Spotlight & Giveaway: The Wrong Cowboy by Megan Ryder

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Megan Ryder to HJ!

Hi Megan and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, The Wrong Cowboy!

 
Thank you so much for hosting me today! I’m so excited to share Gabe and Emma’s story with you along with some behind the scenes tidbits!
 

To start off, can you please tell us a little bit about this book?:

Sure! Emma Holt has been in love with her brother’s best friend for most of her life, since her brother brought Cam Miller home after school one day. Unfortunately, Cam only saw her as another little sister, which foiled her own plans for a future romance. No matter, she had things to do before she was ready to settle down, including college and a job as a high school counselor. Once she has everything she wants, she sets her eyes on the next step – life with Cam. Only he has put his ranch up for sale and is moving out of town, with his cousin Gabe Buchanan coming to town to help him get everything ready to sell.

Gabe is looking for a place to figure out the reason for his writer’s block and Granite Junction seems as good a place as any, and the sexy Emma might be a great distraction, if only she wasn’t hung up on his cousin. He was too accustomed to playing second fiddle to his older brother back home and had no desire to do it again. But he convinces Emma to give him a shot, especially when she first decides to try to make Cam jealous, then reassesses her plan and decides it’s time to get over her crush and Gabe, with his sexy, charming ways is the best option.

Emma doesn’t expect to fall for him and Gabe doesn’t expect to find love in a small town. Can Emma truly give up her plan and find what she truly desires?
 

Please share your favorite lines or quote(s) from this book:

I’m a huge fan of consent and when Emma gets drunk one night and tries to get Gabe to sleep with her, he refuses, which actually irritates her. He responds with this:

“I didn’t touch you because I’m not an asshole, taking advantage when a woman has had too much to drink. When I kiss you, and believe me that’s a when, you’ll be fully functional and not impaired in any way. I want you to remember who’s kissing you and to make the choice.”

Gabe is quite snarky is charming and loves to set Emma’s preconceived notions on their head. He has a sports car and she wonders why he calls his car a male and not a female.

She folded her arms and glared at him. “I thought all cars are women. Temperamental and something to be taken care of.”
He pushed off the end of the truck and sauntered toward her. “That’s a very old-fashioned view of women, Emma. First off, women don’t need to be taken care of. My momma taught me that they can handle most anything thrown at them, possibly better than men and I listen to my momma. Second, I believe in equality. A car can be male or female, and trust me. This beast is all male.”

What inspired this book?

This book was inspired by my desire to write a love triangle. Obviously I failed. In fact, I first wanted to write a friends to lovers story with Cam and Emma. In fact, I set them up in the three books in the Redemption Ranch series. But when I started this book, Cam flat out refused to cooperate. They just were never romantically connected. Then I introduced a third character, hoping it would take a shot of jealousy to jumpstart the romance. Instead, Gabe snagged Emma’s attention right from the start and the sparks flew off the page, and Cam settled into a mentor role, a big brother role, like he’s assumed in Emma’s past.

How did you ‘get to know’ your main characters? Did they ever surprise you?

I spend a lot of time delving into my characters’ past, learning about who they are, their backstories and histories. I figure out those key events, sometimes even write those key scenes so I understand how my characters developed into who they are today and what they need to be the person they want to be.

They always surprise me. In this book, so much surprised me, especially about Cam and Gabe, right up until the very end. In fact, Gabe had layers about him that I didn’t know until the final edit when I was revising the final scene. He had more going on with his past that I didn’t even know and it made me fall even more in love with him.

What was your favorite scene to write?

My most favorite scene was the scene outside of the local bar when Emma was desperate to leave after seeing her crush with another woman and Gabe was there for her. He was such a gentleman, teasing her and being with her even when she wanted more. He wanted her even then but refused because he was a decent guy and the time wasn’t right. He didn’t want to be her second choice.

