Archives for October, 2009
The Winchester Mystery House —Some legends say it is haunted by every person killed with a Winchester Rifle. Deeply saddened by the deaths of her daughter Annie in 1866 and her young husband in 1881, and seeking solace, Winchester consulted a medium on the advice of a psychic. According to popular history, during a séance, the [...]
McVille, North Dakota was settled in the 1880s on the open plains of this beautiful state. Among the oldest settled parts of the state outside of the Red River Valley, the small community was relocated in 1906 to meet up with the Great Northern Railway. And in the winter of 1913, it became the birthplace [...]
“This house backs to a farm for retired thoroughbreds,” said our realtor. My eyes popped wide. “Really?” “Absolutely.” Sure enough, if you walk up the incline and shove through some bushes, you can see horses in the distance. I don’t want anyone to get confused. This is a small tract house in a Lexington, Kentucky [...]
Hello Darlings, Miss Kate Lyon has boarded the train and it’ll pull into the station Sunday morning bright and early. The Fillies would like for you all to turn out to welcome the dear lady. Miss Kate knows how to write sexy cowboys and that’s no joke. And just get a gander of the cover of [...]
Massachusetts School for Idiotic and Feeble-Minded Children, South Boston (moved to Waltham in 1887) – Massachusetts State Reform School, Westbrorough (later “Lyman School for Boys”) Okay, why can’t I quit laughing about this having it’s name changed to School for Boys? It’s my own male bashing reflex no doubt. When we’re doing research we just stumble [...]
Good Morning! I’ve been out of town for about 1 1/2 weeks — again, I’m in Florida, but this time only for 2-3 weeks hopefully — much shorter than last time, when I was away from home for a total of about 16 months. Whew! Well, although it’s not true that I travel by horseback [...]
Most of you undoubtedly know that, over time, the capital of Texas has moved about from place to place. But did you know one of the earliest capitals was situated about thirty miles east of the Sabine River in northwest Louisiana? It’s true. From 1729 to 1770 the first official capital of the Spanish [...]
Wasn’t Bobbi Smith a sweetheart to give away not one but two books? The names were tossed in the cowgirl hat and shaken up. Jackie Wisherd wins RUNAWAY Melissa D. gets THE GUNFIGHTER Congratulations, ladies!! Woo-Hoo! Email your mailing address to me at I’ll forward the information on to Bobbi and she’ll get your book to you. Thanks, [...]
Hi everybody! I’m thrilled to be back blogging at Petticoats and Pistols. It’s an honor. This weekend I’m in Texas for the Golden Triangle Writers’ Conference. Robert Vaughan and Greg Tobin are here, too, so it’s going to be wonderful – as always! I do love Texas! My latest new release is Runaway. It came [...]
Ah apologize for being slow to announce the winner of Jodi Thomas’s autographed book. Ah’ve been chasing my durn mule, trying to catch the fool animal. Ah’m plumb out of breath. Miss Jodi put all the names in her cowboy hat….. The winner is…..JOYE Congratulations! Someone will contact you for your mailing address and Miss [...]
Do you have historical landmarks in your vicinity? Do you love to visit them? Most importantly, are they near your favorite restaurant? That last question isn’t a joke! Right next to the rustic Sagebrush Cantina, (they make a mean chicken tostada and great Margaritas) where I’ve been known to frequent with my hubby, [...]
Thanks to everyone who visited Wildflower Junction today! All of your names went into the cowboy boot and I’ve drawn three winners to receive copies of HER COLORADO MAN. And the winners are: Barb Peacock Edna Tollison Lori S (sugarandgrits) and I went a step further and drew a FOURTH: Karen Witemeyer Ladies, to claim [...]
Hello you little darlings, This weekend we’re fortunate to have Miss Bobbi Smith in our neck of the woods. Miss Bobbi is known far and wide as the Queen of Western Romance. She’s written a passel of books and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. The Fillies are thrilled and delighted to have [...]
Years ago a friend from a writer’s listserv sent me a copy of a cookbook her grandmother had given her. Little did she know that all these years and books later, I would still be gleaning helpful tidbits from a booklet titled COOK BOOK compiled by THE LADIES of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Eureka Kansas, [...]
On our recent trip north to visit our niece Katie and hubby John in the Lake Tahoe area, we paused to take in the sites and history of Sacramento including the mansion of Leland Stanford (1824-1893). Stanford wore such hats as California governor, railroad baron, university founder…and race horse owner. One of the video displays [...]
When people say I write with a true Texas voice I always thank them and wonder how I could write any other way. I’ve got Texas in my blood and I’ve been telling stories set in Texas for twenty years. From Beneath the Texas Sky in 1988 to The Lone Texan released October 6, 2009, my [...]
Thanks for all the great posts. Wish you could all win. The names that came out of the hat are: 1. Colleen 2. Jennie Marsland Please contact me at elizlane123@msn.com so Pam and I can mail you your books. If I don’t hear within the next 3 days, another winner will be chosen. Thanks again.
Tanya’s recent blog about Lake Tahoe inspired me to tell you about one of my favorite spots. Crowned by the majestic Tetons, Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a must for any bucket list. Located just south of Yellowstone National Park, the place is stunningly, mind-blowingly beautiful. The peaks of the Teton Range rise up from the [...]
Yippee! Ah’m not pullin’ your leg. Promise. Miss Jodi Thomas will be here Tuesday! Ah see her coming around the bend now. The Fillies are bustin’ their buttons with joy to have the dear talented lady. Miss Jodi sure knows how to write those wild sexy cowboys and the women who tame ‘em. She has it in mind to [...]
It’s getting that time of year again when we fill our stockings, sit by the fire and sing yuletide songs! Who wouldn’t want this cowboy under the holiday tree? And he’ll be delivering grand prizes from all the authors at Wildflower Junction! Your holiday gift includes signed Christmas books, handmade earrings from our own Cheryl St. John, Holiday napkins, Christmas [...]
People often joke with me about selling my book’s film rights, and if they aren’t making a joke – I turn it into one. Film deals are few and far between for writers, unless your last name is Brown, Grisham or King. But then I add, “I don’t really need to see the [...]
We have a winner. The winner for the drawing of Colleen Coble’s Lonestar Secrets is: MAUREEN Maureen, please email me at: mary [at] maryconnealy.com and I’ll get your mailing address to Colleen so she can send you her book. And thank you ALL for stopping in to Petticoats and Pistols.
Not long ago I went to my very first Gun & Knife Show. I’m a sport shooter–I only aim at things that don’t bleed–but I must admit, I was curious. Mostly I found what I expected, guns and knives of all shapes, kinds and makes. Surprisingly, though, there was also an amazing [...]
Hello Darlings, Hope life is treatin’ you real good and you’re ready for the weekend. Miss Deb Schneider will be our guest this Saturday. We’re pleased as all get-out. The Fillies have been sprucing up the place and getting out the welcome mat. A favorite subject of Miss Deb’s is ghost towns. She’ll entertain us with a [...]
My husband and I arrived in Lexington, Kentucky late Sunday afternoon. It’s a 540-mile journey from our house in northern Virginia, and we typically do it in 9-10 hours including stops for gas, food, dog walks, etc.. Not this time! Instead of zipping along in my little Camry or in a rental car (we’ve done [...]
