Sit Down Saturday with Cathy McDavid

Available November 1, 2019
I’m so excited to share the release of THE COWBOY’S PERFECT MATCH, book two in my Sweetheart Ranch series. Not to gush or anything, but don’t you just love the cover? I think it perfectly captures the mood and romantic tone of the book.

Everyone always wants to know what inspired the story. In this case, it’s actually very personal. Bridget and Ryan are at different places in their lives, she’s ready to settle down and he’s not there yet. I know many people who’ve been in this situation before with their special person, including myself. It’s a tough situation to navigate. You love the person and don’t want to give up on the relationship, but finding that balance isn’t easy. I’m glad I didn’t give up, and not to give away the ending or anything, but Bridget doesn’t, either.

Except, to get there, she has to learn a lesson. I won’t say that Bridget is based on my, but she does have one little quirk that I took directly from my own experience. Back when I was newly dating (years ago, before meeting my current husband) I had a list of dating non-negotiables. Just like Bridget does, although her list is considerably longer. Also like Bridget, I was searching for my perfect match. I eventually threw away the list followed my heart! Hmmm...I wonder what Bridget does?

Another common question I get asked is, “What type of research did you do for the book?” No matter how much I think I know about a subject, there’s always one or two things I need to research to make sure I’m being as accurate as I possibly can. In this book, my heroine Bridget is head chef at Sweetheart Ranch and is professionally trained. I’m not much of a cook at all so I had to do a lot of research about preparing elegant dishes as a honeymoon breakfast and “glam” campfire cookouts are one of Sweetheart Ranch’s popular amenities. I also researched for the hero Ryan, he flips houses on the side, but only some. In my former, pre-full-time-writer life, I was co-owner of a commercial construction company for over twenty years. I had a lot of personal experience there to draw on.

Here’s a short excerpt from the book, which, I’m really happy to say, has been getting some really great early reviews:

   “Sweet!” Ryan stopped to admire the trim, sleek, fire-engine-red vehicle parked behind the ranch house. “Top speed, how fast can this baby fly?”
Bridget was securing the insulated food container holding brunch for cabin two in the vehicle’s rear bed. She then straightened to give him an exasperated look. “You’re kidding.”
“Not at all.” Ryan continued his inspection, circling the front of the vehicle and pausing at the passenger side. “Forty-eight-volt motor, right? I bet you can do eighteen easy. Twenty on the downhill.”
“It’s a golf cart.”
“And a beauty at that. Electric. Eco-friendly.” He gave a low whistle of appreciation. “Top-of-the-line and brand-spanking-new.”
“Let’s go,” she told him and slid behind the steering wheel.
He hopped in beside her. “No seat belts?”
“What’s the matter?” She turned the key, and the motor purred softly. “Afraid I’m going to push you out?”
He laughed, glad to see she had a sense of humor.
“Hold on to your hat.” She released the brake, pressed down with her foot and away they went—at about fifteen miles per hour by Ryan’s calculations.
“You have a nice home.” He looked back over his shoulder as they pulled away. “Don’t see many like it in these parts.”
“My great-great-grandparents built the original house in the late 1800s. They were one of the first families to settle in Mustang Valley. Every generation since has remodeled to some degree. Grandma doubled the size of the kitchen when she decided to convert the ranch into a wedding venue and bed-and-breakfast. Made enough room for a walk-in pantry and four-door refrigerator.”
“The cabins are new.” Ryan studied the row of cozy, identical pine structures with redbrick chimneys and green gable roofs.
“As of last summer. Grandma designed them to resemble the house, with my sister Molly’s input. Each one caters to honeymooning couples. Spa tubs. Enclosed courtyards. Privacy windows.”
“Maybe you’ll give me a tour one of these days, seeing as I can’t look inside.”
His remark earned him another pained expression from Bridget. “Are you ever serious?”
“No fun in that.”

Thank you for letting me share this Sit-Down-Saturday with you. THE COWBOY’S PERFECT MATCH has become one of my favorite Harlequin books I’ve written --- and not just because Bridget's experiences "loosely" resemble my own 😄 She's someone who I believe really deserved her happy ending, and I was glad to give it to her.

In the third grade, NY Times, USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid made it her goal to read every Black Stallion book ever written. 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 over 1.3 million books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is newly married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world two years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

Comments

  1. I just finished reading this story. I adore Bridget and am so glad she learned to bend a little.

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    1. Thanks, Beth! It's a lesson we all need to learn, I think :)

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  2. My mom was always a sucker for a good cowboy romance and passed that on to me. Thank goodness you are there to make the sacrifices so we can keep riding into the sunset in a Stetson!

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    1. Hey, I relate to your mom! And thanks for stopping by :)

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  3. Sounds like a great story--and by the way, Happy Mother's Day to you and anyone else on the site. How wonderful to be part of the RWA Honor Roll...good for you.

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    1. Happy Mom's Day to you, too, Virginia. And I have Harlequin to thank for that wonderful honor!

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  4. I think I probably already told you how much I liked this story, and love Sweetheart Ranch. I saw something on TV recently that people are spending billions a year on weddings. It's so nice that your book family are offering so much variety and cater to brides wishes.

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    1. Thanks, Roz. I think if I hadn't taken the life path I did, I could see myself owing and operating a place like this. What fun that would be!

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  5. I am loving this new book already, Cathy! Nice humor and great characters. Congrats on the Honor Roll...and Happy Mother’s Day!

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  6. Thank you, Janice :) And Happy Mom's Day to you, too!

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  7. I'm excited to read this. And yes, I love the cover!

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth. Can't wait to hear if you like the book :)

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