Howdy Petticoats and Pistols Readers!
I am absolutely thrilled to have an opportunity to chat with ya’ll – as well as share my first ever Historical Western Romance. You see, I spend most of my time writing sweet love stories set in the English Regency. That’s the Jane-Austen-era for those unfamiliar. But the truth is that my first love in the world of romance is Inspirational Historical Westerns. In fact, it was Karen Witemeyer’s “Archer Brother” series that brought me back to that love only a few years ago.
As a girl from Texas, descended from ranchers and farmers alike, when I started writing I knew that I’d have to tell a story set under a big blue western sky. I grew up on Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey, and Janette Oke. When I began my writing journey, I was fortunate enough to move to Arizona for five lovely years. Years spent reading about the local history, visiting historic Tombstone, and falling in love with the clear night sky.
This is where my novel takes place, near present-day Fort Huachuca, and not far from Tombstone. I found this area gorgeous, as it’s surrounded by tree-covered mountains. When most people think about Arizona, picture a desert with saguaro cacti as the only sign of life.
But Arizona is incredibly diverse in its plant and animal life. Living there made me love it.
The setting for my book is loosely based on the historic Empire Ranch, which was founded by an Englishman and Canadian in the 1870’s. I was fortunate enough to tour and explore as it’s still a working ranch! And the Englishman involved in getting it started left a wonderful legacy of letters home to England, full of his Arizona adventures. This collection of letters inspired me to do something a little different with my hero.
Evan Rounsevell is an Englishman who attended the Buffalo Bill shows put on for Queen Victoria’s court, and became so fascinated with the American West that he dreamed of running off to be a cowboy. When the opportunity to make a dash across the Pacific comes, Evan jumps aboard a ship with the goal of walking the path of Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill. Except Arizona isn’t the lawless place it used to be, and Evan runs out of money and into trouble.
Thankfully, he meets my heroine, Daniella Bolton. With great reluctance, she gets him a position on her dad’s ranch, and Evan’s dreams become reality. A reality that is difficult, dirty, and full of its own troubles. But Evan finds himself falling in love with the Arizona sunsets and the woman who took a chance on an English stranger.
In my book, Silver Dollar Duke, the ranch is named after the founder, who is the father of the heroine. It’s the KB Ranch. I really enjoyed bringing the characters and ranch to life.
What do you expect from a book set in this part of the country?
Writing a Historical Western Romance challenged me, since I’m more used to stories involving our fictional friends across the pond, but it was a labor of great love.
I’d love to know what you think of the novel, of Arizona, and of a Regency author trying something new. Please drop some comments! I’d love to chat with you lovely readers.
Thank you for spending time with me today!
P.S. Oh – and I’m putting together a giveaway! The lovely hosts here at Petticoats & Pistols have offered to run it for me. I’ll be giving away TWO signed copies of my book, Silver Dollar Duke, And a grand prize gift box with some Western-themed goodies to ONE lucky winner. Socks. Pens. Candy. Yes. I know I had you at candy. That’s the grand prize. To clarify: Three prizes. One big winner. Two winners of signed paperback copies of my book!
Silver Dollar Duke is available NOW in paperback and will release on March 1st, 2021, as an ebook on Amazon.
I enjoy both Regencies and westerns, so I would love to win a copy of your first western. I would treasure a signed, print copy, but because of vision problems, if I read it, I would need a Kindle edition unless your book is large print.
Kindle Editions are totally an option. 🙂
Hi Sally! I adore your regency romances so much and I was so excited you would be making a guest post. I just finished reading ‘Rescuing Lord Inglewood’ and it was the sweetest and now I can’t decide which of your books I love the most. It was so raw and perfect. I am so intrigued by The Silver Dollar Duke, I think it’s so great you’re going into the western genre as well, and I can imagine this new book is going to be wonderful. Your characters always have such depths and they feel so real and so genuine.
Thank you for all your kind words, Daniyah! 🙂 Rescuing Lord Inglewood was one of the most difficult books I’ve ever written due to the emotion involved. It probably has more of me in it than any of my other books. 😉 Silver Dollar Duke has been a labor of love for several years – which makes it the book I’ve worked on the longest. I hope you enjoy it as much as you have the Regency works!
Sounds like a good read.
Thank you! I hope it will be. 🙂
I love Regency romance and Western romance and when they’re mixed, it’s such a pleasure to read. Your books sound wonderful. And I love the authenticity of you knowing the area of the setting for the Western romance.
