HEBBY ROMAN'S WEST TEXAS CHRISTMAS TRILOGY!

I love hosting friends on my blog. Hebby Roman and I have known each other for twenty years. Of course, we were only children when we met. ☺I enjoy her writing and think you will too. This year she’s completing a Christmas trilogy. The first book, HARD CANDY CHRISTMAS, was published last year. This year, she’s added LET IT BE CHRISTMAS and A MISTLETOE CHRISTMAS.

LET IT BE CHRISTMAS Blurb:

After losing both her parents, Lindsay MacKillian has been living with her Aunt Minerva in Boston, learning to be a lady. When her unscrupulous fiancé gets her in the family way and absconds, she escapes home to Langtry, Texas to hide her shame.

Bart Houghton, a professional gambler, wants to quit his old profession and become a rancher, giving the MacKillian’s ranch a much needed infusion of capital. But he didn’t count on marrying Chad’s sister as part of the deal. And to make matters worse, Lindsay doesn’t approve of his former profession and believes he is unworthy as a husband.

Lindsay and Bart, despite their differences and having a marriage in name only, can’t help but being attracted to each other. As their attraction matures, they have to face the obstacles of their pasts. Can Lindsay put aside her preconceived notions about Bart? Is Bart ready to settle down and give Lindsay the family she wants?

LET IT BE CHRISTMAS Excerpt:

The crowd roared, and a fresh wave of panic washed over Lindsay. Unable to catch a glimpse of her pet through the dense mob, she had no idea what the crowd was shouting at, but she feared Bruno, Judge Roy Bean’s captive bear, was mauling Minnie, her beloved puppy, and the mob was cheering on the bear with their drunken approval. 

    Vaulting from the mare’s back, Lindsay forgot about Bart in her frenzy to reach her dog. With tears clouding her vision, she rushed forward, cursing in French and slapping at the mass of men. She pushed to the front of the mob and stared… and smelled. The scent of rotting vegetation filled her nostrils, wafting from the moth-eaten brown bear, Bruno.

    Bruno squatted on his haunches with his huge paws dangling in front of him. His pig-like snout drooped forward onto his massive chest, snuffling the air. Minnie ran circles around the bear, yelping at him. Bruno, half-drunk on beer, just watched the little dog with glazed eyes, shaking his head to clear away the buzz of flies.

    Lindsay’s stomach roiled and bile filled her throat. Her initial terror melted away, to be replaced by embarrassment and dismay. Her dog didn’t appear to be in any immediate danger, but she certainly was making a spectacle of herself. She could imagine what her brother would say when he saw her pet’s antics.

Lulled by the bear's passivity, she broke away from the crowd, intent upon retrieving her pet.

    But her sudden movement was a mistake.

    Bruno came to life, rearing up. He swatted at her, his broken and dirty claws slicing through the air. Cringing and closing her eyes against the inevitable impact, she felt the breath leave her lungs as she was grabbed from behind and rolled to the ground. The onlookers jeered, making ribald suggestions.                    

The bear advanced, snapping the end of his chain taut. Minnie was unperturbed, sitting back on her haunches and posturing with her best begging stance.

    Dirt scrapped against Lindsay’s back as she was hauled away from the bear’s reach. Dazed, she looked up to see Bart’s face, covered in perspiration, looming over her.  Mortified, she pushed at his chest with the palms of her hands and struggled to rise, amidst more suggestive taunts from the crowd about newly-weds.

    “Don’t struggle. Don’t give them a show.” His strong arms pinned her to the ground. “Are you all right, Lindsay?” he whispered and shook his head. “I mean the babe and all? If there had been any other way…”

    She could only nod.        

   It was a moment suspended in time. The nasty mob faded. Her senses centered on Bart. Their hearts pounded as one, curiously synchronized, and their breaths mingled, lightly caressing. The tensile strength of his arms, and the warmth of his embrace enfolded her. 

She melted against him, pliant to his touch, blood surging through her veins.  

