March 13, 2008

Guest blogger Delores Fossen talks about cowboys as heroes

Written by Jaunty Guest in Jaunty Guests, Jaunty Post

Cowboys as Heroes…

Those three words are a mouthful, and readers usually fall in one camp or the other: they love cowboys as heroes, or they hate ‘em. Me? I fall into the love ‘em camp. This might have something to do with the fact that I spent the first eight years of my life on a working ranch/farm. No, it’s not a glamorous life, but there’s something heroic about a man who earns a living through hard back-breaking work. Or maybe it’s just because they often look so darn good in their Stetsons and jeans.

Anyway, this whole idea of cowboys as heroes got me thinking, and I checked out the American Film Institute’s (AFI) list of all time heroes to see how many cowboys made the top 50. There aren’t many, but here they are:

Will Kane (Gary Cooper) High Noon
Shane (Alan Ladd)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Paul Newman and Robert Redford)
Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne) True Grit

That’s a good start, but I’d like to add some more recent ones:

The Assassination of Jesse James (Brad Pitt)

3:10 to Yuma (Christian Bale and Russell Crowe)

And finally, here’s Dylan Greer, the hero of my latest Intrigue, THE HORSEMAN’S SON. I think he’s a great example of why I love cowboys.:)

So, where do you stand when it comes to cowboys? Do you love ‘em, or do you look elsewhere for your heroes? Anyone who posts a comment will be entered into a drawing to win an autographed copy of my February Intrigue, NEWBORN CONSPIRACY.

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21 Responses to “Guest blogger Delores Fossen talks about cowboys as heroes”

On March 13th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Crystal B. Says:

I love cowboys. There is nothing sexier than a cowboy in chaps. I am always drawn to books that have a cowboy on the cover.
On March 13th, 2008 at 8:08 am
RobynDeHart Says:

I used to love western historicals, but not so much anymore and frankly they’re not that widely available. As for contemporary cowboys, I like them as long as the books don’t imply that everyone in TX has a horse and wears a hat. You know how that goes, Delores. Thanks again for joining us and welcome to the Quills.
On March 13th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Margo Maguire Says:

I love a good cowboy story! As Robyn says, they’re not very available these days. I’m hoping that pendulum swings back.
On March 13th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Delores Fossen Says:

Crystal, I agree. Yum–chaps.

Robyn, thanks so much for having me today. What a wonderful group!! I know what you mean about our Texas cowboys–not all of them wear Stetsons. As for the historical cowboy, I keep thinking he’ll make a comeback. Maybe the recent western movies will help.

Delores
On March 13th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Delores Fossen Says:

Margo, I’m with you!! I’d love to see more cowboy/western romances.

Delores
On March 13th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Dorothy Says:

I haven’t really read that many cowboy/western romances but I read a historical one lately that might change that. I’ll have to check out your books, Delores. Thanks for sharing the pictures above. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale are two of my favs!!
On March 13th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Mary M Says:

I love cowboys for their confident masculinity. And men who have an affinity for animals always seem attractive to me.
On March 13th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Kathryn Says:

Let’s see, faded Levis that fit just right, boots and a Stetson… what’s not to like?

How about Viggo Mortenson in Hidalgo? But then, I like him in just about any incarnation.
On March 13th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Shana Galen Says:

I’m with, Robyn. Living in Texas, people have all these ideas that we all ride horses to work and wear boots and cowboy hats. I don’t own either.

I’m not really a big cowboy fan either, sorry Delores! I think of the rodeo when I think of cowboys, and the rodeo is cruel. I have read some good books with cowboy heroes, though. I’ll have to go get yours and give it a chance.
On March 13th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Serenissima Says:

Ladies,
I just love western historicals and would read them a lot more, but it seems that there are very few written these days I WANT MORE WESTERN HISTORICALS
Delores, I have to confess, that I haven´t read any of your contemp.westerns. But I like to read about those sexy cowboy heroes
On March 13th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Delores Fossen Says:

Dorothy, I agree Russell and Christian are two of my favs as well. I was glad to see them in a movie together.

>

yes!!! Another favorite. Kathryn, you’re right–I love him in every role he plays, but it was great to see him as a cowboy.

Delores
On March 13th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Delores Fossen Says:

Mary M–you’re right. There is that animal angle.

Shana, that’s okay. I totally understand. Not all heroes appeal to everyone. As for me, I’m not a huge fan of sheik books, but I do enjoy those done by author, Dana Marten. THANKS!!!

Serenissima, that’s okay. I hope you’ll try one of my books. I really do try to keep them authentic, but above all, I just love writing hot, jeans-wearing heroes.
On March 13th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Delores Fossen Says:

Kathryn’s quote didn’t come through in my message, but I was agreeing with her about Viggo. Yum.
On March 13th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
ladydawgfan Says:

I love cowboys as heroes in both historical and contemp genres, and I am beyond glad that I kept my old historicals, especially now that historical westerns are so hard to find. I look forward to reading your new book!! Cowboys and babies??? Sure winner!!!!
On March 13th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Delores Fossen Says:

Thanks, ladydawgfan!!

Delores
On March 13th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Amy Says:

I adore cowboys. Western romance is a favorite of mine and always has been. I am a born and home grown Nebraskan, so I think that it is in my blood…*G* I have several favorite authors, and many of them no longer write westerns. So sad. The cowboy is a hero that I have no trouble getting into his camp, I mean that camp
THANKS Ms. Fossen, for the very stimulating post!!!!!!!!!
Amy
On March 13th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Delores Fossen Says:

Amy, I agree about his camp.

Delores
On March 13th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
catslady Says:

I love cowboys too but I have to say the Jesse James movie was a bit strange!
On March 13th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Delores Fossen Says:

Yes, Jesse James was a weird movie! I saw it just because there are so few westerns in the theaters. I did enjoy seeing Brad in cowboy gear though.
On March 13th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Fedora Says:

Hi, Delores! I don’t know any real cowboys, but love reading about them–they make very appealing heroes!
On March 14th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Delores Fossen Says:

Congrats to Crystal, the winner of the the book, and thanks to all who posted!!

Delores

March 13, 2008

Guest blogger Delores Fossen talks about cowboys as heroes

21 Responses to “Guest blogger Delores Fossen talks about cowboys as heroes”

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