Anna Schmidt | The Cowboy Code

Dear Reader,

When I was much younger, my father managed a movie theater and for those years
I went to the movies—a lot!! My parents also had a love of theater and
whenever possible we drove to the slightly larger town near our very small
hometown to attend live performances at the playhouse there. Later in my life
I worked for that theater as the costume designer after getting a masters in
theater arts. In addition, our house was always filled with books and whenever
I complained that I was bored, my mother’s answer was usually, “Go read a
book.”

What does all this have to do with my writing? That upbringing has truly
shaped the way I go about telling a story. When I write I see my characters
walking, talking, onstage. In my mind I watch as they react or make tough
choices or delight in new surprises. Authors are often asked if their
characters ‘speak’ to them. Mine not only speak—they shout, they nudge, they
walk away until I come around to their way of thinking. After all I am telling
their story.

Through the years I have written a lot of different types of stories—
contemporary, historical, inspirational, romance—even took a crack at time
travel. (Now that was just fun!) Now I am working on this series of historical
Westerns and these stories have touched me in a very special way. I’m pretty
sure that my Dad was a frustrated cowboy—he loved everything about the Old
West and he devoured every story he could find by Louis L’Amour. I remember
one time when he visited me in Milwaukee and I took him to the public museum.
There’s a wonderful exhibit there of the Plains Indians—he was in heaven, read
every marker, studied every diorama, and I thought we might need to make
arrangements for him to spend the night there.

So LAST CHANCE COWBOYS: THE DRIFTER is a tribute to my father who lived his life according to a cowboy’s code of honor (See example below) – and taught me to do the same. I hope you enjoy the story of Maria and Chet and their journey to find their destiny and true love, and that you will come back to read more about the Porterfields of Arizona. I also hope you will stop by my website—to leave me a message, to see what I’m up to next, to check out my blog—go to www.booksbyanna.com.

Until we meet again, all best wishes,

Anna

PS: Here’s that Cowboy’s Code I mentioned above—this one known as The Lone Ranger’s code:
• I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.
• I believe that all men are created equal and that everyone has it within himself to make this a better world.
• I believe that God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.

The use of male gender, of course, fits the time and the society BUT my guess
is that Maria Porterfield would change the language to be sure women were part
of the equation!!!

Happy Trails!

GIVEAWAY

What "code" do you live by? Leave a comment below and be entered for a chance to win a copy of LAST CHANCE COWBOYS: THE DRIFTER.

About Anna Schmidt

Anna Schmidt is a three-time finalist for the coveted RITA award presented annually by Romance Writers of America (RWA). Her novel A SISTER’S FORGIVENESS gave Anna her fourth finalist honor for the Reviewers’ Choice Awards from Romantic Times magazine. She has won that award twice before. In 2013 she was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by her local Wisconsin chapter of RWA.

Anna is the author of over twenty-five works of historical and contemporary
fiction including her most recent series—THE PEACEMAKERS – set in World War
II. All God’s Children tells the story of Beth—an American Quaker trapped in
Nazi Germany where she finds herself fall in love with Josef—a young German
medical student who is determined to save his beloved homeland from Hitler’s
oppressive regime. Publisher’s Weekly had high praise for the novel noting
that "The activities of the White Rose resistance group, as well as the
prisoner uprising at the Sobibor concentration camp, are more than simple
historical context. Schmidt seamlessly integrates these actual events, and the
courageous real-life individuals who fought against Hitler’s regime, with her
fictional characters and their story, to produce a strong tale of hope and
love in the face of insurmountable obstacles."

In Book 2 Simple Faith Anja--a young Danish woman and friend of Beth’s
continues the fight against tyranny as she helps Peter, an American airman
shot down over occupied Belgium, return to his base in England. The final book
in the series—Safe Haven—is set in America—in the small upstate New York town
of Oswego where a disgraced journalist tries to revive her career telling the
story of the refugees from Europe who spent eighteen long months held in a
fort there still fighting for their freedom as they waited for the war to end.