SNIPPET:
While she had been thinking, he had drawn her a few steps to the side and opened the passenger door to the Charger. “Your chariot awaits, milady.”
With an exaggerated bow, he gestured inside, then took her hand and helped her into the car. She moaned as she settled into the leather seats and stroked a hand over the driver’s seat with a mischievous eye to Gabe, who groaned. He slammed the door and hurried around to slide in.
“I don’t know what you do for a living, but it must be a nice job to afford a car like this.”
He didn’t answer, but pressed Start and the infotainment system started. Her eyebrows rose. “A man with a navigation system. Nice. Have you used it, or don’t you need directions?”
“I don’t need directions for everything,” he replied. “I can handle you just fine.”
“I’ll go out with you on the condition I get to drive this baby on the back road at least once. I want to see what he can do.”
Gabe backed out of the lot and headed for the main road. “I guarantee you, he’ll satisfy all your needs.”
“I don’t know. I’m beginning to realize that I have quite a few of them. He might not be up for the challenge.”
“Trust me. He can handle anything and everything you’ve got, baby.”
“Maybe I should check under the chassis to see what he’s packing.” Her hand slid across the center console and into his lap.
He jumped and groaned. “Jesus, Emma. You picked a helluva time to decide to play. What did you have to drink tonight?”
She chuckled, a raspy sound she barely recognized. “A little Fireball, a little beer. Nothing unusual. My, this is impressive.”
She stroked over the bulge in his jeans and he grasped her hand and moved it firmly back over the console to her own lap. “Emma, not tonight. Not until you’re perfectly sober.”
She laid her head back against the seat, feeling the world fly by her a bit more than warranted by the speed of the car. “So, you know where you’re going?”
“Not a fucking clue. I’m headed toward the diner and hope you’ll direct me as I get closer.”
She rattled off quick directions and laid her head back, staring at his profile, lit by the glow of the dashboard. “You’re a good-looking man, Gabe.”
He laughed. “Oh, you’re going to regret this in the morning.”
She shook her head. “No, I’m not. I’m not that drunk. I’ve been way worse, believe me. If I was, Tara and Hailey would have never let me leave with you. But you’re right that we should wait. I’ve never really dated except in college and high school. I’ve been too focused on finishing my master’s and working to worry about dating. I think I’d like to try it.”
He turned a startled look at her. “You’ve never dated? Anyone?”
“Didn’t you hear me? I dated in high school and college.”
He snorted. “That doesn’t count. College is mostly parties and getting drunk in dorm rooms or bars. And high school, well, basically the same thing, though at swimming holes and maybe the occasional movie or diner. Life in a small town.”
She laughed. “My father was the sheriff and my older brother took on that role as soon as he could. And I had Cam watching out for me too. No one dared try anything with me. I had more overprotective guardians than I could shake my fist at. No chance to be free.”
He gazed at her sadly. “Oh darlin’, fortunately for you, I came to town. We’ll date and have the fun you were denied.”
“Think you’re up for the challenge?”
“I know I am. And you checked the chassis so we’re good to go.”

What was the most difficult scene to write?

Writing the breakup scene was so hard because it broke my heart. I knew I had to break Gabe and force Emma to make a choice, and force her to stand up. I also needed them to stop running, especially Gabe, who didn’t even know he was running. It was a slippery scene, trying to get Gabe just right and Emma’s reaction too.

SNIPPET:

When the coffees were delivered and no one ordered dessert, Gabe’s father leaned back in his chair. “I think it’s time we talked, son.”
Gabe stiffened in the seat next to her. Emma stretched her hand to his lap, again reaching out to him to let him know she was there, but he didn’t take her hand. He didn’t pull away but he lay passive under her grip, cold and unresponsive.
“I don’t think this is the time or the place.”
“Well, since you can’t be bothered to come home and do your duty, then we’ll have to cater to you,” he rumbled. Then he turned to Emma. “This is a family matter, however. I think it would be best if your friend stepped away.”
Emma grew cold at the blatant insult his father handed her, while Gabe’s mother sucked in a breath. Both brothers looked at her, no reaction on their faces. Gabe stared at his father, his expression hooded and masked, then he turned to her, an unfamiliar look on his face.
“I think it might be best, Emma. I can meet you in the bar when we’re done and drive you home.”
Her jaw dropped and she stared at him in disbelief. After all she had done, she was going to be treated like this? Slowly, she folded her napkin and placed it on the table carefully then raised her head, hoping she could keep her composure and hold back the tears until she was away from the table.
“Don’t bother.”
And she pushed away from the table and walked out of the dining room, head held high, holding what remained of her dignity, all the while deep inside her heart was breaking into a thousand pieces.

Would you say this book showcases your writing style or is it a departure for you?

I think the levels of emotion are still here but there is more humor than I usually have in my books. I always like a little snark and some sarcasm but Gabe uses humor and charm as a weapon, a shield to protect himself and to connect with people. I had to step up the charm in this book for his voice. And it was a lot of fun. I can see myself exploring that more in subsequent books!

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

I think the most important theme from this book is don’t be so focused on your plans and the way you think things SHOULD be that you miss what COULD be. Emma was so focused on what she thought her life should be, that she almost missed Gabe, the man who was perfect for her. How many things did we miss?

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I am currently working on the next book in this series, Cam’s book and the secret love affair he had going on throughout this book that no one knew about, though a few people suspected! Look for that shortly!

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: 3 Electronic copies of The Wrong Cowboy

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Excerpt from The Wrong Cowboy:

