Charlene Sands: Got Cowboy?

September 24, 2015 · 94 comments

Twitter Facebook Tumblr Buffer Pinterest

I have been a fan of Charlene Sands a long, long time.  As a closet Harlequin Desire reader, I never miss a Charlene Sands release, and so I was so thrilled to hear that Charlene had signed on with Tule to write one of the rodeo stories for this year’s Montana Born imprint.  Charlene also happens to be the launch author with this year’s Copper Mountain series and her story is amazing and garnering many many 5 star reviews.

For my readers who know Charlene, you’re going to love her blog (and new book!).  For those who don’t yet know her, so glad you’ve got the chance to meet her now!

Welcome, Charlene to my blog and my incredibly supportive readers!

claim me banner

In reality I would imagine the cowboy life wasn’t all too glamorous.  They ate dust on the cattle trail, fought Mother Nature’s wrath in scorching heat and raging storms and gusty winds that swept the hats from their heads and blew grit in their eyes. They fell asleep at night, their exhaustion a blessing against the hard-packed ground that was their bed.

But there’s just something honorable, worthy and soulful about a cowboy that pulls at all my heartstrings and makes this New York born, California implant… bleed cowboy.

cs1

I know why that is.  It’s easy for me to explain. Back in the days of my early childhood, my father, a wonderful ex-Army Sergeant, turned entrepreneur, had a gift for storytelling that entranced his two young daughters.  And what were the stories about?  Well, they weren’t about princesses or silly rhyming cats or female superheroes.  No, these stories came directly from his own passion, the history of America.   My dad, bless his soul, read four thick books a week and could tell you any detail you wanted to know about General Armstrong Custer, (his favorite subject) the American Revolution and our founding fathers, the Civil War, the plight of the American Indians and the American Cowboy.

cs2As a young girl, I’d sit on my parent’s bed on Saturday mornings and implore my father to “Tell me a ‘tory.”  Being the grand storyteller that he was, Dad would concoct a fascinating tale about the bad guys of the west and interject ME, as the Sheriff Who’d Saved the Day!  I’d be Sheriff Charlene in the town of Cinnamon Toast Ridge and the tall tale would take on a life of its own.   As we grew older, my father would entertain us with fascinating facts about history at the dinner table. And it wasn’t so much a lesson in history, but of life.  As I look back on those times, I can only hold those treasured memories to my heart.

Of course, it was also the time of Bonanza and Gunsmoke and Rawhide.  Like every young girl, I had a crush on the Ponderosa’s Little Joe.   Small wonder that the first book I’d ever published from Kensington was about a down-on-his-luck rancher, titled Chance in a Million.  And my very first Harlequin was a historical western titled Lily Gets Her Man.  Since then I’ve written many modern day western series, including the bestselling, The Slades of Sunset Ranch and The Worths of Red Ridge.

cs3

My office is filled with western inspiration, from one-of-a-kind metal art horses that rise above my computer, to bookshelves filled with western facts and special art, mostly given to me by my dearest friends.

cs4

Claim Me, Cowboy, comes right from my heart.  It’s a story about second chances and shows how love conquers all.  Montana cowboys (of course) and the Copper Mountain Rodeo, babies and broken hearts in need of mending all play a part in this story.  Tyler Warren is a man with a bitter past, who has come home to Summer Simmons Nichols, the girl who’d married his best friend.   Prepare for secrets to be revealed and strong characters to emerge.  Tyler is a man’s man.  He’s the hero I’ve always wanted to write.  And I’m so grateful to Jane Porter and Tule Publishing, for giving me this chance to write my story as I see fit.

cs5

*~*~*

Charlene Sands is a USA Today bestselling author penning steamy and emotional contemporary romance and stories set in the American West. She’s been honored with the National Readers Choice Award, the Cataromance Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Booksellers Best Award. Her book, The Texas Renegade Returns was honored with Romantic Times Magazine’s Best Harlequin Desire of 2014.

Charlene knows a little something about romance. After daydreaming about the cute boy with the long blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes two lockers down from her in high school, to her amazement he asked her out on a date. And he’s been continually amazing her for the past thirty years.

When not writing, Charlene teaches childbirth and baby care in her community. Her perfect day includes reading, drinking iced mocha cappuccinos, walking the Pacific beaches with her hubby or dragging him to the latest romantic comedy movie.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble  | Kobo  | Itunes | GooglePlay
Charlene’s Website | Charlene on Facebook

cs6

~~

It’s a real treat to have you as a guest, Charlene!  Thanks so much for stopping by. Readers, to celebrate Charlene’s new release, Claim Me, Cowboy and the entire new Montana Born Rodeo series, we’ve got a special treat for you! Leave a comment below for Charlene and you’ll be entered to win this prize package – and it even includes one of Tule’s very popular handmade pottery mugs featuring the wonderful state of Montana (and Marietta is the little red star)!  Contest ends Monday with winner announced on Tuesday.  Good luck!

