About the Book

Book: Falling for a Humbug Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 5)

Author: Karen Baney

Genre: Contemporary Christian Cowboy Romance

Release date: November 5, 2024

Book: Falling for a Humbug Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 5)

Author: Karen Baney

Genre: Contemporary Christian Cowboy Romance

Release date: November 5, 2024

She’s the happiest person he’s ever met. His world has turned upside and he’s in no mood for Christmas. Will these coworkers find middle ground as they head into the holidays?

Reeling from a shocking family secret, Drake Vargas heads into the holiday season grumpier than he’s ever been. He can’t seem to get his footing and his new barista is way too much sunshine for him.

Candi Kaine loves Christmas! Nothing can stop her sunny disposition. As she starts a new job at Vargas Ranch, she’s determined to fix the grumpy, hipster cowboy who just happens to be her boss. Nothing will deter her from making sure he experiences a very Merry Christmas.

Will Drake find his joy again or has Candi Kaine finally met her match?

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I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an

endorsement of all author's opinions.

Author Interview

What was the most challenging part of writing your book?
As if writing a Christmas themed novel set in the Arizona desert wasn’t hard enough, I wrote it during some of the hottest Arizona months of the year. To help me get in the mood, I listened to Christmas music and sat in my front living room with two fans on! I also turned on my electric fireplace without the heat setting. Come to think of it, I’ve never used the heat setting on that thing. Anyway, all that helped me get in the mood to write a Christmas story.

What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book?
I really enjoyed sharing some of the uniquely Arizona aspects in this book—like a weekend tripto Flagstaff in December where the characters get snowed in. That’s happened to me twice.And it’s the only way I see snow at all these days. ��

How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?
Weaving the spiritual arc for a character feels natural to me. As the character grows personally, and believes, then it makes sense their Christian walk would be challenged too. One thing that inspires me, especially when writing a character who first comes to a saving faith, is listening to testimonies from real people. Each story is different, but God draws each person to Himself. I look for motivators and catalysts and then incorporate those into my writing.

How many books do you personally own?
That’s hard to answer. I still have about 50 to 75 paperback books on my bookshelf at home—mostly non-fiction, spiritual growth, writing reference material, or research material. On my eReader and phone, I have roughly 1000 books and audiobooks. Those are mostly fiction.
Have I read them all? No. Do I still buy more books anyway? YES!

What is your next big goal as an author?
This year, one of my goals was to write a Christmas themed, sunshine-grumpy trope. That’s Falling for a Humbug Cowboy. My next big goal is the next book in this series, a surprise single dad story with a big twist. Throw in some dual secret crushed and a teenager… Loving it! I’ve also wanted to write a true second chance romance for a divorced couple. I’m (slowly) working on a manuscript to kick off another contemporary western series that I hope to submit
to a traditional publisher.

About the Author

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

More from Karen

Inspiring My Christmas Mood by Karen Baney

In Falling for a Humbug Cowboy, I had a lot of fun incorporating classic holiday songs (and the occasional Christmas story) into scenes to add flavor and sometimes intensify the character’s feelings.

It was purely accidental at first. I love classic Christmas songs and during the holiday season my hubby and I listen to a lot of Holiday Traditions on Sirius XM.

So, when I described a scene where Candi helps Drake decorate the dining hall, I just wrote that she switched the overhead music to a Christmas station and belted out Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. The next thing I know, I’m three song mentions in. So, I decided to make deliberate use of songs.

When I was struggling to get in the mood to write a Christmas novel in the dead of summer (108+ in July in Arizona!), I loaded up my phone with several playlists. One of the first songs was Feliz Navidad and I knew I had to find a way to use it. It would be the perfect song to show off Candi’s fun personality and draw Drake out of his humbug mood.

I hope you enjoy this Christmas playlist from the novel with a few sneak peaks of how I used the songs:

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer – Candi belts out the tune while working.
White Christmas by Bing Crosby – Candi “crooned along with Bing Crosby, making a nice duet”.
The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole – causes Drake to picture holding Candi close, swaying to the music.
Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives – playing while Drake helps Candi with a rush of customers.
Feliz Navidad – Candi dances around Drake until she gets him to dance and sing along.
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Dean Martin – Candi notices the not-so-humbug cowboy walking away, ratcheting up her interest.
Christmas in Your Eyes by Travis Shaw – playing during a special moment between Drake and Candi.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas by Michael Bublé – Candi’s lunch with a friend.
Mele Kalikimaka – Driving to Flagstaff together to play in the snow.
All I want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey – sets the stage for Drake’s proposal on July 25^th (Christmas in July).