Songs about Rain

Its raining here in New York, so this song is perfect for a wet music Monday. Hot heartthrob rancher, Colt McCord in Heartbreak Ranch would definitely have a listen to this, especially in that stormy bit of weather he encounters in his relationship with Graysen. You can pick up my steamy western romance on Amazon.



PS - Gary Allan is pretty easy on the eyes too. Enjoy.

Hump Day Hunk - Blue Collar Heroes

Wow. Its been a long time since I've posted. I want to first thank everyone for continuing to make Heartbreak Ranch a success. I am so glad you have fallen head over heels for Colt McCord :) and although I've featured him in my Hump Day Hunk posts from time to time, today I would like to focus on a different kind of romance novel hero.

While the world is abuzz with the scenes being filmed for Fifty Shades of Grey's big screen adaptation and women everywhere are fantasizing about self-made billionaire Christian Grey, some of us are looking for a man more grounded in reality. While I love stories where a rich man whisks away some beautiful diamond in the rough girl, I also like a story that has a bit more realism. It pushes me as the writer to be more creative. The grand gestures of love don't fall into the same category. Its easy to write a story where the hero gifts his love interest with a whirlwind trip to Paris or expensive jewelry or a new luxury car. But, I think there is a lot of wonderful emotional moments that get missed in all the extravagance.

For one of my next manuscripts I plan on making the male hero someone more down to earth. A man who is strong and works with his hands and knows the value of a promise. He lives to make his love happy and knows that she prefers something he's fashioned for her out of steel instead of store bought because it holds special meaning. My next male hero will be a welder who has an artistic bent and creates beautiful pieces of art from metal. Have you seen the things a welder can do when he unleashes his creative side? Take a look at some of the work on Etsy by artisan welders, like this amazing North Star. Could you imagine falling for a man who could craft something so amazing?

What do you think about creating a male character who is more grounded in reality? Could you fall for a fisherman, or a construction worker, or a welder?

Thanksgiving at Heartbreak Ranch - Brandied Cranberry Sauce

With Thanksgiving less than a week away, its time to start menu planning at Heartbreak Ranch. What to feed all those hungry folks looking for an authentic Western ranch Thanksgiving meal? Well besides a big ole turkey, we need to have some spectacular sides to showcase our flair for good family style eats.

You can't go wrong with this recipe for Brandied Cranberry Sauce. Its sweet, tart, and has a bit of kick much like Ms. Graysen Beaufort.

Ingredients

• 1 package (12 oz.) fresh or thawed frozen cranberries
• 1 1/2 cups sugar 

• 1/3 to 1/2 cup brandy
• 2 tablespoons finely shredded orange peel

Preparation

1. Sort cranberries and discard any soft or spoiled ones. Rinse and drain berries.
2. Mix cranberries, sugar, brandy, and orange peel in an 8- or 9-inch square baking dish. Bake, uncovered, in a 325° oven until berries are tender when pierced and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Serve warm or cool.

#MusicMonday - Toby Keith's "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This - Slow Dancing with Colt McCord

Its Monday, and it couldn't be a better time for a little music. Songs and their lyrics are a huge part of what unfolds into a passionate romance between HEARTBREAK RANCH's Colt McCord and Graysen Beaufort.

Graysen finds herself swooning to Colt's rendition of Toby Keith's "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This" as he pulls her in closer during a private slow dance in the lodge.

Here's a Youtube clip of that tune:

Hump Day Hunk: The Reviews are in - Colt McCord is One Hot Stallion

Its been a week since my debut novel, HEARTBREAK RANCH from Swoon Romance released worldwide. Its been receiving great reviews and most reviewers are gushing over sexy rancher Colt McCord.

Here's what they are saying:

From Goodreads:

Tee Loves Kyle Jacobson writes:

"Colt McCord and boy oh boy does he summer two week out look change with one look at the crazy sexy horse trainer. I mean he is a gentlemen in every way but with his southern charm and southern hospitality he is the complete package."

From Amazon:

 andrewsheath writes:

 "Colt I loved him, "don't drop the reins next time, Iowa," he said as he handed Grayson her hat, the corner of his mouth edging upward into a wry smile." I just loved how he talked, "twenty? Lordy, why, you're just a baby." He has a possessiveness about him, "I am going to make you mine before you leave. I am going to make love to you. Not just because I want you, but because if I don't both of us will regret it for the rest of our lives." When I picture a cowboy or rancher I picture Colt, "darlin', I know," he said softly. "I've been sitting in the next stall over; I heard every word you said." "

Susan Arden - Sweet & Spicy Tales  writes:

 "Repeat after me: COWBOY FLIRT ALERT!
Colt isn't just any cowboy, he's educated from Texas A &M and he doesn't just act the ranch hand even though he does backbreaking work. He's the adopted son of the ranch owners with a painful past."

