Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Kim Redford to HJ!
Hi Kim and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Cowboy Firefighter Christmas Kiss!
Please summarize the book for the readers here:
In Cowboy Firefighter Christmas Kiss (Smokin’ Hot Cowboys, Book 5), Ivy Bryant goes from website designer by day to honky-tonk manager by night…and needs help getting Wildcat Hall back on its feet. Slade Steele, cowboy firefighter and proprietor of the Chuckwagon Café, walks in the front door and offers his services as an award-winning pie-baker. There’s instant attraction between them, but also instant trouble. Soon they’re caught up in catching cattle rustlers and solving the mystery of the missing Fernando—eight-year-old Storm Steele’s beloved Angus bull. Storm insists Fernando will somehow make his way home for Christmas. To the surprise of everyone, Fernando sightings spread across North Texas, and he becomes famous on television, radio, and social media. As Ivy and Slade prepare for Wildcat Hall’s Honky-Tonk Christmas celebration, they turn up the heat in the kitchen…and with each other.
After reading Cowboy Firefighter Christmas Kiss, I hope readers take away this thought. “Life, laughter, and love flourish in Wildcat Bluff County, Texas.”
Please share your favorite quote from Cowboy Firefighter Christmas Kiss:
“Somehow Slade had to get a handle on the situation. He’d controlled thousand-pound-plus bulls, horses, cows, and never blinked twice. But let hundred-pounds-plus-change Ivy Bryant enter his life, and he was instantly out of control.”
Please share a few Fun facts about this book…
- Angus bulls travel five miles a day…if motivated.
- Dance halls aka honky-tonks provide important venues for musicians.
- In Texas, eighty percent of firefighters are volunteers.
If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would you use for the audition of the main characters and why?
Ivy Bryant saw another truck turn off Wildcat Road, pull into the parking lot, and stop near the front door. She recognized the solid black vehicle with silver trim sporting a big metal cowcatcher across the front grill—Slade Steele. She felt her heart speed up in anticipation.
He stepped down from his pickup, took off his cowboy hat, and tossed it onto the front seat. When he turned back, he saw her. And paused. He gave a slight nod in acknowledgment and started forward in his easy, ground-eating stride with his limp a bit more pronounced that usual.
She felt a little tug from him to her or her to him—or maybe both directions at once—that caused her to place a hand over her heart. She wasn’t sure why she did it except that it seemed right as she became vitally aware of the softness and tenderness she felt toward him, the determined power he projected toward her, and the excitement that was building between them.
He stopped in front of her, tilted up her chin with one big hand, and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
She was so astonished that she simply stood there, trying to get her mind to work again, but it had gone on hiatus, leaving only her body in charge. And her body demanded much more than the single kiss that had started a river of molten lava burning through her.
“Are you okay after all your guests?” He carefully tugged her hair loose, snagged her ponytail holder around his big wrist where the hot pink looked wildly out of place, and smoothed the hair around her face with the palms of both hands.
“You’re touching me.”
“I know.”
“What makes you think that’s okay?”
“This.” And he cupped her face with both hands and pressed a longer, hotter kiss to her lips.
She shivered in response and took a step back. “I only met you today.”
“I know.”
“And…and I’m not sure it is okay.”
“What can I do to make it okay?” He closed the space between them and kicked the door shut behind him.
She pressed her hand harder over her heart, as if to keep it in place. She felt almost light-headed from his hot kisses, his intense blue eyes, and his sage-and-citrus scent.
“Tell me.” He leaned toward her, searching her face for an answer.
“I—I’m not sure.” She held her ground this time, but it wasn’t easy in his nearly overwhelming presence. “Today has been so much, and you—”
“I helped you.”
“Yes, but—”
“I’m here to help you again. I brought supper. It’s in the truck.”
She smiled, feeling her eyes crinkle at the corners in pleasure. “And you think the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach.”
He grinned back. “Yeah.”
“I suppose it’s possible.”
“I’ve got lots of food…and I know how to cook it.”
She chuckled at his words.
“And I’m willing to share it.”
“But still, you touched me.”
“I know.”
