Maverick Style: Inspired by the West

Premieres Sunday, June 3

You will not want to miss the premiere of the new TV series "Longmire," on A&E next Sunday, June 3. "Longmire," a contemporary crime thriller set in Big Sky country, is based on the Walt Longmire Mystery novels by best selling author Craig Johnson. I first heard about the Walt Longmire novels and new TV series when Cheryl McMullen of Double D Ranch told me the story behind the Cady Longmire jacket she designed for their Fall 2011 Collection. She explained to me that Walt Longmire's daughter Cady wears Double D Ranch clothing in the Walt Longmire books. She decided that it would be fun to design a jacket inspired by Cady Longmire and the book series, and I wrote a blog about the story behind the jacket.

Once I wrote the blog about the Cady Longmire jacket, I became interested in reading the Walt Longmire books. I read one book and was hooked! I read the other six books in just a few weeks. Fortunately, I did not need to wait too long for the next book in the series. As the Crow Flies, the latest installment of the Walt Longmire book series, was released last week. Author Craig Johnson is currently touring the country to promote his new book, as well as the new "Longmire" TV series. He made an appearance at the Autry National Center last Sunday, where I had the opportunity to meet him and his lovely wife Judy. If you ever have the chance to meet Craig Johnson, do not pass it up! He is quite charming and very entertaining!

Whether or not you are a fan of the Walt Longmire mysteries, you will want to watch the "Longmire" TV series next Sunday. The series stars Australian actor Robert Tayler ("The Matrix") as Walt Longmire, the charismatic, dedicated and unflappable sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, along with Katee Sackhoff ("Battlestar Gallactica") as Victoria "Vic" Moretti, Lou Diamond Phillips ("Numb3ers") as Henry Standing Bear, Bailey Chase ("Damages") as Branch Connally, and Cassidy Freeman ("Smallville") as Cady Longmire.

Widowed only a year, Walt Longmire is a man in psychic repair who buries his pain behind a brave face and dry wit. At the urging of his daughter Cady, Longmire knows that the time has come to turn his life around. With the help of Vic, a female deputy new to the department, he becomes reinvigorated about his job and committed to running for re-election. When Branch, an ambitious young deputy decides to run against him for sheriff, Longmire feels betrayed but remains steadfast in his dedication to the community. Longmire often turns to close friend and confidant Henry Standing Bear for support as he sets out to rebuild both his personal and professional life, one step at a time.

For more information regarding the "Longmire" TV series, visit the A&E website. For more information about the Walt Longmire Mystery series, and the brand new Walt Longmire novel As the Crow Flies, visit the Craig Johnson website.