History – General

Welcome Guest Author KyLee Woodley

by

What They Carried

  The Story of Shirley’s Basket

There was a lot of hubbub when my first novel debuted, including friends of friends and relatives who purchased it. One such person was my sister’s neighbor, who purchased it for his wife. This summer, I went to visit my sister and met her neighbor—a 91-year-old gentleman by the name of Don. He sat in his rocking chair before a grand fireplace, where a historical firearm, complete with a bayonet, hung on display behind him as he told me stories of coming west. Beside him sat an empty rocking chair, complete with an overstuffed cushion.

As he paused in his storytelling, my sister spoke up. When she mentioned that I wrote stories of the West and that I was the writer in the family, Don told me that Shirley enjoyed reading my book and insisted that I should take one of her ornamental glass baskets. Speechless, I thanked him yet stood unmoving, wrapped in the weight of the moment. He nodded solemnly, as our dear elderly friends do, and said, “In honor of Shirley.” It was a deeply humbling experience.

Figure 1 Shirley’s Basket with Books by KyLee Woodley, Photo cred. KayDee Parker

Holding that delicate glass, I realized that we never truly leave the past behind if we have something tangible to anchor it. Decades ago, many pioneers heading west set out with the prize of “the Promised Land” and a new life ahead. They brought with them an assortment of heirlooms and family treasures—some of monetary worth, and others of purely sentimental value. These precious items became the foundations of a home, surviving the journey even after the schooners themselves had been stripped down and remade into cabins.

 The Woven Basket: The Everyday Companion

While Shirley’s basket was an ornament of remembrance, the baskets carried across the plains were born of pure utility. Baskets were lightweight, durable, and did not overburden the beasts of burden that brought emigrants west. They were used for vital, practical purposes like collecting eggs, herbs, and berries, as well as for holding sewing essentials or keeping bread dough warm by the fire. Woven from natural materials and often handed down from generation to generation, these baskets stood as a symbol of the work of the hands and heart—a practical piece of history born from simple materials, a clever mind, and diligent hands.

The Signature Quilt: A Community’s Embrace

Quilt exhibit, interior of Negro building, Atlanta Exposition. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Where baskets provided daily utility, other trail treasures offered a different kind of survival: emotional comfort. The heirlooms that consistently made it across the plains were the family quilts. Before a wagon train departed, entire communities would gather to hold “farewell quilting bees,” stitching together pieces of fabric, names, and signature blocks from the families left behind. They sometimes signed their names directly onto the squares or inked scripture and words of blessings onto the cloth. Wrapping up in a signature quilt on a freezing desert night meant literally wrapping oneself in the warm presence of loved ones who were thousands of miles away.

 Heirloom Seeds: The Promise of Tomorrow

Old Pecan Orchard in Lebanon Oregon (by KayDee Parker)

Many of the pioneers were farmers, and how appropriate to bring with them the seeds of their home. Often, these were sewn into the hems of petticoats. Flowers, pinecones, and bulbs (like lilacs and old-fashioned roses) were stored in tin boxes. Planting a mother’s garden in untamed western soil was how they claimed a wild frontier and turned it into a home.

Living Sourdough Starter: A Taste of Home

Mixing Sourdough (Photo: William George James, 2019. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Alongside the seeds meant for future fields, pioneers carried another living heirloom to sustain them day by day: the family batch of sourdough. Many of these wild yeast starters were already generations old, carefully kept alive from the same batch used by mothers and grandmothers further up the family tree. Tucked safely away from the harsh elements, these starters lived in small stoneware crocks. They were a true “living heirloom,” ensuring that no matter how drastically their outer world changed, the pioneers’ daily bread tasted like the kitchens they had left behind.

 Vessels of Memory

Cherokee Pass, Rocky Mountains, LOC.gov. https://lccn.loc.gov/2004661635

We remember pioneers for their grit, but their heirlooms remind us of their heart—the things that mattered to them and to those who came after them. Like the basket from Shirley’s own living room, we honor those who walked before us and cherish the days gone by—a time when family ties endured even as new worlds beckoned and threatened.

What about you?

Is there a precious object passed down through your family, or perhaps a unique treasure you discovered at a local garage sale or antique shop?

I would love to hear your stories in the comments below. 

