Shannon here: Rose Ross Zediker shares insight into her characters’ romance from her latest contemporary romance, Reclaiming the Cowboy’s Heart. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: April 4th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Rose:
My name is Donna Greene. I don’t know why anyone would want to interview me about romance. I’m only at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo to watch my nephew, Dustin, compete. This looks like it’s going to be his year. He is who you should be interviewing, not me, but if you insist, fire away.
Interviewer: Are you open to your own romance?
Donna: I used to be open to my own romance. Now I’m fortyish, I realize happy romantic endings aren’t for everyone. I’m a Marketing Director at a university in Nebraska and participate in several local organizations. I have a very fulfilling life without romance.
Interviewer: What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
Donna: Loyalty – hands down. I know from experience how it feels for your fiancé to cheat on you.
Interviewer: What would be a reason to end a potential romance for you?
Donna: Other than a cheating fiancé? Well, how about if they nearly ruined your family business? A business your father and brother worked to build into a family legacy? Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so bitter. I had a bad experience with romance as I’m sure you could tell by my answers and it’s made me wary.
Interviewer: I understand. What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
Donna: A party boy lifestyle. I want to date a man with good Christian morals.
Interviewer: You can never go wrong dating a Christian man. What type of features are you attracted to?
Donna: Dark hair and hazel eyes. Unfortunately, those traits remind me of my ex-fiancé, Jamie Martin. Between that fact and a recent health issue, I’ve put dating and relationships behind me. Again, some of people weren’t meant to have a happy ending romantically. However, I am working on developing a stronger relationship with Christ and know He has good plans for me.
Interviewer: You mentioned, Jamie Martin. Would that be Pastor Jamie Martin, head the Fellowship of Christian Cowboy’s here at the Frontier Days Rodeo?
Donna: Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. I doubt they are the same person.
Interview with Jamie:
Do I have time to answer a couple of questions? Sure, I’m happy help. I’m Pastor Jamie Martin. I’m glad you stopped by the Fellowship of Christian Cowboy tent.
Interviewer: Are you open to your own romance?
Jamie: I am open to romance. The unfortunate thing is, I still carry a torch for a woman from my past, Donna Greene. She was the love of my life.
Interviewer: What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
Jamie: Honesty. There was a time in my life honesty wouldn’t have mattered. Now I’ve given my life to Christ and become sober, I value its importance and know I have many amends to make.
Interviewer: What would be a reason to end a potential romance for you?
Jamie: I couldn’t be in a relationship with anyone who isn’t firmly planted in Christ. To be honest, I let the woman of my dreams down years ago and have never tried to develop a relationship with anyone else. She was the only woman for me.
Interviewer: What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
Jamie: A party attitude. You see I’m a recovering alcoholic who had a huge wake-up call twenty years ago when I was involved in a car accident and ruined my employers business and almost ruined my career all because I’d been drinking and driving.
Interviewer: What type of features are you attracted to?
Jamie: A good heart. I learned ten years to love people for who they are on the inside and not how they look on the outside.
Interviewer: You mentioned Donna Greene. Is she related to the Greene Stock Contractors here at the rodeo?
Jamie: Yes, one and the same.
Interviewer: Did you know she’s here?
Jamie: No, but that is terrific news.
About Rose: Multi-published author, Rose Ross Zediker, writes contemporary and historical inspirational romances and has over eighty publishing credits in the Christian magazine genre for children and adults. She is a member of the ACFW and RWA. Visit her blog at www.roserosszediker.blogspot.com or www.inkspirationalmessages.com
Back Cover Blurb: Twenty years ago, a horrible accident nearly destroyed her family’s business. And everyone still blames her former fiancé, Jamie Martin. Donna’s managed to thrive, despite life’s many curveballs. But when Jamie crosses her path at Cheyenne Frontier Days, Donna isn’t prepared for the feelings that still endure after all these years.
Party boy Jamie is a changed man in every way—except for the love he still harbors for the only woman who made him whole. Jamie’s newfound faith could pave the way for a second chance at his first love…if Donna can find it in her heart to forgive.
Purchase Links: http://www.amazon.com/Reclaiming-Cowboys-Heart-Heartsong-Presents-ebook/dp/B00OYBW3CY/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427421822&sr=1-8&keywords=rose+ross+zediker
Question: Have you ever been to a big rodeo? If so, where?
Come back March 30th for Susan Reinhardt!
Good Morning, Everyone.
