A Conversationwith Jamie Schulz author of Broken Cowboy

Will Addie and Cade fend off disaster and give into their desires? — Broken Cowboy (The Montana Men Series Book 1) by @TheJamieSchulz

Tweet

Two lives cross in a fateful roadside encounter. When ranch life turns deadly, will their unexpected love survive?

Addie Malory is struggling to improve the rundown farm she bought. And though she knows she can’t do it alone, she won’t tolerate men who think they can just take advantage of a pretty woman. Worried all her hard work will amount to nothing, both her hopes and her heart lift when she hires a hunky capable ranch hand.

Cade Brody’s past has left him broken. Drifting between rodeos after a shocking betrayal, he’s grateful to the pretty farmgirl and her offer of a job. But after thugs vandalize the property and harass his gorgeous new boss, he puts aside his wounded heart as his protective instincts ignite.

With Addie’s dream in danger under a barrage of financially damaging attacks, she wrestles with the risk of her red-hot feelings for her rugged employee. And when his own past returns to haunt him, Cade may have to choose between protecting the woman he loves and the healing reconciliation he’s wanted for years.

Will Addie and Cade fend off disaster and give into their desires?

Broken Cowboy is the breathtaking first book in the tantalizing Montana Men series. If you like strong women, brooding ranchers, and sizzling chemistry, then you’ll adore Jamie Schulz’s steamy tale.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/34V7SuE

Jamie Schulz lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family, her husband, and their fur babies. Writing has always been a big part of her life, and she hopes to one day reach the bestsellers lists.

Cowboys, ice cream, and reading almost any kind of romance are among her (not so) secret loves. To her, every one of her stories, no matter how dark, must have a happy ending, and she strives to make them impossible to put down until you get there. 

She balances her free time between reading her favorite romance authors—in genres ranging from erotica and dark romance to sweet historicals and contemporary romance—and spending time with her family.

She enjoys hearing from her fans. You can follow her at:

• Newsletter sign up https://www.subscribepage.com/newsletter_sign-ups
• Street Team sign up https://www.subscribepage.com/street_team
• Website https://thejamieschulz.com/
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheJamieSchulz/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/TheJamieSchulz
• Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Schulz/e/B07K7X6JV5
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thejamieschulz/
• Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18580547.Jamie_Schulz
• Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jamie-schulz

Who are you? 

My name is Jamie Schulz. I am a self-published, Indie author of the Angel Eyes series and now the Montana Men series with more books to come in each. I live in the Pacific Northwest and love to write about the people and places I’ve been and seen. I’m an avid reader of several genres, but romance is my favorite. I strive to make my books hard to put down once you start reading and I love to hear my readers’ thoughts on my stories.

Which book are we talking about today? 

I’m here today to talk about my newest book Broken Cowboy, book one in the new Montana Men series.

What inspired the idea for your book? 

In all honesty, it was a dream. I was dreaming about driving down a dirt road in an old truck and seeing a cowboy walking on the side of the road. I lived in a rodeo town for a few years, so I saw a fair share of the guys moseying from place to place, which is probably why I dreamed it. I just love that cowboy walk. Anyway, the dream stayed with me and I started thinking about where that cowboy might have been going and why. Then I started an outline. When Covid hit, I had all kinds of time when my work closed, so I started writing and it flourished from there.

Can you tell us about the book cover and how it relates to the story? 

I was looking for a younger western guy because my hero, Cade Brody, is only in his late 20s. He needed to look confident but a little sad as Cade has been through some trauma that, at the beginning of the story, he is still trying to work through. It is a bright, attractive cover, but his expression is serious, which is a lot like Cade himself. The cover needed to reflect the cowboy side of him and the story as well as have the implication of hope and an HEA. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to see a hunky guy on the cover, either. I think the cover gives a good impression of the story.

If you were friends with a character in this book, what kinds of things would you do together?

Horseback riding and dancing. Two things I’ve always loved, but have never done enough.

What does it mean to you to be called an author? 

Everything! I’ve always wanted to be an author and have worked for it since I was very young. I am quite thankful for technology and the ability to self-publish. Authors don’t make a lot of money, unless you’re someone like Nora Roberts or Stephen King. But having the ability to publish your own work, makes it possible to be independent and make a better profit. It is much harder, however, if you don’t have a following already, but I don’t mind the work. I love to write. Being a profitable author is my ultimate goal.

How do you define success as an author?

At first, it was just publishing the book, getting it out to people, and then trying to hit the bestseller lists. I’ve reached one and am reaching for the next as we speak, but my biggest definition of success would be having the ability to quit my day job and have my writing replace that paycheck. Then I could write full-time and maybe pay someone to do all the stuff I don’t like to do…like marketing and research. That takes forever and I’d rather be creating a new story to enthrall my readers.

