside a day to drive three hours one way, across a little-traveled highway to attend a funeral. My friend Laura’s father passed unexpectedly. He was only 68.

I grew up in the heart of a large city, and have lived in the suburbs most of my adult life. I’ve never had the experience of living rurally. Freeways and well-traveled city streets—that’s how I get around.

And so, I  didn’t even realize there are still two-lane highways that stretch out across the flatlands, the prairies, the rolling hills, around the many lakes (frozen this time of year), and the richly wooded areas that make up the beautiful state of Minnesota.

January 15^th—the very heart of winter. Here in Minnesota, that means sub-zero temperatures, generous and frequent snowfalls, icy roads, short days with scant sunlight, none of which makes for favorable travel across the state on a two-lane highway, to a tiny town I’d never heard of before. I don’t have a GPS, and I wasn’t 100% certain my directions (downloaded from the Internet) were accurate. We’ve all “been there”, right?

*smile*

I watched the weather reports aware that if I drove to the funeral, I had a very small window of (weather) opportunity. I’d have to be up at 6 AM, on the road by 8 AM, arrive in time for an 11:00 funeral, allow 90 minutes for the funeral and a quick hug for my grieving friend, and back on the road by 12:30 so that I could be home before the worst of the snow fell making the roads treacherous.

And then it occurred to me… this would be so much easier to do with a friend. So I called Sandy, a mutual friend whom I’ve never spent time with outside of work or a group of acquaintances, and we agreed to go together… and she was more than happy to drive.

So… true confession moment… {sigh}… I’m kind of a control freak. (Who isn’t?)

*smile*

And I generally prefer to be the driver.
And, I’d never ridden with Sandy before.
And, I sometimes have issues with motion, so a smooth driver is really important.
And, what if she wasn’t a good driver.

You see, the list goes on and on…

*another smile*

But, as I weighed the above list against driving… the only thing to do was to get quiet—to meditate—to center myself—after which I hoped to be able to just allow the day trip to simply unfold.

The day of the funeral, the temperature was minus 8 F with a bitter windchill of minus 25 F. We got a late start, the directions downloaded from the Internet were slightly inaccurate—enough to make us wonder if we’d get there at all—we were stuck behind slow moving cars for most of the drive. Fortunately, the funeral started late—in a tiny town that, unless you happen to live there, no one has ever heard of—in a forgotten farming community—yet, more than 400 people showed up!

And there, in the front of the church sat a shiny ancient John Deere tractor. The first tractor the family had ever had—a fine tribute to the man who not only farmed—but who believed in farming.

Sandy and I surveyed the area. No place to park. I was in heels and a knee-length skirt. Sandy had dressed a bit more practical and wore woolen slacks. She offered to drop me off and normally I would not have agreed, but it was so close to 11:00, and I felt compelled not to argue—a strong, intuitive nudge that I knew was important to listen to.

And so I simply agreed, trying not to feel guilty that Sandy would probably have to walk two or three blocks back to the church, across icy streets and sidewalks, after she found a parking spot.

I stepped into the church—actually, I was blown in on an unforgiving gale that nearly toppled me forward (really, it wasn’t the high heels!)—just as Laura and her family were moving away from the casket that cradled her father’s body. Laura was crying loud, broken tears—the kind that rip out the back of your throat—and fill your eyes, blind. She stumbled and then swung in my direction as if someone had pointed and said, “Look, Rebecca’s here.”

Laura propelled herself into my arms. We clung to each other—locked in grief and love. I have often felt that Laura is the daughter I never had. And as I held this lovely woman, who in that moment was so broken by grief, I felt humbled by the immense power of love. The force of friendship. The bond of connection. The strength of people interknit by the grace of community, hard work, and common faith.

When she could speak, she asked me to stay after the service until they returned from the grave site.

“Of course,” I murmured.

Meanwhile… Sandy walked four blocks in minus 8 F weather after parking the car, and blew into the church much like I had. We squeezed into the back of the sanctuary and sat watching the bowed, balding and greyed heads of so many farming families, their bodies bent and grisly from the labor of their work. We listened to the words of the Lutheran minister with his slight Scandinavian accent who clearly knew Laura’s father well. We sang from an outdated Lutheran hymnal, sat in the vibration of the soloist’s voice who sang The Lord’s Prayer, watched in silence as Laura, her two sisters, and their mother grappled with the moment they would say good-bye to this giant of a man who was the cornerstone of their family.

The service ran long…

The family was delayed at the grave site.

