Meet Mandi Blake, and Hear Her Amazing Journey!

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Hi! I’m Mandi Blake, and I’ve been invited to be a guest author on the blog today.

A little about me…

I write Christian cowboy and small town romance. I live in Alabama where I grew up on a cattle farm. If I’m not reading or writing, I love to travel with my family and explore new places all over the world.

I started writing about six years ago, and I published my first book five years ago. Time is flying on this amazing journey, and I am excited to see what new and wonderful surprises are coming next.

I started off writing small-town romance set in Georgia. It was close to home, and I’m a small town girl through and through.

But once that series was over, I decided to shake things up a bit and write a cowboy series set in Wyoming.

Don’t ask me why. I have no idea why I chose Wyoming. I’d never been there, and I had no plans to go there. Sounds like a challenge, but I was ready to research and see what I could learn. I knew a little about raising cattle. I’d been around it my whole life. I wouldn’t trade growing up on a farm for anything because I had the best childhood.

I wanted that love of the land and hard work to shine through in my stories. The weather isn’t always cooperative in Wyoming, so I assumed an already difficult job had to be ten times harder in the harsh climate.

That was the beginning of the Blackwater Ranch series. Each book followed one of the tough-as-nails Harding brothers, and the last book was about their cousin who also lived on the ranch.

The Blackwater Ranch series was everything I’d hoped it would be and more. I grew so much writing those books. I loved right along with the characters and readers. I met so many people who just happened to pick up the books and like them. Readers became some of my dearest friends.

When the series was over, I wasn’t ready to let go of Blackwater. I immediately started a spin-off series about a dude ranch in the same town, and Wolf Creek Ranch took everything that Blackwater Ranch did for me and quadrupled it. These contemporary Western romances were the stories of my heart, and as they say, the rest is history.

When the Wolf Creek Ranch series came to an end, guess who still wasn’t ready to leave this fictional town of Blackwater. Me!

Through the last twelve books set in this little town, I’d introduced tons of side characters, so I decided to make my next series, the Love in Blackwater series, about some of them.

Since these new books are still so close to the ranches, I get to include my older characters in the newer books!

Y’all, I’m having too much fun.

Have you ever gotten so drawn into a book that you think about the characters when it’s over? My aunt, who is an avid reader, always told me she would envision what the characters might be doing once their story was over.

I get to show readers pieces of the ongoing lives of the characters they’ve known and loved. They sometimes play a big part in other stories, and their “lives” continue long after “The End.”

The first book in the Blackwater Ranch series is Remembering the Cowboy. Noah and Camille’s love story started it all, but even after their happily ever after, we got to see Camille fighting for justice in a courtroom in Better Together, the fourth book in the Wolf Creek Ranch series. We get to see how she juggles a family and a successful career all while being a rock for her friends when they need a hand.

One of my favorite scenes in the book I’m writing now is a wedding where all of the people in town are gathered together. Some of the Hardings have kids! Their fictional lives are being lived in new stories, and I’m so excited for these possibilities.

As something special for you, I’ve put the Blackwater Ranch series on sale. For April 5-6 only, you can get both of the three ebook box sets for this series for 99 cents each (in the US and UK only). You can read the whole series for two dollars or borrow them and read for free in Kindle Unlimited.

I also have a giveaway!

In the comments, tell me about the first book you read that sparked your love of all things Western. One winner will receive a signed paperback copy of the first book in my Blackwater Ranch series, Remembering the Cowboy. I’ll also throw in a matching bookmark and some other little goodies. A winner will be chosen on Sunday, April 7th. This giveaway is open to US residents only.

Thank you so much for having me on the blog today. I hope to “meet” you again sometime.

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99 thoughts on “Meet Mandi Blake, and Hear Her Amazing Journey!”

  1. Hello Mandi- I loved your Wolf Creek book I read, The Inky Exception. I loved the inspiration and Christian faith you intertwine into your books.
    I have visited WY twice and I absolutely love the beautiful terrain and wide open space in the Cowboy state.
    Of course I love all things Cowboy, so my 1st book I read that grabbed my love of reading western romance was Janet Dailey’s Calder Series.
    It’s so great seeing you visiting here and I hope everyone grabs your wonderful series. They will not be disappointed.

    • Thank you so much Tonya! I finally made a trip out to WY last year, and I agree that it is gorgeous!

  5. It’s been so long ago that I don’t remember my first Western. However, I have many of your books and enjoy your writing. I have Remembering the Cowboy, so I’m not entering the drawing.

  6. Hi Mandi – welcome and thank you for visiting today at P & P. I retired 11 years ago and the first books that I read were written by Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, and Janet Dailey. Boy – did my love of historical western romance spark a journey of avid reading over the years. Then some of my favorite authors started writing contemporary romance and another reading journey began! I look forward to getting to know you and your books. Wyoming is a stunning state. My husband and I go to the Big Horn Mountains four wheeling every year. I hope you can visit Wyoming someday.

