There’s a New Kid in Town!

by

Hi. I’m Nan Reinhardt and I’m the new kid in town here at Petticoats and Pistols. It’s a scary thing being the new kid, don’t you think? My earliest memory of awkward new kid-ness is starting first grade, where I was older than most of my classmates and thus, taller and bigger. It made me incredibly self-conscious. I confess, that even over 60 years later, I’m still self-conscious about being the new kid, especially among a group of great writers like this one. However, I know I shall find inspiration and fun here, and I hope to contribute whatever writerly wisdom and reader pleasure I can.

Perhaps the best way to begin this venture with Petticoats and Pistols is to tell you a little about me as an author. I’m a writer of sweet, small-town romantic fiction for Tule Publishing. I’ve written fourteen books that take place in my little town on the Ohio River called River’s Edge, but recently, Tule asked me if I’d like to move West. Since what had drawn me to submit to Tule in the first place was Jane Porter and the Marietta, Montana, stories, I was intrigued at the idea. So I agreed, and in my first Western Romance, Forever Cowboy, River’s Edge goes west and my heroine falls in love with Montana and a very special Montana cowboy. I won’t tell you the whole the story, but suffice to say, it has the obligatory happily-ever-after and Forever Cowboy is the beginning of my new series for Tule, Juniper Falls Ranch.

I confess I wasn’t sure that I could write cowboys and western romance. After all, I’d never been out West—California and Oregon, but never to Montana or to a ranch. I fixed that just a couple months ago when a friend and I took a trip to Big Sky and Yellowstone, but that’s another post. Changing from writing my familiar small river town to a ranch in Montana was a very scary proposition, but I figured out that if I simply write the stories that are in my heart, it won’t matter whether they happen in a small Indiana town or on a ranch in Big Sky country.

A little bit more about me. I’m not only a USA Today bestselling author, I’m also a wife, a mom, a mother-in-law, and a grandmother to a fun 13-year-old young man and two sweet dogs. I’ve been an antiques dealer, a bank teller, a stay-at-home mom, a secretary, and for the last 30 years, I’ve earned my living as a freelance copy editor and proofreader.

But writing is my first and most enduring passion. I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t writing—I wrote my first romance novel at the age of ten, and I’m still writing romance, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled woman in her prime. I live in the Midwest with my husband of 52 years, where we divide our time between a house in the city and a cottage on a lake. I blog weekly on my own website, sharing writer news as well as personal thoughts and experiences and sometimes, even snippets from my upcoming or new releases.

So here I am. I’m smiling, I’m grateful, and I’m thrilled to be a part of Petticoats and Pistols. As the newest P&P “filly,” I look forward to posting for y’all on the first Tuesday of every month. I love comments and conversations, so let’s talk, okay?

How about we do a little getting-to-know-you giveaway? I have a box of goodies for one lucky commenter (including a signed print ARC of Forever Cowboy, some fun swag I picked up in Montana, and other goodies). Just tell me in the comments why you love Western Romance.

ABOUT NAN:

Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet, small-town romantic fiction for Tule Publishing. Her day job is working as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader, however, writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing—she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten and is still writing, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled, woman in her prime. Nan lives in the Midwest with her husband of 52 years, where they split their time between a house in the city and a cottage on a lake.

Links:

http://nanreinhardt.com/

https://www.facebook.com/authornanreinhardt

https://www.instagram.com/nanreinhardt/

https://www.threads.net/@nanreinhardt

https://bsky.app/profile/nanreinhardt.bsky.social

  

 

FOREVER COWBOY

It was supposed to be just a vacation fling…

43-year-old Beth Dykeman’s life is spiraling—her 20-year marriage is over as is her career in Nashville’s Chamber of Commerce. Now back home in River’s Edge, Indiana, she’s grieving the end of her dream to have a family. Hoping to restart her life, she books a relaxing long weekend at a spa in beautiful Montana. But Beth arrives only to discover she accidentally booked a stay at a working dude ranch in the middle of Marietta’s 87th Copper Mountain Rodeo celebration weekend.

When he’s not competing, 36-year-old bronc rider Del Foster works at the Aspen Springs Ranch. He’s ready to hang up his spurs. This rodeo will be his last competition before he finally settles down and buys his own small spread to train cutting horses.

Their instant chemistry shocks them both, and on her last night, Beth indulges the attraction, knowing she’ll never see Del again. But fate has a way of changing plans and challenging assumptions. Can Beth and Del both have what they never knew they always wanted?

Forever Cowboy releases September 25, but is available for pre-order HERE 

 

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96 thoughts on “There’s a New Kid in Town!”

