About the Book
Book: Falling for a Bossy Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 3)
Author: Karen Baney
Genre: Contemporary Christian Cowboy Romance
Release date: March 26, 2024
She’s famous and nearing the end of her career. He’s blunt, bossy, and downright annoying. Will these two find the perfect balance between truth and love?
Sports fanatic Derin Vargas steps down from his position as foreman of Vargas Ranch to run the family’s new sports complex. Uncomfortable in his new role, he compensates by being bossy. When a famous pro-tennis player stays at the resort to rehab after surgery, Derin points out her shortcomings no one else will.
Pro-tennis player Madison Moore heads to a remote sports complex on Vargas Guest Ranch & Resort to finish rehabbing after shoulder surgery. As she fears the death of her pro career, the bossy cowboy manager gets under her skin.
Will Derin soften his rough edges to win over the beautiful tennis player? Will Madison listen to the hard truth about her future while opening her heart to love?
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About the Author
Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.
Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.
More from Karen
101 Questions
In Falling for a Bossy Cowboy, Derin Vargas desperately wants to change how he sees and interacts with women. One of his buddies recommended an app for 101 Questions to Ask on a Date.
When I incorporated this into the novel, the interactions between Madison and Derin became so much easier (and fun!) to write. I searched for new questions and added them with answers from the character’s point of view.
But where did this idea come from? A marriage seminar. I highly recommend using 101 questions for any couple, married or just dating. It’s a great way to get to know the person you’re with, without all the awkward “what do we talk about?”.
I hope you enjoy this excerpt from Falling for a Bossy Cowboy from Madison Moore’s point of view.
______
Madison watched as Derin pulled his phone from his shirt pocket, swiping and tapping a few times. Then he looked up, expression serious, and asked the most bizarre question.
“If you were stranded on a deserted island and could choose any three things to have with you, what would you pick and why?”
“What?” Her eyes rounded.
“You heard the question, Madi.”
She chewed slowly, mulling it over.
“That’s hard.”
“Right?” He chuckled.
“What would you pick?”
“No dodging it. I’ll answer after you do.”
“Ugh. Let’s assume I have food and water.”
Derin narrowed his eyes and conceded.
“My Bible.”
He rolled his eyes.
“What? It’s a legit answer.”
“So says every church goer. Next?”
“You wouldn’t?”
He wagged a finger at her as he stabbed a chunk of roast before popping it in his mouth.
“Chocolate.”
Derin tossed his head back and chuckled loudly. So much so that a few heads turned their direction. “Women.”
“And a Costco-sized bag of ground coffee.”
“How are you making the coffee?”
“I don’t know. I’m sure I could figure it out.”
Madison pushed her empty plate away. “Your turn.”
“First choice? You.”
Heat flamed her cheeks. What was he saying?
“Second choice would be Djano.”
Madison quirked an eyebrow.
“My horse. And that’s only because you put the stipulation that food and water aren’t an issue. So, he won’t starve.”
She snorted. “Me and your horse.”
“Yup. And my hat. That’s it.”
“Me, your horse, and your hat.” She shook her head. “Why me?”
Derin’s eyes glinted with mirth. “You’re insanely beautiful. Smart. Very entertaining.”
Her cheeks warmed at the compliment.
“We would fight like cats and dogs.”
He shook his head. “I’m not buying that.”
“I can’t stand you.”
“Not buying that either.” Derin grinned. “Here’s another one. Have you ever won an award for a sport?”
Madison snatched up the phone. “Huh. That’s really the question. What is this?”
“One hundred and one questions to ask on a date.”
“Is this a date?”
“Welcome to the party, Madi.”
Heat warmed her face. Derin was one of a kind. She shook her head and handed him his phone.
Interview with the Author
1. How do you select the names of your characters?
Madison Moore, tennis pro and perfect match for Derin Vargas, was a character name that challenged me. I wanted a popular name for her age and one that could be shortened to a nickname by Derin that she found annoying at first but treasured once
she got to know him. So, I scanned through popular names for Gen Z and Millennials. Madison, Olivia, and Ashley all made the list, but I liked Madi as the best nickname, so I chose Madison. She also had to sound like a pro tennis player which led me to lists of famous women tennis players. Moore just felt similar to many of the names I found.
2. What was your hardest scene to write?
There is a scene where I finally reveal why Derin struggles with relationships with women. I knew I needed something big and believable. I had been building towards the reveal in subtle ways throughout the book and even the entire series. I never expected
to write it the way I did. It would take crushing Derin’s soul and breaking down the last of his walls. I didn’t want to. I really liked him and his growth up to that point. But it was necessary. Through my own tears, I got it down on paper, my heart breaking along with Derin’s. It was a beautiful chapter that readers love.
3. What is your favorite childhood book?
Recently, I’ve remembered a series that my mom, sister, and I tore through when I was a teenager. The Stonewycke Trilogy by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella. I don’t remember all the details of the books ‘cause it’s been a few decades. But I do
remember how I couldn’t put them down. These are the books that made me fall in love with Scottland. Years later, when I read Liz Curtis Higgs’ Lowlands of Scottland series, it brought me fond memories of Stonewycke too. Both series are extremely well-written and page-turners if you want to travel back in time in Scottland.
4. What comes first, the plot or characters?
Each book is a little different. In Falling for a Bossy Cowboy, I mapped out Derin and Madison’s characters in detail along with their back stories. Since Derin appeared in the first two books as the rowdy rebellious brother, I had to show the change in him from the other books in the series. I needed a big reveal to explain why he behaved the way he did and what finally motivated him to take his faith seriously. Much of the plot for this book came through a series of brainstorming sessions about what Derin or Madison would do if something happened. I think readers will love Derin and the transformation of his heart.
5. If you could invite one character to dinner, who would it be and what would you cook?
I would love to invite the matriarch of the Vargas family, Catalina Vargas to dinner. Better known as Mami to the Vargas sons, Catalina is a vibrant Latina woman who loves deeply and sometimes interferes in the love lives of her sons. Though I would try
to invite her for dinner, I’m pretty sure she would insist that I join her for cena familiar (family dinner) after church on Sundays for some of her amazing street tacos or enchiladas and a fun-filled afternoon.
Blog Stops
Artistic Nobody, November 6 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 6
Texas Book-aholic, November 7
Fiction Book Lover, November 8 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 9
Guild Master, November 10 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 11
Simple Harvest Reads, November 12 (Author Interview)
Labor Not in Vain, November 13
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 14 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, November 15
For the Love of Literature, November 16 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 17
Blossoms and Blessings, November 18 (Author Interview)
Back Porch Reads, November 19 (Author Interview)
Devoted To Hope, November 19
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.