First off, a hot guy for the Bellas. I had to do a googling for the oogling. Discovered that if you google “hot guys,” they turn up naked. No, I mean totally. But I found this cutie (Duane Loken) under American Indian actors. I’ve always thought I’d cast Jimmy Smits as Jesse in THE NIGHT REMEMBERS, but Jimmy seems to be sporting facial hair these days, which doesn’t do for my heroes. Not that I wouldn’t be happy to give him a shave. I’d be careful.
Next, Michelle, I want to say that your column is the best thing to happen to Romance since male point of view. (Who knew they had one?) Seriously, it’s hip, entertaining, insightful, and hardly any blood is spilled. (Sucked from the neck on occasion, but rarely spattered all over the walls.) Pink is the new red. So, from my heart, thanks for persevering and making “Romance: Buy the Book” blossom and bloom.

But about this blogging. It seemed really scary to me at first, and I stayed away for a long time. But I like the idea of getting together with girlfriends, and that’s how “Riding With the Top Down” was conceived. I started writing and published my first book in prairie isolation, pre-PC. Back then my friends were teachers. Now most of them are writers. There’s no teachers’ lounge, no staff meetings, and I haven’t been to a Home Interior party in ages. Anyone remember those? But women will make connections, trade stories, and dream out loud somewhere, some way. In my mother’s day it was the kitchen table. Telephone, telegra
ph, tell a woman, remember? Letters, diaries, and now it’s the blog. I couldn’t resist. We’re a group of writers, each trying to make her living, keep her home fires burning, and feed the need for dish. It’s a new medium for a story as old as time, and I’m there.
I’m finishing up the page proofs for RIDE A PAINTED PONY (11/28/Mira) and working on the sequel, which is Nick Red Shield’s partner’s book (wasn’t planned, but by the time the book was finished I knew I had to find out more about Dillon) but has a strong women’s relationship thread.
It’s a story with three important female characters and one guy. Reminiscent of THE LAST TRUE COWBOY, but with a very different dynamic. I love all my heroes and have no interest in writing a stor
y without one, but I’m fascinated by women’s relationships and how they make us crazy but also keep us sane. I know you know what I mean.
I’ve begun to put teasers up on my website about RIDE A PAINTED PONY, and there’s more to come at www.kathleeneagle.com. But I really hope people will joyride with us at www.ridingwiththetopdown.blogspot.com.
And what do the Bellas have to say about women’s relationships?
Is it a theme that brings something to the table in a Romance, or are we headed off into the realm of women’s fiction?