What a fun visit! Thank you, Miss Lauralyn, for coming with such an inspiring post.
The Drawing is knocking on my door……….
One commenter will receive a copy of The Teacher’s Mending Heart!
And the Winner is……………
KARIN
Yee-Haw! Congratulations, Karin. Now watch for Miss Lauralyn’s email.
When Petticoats & Pistols invited me to guest post, I laughed a little. My novel doesn’t take place beneath the big skies of Texas or Wyoming—it unfolds among the ridges and hollers of Appalachian Tennessee. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized Appalachian and Western communities have more in common than we often think.
What is it we love about Western novels? The rural setting. Frontier life. Strong family and community ties. Traditional values. Characters overcoming hardships. And yeah, the cowboys are pretty cool.
The Appalachians may not be the American West, but both places share a common spirit—a spirit of independence, resilience, and community. Maybe that’s what we love about Western stories in the first place. It’s not necessarily the landscape. It’s the people.
That’s what my books are about. My other series is Western. This series is Appalachian. The locations are different, but the spirit is the same.
In my upcoming novel, The Teacher’s Mending Heart, both main characters face struggles that require grit and determination to see them through. Bethany Astor, a nurse who served overseas during World War I, moves to the Tennessee town of Laurel Ridge at the request of the Red Cross to serve a community torn apart by the war and other tragedies. While she wants to heal others, her own heart is in need of healing. Her fiancé was killed in the war and she closed herself to love. She just didn’t count on Dylan Harper, the town schoolteacher haunted by a terrible accident that took a student’s life and left him with a limp. He’s a bit of a golden retriever in contrast to Bethany’s level-headed calm. Her skill as a masseuse pulls them closer together and allow them to form a friendship.
Resilience is the characteristic that both characters demonstrate most. Both have something to lose if they give in to their feelings. For Bethany, it’s saying goodbye to her fiancé and the life she dreamt they’d have. Dylan has to let go of his feelings of unworthiness and open his heart.
They can’t do it alone, and that’s where the community comes in. The town is fighting for its survival, just as Bethany and Dylan are fighting their own battles. Friends offer support and love, sometimes tough love. The town council, of which Dylan is a part, works tirelessly to save Laurel Ridge. While shops are closing and people are moving away, the council knows Laurel Ridge can be saved. They do all they can to make sure their beloved town survives, all while loving their neighbors and relying on God’s help to get them through.
Maybe that’s why I don’t think you need a cowboy—or even a pistol—to write a story with the spirit of the West. When I first laughed at the invitation from Petticoats & Pistols, I was thinking about geography. Tennessee isn’t Montana. Appalachia isn’t the frontier West. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized the heart of these stories isn’t about where they happen. It’s about the people who refuse to give up, the communities that rally around them, and the hope they find in one another. And that’s something we can all relate to—Western or otherwise.
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/1963212819?tag=pettpist-20
I’ll be giving away an e-book copy of The Teacher’s Mending Heart to someone who comments on this post. Sound off below, and let me know your thoughts—what is it you love about the spirit of the West? Do you think that spirit applies to other stories?
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Thanks for reading! God bless.
Lauralyn
Thanks for playing my puzzles yesterday. I hope you had as much fun as I did.
I drew a winner at random, and a big YeeHaw goes to:
Laura
Congratulations, Laura!
I sent you an email this morning with instructions for claiming your Beauty & the Beast playing cards. I hope you have many fun game nights with them. 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
September 11, 2001, was a horrible day for America.
I remember vividly. I was taking my youngest daughter to school, and the report about two planes ramming into the World Trade Center came over the car’s radio.
“Terrorists,” I muttered under my breath.
The word came out of its own accord. It hadn’t been determined who flew into the Towers yet, but that instinct rose up fast. Who else would do such a terrible thing?
I returned home, turned on the television, and those horrible videos of smoke and debris, people running with terror on their faces, skyscrapers falling behind him, the unutterable destruction….they rose up and planted themselves in our memories.
Another daughter called me, horrified, and we cried on the phone together. Never before had our nation been attacked like this. It was incredibly frightening. New York was so far away, but would our Mideastern city be targeted next?
In the days, months, and years that followed, patriotism soared, but Americans grieved, too. Deeply. Some prayed. Some served. Some donated money, food, time, or blood.
And some saddled horses.
While sitting in his office, Tim Myers, an Oklahoma cowboy, stared at a picture of Pawnee Bill, a Wild West showman. An unusual inspiration took hold of him and wouldn’t let go. He needed to fulfill a journey–and he needed to do it on horseback.