About the Author:

KyLee Woodley Author Kylee Woodley with long wavy blond hair, smiling, wearing a floral shirtwrites inspirational historical romance with a pinch of adventure. A cheery romantic, she loves to evoke bygone days and heartwarming love stories, as seen in her 2025 debut The Bandit’s Redemption and the subsequent installments, The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender (2025) and The Convict’s Courtship (2026)—all published by Wild Heart Books. KyLee teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas, where she lives with her husband and their three teenage children. When she is not busy, she hosts Historical Bookworm Show—a podcast for history lovers and fans of historical fiction. Raised in the Pacific Northwest and now rooted in Texas, KyLee carries a deep respect for American values and the power of redemption. She began ministering to the homeless and addicted as a teenager, and that compassion continues to shape her stories—loving the unlovely is a timeless theme.

Author Links: 

https://www.facebook.com/WoodleyWrites

https://twitter.com/KyLeeWoodley

https://www.instagram.com/kylee.woodley.writes/

https://www.pinterest.com/kypins13/

Podcast: https://historicalbookworm.com/?page_id=41

Personal Website:  https://kyleewoodley.com/

 

 

Patriotism, Parades, and Picnics: The Centennial of 1876

by

Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. As many of you know, I’ve been hard at work on my upcoming historical romance, The Heart of Honor, my contribution to our Petticoats and Patriots series. The story is set in 1876, a year that held special significance for Americans because it marked the nation’s one hundredth birthday.

 

While doing research for the book, I found myself paying particular attention to how people actually celebrated the Centennial. We all know about fireworks and Fourth of July picnics, but what did the celebration look like for ordinary folks living in small towns and rural communities far from the nation’s largest cities?

The Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia was one of the most visible parts of the national celebration. It was the first official World’s Fair held in the United States and drew visitors from around the globe. New inventions, technological marvels, and exhibits showcasing America’s progress filled the fairgrounds. For many people, attending the exposition was the opportunity of a lifetime.

But not everyone could travel to Philadelphia.

Across the country, both large and small communities found their own ways to celebrate. Towns organized parades, patriotic speeches, church services, brass band concerts, community picnics, and readings of the Declaration of Independence. Buildings were decorated with flags and bunting, and local newspapers often devoted special coverage to the occasion.

What I found especially interesting was that the celebrations often reflected the region where they took place.

In New England, many communities highlighted their connections to the Revolutionary War and the nation’s earliest history. In the South, the Centennial arrived just eleven years after the end of the Civil War, so the celebrations often carried a different tone as communities continued rebuilding and healing. Meanwhile, in the growing western states and territories, festivities frequently blended patriotic observances with the practical realities and traditions of frontier life.

One detail that especially caught my attention was how the Centennial encouraged Americans to look back as well as forward. While much attention was given to the nation’s progress and future possibilities, there was also a renewed appreciation for the people and events that had shaped the country’s first hundred years. Some communities and families reflected on their own histories, sharing stories and preserving memories of earlier generations.

In fact, this aspect of the Centennial helped inspire a key part of my story. My heroine, Mercy Owens, serves on her town’s Centennial Planning Committee and is responsible for collecting the stories and artifacts of the people who helped build the community. Like me, she believes that family stories are often what bring history to life. Dates and events have their place, but it is the people behind those events—their sacrifices, dreams, struggles, and triumphs—that make the past meaningful.

As I continue working on The Heart of Honor, I find myself thinking about that balance between remembering where we’ve been and looking ahead to where we’re going. Perhaps that’s one reason the Centennial captured the imagination of so many Americans in 1876.

So now I’m curious: If your hometown were celebrating its 100th anniversary, what story, keepsake, or piece of family history would you contribute to a community display? Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of one of my books.

 

Fun news! The first issue of Petticoats & Patriots Magazine is here! Filled with Revolutionary War features, inspiring articles, patriotic recipes, reader activities, and stories celebrating the courage that built a nation, this special collector’s edition is the perfect way to begin celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Available now! Get your FREE digital copy HERE!

If you haven’t had a chance to check out our Petticoats and Patriots series yet, you can read about the first 5 books on our series page HERE.

And don’t forget, the first book in the series, Shanna’s For Liberty and Love. releases on June 16th and is available now for PREORDER!

 

 

Let’s Celebrate the Stars and Stripes!

by

The United States is having a birthday…an impressive birthday commemorating 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, a pivotal moment in American history that established the nation’s independence from Britain and laid the foundation for democracy and self-governance.