    “Minnie’s fine, but we'll need the Judge to get her away from Bruno. Do you understand?” he asked.

    She heard his words as if from far away, they tumbled through her mind but failed to make an impression. Her body’s reaction to him filled her senses.

    Bart’s light-blue eyes drilled into hers. He shook her and repeated, “Lindsay, do you understand me?”

    The urgency in his voice finally penetrated to her. The low murmur of the mob swelled into a roar. Turning her head from Bart’s disturbing gaze, the world above her took on a razor-sharp clarity. She nodded.

    He exhaled. “Good.”

He released her and rolled to one side and then got to his feet. The hot July air felt suddenly cold on her skin without Bart’s body covering her.

    Leaning down, he grabbed her hands and pulled her to her feet, announcing, “Show’s over, folks. Where’s Judge Bean?”

A MISTLETOE CHRISTMAS Blurb:

Ginny Brown is a poor seamstress’ daughter who worships the ground Chad MacKillian walks on... from afar. For as long as she can remember, she’s been in love with the prominent rancher. Befriended by Chad’s sister, Ginny overcomes her shyness when Chad finally notices her.

Unknown to Ginny or his sister, Chad is already engaged to the neighboring rancher’s daughter, but their engagement is a business arrangement. The more time Chad spends with Ginny, the more he questions his future plans. Torn between honoring his engagement and his growing feelings for Ginny, he avoids making a decision.

When Chad’s fiancée catches him kissing Ginny beneath the mistletoe, she breaks their engagement. Chad is relieved to be free, but Ginny is humiliated and has had enough of his inconstancy. Faced with losing Ginny and fighting off outlaws bent on revenge, Chad begs Ginny to marry him. But can Chad convince Ginny he really loves her and is eager for her to be his wife?

Hebby Roman, Author

Hebby Roman is the multi-published, Amazon best-selling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her first contemporary romance, SUMMER DREAMS, was the launch title for Encanto, a print line featuring Latino romances. And her re-published e-book, SUMMER DREAMS, was #1 in Amazon fiction and romance. Her medieval historical romance, THE PRINCESS AND THE TEMPLAR, was selected for the Amazon Encore program and was #1 in medieval fiction.

She was selected for the Romantic Times "Texas Author" award, and she won a national Harlequin contest. Her book, BORDER HEAT, was a Los Angeles Times Book Festival selection. Her contemporary romance, TO DANCE AGAIN, was a 2016 RONE Finalist.

She is blessed to have all her family living close by in north Texas, including her two granddaughters, Mackenzie Reese and Presley Davis. Hebby lives in Arlington, Texas with her husband, Luis, and maltipoo, Maximillian.

You can find all her books at Amazon.  Or visit her website or Facebook.

Don't forget the first in the trilogy, A HARD CANDY CHRISTMAS.

CHARRO HORSES IN A BORDER AFFAIR

By guest author Hebby Roman

My latest release, BORDER AFFAIR, is one of the eight books in the contemporary western anthology, COME LOVE A COWBOY. Buy Link http://amzn.com/B01D5876UK The second book in my On the Border Series, this book takes place on the Texas-Mexican border and features a ranch that trains horses for the Mexican specialty of charro riding, as well as rodeo events such as barrel racing and calf roping, and cutting horses, too. Since charro riding is not widely understood in the United States, I wanted to explain how these specialty horses perform.

Charro riding is an event in a charreada or charrería, which is a competitive event similar to our rodeos and was developed from animal husbandry practices used on the haciendas of old México. The sport has been described as "living history," or as an art form drawn from the demands of working life. Evolving from the traditions brought from Spain in the 16th century, the first charreadas were ranch work competitions between haciendas. The modern Charreada developed after the Mexican Revolution when charro traditions were disappearing. The charreada consists of nine events for men plus one for women, all of which involve horses, cattle or both.

