Rose Ross Zediker – Character Interview – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Rose Ross Zediker shares insight into her characters’ romance from her latest historical romance, Sweet on the Cowgirl. Comment on this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: August 16th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Rose:

1. What is the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
My name is Guy Roberts and I aspire to run our family soda pop company so I’m seeking a society lady for wife. The problem is most society women I know take a deep and vain interest in themselves. Who knew I’d find the perfect mix of sophistication and down to earth in the daughter of a Wild West Show promoter. Laura Barnes is beautiful and gracious and will help smooth out my rough edges.
Laura Barnes here. When I’ve dreamt about the man of my dreams, it’s always a cowboy. That could be because I’m only around cowboys at my father’s Wild West Show and I don’t know any gentleman very well because my father has strict dating rules. So I guess my requirement would be someone who loves horses as much as I do.
2. Guy, how soon after meeting Laura did you know she was the one?
Almost immediately. I came to the Wild West Show hoping to sign their trick rider, Pete Barnes A.K.A. Buckskin Jones, to an endorsement contract with Papa Fizzy’s Cream Soda. My fright of horses had overcome me when Laura stumbled upon me in a pasture. Her gentle concern for a stranger touched my heart.
3. How soon after meeting Guy did you know he was the one Laura?
Because my father has strict dating rules so I don’t tarnish my reputation, it took me a few days to realize the light shining in Guy’s cobalt blue eyes was appreciation directed at me. I never realized a stranger could be endeared to my heart so quickly. My heart became his when he treated me with the utmost respect like I was a society lady and not a country girl.
4. What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
Guy: Ahem…I hate to admit this. I’m afraid of horses so I’d never take to a life in country or the gypsy lifestyle of the performers in Jack Barnes Wild West Extravaganza. It does my heart good to see Jack didn’t inflict this lifestyle upon his daughter, Laura. Judging by her trendy clothes and impeccable posture, he has sent her to the finest finishing schools.
Laura: I couldn’t live and work in the city. Nothing beats fresh country air and working with horses. I LOVE to visit big cities, though. They are exciting and I wish my father would listen to me and bill me as Laura Barnes America’s Sweetheart as the heading line trick rider of his show instead of making me dress like a man and perform as a the character Buckskin Jones. Girl trick rider ae popular and our show would get booked in big cities, like Omaha, NE and Sioux City, Iowa instead of small county fair settings.
5. What type of character traits are you attracted to?
Guy: Honesty. I value honesty in relationships above and beyond any other traits. Trust is built on honesty and that is the only way to conduct business. I never conduct business with dishonest people and I’d never give my heart to a dishonest woman.
Laura: Honesty and that it why I really want to drop the Buckskin Jones character from the show and perform as myself. I’m tired of doing all the work and letting my brother take the credit. Besides, I think it’s dishonest to our crowd. Dad says performers do it all the time, but it feels wrong to me.
6. What would be a reason to end a potential romance for you?
Guy: Finding out that my beloved had lied to me.
Laura: I couldn’t share my life with anyone who didn’t love the traveling life and my business partner, Starlight my trained horse.
About Rose: Rose Ross Zediker writes for Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents line of books. She lives in rural Elk Point, SD with her husband. Their son and daughter-in-law have blessed them with two wonderful granddaughters. Rose works full time at the University of South Dakota and writes during the evening or weekends. Some of her pastimes include reading, sewing, embroidery, quilting and spoiling her granddaughters. Besides writing inspirational romance novels, Rose has many publishing credits in the Christian children’s genre. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. You can visit Rose on the web at http://www.roserosszediker.blogspot.com or http://www.inkspirationalmessages.com.
About the book – Sweet on the Cowgirl: Laura Barnes Wants to Be a Cowgirl. Laura has always dreamed of being a trick rider in her family’s Wild West show. But her father will only allow her to perform if she disguises herself as Mr. Buckskin Jones. When soda-pop king Guy Roberts shows up to do business with her family, Laura is torn between keeping her identity under wraps and revealing her growing feelings for Guy. Guy is drawn to Laura’s poise and beauty, but he, too, guards a secret. As their affection for each other grows, Guy begins to think about a future that includes Laura. When both their secrets suddenly come to light, their romance will face the ultimate showdown.
Come back August 6th for Mary Ellis!