I can go first answering the question. I have been to many small regional PRCA rodeos in my lifetime and I’ve attending the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo twice. Once in the 1970’s and just last year. I have also been to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. What an experience!
I’m eager to read this story. My husband and I worked for the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys for several years, traveling to rodeos such as the Denver National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, holding Cowboy Church in sale barns, grandstands, and out behind the chutes. So happy to see this ministry make the pages of a widely read genre. Way to go!
What a fun interview! Now I really can’t wait to get my copy of Reclaiming the Cowboy’s Heart! (But, you had me with the carnival on the cover!)
You know, I’ve never been to a rodeo. There used to be a fairly large one in the town next to the town I grew up in, but I never went. Someday maybe …
I love this cover and would love to read this book.
Oh, what a cute interview! You’ve really whetted my appetite for this one, ladies!
No have been to small rodeos but no big ones
This books sounds great, Rose. I went to small town rodeos in my teens. My dad announced and I worked in the concession stand.
In the last three years or so, I’ve been to the Fort Worth Stockyards Rodeo.
In Louisiana, we have the Angola Prison Rodeo. I rode in the opening ceremony one time with my family. And, my sister ran the barrels. They also have a competition called ‘Guts and Glory’, where the inmates attempt to pull a hundred dollar bill off the forehead of a very, mean bull.
Davalyn,
I hope I do the FCC justice!
I’m sure with Mike working as a bull fighter, you’ve been to many small and large rodeos!
Thanks for stopping by.
Brenda,
I’m glad you like the cover. There is a scene in the book where the hero/heroine ride the Ferris wheel and walk around the carnival. I thought the art department captured it well.
Sandy,
Thanks for entering the contest. Good Luck.
I’m glad you like the cover. I think all the bright colors add appeal!
Jane,
Whew! I never know if I’m getting the job done with my blog posts to entice readers. You comment let me know I did!
Sheila,
I went to many, many small rodeos growing up, but still watched many reigning champs compete. Then the sport seemed to take off and champs or top points cowboys had to make the bigger rodeos and the smaller rodeos drew the up and coming cowboys. It’s been fun to watch cowboy’s go up the ranks!
Shannon,
Thanks again for hosting me today. It’s always a fun time on your blog introducing the characters of my current release.
Melissa B.
The Guts and Glory event sounds scary to me. I’m sure the men aren’t scared at all. I’ve never wanted to meet a bull up close and personal. HA!
I’m glad you stopped by and commented. Good luck in the drawing.
I’ve been to the Old Fort Days Rodeo in Ft. Smith, Arkansas; the Rodeo of the Ozarks in Springdale, Arkansas; the Mesquite Rodeo in Mesquite, Texas; and a ton of small rodeos all over Arkansas and Oklahoma. I grew up with a cowboy dad, he competed in local rodeos in his younger days but by the time I came along he stuck with breaking and riding horses. This book sounds amazing, can’t wait to check it out!
Thanks, Kim!
You are a rodeo buff with all those rodeos under you belt!
My husband and I love bull riding the best so we hit the Ft.Worth Stock Show and Rodeo for the Bulls Night Out competition.
I have been to several rodeos. I spent my youth up to mid teens in a horse town called Norco. They still have dirt sidewalk areas for people to ride their horses. We used to go to the rodeo and fair every year. When I married my husband, I moved to Prescott, Arizona which is the home to the World’s Oldest Rodeo. We go every summer. It is a part of a week long celebration here in town and something I would never miss. I love bull riding, but really I get a kick out of the women’s barrel racing. They are so good! It is also kind of cute seeing the kids when they do mutton busting. 🙂
Hi Melanie,
Bull riding is a crowd favorite! We’ve went to many PBR events too.
Kelly,
Mutton busting is fun to watch. And some of the children that participate are so small! The World’s Oldest Rodeo sounds like a very fun event. Does it draw a lot of tourist?
What a fun character interview! We enjoy local rodeos and PBR events.
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Hi Britney,
Glad you enjoyed the interview. I try to make them fun for readers and intriguing. Hopefully, I accomplished that!
Rose the World’s Oldest Rodeo draws a massive amount of tourists. It is so much fun too. There is a rodeo dance too. It is one of my favorite events each year. It has been going on since 1888. Last year I met people from Austria and Denmark. 🙂
I have a winner! Kim Hampton won the drawing. I appreciate Rose for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.
Congratulations Kim!
Thank you again for hosting me, Shannon. It’s always a fun time visiting your blog.