Starving, Sandy and I waited, and were the very last to go through the food line. We loaded scalloped potatoes with ham, and green bean casserole onto our paper plates, picked up a cup of stout, black coffee and crowded in (butt-to-butt) at the long tables in fellowship hall where we listened to more stories about Laura’s dad, and of course, when people found out we were headed back to “the cities”, dire predictions about the weather—which was turning (for the worse) while we sat—waiting—keeping a vigil for Laura.

Because she asked us to.

We were way off schedule by the time we left that tiny little town, the wind whistling at our back… until we hit the highway… and then it blew straight into us, icing the windshield, frosting the surface of the highway, creating an icy road.

It’s been a week since that trip, and just now I sent off an email to Sandy, whom I haven’t connected with since the funeral.

Dear Sandy,

I’ve been meaning to drop you a line.

I felt your heart… while you were driving like a champ… while we were sitting in the back of the church where our friend has done so much of her growing up… taking a break from the treacherous drive back to eat really awful (how old were they???) treats in a bakery that looked so charming from the outside… making our way over a highway as it began to ice… nosing our way through blinding, swirling, white-out conditions.

I believe those are the kind of experiences that create memories (and smiles) and bind friends together on a deeper level.

So… thanks for the adventure, for your courageous determination (is Michael Andretti your cousin?) and oh, by the way… I know what to get you for your birthday… see below 🙂

Soft breezes, friend of my heart!

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Now… may I just say… today is even colder than the day of our little adventure. The schools are closed due to cold. And this leads me to my question of the day…

How do you feel sexy in minus 39 degree (Fahrenheit) weather?

Well, if you want to know how Jillian and Gavin manage “sexy” in a Minnesota winter, read my latest release, NAKED HOPE, now available in print and ebook through the publisher, The Wild Rose Press or at a slightly discounted rate on Amazon.com.

As always, thanks for dropping by, soft breezes and stay warm!

PS: I’ve conferred with Jillian and she agrees… red leather driving gloves are just about guaranteed to make a girl feel sexy… no matter the season 🙂

Love,

Rebecca E. Grant
Love is Unstoppable

CRADLE OF LIES – Romantic Suspense – Red Sage Publishing
LIBERTY STARR – Sensual Contemporary award winner-Romance Writers Ink–Carina Press
Latest release: NAKED HOPE – Contemporary Romance available in print and e-book
The Wild Rose Press (print only)
Amazon (ebook and print)

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WEBSITE * LOVE IS UNSTOPPABLE BLOG * FACEBOOK * TWITTER * LINKEDIN

Love is Unstoppable

Well, let’s see… it’s been awhile since I gave a weather report.

I live in Minnesota; one of the coldest regions of upper Midwest USA. And for whatever reason, in the last two years, we have apparently been vying for “largest snowfall of the year” award… and winning… (in addition to the cold)!

Which is to say that I’m sitting in my sunroom (and I ask you… is it a sunroom if there’s no sun?) looking out into a grey sky, watching giant snowflakes zoom in schizophrenic zig-zags, caught in a blustery airstream so chaotic, I have to tell myself to breathe deeply to keep the frenetic energy outside—and not let it seep into my being.

More snow…

Yesterday, I couldn’t get my car into the drive until the plow guys came.

Two days ago, the postal carrier slid into the mailboxes because of the ice and snow. Knocked them over and there they were, leaning at a crazy angle and when I went to remove my mail, it all dumped out into the snow…

Three days ago, my widowed, elderly neighbor died. I live in a twin home. We share a common wall, but I never heard a thing. Her family came and went and because it’s so cold, I haven’t been venturing out, so I never saw them. I never heard them until yesterday, when in yet another snow, I saw their tire treads and wondered why they would leave the warmth of Arizona and visit in THIS weather. Never dreaming…

It made me wonder about how we live such separate lives—all of us—at least those of us who are fortunate enough to live in advanced countries where we have our own space—our own real estate—our own walls. Where even our shared walls keep out the cries and moans of the dying and the grieving.

So, what am I saying here?

About a week ago, I returned from a short vacation in sunny Long Beach, California where the weather turned my spirit into something nearly as wild and free as the characters in my books 🙂

But, upon my return, I found I needed to gather all my energy and light around me and go deep into myself for some introspection. About the next book. About surviving winter. About life. The introspection helps create a shift in perspective and kick-start purpose.

And so I sat in the silence, pierced by nothing but more silence, aware of my knee jerk reaction to respond to the phone, texts, email and online chats beckoned, coercing me at regular intervals to “come out and play”.