What was the defining moment that made you say to yourself, “Today, I am going to write a book that I will publish.”?

I always loved a good story and when I was in high school one of my English teachers had us write a creative story. I’d been reading and making up stories for myself for years, so I really enjoyed that project. When I got an excellent grade on it and a note that I had talent, I decided to take the next step and started writing. It started out as a story for my sisters, but eventually became more than that. Unfortunately, it took several years to actually get to the point of publishing, but I’ve published three books in the Angel Eyes series and have several more to go.

How do you avoid or defeat writers block?

I force myself to start writing…anything. It doesn’t matter how good or bad it is when I start, I just have to start. Once I get into the story, I just keep going and can often outline several chapters of a story in one sitting, but once I get started, I don’t usually have any trouble.

What comes first for you — the plot or the characters? 

A little of both, actually. Sometimes I see a character in a situation that develops the plot and sometimes I think of a situation and the characters who inhabit it will grow as the story progresses. It depends on what put the thought in my head in the first place.

As an author, what do you think makes a good story?

A compelling storyline and believable characters you can relate to, even if they live a totally different life.

What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?

Write and learn from all the feedback you get, good and bad. Then write some more. 

What are you working on now or in the near future?

Right now, I’m editing Masters’ Promise: book 3 of the Angel Eyes series, outlining the next book of the Montana Men series, working on book 5 of the Angel Eyes series when I can, and making notes for other books or series’ I have planned

Who is your audience?

Well, I used to think it was just adult women of any age who like romances, but I’ve come to realize that I have a lot of male readers who really enjoy some romances, too. So, I guess I’d say, my audience is predominantly females and some men who enjoy romance in a good story.

What has been your favorite reader feedback?

“Ms. Schulz can definitely write stories that keep you glued to the pages! She’ll ensure you are invested in her characters.”

I’ve gotten a few like the above, including some that say they read it through the night because they couldn’t stop. That kind of feedback always makes me very happy as I do strive to make my stories hard to put down.

What do you look for in a story as a reader?

Something that sounds believable with good writing that I don’t feel I should be editing rather than struggling to enjoy

Tell us about a favorite character from a book. 

Hmm…I actually like all the characters, but the boys are always my favorite. Without going through my whole book collection, two come to mind: Ruark Beauchamp from Kathleen Woodiwise’s Shanna and Connor Garrett from Maisey Yates’ Brokedown Cowboy. I have a thing for “broke down” heroes and the women who help them heal, but I also love a strong hero who knows his mind and can handle himself. These two stories have all of what I love and an HEA too.

What is your all-time favorite book or author? Do you think this has influenced your writing?

I have several favorite authors, but off the top of my head, I’d have to say Kathleen Woodiwise and Karen Robards were among my first favorites for romance, but my first favorite book would have to be Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. I would say that all the wonderful authors I’ve read have influenced me in some way, but especially these three.

What is the first book that you remember reading?

Socks by Beverly Cleary and the Black Stallion by Walter Farley. My first romance novel was Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwise.

What is an underrated book, series or author that you think everyone should read at least once?

I don’t know how underrated they are but a few authors I’ve recently found that I like a lot are Cheree Alsop, Robin Shone, and Elle Thorp. They all write different styles and types of stories, but all are quite good. There are others, but those are some I’ve read recently and really enjoyed.

If you could have lunch with 3 authors (past or present) who would they be and what do you think you would all talk about during lunch?

I can only think of one, J.R.R Tolkien. I’d love to sit and talk with him about the stories and histories of his characters, cities, and cultures. I’d probably have so many questions to discuss at length that we’d end up having dinner and drinks, too.

What are your top 5 favorite  authors? 

Tolkien, Kathleen Woodiwise, Karen Robards, Robin Shone, Day Taylor, Robert Jordan

What are you reading now?

Savaged by Mia Sheridan

Duke of Depravity by Scarlet Scott

Mastering Amazon Ads by Brian Meeks

What would your dream library look like?

A long, wide, two-story room with shelves from floor to ceiling with a sliding ladder on each side and a second floor with the same shelves. And all the shelves are full, of course. Plush rugs cover the hardwood floor, and a huge rivers stone fireplace filled one whole end wall. Lamps with soft light set on side tables and overstuffed chairs and loungers to recline comfortably in and read are crowded by the fireplace. A desk at the other end of the room and three sets of tall French doors that open onto a flower garden.

If your book were made into a movie, which actors would play your characters?

Scott Eastwood and Bailey De Young

If you had a secret room that opened by pulling a book on a shelf, what book would you choose?

One I would rarely read.

What is something you can do better than anyone else you know?

Write a good story.