    • I did make it out to WY last summer, and it was beautiful! I’m so glad you’ve found plenty of western romances to love!

  8. I don’t remember the first western book I read. I think my love of westerns probably started with television and just extended into books.

  9. not a book, as I too grew up on a farm with cattle and horses here in Indiana – what I know and love to read the cowboys now!

  10. Hello Mindi and welcome! I’m also born and raised on a farm in Florida. What an experience! And lived near a small town in north central Florida. I’m small town too! No big cities for this gal! As far as Characters go, I’ve read a few books like that! I love how you get wrapped up on them and want more! Most of the time they are about brothers and how they tease each other. And their humor! I love books with humor in them! I’m hooked on those kind! Wish there were more of them! I love the laughter and a writer with a great sense of humor!

    Your books sound delightful! Best wishes and thanks for stoping by!

  11. Good morning and welcome to P&P! I love cowboy based fiction and would love the opportunity to read one of your books! A giveaway is a great way to find a new author to add to my go-to authors list!

    I was given the opportunity to read To Love A Texas Ranger, the first book in the Men Of Legend series by Linda Broday. This book was the beginning of my refound love of reading after a couple decades of not reading.

    I have MS and I honestly didn’t believe I had the concentration to read. Ms. Linda’s book was the beginning of me reading an average of 100 books per year. Plus she’s now a dear friend!

    • Stephanie, I’m so happy my books have helped you in your MS journey. We share that bond of both struggling with MS and it seems that putting ourselves in other worlds helps immensely. I treasure our friendship.

    • Wow! That’s amazing that you discovered a love for reading! And it’s always a blessing when things lead us to new friends.

  14. It was Constance O’Bannon books that got me into westerns. I have collected all of her books over the years and have them stored away.

  15. The Little House books and TV series and the TV westerns in reruns were my first taste of life in the west and introduction to cowboys, plus we had some Best of the West action figures and horses as kids.

    Didn’t read cowboy romance books till I was an adult.

    • My mom read the Little House books to me when I was younger. They hold a special place in my heart.

  16. When I was younger I became interested in Westerns as they were meaningful and captivating. The first novels were by Louis L’Amour, Larry McMurtry, Amy Harmon and many more.

  17. I looked for any Christian fiction book. Growing up there weren’t many in that genre. Thank the Lord there are more authors that share their faith in their books. Love your stories,

  18. I read and enjoy Western Romance and historicals greatly since they are exceptional and give me hope. B.J. Daniels, Pam Crooks, Shanna Hatfield, and Jennifer Ryan.

  19. I am completely in the dark about how I got started on westerns, but as far as reading westerns I began with Carol Colyer and another woman prior to her, who’s name skips my mind. They became much to blood thirsty as bounty hunters of the vicious type were too much a part of them. Then I was introduced to Petticoats and Pistols which brought me the wonderful, Christian books I read now. Everything I read now has been heartwarming and enlightening for me. There is no limit to the authors I am hooked on today. Since I am an ARC reader for some of them, I get quite a variety of families, places and beautiful people, both seeking and those there to help the seekers. I honestly cannot recall if I have read one of your books, due to the huge number of authors I encompass.

    • BY THE WAY -Is there a link to purchase the Blackwater series? Amazon has them for $9.99 for a total of 6 books in the series. Please respond at your convenience.

      • Never mind – I went back and read it again. It is Saturday and Sunday. So sorry. When you think you have read it all…..!

      • They should be 99 cents today and tomorrow (April 5-6) but only in the US and UK. I really wish authors were allowed to use our select discount dates every quarter for other countries as well.

    • I’m so glad you found the books you love. I agree that it’s a wonderful genre that blesses many.

  20. Hey, Mandi! Facing seeing you here! I’ve already read all of your books, as you know! lol!! I don’t know the first book that was a western, but taking a wild guess, I’d go with Louis L’Amour’s!

  21. Mandi, a big welcome to P&P. We love having you and hope you find your visit pleasurable. After experimenting different genres and trying to find my niche, the book that started me writing western romance was Johanna Lindsey’s ANGEL. That book cemented my love. After that I read The Kissing Bandit by Margaret Brownley and was definitely hooked. I love your book covers. They look like excellent stories. I’ll have to get the first one.

  22. I think it was Shanna Hatfield’s rodeo romance series that did it for me. I was never a western/cowboy fan, but after reading those books I was hooked. I started watching the PBR and going to rodeos. At 70 years old I even started taking horseback riding lessons. I also love Mary Connealy’s books.

  23. Hi Mandi! A big, warm welcome to you today! So nice to have you here. The first western I read was Little Britches by Ralph Moody back when I was in seventh grade. I’ve loved westerns since then! I agree with Linda Broday, your covers are so amazing!

    • Thank you, friend! I have enjoyed your books a few times myself. I’m so glad you’re writing books that so many of us love.

