Today I am at the RWA national conference in Anaheim, CA. And after 4 days of tromping around Disneyland with my family, I’m beat. So I thought I would take a break from serious blogging this week, and instead share some of my favorite cowboys with you. Some of these you have seen before from me. Some are new additions. But one thing’s for sure, they are all sigh-worthy.
These first two cowboys are personally responsible for inspiring my love for western men in the first place. On the left is Pernell Roberts, better known as the eldest Cartwright brother, Adam, on Bonanza. And on the right we have hunky Robert Fuller who played Cooper on Wagon Train. I would hitch my wagon to his train any day.
Watching re-runs of these great westerns started my love affair with cowboys.
Then there is the great Sam Elliott. Has any man ever personified the west better? I think I’d even give him the nod over John Wayne. Just the sound of his rasping voice conjures images of rugged landscapes and hardened men on horseback. I want to go out and buy a Dodge Ram truck every time I hear his voice-over on their commercials.
I have to admit, I’ve always had a bit of a crush on Hugh Jackman. And when he donned a dusty hat and a pair of boots for Australia, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect combination.
A blogger recently asked me to pick a celebrity who best captured the look of my latest hero, Travis Archer, from Short-Straw Bride. I don’t usually work from a photograph when I write my characters, so I had to go searching for a man to match his description. And then I found him in the world of country music. Luke Bryan. He’s got that sable hair and the rugged good looks that jumped up and said – Travis – to me.
So who would you add? Who are your favorite cowboys?
I’ll be in and out today, but will try to post when I can. I wish everyone a wonderful weekend full of hunky cowboys, at least in books if not in real life. *Wink*









































Oh my,,they are handsome,but you left out the best of all cowboys,,Tom Selleck,,,,,,,mmmmmmmmmmm
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 7:07 am.
They are all sigh-worthy for sure…but you left out Clint Eastwood! He is one of my all time favorites. Also Russell Crowe made my heart flutter in The Quick and the Dead. Cowboys will always have a special place in my heart! :-)
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 10:41 am.
Hi Karen, I can’t believe we’ve missed each other so far in Anaheim! Linda and I think agree with Vickie C … Tom Selleck! And, Tammy, we agree with you that we have a special place in our hearts for all good lookin’ and rugged cowboys with a big heart! Hugs, Phyliss and Linda from Anaheim at the moment.
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 10:48 am.
Vickie- Tom Selleck is a great one! I loved him in Quigley Down Under. And he rode right along with Sam Elliott, too. That was one hunky group!
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 10:57 am.
Hi, Tammy! Clint’s Dirty Harry us a western classic. Definitely worthy of mention. And Russell Crowe is yummy indeed. Of course, I usually think of him in his Gladiator role instead of his western ones, but he’s a hero to give a gal heart palpitations for sure. ;-)
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:00 am.
Hi, Phyliss. I bet we bump into each other soon. Looking forward to our lunch. Too bad we can’t invite all these handsome cowboys to join us. :-)
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:01 am.
I had the biggest crush on Adam Cartwright! Okay currently my favorite cowboy has to be Tim McGraw, he is hot beyond words! Thanks for this fun post!
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:07 am.
Hope you can relax and enjoy RWA. Has to be easier than running all over Disney with the family. Have done that several times on Orlando and it is taxing.
I would have to add Tom Selleck. Seems several others feel the same way. Glad to see Adam was your choice from Bonanza. Usually it is Little Joe everyone picks. He was more in the cute category rather than the serious, get things done cowboy category like Adam. All four of the men on that show had something to offer.
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:20 am.
The cowboy? John Wayne has to be on this list. And Robert Duvall for Lonesome Dove and Kevin Costner from Open Range. My favorite though is Sam Elliott
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 2:10 pm.
Hildie and Patricia- I loving the Adam Cartwright love. Little Joe never captured my interest like Adam. There is just something about the tough, responsible older brothers. Live them! Maybe it’s because I’m an oldest child myself. Thanks for your comments, ladies.
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 2:26 pm.
Hi, Joye. I loved Kevin Costner in Dances with Wolves. Definite cowboy hunkiness going on there. :-)
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 2:27 pm.
Oh Karen, your in my old hometown. Up until 11 years ago I live a mile from Disneyland. I miss driving by it everyday!
Cowboys! Well, you named one of my favorites, Sam Elliott. Who doesn’t love his voice!?! Then there would be Michael Landon as Little Joe Cartwright. I also loved Joe Lando as Sully in Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Clint Eastwood in the spaghetti westerns.
I must say, my favorite country artist right now is Luke Bryan! His voice and good looks…a dangerous combination!;)
:D Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 7:00 pm.
Hi, Cindy. I loved Dr. Quinn, and Sully certainly set my heart to fluttering. I’ve never heard Luke Bryan sing, but I think I’m going to have to rectify that very soon. ;-)
We are staying about a mile or two from Disneyland and have walked back and forth each day. It’s so nice to not be melting in the Texas summer heat. 70-80s is so much better than 100s.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 7:07 pm.
I loved Adam too. I totally loved Chuck Connors and Steve McQueen as Josh Randall (boy that walk was awesome).
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 9:22 pm.
Great additions, Sherry. There’s nothing better than a great western swagger is there? :-)
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 9:27 am.