“Did something happen in the ladies’ room? Run out of towels? No soap? Was it not fancy enough?”
She laughed despite herself. “It was a bathroom, Gabe. It was fine. I was just tired and hot and wanted to go home. Everyone else was having a good time and I’ve had a bit too much to drink and didn’t want to drive.” She paused and took a deep breath. “Thanks for cutting your evening short and taking me home.”
“Anytime, darlin’. I’ll be your knight in the fancy black Charger. I knew you wanted a ride in it. All you had to do was ask.”
She rolled her eyes at his words but smiled despite herself. “You caught me. I came here tonight, intending to drink too much Fireball and beer and hope that you were here too, and not picking up another woman.”
“Why would I look at another woman when I have you?”
She sucked in a breath at his serious tone and stared into his green eyes that were now way too close. When had he moved next to her? He had a slight five o’clock shadow lending him a roughened air, not the refined, city-boy look she had been expecting, and it was oddly sexy. Before she could stop herself, she reached up and tracked the curve of his jaw, the stubble on his cheeks, with her fingers. He stared down at her, not moving or speaking, just let her explore.
She didn’t remember ever doing this with another man, even her college boyfriend with whom she’d shared a brief and rather bland physical relationship in her first unsuccessful effort to get over Cam. But he was a boy, not a man, and Gabe was definitely a man. For all her years of knowing Cam, she couldn’t recall ever knowing how passion looked in his eyes. She had been close to Cam, even danced with him, but even in that closeness there had been a distance, a chasm between them that she had never really known existed until Gabe.
She’d only met Gabe a couple of days ago, but he was staring at her like she was a feast and he was a starving man. Yet he held himself back, not touching her, not moving an inch toward her.
It was that realization that made her pull away. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that.”
“I don’t care why. I’m just glad you did.” His voice was hoarse, rough, and his eyes bored holes into her as if hoping she’d touch him again. But he didn’t press her. And that thought bothered her.
“Well, you don’t seem to feel the same way, despite earlier evidence when we were dancing.” The perverse thought bubbled up out of her before she could stuff it back inside, where she’d stored all her hurt feelings for years, all the rejection she’d felt when Cam had ignored her or didn’t reciprocate her attentions. “You’re just standing there.”
She wrapped her arms around herself and started to turn away, but Gabe stopped her, pulling her around. He tilted her chin up until she was forced to look at him through the embarrassing sheen of wetness in her eyes. “I didn’t touch you because I’m not an asshole, taking advantage when a woman has had too much to drink. When I kiss you, and believe me that’s a when, you’ll be fully functional and not impaired in any way. I want you to remember who’s kissing you and to make the choice.”
“There you go, making assumptions and decisions for me again, like teaching me about feminism.”
The corner of his lips quirked up. “Well, my daddy told me to always make sure I had permission from the girl before anything goes on.”
She loosened her arms and twined them around his neck, pulling his head down, ignoring the uncertainty in his eyes. “Your daddy sounds like a wise man, Gabe Buchanan. How did they birth such a wise-ass son?”
She pressed her lips to his in an innocent kiss and she prayed he wouldn’t reject her. But it appeared that sainthood only went so far with Gabriel and he’d used up his allowance already. He pressed her to the car and buried his fingers in her hair, holding her in place for his kiss. He swept his tongue along the seam of her lips and she opened for him, meeting him, twining her tongue along his in a desperate mating of their mouths. She pulled him closer, moaning, as sensation buffeted her like the wild winter wind, but nowhere near as cold. It was hot and wild and made her frantic for more. Her hands went to his shirt and tugged it out of his jeans—and that was when everything stopped.
He stepped back, chest heaving, hands shoved into his pockets. “Emma, we have to stop.”
She stared at him, confused. “You don’t want me?”
He barked a laugh and gestured to his crotch. “Emma, twice tonight you’ve seen me with a painful hard-on because of you. Trust me, not wanting you is not the problem. Timing is the problem. Let’s get you home.”
He went to open the door, but she remained fixed in front of it. “I’m basically throwing myself at you and you’re turning me down? I could walk in that bar right now and find five guys, no, ten guys who would jump at the chance to take me home and screw me. Hell, they’d probably do it in this parking lot.”
He moved so quickly she barely saw it, but he was pressed up against her and his face was dark with anger. “You wouldn’t get two feet from me. If all I wanted was a quick fuck, I could do the same. But that’s not what I want. Not from you, not from anyone. Don’t cheapen it or yourself, Emma. You’re worth so much more.”
She swallowed but kept her gaze on him. “What do you want, Gabe? Because I honestly don’t know.”
He bracketed her with his arms, his hands braced on the roof of the car, surrounding her with his heat. “I want more than one night with you. I want to date you.”

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Graduate from college? Check.
Land a school counselor job? Check.
Seduce her forever crush? Epic fail!

The sexy rancher is clearly not interested in long-term. In fact, he’s not interested, period. But Emma is determined to change his mind until his cousin, Gabe Buchanan, puts a definite crimp in her perfect plans.

Gabe has come to help his cousin with work around the ranch while struggling to unravel his next book plot. The last thing he expected to find was literary inspiration in the curvaceous cowgirl pining over his cousin. Determined to prove he is the right match for her, he devises a plan to win Emma’s heart.

As much as Emma wants her childhood crush to finally take notice, she can’t help but be intrigued by the sizzling hot and funny Gabe. When he asks her out, she can’t say no. Besides, it’s just a friendly dinner. No big deal. Yet when the lines between casual and interested blur, neither can deny the chemistry between them.

Can Gabe fill every box on Emma’s checklist and give her what she needs the most? His heart and a future together?

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Meet the Author:

Ever since Megan Ryder discovered Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught while sneaking around the “forbidden” romance section of the library one day after school, she has been voraciously devouring romance novels of all types. Now a romance author in her own right, Megan pens sexy contemporary novels all about family and hot lovin’ with the boy next door. She lives in Connecticut, spending her days as a technical writer and her spare time divided between her addiction to knitting and reading.
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