Anna's faith is rooted in a sense of inclusiveness of all people and
frequently focuses on people finding their way back to their spiritual core.
Her small town roots gave her the opportunity to experience the teachings and
wisdom of many diverse sects -- her own church was shared by Presbyterians and
Baptists (they alternated Sundays but Anna was there every Sunday); she
attended a Methodist youth group; her first job out of college was teaching in
a Catholic school and she married a Jew. No wonder she titled her novel: ALL
GOD’S CHILDREN!!

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About LAST CHANCE COWBOYS: THE DRIFTER

"I barely know you, and yet there's something about you that I trust. But why?"

"You know me, Maria. I'm the guy trouble follows. Best if you keep your
distance."

She ran the backs of her fingers along the line of his jaw. "And what if I
don't want to keep my distance?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Fair warning," he murmured, and pulled her close.

Caught between a greedy corporation and a desperate love of the land, Maria
Porterfield barely has time to mourn her father's death. If her family is to
survive, it'll be up to her to take charge-but she can't do it alone. When a
mysterious drifter rides into town, the handsome cowboy seems like an answer
to her prayers. But Chet isn't interested in settling down, no matter how
tempting the offer...

Chet made his way West looking for a fresh start-the last thing he wants is to
get involved in someone else's fight. But something about Maria awakens a
powerful need to protect the fierce beauty at all costs. He never thought he'd
find love, but as danger presses in, he may find there's more beyond the next
horizon than just another long and dusty trail.

Comments

31 comments posted.

Re: Anna Schmidt | The Cowboy Code

Honesty
(Marissa Yip-Young 6:01am September 4, 2015)

The rules I live by are these:
1. Try to be a better person
2 Try to make at least one person laugh or smile a day
3 Try to help at least one other person daily
4 Be sure to thank God for your day, even if it didn't
go as planned.

There are other little things that go into each of the items,
but you get the general idea. I not only love everything about
your latest Cowboy book, but also your WWII series, and it
looks like I'm going to have to get crackin' (no pun intended),
as far as doing some reading!! My Father served in WWII, so
books written from that time period are close to my heart.
Thank you for coming here today and letting us know about all
of your books. I'm going to have a very busy Fall season,
playing catch-up with your books, but know it's going to be
enjoyable!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:43am September 4, 2015)

Do unto others and you would have them do unto you. Be grateful. Life is Good. I love your books. Thank you for the chance to win. Your new series sounds like they will be winners - just like all your others.
(Nancy Reynolds 10:03am September 4, 2015)

Do not be afraid to be different and do not judge others for being different and force your beliefs onto them. Be thankful you live in a country that allows you that freedom because if we were all the same the world would be a very, very boring place.
(Maria Smith 11:45am September 4, 2015)

you are a new author for me!
(Lorelei Frank 11:54am September 4, 2015)

A do unto others code.
(Pam Howell 12:37pm September 4, 2015)

We had simple rules in the house growing up.. Other than
the normal, If you can't say something nice, don't say
anything at all.. or Silence is golden.
No, are's were more like this.
1. If you want something ask, the worst you can be told
is NO
2. If you walk away from the table hungry it's your own
damn fault.
3. If you don't like the rules, there's the door don't
let it hit you on the way out
4. Screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me
and I don't do shame on me.