Tim and three cowboy friends set off on their journey on April 19, 2002, the anniversary of the Alfred P. Murrah Building bombing in Oklahoma City. They hoped to arrive at Ground Zero on the first anniversary of the attacks with a powerful mission to see the places ravaged by terrorism and to honor those who had been lost.
Ride 4 America had launched.
The 1,400 mile journey was not easy. Or fast. The cowboys wakened at 6 a.m., saddled their horses at 7 a.m., and were on the road by 8 a.m. Riding 4 mph for
seven hours, they covered 15-20 miles each day.
Grueling, to say the least.
They rode through rain–days and days of rain–long roads, unfamiliar country, all with the deep exhaustion that comes from riding so many miles in the saddle. They missed their homes, their jobs, their families.
The money they had hoped to raise didn’t come through, either. They needed $5,000 a month to be able to keep riding. The horses ate 100 lbs of feed every day. The scholarship fund they hoped to build for the children whose parents were killed in the Oklahoma City bombing and the September 11 attacks wasn’t as generous as they’d wanted.
But they were undeterred. They kept going, day after day. Each of them represented a terrorist attack: the Oklahoma City bombing, Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania, Flight 77 that hit the Pentagon, and flights 11 and 175 that destroyed the Twin Towers.
A riderless horse led the cowboys and represented our nation’s great loss of life. The saddle was decorated with a flag, a firefighter’s hard hat, police and firefighters’ badges, and a pair of firefighter boots in the stirrups.
Boy, if that wouldn’t make you weep, what would?
At last, they reached the Washington, D.C., area and held a simple ceremony near the Pentagon before they continued their way to New York City in time for the one-year anniversary at Ground Zero.
It’s been 25 years now. I’d like to think our country is stronger for its loss, and with only hours left before the 25th anniversary, may we always remember the lives taken. May we forever honor the brave. May we never take our freedoms for granted.
God bless America.
Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001?
Is your community helping you remember that fateful day with ceremonies or other activities?
If you’re feeling patriotic and want some feel-good sweet romance that is all about love and country, check out our PETTICOATS & PATRIOTS SERIES!
She’s lived with his name for three years. He’s never known hers. Until they meet.
Jackie Sinclair is good at what she does–flying airplanes during the Korean War. But when she makes a mistake that will haunt her forever, she’s determined to build a new life of peace and freedom in Nebraska. Except she comes face-to-face with Beckett J. Archer, the soldier she had failed so terribly, and her hopes for a new future threaten to fall apart.
Beck has returned to heal at the one place that means more to him than anything else–his father’s ranch. The memories of war have left their mark, but the brave and beautiful woman who lands in his life–literally–stirs up feelings he never expects, especially when an old family legacy threatens to drive them apart.
As trouble closes in from every side, Beck and Jackie are drawn together by danger, duty, and a growing love neither of them can deny.
Howdy!
Yes, indeed. A drawing was done and the winner of the free book, OUR ENEMY BRINGS CHANGE, is :
ALICE
Congratulations Alice! Many thank you’s go out to all of you who came to the blog yesterday and who left a comment. I loved them all!
Historical romance author Lauralyn Keller has rounded the bend and will be here Friday, September 11, 2026!
I wonder how you really define the Spirit of the West. Hmmm. Miss Lauralyn will talk about this Friday. What is the Spirit of the West you?
She’s bringing an ebook copy of her new book The Teacher’s Mending Heart. Yippee!
Your job is to hitch up the wagon and get over here to help us welcome her.
Only those who comment on her Friday post will get to enter the giveaway!!
Today, we’re celebrating all things To Love a Beast.
~ Goodies ~
My western retelling of Beauty & the Beast has been honored with several awards this season, including winning the Golden Scroll award for 2026 Western Novel of the Year and the Will Rogers Medallion for Best Western Romance. These goodies are fun for me, but I have one that I hope will be fun for you.
To Love a Beast is now on sale for only $2.49! Click on the image to purchase on Amazon.
~ Games ~
How about a few puzzles to enhance the festive spirit?
Let’s start with a jigsaw puzzle.
If you enjoy word searches, click the image to play (the puzzle will open in a new window).
~ Giveaway ~
Leave a comment with your finish time for one or both of the games, and you will be entered to win these super fun, stained glass inspired Beauty & the Beast playing cards.
Howdy!
Welcome to a new and beautiful Tuesday! I hope you and yours are doing wonderfully on this bright day in September (it’s supposed to be sunny here where I live).
My goodness, but there is lots going on these last few months with three new books (two of them novellas) and four of my backlist books being reissued by my new Publisher, OHB.
