Author: Maisey Yates, Jackie Ashenden, Caitlin Crews, Nicole Helm
ISBN: 9781335639967
Publication Date: March 29, 2022
Publisher: HQN Books
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Book Summary:
SWEET HOME COWBOY S is a Western-themed anthology featuring four stories from bestselling authors Maisey Yates, Nicole Helm, Jackie Ashenden and Caitlin Crews!
Four half sisters create the family they’ve always dreamed of in this enchanting quartet from bestselling authors Maisey Yates, Nicole Helm, Jackie Ashenden and Caitlin Crews.
The Hathaway sisters might have grown up apart, but when they agree to move to Jasper Creek, Oregon, to revitalize their grandfather’s farm, it seems a straightforward decision.
Until they meet their neighborhood cowboys…
Sweet-natured Teddy has never met a man worth taking a risk on, until now. Tomboy Joey has more affinity with farm equipment than men, until a brooding cowboy changes her mind. Prickly baker Georgie can’t resist the temptation of the most forbidden cowboy of all, and sparks fly between ceramicist Elliot and the grumpy single-dad rancher next door.
The sisters’ feelings are anything but simple, but with the love and support of each other, they discover that a cowboy might be the sweetest thing of all about coming home.
EXCERPT
PROLOGUE
It was never comfortable for people when four sets of violet eyes zeroed in on them with the level of intensity the Hathaway sisters could manage.
A fact the half sisters had learned when they’d first met at summer camp, thanks to their families, who’d been careful to give the girls the opportunity to meet each other, without the pressure of having to become friends or even real sisters.
But sisters they had become that first day at the age of thirteen. In each other, they’d found kindred spirits. Not just in the unusual color of their eyes, but in the depths of their passions, and in their driving need to forge family out of the fragments their father had left behind when he’d impregnated all their mothers at different points in the same year.
So that, as adults, though they lived in different parts of the country, they were the best of friends. Sisters, through and through, and when Georgie had informed them of Grandpa Jack’s heart attack in Jasper Creek, the rest had rushed to the small Oregon town to see what they could do.
Grandpa Jack looked at each of them with his usual squinty-eyed suspicion. Though their father had never made any effort to be a part of his daughters’ lives, Grandpa Jack had always made it clear he’d be there if needed.
But not to expect him to be cheerful about it.
“Didn’t all have to come,” he grumbled, shifting in his hospital bed.
“Well, of course we did. And we’ll stay until you’re on the mend,” Teddy said, patting his hand. The squinty-eyed suspicion became a full-fledged scowl as he pulled his hand away.
While Teddy was all about gestures of affection, Grandpa Jack was decidedly not.
Which made the fact Georgie was the only local granddaughter a blessing as she shared the discomfort with such goings-on. He turned his glare to her. “Didn’t have to call them.”
Georgie shrugged.
“She was right to,” Joey said firmly, meeting Grandpa Jack’s scowl with her own. “We won’t hear another complaint about it. A waste of time. You know how stubborn we are.”
Grandpa Jack grunted.
Elliot smirked. “Wonder where we got it.”
A nurse knocked on the door, then poked her head in. “Sorry, girls, it’s time to head home. Visiting hours are over.”
“Girls,” Elliot muttered under her breath with a considerable amount of disdain for the word.
But Teddy pressed a kiss to Grandpa Jack’s wrinkled forehead, Elliot touched his shoulder, and Georgie and Joey hovered at the door until they all left the room, chorusing goodbyes.
“I hate leaving him all alone,” Teddy said as Elliot linked arms with her. Teddy reached out and took Joey’s arm.
“He’ll be home soon enough,” Joey reassured her. She gave Georgie an apologetic shrug, then linked arms with her too, so they were a unit as they walked out of the hospital into the cool spring evening.
“He’s not going to let you fuss over him, Teddy. It isn’t his way,” Georgie said pragmatically as they walked to her truck.
Teddy frowned. “I think you misjudge my tenacity.”
Elliot’s eyebrows winged up. “Do we?”
Teddy wrinkled her nose, but didn’t argue with Elliot.
“I found an Airbnb closer to the hospital,” Georgie said, sounding tired as she climbed into the driver’s seat. “I knew this wouldn’t be a quick visit and we’d need more room than Felix and I have.” Georgie had grown up with her half brother right here in Jasper Creek.
