A Pair of Fun Western Flicks . . . and a Giveaway

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At the end of September, I flew to Phoenix for a writing conference. I had some major bumps along the way, but I made it. (If you are interested in reading about my bumpy travel adventures, you can find the account here.)

I’m one of those introverted flyers. I’ll smile at my seatmates and speak to be polite, but I’d much rather read or watch a movie than carry on a conversation. Knowing I’d have about 2 hours of flight time between Texas and Arizona, I downloaded a couple of movies that had caught my interest on Netflix. Both had a western romance flair, and both were quite enjoyable.

The Wrong Paris

If The Bachelor were to come to rural Texas, this is what it might look like.

Here is the blurb:

The romantic comedy The Wrong Paris follows a down-home Texas girl with big dreams. After getting into art school in Paris, Dawn is overjoyed — but quickly realizes she can’t afford to live there. In comes a popular dating reality series whose upcoming season is set in the City of Lights. If Dawn can get on the show, she’ll get a big fat check to pay for housing overseas. When she miraculously ends up a contestant, however, it turns out her Parisian future is … in Texas. Paris, Texas, to be exact. After the show’s producers bait-and-switch, the ladies are introduced to a fiery-hot cowboy bachelor, Trey. Now Dawn’s sole mission is to get eliminated as fast as possible. Which will be easy, right? It’s not like she’ll fall for a hunky rancher or anything.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. Spunky heroine? Check. Hunky cowboy hero? Check. Humor? Check. Beautiful western setting? Check. Quirky supporting cast? Check. It is rated PG-13, and there is some language, so beware of that. There are also a couple scenes that are a bit suggestive, but nothing beyond a kiss actually happens on-screen. It was cute and a little corny in places, but it made me smile and left me believing Dawn and Trey would find their happy ending.

On the way home from the conference, I loaded up another western romance with a strong central heroine.

Walk. Ride. Rodeo.

This movie is based on the true story of barrel racer Amberley Snyder and her return to competition after a car accident left her paralyzed from the waist down.

I’m a sucker for an inspiring based-on-a-true-story movie, and this one hit the spot. A courageous young woman who was a nationally ranked barrel racer at the age of 19 loses control of her truck and is thrown from her vehicle, barely surviving with her life. The movie chronicles her recovery and her fight to find a way to not only ride but race again. The romance thread is light in the movie, but it’s there, and Tate is a sweetheart. So patient and supportive.

One amazing note is that the real life Amberley Snyder does the stunt work in the movie!

Actors on left, real Amberley and her mom on right.

This movie is clean and inspirational, and I’m happy to recommend it.

 

Giveaway

Another fun thing that came from attending the conference is that I picked up extra books! I have two novels from the fabulous Linda Ford that I’ll be giving away to one lucky reader today. To enter, leave a comment on today’s post.

What movies have you enjoyed lately that you would recommend?
If you aren’t a movie watcher, how do you pass the time while traveling?

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For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.

89 thoughts on “A Pair of Fun Western Flicks . . . and a Giveaway”

  1. I watched the wrong Paris also and I loved it! I always have books with me. I truly am a book nerd.

  5. On my trip to om Ohio to Florida by far I read and chatted with my parents. On my FL flight home but r ad some money more.

  7. Good morning Karen! I’ve not flown many times, but I usually read and look out the window(especially when I flew to CA). The landscape from the air is pretty cool! I watch few movies these days, I’d rather read. My last movie and it was in the theater, was The final Downton Abbey.

    Best wishes Karen!

  8. I’ve never traveled on an airplane, but while waiting for appointments in doctor offices, I would rather read a book than talk to people sitting nearby me.

  10. I loved “Walk. Ride. Rodeo. ” so much! I’m anxiously awaiting the new Netflix movie “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” The book was fantastic and I can’t wait to see how they bring the Giant Pacific Octopus narrator to life. One of the best movies I’ve seen lately was “The Last Rodeo,” starring Neal McDonough. My family also went to see “Noah Live” a few weeks ago, which was a broadcast in movie theaters from Sight & Sound Theater. It was amazing!

