The 10 Fillies Who Started it All!

Long about May, 2007, or so, Cheryl St.John and I got together over lunch and brainstormed the possibility of launching a site dedicated to western romance.  Blogging was relatively new back then, and there wasn’t a site like we envisioned anywhere in the blogging world.   We came up with a ton of ideas, more than we could even implement.   We brainstormed names to call ourselves, discussed pages on the site, authors who might want to join us, possible guests to invite.  Later, after a gazillion emails back and forth with our fellow western romance authors, the idea not only took off, but endured.

We officially launched on August 13, 2007.  Little did we know Petticoats & Pistols would still be alive and well ten–count ’em, TEN–years later!

As part of our week-long celebration, and for those of you who might not have been around that far back, I’ve delved DEEP into our Media Gallery and pulled a few decade-old images used on the original site.

Ahem.  We were all much younger then, you know.

I just love this picture of our Linda.  I don’t know what we’d do without her, and I’m thrilled she’s still with us.  Her career has soared since she first galloped into our corral, and I’m pretty sure P & P had a part in that.  Oh, and she writes some durn good books, too!

“When I signed on back in 2007, I didn’t know all the ways my life would change. It’s been one heck of a ride and I wouldn’t take anything for this experience.”

Linda

 

 

 

 

 

Karen has her own niche at P & P and remains our Native American expert.  She provides a layer to P & P–and western romance–that we just couldn’t do without!   She’s still blogging twice a month, just like she did ten years ago.  She’s as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out!

“After ten years of being one of the founding fillies, I will freely admit that I love this blog and this “home,” and I love each and every “filly” (other authors) that have graced the Petticoats and Pistols stage.”

Karen

 

 

 

 

 

And then there’s me.  I’m proud as punch P & P was my brainchild, but I couldn’t have done it alone.  I’m not writing westerns anymore, though I sure as heck think about it.  I got the itch to dip my toes in the 1920s era and am several books into my historical romantic suspense series, the Secret Six.

 

 

 

 

 

Charlene left the corral only a few weeks ago.  Our lives change in ten years, and she wanted to spend more time with her hubby and those sweet little grandbabies of hers.   She has grown into a good friend, and I sure do miss her.

“Happy 10th Birthday Fillies! It’s a great accomplishment and I’m very proud to have been a part of it for most of Petticoats and Pistols’ glorious ten years!! Congratulations!”

Charlene

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks goodness for Facebook!  Elizabeth is just the nicest lady you can meet, and it’s great to keep in touch with her.  She has quite a backlist of both historical and contemporary romances.  Take a peek at http://www.elizabethlaneauthor.com 

“Has it really been ten years? Congratulations to all the fillies for your dedication and hard work, and to the wonderful readers who give our work meaning. In my years as a filly, before my career took me in other directions, the support and friendship of my sister fillies meant the world to me. I met some of my dearest friends on this site, friends I still cherish. Again, congratulations and love to you all.”

Elizabeth

Didn’t I tell you she was the nicest lady you could meet?

Goodness, I’ve known Cheryl since the 1980s, before either of us were published.  Her career has taken her into new directions, too.  She’s one busy lady.

“I’m proud to have been part of the original roundup of fillies who started P&P and delighted that after ten years readers are still enjoying a site dedicated to western romance. Happy anniversary and wishes for many more years in the saddle!”

Cheryl

 

 

 

 

 

Pat Potter brought a wealth of experience and talent to Petticoats & Pistols, and we were thrilled as could be to have an author of her caliber with us.  A USA Bestselling author, her career has spanned decades, giving her more than 50 books under her belt.  Sending you a big hug and a wave, Pat!

Oh, I miss Stacey, too.   I first got to know her when we were both writing for Harlequin Historicals.  She has a wonderful western voice and she always had the BEST western covers!  Check them out at http://www.staceykayne.com

“A full decade of Petticoats and Pistols! Good gracious, where has the time gone? I’m so thankful to have been a part of Pam’s brainchild; fun and exciting times. Collaborating on a western blog with this lovely group of ladies was a true joy. Sending cheers and birthday hugs to all the fillies.”

Stacey

Oh, my.  You have no idea how absolutely humbled and thrilled and excited we were to have THE Lorraine Heath join us as a filly.  Another New York Times Bestselling author, she cut her eye-teeth on westerns but eventually fell in love with England–‘ rebels, scoundrels, and rogues’.   Her popularity doesn’t wane, no matter what she writes!

Geralyn was yet another western author who added sparkle to our line-up!  A USA Bestselling author, too, she helped validate what we were doing and assured us we were on the right track–promoting western romance.