The participants in the charreada wear traditional charro clothing, including a closely fitted suit, chaps, boots, and a wide brim sombrero. The body-fitting suit of the charro, while decorative, is also practical; it fits closely to insure there is no flapping cloth to be caught by the horns of steers. The botinas, or little boots, prevent feet from slipping through the stirrups. Spurs are worn on the botinas.

The saddle of the charro has a wider horn than that of that of a western saddle, which helps safeguard the charro from being pitched off and from being hung up. There are two grips at the back of the saddle, in case the charro needs to have a handhold during certain trick maneuvers.

In a charreada, the most common competition is called cala de caballo or reining. Literally the demonstration of the horse rein, as the horse is required to show its talents in the canter, gallop, slide stop, spins on its hind legs as well as backing. It is one of the hardest events to master and also the most elaborately scored. The running slide, left and right spinning, rear leg pivoting, and backing abilities are tested. The charro rider and horse are evaluated carefully. Horses are judged for vigor, manageability, docility, gait and obedience. Carriage of head and tail are all critically evaluated and scored accordingly.

Charro horses also perform tricks, very similar to those of the famous Lipizzaner stallions in Austria. Trick riding such as rearing on signal, backing up on the horse’s two back feet, and spinning, have given these horses the moniker of “dancing horses.” In addition, they can be trained to prance in time to music, making them appear to dance with the strains of popular Mexican ballads.

They often are the lead feature in Texas-México border parades and rodeos. Charro horses are also used to showcase a charro rider’s elaborate rope tricks while calmly cantering around an arena. And of course, if you’re a horse lover, all charro horses are selected for their beautiful conformation and flowing manes and tails.

For you western lovers, I hope you have enjoyed this explanation of a fascinating sport, featuring beautiful and very talented horses. And I hope you will read more about charro horses in my story, “Border Affair.”

And find the western contemporary romance anthology COME LOVE A COWBOY on Amazon at http://amzn.com/B01D5876UK

 BORDER AFFAIR Blurb:

            Camila Villarreal has had a crush on Rusty Douglas since she was twelve years old. And no matter what she does she can’t stop caring for him.

            Rusty, a self-made millionaire and a partner in her family’s ranch, is recovering from a messy divorce and facing a mid-life crisis. He’s not eager to become involved in a serious relationship.

            Despite Rusty’s doubts, their mutual attraction blazes into a sizzling affair. But when Camila is kidnapped, Rusty is desperate to rescue her. Will he get her back unharmed? And if he does, can their affair develop into a lasting relationship?

Excerpt for BORDER AFFAIR:

            “I worked my ass off, getting him to canter,” Rusty said. “And you can’t be bothered to watch.”

            “I was watching,” Camila protested.

            “No, you weren’t. What’s so damned interesting in the dirt? Mining for gold or something.”

            “Oh, Rusty, get over it.” She wiped her forehead with the back of her arm. “I was just resting my eyes.”

            “Really?”

            “Yeah, and do you mind catching him before he gets tangled in the tether and manages to lame himself.”

            “I can see being your assistant is going to suck,” he muttered loud enough to hear. “And we can’t keep calling this horse ‘him’.” He stretched his arms wide and cracked the switch again, driving the sorrel into a corner of the corral.

            He bent over and grabbed the rope.

            The breath stopped in her lungs. Por Dios, was he one gorgeous hunk of man. Forget his age or that he’d lost too much weight. Just looking at Rusty made her heart go pitter-patter. So much for a girlhood crush that refused to go away.

            “What are you going to name him?”

            “Huh?” She’d lost the thread of concentration, wishing she and Rusty were in bed together, rather than hollering across a dusty corral. “Oh, name him. Hmmm. How about Calypso?”

            He ran one hand over the stubble on his jaw. And she wished she could run her tongue over his jaw and neck and lower. Wished she could explore every inch of him with her mouth and tongue.

“Not bad. I like it,” he said.

            “I’m glad you approve.”

            He pulled the gelding forward by his halter, stopping on the other side of the fence. “Calypso, meet your new trainer.”

