All I Need Is You
All I Need Is You
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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781423366119 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Brilliance Audio |
| Publication date: | 03/06/2009 |
| Series: | Straton Family Series , #2 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Product dimensions: | 5.10(w) x 7.10(h) x 1.40(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Chapter One
"I want to do this, and you haven't given one good reason why I shouldn't."
"Then you haven't been listening, little girl," Chandos said, frowning. "You're too young, you're a female that the forty-some wranglers on the Bar M are not going to want to take orders from, and you've reached the time in your life when you should be looking for a husband. You won't be finding one with your nose buried in ranch ac counts and coming in off the range each day sweat-soaked and filthy."
Casey was red-faced by then, most likely from anger, though it was hard to tell. "Marriage again!" she all but sneered. "There hasn't been a man around these parts in the last two years worth my taking notice of. Or do you want me to marry just anyone? If that's the case, I can think of a dozen men who are eligible. I'll go rope me one tomorrow, if that's what it'll take to—"
"Don't be impertinent."
"I'm being absolutely serious," Casey insisted. "You'd let a husband of mine run the Bar M, wouldn't you? You'd find-that perfectly acceptable. Well, I'll have a candidate for you no later than—"
"You'll do no such thing. You will not marry just to get your hands on those account ledgers—"
"I've had my hands on those account books for months now, Daddy. Sawtooth is half blind, if you didn't realize it. Trying to tally the ledgers gives him a powerful headache that actually makes him physically ill."
It was Chandos who was red-faced now, and there was no doubt in his case that it was from anger. "Why wasn't I told about this?"
"Maybe because every time Sawtooth rides over here to see you, you're out on the range somewhere. And maybe because you won'tstep foot on the Bar M to find out why he came over in the first place. And maybe be cause you don't really care about the Bar M. You'd just as soon see it fall to ruin now that Grandpa's gone, just to spite his memory."
"Casey!" This from Courtney in an appalled tone.
But Casey had already blanched. She'd gone too far and knew it. And before her father could blast her for doing so, she ran from the room.
Courtney started to assure Chandos that Casey had just let her emotions run away with her, that she hadn't really meant what she'd said; but, tight-lipped, he marched out of the room right behind Casey. Only not to follow her. He headed off toward the back of the house, a more direct route to the stable, while she'd run toward the front.
Which was entirely too bad. Chandos shouldn't have let the argument end like that, with Casey riddled with guilt now, but still determined to change her father's mind. He should have been more explicit with his reasons. He should have pointed out that he didn't want to see Casey get hurt when she failed, which she was bound to do.
The cowboys on the Bar M might accept her for a while, because they knew her as Fletcher's granddaughter, but inevitably there would be new men, and those who didn't know her and hadn't known Fletcher would start dissension soon enough. It might be different if she were an older woman, a widow or the like, but she wasn't. Most men simply wouldn't take orders from a woman, much less one they considered a young girl.
But Chandos hadn't mentioned any of that, at least not clearly enough. Courtney would have to talk to her herself, though she would give her a day or two to calm down first. Casey was unpredictable when her emotions were riled.
Copyright 1997 by Johanna Lindsey
Interviews
On December 3, 1997, barnesandnoble.com on AOL welcomed Johanna Lindsey, a romantic dream-spinner with 32 New York Times bestsellers under her belt who has set the standard for romantic adventure. Now she has worked her magic again, this time exploring adventure, passion, and irrepressible love on the turbulent plains of the wild American West in 1892, in ALL I NEED IS YOU.
VogelBN: Hello, and welcome, Ms. Lindsey. We are so glad you could join us tonight to chat.
Johanna Lindsey: Thank you, I'm glad I could make it.
VogelBN: The audience is brimming with questions, so whenever you are ready, we will fire away!
Johanna Lindsey: Are you hearing me okay?
VogelBN: Loud and clear! :)
Johanna Lindsey: [smiles]
VogelBN: All right then, without further ado, let's dive into the questions, shall we? :)
Johanna Lindsey: Certainly.
Question: Avon books has been publishing paperback editions of your books for over 20 years! It seems that many authors today jump around from one publishing house to the next. How did you establish such an enduring relationship with Avon?
Johanna Lindsey: Well, perhaps because I joined with Avon pretty much back at the beginning of the historical romance genre. And they do feel like family to me, which does make quite a difference.
Question: I have been reading your books for years, and I've loved every one of them.... You are definitely The Queen of Romance! Is writing still as fun and interesting as when you began? Can we look forward to another 20 years of your novels?
Johanna Lindsey: Yes, to both questions. I feel you do have to enjoy writing or your readers will notice that you don't. I do still love to write, and I do still have tons of books in me.
Question: Will you be writing any more tales about the Malory family? Thanks. Marietta Hicks, Richmond, VA.
Johanna Lindsey: Well, the Malorys is probably my one series that will never end, Marietta. Especially now that Tony and James both have kids. I've been thinking of doing a story for Drew Anderson next. And Jeremy will get his once he ages a bit more.
Question: If you could spend the holidays with any one of your characters, who would you pick and why?
Johanna Lindsey: [smiles] Well, that's one I never thought of before. Challen, I think, since WARRIOR'S WOMAN is still one of my favorites.
Question: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Was it tough getting started?
