All blogs are property of authors and copying is not permitted.

Click image to one-click your copy of Soldiers of Fortune

CLICK BELOW & SUBSCRIBE TO THE RB4U NEWSLETTER

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Guest Blog: Jacquie Rogers: The Trouble With Cowboys



What redblooded woman doesn’t get tingly all over when a broad-shouldered man in chaps rides into town?  And who wouldn’t want to read about him? :)  We’re talking some drool-worthy characters here: Rowdy Yates, Paladin, Maverick, and of course the sexiest of them all, Cheyenne Bodie.  How about John Wayne, Tom Selleck, and Sam Eliot? 

But if you read or write historicals, there are issues.  Yes, cowboys aren’t as simple and you’d think.  We have a whole lot of mythology from the B-Westerns mixed in with our modern notion of what a cowboy really was.  The heyday of the cattle era lasted from shortly after the Civil War until about 1890, although make no mistake about it—real cowhands do exist today.  Just not many of them.

What Did You Call Me???
First of all, in the 19th Century, men who worked with cattle weren’t called cowboys.  The term was in use, but was pejorative, usually referring to greenhorn, Indian, or African American cowhands.  Preferred terms were cowhand, ranch hand, vaquero, drover, cowpuncher, or just plain rider, among others, a lot depending on what the job was and the location.  But not cowboy.  And anyway, in the dime novels, they wrote “Cow-boy” (much like we write “Web site,” which will change to “website” in a few years once someone ever figures out that “web” is a common noun).  Ranch owners were called ranchmen or cattlemen.

How did the belt break the law?
It held up some pants.
But not before 1920!
Second, good luck finding photographs for a book cover if authenticity is important.  First of all—no belt loops, so also no fancy buckles, except maybe for the gunbelt, but fancy things were only worn by dandies.  Shiny objects made you too good of a target.  Belt loops came on the scene in the 1920s.  Before that, men wore suspenders if necessary. 

Billie the Kid wore a derby.
About hats—lots of cowboys wore derbies or boaters.  Stetson made the Boss of the Plains starting in 1865 but most cowhands who wore them didn’t the crease the crown or curl up the sides as did the B-Western cowboys, which influenced what you still see now.   Of course, creases and curls happened with use, and a “broken-in” hat was prized.  Batwing chaps were around but most working cowhands wore stovepipe chaps—that, too, depended on the area and the weather.  Woolies were only worn in colder weather, and mostly in the north.

Need your neck warmed?
Bandanas varied depending on the area, but most were plain unbleached cotton or linen.  Some cowhands wore more colorful bandanas, but the bandana wasn’t considered a fashion item until, you guessed it, the B-Westerns.  Before that, the bandana was simply a tool.  You could tie it around your head to keep the sweat out of your eyes, tie it over your head to keep your ears warm in the winter, or you could use it to strain drinking water, or for a washcloth.  You could use it for a filter over your nose, especially riding drag on a cattle drive.  And of course bandits found them quite handy as masks.

Collars and buck straps—not just for horses.
Most shirts came without collars—you had to buy a collar separately.  Collars were usually saved for town wear, if a cowhand had one at all.  Bib shirts were popular because of the extra protection the bib provided, plus, if the bib got dirty, they could just turn it around to the clean side.  Trousers were high-waisted, had a button fly, four buttons on the front waistband and two buttons in the back to hook suspenders (sometimes called braces).  Many had a buck strap across the back just under the waistband so skinnier men could tighten the girth.

See that scrawny feller over there?
Most cowhands tended toward the sinewy side rather than the buff look we love so much because a lighter-weight rider made for less wear and tear on the horses.  And the men kept their shirts on; otherwise, their skin would be bloody shreds within minutes.  I doubt many of them waxed their chests, either.  Them’s fightin’ words.

But hey, it’s a real fantasy!
I’m not covering boots, spurs, dusters, and underwear, but you get the picture—a real cowhand just didn’t look as good as today’s romance cover models.  But you know what?  Romance is fantasy, so while the story has to feel authentic, I’m not so sure the hero has to meet the same criteria. 

What do you think?  What’s your ideal of the most romantic western hero?