  2. Looking forward to your posts and there is something special about Montana so I’m glad you’re centering some of your books there. I live in California and we say we have to go east to be in the west haha…

    • Hiya, Rachel, Ha! I love that. Montana was a treat for this first-time visitor. I’ll be doing a post to share the trip with y’all. Gorgeous country. FYI, my kids lived in the Bay Area for 17 years, so I’ve seen a lot of Northern CA–also gorgeous!

  3. I look forward to the endless plot possibilities, swoon-worthy heroes with integrity, and strong, enduring characters who treasure things like family, faith, and friendships.

  4. I love the way a cowboy talks to the lady he loves. The endearments he calls her by. There’s just something about a western romance that’s different from other romance books.

  5. Welcome!! I look forward to reading your books.
    I love romance books about the west. It’s interesting to think about how untamed the land was and still is in many places. How hard the work is running a ranch, the unpredictable weather and sometimes even the loneliness of it. I enjoy reading of people who overcome hardships to find a lasting love and a happy ending.

    • Hi, Danielle, thank you! It’s funny how untamed Montana seemed to this city girl when I was there in July. Gorgeous mountains and big, big sky. I need my HEAs, too!

  6. WELCOME…I just love cowboys…I always have. Have you watched the McBee Dynasty on Bravo/Peacock? It’s a reality show that is based on the lives of 4 brothers, along with their dad, who have a ranch and farm. They ride horses and even do a round up of bison when they travel to Montana. They go to the Flat Head Indian Reservation and even stay in tee-pees. The added bonus is 2 of the brothers are so good looking! They are tough, fearless and strong. I would love to have a cowboy of my own.

    • Hi, Faye, thank you! No, I haven’t seen that yet. I’ll look for it. I’ve been watching Heartland on Netflix–loving the horses! Writing cowboys is almost like having one of my own–just like reading about them. <3

  7. Grew up watching My Friend Flicka, Sky King, Lassie, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, The Rifleman…the time when things really were changing and there was a code of honor all rather meshed into a romance with both a time frame and or the down to the basics lifestyle.

    • Hi, Kate! Good to see you! I didn’t get to watch those as a kid because we didn’t have a TV until I was in eighth grade, but I love Lonesome Dove and other newer miniseries! Times were certainly changing back then as the country expanded.

    • Hey, Liz! Thanks for stopping by! The hats are fun, aren’t they? I loved the whole idea of bringing River’s Edge, Indiana, to Marietta, Montana, as a beginning for the new series.

    • Hi, Rhonda! My grandpa used to watch the old Westerns and read Louis L’Amour. I sometimes sneaked into the books. I was a voracious reader! Still am!

  11. I love western romance, because I guess once a farm girl, always a farm girl. We had horses on our farm, and my Dad loved to ride. He grew up on a farm and had to support/care for his family of siblings along with Grandma, since he was about 15. Horses were very important in these times, and he taught his kids, (us) to also have a love of horses. My older sister competed in barrel racing, and I just had lots of fun riding my pony. Being around them was lots of fun. Reading romantic western books is rewarding to see the struggles and end results of finding interest in something totally new to them. I have read lots of mail-order brides’ books about the old west. Very fun and funny.

    • Judy, what a fun way to grow up! I got my first horse when I was 40–an old babysitter of a quarter horse named Rusty. He was a great trail rider and I tried him around the barrels but he had no interest in going that fast. Loved watching my friends compete though. Thanks for stopping by!

  12. I love westerns I grew up watching all the westerns on tv and still watch them. I love the simpler times of life and their loyalty to home and family. They took care of neighbors and loved God. John Wayne is my favorite actor.

    • Thanks for stopping by, Linda! I didn’t grow up watching them, but I love seeing old Westerns on Netflix and other streaming stations. I do remember watching Spin and Marty at my grandparents on the occasional Saturday morning. Did you ever watch Lonesome Dove?

  13. Welcome new kid! I’ve loved westerns since reading my Uncle’s Louis LaMour books! And watching Clint Eastwood in movies! I was hooked before I had any “romantic” ideas! I was only 12. Who liked boys then? LOL Well, not me at that time. Heh.

    Best wishes and welcome to P&P!

    • Ha! Hi, Tracy! Nothing like a good Clint Eastwood film to make you start noticing boys, eh? I think my grandpa had every Louis L’Amour book written! Thanks for the welcome!

  14. I grew up in a big metropolitan city in Canada and for me cowboys were so huge, it started with my fav TV and movie Cowboys, Clint Eastwood, John Wayne and Lee Majors. I mean they were all just my hero’s. Then I started reading about cowboys and it has been a love affair ever since I read my first one as a teenager. Keep on writing cowboys and I will be reading them.

    • Hi, Kathleen–how good to meet you! Cowboys are a whole different breed, aren’t they? I’ll keep writing (and reading because I love to read other authors’ cowboys too!)!

