C.J. Carmichael's Blog, page 6

Harts of the Rodeo: Series Wraps Up with Tuf’s Story

It’s been an exciting 6 months of stories from the Harts of the Rodeo series published by Harlequin American. If you’ve been following the series, you must be wondering what in the world has been keeping Tomas (Tuf) Hart from returning home after his service in the Marines? You’ll find out in Linda Warren’s wonderful book: Tomas: Cowboy Homecoming. I asked Linda to interview her hero and heroine to give us an introduction to these two fascinating characters. Check it out here, and if you leave a comment, you’ll be entered to win all 5 previous Harts of the Rodeo books!

What’s your biggest regret?

Cheyenne: Not dating Tuf in high school.

Tuf: I asked, but she wouldn’t go out with me.

Cheyenne: Sorry, honey.

Tuf: I regret not hanging in until she said yes.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Tuf: Surviving Afghanistan

Cheyenne: Surviving my husband’s suicide.

Tuf: That’s too depressing. Our greatest accomplishment is despite all that we fell in love…with each other.

Cheyenne: Aw…that’s so romantic.

What is your most treasured possession?

Cheyenne: My engagement ring Tuf had made for me.

Tuf: Cheyenne and the twins.

Cheyenne: Tuf, we’re not possessions.

Tuf: You’re the most valuable thing in my life.

Cheyenne: Aw…(leaning in for a kiss) wait, we have more questions to answer.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Cheyenne: My freckles.

Tuf: No way. I love those freckles.

Cheyenne: So, honey, what would you change about yourself?

Tuf: My hard head.

Cheyenne: Yep, we have a winner.

What do you fear?

Cheyenne: Losing Tuf.

Tuf: That the flashback nightmares will come back.

What do you love about the rodeo?

Tuf: The eight-second buzzer.

Cheyenne: Yeah. His whole life is defined by eight seconds.

Tuf: Wait. That doesn’t sound right. Just my professional life is defined by eight seconds.

Cheyenne: Men. (smile)

What do you dream about?

Cheyenne: Loving Tuf for the rest of my life, and maybe having another child.

Tuf: Whoa, interview over. We have to talk about this.

Cheyenne: Oh, honey. It’ll only take eight seconds.

 

Thanks Linda! I think we’re primed to read Tomas: Rodeo Cowboy now! If you leave a comment, you’ll be entered to win all five previous books in this series: Aidan: Loyal Cowboy by Cathy McDavid, Colton: Rodeo Cowboy by C.J. Carmichael (yours truly!),  Duke: Deputy Cowboy by Roz Denny Fox, Austin: Second Chance Cowboy by Shelley Galloway and Beau: Cowboy Protector by Marin Thomas. Winner announced on Thursday, Dec 20.

Original article: Harts of the Rodeo: Series Wraps Up with Tuf’s Story

©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.

November Contest Winner

I’m happy to announce that Rita from Newman California was this month’s contest winner.

Congratulations to Rita who knew that the envelope Dougal Lachlan has resisted opening contains a wedding invitation. Rita wins a $20 gift certificate from Amazon. A new contest is being posted soon for December. Make sure to enter for your chance to win The Gift (an e-book Christmas tale).

Cheers!

CJ

Original article: November Contest Winner

©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.

The Gift: My Newly Packaged Holiday Story

A child in need on Christmas Eve. A kindergarten teacher on the cusp of breaking up with her deputy boyfriend. A man torn between love and duty. These are the elements in my short novella, The Gift.

I published this story last December as part of the Bandit Creek project and have had much positive feedback. This year I decided to give the cover a face-lift to reflect the holiday spirit of the story. Thanks to April Martinez for her talent and patience in coming up with this:

To celebrate, I’ll be giving away a free copy of this ebook (kindle or kobo, your pick).

Just leave your e-mail in my comments or sent it to me at cj@cjcarmichael.com and you’ll be entered!

And, speaking of Christmas, how’s your shopping going? (Hint: an e-book makes a nice, easy gift.)

Cheers!

CJ

Original article: The Gift: My Newly Packaged Holiday Story

©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.