Happy writing!
It’s a really unique circumstance, being able to live in the same area that I’m writing about. At least for me! I’m used to writing about England – a place I’ve only been in my dreams. But this–this was such a special thing to do. I hope you enjoy the book!
I love both Regency and Westerns. It is great you do not have to limit yourself.
It truly is wonderful to be able to write in more than one genre. I hope I do the Arizona desert justice in this one. Thank you for your comment!
I love to read Cowboy stories and have been to AZ several times – yes the landscape there is breath takingly beautiful
I’m so glad you found that to be true! I was surprised by how much I came to love it, when I’d grown up in a much greener part of the world. But nothing beats those sunsets in AZ.
I have never been to Arizona, but I have seen so many pretty pictures of the state and would love to visit one day. The combination of a western and regency is always an interesting mix. I look forward to reading you book.
It’s really a Victorian/Regency, given the year is 1895. Thankfully, I know enough about all three eras (I HOPE) to give the story and characters a lovely authentic feel. I hope you enjoy it!
Hi, Sally, and welcome to P&P! I love your Regency novels, and I just recently read and loved A Haunting at Havenwood. And now — a Victorian gentleman turns Cowboy?! I can’t wait to read all about Evan and Donnie in Silver Dollar Duke.
Sorry, that should be “Dannie” not “Donnie.”
Thank you so much for your kind words! And yes – I love taking something about a genre I love and giving it the tiniest twist. Ghosts in a Regency romance? Yes! Victorian gentleman playing cowboy?! Of course!!! I hope you love it!
When I think of Arizona I think of hot and dry climate. I have never been there. I think the idea of throwing an English character into the Wild West is a good one! The story sounds intriguing!
I was VERY inspired when I read the letters of an Englishman in Arizona. I ALMOST used part of that Englishman’s name, too, but I thought I would spare readers. The real Englishman who went to Arizona to begin a ranch was named Herbert R. Hislop! I hope you enjoy this story, and the dry climate, and the wet monsoons!
Great post Sally and its nice to meet you. I have not read your work before but looking forward to it. I enjoy reading both Regency and Western so this one sound awesome.
I find a lot of Regency fans love Westerns! I know that was how I felt, when I only read the books instead of trying my hand at writing them. I’ve truly loved both genres and I hope that love comes across in my books. Thank you for your comment!
I read a variety of books, but my heart always trails back to historical western romance. The pictures you shared are awesome! I can’t imagine what an opportunity it was for Evan to land a cowboy job on such a fine ranch. What do I expect in this book? I love horses, cattle, dogs, cats, a veranda on the front of the house, chuck wagon, hard working and relentless cowboys fulfilling their dreams. Oh, and quiet nights underneath the clear blue sky. I’m already dreaming of reading your new book! Thanks for coming today.
Hi Kathy! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. And yes – we have everything but the cats in this book. I figured I’d save them for another time. Fun bit of trivia: The cattle dogs in this book are what we now call Australian Shepherds. Because that particular breed was actually developed in the American West – modern day Arizona/New Mexico. And I have a sweet little Aussie who inspired the idea to put them into this book. 🙂
So happy to have you join us, Sally! Regency and Western are my two favorite romance genres, so I’m thrilled to welcome you over to the Cowboy side. 🙂
I cannot even begin to say how honored I am to receive such a welcome. 🙂 Thank you for writing your incredibly uplifting books. I’m most grateful for them.
Congratulations on writing a new genre. And congratulations on your new book. This sounds wonderful. A duke working on a ranch. I would love to read it. And as far as you being a regency author writing a different genre, I think it is fabulous when the author wants to stretch themselves a little. You have things that you can bring to historical books that will make them that much more special. I also grew up on those books, as well as the Sacketts. I suppose living on a ranch in CA it was only natural. I love animals and yes I loved the dessert, It really is diverse. I think that is what makes it so beautiful. I really love it when an author takes special care to do the extra research to make us feel like we are actually in the story.
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Hi Lori! Thank you so much for your encouragement and kind words! Which was your favorite Sackett book? Ride the River is the one I always remember, though I know it’s not especially well known or loved by most of his fans. I think it’s because I read it at the same age as the heroine in the book. This is actually the longest book I’ve ever written, and I think it’s because I so wanted to do justice to Arizona. You’ll have to let me know if I did. 😉
I love both regency and westerns! Your book sounds really good! I look forward to reading it hopefully soon!
Thank you!