…And eight of our Fillies are contributing to the celebration with a new series, Petticoats and Patriots, commencing June 16th thru August 4th (See Information & Link Below).

But before independence could be won, it was decided the colonies needed an American “flag”, the Continental Colors, and a day dedicated to honoring “Old Glory.”

When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the colonists weren’t fighting united under a single flag. Instead, most regiments participating in the war for independence against the British fought under their own flags. In June of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to create the Continental Army—a unified colonial fighting force—with the hopes of a more organized battle against its colonial oppressors. This led to the creation of what was, essentially, the first “American” flag, the Continental Colors.

For some, this flag, which was comprised of 13 red and white alternating stripes and a Union Jack in the corner, was too similar to that of the British. George Washington soon realized that flying a flag that was even remotely close to the British flag was not a great confidence-builder for the revolutionary effort, so he turned his efforts towards creating a new symbol of freedom for the soon-to-be fledgling nation.

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

            • white for purity and innocence
            • red for valor and hardiness
            • blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice

Over 100 years later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson marked the anniversary of that decree by officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day.

Facts About the U.S. Flag

1. Bernard Cigrand, a small-town Wisconsin teacher, originated the idea for an annual flag day, to be celebrated across the country every June 14, in 1885. That year, he led his school in the first formal observance of the holiday.

2. It is widely believed that Betsy Ross, who assisted the Revolutionary War effort by repairing uniforms and sewing tents, made the first American flag. However, there is no historical evidence that she contributed to Old Glory’s creation. It was not until her grandson William Canby held a press conference in 1870 to recount the story that the American public learned of her possible role. It has since been confirmed that Francis Hopkinson, a delegate from New Jersey who signed the Declaration of Independence, designed the American flag.

3. The lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” America’s national anthem since 1931, are taken from a patriotic poem written by Francis Scott Key after he witnessed the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. His words were set to the tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven,” a popular British drinking song.

4. In the 1950s, when it seemed certain that Alaska would be admitted to the Union, designers began retooling the American flag to add a 49th star to the existing 48. Meanwhile, a 17-year-old Ohio student named Bob Heft borrowed his mother’s sewing machine, disassembled his family’s 48-star flag and stitched on 50 stars in a proportional pattern. He handed in his creation to his history teacher for a class project, explaining that he expected Hawaii would soon achieve statehood as well. Heft also sent the flag to his congressman, Walter Moeller, who presented it to President Eisenhower after both new states joined the Union. Eisenhower selected Heft’s design, and on July 4, 1960, the president and the high school student stood together as the 50-star flag was raised for the first time. Heft’s teacher promptly changed his grade from a B- to an A.

5. Unlike setting an intact flag on fire, flying one upside-down is not always intended as an act of protest. According to the Flag Code, it can also be an official distress signal.

6. The Flag Code stipulates that the Stars and Stripes should not be used as apparel, bedding or drapery.

7. The practice of draping coffins in the American flag is not reserved for military veterans and government officials. On the contrary, any burial may incorporate this tradition.

8. Etiquette calls for American flags to be illuminated by sunlight or another light source while on display.

9. During the Vietnam War era, some demonstrators burned American flags as an act of protest. The Flag Protection Act of 1968 was enacted in response, making it illegal to burn or otherwise deface the Stars and Stripes. In two landmark decisions 20 years later, the Supreme Court ruled that the government couldn’t curb individuals’ First Amendment rights by prohibiting desecration of the U.S. flag. Respectful burning of damaged flags according to established protocol has always been acceptable.

10. When flags are taken down from their poles, care must be taken to keep them from touching the ground. In fact, the American flag should always be kept aloft, meaning that rugs and carpets featuring the Stars and Stripes are barred by the Flag Code.

11. When the flags of cities, states, localities or groups are flown on the same staff as the American flag, Old Glory should always be at the peak. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they should be of equivalent size and flown from separate staffs of the same height.

12. The Flag Code strictly prohibits adding an insignia, drawing or other markings to the Stars and Stripes. Some American politicians have been known to defy this regulation by signing copies of the U.S. flag for their supporters.

13. Ever wondered how to correctly fold an American flag? First, enlist a partner and stand facing each other, each holding both corners of one of the rectangle’s shorter sides. Working together, lift the half of the flag that usually hangs on the bottom over the half that contains the blue field of stars. Next, fold the flag lengthwise a second time so that the stars are visible on the outside. Make a triangular fold at the striped end, bringing one corner up to meet the top edge. Continue to fold the flag in this manner until only a triangle of star-studded blue can be seen.