- - - -
BLURB:
Much Ado About Mavericks (http://amzn.com/B008EDN9T4)
* FIVE STARS! Jacquie Rogers writes some of the best Historical Romances on today's market. Not content to simply write a plot and toss in a lot of bed scenes and/or filler, this author adds in subplots, humor, action, suspense, and some endearing strays. ~Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews

* When you read a Jacquie Rogers book, you know you're in for a fast, fun ride! ~BookwormForever

Overview
A sexy ranch foreman who just happens to be a beautiful woman
A Boston lawyer who wants to settle his father's estate and go back East.
Rustlers who have another agenda in mind
Mayhem endangers them all--but can the foreman and the lawyer ever see eye to eye?

Benjamin Lawrence is a highly respected attorney in Boston, but in Idaho Territory, they still think of him as that gangly awkward boy named Skeeter. When he goes back home to settle his estate, he's confronted with a ridiculous will that would be easy to overturn--but can he win the regard of his family and neighbors--and the foreman?

The Bar EL's foreman, Janelle Kathryn aka J.K. aka Jake O'Keefe, is recognized as the best foreman in the territory. But being the best at her job still isn't enough--now she has to teach the new owner how to rope, brand, and work cattle before she receives clear title to her own ranch, the Circle J. The last thing she expects is rustlers. Can she save her ranch without losing her heart?

- - - - -
BIO:
Jacquie is a former software designer, campaign manager, deli clerk, and cow milker, but always a bookworm. Reading is her passion--westerns, fantasies, historicals of any era, and all with lots of adventure and a dash of romance. If an author can make her laugh, she'll buy every book that writer ever wrote.  One of the first western historical romances she read was Hondo by Louis L’Amour and she’s been hooked ever since.  While a country girl by birth, she currently lives in the Seattle suburbs with her husband who knows if she’s on deadline, he cooks.  Can you ever take the country out of a girl's heart?  Probably not, and that’s why her stories often take place in Idaho where she grew up. Much Ado About Marshals (Hearts of Owyhee #1) won the 2012 RttA Award for Best Western, the CTRR Award, and garnered a NOR Top Pick.  She owns the Romancing The West blog which features a western writer (all sub-genres) each week, started the Western Historical Romance Book Club on Facebook, and works hard at rekindling the western audience.

190 comments:

Adele Dubois said...

I haven't read many cowboy stories, but enjoy them when I do. I like the idea of keeping the image of our western cowboys alive.

Best of luck with your release!

~Adele

jean hart stewart said...

Wonderful information and I needed all of it. Still like the movie image of a cowboy though! Lots of success with your book....

Sandy said...

Jacquie,

This is an informative blog, and I enjoyed it.

I like my cowboys with a bit of hair on their chest. To me that's a real man. Grin!

Good luck with your release.

Sandy said...

Jacquie,
Will your new book be in print? Just wondering because I know an old cowboy who read all of the Louie A'Mor books.

ELF said...

Great information (although a little disconcerting to learn some of those facts that don't match the cowboys I watched on tv!). Thanks for sharing.

Jacquie Rogers said...

Adele, thanks! Sorry for the delay in answering but I went to Idaho on a research trip for the next book, Much Ado About Miners. I appreciate you stopping by!

Jean, glad I could help. I confess, I use the movie image when it seems right to do so. Authenticity is one thing, but we are writing fantasy.

Sandy, thanks! I like hairy-chested men. I grew up with the notion that a grown man (of European descent) should have hair on his chest, and that's that. As for print--my publisher is getting the first three ready for print now. They should all be in print by November 1. Book four should be out after that--deadline is Novemeber 30 but we might not make it depending on revisions, etc. The cover is being prepared now, though.

Elf2060, no, the facts don't match the TV cowboys at all. But hey, I love 'em all anyway. LOL.

Anonymous said...

cheap ativan online lorazepam 1mg blue - ativan headache

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol 50mg t7 - buy tramadol online missouri

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription cheap order tramadol online legal - tramadol veterinary dosage chart

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol medication tramadol for dogs used by humans - buy tramadol online visa

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 100mg buy tramadol using mastercard - need purchase tramadol

Anonymous said...

tramadol online is it legal to get ultram online - can buy tramadol mexico

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl high - tramadol snort get high

Anonymous said...

legal buy tramadol online buy tramadol india - reliable online pharmacy tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol next day ultram/tramadol hcl 50mg - tramadol for dogs high

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online klonopin jewelry - klonopin 4mg

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol no prescription tramadol dosage pain - tramadol 600 mg daily

Anonymous said...