The four sisters climbed into Georgie’s truck. Whatever belongings they’d packed were strapped into the bed of the truck from when Georgie had picked Joey and Teddy up at the airport this afternoon, after Elliot had driven down from Portland.
Georgie drove onto the highway, and it was only about fifteen minutes later she parked in front of a pretty little farmhouse just outside of Jasper Creek.
“This place is amazing,” Teddy said.
“Much better taken care of than the main house at Grandpa Jack’s property,” Georgie returned.
The women got out, grabbed what they’d need for the night, then headed inside.
“I’ll make us some dinner,” Teddy said, already moving for the kitchen.
“The host said she left some things for us to eat when we arrived,” Georgie replied, dropping her stuff in the front room.
They all descended on the kitchen, which was quaint and old-fashioned—something that suited all four women to the bone. On the table were a variety of baked goods.
“I found a teapot and some tea,” Teddy said.
“Scones and sweet rolls for dinner sounds good to me,” Joey said, already unwrapping the plate of baked goods and digging in.
Elliot found plates and set the table, shoving one at Joey as she’d already plowed through three-fourths of a scone.
“Do you think Grandpa Jack is stressed about the ranch? And that’s what caused this?” Teddy asked, fiddling with the stove.
“I think he’s an old man who eats poorly and smokes cigars regularly. But…” Georgie sighed.
“He’s been talking about selling off the last piece of land to Colt West next door. He’d keep the
cabin and about an acre around it, but the rest would go to Colt.”
“Even the main house?” Joey asked, as she licked crumbs from her fingers.
“You could hardly call it that these days. It’s falling apart at the seams.”
Teddy frowned. “That’s just not right.”
Georgie shrugged. “He hasn’t lived in that house in decades. He’s a single, old, grumpy man. He’s finally accepting he can’t really take care of the ranch. Why not sell?”
“It’s our legacy,” Joey said. Then she looked around the table. “Isn’t it?”
“It’s our absent father’s legacy,” Elliot returned. “Assuming he’s still alive.”
All eyes turned to Georgie, who was the only one who’d ever had any contact with Mickey Hathaway. She lifted her shoulders. “Far as I know.”
Silence filled the room until Teddy’s teakettle began to whistle. She poured tea for everyone, then took a seat at the kitchen table. As far as she was concerned, this was all fate. The timing, the chance of all four of them coming here at a point in their lives where they got to decide what came next.
“We’ve always talked about how much we wanted to live there, so why don’t we?”
“Why don’t we what?” Joey replied, mouth full with her last bite of scone.
“Live there. Do what we all love to do. Put together some kind of…business. Honey, eggs,” Teddy said, pointing to herself. “Produce,” she said, pointing to Joey. “Ceramics.” Elliot’s specialty. “Our sweet Georgie’s baked goods,” she said, grinning at Georgie’s negative reaction to being called sweet.
“Most of us are already selling our wares anyway. Why don’t we do it here? The four of us.”
It would be more than the year her mother wanted, more than just learning some independence. It would be actually, hopefully permanently, forging that independence. Well, with her sisters. Which suited Teddy better. She didn’t want to be alone. She wanted to be a part of a family. Her family.
“You’d move here all the way from Maine?” Joey asked dubiously. “Leave your mother?”
Teddy sniffed. “I can leave my mother.” Then she wrinkled her nose. Subterfuge wasn’t her
strong suit.
“She wants me to move out anyway.”
“Why?” her sisters demanded, offended on her behalf.
“She thinks I need a year of independence. To find my own way. Apparently twenty-five is too old to have always lived with your mother, according to her.”
When none of her sisters argued, she glared at them. “You agree with her?”
Elliot shrugged. “I don’t disagree with her.”
“Well, anyway, this would solve that, wouldn’t it? We can fix up the house. I’m sure some people need bee removal around here, so I’ll start a new hive. Buy new chickens. Elliot can drive her ceramics van down here. Joey, you could start the farm of your dreams with local produce and flowers—a brand-new challenge, all yours. Georgie, you can design the baking kitchen you’ve been planning since childhood. And we’ll be close enough to Grandpa to help him—and far enough away he won’t beat us away with sticks.”
