"Falling for a Bossy Cowboy" by Karen Baney -- Author Interview

 

About the Book

Book: Falling for a Bossy Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 3)

Author: Karen Baney

Genre: Contemporary Christian Cowboy Romance

Release date: March 26, 2024

She’s famous and nearing the end of her career. He’s blunt, bossy, and downright annoying. Will these two find the perfect balance between truth and love?

Sports fanatic Derin Vargas steps down from his position as foreman of Vargas Ranch to run the family’s new sports complex. Uncomfortable in his new role, he compensates by being bossy. When a famous pro-tennis player stays at the resort to rehab after surgery, Derin points out her shortcomings no one else will.

Pro-tennis player Madison Moore heads to a remote sports complex on Vargas Guest Ranch & Resort to finish rehabbing after shoulder surgery. As she fears the death of her pro career, the bossy cowboy manager gets under her skin.

Will Derin soften his rough edges to win over the beautiful tennis player? Will Madison listen to the hard truth about her future while opening her heart to love?

 

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview 

1. What is your favorite part about writing?

I love creating relatable characters in settings different from what most people experience.

Arizona is my home state and it’s full of so much inspiration for both historical and contemporary

novels. We were the last of the Wild West. We have mountains for skiing in the winter and

desert valleys full of beautiful and unusual blooming cacti in the spring. Maybe, just maybea few

readers will fall in love with Arizona with me.

2. Do you have a way to keep track of your story ideas?

Two years ago, my husband bought me a reMarkable e-ink tablet for our anniversary. (Some

women like flowers or jewelry, but I like stuff like this!) It’s amazing! I organize different folders

for each series and then have different notebooks. I love that I can handwrite or type on it. I do

all my book editing on it and sometimes write entire chapters which I can transfer to my laptop

later. Anyway, I have several notebooks on this tablet for my ideas. I also have a character

template which I copy and fill out whenever new characters come to mind.

3. What is your writing space like?

This past summer as I was trying to write a Christmas novel (book 5 in the Vargas Ranch

series) in the hot Arizona summer, I completely changed my writing space to another part of the

house. During the holiday season, we transform our fun living room (some people have a formal

living room, but I chose to make it fun instead) where we have an electric fireplace. I know

you’re probably thinking, who would run a fireplace in the dead of summer. Me—with the heat

off, of course. The ambiance of the fireplace and all the fond memories of the holiday season in

that room really helped me stay in the mindset for writing that book.

4. Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Everywhere! The idea for Derin’s dramatic transformation in Falling for a Bossy Cowboy was

inspired by the stories from Celebrate Recovery at my church. Periodically our church shares

video testimonies from church members during our services (we’re a huge church of 6,000+

families per weekend). Several men have shared how much Celebrate Recovery has helped

them overcome deep rooted sin in their lives. Their stories inspired me to tackle a tough topic in

Derin’s life in a loving and encouraging way.

5. Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters?

The witty banter, boss and sass as one reader described it, between Derin and Madison comes

from me. I can be sarcastic. I enjoy a good verbal spar. My husband and I go back and forth

much like Derin and Madison in the novel. We joke that maybe one day we’ll start a podcast.

When we share a particularly good zinger, we say, “put that on the podcast.” (Sorry to

disappoint, we don’t have one. If we did, it would be full of real married life humor.)

About the Author

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

More from Karen

101 Questions

In Falling for a Bossy Cowboy, Derin Vargas desperately wants to change how he sees and interacts with women. One of his buddies recommended an app for 101 Questions to Ask on a Date.

When I incorporated this into the novel, the interactions between Madison and Derin became so much easier (and fun!) to write. I searched for new questions and added them with answers from the character’s point of view.

But where did this idea come from? A marriage seminar. I highly recommend using 101 questions for any couple, married or just dating. It’s a great way to get to know the person you’re with, without all the awkward “what do we talk about?”.

I hope you enjoy this excerpt from Falling for a Bossy Cowboy from Madison Moore’s point of view.

______

Madison watched as Derin pulled his phone from his shirt pocket, swiping and tapping a few times. Then he looked up, expression serious, and asked the most bizarre question.

“If you were stranded on a deserted island and could choose any three things to have with you, what would you pick and why?”

“What?” Her eyes rounded.

“You heard the question, Madi.”

She chewed slowly, mulling it over.

“That’s hard.”

“Right?” He chuckled.

“What would you pick?”

“No dodging it. I’ll answer after you do.”

“Ugh. Let’s assume I have food and water.”

Derin narrowed his eyes and conceded.

“My Bible.”

He rolled his eyes.

“What? It’s a legit answer.”

“So says every church goer. Next?”

“You wouldn’t?”

He wagged a finger at her as he stabbed a chunk of roast before popping it in his mouth.

“Chocolate.”

Derin tossed his head back and chuckled loudly. So much so that a few heads turned their direction. “Women.”

“And a Costco-sized bag of ground coffee.”

“How are you making the coffee?”

“I don’t know. I’m sure I could figure it out.”

Madison pushed her empty plate away. “Your turn.”

“First choice? You.”

Heat flamed her cheeks. What was he saying?

“Second choice would be Djano.”

Madison quirked an eyebrow.

“My horse. And that’s only because you put the stipulation that food and water aren’t an issue. So, he won’t starve.”

She snorted. “Me and your horse.”

“Yup. And my hat. That’s it.”

“Me, your horse, and your hat.” She shook her head. “Why me?”

Derin’s eyes glinted with mirth. “You’re insanely beautiful. Smart. Very entertaining.”

Her cheeks warmed at the compliment.

“We would fight like cats and dogs.”

He shook his head. “I’m not buying that.”

“I can’t stand you.”

“Not buying that either.” Derin grinned. “Here’s another one. Have you ever won an award for a sport?”

Madison snatched up the phone. “Huh. That’s really the question. What is this?”

“One hundred and one questions to ask on a date.”

“Is this a date?”

“Welcome to the party, Madi.”

Heat warmed her face. Derin was one of a kind. She shook her head and handed him his phone.

Blog Stops

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Locks, Hooks and Books, November 9

Guild Master, November 10 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 11

Simple Harvest Reads, November 12 (Author Interview)

Labor Not in Vain, November 13

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 14 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, November 15

For the Love of Literature, November 16 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 17

Blossoms and Blessings, November 18 (Author Interview)

Back Porch Reads, November 19 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, November 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5488/