I enjoy westerns and more recently have gotten into reading Regency Era fiction, so The Silver Dollar Duke sounds fascinating! (And I also love Zane Grey!)
I think the great thing about Regency AND Western is the complete freedom to explore a by-gone era without having to make the sacrifices of the time period. 🙂 Thank you for your comment!
I am excited for you! From Regency to Western…I love them! And Arizona…. beautiful country! I have visited that state several times and loved every visit.
Hi Melanie! Thank you for sharing in the excitement!
Westerns are captivating and meaningful. The Silver Dollar Duke sounds unforgettable and memorable. I have traveled through Arizona and stopped in Tombstone and Bisbee. What a unique setting to experience. I felt the history and the area is extraordinary. I will be going back since it left me wanting to explore even more.
Bisbee is AMAZING. I think I may have loved it even more than I loved Tombstone – though the Silver Mine tour in Tombstone was super eye-opening. But Bisbee feels like magic, with all those brightly colored houses on stilts up the mountainside. I went into the library – which used to be the post office – and wanted to stay for hours and hours.
Congratulations on your upcoming release! Your books sound like Great reads! Have a Great weekend and stay safe. I enjoyed reading this post.
Thank you for your comment, Alicia! Good luck on the giveaways!
The Regency and Western combination would give me so much enjoyment since this is a wonderful and new appealing story. The idea of a duke in a Western is fascinating and interests me greatly. I love the locale for this story since it is amazing and such a stunning background.
Thank you, Laini! I hope the story brings a lot of different types of readers together – and has something for everyone to enjoy!
Congratulations on this new Western Regency which is a real treasure to enjoy. The title is special and the era and area incomparable. Westerns have always been extremely interesting since they carry me back in time to a place and an era where life was filled with obstacles and strength was required in order to succeed.
Thank you, Sharon! That’s one of the big things I love about the era, too.
This sounds wonderful. A book about Arizona where I grew up.
I have visited Tombstone and the southeastern part of Arizona a lot. It is a different area of Arizona that is considered productive and beautiful.
Can’t wait to read the book.
I visited Tombstone three times while we lived there! And went through Bisbee easily a dozen times. We lived in Douglas and then in Sierra Vista. It’s a gorgeous area. Thank you for your comment!
Congratulations on writing your first Western! I’ve enjoyed your other books, and this one sounds good, too!! It’s definitely a different take, so should be a hit!! I grew up watching westerns, also reading Louis L’Amour’s books. I’ve read Jeannette Oke’s books, too.
Hey Trudy! Thank you so much for your kind words and your comment. I really, really hope it’s a hit. I’ve loved writing it so much and it would just hurt if no one else liked it. 😉 I truly love the West. I hope that’s what comes through most in the book. Make sure you leave a review and let me know what you think. 😉
Hello, Sally! I think it is a fun idea for a grown man to “run away” across the ocean to join the Wild West, but his expected fantasy meets down-to-earth reality.
Oh, and the down-to-earth reality is both better and worse than what he expects!
I love Historical romances in general… both westerns and regency romances are my cup of tea!
Howdy Colleen! And GOOD! I’m hoping I’ll have readers who love both willing to take a chance on this book for me. Thank you!
Hi, Sally! What an interesting post, and weaving that history into Silver Dollar Duke puts it on my TBR list. I grew up in Indiana, so anything past Illinois was West to me and I always loved reading and watching anything about the West. And if readers can cross genres why not writers? A good love story is always worth reading. Congrats on the new book. Looking forward to reading it.
Are you really another Sally? 😉 Thank you for your kind words. I lived in Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Arizona – now I’m in beautiful Oklahoma. I love the West, in every shade and every environment. It’s an exciting thing, to finally write stories that take place under the wide open skies. I hope you enjoy my book!
Yep, another Sally :-). There aren’t that many of us, are there? I grew up with the Western TV shows that are now those great old classics. I still love them, and once I discovered the Petticoats & Pistols group I’ve been hooked on books about the West, too. I love all the research and the facts that are tucked into the stories.
I get excited every time I meet a Sally/ie. It’s a lovely name, and there’s not enough of us. My friend Esther Hatch just released a book with a heroine named Sally, and I’ve been SO grateful for that.
I grew up not knowing anyone else named Sally, and listening to my mother sternly tell people, “No, it is not short for Sarah. Her name is Sally Ann.” The actress Sally Anne (with an e) Howe was the only other person I had ever heard of named Sally. I finally worked with another Sally and when a good friend got married that Sally was there and the groom’s sister was also a Sally. Three of us in one place was amazing ;-).
