About the Book

Book: Falling for a Bossy Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 3)

Author: Karen Baney

Genre: Contemporary Christian Cowboy Romance

Release date: March 26, 2024

She’s famous and nearing the end of her career. He’s blunt, bossy, and downright annoying. Will these two find the perfect balance between truth and love?

Sports fanatic Derin Vargas steps down from his position as foreman of Vargas Ranch to run the family’s new sports complex. Uncomfortable in his new role, he compensates by being bossy. When a famous pro-tennis player stays at the resort to rehab after surgery, Derin points out her shortcomings no one else will.

Pro-tennis player Madison Moore heads to a remote sports complex on Vargas Guest Ranch & Resort to finish rehabbing after shoulder surgery. As she fears the death of her pro career, the bossy cowboy manager gets under her skin.

Will Derin soften his rough edges to win over the beautiful tennis player? Will Madison listen to the hard truth about her future while opening her heart to love?

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About the Author

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

More from Karen

101 Questions

In Falling for a Bossy Cowboy, Derin Vargas desperately wants to change how he sees and interacts with women. One of his buddies recommended an app for 101 Questions to Ask on a Date.

When I incorporated this into the novel, the interactions between Madison and Derin became so much easier (and fun!) to write. I searched for new questions and added them with answers from the character’s point of view.

But where did this idea come from? A marriage seminar. I highly recommend using 101 questions for any couple, married or just dating. It’s a great way to get to know the person you’re with, without all the awkward “what do we talk about?”.

I hope you enjoy this excerpt from Falling for a Bossy Cowboy from Madison Moore’s point of view.

______

Madison watched as Derin pulled his phone from his shirt pocket, swiping and tapping a few times. Then he looked up, expression serious, and asked the most bizarre question.

“If you were stranded on a deserted island and could choose any three things to have with you, what would you pick and why?”

“What?” Her eyes rounded.

“You heard the question, Madi.”

She chewed slowly, mulling it over.

“That’s hard.”

“Right?” He chuckled.

“What would you pick?”

“No dodging it. I’ll answer after you do.”

“Ugh. Let’s assume I have food and water.”

Derin narrowed his eyes and conceded.

“My Bible.”

He rolled his eyes.

“What? It’s a legit answer.”

“So says every church goer. Next?”

“You wouldn’t?”

He wagged a finger at her as he stabbed a chunk of roast before popping it in his mouth.

“Chocolate.”

Derin tossed his head back and chuckled loudly. So much so that a few heads turned their direction. “Women.”

“And a Costco-sized bag of ground coffee.”

“How are you making the coffee?”

“I don’t know. I’m sure I could figure it out.”

Madison pushed her empty plate away. “Your turn.”

“First choice? You.”

Heat flamed her cheeks. What was he saying?

“Second choice would be Djano.”

Madison quirked an eyebrow.

“My horse. And that’s only because you put the stipulation that food and water aren’t an issue. So, he won’t starve.”

She snorted. “Me and your horse.”

“Yup. And my hat. That’s it.”

“Me, your horse, and your hat.” She shook her head. “Why me?”

Derin’s eyes glinted with mirth. “You’re insanely beautiful. Smart. Very entertaining.”

Her cheeks warmed at the compliment.

“We would fight like cats and dogs.”

He shook his head. “I’m not buying that.”

“I can’t stand you.”

“Not buying that either.” Derin grinned. “Here’s another one. Have you ever won an award for a sport?”

Madison snatched up the phone. “Huh. That’s really the question. What is this?”

“One hundred and one questions to ask on a date.”

“Is this a date?”

“Welcome to the party, Madi.”

Heat warmed her face. Derin was one of a kind. She shook her head and handed him his phone.

Author Interview

What is your favorite genre of books? Why?

I love both historical and contemporary Christian fiction, mostly romance. I enjoy a good romance or even a good story that demonstrates some aspect of spiritual growth in the lives of the characters. It’s uplifting to me to read characters who struggle and learn to apply their faith. Those are my favorite stories.

I also enjoy clean and wholesome stories, though sometimes miss the spiritual elements in those.

Are you a one project at a time author or do you have multiple projects going at once?

Ugh. Sometimes it’s hard to focus on one project. I currently have about five different manuscripts in process. Two are for the Vargas Ranch series. One is a new contemporary cowboy romance. One is a contemporary vacation romance set in Arizona and Ireland. And I have a historical spinoff series from my Colter Sons series. The nice thing about having multiple works in progress is that I can jump into another manuscript if I’m experiencing writer’s block on a story. The hard part about so many is sometimes I have to force myself to finish up the one scheduled for release.

How has your life experience helped in your writing journey?

Life experience is a huge part of my writing, even when I write about different personalities or occupations. Since my primary goal is to show different aspects of the Christian life to inspire women in their everyday lives, I draw heavily on my own struggles to apply my faith.

I had a pretty messed up rebellion period in my early twenties which provides plenty of inspiration for characters like Derin in Falling for a Bossy Cowboy. He wasn’t living the way he really wanted to. He relied on the wrong things instead of turning to God. When he learns to submit his life to the Lord, his heart begins to change. This is what I’ve experienced in my life. When I submit, my heart changes. It never fully arrives, but progressively improves the more I take my faith seriously.

How do you relax after a long day of writing?

Funny, but writing is how I relax after a long day, or week, in my other job as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry. It can be a challenge finding blocks of dedicated time for writing. With over twenty-five novels published, I’ve learned to be satisfied with 300 words one day and 5,000 another. The characters become like friends to me, so I look forward to getting back to their story as soon as possible.

Do you remember the first book you read? What sort of impact did it make on you?

One of the first Christian fiction novels I read was Once Upon a Summer by Janette Oke. I was probably around twelve when I read it. I remembered the way Janette Oke wove faith seamlessly into the story. I identified with Josh’s character. He wanted life to stay the same instead of changing. I grew up moving every five to seven years as a kid. Around the time I read this, our family moved from western Pennsylvania to northwestern Ohio. I wanted my friends to stay the same and life to stay the same. Instead, I had to learn to adapt, just like Josh. Janette Oke’s novels became a great source of inspiration and encouragement to me through times like that.