            She fished a slice of apple from her pocket and handed it to the yearling. “Never too soon to start rewarding him for good behavior.”

            Calypso lipped the apple slice and crunched it. She stroked the white blaze running from his forehead and tapering off at his muzzle. He had three white socks, too.

            Rusty hooked his free arm over the fence post and gazed at the yearling. He stood within inches of her but towering over her by a half a foot. He was so close to her, she could smell his perspiration and the earthy man-smell of him. His down-to-earth scent was far more arousing than the expensive cologne he usually wore.

            He patted the horse’s neck and said, “Well, what do you think? Does he have possibilities?”

            “Yeah, sure, but he’s too young to pigeon-hole as a barrel racer or cutting horse or whatever yet.”

            He pursed his mouth. “You’re probably right. Hard to tell until they’re under saddle.”

            She gazed at the thin line of his pursed mouth. Hard and masculine, just the way she liked a man’s mouth. All these years of dreaming about kissing him and they’d shared nothing more than pecks on the cheeks.

            He was looking straight at her. Did he feel the same pull, the same attraction as she did? Or did he still see her as a child?

            He stared at her for a long time, his gaze riveted on her mouth. Was he thinking about kissing her, the way she’d been thinking? She hoped so.

            He patted her hand on the fence rail and said, “I’m going to walk him around ‘til he cools down. Chuy will help me get him settled in his stall. You should get some rest, put your leg up. Okay?”

            She nodded and closed her eyes, wanting him so bad, she hurt.

BORDER AFFAIR is included in the anthology COME LOVE A COWBOY, which is available at Amazon here: http://amzn.com/B01D5876UK

Hebby Roman, Author

You can find more about my books at:

Website at: http://www.hebbyroman.com

Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHebbyRoman

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/callofmuse/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Hebby-Roman/e/B001KI1L0O/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1456359596&sr=1-2-ent
For beautiful pictures of charro horses, visit my COME LOVE A COWBOY Board on Pinterest at: https://www.pinterest.com/callofmuse/

INTERVIEW WITH HEBBY ROMAN

Please welcome Hebby Roman to the blog today. I’ve been acquainted with Hebby for many years through writer groups plus she lives not that far from me. She graciously agreed to an interview today.

Caroline: Tell us something about yourself.

Hebby: I grew up in Del Rio, Texas, a small town in SW Texas on the Mexican border that my mother who was from North Little Rock, Arkansas deemed the edge of the world, and it was pretty desolate out there. We had lots of sheep ranchers, they were the local aristocracy and the real world intruded via Laughlin Air Force Base. I had one older sister, who was nine years older than me and because of the age difference, we weren't that close. I was definitely a "bookworm," carried books everywhere I went, was well known at local library, and had read all the classics by the time I was in high school.

I'm married, going on 28 years now. I have two step-sons and a son of my own from a former marriage, Kevin. I have a two year old granddaughter, Mackenzie, and another grandbaby on the way in January 2016.

Caroline: Who are your favorite authors and genres?

Hebby: Okay, that's a loaded question for an author with author friends. J I'm a fan of almost all kinds of romance and all us hard-working romance authors. Jodi Thomas is an old time favorite of mine. I also love historical fiction, and I usually read anything Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory, and Helen Hollick write, to name a few historical fiction writers.

Caroline: I’ve read all of Jodi Thomas and Philippa Gregory’s books so I’m happy to have a couple of new names. What’s your favorite way to relax?

Hebby:  During the summer, I love to get in the pool, especially with my grandbaby. I like to cook and try new recipes. I'm addicted to all forms of electronic solitaire and mahjong. I love duplicate bridge but I don't have a partner right now. And the last thing I do each night is read. I may be a writer, but I still love to read, it's my number one "go to" escape.

Caroline: I love to read also and never trust an author who says he or she doesn’t have time to read. What’s your favorite quote?

Hebby: Live each day to its fullest.

Caroline: Good advice, too. I’ve known you 20 years. How long have you been writing?