klonopin without prescription does generic klonopin work - klonopin and suboxone high

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol 50mg acetaminophen - tramadol pain

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin klonopin vs xanax high - klonopin dosage schedule

Anonymous said...

klonopin without prescription buy generic klonopin online - much 2mg klonopin

Anonymous said...

order tramadol no prescription tramadol hcl recommended dosage - buy tramadol 100mg

Anonymous said...

buy soma online no prescription soma williamsburg - soma shop online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight shipping tramadol high duration - tramadol 50 mg vs percocet

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol 50mg for sale - tramadol for purchase no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma 350 mg for sale - buy soma online no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol ultram 50 mg oral tablet - tramadol for dogs sleepy

Anonymous said...

buy clonazepam klonopin side effects webmd - klonopin yahoo answers

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cheap no prescription tramadol online doctor consult - tramadol dosage large dogs

Anonymous said...

ambien sleep ambien side effects joint pain - ambien side effects double vision

Anonymous said...

soma online 350mg soma bluelight - soma online no prescription overnight

Anonymous said...

order ambien online generic for ambien side effects - ambien drug urine test

Anonymous said...

tramadol online where to buy tramadol in the usa - buy tramadol online europe

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol hcl obat - tramadol 50mg hcl tablets

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien and alcohol memory loss - ambien generic price walgreens

Anonymous said...

order klonopin online buy generic klonopin - 2mg klonopin same 2mg xanax

Anonymous said...

ativan lorazepam ativan overdose quantity - ativan side effects confusion

Anonymous said...

legal buy tramadol online how to buy tramadol online overnight - tramadol hcl solubility

Anonymous said...

order carisoprodol soma muscle relaxer menstrual cramps - i love soma pills

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online no rx ambien sleeping pill overdose - ambien side effects in men

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol online no prescription - tramadol dosage for migraines

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien side effects with alcohol - ambien valium sleep

Anonymous said...

buy viagra using paypal generic viagra+online pharmacy+no prescription - buy viagra online women

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online generic drug for klonopin - klonopin getting high

Anonymous said...

tramadol online buy tramadol topix - buy tramadol free shipping

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cod tramadol high triglycerides - tramadol dose

Anonymous said...

klonopin buy klonopin erowid effects - klonopin and alcohol

Anonymous said...

buy soma buy soma online no prescription mastercard - soma discount code 2011

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online klonopin children - klonopin with alcohol

Anonymous said...

tramadol overnight shipping tramadol information - tramadol dosage nhs

Anonymous said...

buy ambien ambien online us pharmacy - order ambien online

Anonymous said...

buy viagra and cialis online buy viagra online with paypal - xl pharmacy generic viagra

Anonymous said...

soma online pharmacy buy aura soma bottles london - buy soma online cheap

Anonymous said...

buy clonazepam online klonopin in urine - buy clonazepam australia

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol high bluelight - buy tramadol money order

Anonymous said...

where can i buy ambien online ambien price - generic ambien er

Anonymous said...

ambien buy possible overdose ambien - ambien side effects diarrhea

Anonymous said...

cheapest soma soma discount code 2012 - soma buy online

Anonymous said...

buy viagra buy viagra online perscription - buy viagra online in the uk

Anonymous said...

buy viagra without prescriptions buy viagra online with mastercard - viagra online yahoo answers

Anonymous said...

order soma online soma muscle cramps - soma generic 350 mg

Anonymous said...

sildenafil without prescription order viagra walgreens - buy viagra online germany

Anonymous said...

buy soma online online prescription for soma - generic soma manufacturers

Anonymous said...

buy cheap generic viagra online buy viagra online usa - viagra online from india

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online buy viagra online pharmacy - viagra online safe

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight tramadol withdrawal emotional - buy tramadol online without prescriptions

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra 100mg viagra for women and fda - generic viagra 50mg price

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50 dosage - tramadol 50mg for my dog

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online without rx cheap viagra at tesco - best place order viagra online forum

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol with cod tramadol for sale no prescription - cheapest generic tramadol

Anonymous said...

order sildenafil viagra buy bangkok - buy viagra online nz

Anonymous said...

viagra online buy generic viagra from india - viagra for sale

Anonymous said...

buy viagra 100mg cheap generic viagra online pharmacy - best online generic viagra site

Anonymous said...

