An Interview with Kristy McCaffrey

I had the pleasure of meeting Kristy McCaffrey when she recently visited New York, and I can tell you there is very little she doesn’t know about publishing, promoting and, most especially, writing a dang good book. Kristy writes historical western romances set in the American southwest. She and her husband dwell in the Arizona desert with two chocolate labs named Ranger and Lily, and whichever of their four children that are in residence. Kristy believes life should be lived with curiosity, compassion, and gratitude, and one should never be far from the enthusiasm of a dog. She also likes sleeping-in, eating Mexican food, and doing yoga at home in her pajamas.

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How did you get started writing?       I’ve always written. It’s been a lifelong compulsion for me. But I didn’t get serious until I was a stay-at-home with four young children underfoot.

What genre do you write and why?     Until now, I’ve only written historical western romances. I grew up in Arizona, so I suppose the Wild West seeped into my psyche at a young age. Blue Sage is my first contemporary western, and it was a lot of fun to write a more modern-day tale. I’ve also been working on a contemporary adventure romance series that I plan to begin releasing near the end of 2017. These will feature marine biologists, high-altitude mountain climbers, and archaeologists. I love high-adventure and have always wanted to write about people who are driven and passionate about their pursuits, so I’m really excited to launch these books.

What is your favorite part of writing?     Definitely when the first deep editing pass has been completed. That’s the point at which I finally have a viable story and I stop feeling so anxious.

What is your least favorite part of writing?     The never-ending moments in the first draft when I wonder where the story is going and if I’ll be able to pull the whole thing off.

Do you have any words of inspiration for aspiring authors?     Keep going. It sounds cliché, but you truly learn by doing. It doesn’t seem like writing should be that hard, but it takes skill to work with words and imagery. I’m constantly learning new things. I really love it. You’ll know if you’re not meant to be a writer because the tediousness of it will easily drive you away. But if it doesn’t, then you’ve found your passion and your tribe.

In your new release, Blue Sage, what sets your heroine Audrey Driggs apart from all the other women in your hero’s (Braden Delaney) life? Why is she perfect for him?      Audrey is a dreamer and Braden needs that in his life. He offers stability and a solid connection to the earth, and she lets him know that whimsy and magic are very real. I think they suit each other well and I really enjoyed writing their story.

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Blue Sage Blurb

Braden Delaney has taken over the family cattle business after the death of his father, but faced with difficult financial decisions, he contemplates selling a portion of the massive Delaney ranch holdings known as Whisper Rock, a place of unusual occurrences. Archaeologist Audrey Driggs has come to the remote wilderness of Northern Arizona for clues to a life-altering experience from her childhood. Together, they’ll uncover a long-lost secret.

Blue Sage Excerpt

There was no trail. They plodded a haphazard course through pinyon pines, overgrown bushes, and rock-strewn terrain, and several times Audrey turned to look behind them to make certain she recognized the makeshift trail so they could get back to the horses and Stevie. But Braden didn’t seem concerned.

From the distance, a muffled cackling sound echoed back to them. Audrey scanned the sky, expecting to see the ravens that had passed by already, but the birds didn’t reappear. Instead, the honking and bird chatter increased as she and Braden continued forward.

When it had finally become a cacophony of squawking, Braden halted and looked back at her, his face set in a frown. From the deafening volume of the chattering birds, it had to be a huge gathering.

Braden waited until Audrey stopped beside him.

“Do you think something’s dead up ahead?” she asked. It might explain such a large gathering of birds who routinely dined on roadkill.

Braden squinted. “I don’t know why all these birds are here, but I should tell you that this place has always had a strange energy to it.”

I know. “Strange how?”

“You’ll probably think I’m crazy, but it feels tilted here.”

 Interesting explanation.

She sensed that Braden was a down-to-the-earth kind of man, a cowboy who lived his life with decency and respect. She doubted he was prone to flights of fancy, and he seemed uncomfortable sharing his thoughts on this place.

