Saying Farewell to the Worths of Red Ridge by Charlene Sands

Chance Worth - April 2012

As I write the final book in a four book series about the Worth Men, I find myself feeling extremely sentimental and a little bit saddened. After all, I’ve lived with these four cowboys for almost two years. I sort of fell in love with each one of them too. And isn’t that the way? If the author doesn’t fall in love with a hero of her making, then what’s the point? With each hunky man, I’ve matched a woman that has thrown them for a loop, rejected, loved to distraction and angered the hero. But what our heroines had above all else was enough grit to stick it out to the end for their own personal happily ever after.

Taggart Worth - May 2011

Taggart Worth in CARRYING THE RANCHER’S HEIR was my wounded hero. He was a loner, a recluse who never wanted to love again. That story flew off my fingertips, because I knew him so well and I knew Callie too. She had a girlhood crush on Tagg as a teen that he didn’t know about. All he knew was that Callie was his enemy’s daughter.

Clayton Worth - Dec 2011

Clayton’s story didn’t exactly fly off my fingertips, though. In THE COWBOY’S PRIDE, I had a pretty complex conflict – two people bent on divorce only to find love again with the help of adorable baby Meggie. SHE was fun to write, and I used my knowledge not only as a mother, but as a childbirth and parenting instructor to keep my facts straight about all things BABY.

 

 

In April, A COWBOY WORTH CLAIMING comes out with Harlequin Historical.  Set in early Red Ridge, we find out how Chance Worth met Lizzie Mitchell and how the Worth legacy began. It seemed like the right thing to do – to go back in time to see how the legend of the ruby necklace and Elizabeth Lake came to be. Chance is a reluctant hero with a deep sense of honor, and Lizzie tests that honor time and time again.

 

 

Both Chance and Jackson Worth’s story lure us in with “forbidden love.” Jackson, in WORTH THE RISK coming in October 2012, is the most charming, best-looking Worth brother, a confirmed bachelor who is good-natured but used to getting what he wants. I’m working out the kinks in this story to give my readers a very satisfying ending to the series. So I write Jackson’s story with a heavy heart. I will miss these guys, Tagg, Clay, Jackson and Chance. I’ll miss Red Ridge too along with the characters I’ve created. Saying good-bye surely won’t be easy. I have only four chapters left in Red Ridge and then I’ll be moving on to launch Harlequin’s Rich Rugged Rancher series in 2013.

 

 

Recently I’ve said good-bye to some other series that I’ve loved, though not of my own making. Twilight is one series, I never thought I’d like. But those stories struck a chord and I had to read all of them, gobbling up the entire series in two weeks. I’ve also seen all the movies. Because I don’t get a lot of reading time these days, I watched the Swedish version of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movies by Stieg Larsson. I wish I could have read the books too, but I’d heard the movies were actually excellent and the storyline extremely intense. Then there’s good ole bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum in the series written by Janet Evanovich. What can I say about the Morelli/Ranger conflict that hasn’t been said before? I’ve read all of the books in the series and am awaiting the movie, One for the Money.  I’ve read Linda Lael Miller’s McKettricks and Susan Mallery’s series as well.

 

 

 What series are you especially fond of? Do you have favorites? Which characters/stories are hard for you to bid farewell to?  Below I’ve posted  my inspiration for each Worth hero.   If you had to pick which hero appeals to you the most?

 

Taggart Worth

 

 

Clayton Worth

 

Chance Worth

 

 

 

Jackson Worth

 

A COWBOY WORTH CLAIMING IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW on AMAZON.  It will be officially released on March 20th and is eligible for the Amazon 4 for 3 program.  Buy 3 get the 4th free!

http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Worth-Claiming-Harlequin-Historical/dp/0373296835/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326302575&sr=1-1

 

 

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17 thoughts on “Saying Farewell to the Worths of Red Ridge by Charlene Sands”

  1. I’m thrilled to see you have a new historical releasing in April! I love all your books, Charlene, but your historicals are treasures. If I had to pick only one of those handsome heroes above, it would be Chris Young. I have enjoyed the McKettricks and Creeds series by Linda Lael Miller, and series by Mary Connealy, Margaret Brownley, Beverly Lewis, Jodi Thomas to name a few.

  2. I know what you mean, Charlene. I always notice as I’m finishing up a MS I start typing slower, because I always hate to say goodbye characters who’ve become such a part of my life.

