Romance author C.H. Admirand reveals the inspiration behind her new series that features contemporary cowboys. Discover how the decision to support a fellow author turned into Admirand's new series starter, Tyler.

It all started with a hurricane in a bar in Houston, Texas… My willingness to be supportive is how my real-life experience at LeBare Strip Club in Houston became the plot line behind Tyler, part of my new series The Secret Life of Cowboys. In my story, Tyler Garahan will do anything to save his family ranch, the Circle G, but he never thought that would include taking a job as a stripper at a local ladies’ club. I never imagined I’d end up at a strip club either, but as you know, the most unusual experiences make the best stories.

Here is how it all began. While sipping a yummy hurricane, my friend suggested that we support her publisher by going to see the Ellora’s Cave models at a local club. I agreed to go with visions of the shirtless Chippendale models I’d seen perform years ago on TV dressed in their signature skin-tight black pants, bright white cuffs, and bow ties.

When we arrived, a couple of EC models stepped out from behind the counter wearing teeny, tiny, crushed velvet thongs, and that’s when I realized I wasn’t ready for this. The dollar-waving women who ran past me screaming for a chance to tuck their money in the waistband of the tiniest, thongs I’d ever seen, convinced me I could use this embarrassing experience in my next book!

But that’s not the end of this story. The second stripper/act of the night came out on stage wearing a black Stetson, black spandex briefs and chaps, and my male lead was born! Tyler thinks he’s applying for a job stocking shelves and lifting kegs of beer, when in fact, he’s going to be the main attraction. He has second thoughts, but he’s a man of his word, and when the club’s fiery redheaded bookkeeper captures Tyler’s attention, he’s ready to swallow his pride.

The story unfolded in my head as I sat at the smudged black lacquered table, reminding me of an incident a few years ago when I worked at a fitness center and had to clean butt cheek prints off a mirror. Looking down, I folded my arms, careful not to touch the table. I envisioned my heroine Emily Langley watching Tyler up on the stage, sensing the gorgeous cowboy was out of his element. But, one look in his dark eyes and she’ll do anything to help him.

Thus, my tip to aspiring authors is write what you know, what you experience, or what you feel connected to. I love writing about families and integrating my Irish roots and family names into my books. Tyler’s brothers both have stories to tell. Sourcebooks is publishing Dylan in the Fall of 2011 with Jesse to follow soon thereafter.

So, the moral of the story, while I was totally out of my comfort zone, and my element, grabbing hold of life with both hands gave me the perfect character and plot line…and remember…spurs and boots are optional!

- C.H. Admirand

You can pick up your own copy of this exotic dancer-inspired cowboy tale, Tyler, in stores now. And then be sure to keep your eyes open for RT's special look at the enduring allure of cowboys in the May issue of RT BOOK REVIEWS!