IMG_6285

94 Comments / Add Your Comment →

  2. My humble thanks to Jane Porter for inviting me to her blog today. She’s an amazing person and talented writer who shares her love of writing with the world! Chime in today and tell me what you think about cowboys, rodeos, bad boys, babies in romance stories and lost loves!

    Reply

  3. I have been a fan of Charlene’s for a long time too. I was so excited when I heard she was writing a book for Tule. I loved the new rodeo book she wrote.

    Reply

    1. Hi Brandy,
      I’ve never been to Montana either, and most of my books are set in Texas as my father-in-law lives there and I’ve visited often. I’m writing a book now about a Texas rancher called Twins for The Texan…guess what, about a widower rancher with twins, just like the title says. I’m told books with Texas or Texan in the title do very well. Texans sure do love their state!

      Reply

  6. Hi Charlene, Loved reading about you and your books. I will be sure to start reading right away. And your western inspiration looks great. Love the horses on the wall.

    Reply

    1. Hi Elisabeth – I don’t even think the picture does those horses justice. They take up one third of the wall and are glorious in person. I treated myself to them, they are one of a kind, art with certificate and everything. They do inspire me every day. As close as I will come to having my own horse.

      Reply

  7. can’t wait to read the story of Ty & Summer. so glad you are writing for Tule.
    enjoyed this blog post and finding a new to me author!

    Reply

  13. I have been reading your Harlequin Desire books for a long time, love them. I’m glad you are writing now for Tule too, love their stories.

    Reply

  21. I am so excited to read the new story and get to know a new-to-me author! Thanks for telling us about yourself. I love hearing about inspiration!

    Reply

  24. I am relatively new to Charlene’s books, but the few I have read so far I have absolutely loved! Looking forward to reading more 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win this awesome giveaway!
    -Casey
    caseroo7(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  25. Happy Release Day Charlene. Aou already know dear friend I do read your books and I love them all. I will be buying the wonderful book for my mom and I to read. Congrats to you on your new book. *hugs*
    I will post it on my facebook page letting everyone know about your new book as soon as I can.

    Reply

  30. Charlene,
    Though we’ve known each other a long time, we’ve never had the chance to work together before. I’m thrilled to be in this series with you and can’t wait to read your first story for Tule. Love the story about your Dad. My dad was also a city cowboy who got me hooked on the west. It was definitely a bonding thing. Rawhide. Bonanza…We’re of the same era! Congrats on the new book. Hugs, Barbara

    Reply

  31. I loved Claim Me Cowboy, I gave it 5 stars and reviewed on Amazon and Goodreads. WTG Charlene you took me away!

    Reply

  32. Welcome to Tule! Love, Love all the Montana books. I am enjoying your new story! Looking forward to reading more of your books.

    Reply

  33. Charlene’s books are memorable. I loved the photo of your dad and learning about the stories and history. Best wishes and happiness.

    Reply

  35. I too have been reading quite a few of Charlene’s books. Thanks for giving me such sweet dreams, Charlene (and Jane)!

    Reply

    1. Hi Laney4
      I miss talking to you! I’m mostly on FB now, but I do hope you are on my newsletter, so you can keep up with all my fun stuff. It’s nice to know my stories give good dreams. 🙂

      Reply

  36. Love Charlene’s books, welcome to Tule! Looking forward to reading this one. If you have not read anything by Charlene before you are in for a treat, she is one of my faves! You will not be disappointed!

    Reply

  37. Claim Me Cowboy is going on my TRL. Sounds like a winner o me. I adore cowboys. I really enjoyed you telling us about your Dad.
    Carol L

    Reply

  38. Love reading and writing cowboy stories, especially when they are part of the Tule Publishing magic. It was so lovely to be in the rodeo series with you and can’t wait to see what happens at the Copper Mountain Rodeo for Tyler and Summer:)

    Reply

  39. Well, I guess I need to go stock up on the series. I like to read them all in a row, so this works for me. I have never read your books, but I am looking forward to reading them.

    Reply

    1. Hi Anna,
      Well, I hope you enjoy the entire series set in Marrietta, Montana. It was fun to write a small town book again and I do hope you’ll try my stories. I write lots of cowboys!

      Reply

  45. Would love to read..my great aunt drove thru cowboy country in the 1950s in a cross country drive..Charlene would love to read about the romance and adventure..they helped her when she was heading alone towards a desert and guided her to a safe road.

    Reply

  51. Charlene is a new to me author. Thanks Jane for the introduction! Hope you write many more books for Tule Charlene.

    Reply

  52. Congratulations to #37 Carol L for being the winner of this prize package! Carol, shoot me an email with your mailing details soon so we can get prize to you.
    Have a great week, everyone!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email is never published or shared.

*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

By posting a comment, you consent to have your personally identifiable information collected and used in accordance with our privacy policy.