The 5th Hart Book is here: Beau Cowboy Protector

The Hart series continues this month with Marin Thomas’s heartwarming story Beau: Cowboy Protector. This is the second to last book of the series and one you will not want to miss. Beau and Sierra are pretty special characters. Read further as Marin poses some pretty interesting questions…

What is your greatest accomplishment?

 Beau: Convincing Sierra Byrne that I’m a stand-by-your-woman man no matter what life throws at her or what challenges she’ll face in the future. 

 Sierra: Having enough faith and courage in myself to reach for my own happy-ever-after with Beau.

 What do you most enjoy about rodeo?

 Beau:  Winning the buckle.

 Sierra:  Giving Beau his good luck before he competes and if he wins…being on the receiving end when Beau claims his victory kiss.

 If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

 Beau: I’d wait for people to ask for my help rather than jump in and attempt to solve everyone’s problems.

 Sierra: To have more confidence in my ability to overcome the roadblocks my worsening eyesight throws in my way.

 What makes you angry or upset?

 Beau: When my brother doesn’t realize all I’ve sacrificed in order for him to take the spotlight in bull riding the past few years.

Sierra: Feeling as if I have no control over my destiny.

 What is your most treasured possession?

 Beau: My leather tools for making saddles. 

 Sierra:  An engraved ladle my mother gave me when I graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Chicago.

 What do you dream of?

 Beau:  Winning a National Finals Rodeo title in bull riding, then retiring and settling down with Sierra.

 Sierra:  Marrying Beau and having his children.

 What are you most afraid of?

 Beau: Going through life without Sierra.

 Sierra: Losing my sight before I’m able to do all the things on my bucket list.

 What is your favorite book?

 Beau: Stohlman Encyclopedia of Saddle Making.

 Sierra: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

 If you could change one thing about your family what would it be?

 Beau: That my mother didn’t die in a car wreck when me and my brother were two- year olds.

 Sierra: That I not be an only child and that my parents had survived their plane crash five years ago.

  On what occasion do you lie?

 Beau: To spare someone’s feelings.

 Sierra: To protect my privacy.

 What’s your favorite food?

 Beau: Anything Sierra cooks.

Sierra: My mother’s homemade macaroni and cheese. 

Want to read some more about the Harts? Check out the spotlights and giveaways here!

 

Original article: The 5th Hart Book is here: Beau Cowboy Protector

©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.

Surprise Contest! Chance to win A Buried Tale (kindle or kobo)

It’s interesting to compare the experience of publishing a book the traditional way, versus self-publishing. The time lag in traditional publishing is long. It takes at least a year after finishing the book to see it in bookstores, and then, hopefully hearing from readers. Then there’s self-publishing. We put A Buried Tale on Kindle on Oct 31. And now, a week later, (yes, a week, not a year) I am hearing from readers who say they love the story and are blown away by the ending! I’d like to continue spreading the word about this book, so I’m giving away 2 e-books this week. Just send me an e-mail and you’ll be included in the draw.

You can go to the “contact” tab on my website. Or just paste cj@cjcarmichael.com into your e-mail.

Good luck!

Original article: Surprise Contest! Chance to win A Buried Tale (kindle or kobo)

©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.

Contest Winner!

Just a quick note to let you know that Joan from Tampa Bay won my last contest…and she knew that the bar in my new mystery, A Buried Tale, is called The Linger Longer. There’s a new contest posted on my website now. Why don’t you take a few minutes and enter? Good luck!

Original article: Contest Winner!

©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.

A new Harts Of The Rodeo book plus Surprise Contest

Another month, another exciting read from the Harts Of The Rodeo series! I hope you haven’t missed any of the books so far. You can find the complete list here. This month is all about Austin: Second-Chance Cowboy by Shelley Galloway. Earlier, Shelley shared an interview with her main characters so we could get to know them a little better. I think you’ll agree, these two are in for one heck of an adventure when they start falling in love!

Interviewer:  What is your greatest accomplishment?

Austin: Being a different man than my father.

Dinah:  Becoming Roundup’s sheriff.

 Interviewer: What trait is most important in a friend?

