Hi Jeannie!

I had this whole thing typed out, and I got all excited thinking about those cowboy butts, I accidently hit the wrong button! So Im starting over lol

To me a cowboy is a hardworking man who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, and not afraid to kick off those dusty boots at the end of the day and just have a good time.

He is honest, has a great smile, knows who he is and not afraid to express himself. He knows what he wants, and not afraid to work for it. He has a great drawl oh baby, and oh no here I go again getting worked up!

Two famous people I think of when I start thinkin' cowboys is John Wayne and Trace Adkins. Gimme some of that badonkidonk anyday whoa nellie!

I seriously doubt that cowboy stories will cease to exist. We ladies need our country boys!

~ Wendy

Well, I guess I should admit that I ran right to "add new comment" before even reading the above. That's how excited I was! LOL

I'm from Iowa and we don't have "cowboys" we have farmer's and farmer's kids. So I'm using them as my example for cowboys since I've never met a real one. There is nothing hotter than a man in tight fitting wranglers and a Stetson... wooo-eeee! And those western dress shirts with the pearly buttons... hubba hubba!

As for what separates cowboys and city boys.... cowboys are a little dusty and rugged and manly smelling. And when it's shower time, they clean up really nice. A city boy, he's just a poser. There's no dust, no sweat on his brow, no creases on his jeans, his hat is stiff, and his boots are too damn shiney.

**fanning self** Give me a cowboy anyday, or a farmer.. but keep those posing city boys away.

I've never met a real cowboy myself so maybe that is part of the big attraction - my fantasy cowboy will have all of the attributes you mentioned above. And, no, I don't think they'll ever go out of style. And who can resist men in cowboy hats and boots (okay maybe some chaps too lol).

You have no idea how much I love cowboys. I will buy and read just about anything to read about those sexy guys. In Tracey Land, they are all honest, sexy, tight a$$, gorgeous eyes, and the voice....oh gotta love the southern drawl. I went to visit a friend in TX and was so excited to see honest to goodness cowboys. She must have thought I was an idiot, the way I was staring and shocked that they really walk around in "cowboy" clothes everywhere they go. I just don't see things like that around here. I was so drawn to the voice and she says I have hillbilly love. lol If my hubby would let me, I'd up and move us tomorrow;) I could barely get back on the plane and was just in awe. I'm just not meant for this boring place called Indiana:( Not to mention, I almost stole one of her goats. I even had her name it after me, since she's loud and likes her food. lol If that isn't cowboy love, I don't know what it.

Yum!! I like cowboy stories. I like your definitions for a real cowboy, Ms. Jeannie!

I think one important quality of a cowboy hero is that he doesn't mind the "silence" of the land. Sounds silly, I know, but living in CO and meeting real cowboys has made that bit hit home!

I will never tire of cowboy heroes!! Never, never, never, never! DH even agreed to wear cowboy boots for our wedding. Yum! And my dad went and bought boots and a hat for my wedding. Yep, that's when the tears came, let me tell you. Mmm....cowboys!!

I can say I will never never ever tire of cowboy heroes!!! ;-)
I grew up in Oklahoma and I really miss the real cowboys. I now live in a small town in Indiana, and there are not many cowboys in my area, but plenty of city boy in boots! LOL

I have had a thing for cowboys as long as I can remember! While all my friends in grade school were in love with Shaun Cassidy, I was in love with John Wayne! LOL
What can I say, I am a cowgirl at heart.

I worked with a guy that wore cowboy boots and huge belt buckles and he thought that made him a cowboy! NOT!!! LOL

And a cowboy with a southern drawl. OMG!!!

Is it hot in here or is it just me??? LOL

Of course, so am I! I'm a cowboy lover, too. I like the silent, brooding types the best. Not sure what it is...maybe just the mystery. Love the slow drawls, too...the ones that promise they'll take their time in...um, other areas, too! :)

I'm going to have to agree with those who've mentioned the farmers, too. I've never actually met a cowboy, but I'm from Wisconsin, so I know all about farmers. Now, I don't get into the guys in the overalls who smell like barn. I'm more into the shirtless guys who throw around hay bails without any effort!

