About the Book

Book: The Restless Wrangler

Author: Karen Baney

Genre: Christian Historical Romance, Christian Western

Release Date: March 8, 2023

A Prodigal Son, Surprise Baby Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Compelling love story full of heartache and redemption set in Ash Fork, Arizona Territory in 1893-1894.

Preston Colter felt like he was the forgotten son. Years of drinking and drifting finally catch up to him. When a near-death experience recharts the course of his life, he finds himself face-to-face with an old flame. Will he prove he is a new and different man, or will he fall back into his old destructive ways

Years ago, Hetty Clark made one bad choice to follow her attraction to a man she loved which led to the birth of her son out of wedlock. After she inherits her father’s ranch, an older man offers her security for her son’s future if she marries him. When the man from her past shows up on her doorstep, she is faced with a difficult decision. Will she choose a loveless proposal to secure her son’s future? Or will she risk her heart on a man she doesn’t believe has really changed?Click here to get your copy!

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 in the late 1990s, 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

What was the inspiration behind Preston Colter’s character?

I love a good prodigal story—partly because I was one. I also figured in a family with five boys and one daughter, at least one of them had to have a rebellious streak. Very early in developing the series, I felt like this role would be perfect for a fifth son.

Why did you write the series in the first person?

A few years ago, I read a historical series by Tess Thompson where she wrote the hero and heroine in the first person. I had enjoyed how the point of view felt deeper when written in the first person, so with the Colter Sons Series, I decided to give it a try. Since then, I’ve loved hearing from many readers how much they’ve enjoyed it.

If you’re a little nervous about reading something in the first person, please take advantage of the sample download feature available on most ereaders, including Kindle. The point of view characters are clearly marked at the beginning of the chapter and whenever the point of view changes.

Hetty Clark is a rancher?! What inspired you to choose that profession for her, especially since the book is set in 1893?

One of my favorite research sites for Arizona territorial history is the Sharlot Hall Museum’s online archives and “Days Past” articles. I read several articles about the early days of Prescott, Arizona’s Independence Day Celebrations. These were HUGE events for the town and surrounding communities, which eventually expanded into Cowboy Tournaments (aka Rodeo).

After reading an article about the women winners in the Cowboy Tournament in 1888, I dug deeper into what competitions the women participated in. I was surprised to learn that many of the women worked on ranches right alongside their husbands or brothers.

I enjoy writing strong female characters in unconventional roles, so making Hetty Clark a bronc rider and a ranch manager fit perfectly with the type of woman I pictured for Preston.

Interview with Karen

Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

As Preston is catapulted into a dramatic turnaround, God surrounds him with an amazing group of men, who I fondly dub “the posse,” modeled loosely after alcoholics anonymous. It is how I imagined God using a group of men (in the 1890s) to come alongside each other in recovery.

Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

Preston Colter is dear to me. He grew up in a strong Christian home, much like I did, but he made some bad choices in his early adulthood. My own story is that of a prodigal. Though my bad choices are different from Preston’s, I felt many of the things he feels as he gets his life back on track.

What were the highlight or key challenges you faced when writing this book?

One of the challenges with this book was settling on Hetty’s circumstances when she encounters Preston again. In an early version of the plot outline, I thought about a marriage of convenience to a man older than her father. The original would have to introduce Preston again while she was married, then her husband would end up dead and Preston would be framed for it. In the end, I didn’t like that plot path for Hetty. She’s far too independent and strong to do something like that.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

God’s grace is sufficient for every single one of us. No matter how far we’ve fallen or how many terrible mistakes we’ve made, He always welcomes us back with open arms and a celebration. It was a joy to write this into the Colter family’s experience.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

My first Christian contemporary cowboy romance series launches the week of Thanksgiving. If you’ve enjoyed the big family drama of the Colter Sons Series, then you’ll love the Vargas Ranch Series as we follow five brothers in the modern-day small town of Wickenburg, Arizona. The first book, Falling for a Real Cowboy, follows a romance writer who is restarting her career. Her publisher sends her to Arizona to learn about ranching so she can write cowboy romances. She’s thrown together with the handsome ranch manager who has sworn off women. The best part? She’s exactly his type…

And don’t miss the conclusion to the Colter Sons Series, The Resilient Bride. Violet’s story is full of drama and heart ache. Will she finally find true love that lasts?

Blog Stops

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 2 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 3

By The Book, November 4 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 6 (Author Interview)

lakesidelivingsite, November 7

Sylvan Musings, November 8 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 9

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 10 (Author Interview)

Bizwings Book Blog, November 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 11

Artistic Nobody, November 12 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 12

Simple Harvest Reads, November 13 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Guild Master, November 14 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 gift card with signed paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/28b2b/the-restless-wrangler-celebration-tour-giveaway