    • I loved The Last Rodeo! It was fatastic. And I love the productions of the Sigh & Sound Theater. I didn’t see Noah, but I’ll be in Missouri in a few weeks, and I have tickets for my husband and I to see David on stage. We saw Esther last year, and it was PHENOMINAL!

  12. Thanks for the movie recommendations. The second one, Walk, Ride, Rodeo sounds really good. Don’t get to travel much anymore, to our son’s house about an hour away or to our daughter’s about three hours away. So, not much time to do anything other than watch the road. lol Used to listen to audio books when we traveled very far, which we enjoyed. Just have gotten to the age we aren’t able to travel much. Spend much of my time reading these days, which I have always loved to do. Love Linda Ford’s books and would love to win. Thank you for the opportunity.

  13. I miss free in-flight movies.

    The last movie I saw in the theater was Downton Abbey. I also saw the anniversary of The Sound of Music on the big screen. It was uncut and we loved the extra scenes.

  16. Wrong Paris is on my to watch list. I don’t really travel much but when I have time I do enjoy sitting down to see a movie or show. One I saw recently was A Thousand Tomorrows on Netflix, it was a bit western themed since it was about a bull rider and barrel racer falling in love and overcoming obstacles.

  17. I watch old tv shows or read in my spare time. I try to be careful when watching movies- to watch clean, sweet movies.

  18. I like to read on an airplane, but once the person NeXT to me talked the whole trip. I shall try and watch these movies. thanks

  20. I Love watching Movies the older ones are the best I can’t wait to see this one Thank you for sharing Karen and Thank you for the amazing giveaway Have a Blessed Day!

  22. I haven’t watched an really good movies lately but do kind of go for the western type. I always keep my kindle or a book with me but I don’t travel either.

  24. I haven’t seen either of these movie though definitely want to see the based on a true story one.

  25. Wow! That is a movie I’ll find to watch (on the couch in the living room, not in a moving car). God can help us achieve what seems impossible. I read, knit, do hand mending (anyone else still darn [my own version, not very pretty but it stops the holes from growing] socks?), or listen to the audio book my husband, the driver, is “reading” to stay alert as he drives on long car trips.

    Print books are my favorite prize/gift from online contests – thank you!

  26. In January, the mobile home community where I live discontinued their cable. My husband and I went to Walmart and purchased a ROKU TV. I have been watching many Charlie Chan movies. They remind me of my childhood and the good times that I had with my brother watching these. My brother is battling cancer in the DFW Metroplex. I read your blog about your trip. It reminded me of the time when I was a librarian in Quartzsite, AZ and took classes in Yuma (this was the big city for us).

  27. Hi Karen,
    It is always great to see a blog post from you come into my inbox! I love your writing whether it is a blog, novella or novel. You are truly one of my favorite authors!
    You are right about the “fabulous Linda Ford.” She is another one that is a “10” on my reading log every time.
    I have your new Christmas novel already, but I am making myself wait until closer to Christmas to read it. Wait, it is already early October…that’s pretty close, right?
    Blessings!

  30. Both movies sound good. I will have to add them to my list.
    When I fly I prefer to read. When we travel by car I have to be careful what I do to avoid getting car sick. Usually I color or just close my eyes and listen to music. If I read or look out the window too much I will get very nauseous.

    • I don’t get bad car sick, but I can get a little queasy if I’m reading. Plus, now that my husband and I are getting older, I like to talk to him to make sure he’s staying awake. 🙂 If he has a baseball game or something to listen to that engages him, then I read. Sometimes I even try to write, but I have trouble concentrating in the car, so that doesn’t always work.

  31. I’m going to Netflix tonight to watch these two movies. My current WIP has a barrel racer in it! I’m like you, not chatty on an airplane. I read on my kindle or snooze… and hopefully not snore!! Thanks for the tips, Karen!