    There are so many series I’ve enjoyed I almost hate mentioning any, because I know as soon as I submit the comment many more will come to mind. So, I’ll take the easier question and say hands down Tim Olyphant appeals to me the most. Love him, and can’t wait to read A COWBOY WORTH CLAIMING.

  3. It is sad to us as readers to say goodbye to a series, at least for me. I, too, fall in love with the heroes and feel the sorrow and joys of all of the characters.

    I can hardly wait for the movie One For The Money! Those books are fun!

  4. I always wanted more McKenzies from Linda Howard.
    But I guess that is not to be.

    I had a hard time with the last Sue Grafton book I read….probably T is for T(S)omething. They’re just not doing it for me anymore. Maybe I’ll read Z is for Z(S)omething to see how she wraps it up.

    It breaks my heart what’s happened to Kay Scarpetta. I loved her so much and it’s all just gone now. Turned into a soap opera instead of that brilliant, intense, gristly autopsy procedural.

    I loved Faye Kellerman’s Rina Lazerus/Peter Decker mysteries and now Rina and the whole fascinating Hasidic Jew theme is barely even in the books.

    No more Harry Potter is a true tragedy. C’mon JK.

    Are there really not going to be any more McKettricks? That’s just WRONG!!!

    I’m so sad that Julie Garwood quit writing her Scottish Highlanders. I NEEDED THOSE BOOKS!

  5. Hi Lori -Oh that’s so sweet to say. I humbly thank you for the compliment. I do like writing westerns and hope they resume their place in the romance genre, but I’m pretty much sticking to my western men, present day and historical with my writing now. I’ve found that to be my niche. I think Chris Young is a great family man -it’s one of the reasons I picked him. And he’s a country star, just like Clayton used to be. 🙂

  6. Hi Connie – I know what you mean about One for the Money.. I wondered who’d they pick to play Stef and Morelli and from the trailers I’ve seen, I’m warming up to the actors. I totally love Jason O’Meara as Morelli. I hope the movie pulls it off.

  7. Hi Kristen- Oh, well I have to agree with you about Tim O. Yum is all I can say. Do you love Justified? Only one more week and it’ll return to TV. I have been anticipating that show coming back on TV. Wish there were more series like that. I hope you enjoy A Cowboy Worth Claiming…it was fun to write and to begin the legacy and legends of the Worth family.

  8. Hi Mary – Yep, it appears there are lots of series books coming to an end lately. But the good thing about writing is, the sky’s the limit. We will find more fav authors and more series that will snag us in. I wish I could read more than I do. It’s the only downfall of my having a writing career. Not enough time to sit down to read a book. 🙂

  9. Love your new cover, Charlene, and your heroes.
    My favorite series isn’t really a romance. My sister and I share the books in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series about a woman detective in Botswana. They are just delightful. Since the two of us went to Africa a few years ago, the sharing is even more fun.

  10. These Worth men are worth waiting for.. Sorry just could not resist..
    I have so many series that I love it would be hard to say goodbye to any of them… Virgin River sereis by Robyn Carr would be one…
    All these Worth men are very handsome and if I really had to choose, it would be Jackson…
    I can’t wait to read these books, but will be sorry to say goodbye to them…

  11. Hi Charlene, oh, be still my heart. Timothy Oliphant. I am SO excited Justified is back next week!

    I love this series, and can’t wait for the historical. Your historicals so inspired me way back when and I love and re-read every one.

    I just turned in Book 8 of my Hearts Crossing Ranch series and it was so bittersweet. But along the same route as you, the ed wants a historical about the origins of the ranch. So that will be fun.

    I always love your heroes and matching them with the faces that inspire you!

    Love and good wishes always! oxox

  12. Hi Kathleen – I’ve heard great things about Robyn Carr’s series. And you’ve picked Chris Pine, who is deadly handsome. He played James T. Kirk in the newer Star Trek. He looks a little like Paul Walker, wouldn’t you say? I

  13. Hi Tanya – I know. We’ll have to commiserate about Justified when it comes back on. I’ve been waiting.
    Oh, writing a historical about your characters’s ancestors is a lot of fun! Good luck with it.

    I hope my book is “unexpected”. My heroine is quite a kick. Thanks for the sweet words. Your hard work and great writing inspires me too!!

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