  24. My father always read to me and my sister. He was an acvd reader and loved Westerns. I grew up listening to all of Louis L Amour books.
    I have loved reading those and my favorites were, of course, Zane Grey books.
    I live not far from where Mr Grey wrote his stories. i have visited his cabin near Payson, AZ where he wrote Under The Rim and many of his stories.

    • I loved to have books read to me when I was younger. I guess that’s why I like audiobooks now!

  26. I have read so many books I can’t remember who got me started. I love western romance. I am in my 70’s so it is hard to remember as I have been reading books since elementary school. I enjoy your books.

    • What a blessing to say you have read and enjoyed so many books. I’m glad you took a chance on some of mine!

  28. I distinctly remember buying my first western book in an Albertsons grocery store more than 40 years ago. The title is Ride the Wind by Lucia St Clair Robson and I still have it and have reread it quite a few times. It’s a fictionalized account of Cynthia Ann Parker’s 1830’s kidnapping in Texas and her life with the Comanche. I didn’t read any other western books for about 30 years but ran into a Roseanne Bittner book at some point and have enjoyed all her books and many other author’s work including most of the ones I get to hear about right here.

  29. I grew up reading The Lone Ranger series and books about Roy Roger’s and Dale Evan’s! Jeanette Oke books also were some of my favorites!

  30. How do I access the .99 ebooks? I can’t find a link and they are not that price on Amazon.

  31. I can’t remember the first book I read that sparked my interest in cowboys, I’ve read so many! I did grow up watching westerns on TV, loved all of them.

  32. I can’t remember the very first western book I ever read that sparked my interest, but I remember being amazed at how strong those people had to be to make a living out west. How they had to persevere and keep at even when everything worked against them.

  33. I don’t remember the exact book, but I do remember that it was one of Misty M. Beller’s books.

  34. When I read a western I feel transported to another era and place. This allows me to live there for the duration of the novel. It is compelling and special to experience this. Books by Leigh Greenwood and Amy Harmon.

  35. I have a horrible memory so I honestly don’t remember what book started my love for westerns. I have read a few of yours and loved them! Thank you for this chance!!

  36. It was nice to learn a bit about you and your Blackwater series.
    My first romance book was a western, Forgiving by LaVyrle Spencer. I also enjoyed Linda Lael Miller and Lorraine Health’s westerns.
    Joan Honl, Elizabeth Lowell, Diana Palmer all of the Ladies on this site.

  37. Probably The Sacketts. Don’t remember what the first Western was that I read. But I have read lots of different author’s Westerns since then.

  38. Congratulations on the success of your series. I will be ordering the sets.
    I think the first book that sparked my interest in the West was also set in Wyoming. When I was in high school, I discovered Mary O’Hara’s Flicka series: My Friend Flicka, Thunderhead, and Green Grass Of Wyoming (sort of my first romance). I got interested again years later with the books of Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey, and Tony Hillerman. I didn’t discover the romance genre until much later and the westerns have been among my favorites.

  40. Hi Mandi. I am not sure that I remember which book. I have been reading for many years. I know there were children’s books and movies that I enjoyed that had horses and barnyard animals. It may have been Little House on the Prairie. Thank you so much. God bless you.

  41. I don’t remember a book per se but I grew up watching all kinds of westerns…lol Does that count LOL

  42. I loved loved loved remembering the cowboy!! I didn’t think I would enjoy the western theme and boy was I wrong. I was sucked into the series so quickly. I’m so glad you keep is up to date on what is happening with all characters we have previously read about!

  43. I can’t remember the first book I read that sparked my interest for all things western. However, I had a love for all things horse and cowboy related since I was a child. As a teenager, I would say that one of the first western series I can recall reading was Mary Connealy’s Wild At Heart series. I only recently started reading some of your books at the end of last year and was immediately hooked! I love your Wolf Creek Ranch series and am excited to now have the opportunity to start the Blackwater Ranch series!

  45. I’m a newbie, so I don’t really have one, unless the Little House on the Prairie books (read ? years ago) count.

  47. I don’t remember the first Western book I read, but the first big series I started reading was the Three Rivers Ranch series by Liz Isaacson. Growing up, Saturdays were spent watching Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, the Lone Range, and other westerns. I enjoy your books.

  48. Mary Connealy is a good one, someone else mentioned her.

    Since I was in grade school I have enjoyed wagon train/Oregon trail stories. A teacher I had back then would read to us at the end of the day, and while I don’t remember the titles I distinctly remember a wagon trail series about a family, with a sister and brother in it.

  49. I can’t remember what was the first one I read but as a child I remember reading The Little House on the Prairie series. As I grew older, I added on authors such as Diana Palmer and Rosanne Bittner.

  50. I honestly don’t have a love for all things western but would love to read your book. Thanks for the chance to “meet” you and win a prize.

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