Author Kathy Douglass is back with another entry in her Aspen Creek Bachelors series. I recently spoke with her about The Cowboy Who Came Home.
Tell me about your latest release.
The Cowboy Who Came Home is the fourth book in my Aspen Creek Bachelors series. You don’t need to read the other books in order to read this one. This book tells the story of two former best friends. Malcolm and Veronica grew up together and had always been there for the other in the worst times of their lives. But years ago when she’d needed him most, he hadn’t been there for her. She has neither forgotten nor forgiven. She survived without his help and isn’t interested in becoming friends again.
Malcolm realizes that he’d blown it back when he’d been in college. Now he is back in Aspen Creek and wants to rebuild their relationship. He missed Veronica’s friendship and believes that she has missed him too, so he sets out to regain her trust. At first Veronica is reluctant, but Malcolm is persistent. As they spend time together, they become friends. But after a while they begin to wonder if friendship is the only relationship they want.
Why did you decide to write it?
I first met Veronica in Valentines for the Rancher. There was something about her character that piqued my interest, and I wanted to give her a story of her own. I wrote a couple of books in the Aspen Creek series before hers, but she was always in the back of my mind, demanding a book of her own. It took me a while to get to know the person who was always willing to help other people. The woman who was everyone’s friend.
Veronica is strong and independent, but I sensed there was pain behind her smile. She’s the type of person who puts up a good front so others don’t know that she is in pain. She’s been hurt and disappointed in the past, so she’d determined not to need anyone. But once she lets her guard down and decides to be vulnerable, she is pleased—and slightly surprised—to discover that she can rely on the people in her life.
Malcolm was a different case. He’d only made a brief appearance in Wrangling a Family, so I was able to build him from the ground up so to speak. But I still had to form him from Veronica’s memories of him and somehow make him heroic.
What was your most memorable experience writing this book?
Every book I write is different, but one thing is always the same—I learn something new about the characters that I didn’t know when I started writing the book. With each scene, I come to a deeper understanding of what makes the characters tick. Finding that quality is always memorable for me.
Which character in the book would you like to have as a best friend and why?
I always like the hero and heroine, but that is too easy an answer, so I’ll go with someone else. I really liked Veronica’s friend group. Any of them would be a good best friend, but if I have to choose one, I’d go with Kristy. Kristy and Veronica have been friends forever. In fact, she and Veronica and Malcolm were close as kids. Kristy believes Malcolm and Veronica belong together, and she’s going to do everything in her power to help Veronica recognize that, too. What could be better than a friend who is doing everything in her power to make sure you end up with your one true love?
What’s something readers would be surprised to learn about you?
I am a huge sports fan. I’m talking baseball, tennis, football, swimming, hockey, Olympic sports, March Madness. Purely as a spectator. I don’t just love sports, but I need sports. Other people might think that sports seasons are getting too long, but I can’t get enough. I don’t mind when sports overlap. In fact, I love it.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When the weather is warm, I like to ride my bike around my neighborhood. I also like to sit on my deck with a good book and listen to music. I have a few really long playlists. I also like to catch up on my favorite TV shows. I am so far behind. I’m also a huge baseball fan and try to make it to a couple of games every year. No hot dog ever tastes as good as the ones they sell at the ballpark.
What’s the most difficult part of being an author?
Oh, just one thing? Getting the story down on the page the way that I envision it in my mind is my biggest challenge. I’m an author who actually sees the scene play out in my mind. I can feel what the characters are feeling in that moment. It’s hard to actually get the emotions on the page the way I want. Seeing the scene in my mind is one thing. Translating the vision into words is another thing entirely. Finding the exact right word or sentence to capture the emotion is hard. Sometimes the right word doesn’t come to me until I’m holding the copy of my book in my hands. It’s too late then.
Who are some of your favorite authors, and what are some of their books you love?
I love, love, love DL White. I always say that I’m her biggest fan. The Never List is my favorite book of hers. Brunch at Ruby’s is a close second. I also love Trouble Don’t Last Always by the late Francis Ray. I love all of her books. Also, I love anything by Reese Ryan. Her The Love and Music Suite series is phenomenal. There are so many more authors that I love and I wish I could name them all.
What’s next for you?
I have another book in my Aspen Creek Bachelors series coming out on August 26, 2025. I can’t wait for people to read A Reunion to Remember. I love this book so much. It’s a second-chance romance between former high school sweethearts. When they were eighteen, Andrea and Cole had a baby. Andrea gave into family pressure and gave up her parental rights so she [could] continue her education and become a doctor, but Cole refused to give up his little girl. In an attempt to get him to bend to their will, his family turned their back on him, so he raised his daughter, Crystal, on his own.
Now, sixteen years later, Andrea wants to see her child. She doesn’t want to disrupt Cole and Crystal’s lives, and she doesn’t want to tell Crystal that she’s her mother. She just needs to know in her heart that her child is okay so she can move on with her life. Cole doesn’t want Andrea around Crystal, and he certainly doesn’t want her in his life. But things have a way of happening in Aspen Creek, and over time Cole and Andrea are able to put the past behind them and move toward their future.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I would like to thank you for featuring me. I appreciate all that you do. Black Fiction Addiction does so much to help Black authors find new readers. You are truly a blessing.
I hope readers will take a chance on my books. If you like sweet, emotional romances, my books are right up your alley. I hope you’ll pick up The Cowboy Who Came Home or any of my books.
I also want to thank my readers. Your support makes all the difference for me and my career. So thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of The Cowboy Who Came Home.
To learn more about Kathy Douglass, visit her website: Kathydouglassbooks.com