Insanity in the Old West

by

“On an unforgiving 1880s frontier, where secrets cut as sharp as winter winds, love must decide whether to freeze—or fight its way through the storm.”

When I began to write SUMMER’S HEART, I had no plans to include a woman who was off her rocker. It wasn’t until I decided Summer and Dan were too comfortable in their relationship. So, like authors do, I had to shake the couple up. Enter Elsie Finch with wild claims that Dan fathered her child.

Boy, did the fireworks light things up! Doubts and questions rose. I won’t give the story away but it took a while for Summer and Dan to kiss and make up. Here’s something fun for you.

 

Insanity treatments in the 19th century left a lot to be desired. Our own Mary Connealy has blogged about this several times so you might find more there. Here is the link to one: https://petticoatsandpistols.com/2022/04/21/insane-asylums-in-history/

In the east, they had plenty of asylums where they locked people with mental illness away. But husbands with wives they didn’t want soon saw how easy it was to label their excess baggage as insane and lock them up with no questions asked.

A few of the crazy reasons they gave was:

  • Imaginary Female Trouble
  • Political Excitement
  • Asthma
  • Brain Fever
  • Jealousy
  • Religious Enthusiasm
  • Reading too many novels (WHAT!!)

I kid you not. Reading novels had to be one of the lamest excuses!

Anyway, that was mostly back east. In the old West, mental asylums were not prevalent. Mostly, families tried to deal with their crazy relatives themselves. Another alternative was putting them in prisons but those conditions were horrible.

In Texas, the first institution was the Texas State Lunatic Asylum. Doctors there tried a softer approach—until it became overcrowded. A second one, the North Texas Lunatic Asylum was built in Terrell but it was pretty bad. Lobotomies, cold water immersion, beatings, and things like that. Few doctors knew how to treat them.

In my new story, I never go into what kind of asylum the one in Austin was. It wasn’t discussed and I had to get the characters onto the rescue of her little brother which proved quite challenging. I’m sure it was about the same as the others. Horrible places.

Not only did Elsie Finch provide a lot of comic relief, which the story needed to offset the darkness, it also taught Summer to trust Dan with all her heart and see that he truly loved only her.

In this snowbound 1882 Texas romance filled with frontier mystery, unexpected betrayal, and heart-pounding suspense, nurse Summer McIntyre’s world is upended when a stranger arrives through the blizzard carrying a newborn and claiming the sheriff, the man she’s set to marry is the father. As the storm seals the town under ice, Summer discovers her missing little brother is alive—and in the hands of a dangerous madwoman in the frozen hills. With rescue impossible and trust between her and Sheriff Dan Bodine shattered, Summer must uncover the truth before the storm takes everyone she loves.

Let’s chat. Do you like reading books in the season in which they’re written? A snowy blizzard in this one might be best in winter. But then reading it in summer when it’s hot might be a refreshing break from the heat. Or maybe it doesn’t matter. I’m giving away a copy (winner’s choice of ebook or print) to two commenters so be sure to leave a comment. 

56 thoughts on “Insanity in the Old West”

  1. I’m not sure being left to one’s own devices is a whole lot better than being in a medical establishment that treats mental illness. For certain and for sure, living now is better so that we wives avoid being committed to asylums due to a husband’s misrepresentation of the facts!

    • Indeed it was, Sharon! Scary indeed. They could’ve manufactured any excuse. But there was a lot of real insanity, especially among the women. A lot of women brought from back East couldn’t take the vastness of the frontier, the loneliness when their husbands left on occasion, the incessant wind, and the wide open sky. It was so different from what they were used to and I can understand that. I wouldn’t have liked that part either. I’m glad you stopped by to read my post.

    • Rhonda, it really doesn’t bother some readers but there are those like me who only read Christmas books in November & December. Thank you for coming and chiming in. Stay warm.

    • Teresa, thanks for coming to join the discussion. It’s good to know it doesn’t make any difference to you. I guess I’m probably in the minority and read books set in the season they’re written. Have a great day and stay warm and safe!

  5. I do like reading them in the season they were written because it seems to bring it to life better but I never let that limit what I read. It’s just an added bonus if I happen to read during the season it’s written.

    • Rhonda, I’m so glad you came. You and I are the same pretty much. I don’t think I can ever recall reading a Christmas book in the summer. Stay warm and cozy today.

    • Denise, thank you for coming by to read my post. I’ve often wondered how readers felt about this. It’s frigid here this morning so a blizzard story like mine would be appropriate. Ha! Grab something warm to drink and settle down by a nice fire. Maybe dive into a nice summery-season story. 🙂 🙂

    • MaryEllen, thanks for dropping by and adding your vote to the majority. It’s nice to see readers’ preferences. I guess my blizzard book would be good anytime. 🙂 Stay warm down there in Fort Stockton.

  8. I read all year long, no matter the season – whether outside my house or in the book! Summer’s Heart sounds fascinating, no matter the weather!

    • Karin, it’s good to know my blizzard book would be well received no matter when it’s read. I had wondered about this for a while. Glad you came by. I hope you get a chance to read Summer’s Heart. Stay safe and warm.