  • The original 1777 flag was designed to represent the 13 original colonies. It had 13 white stars on a blue field and 13 alternating red and white stripes.
  • One of the first flag designs had the stars arranged in a circle, based on the idea that all colonies were equal.
  • In 1818, after a few design changes, the United States Congress decided to retain the flag’s original 13 stripes and add new stars to reflect each new state that entered the union.
  • Each time a state was added to the union, a star was added. Today, there are 50 stars, one for each state in the union, but the 13 stripes remain.

Next time you gaze upon the symbol of the nation’s freedom, pause and reflect on the flag’s origins, symbolism, and history—and what the American flag means in your life.

*********************

Giveaway!

 To win a $10 Amazon Gift Card, share your thoughts about what the American flag means to you.

Coming Soon!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H29SSSH5?tag=pettpist-20

To stay up on our latest releases and have some fun, too, join our Facebook Reader Group HERE!

 

 

Join me on the Mobile Museum for America’s Birthday!

by

Hello everyone! Want to take a little field trip with me? We’re jumping on this huge truck, and driving straight into the 1700s!

I’m not sure if other states have done this, but Virginia created four huge mobile museum for the 250th birthday of the United States, and they’ve been driving throughout the state. I was thrilled that one stopped in our small area for two days. Come join me on a mini tour! I won’t share all the photos, but I want to hit a few of the highlights of Virginia’s contribution during the American Revolution.

 

 

If you’ll remember, I’m from Virginia. I grew up just a few miles away from where Thomas Jefferson lived, and a few hours from Williamsburg, and a little over an hour from Richmond, and near so many president’s homes and the universities that they founded. For me as a child, it was just a normal day to play on the grounds of Monticello, wander through his gardens, and tour the house. When I moved away, then returned and took my children there, it was such a shock to see how much it had expanded! But it was just as wonderful as I remembered.

I will admit, as much as I’ve always loved history, Virginia’s history has always had a special place in my heart. And…I’ve a secret I can’t tell you about YET…but it’s also chock full of Virginia’s history.

So, join me on the mini tour! Ready?

When you boarded the 18-wheel truck, there was something really special about it. The sides folded out, and made a huge open room for the exhibit. It was divided into two, with the first room being much smaller. The first room, we are greeted by a digital Patrick Henry, as he gives his famous speech in St. John’s Church, Richmond, on March 23, 1775. Excuse his face looking a tad odd. He was a flickering digital screen and this was how he turned out.

 

 

After we listened to the speech, we looked around in the room he was in, and learned a little about why the colonies wanted their freedom from the crown. This was a small room, and we walked through the door into the much larger room where there were loads of interactive panels and screens, videos, and images on the wall to learn from.

Here’s a fun fact. While you’ve likely heard of the Boston Tea Party…did you know that Virginia had one too, in  Yorktown?

 

 

 

 

One of my favorites, was this one: The Virginia Declaration of Rights. There was a video just nearby it, talking about how it was primarily written by George Mason (one of the Founding Fathers) proclaimed the inherent rights of individuals, including life, liberty, and property and asserted that government power derives from the people.

 

 

If any of that sounded just a bit familiar, that’s because this important document influenced both the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.

 

 

Throughout the room, on touchscreens, you got to learn about some of the important women in Virginia. Each one you touched shared a video or a still image and paragraphs about their life.

 

 

You also got to do the same for the different types of men who fought as revolutionary soldiers, including those of Virginia’s militia.

 

 

One of my favorite displays was that which told about Tarleton’s Raid. To sum things up, though he was only in his twenties, Banastre Tarleton was a part of the British Legion, which was made up of light infantry and calvary (dragoons) and most of the soldiers were American Loyalists, meaning colonists who were faithful to the British Crown. They wore short green jackets, which sometimes made them known as the Green Dragoons. To the colonists, he and his men were brutal, but to the Crown, they were heroes.

Well, since Virginia’s government had relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia, and their governor, Thomas Jefferson, lived there, that made it a tempting target to strike a crippling blow at the colonists. However, just by chance, a young man, Jack Jouett, whose father owned the Swan Tavern in Charlottesville, saw Tarleton and his men riding hard, took a shortcut through the woods, and just managed to get word out in time. Most of the men Tarleton sought managed to escape. The 1781 Charlottesville raid disrupted Virginia’s government but didn’t stop them. Supplies were damaged, but it could have been far worse, and history could be quite different from how it turned out.