These were what we were taught. Be nice, kind, helpful,
and respectful and you will be treated the same way.
I do not judge people by the color of their skin, I judge
them by their actions. I know I am different from you and
that is ok. I will treat you with kindness until you
prove otherwise.
My mom would say I get new meaning to the phrase.. Hell
hath no furry than a woman scorned... you get on my bad
side and I will not be kind.
My boys are like Knights with they way they help women,
open doors and such.
My daughter acts like a spoiled princess and we but heads
all the time.
This is how I was raised and how I raised them.
(Tina Ullrich 12:38pm September 4, 2015)

Be myself and look at the positive...
(Colleen Conklin 1:09pm September 4, 2015)

Without integrity, I am nothing!
(Clydia DeFreese 1:56pm September 4, 2015)

Treat people the way
You want to be treated
(Emily Stemp 3:54pm September 4, 2015)

I know that everything happens for a reason. It may be to
teach me to depend on God, to learn to get my priorities
straight, or to count my blessings.
(Nyala Edwards 4:10pm September 4, 2015)

I try to be polite to everyone.
I try not to hurt anyone's feelings. I try to be a decent and
God loving woman.
Marilyn
(Marilyn Collins 5:03pm September 4, 2015)

Treat people with respect, at times that can be really hard.
When it gets to be too hard, treat them the way they treat
you and walk away fast.
(Sharon Sommer 12:02pm September 5, 2015)

Do unto others serves me well.
(Mary Preston 5:12am September 5, 2015)

Thank God every night for the day I just had and whatever happened I know was his plan for us . I try to be nice to all and treat them as I would want to be treated .
(Joan Thrasher 10:43am September 5, 2015)

Treat people the way You want to be treated
(Emily Stemp 11:01am September 5, 2015)

Like many others, the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you.
(Judy Gregory 11:27am September 5, 2015)

Never go to bed angry with someone and treat everyone as
you wish to be treated.
(Joanne Balinski 2:36pm September 5, 2015)

I do the best job I can, regardless of the task.
(Joanne Schultz 2:42pm September 5, 2015)

Always do your best no matter what the job. Treat everyone as you would like to be treated.
(Melinda Marks 4:13pm September 5, 2015)

1. Treat everyone as your friend until they prove otherwise.
2. Never lie, unless it is Christmas present time!
3. If it is something you can't control, let it go or it will drive you nuts.
(Shirley Cochran 5:33pm September 5, 2015)

Love your cover. My code don't steal if you want something ask. no political correctness. try to see the beauty in everything.Believe in something bigger than yourself.If you give charity do it to help someone not for your own glory.Remember we none of us are any more perfect than anyone else & before we condemn someone else remember this Thanks for the contest
(Gloria Vigil 1:44pm September 6, 2015)

I try to treat everyone with respect, the way that I would
want to be treated or to have my child be treated. Learning
is a treasure not to be wasted, but some children have to be
inspired. I work at it. Don't lie, don't cheat, don't steal,
don't commit adultery. In other words, follow the 10
commandments. They are commandments, not suggestions. Do all
things in moderation. Words hurt, use them gently. Everyone
has a story, some are even more compelling than our own, but
they won't share, if they don't trust. (I work in an inner
city elementary school. But these are my basic life rules
regardless.)
(Marcia Berbeza 1:26am September 7, 2015)

Everyone deserve a chance
(Emily Stemp 11:30am September 7, 2015)

Treat others like you would like to be treated.
(Denise Austin 12:34pm September 7, 2015)

I told my kids that of you tell a lie, it is hard to remember
what you said. You can remember the truth.
Your post reminded me of my father making a deal with a
handshake. I was raised in West Texas and that is how they did it
then; I remember him telling me that when I was a child.
(Leona Olson 12:40pm September 7, 2015)

I live by the code of " Be Kind to all "
(Barbara Ryan 2:17pm September 7, 2015)

I remember always being told when I was a child to BE NICE...I try to do that
every day.
(Jackie Wisherd 2:58pm September 7, 2015)

Don't judge people. There's always more to the story than you can
see. Be kind.
(Christine Schultz 5:30pm September 7, 2015)

to be kind, compassionate and forgiving, and to stand for what
is right.
(Diane Sallans 6:56pm September 7, 2015)

The Golden Rule was the code in our home. Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you. Thanks for the chance in the giveaway.
(Wl Hutch 7:15pm September 7, 2015)

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