  9. I like reading the snowy season in summer as the humidity here can get really bad. Love the fact that you dip into mental illness and how it was treats. I’m glad it’s treated better today then in the past.

    • Kim, I’m glad you stopped by. It’s nice get these responses to a question I’ve long wondered. About mental illness–quite a few women did go crazy when they were brought from back East to the frontier. Sometimes the vastness of it, the immense loneliness, and the incessant wind drove made some lose their minds. They just couldn’t take it. Like you, I’m glad we treat mental illness with compassion now.

  10. I do think it is fun to read a book about a snow storm when it is snowing outside – it adds to the mood of the story. But I don’t have to have a snow storm to read:) I love reading and am fortunate to live in modern times so that I don’t have to fear being placed in an insane asylum because I read novels. I have often wondered how many people who were perfectly sane were placed in those asylums because they didn’t conform to society and what was expected of them.

    • Patti, it’s so nice to have you join the discussion. To answer your question, there were a LOT of women placed in asylums by husbands and family who just wanted rid of you. There were few questions asked when someone dropped a woman off. Strange that it didn’t work that way for men, abusive husbands. The world has always been lopsided and heavily favored toward men. It was scary for women back then when they were forced to marry an abusive man, knowing he could get rid of anyway he wanted. Talk about injustice. I think my blizzard book would be well received with you. 🙂 I hope you like the story. Stay warm and safe.

    • Charlene, wow! Thank you for coming by. I’m so glad you enjoyed Summer’s Heart! I can’t thank you enough for designing this gorgeous cover! What next? Jess’s story that will wrap up the series. I’m having so much fun with it. He’s such a great character. I can’t wait to reveal this cover also. It’s a masterpiece, thanks to you! You’re so good at what you do. I think after I finish Jess’s Reckoning in May, I’ll write another Christmas story. I sort of have one that I’m mulling over. Love you, lady! I’m telling everyone to give Silver Sage Book Covers a look. 🙂

  12. It doesn’t matter to me if the book is in the season or not. I do remember a book by Mary Connealy in which the female teacher went to the unruly boy’s house to talk to their dad and she got stuck there and had to marry the man. I can’t remember the name but it was one of my favorites. And Seth in the Kincaid brothers who had mental illness from the Civil War and was living in the caves….he was a favorite too.

    • Naomi, all of Mary Connealy’s books are keepers. She writes such memorable books. Real mental illness back then was no laughing matter. There were few treatments. No one knew what to do with them. This is the perfect day to curl up with another good book! Stay warm and safe.

  13. I read my books whenever I want. It does not matter the season. I have read some stories set In England where they do the same thing with unwanted wives, especially if money is involved.

    • Debra, I agree about England. They started the trend I think of husbands putting wives in mental asylums on flimsy excuses and we followed suit. A lot of the earlier romances dealt with this subject. Thanks for reading my post and commenting. Stay warm and safe.

  14. GM Linda! I about missed you today! I never went to miss your posts! I’m a free spirit when it comes to reading. I’m across the board! I read all genere. I just have a couple I like better than others. So, no it doesn’t matter!

    Many blessings to you Linda!

    • Good to know, Karijean. I hope you keep enjoying the books you read. That’s the important thing. This other is nitpicking I think. Have a wonderful day doing whatever you love.

  18. I don’t mind reading Seasonal books out of season. But I only like to read Christmas stories at Christmastime.

  20. For me, it doesn’t matter what season it is or holiday for that matter. lol I just read what “floats my boat” at that time.

  22. Good afternoon Linda, first of all I love your book video!!! And I love the book cover! Your book sounds like a Great read. I like to read books anytime of the year no matter the season or what season the book is written in. Thank you for sharing about your book and the info. on mental institutions. Have a great day and a great week.

    • Alicia, I’m so happy you liked my characters hugging. I think it’s fantastic to be able to make them do that. Some parts of AI are really nice. I hope if you get a chance to read the book, it’ll bring tons of enjoyment.

  24. I am a mood reader. It does not matter the season of the book that I chose to read. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

  25. I like to read stories with winter scenes in the fall and winter but I will read them anytime of year. Christmas stories I prefer to read from late September to early February when I really need to start thinking spring. Love the cover of this new book.

    • Alice, it seems we both feel the same way about reading. This is me too. Thanks for coming. I’m so happy you like my book cover! I think it’s really eye-catching. Stay safe and warm.

  26. I read books set any time of the year any time of the year! lol!! I’ve already been reading Christmas books this year! I’m in FL, so anything that “might” help me cool off is good!

  27. It really doesn’t matter what season they are to me. I enjoy a good book about any season. It is really cold here right now but I would still read a summer book, if that is what I picked out to read. They say we have a snow storm coming this weekend and I can’t say I am looking forward to it but it will give me an excuse to just set around and read.

  30. I do like to read books around the season or holiday they are set. However, I have read winter books in the summer to “cool off” and summer books in the winter to “warm up.” Many books span multiple seasons so it doesn’t really matter when you read them. I look for a good story and that is what is important.
    I really like these “live book covers.” They give a nice look at the characters. I will say that the first time I saw this cover my first thought was “where is her coat or a blanket?” That aside, it is a sweet moment that is depicted.
    I hope 2026 is starting off well for you. Take care.

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