All about the novel Close Range Cattleman
Who is Amber Leigh Williams?
Amber has been writing sexy small town romance and pulse-pounding romantic suspense since 2006. Her Harlequin romance mini-series is set in her charming hometown of Fairhope, Alabama. She lives on the Alabama Gulf Coast where she loves being outdoors with her family and a good book.
What is Close Range Cattleman about?
He’s looking for love…while she looks for a murderer.
Kaya Altaha is anxious to prove herself as Fuego’s sheriff. So it’s important to her to keep her relationship with Everett Eaton under wraps. But when four bodies are discovered on Everett’s ranch, he becomes a suspect and Kaya’s attraction to the charming cattle baron conflicts with her job. Now, Kaya must balance her desire for Everett with her need to solve the case.
Interview
What was your inspiration for Close Range Cattleman?
Close Range Cattleman is part of the Fuego, New Mexico trilogy, which follows the three Eaton siblings and their struggle to make their high desert cattle ranch, Eaton Edge, a safe place to work and live. Everett is the oldest. For the better part of the first and second books, he gave off strong anti-hero vibes. I honestly couldn’t wait to turn him into a hero. Writing his and Kaya’s story has been so much fun!
What drew you to writing?
When I was a kid, I found this pocket of stories in my head. For a long time, I would tell myself stories at bedtime to help me go to sleep. Ultimately, they were so exciting, they kept me awake so I started writing them down. I really enjoyed learning to hone my craft and still do to this day.
How did you choose which character to centre the story around?
I wrote Everett’s sister Eveline’s story in Coldero Ridge Cowboy, book one in the Fuego trilogy. Then I featured Everett’s brother Ellis in book two, Ollero Creek Conspiracy. I chose to write Everett’s story last to bring closure to the storyline and the family as a whole.
What was your process for writing Close Range Cattleman?
I normally have a strong outline before opening a story, but for this one I just had pages and pages of notes to work by. I put them in order as I went through the rough draft, adding elements here and there to bring Everett and Kaya’s story full circle.
What is your approach to world and character building?
I normally start with a setting. I decided to write the Fuego trilogy after hiking Capulin Volcano in northeast New Mexico because I fell in love with all the wide open spaces in high desert country. I also did a deep dive on Ghost Ranch, the home of Georgia O’Keefe, in New Mexico and was inspired to create Eaton Edge. The characters grew organically from there because who the Eatons are as a family comes from the harsh environment they work in and the extraordinary circumstances that they’ve endured.
How would you describe Close Range Cattleman in five words?
Danger. Passion. Drama. Mystery. Redemption.
Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?
Yes, Everett and Kaya’s first date. Because of her position as sheriff in Fuego County, being with someone like Everett who’s had run-ins with the law makes her hesitate to date him, however much she has feelings for him. When she agrees finally to give it a test run, he knows how much is on the line. It’s the scene where the reader sees the shift from the grumpy cattle baron to someone worthy of Kaya’s heart.
What was your favourite book growing up?
I enjoyed reading The Diary of Anne Frank. I also read a lot of The Babysitter’s Club and Sweet Valley. I started binge-reading Harlequin romance novels as a teenager and I still do.
Do you have a favourite genre to read?
I love multiple genres. Romantic suspense has always been a favorite. I also enjoy historical mysteries and contemporary family sagas. Recently, I discovered a love of fantasy.
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