Even though I'm a Marine Corps brat who knows more about cities than ranch life, I had a blast writing my story, "Virgil" for this anthology. (A big shout-out to my CP, Sherry James, for answering all my Western/cowboy/ranch life questions so that I kept everything about my bull-riding rodeo champ hero authentic). Besides the allure of the cowboy hero--I've always loved THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, BONANZA, any Tom Selleck version of a Louis L'Amour story, SILVERADO and TRUE GRIT--I enjoyed writing this romantic suspense trilogy because I got to work with two other Intrigue authors whose stories I've loved since the beginning of their careers.
You already know them, I'm sure, but let me introduce you to Dana Marton and Paula Graves.
One thing I've always liked to do is to read the first books from authors. Professionally, it helps me know what's the most recent voice or storyline to capture an editor's eye. Personally, as a reader, it's a terrific way to discover new authors whom I will read again. Dana and Paula were no exception. When I read Dana's first Intrigue, SHADOW SOLDIER, I felt like I was in the middle of a great action-adventure movie--only in this movie, they got the love story right. Clearly, it made an impression because I can still remember the hero's name, Alex Rodriguez. When I read Paula's (actually, I read a portion of it before she was published, when I judged a contest she'd entered--and I advised her right then and there on my judge's sheet that she should submit it--she already had!), I got completely immersed in the atmosphere of the story--dark and moody--pure suspense. Plus, it had a paranormal twist I loved.
I've continued to be fans and readers of both authors, so when my editor asked me if I'd like to write the lead story in an anthology with Dana and Paula, I jumped at the chance. Dana and I had been tossing around the idea of an anthology for a couple of years, but our contracted work forced the project onto a back burner until Paula joined us and everything fell into place. Characters. Action. Mood. Suspense. Romance. And cowboys, of course. It's all there. We brainstormed. We ran our ideas past our editor and she said go. And thus, THREE COWBOYS was born.
I hope you'll enjoy all three stories in the anthology. It features some of my favorite writers. <vbg>
BTW, thought you'd might like to see my my first Intrigue, too. It's the only book of mine that hasn't been digitized yet, or scheduled for digital re-release (you can request that that be done on www.Harlequin.com if you want!), but I've seen used copies available on the Internet.
Happy Reading!
Julie Miller
Since I love books by all three of you I am looking forward to those cowboys stories. And by the way I have read your One Good Man and the rest of the Taylor clan.
ReplyDeleteHow cool, Ellen! Thank you so much for reading my books!
DeleteI can't wait to read these stories! I ordered it this past Friday so I will be on pins and needles until my order comes in! No need to put my name in. Say Hi to Maggie for me!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Loves2Read! Hope you enjoy it. And Maggie always loves a little extra attention. ;)
DeleteGood morning Julie. I too can't wait for this awesome sounding book and will be picking it up when Friday's check comes in - so no need to add me to Maggie's pile! I'm not generally a cowboy reader, but with you three at the helm, I can't resist!
DeleteThanks, Elie! I know, I had a brief hesitation when I was asked to write a "cowboy" book. I mentioned to my then-editor that just because I live on the great plains of Nebraska, I don't live on a ranch or farm. And I grew up in cities and small towns in Missouri. She's a smart editor--she said something like, "Have you ever watched a cowboy movie or tv show?" Um, duh. Yes. Loved them! She assured me that I probably knew all I needed to to write the story. Just remember to write a great hero that I could fall in love with, and the rest will fall into place. But I did doublecheck several things with my CP--like the right names for different horse colors (dun vs. buckskin, for example) and so on.
DeleteHope you enjoy the book!
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteMy family comes in 3's - We have 3 cats and my husband, daughter and I are a set of 3. Really looking forward to this book - tell Maggie to pick me - ha ha ha.
You know Maggie has a thing for your name, Tammy ;). Or maybe she senses all the cats.
DeleteWe're a family of 3, too. Plus 3 fish. Only 1 dog at the moment, though. I grew up in a family with 3 kids, too. Lots of 3's if I get started...
Usually I am pretty upbeat in my responses (and in life). I apologize for not being so today.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was deaths. My 50-year-old sister-in-law recently died of cancer (unexpectedly, as they said the cancer was "gone"). I just put away the sympathy cards and learned a woman I called Mom passed away two days ago (also unexpectedly).
Now I'm wondering who will die (in my family) when I put away HER sympathy cards.
Merry Christmas?
So sorry to hear of your losses, Laney4. I know there is that terrible stigma about celebrity deaths coming in 3's, which, unfortunately, usually turns out to be true.
DeleteWe're coming off a tough year at our house--we lost 3 family members in a 12-month time period. Terribly rough on all of use. But a year has passed now, and I will tell you it gets easier. You don't miss them any less, and from time to time, something will hit you and you may need a good cry or a hug from someone who cares. But now we're talking more about the positive memories and moving forward.
