Bad Cowboys, Sheriffs, Rangers... got 'em

The allure of the American Cowboy endures in all our romantica books. Since coming to EC, TOTAL E and Resplendence, I have pubbed 5 cowboys-Sheriffs-Rangers and have a few conclusions about them.

First, I think these men are stronger characters in erotica--and more true to life! The rough, tough type of man we think of as a cowboy, is best personified by a man with a load of testosterone. Hence, a hot and heavy erotica fits best.

Secondly, because I LIVE in cowboy country--and have now for nearly 15 years--I know these boys! I have worked with them, played with them (at the local Chamber of Commerce and other local events.)

They are truly individuals. With a capital I.

They do not mess with details. This, of course, can get them in trouble. But they tend not to care. They let others work on that pesky little stuff for them. OKAY, then!

They do take care of their appearance. They are fit. Very. And need no gym membership to hone those delicious muscles. And as for attire, beard, etc? They are not particular but pull on those worn, comfortable jeans and plaid shirt to be out there on a horse. Chaps (yum,yum) if necessary. But at home with their women, at a dance hall to do a graceful (do not use that word, though, puleeez) Two Step, they dress. Knife-pressed, starched jeans. White, starched shirt. Damnest big silver buckle on their belt. Bigger than...well, any one else's, donchaknow. Boots. Knee high. Polished. Leather or Ostrich. Hand tooled. Cut to a fare thee well. Spurs. (Tingly, yet?)

They also know how to cook.

Well. Really, they know how to barbeque. Hottest, damn coals are best, thank you, ma'am.

What do they cook? Ribs. Beef, pork, baby backs. Fajitas, especially down here in south Texas, this is our specialty. They also do Mean Beans. MEAN. (Bring your constitution, please.) Brisket, they will smoke till it falls apart in your fingers. You get all gooey and you must lick yourself clean. Hmmm. Method? Madness?

What else can they do?

They know how to wield a bull whip.

A carving knife.

A lasso.

Biggest trucks I have ever seen.

They are not good with eloquence of the East Coast variety. But they do know how to speak their minds...and their hearts.

Happy reading about these men. I know they are unique, special and very very real.

A summer afternoon

As summer winds its way to a close I always find myself panicking. Where did it go? Why didn't I do everything I was supposed to do this summer? Trips, exercise, household projects...

But then I realize I don't want to waste the last two weeks of summer being upset. Now that I'm into the getting-ready-for-school time crunch, what bits of summer I do have left become all the more valuable.

So for just a few minutes, sit back, relax, and enjoy a lazy summer moment with me.

This is from All the Way Back, a Wayback, Texas story out now from The Wild Rose Press.

(Click on the cover for more information)

The party went easier than Drew had had any right to expect. Most of that was due to Annie running interference for him. She’d barely left his side all afternoon, and she kept up a quiet stream of information, catching him up on who was who. The only problem he had was trying to keep his hands off her. What had she been thinking to wear that microscopic bathing suit? The emerald green bikini matched her eyes and hugged her like a second skin. The purple and green butterfly on her stomach taunted him all day long. The scrap of green and purple batik material she had tied around her hips did nothing to hide her full, lush curves. Every time she moved he caught a glimpse of her long, creamy thigh.

While Annie had taken some time to play with her niece and nephew in the pool, he’d spent a good bit of time talking to his neighbors, Logan and Riley. Both appeared to be sound men, ex-rodeo cowboys who were serious about ranching and crazy about their wives. They’d be good neighbors, he decided. And Hawk, at least, seemed as uncomfortable in a crowd as Drew was. It was kind of nice to be around someone else who’d clearly learned about life the hard way. Made Drew feel less like the only pit bull at a poodle convention.

He even managed to smile when the former mayor, Luc Fremont, who’d just moved to Austin, announced his engagement to pretty little hairdresser, Lili Marlene. The couple had come back for the party and to share their happy news. “And another one bites the dust,” Rafe whispered with a laugh. “Seems like there’s something in the air around Wayback these days.”

About four in the afternoon, the party began to break up. Everyone, it seemed, planned to head out to the rodeo arena for the evening.

“Can you give me a lift?” Annie asked as she stood and stretched. “My folks are leaving on their anniversary trip, so they’re going to skip the competition tonight. Henry and Maria are going back to the restaurant. Never mind that they’ve got a great staff; it about killed Dad and Henry to both take off the same Saturday afternoon. There’s no way those two control-monsters could both miss the Saturday dinner rush.”

“Rodeo?” he asked, in about the same tone he’d have probably said “dentist,” or even, “proctologist.”