 

Careful... You're Extremely Hot...

Starbucks is the place to go for coffee, even for the handsome ranch hand, Colt McCord in my debut novel HEARTBREAK RANCH from Swoon Romance. It releases on October 15, 2013.

 He's probably not been in one, but his lust interest, Graysen Beaufort can't bear to do with out her caffeine fix from Starbucks. I'd like to think this is what would be on Colt's cup from a barista...

Saddle Up Saturday - Sexy Colt McCord of Heartbreak Ranch

Saturday... a day for watching Westerns on AMC or Encore... and a day for lazily staring at some seriously sexy men in the saddle. It just so happens my upcoming release features one of those type of men - You know the ruggedly handsome, tanned, wild stallion of a man.


Rancher Colt McCord of HEARTBREAK RANCH is definitely that. 

 

More information about HEARTBREAK RANCH set for worldwide release on October 15, 2013:

Heartbreak Ranch
by Anastasia Ryan
Release Date: 10/15/13
Publisher: Swoon Romance
New Adult 17+

Summary from Goodreads:
Recent college graduate, Graysen Beaufort, resigns herself to two weeks of boredom at a dude ranch honoring her parents’ wishes for one last family vacation.

She doesn't plan on meeting Colt McCord, an irresistible cowboy who threatens to bring disorder to Graysen's ordinarily ordered life.

Dodging an overprotective family, an unwelcome suitor, and certain heartbreak, Graysen struggles to break free of her limitations and submit her heart to Colt’s love. But learning to let go isn't easy, even with a man like Colt.

Colt McCord, White Pine Ranch’s head horse trainer, loves the busy, back-breaking work of a cattle ranch.

But when he meets a beautiful and spirited woman from Iowa, she makes him forget everything he'd known before, and he risks everything to be with her.

Colt is accustomed to breaking horses, but can he tame Graysen’s wild heart before it is too late?

Sign up to participate in the Blog Tour and Book Blitz for Heartbreak Ranch

 

Add to your Goodreads

Cover Reveal: HEARTBREAK RANCH

The day is finally here! I am proud to present the cover for my debut novel, Heartbreak Ranch. Swoon Romance is releasing it in October 2013.  Thank you to my wonderful publisher Georgia McBride, Swoon Romance's founder for helping get my vision for Graysen and Colt onto this amazing cover! Also a special thanks to YA Bound Book Tours for hosting the cover reveal. Another thanks to Amanda at AKG Designs who took my official author photo. I hope you all love it as much as I do! :)

Without further ado...

More details on my New Adult Novel, HEARTBREAK RANCH:

Title: HEARTBREAK RANCH

Author: Anastasia Ryan

Genre: New Adult Romance

Pub Date: October 15, 2013

Publisher: Swoon Romance

Formats: Available for Kindle and Nook
Summary:

Recent college graduate, Graysen Beaufort, resigns herself to two weeks of boredom at a dude ranch honoring her parents’ wishes for one last family vacation.

She doesn't plan on meeting Colt McCord, an irresistible cowboy who threatens to bring disorder to Graysen's ordinarily ordered life.

Dodging an overprotective family, an unwelcome suitor, and certain heartbreak, Graysen struggles to break free of her limitations and submit her heart to Colt’s love. But learning to let go isn't easy, even with a man like Colt.

Colt McCord, White Pine Ranch’s head horse trainer, loves the busy, back-breaking work of a cattle ranch.

But when he meets a beautiful and spirited woman from Iowa, she makes him forget everything he'd known before, and he risks everything to be with her.

Colt is accustomed to breaking horses, but can he tame Graysen’s wild heart before it is too late?

Links:

Anastasia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/anastasiaeryan

Anastasia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anastasianryanauthor

Publisher Website: www.myswoonromance.com

Heartbreak Ranch on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18461601-heartbreak-ranch?from_search=true

 

Hump Day Hunk

To help everyone get through the week, here is my choice for Hump Day Hunk this week. In honor of my debut novel HEARTBREAK RANCH being released Fall 2013 by Swoon Romance, I thought I would go with someone rough and ready - nothing like a sexy cowboy to make it over that midweek hump. Enjoy!

Two-Stepping Into My Heart

I couldn't sleep last night. I haven't sleep much in the past few months. I could blame the usual list of suspects; one of our six children usually wakes me or sometimes it’s the non-stop trains barreling through our sleepy town.

Several months ago Colt and Graysen’s story, Heartbreak Ranch unfolded before me on my laptop. The unlikely pair continues to two-step through my mind during my restless hours when sleep will not come for me. As I move toward publication of their story, they’ve danced into my heart and I follow their dance with each other, breathless for the next song.  

Stay tuned for release dates…