E. Joe Brown is an award-winning author of memoir and historical fiction. His third book in The Kelly Can Saga, A Cowboy’s Dilemma (Artemesia Publishing, August 2025), blends “historical fiction, western adventure, and family drama into a fast-moving story that keeps readers invested from beginning to end.” Look for Joe on his website EJoeBrown.com and Happy Trails blog, as well as on Facebook and his Amazon author store. Read more about Joe’s work in his 2022 and 2024 interviews for SouthWest Writers.
What would you like readers to know about the story you tell in A Cowboy’s Dilemma?
That Charlie and Susan are resilient and fighters not letting life’s challenges deter them from their dreams.
Are the themes you explore in the book important to you on a personal level?
Similar to what I stated in my answer to question one. I have my protagonist face the challenges of the 1920s and overcome them. I have lived my life meeting challenges head-on, and so that’s what I write about.
What do you like/respect most about your main characters, Charlie and Susan? They endured quite a bit in the first two books — what do they have to overcome in this story?
Charlie has always followed the Cowboy Creed. Your words are your bond, your handshake is your contract, and you’ve got your buddies back. Susan easily adopts that as well. In book three, the Chicago Mafia, as they expand across America, become an adversary.
What historical events do you cover in the book?
Growth of ranching, Prohibition, the oil boom in Oklahoma, Texas, and California and the expansion of crime driven by the Mafia.
Tell us how the book came together.
This is a continuation of the Kelly Can Saga, and therefore, the research started several years ago. A Cowboy’s Destiny was published in August of 2022, A Cowboy’s Fortune in 2024, and now A Cowboy’s Dilemma. As the story expands, research, editing, cover design, and all continue, following the overarching storyline and theme.
Were you surprised by any aspect of the project as it unfolded or did it meet your expectations?
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the wonderful response I’ve had from my readers. I have been told on several separate occasions that, in light of the popularity of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone, Dutton Ranch, and the others, along with Jodi Thomas’s success with Ransom Canyon, my story would make a good screenplay.
What was your favorite part of putting this project together?
It’s actually two-fold. The research has been fun (I love history), and the way the story unfolds. Somehow, it just flows from me when I sit down and start.
At what point did you realize the Kelly Can Saga storyline and/or its characters were strong enough to carry a series?
I wasn’t thinking about it at any time. A lot of the story came to me during COVID. I wrote 400,000 words while we were locked down. It was my publisher’s enthusiasm that made me think we might have something. Book four, A Cowboy’s Venture, is at my publisher now. We expect to launch it in January 2027. I’ve already been asked for a book five.
You began writing fiction later in life. What did your mature self bring to the writing table that your younger self never could have?
I can only speculate, but I think I’ll be able to mature my protagonist and supporting characters over time with a much better perspective.
What do you want to be known for as an author?
He’s a mighty fine storyteller.
KL Wagoner loves creating worlds of fantasy and science fiction. Her current work in progress is The Last Bonekeeper fantasy trilogy and short stories in the same universe. A member of SouthWest Writers since 2006, Kat has volunteered as the organization’s secretary, newsletter editor, website manager, and author interview coordinator. Kat is also a veteran, a martial art student, and a grandmother. Visit her at klwagoner.com.
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