But I stayed my course. Remained in the white space of solitude. Asking for courage to continue through winter. Asking for courage to write the next book. Asking for courage to greet every day with curiosity and wonder.

The quiet washed over me like ocean waves that come and go with a rhythm known only to the waves.

The Universe is amazing. In my state of asking to experience wisdom, courage, curiosity and wonder, it came to me what a gift it is to experience that kind of quiet—to enter into a state of asking and to recognize that whatever answers reveal themselves, do so because of grace.

Not my grace.

The grace of the Universe. A manifestation of favor, charity, mercifulness (as defined by Webster). And I would add… love. I think we do our best learning in a state of love.

Which leads me to my tagline—the reason I write—and the basis for every story… the unstoppable nature of Love.

Love is unstoppable.

And so to all of you—no matter what your weather is like—no matter what state your life is in—I wish for you unstoppable love.

And I would add, warm, seductive, soft breezes.

Thanks for dropping by. My latest book, Naked Hope is doing well. I hope you’ll give it a read!

Rebecca E. Grant
Love is Unstoppable
www.rebeccaegrant.com

Introducing Dr. Jillian Cole

Dr. Jillian Cole is a highly respected research psychologist in the field of traumatic brain injury. Her scientific breakthroughs and methods are singularly unmatched… but may be too much for Gavin Fairfield, whose ten year-old daughter suffered a tragic accident.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jill’s fingers moved decisively through the test packets and other instruments she needed, more than a little aware Gavin Fairfield watched her every move. She pulled her laptop from its docking station, and turned to retrieve her briefcase from the floor, only to find that he’d gotten there first. The casual grace of his lean body as he straightened, and the strength of his outstretched arm from years of conducting orchestras, were all-too familiar. Yet, this more charming mature version of the man she knew to be an egotistical tyrant unnerved her.

Her hand closed over his as she accepted her briefcase. “Mr. Fairfield, I always like to set an agenda so the client is informed.”

“I’m a client now?” he grinned.

Her mouth tightened. “Unless you suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury, you’ll never be the client. As the parent of a potential client who is a minor, we will be establishing three things over the next four days. The first is whether Olivia can navigate the academic rigor of the program?”

“Of course, she can,” he interrupted.

Ignoring him, she continued, “The second is to establish her emotional state. Last, we need to determine whether she has enough emotional support and guidance from her family. Specifically, this will mean looking into you, Mr. Fairfield.”

The maestro gaped.

For the first time since she crossed the threshold of Ross’ office that morning, a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

Read an excerpt
Buy the book in print
Buy the book in e-book

Visit my website

As always, thanks for dropping by!

Rebecca E. Grant
Love is Unstoppable

 

NAKED HOPE Limited Print Release

ANNOUNCING…

Exclusive limited print release of my latest contemporary romance, NAKED HOPE through The Wild Rose Press, available now!

Go to print version
Go to e-book
Read excerpt
Read early reader reviews

Back Cover:

Research psychologist Jillian Cole’s tendency to fall for emotionally unavailable men has taught her to question every man’s motives. Specializing in the field of traumatic brain injury, Jill is faced with a case involving the child of a former college professor who crushed her music career years ago.

Music celebrity Gavin Fairfield is wracked by survivor’s guilt following the accident that caused his daughter’s brain injury. He refuses to believe medical evidence and clings to hope that she’ll regain her amazing talent.

Their clash over treatment methods brings them together and there is no denying their magnetic attraction. When Gavin’s hope relating to his daughter’s recovery results in disappointing consequences, can Gavin and Jillian’s love for each other help them find their way?

Rating: Sensual
Page Count: 384

www.RebeccaEGrant.com
Love is Unstoppable

Five Star Review for NAKED HOPE

Released three days ago, I’m honored to share the first reader review of my latest contemporary romance, NAKED HOPE!

“I’ve been looking forward to reading Rebecca E. Grant’s next book, Naked Hope ever since I read her first two books, LIBERTY STARR and CRADLE OF LIES and all I can say is, this writer just gets better and better. She really knows how to interweave an intricate story line, complex characters, humor, and really hot sex—always with an elegant turn of phrase and tasteful treatment.

I loved LIBERTY STARR, and then when her second book CRADLE OF LIES came out, I thought she’d never be able to top that story.

