When did you first have the thought you'd like to write a book?
Does high school count? I wrote and illustrated a children’s book that took first place in a local contest. I wrote my first novel during my sophomore year in college and, yes, it was a romance. Also terrible. And more like a novella. It was based on one of my professors. It’s true, I had a crush on him. I wish I still had a copy of the book, would be great for a laugh. But I lost it somewhere along the way. I didn’t take up serious writing until much later, when my children were six or seven (I have twins) and in school.
What was your path to getting The Cowboy’s Perfect Match written and published?
I’m a hybrid author and traditionally published with Harlequin (over 35 books for them-48 published books total). The Cowboy’s Perfect Match is book two in a four-book series for Harlequin Heartwarming.
What type of research did you do?
My heroine Bridget is head chef at Sweetheart Ranch, the setting for the book. She’s professionally trained. I’m not 😊 so I had to do a lot of research about cooking elegant dishes for the book as a honeymoon breakfast and “glam” campfire cookouts are one of Sweetheart Ranch’s popular amenities. I did research for the hero Ryan, he flips houses on the side, but only some. In my former, pre-full-time-writer life, I was co-owner of a commercial construction company for over twenty years.
Bridget and Ryan are at different places in their lives, she’s ready to settle down and he’s not there yet. I know many people who’ve been in this situation before with their special person, including myself. It’s tough to navigate. You love the person and don’t want to give up on the relationship, but finding that balance is really hard.
I came up with the idea for Sweetheart Ranch a few years ago when I was researching wedding venues for myself. Yes, I’m kind of a newlywed, almost two-and-a-half-years. I found a Victorian house in a nearby town that my husband and I briefly considered. Though we ultimately picked somewhere else to tie the knot, I loved the house and couldn’t stop imagining it for a book. Of course, since I write mostly western, I had to turn it into a western-theme wedding ranch and B&B.
Ryan is completely a figment of my imagination. Unless, maybe..okay, he does loosely resemble that one good looking guy who hosts a home improvement show on the HGTV channel. But Bridget is a different version of myself back when I was newly dating some years ago before meeting my current husband. Like Bridget, I had a list of dating non-negotiables, although hers is considerably longer. I was searching for my perfect match, and she is, too. And just like Bridget, I eventually threw away the list to follow my heart!
Thankfully, I didn’t. I loved writing this book, maybe because it was so personal, and I really related to Bridget. I completely understood her conflict of being ready to commit and the guy resisting.
What have been surprises you've encountered while writing the book and after?
I think the biggest surprise is how advance readers (the book isn’t out until May 1st) have responded to Bridget’s conflict. They identify with her feeling pressured from her ticking biological clock. She feels left behind because all her friends and family members are getting married, and she has no one. She's beginning to doubt her decision to focus on her career first and put marriage and a family second. The advance readers have come back with comments about how real Bridget’s problems feel and that they can identify with her. It’s been nice to hear.
I learned a lot more about cooking than I counted on! In real life, I’m pretty inept in the kitchen, and I probably eat way too much prepared foods. But I love fine cuisine and enjoyed learning how it’s prepared. And, yes, I had to spend countless hours researching weddings and receptions and especially cakes. Luckily, I’ve spent most of my life around horses and am very familiar with the western lifestyle, ranches, and rodeos. Same goes for construction. I’m not sure I learned anything new about myself during the writing process, but I did incorporate a lot of what I’ve learned in the past about relationships into the book. Basically, the value of compromise and re-evaluating one’s priorities. I think those are necessary exercises we periodically have to go through as we work on our relationships.
I currently love my writing space. I have an office at home with a lovely window, a comfortable reading chair in the corner for editing, and a new desk I bought last year that’s exactly what I wanted. With my kids grown and out of the house and my husband gone during the work week, I have plenty of quiet time. Until next month! Then, my life is going to be turned upside down, and I’m not sure what will happen. My husband decided to retire early after a long career with TSA. What will I do with him constantly under foot? I have no idea. I’m one of those writers who needs solitude and quiet to write. I’m truly worried.
One of my all time favorite books is Water for Elephants. I couldn’t put it down. Twentieth century historicals have become a favorite of mine in recent years, and, as an animal lover, this book had everything for me, including great characters. The first romances I read were historicals, and I loved Rosemary Rodgers (yes, dating myself). But after reading Sandra Brown’s book French Silk, my tastes changed to contemporary. These days, I love most of Jodi Picoult's books, and Susan Wilson’s dog books are fast becoming my favorites.
My favorite hero and heroine of the books I’ve written? Hands down, that would be Maddie and Scott from The Gate to Eden. Of course, that’s my all-time favorite book I’ve written (it was recently released as an audio book). My favorite hero and heroine of someone else’s book? Gotta be Beck Merchant and Sayre Lynch of Sandra Brown’s book White Hot. Only romance book I’ve read twice.
What are you working on now?
Book four in The Sweetheart Ranch Series (book three, The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby, will be released November 1st). I’m really enjoying this book because the hero is dealing with a chronic and debilitating heath condition that, while not life-threatening, has forced him to quit rodeoing and change every aspect of his life. My single-mom heroine manages the new wedding boutique at Sweetheart Ranch and not that long ago freed herself from an abusive relationship. Lots of drama and emotion in this one!
What aspect of writing gives you the most trouble?
Like many authors, it’s finding enough time for writing. These days, we authors need to spend hours every week on promotion and marketing, much more than when I started twenty years ago. It really digs into my writing time. And, because promotion and marketing aren’t my strong suit, I always feel like I’m forcing myself to “do the work.”
Yes, I would like to try a different genre. I’ve started a straight fiction book, but I don’t know if it’ll ever go anywhere. Mostly, I’m practicing to see if I have the “writing chops” to succeed at something vastly different than romance.
I’d own and/or manage an animal rescue. It’d be hard work, for sure, but very rewarding. I love animals and want to see all of them find a good home like my three did (yes, all rescues). One of these days, when I have more time, I’d like to volunteer at a shelter. Or, maybe own and manage a cat coffee shop. I read an article about that, and it sounded really cool! Cat book store? Yes, you can see where this is going 😊
But he’s perfect for her!
Ryan DeMere is definitely enjoying the perks of being Sweetheart Ranch’s new wrangler—the best is working with head chef Bridget O’Malley. He’s fallen head over spurs for the talented and determined beauty. There’s just one hiccup. Bridget is holding out for Mr. Right—and Ryan doesn’t quite meet her requirements. But he’s determined to win Bridget over, because Ryan may not be perfect…but maybe their love could be.
As a sophomore in high school, NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid won a local writing competition with her self-illustrated children’s book. Who knew that small triumph would eventually lead to a career writing award-winning contemporary romances with over 1.3 million books sold, most of her 47 titles with Harlequin. Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world four years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking men who bust a bronc, fight fires or serve and protect, all while sweeping the girl off her feet. It’s a tough job but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
