A Chat with Karen Baney

Join me in welcoming back the Back Porch, Karen Baney, the author of Falling for a Humbug Cowboy.

Welcome to the Back Porch, Karen. Tell us about Falling for a Humbug Cowboy.

What research did you conduct, if any, while writing this book? How did it influence the story or characters?

Readers might think I researched the barista job and equipment based on some of the details I included. Well, I didn’t. I actually worked part-time as a barista at a quaint local coffee shop in Scottsdale,Arizona, in my mid-twenties. I opened the shop on Saturdays and also did some bookkeeping for the owner. It was a nice bonus to my income during a low period in my life.

Parts of Candi and Drake’s romance were inspired by a couple who met while working at that coffee shop. Fifteen years later, I stopped by for a visit and was thrilled to learn the couple married, had kids, and were still deeply in love. HEAs aren’t just for books. 😊

I love that. HEA’s (Happily Ever Afters) really do happen.

Where there any secondary characters in your book that hold particular significance to you? If so, why?

In this book, I introduce Sawyer and Cara Fullerton by name. I’ve been working on a prequel to the Vargas Ranch Series to tell their story. It was fun incorporating bits of their life years after meeting and falling in love.

That sounds fun.

Were there any unexpected plot twists or character developments that surprised you while writing?

When I first mapped out this story, I had not planned for a minor theme of dealing with the loss of a loved one during the holiday season. As I wrote it, this ended up becoming a unifying theme for both characters. For one, the loss is part of the backstory. For the other…

This topic touches so many people in different ways. Even though I hadn’t planned it, I’m glad to share two perspectives on the subject.

Are there any particular themes or messages that you find yourself returning to in your writing?

Forgiveness is a central theme in Falling for a Humbug Cowboy. It’s a theme that plays a prominent role in several of my books. Why? Because unforgiveness only hurts the one holding the grudge. It’s so important to forgive others and ourselves. It’s one way we learn freedom in Christ. It also opens us up to meaningful relationships with others.

Amen! Forgiveness is the greatest gift you could give yourself…and possibly others.

What kind of impact do you hope your writing will have on readers?

Besides telling an entertaining story, I hope readers will see some aspect of God or the Christian life within the pages of my novels. We’re all flawed and fall very short, but God’s love is so deep. He provided a way for us to know Him and live forgiven and free through Christ. Wherever you are on your journey, I hope my novels encourage you in your faith.

That’s wonderful. I will stand in agreement with that.

Thank you, Karen for joining us this morning. I pray this tour is a blessing to you.

Readers, please keep reading to discover more about Falling for a Humbug Cowboy and maybe even enter the giveaway.

Thank you for joining us this morning.

Melissa

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?

Click here to get your copy!

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).