Before the very first original Hallmark Christmas Book arrived in print, I had the supreme opportunity of interviewing Alys Murray. At that time, we had no idea just how successful The Christmas Company would become. And now, Alys is back with a new book. Even though it is not Hallmark-friendly, I think many of her readers will enjoy this fun, summer read (that really could become a Hallmark movie with just a few minor adjustments–well, that’s my opinion at least!).
ABOUT TEA AND A COWBOY
Cliff Masters could not be more different from his best friend’s younger sister Bridgette Shaw. While he’s out roping cattle at his family’s ranch, she is running a tea parlor in the town square. He loves jeans and dirt; she loves hostess aprons and proper etiquette.
But when Cliff’s latest flame breaks up with him because of his rough attitude and lack of sophistication, he enlists Bridgette to help in hopes her lessons in refinement will win his girlfriend back.
However, the more time he spends with the curvy brunette, the less he’s thinking about his ex and the more he’s imagining Bridgette in his future.
Tea and a Cowboy by Alys Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, this is a romance that is appropriate for most adults. While there are no bedroom or sex scenes, there are a couple of mildly provocative scenes and a couple of times sexual terminology is used. However, as far as adult romance goes, all of that is fairly tame.
Additionally, please note there are a few uses of mild profanity used in the book. I honestly wasn’t offended, and again, this is mild compared to many adult romances I’ve read. While this cannot be considered a squeaky clean romance, it’s not too far past it.
I had only read one other book by this author and this was a delightful sweet and quick romance with two leading characters that caused me to fall in love with them immediately.
Our female protagonist is fairly typical except that she is not a super skinny model type. She struggles with her weight which makes her instantly relatable. After all, what woman hasn’t struggled with her weight? I adore the fact that she doesn’t permit this to keep her from accomplishing her dreams, except for the dream concerning a certain hunky cowboy.
Our male cowboy is the perfect guy, at least physically. He fits many of the stereotypes of romantic leading men, but there is more to him than meets the eye.
I loved how this book reminded me of a more adult version of the Hallmark movie “How To Fall In Love,” and yet it has such fun elements too. This is the length of a novella and it will be over before you know it. I have no major criticism for this book except that I want more. It gets a 4.5 rating from me!
My Interview With Alys
RH: I understand that The Christmas Company is scheduled to be a Christmas movie this season. What can you tell us about that process at this point?
AM: At this point, there isn’t a lot to tell except that I couldn’t be more excited that my story is in Hallmark’s hands! They create such special filmic experiences and I am incredibly honored that my story, The Christmas Company is going to be apart of the Hallmark Channel canon of Christmas classics!
What are some of the experiences you have enjoyed now that you are an official Hallmark author?
I had a wonderful experience in an Lyft car the other day, where I told my driver that I wrote for Hallmark and he proceeded to tell me about the plot of his favorite Hallmark Movie, A Country Wedding. By the time he got to the end of telling me the film’s story, he was in tears! I love that I am part of a company and storytelling tradition that can move people to such emotional heights. Visiting Home & Family as a guest was an absolute blessing, but I think knowing that our stories can move people to happy tears is the best thing ever!
Your most recent book, Tea and a Cowboy, was recently published. What can you tell us about the book? Who is the intended audience and why do you think this audience would enjoy it?
Yes! I’m so excited about Tea and a Cowboy, which is available on Amazon and other fine e-retailers now! Tea and a Cowboy is about two people who have loved each other their whole lives and are only just now realizing it! Writing this funny, heartfelt western romance was an absolute joy and I think people are going to love it! This book is perfect for fans of second-chance romances like Sweet Home Alabama, where the romance moves your heart and tickles your funny bone! It’s a little bit steamier than my typical Hallmark fare—think Lifetime instead of Hallmark—but I think it’s the perfect summer read!
Any other books you are working on now that you can mention?
In August, Entangled Publishing is releasing Society Girl, the first book in a new series I’m writing set in England about American women falling in love with handsome Brits. I just wrapped up work on a romance set in 1920’s Toronto, and I’m about to start work on an epistolary romance, think You’ve Got Mail or Shop Around the Corner set on a modern-day college campus!
I know you’ve been very busy with your studies in the past year or so. How are your studies going?
Thankfully, I can now say that I officially graduated with my Master’s in Film Studies! My thesis was on post-Katrina films set in New Orleans, and I am happy to say that I graduated with honors! It was an incredibly humbling, difficult, and rewarding experience, and I love sharing some of my film knowledge on my Youtube channel, Cold Takes.
What are your current favorite shows to watch? What are your favorite movies? And most importantly, when you can, what are your favorite Hallmark things to watch?
Currently, my favorite television shows are The Frankie Drake Mysteries and The Orville, which couldn’t be more different. Frankie Drake is a girl-power 1920’s detective dramedy, while The Orville is a sweeping science fiction comedy that always leaves me wishing I was traveling far away on a starship. My favorite movies are Ever After, A League of Their Own, How To Marry A Millionaire, The American President, Moulin Rouge!, The Philadelphia Story, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? I love watching across genres and time periods, and have a special place in my heart for the films of Early Hollywood.
Of course, Hallmark movies are a big part of my life, and I’ve had so much fun watching a new Hallmark movie on Saturdays this year! Royalty Romances are always my favorite, but I love watching them all!
How do you remain disciplined to write during times when you don’t feel as inspired to do so? What do you do to help get your inspiration back during those difficult periods?
There was a notebook I kept in high school where I would write all of my ideas for future books, and one day, I was so discouraged with how my life was going, I wrote a journal entry where I said I was convinced I would never amount to anything, that my voice didn’t matter, and that no one would ever want to read anything I wrote. So, when I have a day that’s difficult, I pull out that journal entry and promise my sixteen-year-old-self that I’ll keep working, keep trying, and make her proud.
What is one genre you hope to write one day and publish but have not as of yet?
I’d love to write YA science fiction. As a lifelong Star Wars fan and a relatively new Star Trek and The Orville fan, I would love to write something like 10 Things I Hate About You or To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, but set in space!
Do you have any special plans for vacation this summer?
As a matter of fact, I’m getting married! I’m marrying the love of my life, my best friend, on July 27th, and I couldn’t be happier!
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