“Happy Birthday to Petticoats & Pistols! Historical westerns are my first love and while I no longer write them, when I pick up a book to read, I still love to escape into the American West. My thanks and congratulations to the fillies of P&P for a decade of support for readers like me!”

Geralyn Dawson aka Emily March, A STARDANCE SUMMER, July 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

So, there you go.  The ten original fillies–some of the nicest, most talented bunch of authors I’ve ever known.

Were you there, ten years ago when we launched?  How long have you been visiting Petticoats & Pistols?  What do you love most about our site?  The history?  The research?  The glimpses into authors’ lives?   And hey, if you have ideas on how we can be even more fun and interesting, tell me that, too.

 

Your thoughts and ideas will get you entered into a drawing for a Target gift card!

 

 

 

 

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Pam has written 30 romances, most of them historical westerns, but she's proud of her contemporary sweet romances featuring the Blackstone Ranch series published by Tule Publishing, too! Stay up on the latest at www.pamcrooks.com

88 thoughts on “The 10 Fillies Who Started it All!”

  1. Good morning to you all, wow 10 years and going strong. I’ve been visiting this site for close to 2 years now. I’ve introduced many of my friends to this site who are active in it weekly and we all have at one time won something from several of you. I just love all the wonderful things you all deliver. The history you give us is outstanding, getting to know each of you and I never would have been introduced to so many great westerns, if I had not started receiving y’alls emails. I really loved playing the scavenger hunt in your 10 year Birthday part. That was really a blast, plus it made us use some brain power. Congrats to you all on such a wonderful 10 years of entertaining us with wonderful advise, book excerpts, and prizes.

    • I for one can not thank you enough for introducing me to P & P and the wonderful world of HER. Heck if it wasn’t for you I probably never would have taken the plunge back into reading again or found my love for HER. Your a blessing!

    • Tonya, you are a sweetheart! It is readers like you that keep this blog going day after day, week after week. Your comments were extremely gratifying. Thank you!

    • Miss Tonya, my life wouldn’t be the same without you, Glenda, Stephanie and so many other’s you’ve introduced my books to. I love you more than words can ever say.

  2. Ladies, I have just been introduced to your site. Thank you to Tonya Lucas for introducing me. However, better late than never to be here at all. I have to confess that I have not always been a big fan of Western Romance but I know why. I had to meet and read what now appears to be the best group of Western authors in this country. I have read several of your books and now I am hooked, forever. I am also a lover of Western and country music so you know I have the heart and soul of a country girl. Well, I should. I was raised on a farm and spent a great deal of my time there. I do love the city, but my roots will never change. Give me a cowboy any day over a city slicker. I can’t make any suggestions on your site as I have not been here long enough, but I can sure tell you I like it. And, I adore the attitude you ladies bring to it. So thank you for letting me join you, and I look forward to a long, long association. You ladies ROCK.

  3. Happy Birthday P & P! I have been visiting your site for many years now. I’m not really sure how many but I do pay a daily visit and will continue to do so as long as it is here and I am able.

    I love learning the history of the old west from all of you. Your blogs are fun and informative. Thank you and please keep up the great work.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    • It says so much that you’ve been visiting for many years now. That’s it in a nutshell–we are filling your well with fun and information. And you intend to keep visiting us, and that’s just awesome! Thank you!

  4. Congrats on 10 years and still going strong. I can’t remember how long I’ve been lurking & visiting P&P but it’s years. I love all I’ve learned from you in your research. Thank you for all the wonderful posts.
    Carol Luciano

    • Carol, you’ve been a loyal follower for years, and that makes me happy, more than you know. All the time and effort (and believe me, there’s time behind the scenes that no one sees) makes it worth it for a friend like you.

      Love the Italian name! I’m Italian, too . . .

  5. What a blessing HWR has become in my life. I’ve only been with P&P for less than a year. I was blessed to have Tonya Lucas introduce me to P&P and the wonderful world of HWR. I haven’t been fortunate enough to have read many of you ladies books yet. My go to philly and blessing to my life other than Tonya is Linda Broday! That very first book that Tonya sent me was Linda’s To Love A Texas Ranger and I was hooked. It’s hard to believe that that was at the end of October last year and I’m now on my 72nd book. I hadnt read in decades because of poor concentration and depression brought about by MS. Wow! (72nd) I’ve been fortunate enough to have won many books in your contests but I’ll have to admit that I haven’t read the ebooks yet. Another one of your P&P fans is sending me an e-reader so hopefully that will change soon. I’ve been stuck in old school reading Paper books. I’ve enjoyed P&P and HWR immensely and I learn more from them than a school ever taught me about history, especially about the Indians! Thank you to all you Phillies! Keep on writing and entertaining us!

