I’m no rom com author, which is a very sad state of affairs. You see, I love a good smirk, even though I rarely truly LOL at the snark in stories. If a story billed as humorous makes me smile or snicker once or twice, I figure it’s done its job, because my sense of humor is a little on the oddball side, and a direct score is rare.
Which makes me all kinds of nervous as a writer. I know better than to claim to be funny, but I do always hope my readers will find something to smile about here and there. Dare I hope for an actual laugh? Maybe? I’m also happy to hear if readers shed a tear or two. Yeah, I’m mean that way.
Therefore, I don’t like to claim “fun banter” for my stories. I wait until a few readers have commented before I believe that my sense of humor has any sort of appeal to the wider range of readers. So humor me a moment. (See what I did there? Sorry. Couldn’t resist…)
To set the stage, Paisley and Weston have been working at the same ranch resort for over a year. She’s determined to crack his shell. He’s equally determined to keep her at arm’s length. She joins him on a trail ride against his wishes as they seek out a good camping spot for a group of tweens coming to Sweet River Ranch the following week. They’ve now reached their destination and are settling in with their lunch.
“What’s in your thermos?” Weston lifted it.
“Uncorrupted Earl Grey tea.”
He sent her a questioning look. “Uncorrupted?”
“Tea the way God intended. No sugar. No cream. Just black as sin.”
“Sin is corruption.”
It took her a moment before she burst out laughing. “Did you just crack a funny, cowboy? I’m impressed.”
That lopsided grin nearly hit both of his cheeks before flattening out. Progress.
“If you want some tea, I can share.”
Weston shuddered. “Coffee all the way over here. I brought a billy can.”
It was her turn to wonder what he meant. “Billy can?”
“For cowboy coffee. Who needs a thermos when they can brew up their own when they want?”
She settled on a rock and unscrewed the thermos’s lid. “Yet here I sit with my hot tea and don’t have to work for it right now.” She poured some into the cup that formed the lid and saluted him with it.
Weston had gathered a few twigs at some point. Now he added a handful of dry moss from the lower branches of a nearby tree and struck a match to it.
“Oh, a match! I thought you might rub two sticks together.”
He glowered at her before bending to puff gently on the tiny flame. It caught on the moss and then the twigs before flickering to ignite the slender sticks. Weston cracked a couple of thicker pieces against his knee and fed them in as the fire grew.
“Impressive.” She munched a handful of trail mix as she leaned back against a log.
Weston shot her a glare and held out his palm. “Can I have some?”
“May I?”
“Never mind.” He pulled his hand back.
“Teasing you, cowboy. Here. Have a handful, and I’ll get out the sandwiches.”
When he didn’t reach out again, she tossed the bag at him. Whatever. He might have loosened up a little, but apparently the big bad wolf was still present and in no mood to be teased about his grammar.
If you find that excerpt amusing or at least mildly interesting, you might enjoy my writing style! A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy is the third Sweet River Ranch Romance title. There’s some general series setup in the previous installments, but Paisley and Weston’s story is complete within this one, and enough background is revealed for you to quickly catch on.
GIVEAWAY – A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy is releasing in two weeks, on Thursday, June 27. Are you interested in an ARC (advanced reader copy)? I’m giving away five digital ARCs to those who’d like to read (and hopefully review) A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy early.
To toss your name in the proverbial hat, tell me what story (title/author) you’ve read recently that tickled your funny bone and what you loved about it. Which author(s) can you count on to provide levity in your reading experience? Bonus points for funny contemporary romance with a Christian worldview!
I’ll go first. Authors of Christian rom com whom I consistently look to for a laugh are Krista Phillips, Heather Gray, Becca Kinzer, and Sarah Monzon. I could probably name a dozen others!
Who’s your go-to?
Five winners, anywhere in the world, will be awarded e-book copies of A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy via Book Funnel. I’m sorry; I can’t send paperback review copies. However, I expect both e-book and paperback versions to be “live” on Amazon on June 27. If reading in Kindle Unlimited is your thing, please look up my cowboys!
Loved the excerpt. Fun banter, for sure.