Johanna Lindsey: You could say I didn't know I wanted to be a writer until after I'd written my first book. I didn't write that first one to be published, I was just amusing myself with it. But it took off on its own, and I suddenly had a finished book. Fortunately, I sent it to Avon, and they accepted it. So you could say that for me, it was very easy getting started. This was back in 1975, though, when publishers were eager for more of these type books.
Question: What sort of writing schedule do you keep? Is it erratic, or are you more comfortable treating it like a 9-5 job?
Johanna Lindsey: My schedule is pretty much the same daily. I write seven days a week when I'm writing, usually about 8-16 hours a day. I work on short sleep schedules, though, so I do allow a little time for myself.
Comment: I just wanted to let you know that my 70-year-old father is a fan of yours. He started reading my romance novels shortly after my mother passed away, and you are the author he most enjoys. Thank you for putting a little enjoyment back into his life. KLE128.
Johanna Lindsey: [beams] Thank you, KLE128, that was a pleasure to hear. And please tell your father hello for me.
Question: Do you have a Web presence at all? I'd love to be able to find a Johanna Lindsey fan club online.
Johanna Lindsey: Well, I hear there are a few sites devoted to me, but I haven't checked them out myself. I don't maintain a site myself. I know that AOL has a few weekly chat rooms that discuss my books. I've dropped in to say hello in both of them.
Question: I just love your heroines...they are so independent and strong-minded. Who are the inspirations for your heroines? Are they based on women in your family or your circle of friends?
Johanna Lindsey: My heroines are mostly complete creations, women that I would respect myself and enjoy knowing.
Question: What advice would you give today's aspiring authors -- should they get an agent first, or approach the publishing houses on their own?
Johanna Lindsey: Well, I didn't have an agent myself until after my 20th book. Today, however, I think an agent could help a new writer better than if they try it alone. An agent would know exactly what a publisher is looking for, and so save a lot of time in hunting for the publisher that would be right for you.
Question: Ms. Lindsey has stated several times that the favorite book she has written is WARRIOR'S WOMAN. What are her other favorites?
Johanna Lindsey: Well, I had a lot of fun doing DEFY NOT THE HEART, which was my first attempt at a humorous medieval. And LOVE ONLY ONCE, which was my first true attempt at humor. And I love GENTLE ROGUE, because I'm so fond of James Malory. I think the reason I like WARRIOR'S WOMAN so much is because of Martha. I really adore that computer.
Question: CAPTIVE BRIDE was the very first romance novel I read, and I have loved your work ever since. Do you think you'll write another romance set in Hawaii?
Johanna Lindsey: I have no plans for it at this time, but it's certainly possible. Actually, I do have a contemporary romance that is partially set in Hawaii. Don't know when I'll get around to finishing that one, though.
Question: What do you consider the most difficult part about writing, researching or actual writing?
Johanna Lindsey: [smiles] The middle of a book. That's when you reach the point of having written just about everything you've planned for, and must pretty much start afresh. Research is the easy part, if you have the material on hand. And by the way, I've gotten most of my material from Barnes & Noble. Not a shameless plug, they just have great historical books.
VogelBN: Wow, thanks for the plug, shameless or not! :)
Johanna Lindsey: [chuckles]
Question: Ms. Lindsey, I love every one of your books -- I bought them all when they were new. Are you involved in the creation of your book covers?
Johanna Lindsey: Well, I did ask for more of Fabio back when he appeared for the first time on one of my books. That was HEART'S AFLAME, in case not everyone recognizes him from that one. Otherwise, no, I see the cover work after it's created.
Question: Ms. Lindsey has said her next book will be a medieval. Will this be a stand-alone or a sequel? Can she tell us a little bit about it?
Johanna Lindsey: Well, it was going to be a stand-alone, but then I found myself needing to use the same time period as DEFY NOT THE HEART. So the characters from DEFY NOT THE HEART will have a very small part in the new medieval. It won't be a true takeoff, as my others have been, using the same characters. It's about two powerful families joining through marriage. So powerful that even the king will try and prevent their joining. The couple themselves would love for someone to prevent the marriage. They don't exactly take to each other. [smiles]
Comment: I just wanted you to know, Ms. Lindsey, that I believe your writing is very inspirational. Besides yourself, the only other person to get me seriously reading romance was Kathleen Woodiwiss. Thanks for starting the bright blaze which I write now with. CaptnAnn.
Johanna Lindsey: [smiles] Thank you, CaptnAnn. My greatest pleasure in writing is giving enjoyment to others.
Question: Do you have a favorite author?
Johanna Lindsey: To be honest, I have not done much reading myself for many years now, but when I did read, I enjoyed writers like Iris Johansen, Sandra Brown, Roberta Gillis, and Judy McNaught.
Question: I feel you set up sequels better than most romance writers. I especially love the Malory series. I would love to see a book for Drew and Jeremy.
Johanna Lindsey: Both Drew and Jeremy will get one. Like I said, that series will probably never end. I love that family too much to ever say goodbye to them.
Question: Will we see more futuristic romances? They were wonderful! Melissa, Louisville, KY.
Johanna Lindsey: There will be at least one more, Melissa, Dalden's story. I can't say exactly when it will be written, but it will be.
VogelBN: Thank you so much for joining us tonight, Ms. Lindsey. It has truly been a pleasure! We hope you will join us again upon the publication of your next book.
Johanna Lindsey: It was my pleasure, and thank you for inviting me. Give me a yell when the time comes.
VogelBN: Goodnight, and good luck with your next novel.
Johanna Lindsey: [waves]