I’ve met exactly one other Sallie in person. I’m named after a great-great-grandmother. It’s wonderful to meet other Sallys and find out we’ve all had the same experiences with our name!
And had to listen to Little Sally Saucer how many times? 😉
This sounds like a fun book! I love historical westerns and regency stories and have read authors who excel in both genres. I have visited Arizona twice and love it, especially the area around Flagstaff.
Hi Christy! Flagstaff is beautiful! I went to a writing retreat up there in the pines. Gorgeous. I always wanted to spend more time in Sedona, too. I hope you enjoy my book!
I love the strong work ethic of cowboys and the action of the conflicts they faced in the wild west!
From rattlesnakes and cougars to bandits and rustlers! Not to mention the weather… It’s certainly a crazy mixed bag. Thanks for coming to hang out, Heidi. 😉
Congratulations. Love the story plot you described.
Thank you, Julie! I truly hope other have fun reading it!
Hello Sally Welcome to P & P!! Your blog was wonderful and your nook sounds amazing.
Thank you so much, Tonya!
Hey Sally! I love Regency romance! It’s a pleasure seeing you here at P&P.
Well howdy, Caryl! Thank you. I’m delighted to have been invited!
I read the ARC and loved it. Would love to own a paper version though.
Thank you! I’m glad you loved it!!!
I love Louis L’Amour, Arizona, and Sally—so I’m super excited for The Silver Dollar Duke.
Aw…. Thank you so much, Nicole! I’m excited too!!!!!!
I love all your books! So glad you wrote a historical western, that’s my favorite genre after sweet regency romances! I don’t buy paper books much anymore as the ebooks are cheaper but I will probably end up buying this one cause I’ve been so excited about it!
Hi Jennifer!!! Oh, thank you so much for sharing your excitement! I honestly am fit to burst at this point. I want everyone to love this book as much as I loved writing it. Maybe you’ll get lucky and win the giveaway!
I don’t read a lot of Westerns, but this sounds like a fun book. I’ve enjoyed the other books I’ve read by you.
Hey Heidi! I hope you give it a chance. The great thing is that this book will be in Kindle Unlimited, so anyone who uses that subscription service will be able to try it low-risk!
Ooooh, this sounds like a wonderful book!
Thank you! I sure hope everyone thinks so when they read it. 😉
I love that you tried your writing talents for the western genre! I love your Regencies and I’m sure your westerns will be awesome too!! I’d love to read this! And Arizona sounds perfect for a Western, after Texas, lol!
Thanks for the chance at the awesome giveaway!
Hey Paty! Thank you – I’m so glad you’ve been reading the Regency books for a while. I hope you love this one, too. Good luck with the giveaway!
I have a bunch of western Christian fiction romances…and have a lot to still read, of course…and my heart is usually all about regency, but I like to venture out to read all that is available, too! I am in the middle of your backlist enjoying the Inglewood series soooo much right now and follow you on your page but this is the first synopsis I have read of your Silver Dollar Duke…it does sound fun and fascinating and I have it on my wishlist so will get to it eventually! So glad you were able to write your heart in this story and I’m sure us Sally Britton fans will love it! March 1st is almost here!
Thank you SO much for saying such kind things! About Inglewood and your hopes for this book. 😉 It’s always wonderful to know my writing touches others enough that they want more. Thank you! Good luck with the giveaway!
Enjoyed the post today love to see when an author delves in writing in different genres! Sounds like a great read, thanks for the opportunity!
Thank you, Teresa! It’s been an adventure for me, for certain!
I love Sally Britton’s books. I am part way through this book and while it is different than most of her other stories I am enjoying it very much. This post was fun to read as I learned more about Sally while reading it. And P.S. for whoever wins the grand prize, Sally does awesome prize packs.
Hey Karen. 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by and then saying such kind things. I always appreciate seeing your familiar name in all these different bookish places!
I loved your Branches of Love series, and look forward to this new genre for you.
Aw, thank you so much Patty!
Sally, I am so glad you have joined this genre. I love it. I grew up in NV around cowboys, farmers and ranchers. So part of me just gets it. I have started the book and so far it is amaze! Thank you Sally!
Oh, I am SO glad to hear you’re enjoying it! 🙂 Thank you! And yes. There’s just something special about cowboys in the West. 😉
Congratulations on your upcoming release! This book premise sounds so interesting and I look forward to reading it!