“Are we talking woo-woo stuff?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.

He scoffed. “Look, I don’t know about flying saucers and Martians from outer space, but this place is strange, and you’re looking for areas that are off, right? That might harbor artifacts or some clue to other civilizations? I just wanted to warn you. Honestly, this could all be nothing.”

She grinned. “You’ve totally peaked my interest. We have to check it out now.” She started to move toward the bird sounds but then turned back. “And I don’t think you’re crazy, Delaney. In fact, you’re beginning to grow on me.”

Copyright © 2017 K. McCaffrey LLC

You can find more about Kristy at

Website: http://www.kristymccaffrey.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristyMcCaffrey

Newsletter: http://www.kristymccaffrey.com/Newsletter.html

And get your copy of A Cowboy to Keep at https://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Keep-Contemporary-Western-Collection-ebook/dp/B072869SGV/  Don’t miss this great collection from USA Today, Amazon Bestselling, and Award-Winning authors!!

Catch a cowboy … Keep a cowboy …

THE LEGEND OF BAD MOON RISING by Carra Copelin

Dinah Horne left for Dallas, Texas, to make her mark. When her money runs out, she returns to her hometown and the man she can’t forget. Sheriff Ben Hammond is finally over the woman who shattered his heart, and he plans to rebuild his life with the Hard Luck Ranch. Under a rising moon, will Ben and Dinah surrender to the passion still burning hot between them?

CITY BOY, COUNTRY HEART by Andrea Downing

Rodeo star and rancher Chay Ridgway has left Wyoming to follow his girlfriend, K.C. Daniels, to New York. Leaving behind all he knows for a small bite of the Big Apple, Chay discovers the canyons of city streets may be too claustrophobic for this cowboy. As K.C. continues her two years of study for her Master’s degree, can she also keep a rein on Chay’s heart? Will this cowboy become a city boy, or will the wide-open spaces of Wyoming call his country heart home?

BLUE SAGE by Kristy McCaffrey

Braden Delaney has taken over the family cattle business after the death of his father, but faced with difficult financial decisions, he contemplates selling a portion of the massive Delaney ranch holdings known as Whisper Rock, a place of unusual occurrences. Archaeologist Audrey Driggs arrives in the remote wilderness of Northern Arizona searching for clues to a life-altering experience from her childhood. Together, they’ll uncover a long-lost secret.

THE DRIFTER’S KISS by Devon McKay

Addison Reed’s stock is coming up short. Unfortunately, she suspects her foreman and dearest friend may be the person responsible for the missing cattle. For Sawyer Dawson, Hardin, Montana, is nothing more than a pit stop before moving on to bigger and better things. After a surprise kiss leads to helping a damsel in distress, he starts to question his drifter ways.

HER MAN by Hildie McQueen

Deputy Mark Hunter’s past returns full force when the first murder in twenty years happens on his watch in the usually quiet town of Lovely, Montana. This is definitely not the time to fall in love, especially with the beautiful witness Eliza Brock, who may be involved.

BORDER ROMANCE by Hebby Roman

When Leticia Villarreal, a lonely widow, considers adding Quarter horse racing to her ranch, she finds she has a lot to learn. John Clay Laidlaw, a millionaire rancher and old acquaintance, races Quarter horses and offers to help. But he also cares for her and wants a relationship. Remembering his high-handed tactics when they were young, she doesn’t trust him. But when someone tries to harm her horses and John Clay rushes to her rescue, can she open her heart to him?

PHOENIX HEAT by Patti Sherry-Crews

When Harper Donovan loses both her fiancé and business in that order, it’s the end of her dream of making it in New York City. Returning to the bosom of her family in Arizona is not her favorite option, but it’s her only one. When she meets handsome firefighter and cowboy Frank Flynn, she decides it’s time to get into the dating game again. Except Flynn shows no interest and dodges her, but not before claiming they’ve met before. Will his past and their differences extinguish the heat between them?