What was the first Western historical novel you remember reading?

Daniel’s Bride by Linda Lael Miller. Daniel invokes the town’s marriage ordinance to save Jolie from hanging…one of the BEST opening hooks ever! IMHO. <g>

When did you know you were hooked on Western historical novels?

I’ve been a huge fan of classic Westerns, both movie and TV, for as long as I can remember. My favorite heroes, aside from the swashbuckling heartthrob, Errol Flynn, have always been cowboys…John Wayne, Gary Cooper and Roy Rogers. As an avid reader, I searched for romances that had a western theme, either contemporary or historical.

You write medieval, regency and westerns. What is similar and what is different about writing western historical romances versus the other genres?

What’s different? IMHO, the time period, specifically: what happened culturally, scientifically, and psychologically. You have to keep all of these elements in mind when applying your research to your story and creating your characters.

What’s similar? Basic human nature hasn’t changed. Because of this, I draw on specific aspects that I like to use for my heroes and heroines: strength, compassion, integrity, honesty and vulnerability.

What part of the writing process do you enjoy most when you write—the research? creating the characters? developing the plot? providing the historical context?

I love coming up with a plot and then tweaking it until the characters form in my mind and start arguing with my plans for them.

Your western heroes are all Irish. Can you tell us something about the role of Irish immigrants in settling the west?

As with any group immigrating to America, the Irish took jobs no one else wanted, eventually prompting signs to be posted that read: Irish need not apply! While many settled in New York City, others traveled to Pennsylvania and West Virginia to work in the coal mines and others still traveled out West.

My great-grandfather came to America during the Great Potato Famine with his mother and two older cousins. He was five years old and stayed in New York City with his mother, but his cousins traveled to Montana…
there’s a mountain out there named after them…someday, I’ll get there to see it!

Tell us about your most recent western historical, Pearl’s Redemption, which was recently one of the nominees for 2008 Best Western Romance.

I’m still pinching myself that Pearl’s Redemption was nominated for 2008 Best Western Romance. LWR is a fabulous website, and it’s an honor to be nominated.

Pearl’s Redemption is the third book in my Irish Western Series (I send my Irish immigrants out West and get them into trouble). Pearl appeared in the first two books and kept bugging me until I gave in and tangled her life up with Bostonian Davidson Smythe. Unknown to Pearl, The Committee for the Betterment of Emerson has sold Pearl’s ranch out from under her.

Here’s the blurb:
Pearl Lloyd would do anything to keep her ranch and protect her girls. When Davidson Smythe shows up on her doorstep claiming to have bought her ranch, she shoots first and asks questions second.

Davidson Smythe wants to start over, leaving Boston and his brother’s suspicious death behind. Sight unseen, he spends his half of the inheritance on a ranch out in Colorado, only to find the ranch occupied by a battered angel who can shoot like the devil.

If you were to choose two actors to play Davidson Smythe and Pearl Lloyd, who would they be and why?

Pierce Brosnan, definitely. I can just see him as the ever so proper Davidson. I love Sandra Bullock and can see her playing the part of Pearl…a heroine with grit, but a lot of heart.

Can you tell us a little about your next book?

I have two releases…one in February and one in March.

I’m really excited about my February release, Sullivan’s Choice. It’s my first full length contemporary romance. It’ll be released on February 26th in e-book format from DCL Publications.

Here’s the blurb:
Torn between two lovers, Candace Sullivan has a choice to make. Thaddeus who is sophisticated and handsome, or Daniel who is rugged and heats her blood with a single look. Decisions are tough enough for a woman on the downside of thirty. With several years of stress, both family and job related, there’s been no time for a real man in her life, just sex-for-one and a German precision vibrator with a joystick.
 
Both men vie for her attentions, twisting her in knots. But there’s a problem, someone’s out to kill her. They must work together to save her, but in the end she’s left with a dilemma, which does she choose? One…the other…or both?

My March release, So Other’s Might Live is part of Highland Press’s Operation: L.O.V.E., Special Ops Romance Anthology. My story’s about a USCG Rescue Swimmer. A percentage of the royalties will be donated to the USO. I was fortunate enough to interview a USCG Rescue Swimmer and then had the opportunity to tour the Atlantic City Air Station. I was able to ask whatever questions I had, and got to see what goes on behind the scenes. It was an amazing experience.

Here’s the blurb:
Jumping out of a helicopter into rough seas and deteriorating weather to rescue people is all part of the job. But that was before James Purcell’s SAR Unit receives a distress call, and he tries to save Bronwyn Griffith, a writer pitting herself against the elements for the sake of research…a woman who doesn’t want to be rescued.

What are some of your favorite western romances by other authors?

Actually a few favorites come to mind, Elizabeth Lowell’s historical western series: Only Mine, Only His, Only Yours, Only Love. Mountain Laurel by Jude Deveraux, The Marshal and the Heiress by Patricia Potter, Rose by Leigh Greenwood, Monument Rock by Louis Lamour. 

And finally, western historical romances are unique to the American experience. Any lessons we could learn from those who tamed the Old West?

Stand up to your fears and never let go of your dreams. Countless lives were lost traveling along the Oregon Trail, others during the Gold Rush and Indian massacres. But those that had a dream, didn’t let the odds of surviving the journey keep them from going.

It takes courage to follow your heart…that and a stubborn streak a mile wide…two of my favorite character traits. <g>