COWBOY OF HER OWN (CRINOLINE COWBOYS) - Patty Smith Hall - One Free Book

Welcome, Patty. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

That’s a great question! First, I write characters whose faith is as important to them as it is to me. It’s organic in their daily lives, and it’s what they rely on during difficult times. But it doesn’t make them perfect! I also have been known to use family names for some of my characters.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Quirky, huh? I don’t know if it’s quirky or not but I’m a firm believer in research, and not just reading but DOING it. In my first book, Hearts in Flight, I crawled into a P-49 Spitfire and learned how to take off and land a plane. I’ve also panned for gold and walked in the steps of Girl Scouts who served as spies in WWI London. I’m really into research!

I love reading books by authors who really make the story authentic to the times. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I guess it was as a child. I wrote poetry which was fun and creative, and something I truly loved. I showed a sixth-grade teacher my poems, and a few years later, I received a contract in the mail—my teacher had comprised a book of poetry from her students that was being published. So, I guess you can say I had my first publishing credit when I was a kid.

Cool. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love a little bit of everything. I mainly read historicals because I’ve had a lifelong fascination with history. Growing up, I read the entire history section of our library. I also love devotionals and non-fiction, Bible-based books.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

 I start each day with a Bible study and a prayer time. It keeps me grounded in the Word. 

How do you choose your characters’ names?

As I mentioned before, I use family names quite a bit in my novels and novellas, and believe it or not, they love it! My cousins are always asking me when I plan to use their names.

I’ve used family names sometimes. Once when I went to a local Chinese buffet, the owner and I were talking about things. When he found out I write books, he asked me to use his name in a book. I actually used the name in two books, because that character was in book 2 and book 3 of a series. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My family. My husband, Danny and I have been married for almost 37 years. We have two beautiful, intelligent daughters, a son-in-law we consider our own. And of course, our grandson who happens to be the smartest, handsomest three-year-old on the planet!

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A Yorkie—I'm completely devoted to those I love, but if you make me mad, I wouldn’t think twice about voicing my opinion.

What is your favorite food?

My mom’s German Chocolate Cake. It’s the absolute best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.

I love German Chocolate Cake. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? 

My greatest roadblock is getting started! Those first full chapters are like pulling teeth, but I push through. By the third or fourth chapter, I’m flying along.

Tell us about the featured book.

Crinoline Cowboys came about when one of my former editors kept asking me to write a western romance. I never saw myself writing that—most of my books are set in the South—until I took a class on Western history and learned about how Southerners fled to Texas after the Civil War. It was around that time I found the book, How to be a Kick A** Cowgirl and all the pieces fell into place. Long story short, Crinoline Cowboys is about four Southern belles who make their way to Crinoline Creek, Texas. Cowboy of Her Own is about a Southern belle/bookworm who soon learns that real life ranching is different from what she’s read in books.  

Please give us the first page of the book.

Carter Wilbanks grabbed his younger sister and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of corn meal. An eleven-year-old girl spitting with the cowhands and beating them if their long faces were anything to go by. Goodness Gracious, Ma would be spinning in her grave if she could see the mess he’d made with Cassie.

“Carter!” The girl squirmed as he turned toward the ranch horse. “Why’d you take me away like that?  I wasn’t doin’ nothin’ wrong!”

The fact she didn’t see the harm in what she was just another example of how he’d failed her. He should have taken more time with the girl. But he’d been too busy getting the ranch on solid footing, growing the dream his parents had shared with him when they left Kentucky ten years ago. Still, that was no reason to neglect his duties as a brother.

“I bet I could outspit you!”

“Probably,” Carter answered, walking across the yard to the house. “From what I can tell, you’ve had a lot of practice at that disgusting habit.”

“The boys do it. Big John says I’m the best he’s ever seen.” Excitement crept into her voice. “Said I might be the best in all of Crinoline Creek.”

He’d have to have a word with his cook when he got back to the house. The man knew how much the girl looked up to him. Carter shifted her weight on his shoulder. “Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should.

       

 “Are you mad at me?” Cassie’s girlish whisper curled its way around his heart.

“No,” he answered softly.  It wasn’t her fault she’d grown up wild and untethered as an unbroken mustang. No, he laid the blame solely at his feet. It’d been easier to outfit her in dungarees and cowboy boots than the frills and laces girls seemed to enjoy. What did he know about raising a child?

Nothing, but it was time he took responsibility and helped his sister become the lady their parents would have wanted.  “I don’t want to see you spitting with the hands again. Is that clear?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can find me at my webpage, www.pattysmithhall.com. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I’d love to hear from your readers!

Thank you, Patty. Your book sounds wonderful. I’m eager t read it.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Crinoline Cowboys  - Christianbook.com
Crinoline Cowboys: 4 Southern Women Head West to Crinoline Creek, Texas - Amazon Paperback
Crinoline Cowboys: 4 Southern Women Head West to Crinoline Creek, Texas - Kindle

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