  15. I love Western romance because I grew up on a cattle ranch with a cowboy father! We were a very small operation, but my dad loves horses and cattle and made sure I had plenty of exposure to both. I was riding before I could walk and got my first horse of my very own when I was 12. She was almost 3 and we grew up together and spent 25 beautiful years of our lives together. She’s buried in the edge of the pasture in front of my house, with her own headstone. I miss her every day.

    • Oh, Kim! You’ve lived every horse-loving little girl’s dream. How wondrous! My first horse didn’t come along until I was almost 40. Rusty and I had about eight years together until he moved to a farm and I got a Tennessee Walker when I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. I still got to see him and he was still trail riding. Thanks for coming by!

  16. I grew up on our small family farm in Wyoming about 5 miles from the tiny town of Hillsdale. My father’s first school was a small one room schoolhouse. I loved growing up there. I love reading stories that take place in the west.

    • Hi, Barbara, how cool that your dad went to a one-room schoolhouse. I’m such a city kid, I can’t even imagine, but it sounds like you had a lovely childhood. I have always been fascinated by the West, too. So glad you came by!

    • Jeannie, hiya! Wasn’t that fun? I’ve depended on your expertise and graciousness so much as I’m writing about the West and cowboys and ranches. You are a peach! I’m delighted to be here and look forward to settling in and meeting everyone and having lots of cowboy fun!

  18. Western romance is meaningful, and gives me hope. The men and women who were strong with principles and convictions are admirable.

  19. I read all types of romance (except erotica-who needs that? lol). I love westerns because who doesn’t love a cowboy romance!!!!!!!!!

    • I write and read mostly all sweet, small-town romance, but the heat simmers in the background. I’ve actually had some folks tell me that they don’t read cowboy romance and wished I wasn’t transitioning from Indiana to Montana. But I’ve made a convert or two with Forever Cowboy and several who agreed to read an ARC to see what I’m all about. I’m still writing sweet, small-town romance, just a new setting… we shall see how it fares for me, eh?

  20. Welcome to the Petticoats and Pistols gang. Hope you enjoy your time here and I know we will all enjoy hearing from you.

    Hmmm! Why I love cowboy romances. I grew up watching Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy and Roy Rogers so guess that is what sparked my love of all things western. My husband is somewhat of a cowboy, or used to be. We had cattle, rode horses and wore cowboy hats and boots. I never will forget one time years ago, we were sitting in a doctor’s waiting room. My husband had on his lace up cowboy boots and a lady there asked him if he were a cowboy. Cute! LOL

    • Hi, Sarah! Thanks for the welcome. I think your Hubs definitely qualifies as a cowboy if y’all had cattle and horses. My husband has a pair of lace-up Ariats that he wore when we had horses. They are so comfortable!

  21. Welcome to P&P, Nan! We’re excited to have you join our little family of Fillies and I’m looking forward to learning more about you. Here at P&P, we’re all about cowboys and their ladies. I cannot imagine writing anything other than western romance. It’s in my heart and in my blood. I love the uncomplicated way of life when a man’s word was his bond. When he treated women with kindness and love. And the history of the time period when the country was developing was special. There’s no shortage of things to write about. But, be careful or these cowboys will wrap around your heart. Congrats on your upcoming release!!

    • Thank you, Linda! I’m so excited to be part of this fun group of Western romance authors and readers! I’m loving writing my cowboys and their ladies!

  22. I grew up watching Westerns and was always fascinated with the characters’ lives, and strength of character. This was so important and guided me through life.

  25. I enjoy western romance books because I can relate to them. I was born in Montana in a military family. My father retired in À?izona and I was a librarian in Texas.

  29. Hello! Western books are the first type of ”grown up books” I started reading. Because of that, I’ve always has a soft spot for them 🙂

    • Hi, Bridget, were you an early Louis L’Amour reader like I was? My grandpa was a big fan and I read his. Thanks for stopping by!

  31. It seems a more simpler time. I love history, and I can picture the west better through reading stories that take place in the west. I enjoy reading about cowboys.

    • It’s great when an author builds a setting that helps us picture the location, isn’t it, Karijean? One of the things I love best about writing in Marietta, Montana, is that the town was there for me. I just had to put my characters in place. Although Juniper Falls Ranch is all mine and I’m loving building it! Thanks for checking in!

  32. Welcome to P &P. I have always liked Western movies, tv shows, and books. My Grandpa was a Zane Grey book fan and when I was about twelve my sister and I received Zane Grey books from Grandpa and Grandma for Christmas. I have been reading westerns ever since.

