Meet the Ridges of Wayback, TX!

Hi Roses! In the past when I've tried to sit down with one of the heroes from my backlist, the others tend to intrude. So, naturally, when it came down to choosing one to showcase this month here at Roses of Prose, I couldn't quite narrow down the field. These interviews appeared last year exclusively to newsletter subscribers so enjoy a taste of Wayback, TX and the three, cowboy heroes from my Ridges of Wayback, TX trilogy!

We start with the hero of 1st Place More Than Magic Novella Blackest Heart, the silent cowboy Judd Black....

America's Sweetheart, Stella Ridge has been away from Wayback for fifteen years paving her way to the top of the acting business. When a car accident leaves her physically and emotionally scarred, the only place she wants to go is home to Texas and her family's ranch.

The changes that have taken place since her departure are enough to rock her world again. She uncovers a buried tragedy, struggles with the penetrating stares and questions from townsfolk, and comes up against an intriguing and unexpected spark with the silent cowboy and champion bull rider, Judd Black. Their wounded souls draw them together and Stella begins to realize that only in him can she find the solace she sought by leaving the bright lights of Hollywood.

Name: Judd Black *WHO ANSWERED THESE INTRUSIVE QUESTIONS ON PAPER*

Childhood Ambition: To strike out on my own.

Fondest Memory: Learning the ropes on Ridge Range at my adoptive father’s hand.

Soundtrack: Johnny Cash live from Folsom.

Retreat: The house I built not far from the Range.

Wildest Dream: To become a bull-riding champion. Which I did. (Twice, but who’s counting?) 

Biggest Challenge: Overcoming the life I lived before Wayback.

Proudest Moment: Riding my first bull without getting bucked. 

Alarm Clock: Elwood, my dog.

First Job: Shoveling manure at Ridge Range.

Perfect Day: Any good day on the Range or at the Yellow Rose Corral.

Indulgence: Whiskey.

Last Purchase: Hay.

Favorite Movie: Anything with Stella Ridge….

Inspiration: Jim Black (my adoptive father and an Apache descendent)

When I’m mad I brood.

Now for the hero of Bluest Heart - the second novella in the Ridges of Wayback, TX trilogy, Casey Ridge....

 

The Wayback bachelor is a dying breed, but that doesn't stop Casey Ridge from wanting to settle down. For this cowboy anyone but Josie Brusky would be an easy wrangle. Unfortunately for him, the Blue Bug singer and owner of Josie's Treasures doesn't believe in commitment much less marriage.

Years ago, Josie lost her heart to Casey's charm and dimpled smile. Since then she has done everything she knows to forget him. After all, she's known as the local harlot and the daughter of the town's biggest bigot. Casey could have any girl he wanted. Why would he saddle himself with her? In the wake of a shattering past, she refuses to give up her independence.

Name: Casey Ridge

Childhood Ambition: To be a heart surgeon. Who knew, right?

Soundtrack: Kenny Chesney’s “You Save Me.” Makes me think of a special someone. (*ahem* Josie)

Retreat: The wide open plains of Ridge Range.

Wildest Dream: To make Josie Brusky mine.

Proudest Moment: Getting a scholarship to medical school.

Biggest Challenge: Besides making Josie Brusky mine? Adjusting to the fact that I’ll never be anything more than a ranch hand here in Wayback. My father needs me here at home, though, so it’s worth it.

Alarm Clock: The family cattle.

Perfect Day: Any day I get to “bump” into Josie and aggravate her ;) 

First Day: Riding out with my father, brother, and all the other ranch hands when I was eight. Being a cowboy was ingrained from childhood. Or birth.

Indulgence: Gee, I wonder. *grins*

Last Purchase: My tab at The Blue Bug Saloon.

Favorite Movie: Lonesome Dove.

Inspiration: Leland Ridge (my father).

When I’m mad I pretty much sulk.

Last but not least, we have Keefe Ridge of Bet it on my Heart, the conclusion to the Ridges of Wayback, TX trilogy....  

 

ANTE UP! Keefe Ridge's bronc-busting days are nearly over. Despite that and the fact that he is slowly making his dream business venture a reality, Wayback's wildest cowboy doesn't see any reason to settle down. He is even willing to bet that marriage isn't in the cards at all for him.

Agent Calli Morlani came to Wayback on a mission: to bring Stella Ridge back to Hollywood. When Stella refuses, she dares Calli to take in some local color and see what Wayback has to offer. Whether that includes Stella's devastatingly charming brother becomes irrevelant once Calli finds herself in bed with him - in more ways than one…

Will it take a tough city girl to make the Wayback playboy finally fall long and hard? Or will Keefe give Calli a reason to stay? Place your bet!

Name: Keefe Ridge

Childhood Ambition: To work Ridge Range alongside my father.

Fondest Memory: Riding my first bronc.

Soundtrack: Jason Aldean. I love “Big Green Tractor” for several different reasons J

Retreat: The West Texas countryside. There’s nothing like it.

Wildest Dream: To be a stock car racer. Or a bronc-rider. Both are dangerous and equally appealing to a daredevil like myself.

Proudest Moment: It was a sunset on Ridge Range after my brother Casey came back from college. The two of us and our father had just finished herding cattle into the north pasture and were stranding together watching the land sink into darkness. A simple moment with a lot of meaning.

Biggest Challenge: Learning to let go of my mother’s betrayal…and accepting Judd Black into the family after my sister fell in love with him.

Alarm Clock: Usually the walk of shame back to Ridge Range after a long night on the town…. Either that or the housekeeper, Nuala, banging pots together to get me to work on time.

Perfect Day: A normal day on the Range in any season except summer. Wrap it up with a night at The Blue Bug Saloon running up my bar tab…and maybe teaching a certain, sexy city-slicker (*cough* Calli) to play some pool ;)

First Job: Stable hand for Wayback’s rodeo show.

Indulgence: Without a doubt, the ladies.

Last Purchase: Warrior’s Way, a four-year-old grey thoroughbred stallion. He’s a stubborn one. I’m sure we’ll understand each other well.

Favorite Movie: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Inspiration: Eastwood. And I guess I have to go with Casey on this one, too, and say my father.

When I’m mad I…unlike my diplomatic brother, in this case, I’m inclined to use fists if they’re warranted. Right, Judd?

You can have the hunky heroes of the Ridges of Wayback, TX trilogy all to yourself - all three titles are available now from The Wild Rose Press in ebook format! Audio readers can now own the trilogy as an audio book collection from AudioLark!