Since someone brought up Trace Adkins, I'm going to bring up Eric Church and his song "Guys Like Me". That's the kind of guy I like!!! Boots, hardworking, jeans, ballcaps...

Big sigh. Man, I could talk about this all day long!! :)

It isn't just how well they fill out their jeans (although that certainly doesn't hurt ;)), but I think of cowboys as being very independent and able to do just about anything themselves. While a city boy (or girl--I'm definitely in this category!) would call in the experts to fix the leaking roof or repair the fence or tend to a sick animal, I imagine that a cowboy would jump in and do these things himself. (I'm sure there are less competent cowboys, but I imagine the majority to be self assured (that sense of self you mentioned) and ready to try.)

And no, I don't think the appeal of cowboys is going away any time soon!

A cowboy story. I just love those! ooh, and those pictures on your blog. Who can resist? I think the true cowboys have more strength and tend to not take things as much for granted as a city boy in boots. I don't think ranching is easy and they have to work harder for what they have so they tend to appreciate it more.

Welcome to Cigars! You really are the cowboy expert! For anyone who hasn't looked yet, Jeannie has a whole bunch o' stuff on her blog about cowboys, and I know I am eternally grateful for her help -- Brett would not have been the man he is without her. :)

I have never met a cowboy either, so Jeannie's help and expertise was invaluable to me writing Pick Me Up -- if you read the reader letter inside, you'll see her noted there for that reason. Though technically, Brett was a rancher -- he owned his business -- which is really the most interesting thing IMO -- the cowboy who really is as business savvy as any CEO (and of course, we all like the opposite type as well, the business guy who can change out of his suit and roll up his sleeves... we want it all, don't we? LOL I suppose I'm biased -- my husband worked with horses for a long time, and he has that cowboy way, but he's also a city guy...) I think I like the blend of both, which is how Brett was born.

The thing that was most important to me as a writer was realizing, as you say Jeannie, that cowboys are not the stereotype, and that there are many different layers and nuances to cowboys, and even that different states and places have different cowboys -- the clothes they wear are different, such ass Brett wearing a lighter hat in the desert than a cowboy in Montana would, etc. Also that there can be good and bad -- I think Roz Denny Fox did a nice job showing that in her Superromance, Real Cowboys (recommended, as well, if you haven't read it).

But learning about cowboys from Jeannie sure did make me a fan -- before I learned about cowboys, I can't say I was ever all that drawn to cowboy books -- but now I love them! I can't wait to get out west one of these days and see some real cowboys and until then, I'll just have to rely on Jeannie's blogs... ;)

Sam

I've just recently found the joys of cowboy heroes so I can't add much, I'm still learning lol but I love them

Ashley

Wow! It’s so neat to turn my computer on (it’s only 7:30 here) and see so many comments!

Wendy--I think you’re right on the money with a cowboy knowing what he wants and not being afraid to work for it.

Mendy and Sassa-- I’m very familiar with farmers, too. We have some big farms here and I grew up in wheat country. I think the mentality is very similar—the working hard for what you have, and having an appreciation for the land and the animals.

Mads--Great insight about the city boy not sitting a horse the way a cowboy does, and no one mounts a horse the way a cowboy does. It’s just one smooth motion.

Jibby2—I have a goat in The Horseman’s Secret. She only plays a small part, but she has lots of character! Good luck in your quest to move to Texas!

Catslady—Funny you should mention chaps. I have one friend who, when her hubby puts on his chaps to go to work…well, she makes him late. She cannot resist taking those chaps back off.

Cathy H—How could I have forgotten silence of the land? Oh my, but that’s an important part of things. Congrats on having a cowboy boot wedding!

Missy—I love that you had a thing for John Wayne. Me, too, but Jimmy Stewart cowboys were my fave. (I have to admit, I kind of liked Shaun Cassidy, too.)

Fedora—That filling the jeans thing is important, but I so agree that it’s what’s under the hat that counts!

Kim—You’re so right about not taking things for granted. It’s not an easy life and doesn’t pay well in most cases, but there are so many perks from being independent.