buy propecia propecia side effects how common - cheap propecia for sale

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol apap 37.5mg dosage - tramadol dosage equivalent

Anonymous said...

buy viagra next day delivery how to buy viagra online forum - purchase viagra online in india

Anonymous said...

how to order viagra online viagra jello shots - viagra after 60

Anonymous said...

viagra online generic viagra trial pack - viagra xanax combination

Anonymous said...

buy viagra gold buy viagra tokyo - online pharmacy for viagra

Anonymous said...

purchase propecia propecia joint pain - propecia quarter

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol free shipping tramadol 100 mg snort - tramadol legal high

Anonymous said...

best buy tramadol tramadol codeine addiction - life after tramadol addiction

Anonymous said...

order propecia online cheap propecia buy online - propecia results regrowth

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cod overnight pet meds tramadol 50mg - can buy tramadol online legally

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg tramadol 100 mg street value - buy 200 mg tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a retin-a micro moisturizer - buy retin a from usa

Anonymous said...

buy viagra next day delivery buy generic viagra online paypal - does viagra work on paraplegics

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight shipping tramadol dosage chihuahua - buyer tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy retin a retin-a no prescription - retin a 1

Anonymous said...

propecia without prescription propecia 2 months - side effects of using propecia

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol uk online - purchase tramadol overnight

Anonymous said...

buy propecia buy generic propecia in usa - generic propecia 4rx

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol 319 high - buy ultram cod

Anonymous said...

buy retin a without a prescription is retin-a cream or gel better - retin a no side effects

Anonymous said...

propecia finasteride cheap propecia in the uk - propecia cancer

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without a script tramadol for dogs with liver problems - tramadol ultram er

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol online tramadol hcl capsules 50mg - if you overdose tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy retin a no prescription buy retin a in usa - retin-a 4 cream

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol online online pharmacy for tramadol - tramadol 50mg side effects

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol hydrochloride online - tramadol online cod

Anonymous said...

order tramadol cheap tramadol with cod - buy tramadol prescription

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without rx tramadol hcl 50 mg tablet r&s - buy tramadol online australia no prescription

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg tramadol dosage chart - tramadol for dogs or people

Anonymous said...

tramadol no prescription tramadol 50 mg slow release - tramadol hcl price

Anonymous said...

retin a buy online buy retin pump - retin a micro long term effects

Anonymous said...

where to buy retin-a online retin a micro for sale - retin a cream usa prices

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg tramadol overdose in dogs - tramadol dosage cats

Anonymous said...

retin a buy online retin a cream nhs - order retin a from usa

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol with mastercard tramadol 50mg buzz - buy tramadol online missouri

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a online retin a trying to get pregnant - retin a cream tretinoin 0.1

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online safe order tramadol online - tramadol hcl acet

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg can you buy tramadol online in usa - can you buy tramadol otc

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription cod tramadol 100mg info - buy tramadol online 100mg

Anonymous said...

buy strattera online strattera side effects weight gain - weight loss on strattera

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol addictive or not - buy tramadol sr 100 mg

Anonymous said...

buy cheap tramadol cheap generic tramadol - tramadol withdrawal weight loss

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol saturday delivery buy tramadol no prescription mastercard - tramadol hcl prescribed

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol get you high - tramadol no rx

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol dosage recreational - buy tramadol overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol hcl gout - venta tramadol online

Anonymous said...

generic viagra cheap viagra us next day delivery - buy non generic viagra

Anonymous said...

cialis professional cheap cialis professional - cialis online vancouver

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol 50mg vs vicodin 5mg - tramadol buzz

Anonymous said...

cheapest viagra buy cheap viagra no prescription - buy viagra montreal

Anonymous said...

viagra pills generic viagra next day delivery - buy viagra online ehow

Anonymous said...

generic viagra viagra falls - order viagra in australia

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol can take tramadol high blood pressure - best website buy tramadol

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra buy genuine viagra us - order viagra online without script

Anonymous said...

order cialis cialis 40 mg online - brand cialis online

Anonymous said...

generic viagra online where to purchase viagra - generic viagra that works

Anonymous said...

buy cialis price for cialis 5mg - generic cialis mjy.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

cialis price buy cialis online with paypal - cialis online pharmacy canada

Anonymous said...

generic cialis cialis street price - taking 20mg cialis daily

Anonymous said...

