Ashley Elizabeth Drayton may
look like the perfect Southern Debutante, but she’s really a giant spitfire packed
in a 5’ 2” body. “My Rodeo Man” pits Ashley
against three-time World Champion Team Roper, Zach Kincaid, who’s fast
becoming a legend on the rodeo circuit and has the reputation for being a
lady’s man. Unlucky in love best describes Ashley’s situation. She’s fallen for
one lying, cheating scumbag after another and has decided it’s time to turn her
life around. With a plan to find Mr. Right firmly in hand, she’s going to curb
her impulsive behavior and live happily ever after with a man who is a
respectable, dependable, solid-citizen.
Want to learn more about
Ashley? Read the following interview.
How old are you?
“While I grew up being
told a woman never divulges her age – what the heck. I’m 28,” she shrugged. “I’m
tired of doing what my mama tells me.”
What is your relationship status?
She rolled her eyes and
sighed. “Single. Been engaged twice, but the last one is the one that opened my
eyes.” Sadness, disappointment, and regret marred her delicate features. “I
thought Bill was the one and shared my life with him completely. Even put him
on the deed to my condo.” Her tiny fist pounded the table. “Ladies, let me be
your cautionary tale. Go ahead and love with all your heart, but hang on to
your independence.”
When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
Ashely finger-combed her
wild, curly locks that tumbled past her shoulders. “Physically? Big violet
eyes, long black hair, curvy – men look so I assume I’m attractive. A keen
fashion sense and fantastic dresser. I’m short, but I prefer height challenged.
But more importantly, someone who has so much to give.”
What are peoples’ first impressions of you?
“Flighty, impulsive,
because I’m petite – people tend to think ‘pat on the head’ cute instead of classy
– drives me crazy.” She scowls and pouts and looks adorable. “I want people to
see the smart, capable woman I am.” Her voice turns wistful. “Maybe someday...”
Name three of your favorite things.
“Easy – my best friend,
Lauren Royall – she’s always there for me and has been my partner in crime on
more than one occasion. Two and three – a day at the spa being pampered and
whipping up something fabulous in the kitchen. Maybe I should have been a chef
instead of an accountant? Can I add a fourth? Shoes, I love shoes, especially
tall, spiky, kick-ass shoes.”
Name three things that tick you off.
“Top of the list – my
mother… it would be nice if she could cut me some slack instead of constantly
criticizing me and my choices. Second, men who use women and don’t respect
them. Finally, Being taken for granted. I am not a doormat.”
What is your best memory to date?
Ashley leaned back in her
chair and crossed her arms over her chest, thinking. A small smile finally softened
her lips. “Spending time with Lauren’s family. They always accepted me for who
I am, loved me unconditionally, and made me feel special. No matter what
mischief Lauren and I got in to, I always felt like I belonged. My family is
the exact opposite. Cold, critical, unloving. I’ve come to the conclusion after
so many years of trying to please them, that I deserve more.”
What are you most afraid of?
She cringed. “That I will
never find my soul mate. It’s not that I need a man to complete me, but I want someone
to love me. I want someone to grow old with, to be there in good times and bad.
I’m sure my luck has got to change one of these days, but that’s what scares me
the most.”
What would you like it to say on your tombstone?
“Never really thought about it. That’s a tough one… ‘Here lies an eternal
optimist who brought sunshine into the world and love and laughter to all who
knew her.’ At least I hope that’s what I do.”
Now on to something lighter, what is your favorite
drink?
“Give me a lemon drop
martini and I am one happy lady. Sitting at a bar, sipping a sophisticated
drink, makes me feel like one of those glamorous movie stars in the old black
and white films.” A small smile played around her full lips. “But I try to
match the beverage of choice to the occasion. For instance, tea with the garden
club or beer at a sporting event.”
What is your favorite food?
“Hard to pick just one.”
She paused, taking a mental inventory. “Garden grown tomatoes fresh off the
vine and warmed by the sun. Just slice that delicious sweetness and pop it
right in your mouth. Then there is Aunt Hazel’s Peppermint Stick ice cream.”
She made a to-die-for face. “Hand churned, of course. I’d crank and crank for
what seemed like forever then Hazel would unlatch the lid and hand me the
dipper. I can still hear the crunch of ice against the steel container and
wooden bucket.” She closed her eyes remembering. “That creamy goodness on a
hot, sultry summer afternoon just cannot be beat.”
What is your favorite song?
“Would you believe, ‘Singing in the Rain’?
Those lyrics represent everything I want to be. ‘What
a glorious feelin', I'm happy again… The sun’s in my heart and I’m ready for
love.’ I’m a hopeless romantic and with my new
plan, that’s going to be me.”
What was your first impression of Zach?
“Trouble with a capital
‘T’. The man was exactly what I DIDN’T need. He struck me as a charming
playboy, the typical love them and leave them type, and the kind of man where
taking risks is second nature. No roots, drifting from one rodeo to another
with no long-term prospects. To my ever-loving delight – first impressions can
be so wrong. I had no idea the work
and dedication it takes to become a rodeo champion. Far from being a drifter,
the man has a plan for his life. In addition to looking like he’s just stepped
down off Mount Olympus, he’s kind and loving and caring… and the perfect man
for me.”
Follow Ashley’s and Zach’s
story in “My Rodeo Man” available on
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBook
and Kobo or
visit my website, BonniePhelpsAuthor.
Synopsis
Zach Kincaid was definitely
not what Ashley Drayton was looking for – one more risk-taking, bad boy to add
to that long list of narcissistic, jerks who kept breaking her heart. Well, she
was fed up. From here on out, bad boys need not apply. So how in the world had
this cocky, confident cowboy charmed his way into her affections? She sure
wasn’t going to succumb without a fight.
Ashley Drayton looked like the
typical, spoiled Southern Belle that made Zach turn tail and head for the
hills. As a champion team roper on the rodeo circuit and ranch owner, he sure
didn’t need the complications a feisty, prima donna would bring to his life.
When he finally did settle down, he wanted a woman strong enough to stand
beside him in the hard-knock world of ranching and rodeoing.
