Sit-Down Saturday with Roz Denny Fox

Roz Denny Fox
Today we're celebrating the release of An Unlikely Rancher


So, Roz, where did you get the idea for this novel? There is an ostrich
ranch near the highway between Tucson and Phoenix. They were in the news a
lot with trouble from hot air balloons. I found the sensitivity of the birds
intriguing, but didn't want to use a real ranch--hence my fictional one in
New Mexico.


In looking at the cover, if you could add a caption or captions, what would
they say? 
Never Under Estimate a Mother's Love

How long did it take you to write? Too long--maybe just over 3 months.

What is your favorite scene? Pages 74 to 76 when heroine, Jenna, learns that
she can't afford to replace the air conditioner on the hero, Flynn's house
that he rents from her. She has to offer to let him take the upstairs area
of her farmhouse until she can get a loan or otherwise find the money. She
thinks it is generous of her to offer her house, and Flynn says: "I'll give
you a month to square things with the AC. Just so we're clear, there's no
need to get chummy because we're sharing a house."


Who was your favorite character and why? Probably Beezer, Flynn's dog. He
was such fun to write.


If you could pick fictional characters to play the hero and heroine, who
would they be?Jenna would be Katie Holmes and Flynn a clean shaven Chris
Hemsworth.


Tell us one thing you learned during research.[Roz Fox]  Ostrich are curious
birds and like shiny objects such as earrings. And they're high strung.


What music would match the mood of this novel? Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off"

This is your 57th book.  Exactly what does that mean to you? Each book means
a lot, because I love to tell stories. I can't think of anything I'd rather
do.


What do you plan to work on next? I'm waiting for revisions on a September
Heartwarming, and working on some ideas to present next.


What are you reading for pleasure right now? I just finished reading books
to judge for RWA's Rita contest. And I'm digging into my very tall
Too-Be-Read stack which includes 2 more of the January Heartwarming books.

=

Comments

  1. I look forward to reading AN UNLIKELY RANCHER. I would read it just to get to know Beezer, but I love your stories. I didn't realize that this was your 57th book. I have some catching up to do with my reading!

    Congratulations on your new release, Roz!

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  2. Roz, we've been to the ostrich ranch many times. I even organized a trip there for my church's youth group :) What's also funny.... that ostrich farm is in my June Heartwarming, already done!

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  3. Congrats, Roz! I can't wait to read this story...especially after Victoria called the ending cathartic :). It sounds awesome! And btw, as a kid, my class had a camping trip to a wildlife ranch, and one day, while in a jeep, we were chased by a very fast and very determined ostrich!

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  4. Roz, this sounds like such a great premise. I'm intrigued by both your story and the ostriches... What do you mean by "trouble" from the hot air balloons?

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  5. Thanks you guys for popping by on a Saturday. Carol, the trouble with the hot air balloons was awful. Ostrich are skittish when it comes to noises or shadows that appear suddenly. The hot air balloons were in a race and the sound of their burners and the large shadows scattered the birds. They broke down fences and many were badly injured. The owner was in a lawsuit to try and close the air park. It dragged on a long time and it's a surprise his ranch survived. I wasn't quite that harsh in my story. I can't wait to read Pam's book with the ranch. It's a fun place. My grandkids loved to stop there when they were little.

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    1. Thank you, Roz. That is absolutely fascinating and heartbreaking. Poor birds. And they are such beautiful creatures. I'm going to look this up... I'm excited about both of these books!

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  6. I always look forward to reading your latest books. I've stopped many times at that ostrich farm on my way to Tucson. Once while there, a “dust devil” came across the field, whipping up all the feathers and debris and blew into the parking lot. We rushed over to close the windows of the car but didn’t make it in time. What a mess. Also, I attended the ostrich races in Chandler and had an ostrich "hamburger." The whole topic sounds exciting.

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  7. Sounds like another winner, Roz! Hopefully, Jenna helps Flynn cool off - or warm up - as the case requires. Looking forward to the fun. Love your photo. You're so cute!

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  8. Sounds like a great story, Roz. I didn't know there was such a thing as an ostrich ranches! We don't have those here in Chicago ;) I also love that you feel three months is a long time to write a book. I hope I feel that way someday!! xoxo

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  9. Roz, I can't wait to read this one!!! I love the cover by the way.
    Fifteen years ago I visited an ostrich farm in Mexico just over the Texas border. I was there for a very long day and learned a great deal. I think I still have those pictures somewhere, but my back is too tired from sitting in the chair working on my book to go through at LEAST three layers of JUNK in my closet to find it. Anyway, I will never forget watching how they breed them, then the incubators for the eggs. Fascinating. Great luck to you with the book!!!

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  10. Roz - lol regarding Flynn's response. That's usually the other way around.

    Thanks for the insights into ostrich farming, and congrats on hitting #57!

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  11. Love the idea of the ostrich ranch, Roz. My current series includes an alpaca ranch and I absolutely fell in love with these big fuzzies. The owners even named one of their babies after the heroine in my story. How fun is that?

    Congrats on #57, my friend!!!

    Deb

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  12. Debra, There must be something in the air, with Pam writing about ostrich and you with alpacas. My heroine decides to branch out into Alpacas so she can raise both ostrich and Alpacas, because she doesn't want to kill and sell ostrich for meat or leather.

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  13. Sounds like another great book Roz! We stopped at that ranch once. The ostriches were so mean! But the kids loved petting the deer and holding the lorikeets in the aviary. I bought an ostrich feather duster there. I still use it all the time. There's something about the oils in the feathers that make them the best for dusting. They had a few with the super soft flowy feathers for delicate dustables.

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  14. Exactly, Shannon. My heroine does sell feathers for dusters. It was a learning process for her in the business. Hope you are doing great in your new home. We miss you, though.

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  15. Great interview and the book sounds great. There is a small ostrich and emu farm near me.

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  16. Sounds great. I'm so looking forward to reading it

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