Austin:  Humor

Dinah: (looking a little uneasy) Trust and Patience, I suppose. I haven’t had too much time for friends lately.

Austin: Which is why, Dinah, everyone around you needs a sense of humor.

Dinah: Next question, please?

 Interviewer: What do you most enjoy about your job?

Austin: Owning my own business means I’m the boss of me. I like that.

Dinah:  Helping others, especially the kids in town.

Interviewer:  Who do you most admire and why?

Austin: My sister, Cheyenne. She’s raising her girls on her own-and they’re wonderful girls.

Dinah:  My mother.

Interviewer:  Name your biggest regret.

 Austin: Damn, these questions are getting pretty personal. (swallows) All right, here goes. My biggest regret is that I drink too much. I’m working on this though.

Dinah:  That my father didn’t see me become the sheriff. He would’ve really liked that.

 Interviewer: What makes you angry or upset?

Austin: When people think I’m just like my dad.

Dinah: When people underestimate me.

Interviewer:  What trait would you like to change about yourself?

Austin:  I hold grudges and keep everything inside. Shoot-is that two traits?

Dinah: Austin, I’m surprised you didn’t have a whole laundry list.

Austin: Just answer the question, D.

Dinah: All right, the trait I would most like to change is my insecurity. I kind of have a hard time seeing myself as a woman and a sheriff.

Austin: I don’t have any problem seeing you like that.

Dinah: Shut up, Austin.

Interviewer:  What is your most treasured possession?

Austin:  Can’t say that I have one. Yet.

Dinah:  One of my father’s old flannel shirts. If you close your eyes and hug it tight, it smells just like him.

Interviewer:  What makes you happy?

Austin: Coloring with my nieces.

Dinah: My mother’s home cooking.

Interviewer:  Of what are you most afraid?

Austin: Of losing everything I’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Dinah: Of being alone for the rest of my life.

Interviewer:  If they made a movie of your life, what genre would it be?

Austin: Oh, heck…it would have to be just about everything…and just to let you know…my life ain’t even close to being over.

Dinah:  I think my movie would be an action-adventure. Being a sheriff gives me some pretty eventful days, you know…

 

CJ: Thanks for that Shelley! I can’t wait to read Austin: Second-Chance Cowboy!

Book Four in the Harts of the Rodeo Series from Harlequin American

For the chance to win an e-book copy of book 2 in the series, Colton: Rodeo Cowboy, please reply to the post with your e-mail address in case you win. I’ll pick a random winner a week from now! Until then, keep reading fun, heartwarming stories!

 

 

Original article: A new Harts Of The Rodeo book plus Surprise Contest

©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.

The Word On The Street is that…

people in Lethbridge, Alberta love books! I was just at their second Word On The Street Festival this Sunday. Here I am with author Murray Pura at the panel on writing romance.

 We spoke about the special demands of writing romance, and what ingredients make for a compelling love story.

Murray has written many things, but he spoke about the special challenges and joys of writing Amish Romance, which apparently is very popular these days.

 

 

  Later I went to sign books and found the cutest signs had been made for the event…

The weather in Lethbridge was perfect. There was music, roaming performers, food, drink and best of all…lots of talk about books and reading.

 

 

 

 

I ran into talented YA author Janet Gurtler at the event. She’d done a reading from her RITA nominated book: I’m Not Her.

Word On The Street is that this is a really cool event and I was proud to be a part of it!

Original article: The Word On The Street is that…

©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.

Say Hi to Duke and Angie

What’s so great about September? It’s time for a new Harts of the Rodeo Book! Duke: Deputy Cowboy by Roz Denny Fox is the third in the series and one you do not want to miss!

Third book in the Harts of the Rodeo series

To give you a taste of what to expect, here is an interview of the main characters:

Questions and Answers from Duke and Angie

1.    What is your greatest accomplishment?

Duke: Working up the nerve to ask Angie for a date.

Angie: Deciding to leave Texas when I was pregnant and almost broke.

 

2.    What trait is most important in a friend?

Duke: Loyalty

Angie: Trust

 

3.    What do you most enjoy about your job?

Duke: Being a deputy is never boring, and it’s not all working at a desk.