Annie laughed. “Yeah, rodeo. It’s what we do in this town, so you might as well get used to it. Come on along. It’s fun.”

His brain was still stuck on the fact that her parents were leaving town for a few days. “Okay,” he agreed. “I can give you a ride, no problem.” He winced at the unintentional double-entendre, but fortunately, she didn’t seem to notice it.

“Great. I’m going to go in and get changed, then we can take off, if that’s okay.”

She untied the scarf that had been holding her hair at the nape of her neck and shook the heavy mass out. Drew wanted nothing more than to bury his hands in it.

“Buddy, you are toast,” muttered Rafe from beside him at the picnic table as Annie walked away. “Told you, there’s something in the air.”

“Look who’s talking,” Drew returned. He gestured toward the pool where Rita Mae, her more than generous cleavage hidden by a modest black swimsuit, was playing with Rafe’s little girls.

“Uh-huh,” Rafe agreed with a broad, happy grin. “I sure as hell hope so.”

Jesus, I’m surrounded by happy couples. Drew admired that, even envied it, but he knew it wasn’t in the cards for him. He’d seen too much, done too much, to ever be whole enough for a relationship like the ones he’d seen today. Annie’s parents were the shining example of that. They’d sat together on a porch swing holding hands all day long. The love they had for one another still shone like the sun, even after forty years.

4th of July!

So glad to know that I am not alone in loving cowboys!

To me they are the perfect combination: strength, gentleness, hard working, determined, and creative. Sure, I know actual cowboys are just regular men, but isn't that the way with all archetypes? Firemen, CEOs, college professors - all great stuff.

I'm glad that the truth doesn't get in the way of our fantasies.

Enjoy your 4th of July!

Cowboys? Someone said Cowboys?

So kind of Judith to get us started this week on cowboys. Why it's as if she knew that the third book in my Love at the Crazy H trilogy released from The Wild Rose Press, just last week. (wink) So anyway, how about a visit to Shirley, Wyoming, and a peek at Trip and Beth?

Always a Cowboy

Love at the Crazy H book 3

By Cindy Spencer Pape
Available NOW from The Wild Rose Press:

click the cover for more information

Blurb: Trip, the youngest Hall brother had a nice career going in Los Angeles until a car-crash gone wrong destroyed his future as a stuntman. Now he’s back in Shirley learning how to walk again and learning to be a single dad to baby Trevor. He doesn’t have time in his life for a woman, especially one with a three-year-old daughter. Beth learned her lesson back in high school about Trip’s playboy ways, and she knows better than to give her heart to him again. But when a stalker targets Beth and her daughter, will Trip be able to save them in time? When old friends reunite, danger threatens and sparks fly.

Excerpt: Moderately sensual:

Beth knew that letting Trip kiss her was a very bad idea. So why did it have to feel so darned good?

His lips were gentle, coaxing against hers. His breath smelled of coffee and peppermint, while the rest of him smelled like warm, sweaty male. He was wearing jeans and a baggy sweatshirt. Her fingers burrowed into the soft fleece sleeves and gripped, even while she told herself she was supposed to be pushing him away.

The hand under her chin slipped around her neck and sifted through her hair as he tilted his head to change the angle of the kiss. When his tongue probed softly against the seam of her lips, she opened, welcoming him inside.

So this is what it was like to kiss Trip Hall.

It was every fantasy she’d ever had in high school, and then some.

The bulky knot of her bathrobe’s belt acted as a bundling board between their bodies, preventing her from plastering herself as closely against him as she’d have liked. As his tongue explored every ridge and crevice inside her mouth, her nipples hardened and rasped against the cotton of her pajama top, and moisture dampened the flannel between her legs.

Oh, lord it had been so long. And even with Daniel she’d never gone up in flames like this, not from a simple kiss.

The kiss didn’t stop until they were both out of breath. She wasn’t sure if the groan she heard came from his mouth or hers as he dragged his lips away and pressed her face into the curve below his chin. He dropped another soft kiss on the top of her head and held her close.

“You going to be able to sleep?” he murmured, his breath still warm against her ear.

After that? Beth wasn’t sure she could speak coherently yet so she just shrugged.

“It’s okay, darlin’. I’m not going to let anything happen, to you or Bailey.”

Oh. That’s what he meant. For just a second there she’d actually forgotten about the threatening call. As soon as he mentioned it, though, all the fear came flooding back. She wrapped her arms around his waist and clung, giving in to the need for comfort. It had been so long since she’d had anyone to hold onto. She knew this wasn’t real, wouldn’t last, but just for tonight it was so nice to lean into his big strong body and feel safe.

Check out more at my website: www/cindyspencerpape.com