by Livia J. Washburn
a short story in
Wishing for a Cowboy
Prairie Rose Publications
RTW is pleased to host the authors of Wishing for a Cowboy, the debut offering of Prairie Rose Publications. It's available in ebook at Amazon and Smashwords, and in print at Amazon.
My special guest today is Livia J. Washburn, who's been writing award-winning, critically acclaimed western, romance, mystery, and historical novels for over thirty years. She's secretary and publisher at Western Fictioneers and co-owner of Prairie Rose Publications.
Livia's story in Wishing for a Cowboy is Charlie's Pie — Lauralee Brannam just wants to bake her son's favorite pie for his birthday, which happens to fall on Christmas Eve. But then a wounded stranger shows up on her Texas ranch, and his fateful visit leads to violence, tragedy, and redemption in this stirring Western tale.
RTW: How did Lauralee and Burke come to you? Were they fully formed, or were they stubborn about telling you their stories?
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| Livia J. Washburn |
Livia: They came to me almost fully formed. Both have secrets, or at least things about them that aren't immediately apparent, but I knew what those things were before I started the story. Because of the length, there isn't room for a great deal of history about either of them, but I was able to get in the important things, I think. Sometimes when I start a story I don't know that much about the characters and even less about what's going to happen, but that wasn't the case here. I have no idea why some stories are so much more developed in my head before I start writing, but it's a happy accident when it happens. Of course, I always allow myself the freedom to change my mind if something better occurs to me during the writing.
RTW: What is it about Christmas that lends itself to romance? How is Charlie's Pecan Pie incorporated into your story and is it a part of your own family lore?
Livia: For me, Christmas lends itself to romance because it's a time of year when we take stock of our lives, a mile marker on another year nearly done, so to speak, a time to reflect on all the good things we have in our lives but also the things that we're missing. I had the heroine of "Charlie's Pie" bake a pecan pie because that's my youngest daughter's favorite type of pie, and I like it a lot, too. It's a central part of the story not only because it's the main catalyst for the action but also because of what it represents to Lauralee.
RTW: If you lived in Lauralee's house, how would you decorate it for Christmas?
Livia: If I lived in Lauralee's house, I would definitely have a Christmas tree. It's just not Christmas without a tree! I'd decorate it with colorful bows and ribbons and homemade ornaments carved from wood. If any holly plants grew in the area I'd put sprigs of holly on the fireplace mantle. I might have candles burning, too, but carefully. You don't want to be careless with candles when you live in a wooden cabin.RTW: What other books do you have for our readers to enjoy?
Livia: I have a sweet romantic western that came out a few years ago, but is still available, Mending Fences. The eighth book in my Fresh Baked Mystery series, Wedding Cake Killer, is about to come out in mass market paperback on November 5 (it's already available as a trade paperback or e-book), and #9, The Fatal Funnel Cake, will be released in trade paperback and in e-book on the same day.
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Cowboys, kisses and love in the holiday air make for a special recipe in each of these wonderful new stories. Christmas miracles can happen when you're Wishing for a Cowboy!
A Christmas Miracle by Phyliss Miranda
Acceptance comes not through frosty eyes, but from the warmth of loving hearts.
Outlaw's Kiss by Cheryl Pierson
A long-ago schooldays crush is rekindled by an Outlaw's Kiss that sparks true love, and a new future for Jake Morgan and Talia Delano.
A Husband for Christmas by Sarah J. McNeal
A haunting night of horror and a wish for a new life.
Peaches by Kathleen Rice Adams
When a strong-willed schoolteacher invades an irascible rancher's Texas range, not even the spirit of Christmas may be able to prevent all-out war.
A Gift for Rhoda by Jacquie Rogers
A mail-order bride disaster!
Her Christmas Wish by Tracy Garrett
Her only wish for Christmas was the man who left her behind.
Covenant by Tanya Hanson
Can a Christmas blizzard ignite love gone cold?
Charlie's Pie by Livia J. Washburn
A wounded man, a desperate woman, a gang of ruthless outlaws... and the best pecan pie in Parker County!
Livia, I've always enjoyed your stories, and "Charlie's Pie" is simply outstanding. Mending Fences is a book I heartily recommend not only to readers, but also to writers. I don't know how you manage to do everything you do, especially with all the "stuff" for Prairie Rose going on behind the scenes, but I'm tremendously glad you do it all. HUGS!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathleen. I do believe you've launched your career with "Peaches". It was a delightful story and made me hungry for a peach pie. James is allergic to peaches, so it's not a treat I get often. I can't wait to read your next story.
DeleteLivia, I truly did love your story, "Charlie's Pie" and the "secrets" that came out during the telling of it. I can't say enough how thrilled I am that we decided to "take the plunge" and open PRP--it's already been such a great thing, and what quality writers we have! Every story in WISHING FOR A COWBOY is a winner--totally different and exciting, each and every one of them.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you--I truly believe your days must have at least 60 hours in each of them to do all you do.
Cheryl
Thank you Cheryl. This has been so much fun, I really love what we've managed to do. It's a great collection that's gotten me into the Christmas spirit, and it's only Halloween. I can't wait for the next anthology, Hearts and Spurs.
DeleteIt has been fun! I don't usually get in the Christmas spirit so soon, either, but this anthology did it for me! Can't wait for Hearts and Spurs!
DeleteLivia, I have to say that your hero in Charlie's Pie was as delicious as the pie, and that's goin' some. ☺
ReplyDeleteJacquie, thank you for inviting me over to Romancing the West today. "A Gift for Rhoda" was a delightful story. I'm definitely trying your crust in Rhoda’s Wedding Pie. I need a good gluten free crust.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about ideas for the Valentine story--and another GF recipe. I decided the GF doesn't have to mean bland or bad-tasting. Did they have quinoa in the Old West? In North America, that is... :)
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