Hi Abby,
I agree--I should have clarified that I was thinking about western romances. In fact, I write a mystery series that has a strong romantic plotline---which is a deviation from the standard mystery genre---so I know exactly what you are talking about.
I guess I'm just a romantic!

No - I haven't seen it but thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out.

Abby,

You're right - Romance has a Western genre as well.

Did you ever see Cowboys and Aliens? A movie that shouldn't have worked, but SO did!
Check it out if you haven't seen it.

The books you mentioned seem more like romance novels set in the West (which I also love), rather than the true Western genre. The difference I see is that Westerns tend to be more "man against the elements" or "man against forces of evil," often combined with a "bromance," rather than the story of a man and a woman. And the protagonist is male.

As for the evolution of Westerns, I think the modern ones take place in outer space, for example - some kind of futuristic battle where the hero's mettle is tested. There may be a side romance to satisfy female readers/viewers (especially if it is made into a movie), but the main storyline is the guy in the white hat battling forces of evil.

Yes, they do. My son lost Billy years ago, but he lives in his heart and influences everything he does in his business and with his three kids 🙂

Thanks, Florence! We love it for the same well-put thoughts you wrote above. America loves their heroes, and I think cowboys were their first, and the story of your son is why.

I've had the honor of meeting some of today's cowboys, and I can tell you, that spirit and old-old manner is still alive in the country parts of America.

They give me hope for the future.

I'm truly dating myself, but what is amazing is that almost twenty years later, my "city" boy (first born son) went to a ranch camp and fell in love with a real cowboy ... Billy ... the real deal ... and he learned how to ride, rope and care for horses and from that learned about responsibility and how to treasure what we love. When a kid messed up and was being sent home, Billy sang the old Gene Autry song ... Happy Trails to them while they packed 🙂

We can learn a lot from the old world world ethic of the cowboy and don't look for that love to die off any time in the next hundred years. Folks love the sounds, the feel and the spirit of the old west ... heck we had a country radio station in Brooklyn I listened to in grade school 🙂

Back in this century, I am enjoying that Laura and a few others are reviving that love for me ... thanks guys !!!

Very true, Anne. We have so much more freedom these day to write what we like, and it's nice to know we can reach readers without going through gate keepers.