“And I suppose you plan to do it again.”
“Yeah.”
“And I suppose you think I’ll let you.”
“If you don’t, I’ll be in serious trouble.”
If he hadn’t looked so adorable, she might have been able to resist the kisses, the food, the banter, but those big blue eyes were burning a hole in her heart and she was falling deep into them—and she didn’t want to climb out. She put her hands flat on his chest, feeling the muscles tighten in response, went up on her toes, and placed the softest of gentle kisses on his firm lips.
He sighed in relief and pleasure. “That’s the answer I’ve been waiting for since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
“I didn’t know you asked me a question.”
“Not in so many words, but it’s been there between us from the first.”
“Maybe I was too distracted to notice.”
“Maybe…or you didn’t want to notice.” He lifted a hand toward her, then dropped it to his side. “You answered my question now. That’s all that counts.”
She nodded, feeling once again that this endless day into night was propelling her down a race track so fast that she could hardly catch her breath.
“It’s been a long day for you.” He raised his hand and this time tenderly cupped her jaw before letting her go. “I’m not helping matters, am I?”
“You mentioned food. I could use it.”
“Your wish is my command.” He glanced around the front bar. “Do you want to eat here or—”
“My place, please…or at least Fern’s home.”
“It’s yours.”
“For now.”
“No, not for now. Like everything else in Wildcat Bluff, it’s yours for the asking and for as long as you want it.”
If you could’ve given your characters one piece of advice before the opening pages of Cowboy Firefighter Christmas Kiss…
I’d have told them this one thing. “No matter what life throws at you, be ready to follow your heart, because your greatest strength and resilience comes from your heart.”
Thanks for blogging at HJ!
Giveaway: Paperback copy of Cowboy Firefighter Christmas Kiss (Smokin’ Hot Cowboys) by Kim Redford
To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Readers, here are a couple of important questions for you. 1. In a home fire, people instinctively run outside. How do animals respond? 2. Does your local fire department have at least one oxygen mask kit that comes in three sizes for pets?
Book Info:
The firefighting cowboys of Wildcat Bluffs take Christmas VERY seriously…
When Ivy Bryant arrives in town to run the historic honkytonk, she finds herself immersed in traditions that can’t be bucked. Luckily, cowboy firefighter Slade Steele has an idea to increase both the honkytonk’s income, and his own. It’s an offer Ivy couldn’t refuse, even if the passion between them wasn’t already reaching the boiling point.
Ivy and Slade’s love story is legendary—when you add in arsonist cattle rustlers, a runaway Angus bull, and a chili recipe that includes liquor AND chocolate, Wildcat Bluffs will be celebrating a cowboy Christmas unlike any other.
Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo |
Meet the Author:
Kim Redford is the bestselling author of Western romance novels. She grew up in Texas with cowboys, cowgirls, horses, cattle, and rodeos. She divides her time between homes in Texas and Oklahoma, where she’s a rescue cat wrangler and horseback rider—when she takes a break from her keyboard. Author Website: www.kimredford.com
Mary Preston
I am not sure how animals would respond and I don’t know if the local fire department has masks for animals. Interesting questions.
Kim Redford
Animals hide inside, so they’re more susceptible to smoke inhalation. Not all fire departments are equipped to handle this situation, but donations are always good.
Melanie Bowers
Good question
I’m not sure how how animals would respond. I assume cats hide and dogs would follow the owners. And I have no idea if my local firefighters have pet size oxygen masks.
Kim Redford
Animals, dogs and cats, as well as other small pets, will hide, and so they inhale more smoke. Oxygen masks are vital for them.
Lori R
My neighbor’s cat woke them up before any fire alarms went off in their house and probably saved them. Five minutes later the whole house collapsed into the basement. I have no idea if the fire department has masks for pets but I would hope so.
Debra Guyette
I am imagining that animals hide. Our department does have animal face masks.
janinecatmom
I think animals would hide. But, I would be trying to round up my cats to bring them with me. They are like my kids and no one gets left behind. I have no idea if my fire department has pet masks or not. I would think it should be mandatory these days.
laurieg72
Pets hide. I live in a small rural community. We have a wonderful volunteer fire department. We do not have oxygen masks in all 3 sizes for animals. We rely on fund raisers for donations. Recently they bought a portable defibrillator.
