Q&A with debut SSE author Christyne Butler!

Today we're very thrilled to be talking to new SSE author Christyne Butler about her June release, THE COWBOY'S SECOND CHANCE. Christyne, thanks so much for joining us!

* Where did you get the idea for THE COWBOY’S SECOND CHANCE?

Oh, goodness I don’t know if I can remember! Landon and Maggie’s story started out as a short story for me about fifteen years ago. I’ve always loved cowboys and small towns and country fairs and romance…and it just blossomed from there! When I started to seriously pursue my writing I knew their story needed to be told fully so I dusted off that old story…

* Tell us about the hero of the book? Why will we fall in love with him?

Landon Cartwright is a tortured soul. While he wasn’t completely happy in his life, he was determined to make things better for his family, but a tragic accident robs him of that chance and he’s been carrying around a burden of  guilt ever since. I hope readers fall in love with him for the same reasons I did…he’s a man who does the right thing even if it hurts.

* Tell us about the heroine. Why is she the absolute perfect woman for the hero?

Maggie is someone I wish I could hang with in real life! She’s smart and fun and strong, but a bit wary about trusting again after being hurt so bad in her past. She’s perfect for Landon because she can see the good man he is even when he can’t see that for himself.

* What life-lesson does your H/H have to learn before they can find their happily-ever-after?

Landon and Maggie need to learn to believe in themselves enough to take a second chance in their lives on someone. To put away the hurt of the past, to forgive themselves for things that were beyond their control and learn to love again

* Is there any particular significance in the setting?

I love small towns, both in fiction and real life, and how closeness can sometimes be intrusive or comforting (or both at the same time!) and I wanted Landon to feel like it wasn’t just being part of Maggie’s life, but part of her family and her town.

* What was your favorite scene to write?

I love the scene where Landon is sitting on the porch having a few beers and thinking Maggie is going to come home and fire him for something he’d done earlier that day…but that’s not exactly what happens!

* What was the most difficult scene for you to write?

When Maggie learns the truth about Landon and his past. She had placed all her love and faith in this man and be betrayed because 1) he didn’t confide in her and 2) when she gives him an opening to redeem himself he slams the door in that chance. 

* Can you share if there were any real-life inspirations for a particular scene or character in the book?

Oh, I think real life always plays into an author’s work in some way. Nana B, Maggie’s grandmother, was named after my own grandmother and I think she carries her spirit as well as a few bits of my mother. And one of the ranches Landon worked at in his past was located in Blakeslee, Colorado and that town’s name came from my mother’s maiden name.

* What do you feel are your strengths as a writer? How did those show up in this particular book?

Dialogue tends to come easy to me (must be all those voices I heard in my head!) and I think when my characters talk to each other, it’s come across as real and fun --- at least I hope so!

* If this book had a soundtrack, what are some of the songs that might appear on it?

Oh, all my books have soundtracks! I am big fan of country music and it played so well with this book. I always find one particular song that I can connect with my hero and heroine. For Landon, I chose “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like That” by Toby Keith (and Landon actually says those words to Maggie!) and for Maggie, it’s “The Right Kind of Wrong” by LeAnn Rimes, which was the working title of my book when it sold.

* Do any beloved characters from your previous books show up in this one?

As this is my first Silhouette Special Edition, the answer is no, but I can tell you that many of the characters in this book do appear in my January 2010 release, THE SHERIFF’S SECRET WIFE!

* Is there an underlying theme to the story?

I think the theme is believing in yourself enough to take that second chance when it comes around.

* Any interesting tidbits of information you discovered while researching this book?

That horses are a lot bigger than they look? LOL! For someone who writes about cowboys, the first time I’ve ever been on a horse was last spring while attending a family reunion in Florida. I took my husband and our kids on a trail ride as a birthday gift to him as he loves horses (had his own as a child) even though it had been quite a few years since he’d been in the saddle. But he got right on that horse and rode like he infused with the spirit of John Wayne (his personal hero!) Me? Not so much! I’ll admit I was scared to death of falling at the beginning, but then enjoyed myself so much I am determined it won’t be another lifetime before I go riding again!

* Why will readers enjoy this book?

I think all of us carrying something—a personal decision, an incident, a choice –inside of us that we’d like a second chance at, an opportunity to try again, to say the words we never got to say. That’s that Landon and Maggie have when they stumble into each other lives…even if it takes them awhile to see it. 

For me personally, I would love a second chance to tell my father how much I loved him and how proud I was for all he accomplished in his life. I can’t do that because he’s been gone ten year now, but I can’t wait until this summer when I get the chance to visit his grave at Arlington National Cemetery and say the words I should have said more often when he was still here to hear them.

How about you all? And second chance you wish you could have? And second chance you willing to take?

A COLD CREEK HOMECOMING -- the start of an all-new Cold Creek trilogy! -- SSE 9-09