  32. I have already watched “Wrong Paris” twice. Once by myself while one of my daughters watched it at her house. We messaged back and forth as we watched and laughed :). The second time was with my other two daughters and we really enjoyed it with all of its spoofs of tv dating shows. One of the fun things for us was watching Trey, played by Pierson Fode. I don’t know Pierson but I do know his dad, uncles and grandparents, and a whole lot of his cousins. He grew up on a crop and cattle farm near us and looks a lot like his dad and uncle did at his age. It was a strange feeling watching someone who looked so familiar in a movie on my television.

    We have also enjoyed “Walk, Ride, Rodeo”

  33. I love to watch western movies with my son. We usually stick with the older movies: John Wayne, etc. It’s always good to get a recommendation for a new one. I’m interested in the true story about the barrel racer, as years ago I ran barrels.

  34. I loved The Wrong Paris, too! Westerns are my favorite genre – both in books and movies! I recommend watching A Thousand Tomorrows as well. I think you would like it.

  35. I have not watched the Long Paris, but it sounds like a great movie. Thank you for recommending it. I just finished watching A Thousand Tomorrows and it is such a beautiful story , it is about a Barrel Racer and a Bull Rider, it is a mini series with 6 episodes. It is from the book A Thousand Tomorrows by Karen Kingsbury, I highly recommend the movie , I have not read the book yet, but the movie is Great, I loved it. Have a great evening .

  36. Not much of a movie watcher, but when I do, it’s definitely a rom-com. I most always keep busy while traveling by reading.

  37. Not really a Movie Watcher nor do I travel since I am a caregiver for both of my parents but when I’m able to travel reading and writing for fun is how I pass the time
    I have watched Some Clint Eastwood, John Wayne movies and my favorite I recommend is McClintock OH MY I have never laughed so hard in my life
    Books look like excellent reads

  38. I don’t watch a lot of movies. I usually read but I like westerns with John Wayne and the Hallmark movies.

  39. Ohhhh, both of those movies look good, but the story of Amberley makes me think that I’d like the Walk. Ride. Rodeo. movie more. Thanks for sharing your reviews on these, and for the heads up regarding the language in The Wrong Paris

  40. I haven’t seen either of these movies, but I’ve heard a lot about Amberley Snyder. She grew up in Utah and graduated from Utah State University–in my home town, and the same one I graduated from (many years earlier). We still live close to the university.

  42. I don’t travel. I have both of those movies on my list but I haven’t watched them yet. I watched a cozy mystery, Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker recently. I’ve been watching tv shows ;like High ,Potential, Doc, Chicago Med, Fire, & PD.

  43. Both movies sound enjoyable. Definitely going to find Walk, Ride, Rodeo! I usually have books, both paperback & Kindle, read for the trip.

  45. I think most of the movies I have watched in the past few years have been on the Hallmark channels. I really enjoyed the recent trilogy Providence Falls. Ireland, time travel, mystery, it was all very enjoyable. We don’t have any of the premium channels or streaming services.
    When I fly, I always have books. Books are great when you have long waits between flights. Now that I have a kindle, I can take so many more with me. Last time we flew, a couple of years ago, I watched several movies (they were long, night flights). It was an international flight and everyone had their own screen and choices. No need to read. My husband and I did visit a bit, but we took the opportunity to watch movies we had been interested in. When we travel by car, we take the time to talk. We seldom get the time to just have quiet time. It is so pleasant to just be together and enjoy the scenery and each other.

  46. Movies:
    The Man From Snowy River
    Across The Great Divide
    Anne Of Green Gables
    Green Card
    Phantom Of The Opera ( Gerard Butler)

    Books: Sacajawea,
    Linda Broday’s A Man Of Legend
    Julia London’s
    ( A Princess Of Texas series)
    The Devil In The Saddle and The Billionaire In Boots

    When I travel I bring lots of books. I also spend time before trips researching the area for must see sights or activities to do.
    In May we’re heading to Smoky Mountain National Park for a week. If anyone has any recommendations let me know. Thanks!

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