This newly released book is book #3 in The Untamed Frontier Series and is entitled, OUR ENEMY BRINGS CHANGE. It is a Young Adult Book. Also, on the 15th of September, the last book in The Lost Clan Series, book #4 in the series, THE LAST WARRIOR releases.
And so, let me begin with the newest release, OUR ENEMY BRINGS CHANGE and tell you a little about the book. Now, I write these Young Adult books under the pen name of Genny Cothern. Below and off to the left is the new cover for the book.
There’s a lot I like about this new cover for the book. First, I think it is one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever had. Second, I love that the Montana landscape, as well as the Blackfeet encampment are so beautifully depicted. The cliffs, the mountains in the background are what you might see if you were to go to Montana today. And then there’s the way he’s dressed…his clothing looks quite authentic.
So let me post a blurb of the book and then an excerpt:
Our Enemy Brings Change
A spellbinding and sweet Native American historical romance for Young Adults featuring two people who are friends, but who must not fall in love with each other.
What Will Happen When We Give Our Enemy His Life?
When Starling Nelson begs Good Eagle—her best friend and partner— to spare the life of an enemy, little does she know how this one single action might affect her life. For a year now, Starling has realized her friendship with Good Eagle has blossomed into love. But, because Good Eagle’s heart belongs to another, she has learned to ignore the rapid beating of her own heart whenever Good Eagle is near.
Good Eagle finishes the fight the young Nez Perce warrior started and grants the warrior his life, but only because his partner, Starling, insists upon it. But when the Nez Perce warrior offers a piece of advice to Good Eagle, it has the effect of changing not only Good Eagle’s mind-set about love, it might very well change his life forever.
But, there are doubts about a happy ever after for Good Eagle and Starling, because, though Good Eagle’s past love is no longer alive, in spirit she still haunts him.
Can Good Eagle and Starling win against the supernatural? Or will this one chance at love fail, separating them forever?
Perfect for Readers who love
** A haunted hero and a beautiful “off limits” friend
** Sweet Native American Historical Romance
** Adventure and sweet love in the Old West
** Friends who believe love might destroy their honor
And now for an excerpt of the book:
OUR ENEMY BRINGS CHANGE
By
Karen Kay writing as Genny Cothern
CHAPTER ONE
Indian Territory
The Moon of Flowers, Summer
1849
“Saa, no, please do not kill him!” cried out my partner, Kills-the-bear-woman, I’nit kiááyo aakíí, or for short, Kiayo’aki, Bear Woman. She reached out toward me where I was sitting on my horse and placed her hand upon my shooting arm, but I didn’t look at her or at her hand. I dared not take my attention off of my enemy.
At a distance only a horse trot away, the man had, just a moment before, stepped out from a forest of pines. He hadn’t yet seen us. But, I knew at once he was an enemy warrior, but from what tribe was he? I did not recognize the manner in which he wore his hair, nor the pattern of the bead work upon his clothing and leggings.
I prepared myself for battle, and, as I did so, I felt the blood rush through my body, giving me strength.
“Do you know what tribe he is?” Kiayo’aki asked me.
“No.” Quickly I made the sign for the word, but I did not look at her. I had eyes only for my enemy.
In less time than it takes to observe it, I saw the sun was still rising up toward its zenith, and thoughts flashed through my mind in rapid succession. Kiayo’aki and I had left Fort Benton in the darkness of the early hours, I being her partner, but I was also responsible for her safety, she being my almost-sister and younger than I. On the previous evening, we had decided to journey to the Upper Two Medicine Lake this day in search of a better hunting ground.
Niitá’p, the game close to the fort was gone for now, hunted out. And, this being so, we had decided to travel farther away, toward one of my tribe’s favorite camping spots, the Two Medicine. We had last night decided we would even journey into the Backbone-of-the-world Mountains (the Rockies). But, only if we had to.
Luckily, it was unnecessary. Our decision to come closer to the Two Medicine area had been a good one, and we had been in the act following the trail of several buffalo when out from the forest, stepped this man, who was only now discovering the two of us. I watched as he quickly drew his bow and an arrow from his quiver and placed the arrow in a position to shoot. I raised my gun and sighted him.
“Almost-brother, I beg you, do not kill him.”
“Are you mad?” I practically shouted the words at her in reaction. “If I do not kill him, he will surely murder us both. While I do not care if he kills me, I care about what he might do to you!”
“Please! Do not kill him!” she begged me again. “Have mercy! Why, he looks to be the same age as we are. Truly, he is too young to die.”
