A Baby for the Deputy

         A BABY FOR THE DEPUTY

         by Cathy McDavid

Western Romance; March 7, 2017

$5.25 U.S.; 224 Pages
          ISBN-978-0-373-757497

A secret, no-strings relationship with Aaron Travers has suited Melody Hartman just fine for the past eight months. The lives of the Mustang Valley veterinarian and the deputy sheriff have always been complicated—and are about to become more so, because Mel is pregnant!

 

Raising his toddler daughter and protecting his Arizona town are Aaron's priorities. But this unexpected pregnancy is a life changer. The widowed single dad is ready to do the right thing and marry Mel. Can he say the three words she is waiting to hear? Will she think he wants to marry her only because of the baby? Or will she acknowledge that their feelings for each other run deeper than either of them realized?

 

CATHY MCDAVID, made it her goal to read every Walter Farley book ever written when she was in the third grade. Who knew such an illustrious ambition would eventually lead to a lifelong love of all things Western and a career writing contemporary romances for Harlequin? With more than 1 million books sold, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author is a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. An “almost” Arizona native and mom to "fairly" grownup twins, she lives with her own real-life sweetheart and spends her days penning stories about good-looking cowboys riding the range, busting a bronc, and sweeping gals off their feet. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

Q&A with Cathy McDavid – A Baby for the Deputy 

1)      How did you come up with the relationship between Aaron Travers and Melody Hartman?

There seems to be a trend these days for young couples to “hang out together” rather than date --- at least, that’s what I hear and what my daughter tells me. I gave Aaron and Mel difficult romantic pasts, which made the idea of a no-strings-attached relationship appealing to them, then complicated things with an unexpected pregnancy because, well, life is complicated.

2)      What is your favorite part about writing Western Romance books?

I truly am a lover of all things western. I owned horses most of my life, grew up watching Bonanza and Big Valley reruns, and lived the western lifestyle for many, many years. For me, there is no sexier, more appealing romance book hero than a rugged, good looking cowboy.

3)      Do you have any traditions you enjoy during early Spring?

You mean besides the mandatory spring cleaning and yard work? Absolutely! I always attend the Glendale Chocolate Affair in February and Tucson Festival of Books in March where local romance writers host two to three days of mega book signings. I love connecting with readers, both new and those that drop by every year for my latest release. Plus, I’m surrounded by books and authors.

4)      When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Like a lot of authors, I started writing at a young age. For me, it was in high school (I actually won a contest for a children’s book I wrote and illustrated). I didn’t seriously, however, until twenty years later. And it wasn’t until I finished that first book that I realized I’d found my passion. Two years ago, I quite the corporate world altogether to write full-time. It’s been a dream come true.

5)      How long does it take you to write a book?

Two weeks of intense planning and three months to write the book from start to finish. Of course, I always wind up trashing some of those carefully constructed plans in favor of better ideas that strike me along the way.

6)      Where do you get your idea to write about an unplanned pregnancy?

My publisher loves unplanned pregnancy books, as do readers! Plus, I really do enjoy writing them J  All kidding aside, I try to give my couples big, game-changing obstacles to overcome and, let’s face it, an unplanned pregnancy is pretty game-changing. I find writing believable reasons for how a couple finds themselves in this particular predicament and believable scenarios for how they cope with it to be challenging. Then, there’s the love story. My guy is going to do the right thing in the end, but he’s going to do it out of love, not just a responsibility.

7)      How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

I’m in the process of writing my forty-second book. I had to look this up. My more recent favorites are Come Home, Cowboy and Rescuing the Cowboy. My all-time favorite is The Gate to Eden, a western historical. It still remains the book of my hear.

8)      What book are you reading right now?

The Sapphire Pendant --- a young adult novel by Audrey White Beyer from 1961. Part of my ongoing goal to read classics, especially young adult classics.

9)      What are your current projects?

I’m currently writing the third book in my newest Mustang Valley series, The Bull Rider’s Valentine. I’m also working on a proposal for a new three-book series in addition to writing a novella for release this summer. Yes, these books will all feature cowboy heroes. What can I say?

10)  What advice do you have for writers?

 

My best advice is to carefully consider the advice you receive. Gather as much information as you can from a wide variety of sources. Then, be extremely selective when choosing what to follow. Opinions are free and they vary greatly. Trust your instincts. Follow only the advice that makes the most sense to you.

 

 

Bon Appétit and a Book: A delicious recipe to enjoy alongside the book with an image.

It’s true, even cowboys like Italian food. Imagine a tall, ruggedly handsome cowboy sitting in a cozy, candle lit booth with wine and a basket of fresh bread. I can and included a scene in my latest book where the hero is dining on stuffed eggplant and looking very manly while he does, I might add!

Spring Rituals: The author describes any rituals she does in early Spring.

 

If I can get out of house cleaning and yard work, I will. My best springtime mini getaways are the Glendale Chocolate Affair and Tucson Festival of Books. We’re talking chocolate and books, people. What can be better?