  34. Good afternoon and Welcome Nan! Congratulations on your upcoming New Release! I love Western Romance because I grew up watching Westerns on TV, my dad loved western movies and shows. I always thought it was so romantic when a cowboy would take his hat off so that it wouldn’t get in the way when he kissed his lady. I love reading Western romance also because the stories are Always so nice and with happy endings. Very nice meeting you. May you have a great day and a great weekend.

    • Thanks, so much, Alice! Lovely to meet you, too and all the lovelies here at P&P. It is very romantic when a cowboy doffs his hat to kiss his lady. I hadn’t thought of that, but that’s so cool!

  35. I grew up watching westerns. Cowboys were the ultimate mans man. Strong, dedicated, honest. Some of the best were Roy Rogers, and Gene Autry, But the best was John Wayne. He embodied the cowboy spirit. I have always loved reading cowboy romance.

    • Hi, Ann! Yup John Wayne was the ultimate cowboy, wasn’t he? That strong man of few words, but big emotion. Hope you enjoy my stories!

  36. Hi Nan! Welcome to P&P! So glad to have you join us! I love writing about cowboys and the old west! I was born and raised in Oklahoma, so almost everything I write takes place here or in Texas, but I love all western states and settings, and of course, I love to see what kind of trouble these cowboys are in that they have to get out of (and usually with the help of a good woman!) LOL Congratulations on your new release!

    • My Western romances are contemporary, but the setting is still the West and Montana. I’ll look for your books and the others here in P&P. Can’t wait to get started!

  37. Westerns were my major interest since they gave a message that was important. Their grit, determination and self reliance. What I learned from Westerns I apply to everyday life. Western romance novels give me a unique perspective and are extremely enjoyable.

  38. Welcome! I enjoy western romance because there’s just something about a cowboy that screams stable, strong, and romantic. I also appreciate how westerns usually have a strong family base of some sort, and the settings are just gorgeous.

    • Hi, Megan, I’ve been watching Heartland and I’m seeing how strong family is to ranch families. Montana is pretty spectacular. I was so glad to get to visit there! Thanks for stopping by.

  39. i grew up on a ranch in Colorado. I can relate to a lot of the western stories because I have seen and done some of the things the characters do in these kinds of stories.
    I also like the characters that are committed to country and family.

    • Hey, Joye, Colorado is gorgeous! My cousins live there and I’ve been through on layovers and spent the night with them and loved seeing the Rockies. So glad you came by!

    • Thank you, Cathy, right back at you! I’m anxious to get to know everyone! I’m heading to check out everyone’s websites and books as soon as I get book 2 in the Juniper Falls Ranch series turned in.

  42. There’s just something about a cowboy! They’re hardworking, down to earth, have strong family values & bonds, and show that chivalry is not dead.

  45. Welcome to Petticoats and Pistols, Nan. I have enjoyed your Tule and blog posts and look forward to your posts here.
    I am from the Northeast originally and thanks to the Air Force my husband was assigned to Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs. It was my first time out West and certainly has not been my last. The wide open spaces, tall mountains, and lifestyle are a big attraction. The pace of life is different, more in tune with the land and the seasons. You never quite know what the weather will throw at you. Two feet of snow one day in winter and it is all gone and 70 the next week, or a blizzard in the mountains in July. There is also the cowboy ethic. Obviously not all live up to the image of “the cowboy,” but enough do to make you appreciate the way of life and the rules they tend to live by.
    Western romance brings all these elements together and gives us a good story. For those who have not been lucky enough to go there, it gives the a look at what it is like and who the people are. Who knows, it might even inspire them to take a trip and find out for themselves.

    • Patricia! Here you are! How wonderful! You’ve experienced all that I’m trying to learn and write about. Yes, the cowboy ethic from the old West remains even in contemporary Western romance. That’s part of why I love it. Hugs, sweets!

  46. Welcome Nan! I live in South Texas and it wasn’t until I started reading western romance that I wanted to embrace the cowgirl in me 🙂 Bought myself my first pair of cowgirl boots and started reading about the old west and the history of my home state of Texas. I love reading western romance because I love how protective the heroes are of their loved ones, how sweet they are to them and even when the heroine is stubborn they love them fiercely and encourage them to be their true selves.

    • Laura, you are right in the thick of all things West, my friend. Looking forward to getting to know all the P&P readers and authors!

  47. Welcome Nan. Why do I love western romance? It’s because of the commitment of family and the hard work that the Cowboys have. They live hard and love harder. Their love of family is amazing. Their beliefs are beyond the norm. Thank you for sharing your time with us all. Hugs from Vermont

  48. Thanks to all the readers/authors who stopped by to welcome me! I’m so very happy to be here and excited to begin my journey with P&P and with writing cowboy/western romance. I hope I get it right! Hugs to you all and see you next month!

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