You see, there were cowboys.
And this teacher, even though she'd not ridden a horse since she was a kid, made the commitment for a four-hour trail ride into the Colorado mountains--two hours up and two hours back. All was well heading up the mountainside, the scenery was great, the horse was a dream, the cowboys were... well, cowboys.
Coming down the mountain, however, was a different story. The teacher had a difficult time handling her horse on the downward slopes, crossing a little stream, and keeping up with the other horses. She mixed up her signals to her mount. When she thought she was telling the horse to slow down, she was really telling the horse to back up. Consequently, they lost their space in the horse line. So, the horse galloped. And the teacher held on for dear life. And when the teacher was finally finished with this nightmare, she could only think of one thing--
At least there were cowboys.
Now, this story does have a happily-ever-after ending. You see, the teacher turned her adventure into a book. The opening scene--probably elaborated upon a bit--mimicked the teacher's chaotic ride down the mountain. She sold that book--her first published novel--and then the teacher wasn't a teacher any longer. She was a romance author who wrote about cowboys (and other things).
True story. I swear. I have the book covers to prove it! The original book is on the left, the revised/rebranded and re-authored book, is on the right!
Now, twenty-some years later, the sequel to this first cowboy book, is finally written.
Readers have been asking for Mack and Jillie's story for years. Years! But other stories and different cowboys got in the way. Until now.
The Cowboy's Secret Baby releases August 25, and I (Maddie James / the teacher) am ready to share it with the world! Here's the blurb:
Readers wanted to know...
What happened to Jillie and Mack’s relationship at the end of Roses & Rawhide?
Why did Jillie go back to Kentucky?
Will they get back together?
What’s their story?
While Kim Martin and Thad Winchester find their happily-ever-after in Roses & Rawhide, their best friends, Jillie Abernathy and Mack Montgomery, end their sleeping-bag-sharing relationship during the rugged, two-week pack trip into the Colorado San Juan mountains.
But when Kim and Thad host their wedding at Thad’s Colorado ranch a few months later, Mack and Jillie must come face-to-face with reality—and with each other. She’s the maid of honor. He’s the best man. Both are harboring secrets—secrets that could break a potential future relationship if they both avoid telling the truth.
Can they reveal those secrets to each other? And if so, can they get past the withheld truths to plan a future together?
I love the story of the story! Looking forward to the sequel.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I can't wait for this new book to show up on my Kindle!
ReplyDeleteAaahh! Cowboys!! Yeah, nothing better! I do love me a good cowboy romance!
ReplyDeleteI remember The Wild West! And thanks for encouraging me to submit a book too! The rest, as they say, is history.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post and your first book's backstory, Maddie! I've been on many a trail ride - Yes, I too love cowboys! - and a harrowing ride down a mountain is a great tale to launch a career. Gotta say...I thought you were going to tell us you were rescued by a hunky cowboy. *sigh* Oh well, guess I'll just have to read the book. *wink* Love your new cover and title BTW! 😁
ReplyDeleteSounds like an exciting read and I'll be sure to put it on my "to grab" list. I haven't been horseback riding in years. At least you stayed on your horse. Fun story you shared.
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny story. Loved mixing up the signals and going backwards. I can understand why your book sold. Great share! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've had too many embarassing moments to pinpoint just one. Your new cover rocks! The sequel is a must read!
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies! It was a fun (scary) time! And Kathy, I may not have been rescued by a cowboy (I think he yelled at me!). But my character definitely was!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! And you had to ask for our most embarrassing moment! I have too many. I think my most embarrassing was when my microphone didn't work during my solo in our school talent show, and I had to keep singing....gosh, that crushed me.
ReplyDeleteembarrassing moment, when I was a Jr High school I started my monthly and it stained my pants. A friend let me use her sweater to cover up.
ReplyDeleteOh, my nightmare! What we women have to deal with....
Deleteforgot email; r (dot) d (at) myfairpoint (dot) net
ReplyDeleter.d@myfairpoint.net
Did someone say COWBOYS?
ReplyDeleteToo many embarrassing moments.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Yes. COWBOYS! Dontcha just love 'em?
DeleteBelly flops.. haha
ReplyDeletehowdy, perfect reads for the weekend.
pores(at)live(dot)com
Tee hee. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWhat a great story, Maddie! As for embarrassing moments - so many! Let's see, swimming at a local lake with my now-husband then-boyfriend, who was on shore and I stood up in the water a little above my waist. He was waving and waving and I thought how sweet, he misses me after I've only been swimming for a little while. He kept waving. I kept waving. Finally looked down to discover the top of my bathing suit had come untied and I was flashing everyone.
ReplyDeleteHa! That happened to my mother once while skiing!
DeleteOne time my slip fell while I was walking.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at hotmail dot com
Oh, I understand! I wonder if girls today know what that felt like? Do they even wear slips any more?
Deletecan't think of any
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com