Sue C
I don’t know
kim hansen
I gonna say they hide when there a fire. We have more than a dozen fire houses here so I would guess they would have a mask for animals. But here by the time they get to a fire the whole house or building is a blazed.
Glenda M
Animals hide – at least most cats will because they are smart enough to know the doors are usually closed and they cannot run away. They usually have their favorite hiding places they will retreat to.
And sadly no. My FD does not have those masks.
Ginger Connatser
I think they hide. I don’t know if they have a mask, but I hope so.
Kathleen O
I’m not sure what they do, but I would take a guess and say they hide. And I’m sure our Fire Dept., has ample equipment to help four legged creatures as well as two legged ones.
Joy Tetterton Avery
I don’t know the answer to either of those. I do know I would freak out if there was a fire and I couldn’t get my cat out.
Amy R
In a home fire, people instinctively run outside. How do animals respond? No sure
2. Does your local fire department have at least one oxygen mask kit that comes in three sizes for pets? I don’t know
Teresa Warner
Those are very good questions that I never thought about, thanks for the heads up!
Mary C
If an animal can’t escape, the animal will generally stay in a place here he feels comfortable. The local fire department has a number of oxygen mask kits for animals.
courtney kinder
I think they hide. I don’t know if they have all 3 size mask kits for animals.
bn100
no idea
erinf1
Yes! My local fire department does have animal masks and they’ve been spotlighted multiple times saving pets 🙂 thanks for sharing!
Lori Byrd
I think they’d hide. Not sure what they have.
Shannon Capelle
I think they run and hide. I dont know if they do or not its something to check out
[email protected]
Probab!y run and hide .I don’t know if our tire dept has any or not.
Anna Nguyen
Animals run to their owners first usually to wake them up and only leave when their owners make them go out. I don’t think my fire station has pet specific equipment
Lynne Brigman
I am no sure how animals respond but my son -in-law is a local fireman and they do have several different size mask for pets. We live in a country area where people have a lot pets/ animals.
Latifa Morrisette
They generally hide. I have no idea if my local fire department have different sized masks for animals
erahime
1) Pets react differently than humans do during a house fire. They either try to find their family and/or they hide.
2) I didn’t ask the fire department when I had the chance if they have pet masks. But with the tax money we are paying, they should have them.
Irma
1. I’m guessing they trie to run away 2. I have no idea, sadly.
Anita H.
I’m not sure what pets would do, maybe try to hide. As for the oxygen mask kit, I have absolutely no idea.
Colleen C.
Animals hide… as for the masks… I’m not sure.
dbranigan
I think animals would run if they could, but often that is likely just to a hiding place as they can’t open doors. I have no idea about my volunteer fire department. I have no pets at this time.
Daniel M
i’m sure animals will panic and hide, no clue what the fire dept has
angela smith
cats would probably hide,dogs would probably come when you called them and follow you outside,as for masks for pets i have no idea
BookLady
In general I think that pets would stay with their owners. If they are home alone and could not get out, I think they would hide. I don’t know if our local fire department has an oxygen mask for pets.
isisthe12th
Honestly I have no idea. I didn’t even know that was a thing. Thank you
Patricia B.
I am a Red Cross Disaster Volunteer and respond to home fires. It is so devastating for those who lose their homes. Pets are a bit like young children. They will often run out, but are just as likely to hide under a bed or in a closet. Calling them doesn’t always help to urge them out. Luckily most succumb to smoke inhalation long before the fire gets to them. It is a big loss for most families to lose a pet. They mean a lot to us and they do worry about them suffering.
Many of our local fire stations do have masks for animals.
Kim Redford
You’re exactly right. Pets hide, so they are most susceptible to smoke inhalation. It’s always a good idea to put a sign on a front window, so that if you’re gone, firefighters will know an animal is in the house. Sadly, you’re right about the lack of masks in many fire stations, but donations are always good in these cases.