Angie: I like making horse treats that are nutritious, but that horses love.

Part time at the school—I like the people I work with, and the kids.

 

4.    Who do you most admire and why?

Duke: My cousin Ace, because he’s smart, easy-going, and accepts me as I am.

Angie: Sarah Hart, because she’s a strong woman and has held her family        together through hard times and with a deep faith.

 

5.    Name your biggest regret.

Duke: Probably that I never knew my mother.

Angie: That work sometimes has to come before spending time with my son.

 

6.    What makes you angry or upset?

Duke: When my twin brother, Beau, nags at me to ride better in rodeos.

Angie: I get angry when people mistreat animals, or dump them like trash.

 

7.    What trait would you like to change about yourself?

Duke: I worry too much about the family.  I don’t like squabbles.

Angie: Oh my…a too short nose, a too wide mouth, a tendency to eat too much.

 

8.     What is your most treasured possession?

Duke: I’d have to say my dog, Zorro.

Angie: A silver cross on a thin chain that belonged to my grandmother.

 

9.    What makes you happy?

Duke: Watching the sun rise on a clear day.

Angie: Seeing my son laugh.

 

 

10.  Of what are you most afraid?

Duke:  A concern that something bad may happen to someone in my family;

my younger cousin, Tuf Hart, is in the military, you know.

Angie:  I worry most about my son’s safety.  I know you have to give a child

space, but it’s hard not to be over-protective.

 

11.    If they made a movie of your life, what genre would it be?

Drama, tragedy, comedy, adventure, romance, or a combination thereof.

Duke:  You didn’t mention Western.  I grew up loving every John Wayne

spaghetti-western, which is why I’m nicknamed, Duke.

Angie:  If I go way back I’d have to say part drama, part adventure, with a

hope for romance.  (The last she says with a shy glance at Duke)

 

 

Original article: Say Hi to Duke and Angie

©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.

Say Hi to Colton and Leah…

I’m so excited to announce that my contribution to the Harts of the Rodeo series is now available! To celebrate the launch of Colton: Rodeo Cowboy I decided to interview Leah and Colt so you could get a feel for these two awesome romantic leads. Here they are:

What is your greatest accomplishment?  

Colt: Hell, there’ve been quite a few. Maybe qualifying for the world championships four years running. Then there was the year I took five all-arounds in just two months. No, wait, my greatest accomplishment has to be  winning my Dodge Truck this spring at the National Circuit Finals. Have you seen my truck? It’s a real beauty.

Leah: My greatest accomplishment is helping Colt stuff his head inside his cowboy hat every morning.

What do you most enjoy about rodeo?

 Colt: Is there anything not to enjoy about rodeo?

Leah: What about rain, Colt?

Colt: You’re right, honey. Rain really sucks. You’re not too fond of it either, are you?

 Leah: Especially not flash floods. (She shudders)

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

 Colt: Pained silence.

Leah: I’d regret my first marriage, but if I hadn’t married Jackson then I wouldn’t have my incredible kids Jill and Davey.

Colt: I regret not stepping up to my responsibilities right from the get-go. There are lost years that I will never get back.

What is your most treasured possession?

 Colt: If we’re talking things and not people, I’d have to say my truck.

 Leah: I’m pretty fond of Colt’s truck, too. Just kidding! Jill and Davey’s baby pictures beat out that hunk of metal any day.

  What do you dream of?

 Colt: Building Leah a house where we can raise our children and grow old together.

Leah: Growing old with Colt. Being with him every day, if possible.

If you could change one thing about your family what would it be?

 Colt: It would sure be nice if my older brother Ace could become my younger brother. I’d like to try ordering him around for a decade or two.

Leah: I wish my Mom and I had talked more, about the things in life that really matter. On the other hand, I probably wasn’t ready to listen to her until I’d grown up and had children of my own.

What was the most serendipitous moment of your life?

 Colt: When I walked into the Open Range Saloon this spring and saw the love of my life sitting right there on the bar stool.

 Leah: Yes. That was a good moment, all right.

(They Kiss…)

 

 

Original article: Say Hi to Colton and Leah…

©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.