Thank you so much Betsy!
This is so exciting! Congratulations on your book. 🙂
I loved it and hope to have it in paperback soon, whether I win this contest or not, I’ll have it on my wishlist for birthdays and holidays for sure. The cover is beautiful and the characters are so wonderful. I honestly couldn’t put it down.
Thanks for branching out and trying something new, I definitely enjoyed it and welcome you to my list of new favorite authors in this genre. I didn’t grow up reading and only recently found this genre so I’m a newbie, but already love it so much.
Keep up the excellent work!
Oh, wow! Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly appreciate it – and knowing you couldn’t put it down!!! Good luck on the giveaway. And thank you again!
This will be so fun! Can’t wait to read!
I hope you love it!
Congratulations on your book I Love reading these genres This book sounds like such a good read Thank You for this amazing giveaway! Blessings to you !
Thank you so much for sharing you time and your talent. Your book sounds fabulous. God bless you.
I love Arizona. But then I am prejudiced since I grew up there and graduated from one of the states top schools, Arizona State University. It is a state with a true Old West history. I am so glad you wrote Arizona into your story. I will be sure to read this book.
I was very impressed with how Arizona as a state honors their history. I found many hidden gems while I researched and lived there. I hope you feel I did it justice when you read Silver Dollar Duke!
Sally, I always love your Regencies, but I enjoyed this Victorian western too. I like the part of Arizona near the Grand Canyon. I’m partial to trees and mountains over desert.
Lisa!!!! Thank you so much for popping by! Good luck on the giveaway!
For this time period and place, I expect the wide stretches of land necessary to have a successful cattle operation. We went to Tombstone and Fort Huachuca a couple of years ago. It is not the wide open area one often thinks of for Westerns. It is a rocky, desert scrub land, where Geronimo and his band of Chiricahua Apache held out for 16 months before finally surrendering to the US Army.
By the time period of your book, I would expect things to be a bit more “civilized” even on remote ranches. Personal comforts like soaking tubs, some indoor plumbing, nice furniture, and good readymade clothing and shoes/boots were easier to get in many areas. That didn’t make the work any easier, especially when it involved riding out to check on the cattle or dealing with a roundup. Even today, it is still hard, dirty work for many even if ATV’s and helicopters have taken the place of horses in some cases. In most cases, I expect the ranch families to be protective of each other and their legacy. They will work hard to make it successful and fight hard to protect it. There will be some ranch hands that consider it home and have a loyalty to the ranch. Others will just be passing through needing a job for a while.
In your story, I expect your Englishman has a romanticized view of American and the West and that it didn’t take long for the real world to intrude. It is still a wonderful place that grows on you, despite the hardships and because of the beauty.
Take care. I hope your book is a big success.
I am so excited for your new book! Thank you for the giveaway!
I love your regency period books and think your idea to combine England with the Western life is brilliant! I can’t wait to read your new book!! ??
Ha ha! Those question marks were supposed to be a heart!
I think it’s wonderful for authors to try new genres. I have only been to Arizona once, for my nephew’s football game. He actually lives in southern Utah, but the game was in Arizona. I have read a few of your books and really enjoyed them. The latest one I read was Penny’s Yuletide Wish, and my favorite so far has probably been Miss Devon’s Choice. I would love to win a prize from you! Super exciting!
Utah is gorgeous, too. And I’m SO glad you love Miss Devon’s Choice! Christian and Rebecca will always be among my favorite characters. Good luck on the giveaway!
I love your books! I’m super excited for this one. I too grew up reading Louis L’Amour books from my grandpa’s stash.
That’s exactly where I got my westerns!!! At least the first bunch. 🙂 Thank you!
Congratulations on your new release! It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Hiiii! Congrats on your new release! Wishing you much success! :S
Hi, Sally! It’s so great to meet you here. I love the amount of research you put into this book and nothing takes the place of first-hand research. You learn things by visiting these places that you cannot learn through books. I wish you much success!! This sounds like a great read!
Never been out West. I also like mail-order bride books, in addition to Regencies. My mother read Westerns, including Louis L’Amour.
Mail Order Bride books are some of my favorites! I had to write some marriage of convenience stories in my Regency books just because I love that idea so much.
Hi Sally! I just wanted to tell you how much I love your style of writing. I have read most of your books and am excited about this new one. I love historical fiction and this one sounds delightful!
Hi Lori! Thank you so much for the compliment. 🙂 I hope this book is as loved.