They looked at Teddy, varying looks of consideration and concern on their faces. But as the idea took shape in Teddy’s mind, she knew it was exactly right. This wasn’t some new dream out of left field; it was an old dream.
And if she had to be independent, why not make that old dream a reality?
“We always wanted to live in one place. Like a real family,” Teddy said. She would have reached out and grabbed all their hands if she had three herself. As it was, she only looked at them imploringly. “Sisters. Live together. Work together. It’s the dream. Maybe something good can come out of Grandpa’s health scare. If Grandpa lets us live in the house, and we pool whatever our savings are together, it’s not a financial stretch. Elliot and I can keep our independent businesses running while we get our joint business set up. Then we split the farm profit four ways.”
“Profit. That is optimistic at best,” Georgie said.
“You know I am all about optimism,” Teddy returned.
A wind chime tinkled from the front room, which was odd considering there shouldn’t be enough wind to make it move here inside.
“Did someone leave the door open?” Joey asked, pushing back from the table. The girls got up and walked toward the door, which was indeed open.
“Look at that,” Elliot said.
They stepped out onto the porch together. Beyond the dogwood in the front just beginning to bloom, the sun was setting in a riot of colors—bright magentas, deep oranges, fading into lavenders and lighter pinks.
“It’s the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen.”
“That’s a tad dramatic, Teddy,” Georgie said gently, though her voice held all the awe of someone who agreed, but would never admit it.
“We have to do it,” Teddy said, her voice almost a whisper. “This is a sign. Don’t you believe in fate?”
Elliot nodded. “Yeah. I’m mobile. I go where I please. Why not right here?”
Georgie shrugged. “Don’t know about fate, but it wouldn’t change much for me, except you guys would be close. I’d like that. Felix is talking about leaving Jasper Creek.”
Teddy reached out, but Georgie stopped her with a quelling look. “It’s fine.” She offered a smile, or Georgie’s version of a smile anyway. “Especially if you guys are here.”
All eyes turned to Joey.
“I have to talk timing over with my mom. I don’t want to leave her short-staffed,” Joey said, her eyes still on the sunset. Then she pushed out a breath and looked at her sisters and grinned. “But why the hell not?”
Teddy smiled at the sunset, feeling a bit teary over the whole thing. But it was meant to be, she was sure of it. “Four Sisters Farm.” She looked at each of her sisters. “That’s what we can call it. Because it’ll be ours. Always.”
Excerpted from Sweet Home Cowboy by Nicole Helm, Maisey Yates, Jackie Ashenden, Caitlin Crews. Copyright © 2022 by Nicole Helm, Maisey Yates, Jackie Ashenden, Caitlin Crews. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
Author Bio/Social Links:
Maisey Yates is a New York Times bestselling author of over one hundred romance novels. Whether she's writing strong, hard working cowboys, dissolute princes or multigenerational family stories, she loves getting lost in fictional worlds. An avid knitter with a dangerous yarn addiction and an aversion to housework, Maisey lives with her husband and three kids in rural Oregon. Check out her website, maiseyyates.com or find her on Facebook.
Author Website: http://www.maiseyyates.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaiseyYates.Author/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/maiseyyates
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maiseyyates/
MAISEY YATES (Q & A)
- How many genres do you write in?
I write Women’s Fiction and romance, and within romance I write high fantasy romance for the Presents line, and Western romance.
- What is your favorite genre (or subgenre) to write? Why?
I don’t really have a favorite, I love to change it up, it keeps everything fresh. I love the twists and family relationships in women’s fiction, and I love digging deep into the characters in western romance, and I love getting to do over the top angst in Presents.
- How do you decide who to collaborate with for anthologies?
I did a publisher led anthology once, but the books weren’t connected. The Jasper Creek anthologies very much came out of my friendship with Nicole, Caitlin and Jackie, just something we brainstormed together, and now it’s taken on a life of its own! Three books – and more on the way!
- What book/genre have you not yet written that you would like to write in the future?
I love historical and mystery elements in WF, a historical mystery would be really fun.
- Which of your characters would you most like to sit down for lunch with?
I’m a sucker for Luke Hollister from Smooth-Talking Cowboy and always have been, so I’ll always choose Luke.
- What is your writing routine?