She was right of course. But, her words faded into nothing when the chance to give the youth quarter faded. The young man was afoot, while both Kiayo’aki and I were mounted upon our ponies. Because the youth was clearly at a disadvantage—and perhaps it was because of this—the young man shot off a deadly arrow directly at me.
The shot missed me, and, seeing this, my enemy began to sing the strange melody of a song, perhaps his death song, as he quickly drew out another arrow in preparation.
However, my response to the coming fight was not my concern over the fight ahead of me, but rather, it was one of worry for my partner, and I shouted at Kiayo’aki, “You are to go back to camp at once and tell your uncle what has happened here.”
She didn’t answer.
“Did you hear me?”
“I heard you,” she answered back, her voice loud to my ears. “But I will not go there. It would take me too long to get there even at a run. And, by the time I would be able to return here, either you or the young enemy would be dead. No, I think I will stay here with you.”
I didn’t respond to her nor to the enemy…at least not right away. I pushed my rifle into position to get the best shot at the young man, and slowly I walked my pony forward. The youth, however, didn’t wait. Quickly, he set another arrow into position and was about to shoot when I pulled the trigger of my musket, my aim being to wound the young warrior in his shooting arm. In this way, I would not kill the youth, but he would also not be able to take another shot at me or my partner.
Looking forward, I could see the ball sail straight into my enemy’s right arm, and, at the same time, I beheld the enemy youth fall down to his knees.
While observing all this, I listened as my partner muttered, “Thank you, Good Eagle, for not killing him.”
I didn’t answer her.
I watched as the enemy’s arm fell useless at his side and his bow, along with its arrow, dropped to the ground. But, this youth was not a coward, and, with his other arm, he pulled his knife out from the belt around his waist. Then, though he was still on bended knees, he waited for what he probably thought would be the death blow from me.
Immediately, because a musket can only fire one shot, I grabbed hold of my own bow from its case upon my back and, just as swiftly, fitted an arrowto it. I didn’t let the arrow fly. It was there, instead, as a threat as I continued to slowly walk my pony toward this foe.
“Please, do not kill him!” Kiayo’aki cried out again.
“He started it!” I shouted back at her. Still, I knew I would not kill this warrior if I could avoid it. And, this was because I respected my partner’s wishes probably more than my own life. “Besides,” I added, “he has drawn his knife and intends to kill me.”
“But we are two and he is only one. Perhaps we have only frightened him, and this has caused him to draw his knife.”
I didn’t answer. My attention was on the coming fight.
Still, by my actions, I hoped to give the youth the impression that I would show him mercy. Niitá’p, though my actions were not swift as I jumped down from my seat upon my pony, the youth suddenly fell forward and lay there upon the ground as though he were dead.
Meanwhile, I stepped toward the young man, pointing my arrow straight at this enemy while I paced toward him. Coming down onto my knees beside the man, I turned him over and examined first the enemy’s chest to ensure he was still alive and breathing, and then I looked at his wound.
Kiayo’aki had followed me and was the first to speak, and she said, “He is still alive. But, he is hurt. I believe he has only fainted. And, I think his arm is broken. Come, help me to wash his wound and dress it and then assist me to take him back to camp. Please have pity upon him and let him live, I beg you.”
“As you ask, so will I do and he shall live,” said I.
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Well I hope you enjoyed the excerpt.
Here is the link to the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HG88KVRV?tag=pettpist-20
And now for even more news:
The last book in The Lost Clan Series will be releasing soon, next Tuesday. Below is the cover of this fourth and last book in this series, THE LAST WARRIOR. This book is on a Presale and you can pick up your copy of it here: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Warrior-Lost-Clan-Book-ebook/dp/B0H7TD5VR7/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&sr=1-1&tag=pettpist-20
Also, I am looking for reviewers. if you would like to review either of these books, please let me know in the comments.
Well that’s all for today. Hope you have a beautiful and wonderful day today and for the rest of the week, also. Don’t forget to leave a comment. I’ll be giving away a free e-book of OUR ENEMY BRINGS CHANGE to one of the bloggers here today.
Today we honor the dedication, commitment, perseverance, and heart you bring to your work every day. Labor Day is a reminder that every achievement is built on the foundation of hard work. Your efforts make a difference—thank you for all you do.
Wasn’t Miss Michele great? I loved talking about horses and cowboys of course. 🙂
Now the the Drawing………….
One commenter will get Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy and two other get one of her backlist! Yeehaw!
And the Winners are:
GINNI SELBY – Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy
MOLLY E. and JACKIE WISHERD get one of her backlist.
Yippee! Congratulations, Ladies!!! Now watch for Miss Michele’s email. Check Spam if you don’t see it.