Hebby: Since I was 10 years old when I wrote a 100 page notebook book. I started writing seriously for publication in 1990, was first published in 1996, dropped out of writing in 2002 due to family pressures, and dropped back into writing in 2012.

Caroline: Where do you prefer to write?

Hebby: In my study with music on. I don't like interruptions and I use a laptop.

Caroline: I also write to music. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Hebby: Definitely a plotter.

Caroline: Me, too. Do you use real events or persons in your stories?

Hebby: Yes, I definitely use real people and events in my stories, but in bits and pieces. I take a piece from someone I know and a piece from a family member and event that happened in my past and weave them together. Then again, there are some parts of characters or events that are completely made up. For instance, I've never been to a formal ball in the 1860's but I've read about them and written a couple of them, too.

Caroline: So, true, which is why we are sticklers for research. Do you set daily writing goals?

Hebby: Yes, I set a goal but seldom make it. Life intervenes, usually. I try to use page count for my goal, not words, I still think in pages and words, too, but mostly pages, when it comes to goals. I don't get to write every day. I used to, during the summers, in traditional publishing when I was teaching. Wrote every day, but now social media and promotion gets in the way. Sigh.

Caroline: Isn’t that the truth! What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Hebby: An easy escape from the cares of today's world, and a sense of justice that doesn't happen in real world. Everything turns out fair in my books, but not in the real world!

Caroline: Which is why I read romance novels. If I want unhappy, I’ll watch the news on TV. What long term plans do you have for your career?

Hebby: As fast as everything is changing, all I want to do is be around tomorrow and turning out quality writing.

Caroline: Again, so true. Share a fun fact about yourself.

Hebby: I'm definitely a warm-weather and beach girl. Both of my releases this summer take place in tropical locales with beaches nearby. TEMPT FORTUNE is set in Key West, Florida and CATALINA AND THE WINTER TEXAN is set on South Padre Island, Texas.

Caroline: Oooh, I’m so not a warm-weather person, which is odd for someone who lives in Texas. Share something about yourself that would shock readers.

Hebby: In the wake of Fifty Shades of Gray, you want moi to shock readers? Really? Okay, how about, my hubby of 28 years is my third. This one took!

Caroline: LOL Tell us about TEMPT FORTUNE.

Hebby: TEMPT FORTUNE is a stand-alone book. It has two main love stories and is the longest book I've ever written, topping 105,000 words. See, I do think about words, just not when I'm setting goals.

Caroline: That length is unusual in today’s fast-fix world but I know your writing is excellent and will doubtless keep readers intrigued and turning the page. Can you share a blurb?

Hebby: (this only talks about one of the love stories—the other love story is involved)

To escape an arranged marriage, Angelina Herrera flees to Key West to start a new life. But when her past catches up with her, she agrees to an arranged marriage in name only. Drawn to the independent Angelina, Alejandro Estava marries her. Outwardly he agrees to a platonic relationship because of his secret past. But forces more powerful than the hurricane descending on them unleashes their mutual passion and threatens their happiness.

Caroline: That captured my interest. How about giving readers an excerpt?

Hebby: Of course.

The magistrate cleared his throat loudly and intoned the opening words of the ceremony. Angelina strained to listen, but the words didn't quite register.

            She felt strange, as if she were standing outside her body and looking on. She'd acquiesced to their marriage because it was better than returning to Cuba and facing what her father had planned. Alejandro had promised she could live her life as she saw fit.

            But somehow, all his reassurances rang hollow. She was more than aware of their attraction to each other. How could they possibly withstand temptation, living together as man and wife?  And if they succumbed to temptation, there would be no easy annulment.

            The magistrate met her gaze and frowned. Impatience colored the tone of his voice when he repeated, "Will you, Angelina Herrera, take this man for your lawfully wedded husband? For richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor and obey?"

            The word "obey" stuck in her mind.

            What had she gotten herself into?

