fuonlyknew

 Interview with Author Karen Baney

1. How long have you been writing? When did you start?

I first started writing Christian historical romances back in 2010. In 2011, I finished my first series and dabbled in contemporary Christian romance with one book, recently re-released as The Heart I Rescue. I released a few books between 2011 – 2016, before taking a break for health reasons. Then in the fall of 2021, I began writing in earnest again, releasing two more historical series, before focusing on contemporary and cowboy romances in 2023 and 2024. I love writing and hope to continue releasing multiple novels per year.

2. What comes first for you, the plot or the characters?

Characters. When I first mapped out the Vargas Ranch Series, I started with the five brothers: Dalton, Dylan, Derin, Devon, and Drake. After figuring out their personalities, motives, and the setting, I mapped out the plot highlights for the entire series. Of course, as I write a novel, the plot can shift. Sometimes the characters surprise me, like Derin did in Falling for a Bossy Cowboy.

3. What part of Falling for a Bossy Cowboy was the hardest to write?

The last few chapters took me a bit to write. I reached a certain point in the story and knew it needed to be wrapped up, but felt like I had more to tell. In the end, I shuffled a few scenes around so I could head towards the final dramatic tension and then the happily-ever-after.

4. Did anything surprise you when you were writing Falling for a Bossy Cowboy?

Yes! Derin himself surprised me. I knew I wanted to take this over-confident man and thrust him into a situation that caused him to feel insecure. But I never expected his character arc to take the shape that it did. And the huge family secret that gets revealed in this book—never saw that coming. It just flowed from my heart and is one of my favorite scenes in the entire book because it explains why Derin is the way he is.

5. What can a reader expect from your books?

I love writing about flawed characters who struggle with life and their faith (or come to faith). Sometimes they have some ugly or painful things to overcome. In the end, they learn to grow in their faith. They change and so do their lives.

6. Are you planning any more books in the Vargas Ranch series?

At least two more books are planned. Falling for a Smart Cowboy is the fourth son’s story. Devon is the one son that longs to get off the ranch and teach. He’s torn between his dreams and contributing to the family ranch and resort. When a life-altering family secret is revealed, it changes the course of his life.

Falling for a Grumpy Cowboy follows Drake Vargas after he learns of the life-altering family secret. Nothing about his life will ever be the same and he lets it steal his joy. Until the sunshine Candi Kane shows up at Christmas time…

I am also toying with two or three more stories to follow the cousins and some cowboys I’ve mentioned throughout the series. Not sure if I’ll write a spin-off series or not.

7. Is there anything I haven’t asked that you would like to share with my followers?

Thanks so much for hosting my Vargas Ranch Series with the release of book 3, Falling for a Bossy Cowboy. Readers and audiobook listeners can find me on my website: www.karenbaney.com or on Facebook, Instagram, X, BookBub, and GoodReads.