My routine really changes from book to book. Some books really like to be written in the morning, others like evenings. Some I plot, some I don’t. I try to write within normal office type hours, M-F and take weekends off, but every book is different, and some I don’t like to take a break from while I’m working on them.
- How do you research information for books?
Google mostly. Seriously. And YouTube videos are great when you need visuals.
- Have any of your books been made into movies? If so, which one(s) and if not, which one(s) would you like to see as a movie?
I want to see Sweet Home Cowboy as a miniseries. The sisters are so fun together, and I love the chickens and the humor. I think it would be delightful.
- What hobbies do you enjoy?
I’m a big time knitter, I also love to bake (I mastered bread during lockdown!) I like a lot of different kinds of crafts, and of course, I love to read.
- Favorites: food, beverage, pet, place visited, place you would like to visit, car, etc
I am a food enthusiast, so giving a favorite is tough. I just really love food.
Coffee and Diet Coke are my beverage addictions.
Disneyland is my happy place
My favorite romance right now is I’m Only Wicked With You by Julie Anne Long
Jackie Ashenden writes dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who've just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kick-ass heroines.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand, with her husband the inimitable Dr Jax and two kids. When she's not torturing alpha males, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, wasting time on social media, or forced to mountain biking with her husband.
Author Website: https://www.jackieashenden.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackie.ashenden
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/jackieashenden
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackie_ashenden/
JACKIE ASHENDEN (Q & A)
- How many genres do you write in?
Just Romance at the moment. But within Romance I’ve written small town, erotic, category and suspense.
- What is your favorite genre (or subgenre) to write? Why?
I love writing small town at the moment, and I’ve just finished up writing three books set in New Zealand, where I’m from. It’s been great to finally write about my own country rather than setting it elsewhere, which is what I normally do. J
- How do you decide who to collaborate with for anthologies?
I’ve only ever done anthologies with Megan, Maisey and Nicole, and we decided to write one together because we’re good friends and have similar writing styles.
- What book/genre have you not yet written that you would like to write in the future?
I wouldn’t mind trying my hand at paranormal (I read a lot of SF and fantasy) and thrillers, but who knows?
- Which of your characters would you most like to sit down for lunch with?
Any one of my NZ heroes. They’re good guys, plus also, they’re hot. ;-)
- What is your writing routine?
I write full time so I treat it like a regular job. I write during the day and knock off in the evening, though I write in the weekends too if I’m particularly inspired.
- How do you research information for books?
I usually Google stuff I need to.
- Have any of your books been made into movies? If so, which one(s) and if not, which one(s) would you like to see as a movie?
Nope, no movies so far. My NZ small town books would be a cool Netflix show, but my Nine Circles books – billionaires in NYC – would be excellent movies imho.
- What hobbies do you enjoy?
I’m a knitter and I love yarn, and spend most nights knitting in front of the TV.
- Favorites: food, beverage, pet, place visited, place you would like to visit, car, etc
Obviously coffee is my drink of choice and our ragdoll cat Percy is the best animal. The place I’ve always wanted to visit is Greece. One of my favorite books as a child was a book of Greek myths and then I went on to reading Mary Renault’s novels set in ancient Greece, not to mention Mary Stewart’s Greek set mystery/romances, so when travel opens up again, I really need to plan a trip!
Caitlin Crews is a USA Today bestselling, RITA-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author who has written more than 100 books and counting. She has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, thinks everyone should read more category romance, and is always available to discuss her beloved alpha heroes. Just ask. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, is always planning her next trip, and will never, ever, read all the books in her to-be-read pile. Thank goodness.
Author Website: https://megancrane.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeganCraneAndCaitlinCrews/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/megancrane
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganmcrane/
CAITLIN CREWS (Q & A)
- How many genres do you write in?
As many as I can! I’ve written in a whole lot of different romance and romance-adjacent subgenres, with more to come!
- What is your favorite genre (or subgenre) to write? Why?
I love them all! Really. Every subgenre has its own reader expectations and therefore its own challenges. I really love trying to figure them out—and, of course, put my own little spin on them.
- How do you decide who to collaborate with for anthologies?
I’m not sure anything is as collaborative as our Jasper Creek projects. We really do create them to function as one big story, not four separate ones, and we work really hard to make sure they feel that way. And we started writing these books very naturally. They grew out of our daily conversations about writing and stories, and every time we focus on a new iteration, they just seem to be more fun!