 

 

Of course, there were so many famous battles in Virginia. Yorktown was another with an interesting story, and it was also the place where Tarleton and his men eventually surrendered to the French. Just in case you are curious what happened to the young British hero, he returned home, and became a member of Parliament.

 

We were there for a little over a half hour, long enough to see everything but not so long as to make others wait outside, since the truck could only hold so many at once. I was so glad for the opportunity to see the mobile exhibit with my own eyes, and to be reminded that large or small, so many people played a role in America’s fight for independence, and that a good number of them were lost to history, and their contributions will never be known.

 

 

Today, I’d love to give one reader an ebook of a historical romance I wrote, also set in Virginia, and also with some history to it, about the Shenandoah National Park. Here’s the book you could win!

 

 

Elizabeth Lawrence is ready for her trip to Shenandoah National Park with its cascading waterfalls, fields of colorful wildflowers, and wooded hollows with trees that stretch to the sky. Sketchbook in hand, she expects to capture the park’s serene beauty, never imagining the hidden dangers that lurk within its depths—or the unexpected jolt her heart will experience.

Counting down his final weeks as a park ranger, Kyle Struggs expects to deal with the usual threats of the rugged terrain, not the whims of privileged visitors he’ll be serving as a private guide. Yet, as he gets to know the inquisitive Elizabeth, he realizes she’s nothing like he’d anticipated, and he quickly can’t imagine life without her.

But when a vengeful poacher kidnaps Elizabeth, their blossoming relationship is threatened. Now, Elizabeth must depend on her wits to buy time to survive, while Kyle searches the vast park to save her from the very dangers he swore to protect her against.

Find the book here to learn more! 

 

To have a chance at winning, all you have to do it tell me some historical event that happened in your state or some historical figure from your state you’ve always found fascinating. 

 

Catch Up With a Little History of Ketchup

by

I have a good friend who puts ketchup on everything. And when I say everything, I mean it. I’ve watched her pour it all over her tacos and drown her macaroni and cheese in it. I’ve even dined with her in a Chinese restaurant when she’d asked the server for a bottle (sidenote: this created quite a scramble in the kitchen). Look, there’s nothing I like better than dipping my French fries in a pool of ketchup, but Chinese food? No way.

Well, apparently, my friend is more on track than me. Turns out, ketchup was likely invented in ancient China as a fermented fish sauce — though the original sauce, called ge-tchup or keu-chiap, differed vastly from the common table condiment we use today and wasn’t made from tomatoes. As with many Eastern delicacies, ketchup made its way to Europe via traders in the 1600s. There, it was mixed with various ingredients such as mushrooms, nuts, shallots, horse-radish, nutmeg, and even anchovies (yuck). Tomatoes were first incorporated into ketchup in the 18th century, and the modern version we all know and love came into popularity around the 1920s.

Interesting point, tomatoes were considered poisonous because their leaves contain toxic compounds. It wasn’t until the late 1600s when an English physician named John Gerard claimed cooked tomatoes, as opposed to raw ones, were edible. By the mid-1700s, English doctors were claiming tomatoes (or love apples) not only aided in the treatment of digestive and liver-related ailments, they were also an aphrodisiac. Eventually, tomatoes made their way to America where, according to Thomas Jefferson, British doctor John de Sequeyra introduced them to the commonwealth of Virginia. Sequeyra was reputed to say that a person who ate enough of these love apples would never die. Yet one more good reason for my friend to eat ketchup on everything.

Of course, eventually, the medical community came to dispute the tomato’s medical and performance enhancement properties. Tomato pills, which were touted to “cure all your ills”, soon disappeared from grocery store shelves. So where did that leave our ketchup, a.k.a. fish sauce?

Enter Henry John Heinz, who founded the H.J. Heinz Company in 1869. By the late 1800s, glassmakers figured out how to manufacture inexpensive glass flasks. This created a way for food companies to more easily transport their products ­— products like ketchup. Being a smart entrepreneur, Mr. Heinz saw an opportunity for his thicker, sweeter version, and I don’t think there’s a person in America today who hasn’t at least heard of Heinz ketchup.