Ashley—I’m glad you love cowboys. They really are special.

I am so glad to hear you all love cowboys so much, and as the drawl, we don’t have many drawls here, but they just melt me. I mean MELT me!

Sam—Thanks for inviting me! I’m having a ball.

Jeannie

The Horseman's Secret~Harlequin Superromance~Sept 2007

Coming from Britain, I had never met a real cowboy (still haven't) but they never appealed to me.

Donkeycheese mentioned John Wayne and euwww. No thanks.

But then I started reading romances, especially the old categories by Vicki Lewis Thompson and she had a lot of cowboys and I began to see the appeal.

Like you said, Jeannie, there is an innate honesty in cowboys. They don't pretend to be something they're not.

They work hard, they get dirty, they play hard. They're loyal and steadfast. And they protect their women without smothering her. At least, all the good ones do.

Throw in that tight cowboy butt and mmm mmm mmmmmmmmmmmm.

A bunch of us who have posted here are from another board where we trade and talk categories a LOT. And when the subject turns to cowboys there's always a lot of comments.

Being still fairly new to country music, which I realize has nothing to do with cowboys except peripherally, there are some guys that make me think of cowboys: Trace Adkins (oh yeah) but it's more when he sings those ballads about making his woman feel good and that man with the velvet hands, Tim McGraw.

They both emBODY the best characteristics of cowboys!

ani

Jeannie, GREAT blog! I think you've nailed the essentials of every hero, though. Cowboy or not. "Regular" heroes may not wear silk scarves around their necks ;) but they have a lot of the same qualities you've listed above. Great, great post.

Kay

Roz—The cowboy walk is hard to describe, and I’m glad that you, too, have noticed the level of politeness. It’s one of the things I love most about cowboys. The long lean Wrangler look is second.

Ani—If you want to hear real cowboy music, try Don Edwards, who is a balladeer that sings the old cowboy songs. He has an incredible voice and has researched the stories behind the songs. Michael Martin Murphy and Ian Tyson are also good if you like ballads.

Kay-Lol at the scarf comment, but you’re right. Many heroes have these qualities, sans fancy scarf. You should have seen my husband the first time I tried to put him in a silk scarf. But soon I was making him bigger ones because they are so warm and light in the winter. There is nothing like them.

Jeannie
The Horseman's Secret~Harlequin Superromance~Sept 2007

I love cowboys. I think the difference between a real cowboy and a city cowboy is that he knows how to actually do ranch work. He is a hardworking, strong guy who knows how to work a ranch. He isn't just wearing the clothing. Ranching is is vocation.

I love reading cowboy stories! And here in Finland we don't have any cowboys, either.

Well I think real cowboys like the outdoors, they aren't in a rush.

They are some of the hardest working men around. I have alot of respect for them and I heartily agree with your assessment of them. I certainly can't imagine the cowboy hero stories ever going away. We need our cowboy stories!

Well, I've never met or seen a cowboy but I enjoy reading about them probably because their stories show people and places that I've never encountered.

I'm really enjoying all the comments. I wish you could all meet real cowboys, but lots of guys are cowboys at heart, as Kay pointed out. Once again, it's what's under the hat (whatever kind--lots of cowboys wear ball caps, you know) that counts! (And maybe what's in the jeans, too. Ahem.)

Minna--My grandmother was from Finland.

Jeannie
The Horseman's Secret~Harlequin Superromance~Sept 2007

I love cowboys! There is nothing finer to see than cowboy butts in tight Wranglers.

I am a city girl who loves a good cowboy story...probably because it is so different from my normal everyday life.
Kendra

First of all, thanks so much for commenting on my blog. I've loved reading what you have to say and am glad that you think the cowboy is here to stay! You all have excellent insights into the cowboy.

I've decided to have two winners today and they are:

Kendara and Alpha Kitty

Please email me at jeanniewrites at gmail dot com and tell me where to mail your goodies.

Thanks again for commenting and Sam--thanks for inviting me. I had a ball.

Jeannie

The Horseman's Secret~Harlequin Superromance~Sept 2007

Congrats to the winners!