Tag: Studs in Spurs

Romance Novels

Classic Romance Tropes – the marriage of convenience

Classic romance tropes, those tales that have been told and retold for centuries. The Harlequin-esqe themes that have kept that publishing house in business, and at the top of the romance world, for years. Classic themes of love are everywhere–even in that newest sensation. You know the one, the book that shall  not be named. I personally consider Voldabook (AKA 50 Shades) just another retelling of the Cinderella story, where the plain Jane meets the prince, or sheikh, or millionaire (or billionaire, to account for inflation). He falls hopelessly in love with her and moves heaven and earth to be with her. Only in this version, he’s a damaged ‘prince’ wielding duct tape and a belt and only her love can save him. Anyway, today I’m focusing on another classic romantic device, the marriage of convenience. You know the type–the love story is centered around a couple who has to get married for any number of reasons, usually because his/her family needed the money to save the family land or title or whatever. Since I write contemporary westerns, I don’t have any titled ladies in danger of losing their family castle because it’s been entailed and will go to the next […]

Cowboys

ARe’s Hottest Hero Contest Round 3!

Incredibly, my cowboy hero Luke from HOOKED (Studs in Spurs, Book 4) has made it to Round 3 in All Romance eBooks’ Summer’s Hottest Hero Contest. What you might not know is that each round has different content. Round 1 we introduced our heroes. Round 2 we provided an excerpt for their first kiss with their heroine. In Round 3 the remaining 8 heroes left after the eliminations of rounds 1 and 2 compete by inviting their lady to a special dinner date, including a menu. Go to www.allromanceebooks.com/contest.html . Log into your ARe account and you’ll see the match-ups. Click on the hero’s name and you’ll be taken to his dinner date page. You can vote for one hero once in each of the 4 head-to-head match-ups. AND don’t forget that by voting you are automatically entered into a drawing to win a $25 GC to ARe, so go over and vote for your favorites!

bull riding, Contest, Cowboys, Events, Romance Novels

Are Bull Riders the Hottest of all the Heroes?

Good news! You did it. Your nominations put my professional bull rider hero, Luke Carpenter, from HOOKED (Studs in Spurs, Book 4) in the All Romance eBooks’ Hottest Hero contest. What perfect timing too because although it’s been available as an eBook, Hooked releases this week in paperback! Better news! Voting opened yesterday in Round 1 and you all are eligible to win a prize just for voting. You can vote for one hero in each matched one-on-one pairing in each round for the 5 rounds, and each time you vote you are entered to win a $25 gift certificate from ARe. Here is the breakdown of the first two rounds. Only if Luke beats his competitor in Round 1 (meet the heroes which is things such as occupation & a quote) does he advance to Round 2 (best kiss). The breakdown is below. Thank you to everyone who nominated Luke and who takes the time to check out the contest and vote for their favorite heroes in round 1! Cat ARE’S HOTTEST HERO CONTEST ROUND 1 – Meet the Heroes – Aug 1 – Aug 7 32 Hero’s will be divided into 16 pairs. Readers will get to vote for […]