So, where does ketchup fit into the old West you ask? Well, like most things, recipes and bottles traveled with pioneers and prospectors and homesteaders, along with tomato seeds and canned tomatoes. As you’d expect, cowboys added their own twist to this favorite table condiment, leaving out the sugar and adding spicy ingredients like peppers and onions. The perfect addition to flavor up a bowl of beans or a T-bone steak.

Sadly, for my friend, ketchup sales have been on the decline with salsa now outselling this former “cure for all your ills”. But don’t tell her. I’m sure she’ll ask for a bottle the next time we go out.

Fun question: are you a ketchup lover and, if yes, what food do you most like to put it on? Like I said earlier, I’m a French fry girl.

 

Remember & Honor – Memorial Day 2026

by

“Memorial Day is a time to honor the brave men and women who gave everything to protect our freedoms. It’s not just about remembering their sacrifice, but about ensuring their legacy lives on in the values we uphold every day. We owe them more than a moment of reflection—we owe them our gratitude, our respect, and our commitment to preserving the liberty they fought for.”

Welcome Guest Author Charlene Raddon

by

FROM SODA TO HOCK – A Discourse on The Game of Faro, as Played in The Wild West

The first card out of a faro box was called the “soda” and did not count in the betting. The last card in the deck, the “hock,” was also dead. Thus, derived the expression, “from soda to hock,” meaning from beginning to end, one of many idiomatic terms that came into the language from the frontier’s most popular game (from The Knights Of The Green Cloth by DeArment).

In preparation for the writing of my book, Maisy’s Gamble, I did an in-depth study of the game of Faro (also spelled pharo). Dealing faro, you see, was how my heroine, Maisy Macoubrie, earned her living.

Between 1850 and 1910, the stereotypical frontier gambler was found in every mining camp, railhead, cattle town, and army post, plus a few places in between. Hiding his thoughts and emotions took no effort for this man, for he naturally avoided letting anyone too close; they might discover his secrets. His eyes flick over every surface, every face, while his brain calculates the possible opportunities to be had on site. His ear takes in every clink of a coin, every whisper of pastebacks being shuffled. No weapons are visible on his person. Gems flash from rings and stickpins. He appears amiable, but don’t be fooled; he can be ruthless to a fault.

Seeing a game starting up at a back table whose occupants wear fine broadcloth suits, gold watch chains and polished shoes, he saunters over, watches for a moment, then asks, “Mind if I sit in?” The other players eye him up and down, decide he’s okay and motion for him to take a seat.

The dealer, a young man in clean but ordinary clothes, isn’t taken in by the new player but says nothing. Folks in the Old West tended to mind their own business.

By the time the game is over, the new fellow has a pile of money and chips in front of him and the other men wear disgruntled expressions on their faces. Our young gambler knew his fellow players were not gamblers but townsmen seeking entertainment. He never plays against professionals except when he wants to test his skills and mettle.

Maisy, in my book, Maisy’s Gamble, would also recognize the young dandy as a professional and know how to deal with him. Of course, Maisy never cheated, except to save the life of a mistreated dog. And Hock, as she named the dog, was forever grateful and gave her his love and devotion, ready to lay down his life to defend her. Hock manages to get along with Maisy’s other pet, a grumpy calico cat named, of course, Soda.

But there’s only so much a dog can do to keep his mistress alive, particularly when she has an enemy who wants to see her dead.

That’s where The Preacher comes into the story. Preacher is a professional gunman who tends to pray over his victim’s graves. He and Maisy have a mutual enemy and soon join forces in the biggest gamble of their lives against a ruthless killer.

Maisy’s Gamble

For years, Maisy McCoubrie, a woman haunted by a past filled with betrayal and tragedy, manages to stay out of the clutches of one Gold Kingsley who seduced her when she was a mere girl. But now, as she navigates the saloon world as a Faro dealer, hiding her illegitimate son from the world, and his father, she spots Kingsley on the street and jumps on a departing train.