    • Stephanie, I am so glad I reached out and sent you Linda’s book and it has fulfilled your life the same way books have filled mine.
      I’m super excited you’re getting an e-reader from my friend Cricket, you’re in for some fantastic reading from the books you’ve already won. Skies the limit with these wonderful fillies!

  6. Happy birthday y’all! 10 years sure goes fast. When I think back on what I was doing 10 years ago, I can’t think of anything different that I was doing then that I don’t do know. My life has pretty much stayed the same. I can’t remember exactly when I joined, but I have been a follower of your blog for years. I originally joined because I follow one author and I have found so many more fabulous authors because of her. Keep up the good work!

  7. Good morning and Happy Anniversary once again! Ten years ago and I was a public librarian and we had just moved into a new building on June 6 of 2007. We had worked so hard to get there and we were so proud to have more room and a chance to offer more services to our patrons. I only discovered P&P about 6 months ago so I have certainly missed a lot of good reading and a tremendous amount of fun. I enjoy learning about all of you different Fillies and how you choose your topics and the research involved. Keep up the fantastic work and thank you for sharing your lives and the talent that God has blessed you with!

    • Thank you for your thoughts, Connie! Librarians are crucial advocates for us authors–I’ve thought about being one many times in my younger days. Funny how 2007 was a year that remains in your memory. Obviously, that new building was very important to you and had found a special place in your memory. We hope we will, too, after we’re gone!

  8. its a great site, I been visiting it maybe for 6 months, my good friend introduced me to it, and I have been picked to win in a few of your contest, and Im getting a chance to read authors I have never read. going to have to get a bigger book shelf for all the newer books I have won and bought. keep up the good work and congrats on the 10 year mark of your blog

  9. Gosh I can’t remember when I discovered P&P it has been several years now. I love the interesting facts shared and the keeping up with the different authors. Happy Anniversary.

    • Yes, the different authors add spice to a site as big as ours–and definitely keeps the place from going stale. I’m delighted you’ve been coming back for so long. Thank you!

  10. Wow 10 years is a long time. I’ve only been here about a year. I found you all through Mary Connealy and I love it. Thank you so much for the fan this past week.

    • Oh, we love our Mary. She’s one of those authors who are truly entertaining. Her perspectives just crack me up. Glad you followed her over here, Hannah. (BTW, I love the name Hannah–it’s the name of the heroine of my best-selling book, HANNAH’S VOW). Shameless plug, I know.

  11. Congratulations on the big 10! I have been visiting P&P for a while and I absolutely love it! Keep on keeping on!

  12. Happy 10 Years ladies. I am not sure how long I have been coming here but I would say its pretty close to your 10 years. This past year or so I have had a lot of issues going on so I haven’t been around as much. I still show up every now and then though. Thanks for the wonderful 10 years.

    • Yes, you’ve been coming our way for many of our ten years. I hope your life is settling down some that you can still visit. Life has a way of throwing us a curve when we least expect it, doesn’t it?

  13. I do believe I was here from the beginning or at least very close to it. I’ve given up most blogs and many have gone by the wayside. Having such a great variety of authors makes this site special. Although I’ve hated to see some go, it’s always great to find new authors. Thanks for keeping things so interesting and for your kindness over the years. Here’s to another 10!!!!

    • Yes, yes! Here’s to another 10! You are right about how some blogs die a slow death, but it’s loyal followers like you who keep us going. You are very special to us.

  14. Ten years – that is so wonderful! Congrats. You all do a fantastic job on providing interesting content and best of all, links to some great books. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to readers, and thanks for promoting the western genre.

  15. No unfortunately I wasn’t following this blog back when it started I only been following a little over 2 yrs and wow I just saw that Patricia Potter is one of the authors on here. I haven’t read any of her books in near 30 yrs but I loved her books bk then!! I started following this blog because of Tonya Lucas she introduced me to Linda Broday books. I absolutely love her books. I love the research that this blog brings to the reader I have learned more American history than I ever did in school from reading Historical Romance. Keep up the great work and happy Anniversary Petticoats and Pistols

  16. Happy anniversary!! It was nice to read about all the wonderful founding authors! I have been a P&P reader for about 5 years now. I LOVE it here. The research, the fun, the history and the glimpses into the author’s lives are what keeps me coming back! Thank you all!!

    • Five years is a long time! Truly amazes me–but it sounds like we’re doing everything right, and I’m thrilled you feel the love for us. We love readers just like you!

  17. Love all the original authors and the new additions. Been here for a lot of years, probably from the beginning. Congratulations and Happy 10th Anniversary!

    • Thank you, Eva! Yes, yours is a familiar name as well, and we are humbled and delighted you are still with us. You are a true friend, and your loyalty means the world to all of us.

  18. I have been a fan of your wonderful site for many years. This informative and fascinating place gives me great enjoyment. Congratulations and many more.

