Welcome to Becca Whitham! Today Becca is giving away a print copy of The Cowboy’s Bride Collection, but she won’t be able to mail the book until April. Anticipation is a good thing, right? Join me in welcoming Becca!
I’m exci
ted to be a guest on Petticoats and Pistols today. A big thank you to Karen Witemeyer for hosting me.
My latest release is a novella called “Cowboy Competition” which is part of The Cowboy’s Bride Collection. While researching, I discovered a distressing story about horses starving to death on the Great Plains during the mid-1800’s. The story was connected to the US Cavalry which imported people and horses from all over the country. Born and bred on richer grasses, the horses couldn’t survive on the less nutritious prairie grass so oats and corn were shipped in. If a train carrying the supplemental food was delayed, the horses died. Several solutions were devised. One was to grow corn and oats in Texas, and the hazards these farmers faced are worth a story of their own. The second was to take horses born and bred on the plains and train them to be cavalry horses.
The reaction to this second idea was mixed, and that’s what I used in my
story. My hero, Toby, is certain the army will pay fistfuls for trained horses that can survive without supplemental oats and corn. The fastest and cheapest way to start was to round up wild mustangs who roamed the plains. My heroine, Nia, thinks Toby’s loco because mustangs are called wild for a reason! If you’ve ever seen a bronco busting rodeo event, you understand why Nia was concerned.
History records that, starting in 1849, the army began to purchase prairie bred horses—as many as they could get their hands on. Bronco busting became big business. (Try saying that five times fast!) So Toby was right. But Nia was right, too. Not everyone can tame a wild mustang. It takes a very special person to do it. If you don’t believe me, here’s a link to a movie called Wild Horse, Wild Ride.
The enduring appeal of a cowboy is centered on a man tough enough to tame a wild mustang but gentle enough to earn its trust. These men are the stuff of legend…and romance.
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Becca Whitham (WIT-um) is a multi-published author who has always loved reading and writing stories. After raising two children, she and her husband faced the empty nest years by following their dreams: he joined the army as a chaplain, and she began her journey toward publication. Becca loves to tell stories marrying real historical events with modern-day applications to inspire readers to live Christ-reflecting lives. She’s traveled to almost every state in the U.S. for speaking and singing engagements and has lived in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Alaska. Website.
Welcome to Petticoats and Pistols, Becca! I love the sound of your story!
Thanks, Faith! The entire collection is full of cowboy stories so, if you like the sound of mine, you’d probably enjoy the entire collection.
Welcome Becca! Never knew horses could have such a finicky diet. Your book sounds very interesting.
Thanks Geralyn! I’m a “city slicker” so I didn’t know about the diet thing, either. (You should have seen me wading through a field of cows so I could actually get close enough to touch a hide. Goodness, the things we do for research. LOL!)
You book sounds very interesting
Thanks Janine.
Thanks for the research! It makes the story more real and therefore more appealing! I would love to catch up on life while taking a research trip with you. Coming to northeast side of Atlanta anytime soon?
Well…I’m in Augusta right now without a car. Any chance you wanna head my way? I’d love to go Antebellum Mansion exploring.
ooo I love what you said – “The enduring appeal of a cowboy is centered on a man tough enough to tame a wild mustang but gentle enough to earn its trust. These men are the stuff of legend…and romance.”
And that sentence literally came out of my fingers without my brain engaging…almost.
This book sounds really good. I’ll check out the link when I have time to watch it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Naomi. We were having a little trouble with the link, so if it’s not working when you get back, copy and paste this one: http://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Bride-Collection-Historical-Romances/dp/1634095251/
Wow, I never knew about the problem with importing US cavalry horses. Thank you for sharing your research and writing a story about solving the problem with mustangs. It sounds great! My neighbors will likely be interested too because they have quarterhorses, that are thoroughbred and mustang mixes I’ve been told.
My daughter actually found that little research tidbit. It’s somewhat amazing to me that, after I’ve already got a story going, I find historical facts that enhance it. I’d be curious to hear what your neighbors say about the thoroughbred-mustang mix.
Love this! I can’t wait to read it. 🙂
And I had no clue horses starved. That makes me want to do more research of it all.
Here’s the link I found, Susan: http://www.thc.state.tx.us/historic-sites/fort-griffin/history/horses-and-mules-fort-griffin. I’m not sure how much more you’ll find, but good luck.
Horses are always a fascinating topic to add to a romance – sounds good!
Thanks! You’ll have to tell me what you thought of it after you read it. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing with us today… enjoyed your post!
Thanks Colleen. It’s a privilege to be on P&P!
Welcome to wildflower Junction, Miss Becca! Loved hearing about your research and the way your story took shape. Kudos to your husband for taking a risk with the Army. My son (Air Force) has nothing but wonderful things to say about how grounded and helped he was by the A.F. chaplain–barbecues and Bible study at the man’s home and everything. It really helped him through his military time. Your link worked fine for me! I’d never heard of the 100-Day challenge! Very intersting info! Best wishes on your newest book!
Thanks Kathryn. My hubby LOVES being a chaplain. We jokingly call it his “mid-life crisis”!! Glad the link worked, but I don’t know what you mean by the 100-Day challenge.
Oh…wait…you’re talking about the 100 days to train the 100 wild horses. Yes! That was very interesting!!
Thank you for the giveaway!
You’re welcome!
Thank you for the interesting blog. Cannot wait to read your story.
Thanks Mary B. I look forward to hearing what you think of it when you finish.
Thank you for your great post, Becca, and welcome!
Thanks Melanie. Happy to be here!!
Your book sounds really good Becca, I can’t wait to read it.
Thanks Gail. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks so much for sharing your interesting research, Becca! I can’t wait to read this collection!
Thanks Britney. It’s a really good collection (if I do say so myself!). 🙂
It certainly makes sense to use horses that are acclimated to the area. The mustangs were/are tough, resilient horses and perfect for they type of use the cavalry needed them for. The best for “breaking” horses are those who can train them without breaking their spirit.
I enjoy anthologies. They provide good stories that are quick reads. They offer a nice variety of stories and writing styles. Brides are always a good subject.
It does make sense, Patricia, but it wasn’t something I was actively thinking about when I started the story. It was fun to find an historical tidbit that perfectly coordinated after I’d begun writing.
Thank you for sharing. I wasn’t aware of this part of our history. I would love to win a copy of this book. It sounds great.
Thanks Susan. My favorite part of writing is the research. I find so many interesting facts that I can bring to life through fiction (which is my favorite way to learn history).
What a gorgeous palomino! Sorry, I just had to say that. I find even thinking about training raw horses send me running (the other way). They didn’t have cell phones or 911 in those days or what we know as First Aid today. Perhaps I belong in the East after all. Thanks for a great post!
You are a woman after my own heart, Whitney! Call me a city-slicker all you want, I’m still not getting on a TAME horse.
I’ve always loved horses and cowboys, so this is the book for me! Sounds wonderful! Great blog post!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Susan in NC
It certainly is the book for you, Susan! There are nine stories in the collection and, though I enjoyed them on varying levels, I think all of them are good.
I already have the book and I loved your story, Becca. Great characters!
Coming from you, Davalynn, that’s a great compliment. (Shhh…don’t tell anyone, but I thought your story was the best of the bunch!!)
Hi Becca- Welcome to P&P….your upcoming book sounds awesome. Thank You for a chance to win a copy. Cowboys & horses, what’s not to love. Looking forward to your book it sounds really good.
Thanks for the warm welcome, Lois. I’m enjoying my first time here at P&P.