Do take care. And know that you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
Julie, we have THREE'S in my family too! I am one of 3 children and I have 3 children myself! This book looks very good. Ever since you mentioned the book was going to be released a few months ago, I've been looking forward to it. I know it'll be a good one. I liked when you mentioned you enjoyed Tom Selleck. I have loved any western movie he does! He looks great in a stetson! I grew up watching westerns and my husband and I also enjoy westerns. Looking forward to this book!
ReplyDeleteHey, Valri--yep, I don't know what it is about Tom Selleck, but he and Western go together so well. Of course, I like him in about anything he does. Love his Jesse Stone movies! And I was such a fan of Magnum, P.I. in college that I had a poster of him on my bathroom door.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the book!
Footnote about Tom Selleck... is that guy getting better looking with age or what? Loved him when he was younger, but he's aging like a very fine wine. ;)
ReplyDeleteWow! I thought I was the only one who thought that way!!!
DeleteJulie, you mentioned having a poster of Tom Selleck during your college days. When I was a teen, I had Burt Reynolds' poster above my headboard. He was dressed for Smokey and the Bandit, wearing his cowboy hat. Oh my, oh my, oh my. The edges curled on that poster, though, as did the bottom of the pic. I had one heck of a time tenderly cutting the bottom of the poster to make it "look nicer", as his ... ahem ... crotch was at the bottom of the poster!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words above. At 53, I've learned to appreciate people while they are here and also when they're gone from this planet. I told "Mom" many many times how much I appreciated various things about her (her quick wit, sense of humour, great memory even at 93, her somewhat hidden talents, etc.), so I have no regrets there. I keep track of birth and death dates on my "calendar", so I am reminded of my good friends throughout the year. It's amazing how quickly time flies, though....
I have three friends who each gave birth in October and this month . All are boys. Three honorary nephews to shop for.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, AviJ! And how fun that you have some extra shopping to do.
DeleteWho are your three favorite cowboys?
ReplyDeleteHmm... I'd be hard-pressed to narrow it down to just 3.
DeleteI loved Charlie Waite (Kevin Costner) and Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) in OPEN RANGE. They seemed quintessential old school cowboy--standing up for a lady, doing the right thing, loyalty to a saddlemate, better at shooting a bad guy than sweet-talking a lady. Love that movie!
Any incarnation of the Magnificent Seven. The story appeals to me on so many levels. I'd say from the tv series, my 3 favorites were Josiah, Ezra and Buck. From the movie, Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson and Robert Vaughn.
Since we're talking Tom Selleck, my favorite Western with him is probably Crossfire Trail.
John Wayne in TRUE GRIT. The Duke at his finest, imo.
My favorite Cartwright? (as I grew up, I had crushes on all the Cartwright brothers) Brains, Brawn and Charm.
See? I can't decide. ;)
Who are your 3 favorites?
I love when you can get multiple stories in one book! :)
ReplyDelete3's... I am one of 3 kids, my mom was one of 3... we have 3 parrots... :)
3 parrots? omg, Colleen. That's a big responsibility to have even one as a pet. Do they talk?
DeleteI'm one of 3 kids and my mom was one of 3, too. Small world. ;)
:) Two of them can say their names... the one that does not say his name can say one sentence... it is one where I was yelling at the dog... "D**n it Turbo!" I cringe everytime I hear it. The other two can also say a few other things which are normal... They just picked up varied things over the years, but nothing actual taught... just a few things repeated over and over.
DeleteThat's funny, Colleen. Interesting how those naughty words are so easy to pick up--even for a parrot.
DeleteJulie, really looking forward to reading this one! I know with this trio of authors it has to be a winner!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lilsis! Hope it lives up to your kind words. (Hope you got all that Christmas shopping done, too!)
DeleteAnd the winner is... Laney4! Congratulations--Maggie nosed your name out of the pile and selected you as the winner.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd email me your snail mail addy, I'll get a copy of THREE COWBOYS in the mail to you ASAP.
And please join me tomorrow and Friday on the Just Romantic Suspense blog. I'll be giving away another book there, too.
Happy Holidays!
Julie Miller
Oops, I was going to include a link. Here is the Just Romantic Suspense blog: http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/
ReplyDeletePlus, on Dec. 18-20, JRS is hosting a 30-title ebook giveaway. Be sure to stop by then, too, if you have an ereader.
Thanks so much, Julie. Email was just sent.
ReplyDeletei just now found this ! I bet you wondered why I didn't enter!!I already bought three cowboy's and have started to read it. As for the number 3... I have had 3 daughter's, I use the number 3 when picking out a number of one to six and three is picked first ALOT of the time! As for 12 thing's to do/ read well I have too many tbr books! And 13 is a lucky number for me. My youngest was born winter on the 13th, her grandma spring of the 13th, and her great grandma the summer on the 13th!!!! Happy Holiday's! from Pam and Jenny!
ReplyDelete