Interviews

A Letter from Catherine Anderson

Dear Readers:

First of all, I want to thank Heart to Heart for giving me this opportunity to tell my readers about the fourth book in my Coulter family series, which began with Phantom Waltz (Bethany and Ryan's story) and continued with Sweet Nothings (Molly and Jake's story) and Blue Skies (Carly and Hank's story). Now, in Bright Eyes, I tell Zeke Coulter's story.

In the Coulter family, Zeke is often teased about being far too serious about everything. Zeke sees nothing wrong with being cautious. He seldom does anything without thinking it over first. If it doesn't seem to be a wise choice or decision, he runs in the other direction, which brings us to his success in remaining a bachelor. Zeke likes women, and he has, on rare occasion, enjoyed long-term intimate relationships with women who understood and accepted that he was offering nothing more, but he doesn't feel that he's cut out to marry and have a family. As the second-oldest child in a family of six kids, Zeke likes living alone in a big house where he can always enjoy silence and seclusion. He likes having three bathrooms at his disposal and never having to stand outside the door while a female primps for nearly an hour. He likes being able to save his money, making expenditures only when he feels it's wise. In Zeke's estimation, he'd have to be crazy to mess up the life he has worked so hard for by getting married.

Sound reasonable? Possibly. But life seldom unfolds in reasonable ways for any of us, and Zeke is no exception. One afternoon when he gets home from a long day at his ranch-supply store, Zeke sees a boy skulking away from the house. Zeke goes to investigate and discovers that his home and backyard have been vandalized. Furious, Zeke crosses a field to the farmhouse next door, hoping to collar the preteen perpetrator, but instead he comes upon the kid's beautiful mother, Natalie, who is an intriguing blend of sexy temptress and wholesome farm girl.

The last thing Natalie wants is another man in her life, especially not a tall, dark, authoritative cowboy who thinks he knows better than she how children should be raised. Zeke Coulter is determined that her son Chad will make restitution for the property damages by working off the debt. Natalie is equally determined that it won't happen. Chad isn't handling his parents' divorce very well, and the boy's confusion and hurt have been compounded by Natalie's ex-husband's irresponsible abandonment of his children. Natalie isn't about to let her angry neighbor complicate matters even further by working Chad like a dog for over three weeks. Only what choice does she have? She can't afford to pay for the damages out of pocket, her ex-husband doesn't return her calls for help, and Zeke Coulter is threatening to involve the police if he doesn't receive recompense.

So it is that Zeke commits himself to the task of teaching Chad Patterson a lesson. But in the end, it is Chad who teaches Zeke a few things, and Zeke soon experiences paternal feelings toward the boy, finds himself being wrapped around the little finger of a four-year-old dynamo with big brown eyes named Rosie, and falling Stetson-over-boot heels in love with Natalie Patterson, who is unequivocally and forever determined to remain single.

The couple's deepening affection for each other is complicated when Robert Patterson, Natalie's ex-husband, is murdered, and Natalie becomes the primary suspect. Who had reason to wish Robert harm? The list of possible suspects is nearly as long as Zeke's arm. However, Natalie's zany family members and two precocious kids keep the element of suspense from taking center stage. Bright Eyes is primarily a wonderful love story, and I hope all of you, my faithful readers, will enjoy every word.

I would like to take this chance to tell my readers how very important they are to me. Without each and every one of you, I wouldn't have the luxury of doing what I love best, which is to create and write romances to entertain you.

Happy reading, my friends!

Catherine Anderson