- What book/genre have you not yet written that you would like to write in the future?
I don’t see why I can’t try them all!
- Which of your characters would you most like to sit down for lunch with?
Oh, all of them! I find them all fascinating. And I’d love to catch up and see how their HEAs are going…
- What is your writing routine?
I like to try to keep regular work hours, 9ish to 6ish or so, Monday to Friday. But that can look different depending on whether I’m writing new words or polishing them, editing or revising or handling publishing stuff. If I’m writing new words, that generally means I’m dictating in my car, driving out in the beautiful rural Oregon countryside while my imagination runs wild. If I’m doing the rest, I’m usually at my desk, trying to stay focused. The tasks are never the same, day by day, and neither are the hours, but I like to have my evenings free, so I do my best to keep away from late night writing!
- How do you research information for books?
I look anywhere and everywhere I can. Of course the internet is a huge help, but I also turn to books and, whenever possible, people who’ll answer my questions.
- Have any of your books been made into movies? If so, which one(s) and if not, which one(s) would you like to see as a movie?
I think it would be great fun to see one of my books as a movie, and I’m not picky about which one. Movies are so separate from what I do! But it would be delightful to sit back and see someone else’s take on a story that started off in my head… That said, I think these Jasper Creek books would make an AMAZING television show!
- What hobbies do you enjoy?
I’m a fairly new and avid knitter. And I’m in love with yarn! My husband and I started taking tennis lessons last fall, and we just love it. I also love combat sports—I’m currently into Krav Maga, but am eyeing jujitsu…
- Favorites: food, beverage, pet, place visited, place you would like to visit, car, etc
Favorite food is currently chili crunch, which I put on pretty much everything. My favorite beverage is coffee, as much as possible! I have two silly dogs, and can’t possibly choose between them. I love to travel and fall in love with almost everywhere I go, from Iceland to New Zealand to moody Yorkshire and sultry Hawaii… Yes, please! I would also like to go… well, everywhere!
Nicole Helm writes down-to-earth contemporary romance and fast-paced romantic suspense. She lives with her husband and two sons in Missouri. Visit her website: www.nicolehelm.com
Author Website: https://www.nicolehelm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleHelm
Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/nicole_t_helm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicole_t_helm/
NICOLE HELM (Q & A)
- How many genres do you write in?
I am primarily a romance writer, but I’ve got a few subgenres I write-- romantic suspense, contemporary western romance, and upmarket paranormal romantic fiction (written with Caitlin Crews/Megan Crane as Hazel Beck).
- What is your favorite genre (or subgenre) to write? Why?
I’m not sure I have a favorite. Writing romance and love stories is so much fun and I love being able to do different subgenres to mix it up a little since I write quite a few books a year. And most of all I love writing books with happy endings, where you know the struggle will be worth it in the end, and you’re left with a feeling of hope and happiness.
- How do you decide who to collaborate with for anthologies?
Megan, Maisey, Jackie and have been writing cohorts and friends for years. As the idea for our first anthology came to life, it only made sense to attempt it together since we knew we all viewed writing very similarly and communicated well.
- What book/genre have you not yet written that you would like to write in the future?
I’d love to do a historical!
- Which of your characters would you most like to sit down for lunch with?
Cluck Norris. If you read Sweet Home Cowboy that will make all the sense in the world.
- What is your writing routine?
I’ve never had much of a “routine”, with a husband who has an ever-changing non-traditional work schedule, two boys in elementary school with varying sports schedules, and just life in general I learned early on as a writer you just have to write whenever you get a moment—whether that’s for a few quiet hours when everyone’s gone, or a few notes on my phone when inspiration strikes at a baseball game. I write whenever I can, and it’s amazing how little bits of time can add up if you let it.
- How do you research information for books?
As a character driven writer, I’m not a big researcher. But if I need to know something, it’s always google to the rescue!
- Have any of your books been made into movies? If so, which one(s) and if not, which one(s) would you like to see as a movie?
None. I think the Jasper Creek collection anthologies would make excellent movies!
- What hobbies do you enjoy?
I love genealogy research, hiking with my family, and baking.
- Favorites: food—fruity candy, beverage--Coke, place visited—Grand Tetons, place you would like to visit--Maine,
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