Recently read The Rom-Commers. So funny, though it had serious and sad moments, too.
denise
Oh, that sounds interesting, Denise! I hadn’t heard of it before.
It would definitely keep you on your toes reading it. It would be hard to put the book before reading all of it.
Yay, I’m glad to hear that, Kari Jean!
I cannot remember the name but it was about a wedding planner and everything went wrong. It was actually quite funny. Thanks for the chance.
I’ve read some fun wedding planner stories, too!
can’t think of any
Maybe another time 🙂
I would be interested in an ARC copy to read for you, with an honest review as well. Jessie Gussman is one very funny person in print. I read ARC’s for her. She comes by it honestly as her daily life is a very funny scenario. If you haven’t read her, I believe you would be pleased. I read for other authors as well and really enjoy it. Your book excerpt has me very interested in reading the book. Best wishes for your success. Hopefully I will hear back from you.
Hi Judy! Yes to Jessie! Her stories have some funny moments for sure. Thanks for your interest 🙂
Loved the excerpt. I laughed out loud. Haven’t read anything with humor for awhile but would love to read and review.
Yay! I can’t guarantee all of it is that humorous (all disclaimers apply LOL), but hopefully you’ll find the entire story amusing.
When I think of authors that have made me laugh out loud I always think Mary Connealy first, than Karen Witemeyer. For suspense my favorite has always been Dee Henderson, but a close second would be Lynette Eason. When I want a full on Christian message with a heartfelt story my go to has been Grace Livingston Hill. I love collecting books and my shelves are full of well read friends. Would love to read more from you, and to be able to add to my collection.
Hey Danielle! Yes to Mary and Karen! I read even less suspense than historical, though (don’t run me out of town!!!) so I haven’t read Dee or Lynette. Ah… I read a lot of Grace Livingston Hill back in the day. I can’t remember if they were funny or not, but they intrigued Younger Me, anyway. I should look some of them up again.
I love a book that has me laughing out loud! It has been a while since I read one like that though…
Humor is SO subjective!!!! Hope you enjoy A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy 🙂
Fancy meeting you here!! I LOVED (yes, I was fortunate to be on the ARC team) Paisley and Weston!! I don’t read too many Rom Coms, as most of the time I don’t think they’re funny, or not the kind of funny I like. However, I do like Liwen Ho’s Rom Coms, but honestly, if I really want great banter between characters, I’ll read a Jo Grafford book, or a Jovie Grace, or one of yours, or even Valerie Bodden. I also love Jen Turano and Kristi Ann Hunter for books that will make me lol!!!
Hi Trudy! That’s a great list – thank you for including me, and I’m glad you enjoyed this story 😀
Thank you for the opportunity! Jen Turano, & Karen Witemeyer are on my “automatic purchase” list for Historical Rom-Com. For contemporary, I really enjoy Emma St. Clair, Jenny Proctor & Annah Conwell.
Oops! Forgot to say that I enjoyed the blurb! ?
I just finished an Emma St Clair book last night! Good choices. 😉
Mary Connealy is my go to author for a good book.
For me, too, if I’m in the mood for historical 🙂
This book sounds interesting.
Thank you!
It sounds like a fun read. Sin is corruption? Wonderful.
Prove me wrong LOL 😉
My writers group, MMRWA (MidMichigan Romance Writers) holds a Best Banter Contest so if you think you’re funny – send them in an entry to find out. Good story line, Valerie.
Oh, fun, Susan!
Sadly, I haven’t been able to read much lately due to family illness, and a bit of levity is always appreciated, especially now. One of our fillies, Mary Connealy, has a wit that I appreciate. Another filly, Karen Witemyer also has a subtle sense of humor in her books. I appreciate a good laugh when reading and know that I have read some that have kept me laughing throughout. Unfortunately, I can’t think of a specific one right now. Here’s hoping I am lucky enough to have my name drawn for one of y0our ARCs.
Big hugs, Patricia! I agree that when things are tough in Real Life, we need a safe place to smile and laugh a little!
Jessie Gussman – befrom Billy the Highland steer, to Good Grief, Idaho, she does a great job with humor