Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy by Karen Baney, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy Series: Love at Vargas Ranch #1 Author: Karen Baney Publisher: Desert Life Media Release Date: February 3, 2026 Genre: Christian Western RomanceHe’s running from his twin’s crimes. She’s haunted by the man who betrayed her. Can she open her heart to his identical twin? Shannon thought she’d buried the past—until she arrives at Vargas Ranch and sees the face of the man who shattered her trust. The man she swore she’d never forgive. Parker has spent his life paying for his brother’s sins. False accusations and shattered opportunities follow him everywhere—because no one sees the man behind the face. When Shannon mistakes him for his twin and has him arrested, his fragile fresh start shatters. Now forced to work together in the ranch’s equine therapy program, Shannon and Parker must navigate a tense enemies-to-friends journey. As they confront the pain of the past and the pull of unexpected attraction, trust becomes the hardest battle of all. She must learn to trust the man her heart keeps mistaking for the one who broke it. Parker must prove he’s not his brother before he loses his second chance at love. When the past collides with the present, can love build the bridge to healing and forgiveness? A heartfelt Christian romance about redemption, mistaken identity, and love that dares to heal. Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy will steal your heart.

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In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry. Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. They enjoy exploring Arizona together, discovering new adventures that often influence Karen’s stories. Both are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Connect with Karen by visiting karenbaney.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a “There’s no such thing as too many books” tote & makeup bag, plus two slimline inspirational journals, and a signed copy of Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 11, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 18, 2026. Winner will be

PURCHASE LINKS:

Guest Post

How Living in Arizona Influences My Writing
By Karen Baney
When I moved to Arizona almost thirty years ago, I fell in love with my new home state.
The diverse landscape captivated me from the Sonoran Desert around Phoenix and
Wickenburg to the high country Ponderosa pines of Flagstaff and Prescott, to the
stunning red rock of Sedona. The different climates and amazing wide-open vistas
inspired something in me that has never faded.

That love sent me on a journey to learn more about Arizona’s history, which eventually
inspired my historical novels set near Prescott. But when I wanted to create a
contemporary ranch setting, I looked closer to home: Wickenburg, Arizona.
Wickenburg sits about an hour and a half from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International
Airport, just outside the Metro Area, yet it’s managed to keep its small-town feel even as
the city grows. During my research, I discovered several “dude” ranches or guest
ranches in the area, and they became the inspiration for my Vargas Guest Ranch &
Resort.

The Setting as A Character
In my stories, the Arizona setting often becomes almost a character itself. Readers
experience the oppressive summer heat that fades to a slightly less hot (but still hot)
fall, then gives way to mild winters and breath-taking springs that feel like paradise to
visitors from colder climates.

In Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy, readers enjoy the mild temperatures at Vargas Ranch
during the busy winter season, then experience the contrast when hero Parker travels
home to Flagstaff to help his mom with a burst water pipe. The freezing high-country
winter—with its snow and ice—stands in sharp relief to the desert warmth he left
behind. That temperature difference mirrors Parker’s internal journey, the clash between
his troubled past and his hopeful present.
Small-Town / Big City

One of the most unique things about Wickenburg is how it manages to feel both close to
the Phoenix Metro Area and remarkably distant from it. It’s entirely possible to spend
your whole life in this small city and never really cross into the big city feel. Yet it’s
equally possible to enjoy the benefits of being so close to a major metropolitan area.

I explored both dynamics in Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy. My characters maintain their
small-town ranch lifestyle while still being connected to the larger world beyond.
Desert Details
Writing about the Sonoran Desert means honoring authentic details like the afternoon
sun warm on your shoulders while a cool breeze keeps you comfortable, mountains
standing constant in the distance, the scent of creosote after rain, wind rustling through
ocotillo, saguaros standing sentinel against impossibly blue skies.
When Shannon describes sunrises painted in soft gold and burnt orange, stretching
endlessly over the horizon, she’s experiencing the same views that first captured my
heart decades ago.

Cowboy Culture
The Arizona setting grounds my stories in authentic ranching culture. My characters
attend church potlucks, participate in Independence Day celebrations with fireworks
shows and BBQ buffets, and gather for harvest festivals with hayrides and country
music.

The guest ranch business itself reflects Arizona’s unique position as a winter
destination. While traditional dude ranches in Montana or Wyoming might be busiest in
summer, Vargas Ranch thrives in fall, winter, and early spring when visitors escape to
Arizona’s warm desert sun.
Architecture

The setting shapes every detail, right down to the buildings. My casitas feature
southwestern stucco exteriors in warm colors, dark wood accents, and interiors that
blend rustic charm with modern luxury. The dining hall has log beam ceilings and glass
panel walls that open to a patio, creating that perfect indoor-outdoor living space that
Arizona architecture does so well.
Welcome to My Home

So, come join Parker and Shannon as they explore the vast beauty of my adopted
home state. It’s a place as hearty as my characters and reflects their journeys toward