Caroline: You hooked me. Share the buy links:

Hebby:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00ZYX4B30

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tempt-fortune-hebby-roman/1012824647?ean=2940151138758

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/tempt-fortune

All About Romance https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

The Wild Rose Press

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1135

Hebby Roman, Author

Caroline: How about sharing your author contacts?

Hebby: Happy to share those.

Website: http://www.hebbyroman.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHebbyRoman

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/callofmuse/

Caroline: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?

Hebby: Yes, please check out my Pinterest Boards. I've got some seriously cool pictures up there and lots of history, too.

Caroline: Thank you, Hebby, for sharing with us today Best wishes for continued success in your writing career.

YIPPEE! AN AUSSIE INVASION!

What a wonderful and hectic weekend this has been. My online friend Susan Horsnell and her husband Robert arrived Thursday from Australia. In addition to their other trip goals, Susan hoped to meet several western historical authors and see Texas firsthand. To help welcome them, Hero and I hosted a little get together Sunday. Several authors and their spouses came to meet Susan in person after knowing her online for several years.

Susan Horsnell (in white) shows Hebby Roman
and Kirsten Osbourne something on her laptop

In addition to moi, writers included Susan Horsnell, Kirsten Osbourne, Carra Copelin, Lyn Horner, Brenda Chitwood, and Hebby Roman. In addition to Hero, husbands included Robert, Keith, Jerry, Ken, and Luis.

Carra Copelin's hubby Jerry and Robert Horsnell at table. Kirsten Osbourne's husband Keith in dark red shirt in the corner is talking to Luis Roman (behind Jerry).

You can image my excitement.  Hero and I used to give huge dinner parties, but we have so-o-o lost the knack. Panic! Darling Daughter 2 came to help out. Eventually we realized these are friends who are not going to be super critical as long as there’s enough to eat and lots of laughter. 

You can’t get a group of writers together and not have talking and laughing. Not possible. You may have heard the din from where you are.

Carra Copelin and Lyn Horner with me
standing behind Lyn

You may wonder why Susan writes Texas-set historical romances when she lives in Australia. Why not? Many Americans write English Regencies or English-set mysteries. Besides, those of us who love the Old West can’t help ourselves. Another besides, Susan also writes books set in Australia. We simply have to tell our stories. 

Hero and Luis Roman

There are a lot of similarities between the Australian frontier and the Old West of the United States. Perhaps that’s why writing stories set in Texas came natural to Susan. (She also writes erotica as Lacey Roberts and those are set anywhere.)

Darling Daughter 2 and Hero

Susan is a retired nurse and, as such, has worked in a variety of interesting jobs. She’s very knowledgeable and adept at discussing medicine. Robert is a retired Commodore from the Royal Australian Navy, which means he’s only one step from an Admiral. Sounds impressive, but he’s a very down-to-earth guy who’s a good conversationalist.  

Carra Copelin, Lyn Horner, and Brenda Chitwood

In addition to her writing, Susan hosts the free website and blog, Easychair Book Shop at http://easychairbookshop.com Susan demonstrates her nurturing ability by promoting other authors work on her site. Stop by and check out the site if you haven’t already done so.

Hmmm. Masked bandit is wearing the same shirt as Brenda. 

During their visit, we had great plans for touring Fort Worth, but snow and ice played havoc with those plans. Sadly, Susan and Robert are leaving Tuesday to head for Houston, San Antonio and New Orleans. They’ll return here the 16^th for several nights before boarding their plane to return home.

Susan forefront in white. Behind her, left to right, Lyn Horner in green, Carra Copelin in flowered top, Brenda Chitwood, Hebby Roman in black and burgundy, Kirsten Osbourne in turquoise print, and (sadly) me, in a flowing tunic that makes me look the size of a house. So much for wearing a knit tunic to be comfortable!

Hero and I count ourselves very fortunate to have Susan and Robert visit. Wish you could have been here too! Next time we’ll save a bowl of chili and some cornbread for you.