  19. What a wonderful tribute to the original fillies, Pam! I enjoyed reading about them and it was so nice of them to add a little something to this blog of yours today. I’ve only been a filly for about two years, but I learned of P&P way back at the beginning from Stacey Kayne when we were both Golden Heart Finalists. I started reading posts and lurking then. I still remember the first Halloween post when she had a recipe for “witches fingers.” (My boys were at an age to appreciate those!) Karen Kay’s posts on Native Americans have opened my eyes to MANY things that I never learned in school! I so appreciate those.

    Here’s to a fantastic future here at P&P!

  20. Thanks for the past 10 years of great posts which are just so special and unique. Ilove the west and your books are memorable. Happy Anniversary!

  21. Oh my goodness! It’s great to see all of the original fillies!! Thanks Pam Crooks for this remarkable long-sustaining blog. Not only have you made great strides in blogging, the Old West, but your dedication is simply amazing. I truly loved being a part of this group and I’ve made many great friends here. Thanks Friend!! Wishing you all, the very best!

  22. Happy Happy 10th!!! 🙂 I know I have been visiting for years, but not when you all first started! Thanks to all of the Fillies over the years that have shared so much with us! 🙂

  23. When I visit P & P it is always a pleasure to learn more. The history, and research and the lovely author’s backgrounds lend itself to such a great place to explore. Thanks and Happy Anniversary.

    • I have always loved reading about author’s backgrounds, too, Sharon. It makes them more human, somehow, and yet we authors are very much normal people–moms, wives, grandmothers. Yet all different, too. Thank you!

  24. When I was asked to guest blog about 9 years ago, I never thought I’d become a full-fledged Filly. It’s been so exciting and I’ve learned so much from all of the Fillies. As readers, you all have no idea how the Fillies have stuck together and helped one another over the years. We’ve all lost loved ones, had illnesses, and of course our favorite sharing our grandkids as they’ve grown … but our blogs at P&P came foremost. As I’ve said many, many times, there is no way P&P could have been so successful without our readers! It’s you all that made us a site to go to for western romance. I hope we’re all still be writing and together for our next anniversary. Much love to all, Phyliss

  25. Congratulations on 10 years! I believe I began following P&P within this past year. I’m raising a glass of sweet tea to 10 more years! Blessings to you!!!

  26. Congratulations on ten years and thank you for such a wonderful site! There are such wonderful blogs to learn about so many interesting things as well as terrific books to check out. But best of all are the truly wonderful people the authors here are. I consider it a great blessing the day I found and brought Petticoats & Pistols and all the authors into my daily life. God Bless you all.

  27. Have only been reading your blog a couple of months but have loved what I have read. And what a variety of authors you started with and who you have now. Congrats on ten years.

  28. Pam, I apologize for not dropping by today. I was out of pocket all day. I love the blog and seeing these old friends I’d forgotten about. My gosh, I look young! I wish I looked half that good now. Great post. Here’s to another 10 years! I’ll be around and I hope you are too.

  29. Oh, man, those original graphics bring back lots of fun memories ? Strange how ten years can also feel like yesterday. Thank you for the flashback, Pam! And thank you to all the fillies for your fun and informative contributions that continue bring a dash of joy and western flair into our lives. Cheers, y’all!!

  30. I’ve been visiting for a few years. Jane Porter invited me to one of her posts, and I’ve been visiting since then.

  31. I really don’t remember how long ago I was lucky enough to find P & P, but I am certainly glad I did. I am pretty sure it has been at least 5 years if not a bit longer. I don’t think Patricia Potter was still with the Fillies when I started following you.
    I really enjoy the wide variety of posts. I love the posts on research done for books and interesting places and people of the West. A look into what is going on in the lives of you all, makes it more personal and lets us “know” you a bit better. Of course finding out about the books Fillies have out or new ones due out soon is a bonus.
    I like the format and what you are doing. As they say, Don’t mess with success. You have been around and done well for 10 years for good reason. I plan on being around for all of your second decade.

  32. Have been visiting for a couple of weeks now and I enjoy the posts with Western trivia and thoughts from the authors regarding the West, cowboys, etc.
    Fun!

  33. Wow!! A 10yr old blog is almost unheard of!! Congrats for keeping it going!! That’s quite the accomplishment. I think I’ve seen the blog a time or two in the past, but it wasn’t until recently when Tonya L started to share articles with me more often that I’ve paid more attention.

    And I gotta grin at your starting line up — I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Linda virtually and reading her books till this year — but about 4 years ago when I started getting back into the reading scene, I devoured all of Stacey Kayne’s books!! I think I even have a Karen Kay and a Lorraine Heath book or two under my belt!

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