cheap generic cialis buy cialis no prescription us - buy cialis uk suppliers

Anonymous said...

buy generic cialis cialis online with prescription - generic cialis line canada

Anonymous said...

tramadol generic legal buy tramadol online - tramadol buy online no prescription

Anonymous said...

soma 350 mg soma online coupons - buy soma online with no prescription

Anonymous said...

cialis pills cialis jelly - get cialis online usa

Anonymous said...

buy soma online where to buy soma bras - generic soma pill identification

Anonymous said...

viagra online buy viagra queensland - generic viagra at walmart

Anonymous said...

viagra sildenafil buy viagra online blog - does viagra work when drinking

Anonymous said...

viagra price viagra dosage overdose - buy generic viagra online us

Anonymous said...

soma 350 mg makes generic soma - soma residences

Anonymous said...

soma online medication like soma - soma online

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a retin a gel purchase - buy retin a micro .04

Anonymous said...

cheap soma soma muscle weakness - soma xanax interaction

Anonymous said...

soma online pharmacy soma juice sale - soma bras 79984

Anonymous said...

buy soma 350mg cheap eats soma - buy soma online cod

Anonymous said...

soma online what drug category is soma - cheapest soma no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a online retin a micro tretinoin gel coupon - retin-a regimen

Anonymous said...

buy cheap soma buy soma watson pain relief - cheap soma

Anonymous said...

soma medication buy cheap soma no prescription - buy soma shampoo

Anonymous said...

buy retin a online retin a micro for wrinkles reviews - retin a micro usage

Anonymous said...

buy cheap tramadol tramadol hcl 50mg dosage - tramadol online reviews

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol dosage effects - tramadol y alcohol

Anonymous said...

retin a order online buy retin a micro usa - retin-a creme acne

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online ultram or tramadol - tramadol for dogs usa

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight shipping tramadol dosage weight loss - does tramadol 50mg get you high

Anonymous said...

buy retin a retin a .01 gel for wrinkles - retin a micro tretinoin gel reviews

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol zoloft taken together - tramadol hcl 50mg narcotic

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online reputable online pharmacy tramadol - tramadol high good

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol rx tramadol during pregnancy - buy tramadol 24x7

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol online in usa - discount coupons for tramadol

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol online buy tramadol online - tramadol 100mg online overnight

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol usa tramadol hcl sleep aid - tramadol with vicodin

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol abuse - tramadol hcl veterinary use

Anonymous said...

buy retin a buy retin a cream online no prescription - retin-a cream tips

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online buy tramadol hong kong - tramadol hcl or vicodin

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online mastercard tramadol 99 free shipping - tramadol for pain

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol dosage and dogs - how to buy tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online order tramadol pay cod - recovering tramadol addiction

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight delivery tramadol hcl 200mg er - tramadol for dogs human use

Anonymous said...

best buy tramadol online pharmacy with tramadol - tramadol side effects high

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol no prescription tramadol overnight no prescription - can tramadol hcl 50 mg get you high

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight tramadol dosage 100mg - tramadol overdose vomiting

Anonymous said...

alprazolam online xanax bars online - xanax withdrawal .125

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol ultram er - tramadol hcl controlled substance

Anonymous said...

best buy tramadol recovering tramadol addiction - tramadol ultram alcohol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 180 online-viagra-tramadol - tramadol high get

Anonymous said...

cialis buy online no prescription cialis alternative - buy cialis cheap usa

Anonymous said...

xanax online pharmacy topamax xanax drug interactions - alprazolam 0.5mg how long does it last

Anonymous said...

buy cheap cialis online no prescription cialis 5 mg - cialis 20mg price us

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol no prescription overseas - tramadol 50mg buzz

Anonymous said...

learn how to buy tramdadol buy tramadol 50 mg online - tramadol hcl percocet

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online mastercard overnight buy tramadol usa - tramadol 50mg nhs

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol no rx tramadol hcl usp monograph - tramadol vicodin high

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online buy tramadol online cod only - generic name tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy cheap klonopin klonopin side effects gastrointestinal - klonopin withdrawal between doses

Anonymous said...

carisoprodol no prescription carisoprodol pronunciation - soma carisoprodol 500mg

Anonymous said...

buy carisoprodol cod buy carisoprodol cod - carisoprodol 103

Share buttons