But then along comes a story like NAKED HOPE and suddenly, instead of cowboys, I’m dreaming of musicians… and I’ve NEVER been inclined to dream of musicians before (nothing against you musicians but you do have a reputation for being temperamental and Gavin is no exception. LOL)

While this story centers around the lives of Gavin (musician) and his daughter who suffers from a brain injury, and there are some family elements in the story, they’re very limited as the focus is on the sparking, heat-seeking, sensual attraction these two opposites who seem to have almost nothing in common, have for each other.

Then, slowly, in true Rebecca E. Grant style, as the author brings Jillian and Gavin together, we begin to see just how much they really do have in common. And just how much they belong together, if only… (and I won’t give the story away by explaining beyond “if only”).

I will say I’ve never read a book like this, and I’ll bet you haven’t either.

Gavin is gallant, a bit egotistical and demanding, yet tender. Jill is an award winning psychologist who can hold her own, even with a powerful man like Gavin. They are the type of characters you can’t help but fall in love with.

Scorching sex, and a palpable sense of what hope means to someone who has nothing else to hold on to, define this book as a true hallmark of quality women’s fiction.

A few chapters into the book and I was already looking forward to the movie—this has to be made into a movie!

I’d give this book ten stars on a five star scale.”

Read the review on Amazon

Purchase NAKED HOPE

My heartfelt thanks to the writer of this review, and to all of you reading NAKED HOPE, it is my (if you’ll pardon the pun) ‘naked hope’ that you’ll love it every bit as much as I do, and as this reviewer does.

Wishing you an exquisite new year,
Rebecca E. Grant http://www.RebeccaEGrant.com
Love is Unstoppable

Blogtalkradio interview tonight 10:00 PM CDT

Hey friends. Just a reminder that I’m being interviewed by author/blogtalkradio host Kim Smith tonight at 10:00 PM CDT about my latest romantic suspense, CRADLE OF LIES.

Link to the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/writergroupie

Hope you’ll tune in. I’d love to answer any questions, and look forward to telling you more about Cord Archer and Mattie Rayne… two people whom fate brought together… and then tore apart. Because the only thing deadlier than a psychopath is the random unpredictability of a sociopath. God help the man who has to contend with both.

Rebecca E. Grant Love is Unstoppable!

www.rebeccaegrant.com

CRADLE OF LIES releases in 20 days!

It’s a thrill to announce that CRADLE OF LIES, my contemporary cowboy romantic suspense releases April 1!

Stay tuned for information about giveaways, reviews, interviews and guest bloggers. Meanwhile, enjoy the fabulous cover.

Want a sneak preview? Here’s a link to the first chapter. Or visit my website.

Forced to spend the first sixteen years of his life witnessing some of the most epic murders ever committed, what kind of a life can Cord hope for?

When Cord Archer first meets Mattie Rayne, her incandescent smile heats him like the summer sun, bleaching him clean. Nothing else matters except making her his. Before he can do that, his conscience compels him to explain why he entered an institution at age sixteen and spent five years learning to read, write and function in mainstream society.

Upon learning that Cord is the son of a notorious psychopathic serial-killer, Mattie realizes what a monumental effort it took for him to survive, much less make it all the way back from crazy. Knowing this only makes her love him more.

Just when it would seem Cord is finally about to know love, two phenomenally staggering events irrevocably change the course of his life. First, a sociopath becomes fixated on him. Next, his daddy escapes from prison with the sole intent of tracking him down.

Now, anyone in Cord’s life is at risk because the only thing deadlier than a psychopath is the random unpredictability of a sociopath. God help the man who has to contend with both.

Available April 1 through Red Sage Publications or your favorite online bookseller.

www.rebeccaegrant.com

 

Win a free e-book copy of LIBERTY STARR

Hello my lovelies! If you’d like a chance to win a free copy of my award winning contemporary cowboy story, LIBERTY STARR, be the first person to ‘like’ my Facebook author page today (August 17) and you’ll receive a free copy. If you’ve already ‘liked’ my author page, be the first one to leave a comment here on my blog (any entry) on August 29, and you’ll receive a free copy.

Happy Friday!

XOXO

Rebecca E. Grant, Love is Unstoppable

www.RebeccaEGrant.com

Fabulous Fridays… Blowin’ a little heat

Hey, everyone!

It’s another fabulous Friday. As we enter the dog days of August, I’m reminded of a hot little number I wrote a long time ago.

Some things don’t age… like this one.

Feelin’ the heat? I’d love to hear about it!

XOXO

Rebecca E. Grant, Love is Unstoppable

http://www.rebeccaegrant.com