Tasked by Kingsley with finding Maisy, The Preacher, a man with a shadowy history and a notorious repute, harbors doubts about the man’s plans for Maisy. When he stumbles upon a seemingly lifeless saloon girl, he learns Kingsley’s cruelty knows no bounds. But again, Kingsley turns the tables on his enemy and frames The Preacher for the girl’s murder.
As danger looms, The Preacher and Maisy are drawn together by a force more potent than revenge—love. Their shared quest to bring Kingsley to justice unites their hearts in a story of unlikely alliances turned passionate devotion.
But Kingsley will stop at nothing to see his malevolent designs come to fruition. When Maisy’s son becomes an unwitting pawn in the final confrontation, the lines between right and wrong blur. With Maisy and The Preacher working together, justice will be served, even if it means taking matters into their own hands.

In this Western historical romance, love blossoms amidst the dust and danger of the Old West, and justice is found in the most unexpected places. Join Maisy and The Preacher as they navigate a treacherous path toward happiness, leaving a trail of redemption and reckoning in their wake.

Amazon Link

Charlene will be giving away winner’s choice of an eBook copy of any of her books to TWO lucky readers. To be entered simply leave a comment here.

An avid reader, Charlene Raddon never planned to be a writer. A vivid dream changed that. She dragged out a portable typewriter and began to put her dream on paper. Originally published by Kensington Books, Charlene is now an Indie author. All her books have received high accolades, contest wins, and awards. When not writing, she designs historical book covers at her site  where she specializes in westerns.

 

Charlene’s website

Facebook Link

Amazon author page

5 Things I Learned About 1776

by

 

Researching For Liberty and Love for our new Petticoats and Patriots Series transported me to the bustling streets of Philadelphia during the summer of 1776.

While I expected to uncover fascinating details about spies, patriots, and the fight for independence, I also stumbled across plenty of surprising little facts that brought that period of our history to life.

Here are five things that I learned while researching the story.

1. Many People Thought Tomatoes Were Poisonous

Can you imagine looking at a tomato and thinking, Absolutely not. That thing might kill me.

In 1776, many colonists avoided tomatoes because they believed them to be dangerous. Part of the fear came from wealthy Europeans who ate from pewter plates containing lead. The acid from tomatoes would leach lead from the plates, causing illness. Naturally, the tomatoes got blamed instead of the dishes.

So while modern kitchens are filled with tomato-based recipes, Lucy Carlson and Branch Barton (the main characters in my story) would likely never have a fresh sun-ripened tomato in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War.

2. Philadelphia in July Was Hot, Humid, and Miserable

When we picture the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it’s easy to imagine a grand and noble moment with patriotic music soaring in the background.

The reality? The summer of 1776 was oppressively hot.

Philadelphia streets were crowded, dusty, muddy, noisy, and filled with unpleasant smells from horses, refuse, and open gutters. The delegates meeting in the Pennsylvania State House endured the sticky July heat in layers of wool clothing, stockings, waistcoats, and coats.

John Adams, one of the delegates, frequently wrote to his wife, Abigail, complaining about Philadelphia’s “melting heats” and “fierce dog days.” He described the weather as exhausting and expressed profound dread over surviving the summer humidity while debating the Declaration of Independence.

“When the Weather is so extream, the Fatigue of even holding a Pen to write a Letter, is distressing,” Adams wrote.

As I wrote  For Liberty and Love, I could feel that oppressive heat and wrinkled my nose at the thoughts of the odors it would have created in America’s largest city.

3. The Bells Truly Rang on July 8, 1776

One of my favorite discoveries involved the public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Although Congress approved the Declaration on July 4, it wasn’t publicly read anywhere until July 8 in Philadelphia.

On that day, Colonel John Nixon stood in the yard (either on the steps or possibly a wooden platform) of the Pennsylvania State House and read the Declaration aloud to gathered crowds.

Bells began ringing to let people know to come to the State House. The reading was at noon. City and church bells “joyously tolled for most of the day and continued well into the night in celebration.”

I like to close my eyes and imagine hearing those bells echoing through the streets while realizing the colonies had officially declared independence from Britain. What a thrilling, terrifying, and unforgettable day that must have been.

4. Men’s Clothing Had Buttons Everywhere—Women’s Rarely Did

This detail fascinated me because it says so much about daily life in 1776.

Men’s clothing often featured rows and rows of buttons. Coats, waistcoats, breeches, and shirts all relied heavily on them—not just for function, but for fashion and status.

Women’s gowns, however, usually pinned closed or laced rather than buttoned. Buttons were expensive and time-consuming to make, and women’s clothing construction worked differently than men’s tailored garments.

I can’t imagine having to pin my clothes together every day. With my luck, I’d turn into a human pincushion!

5. There’s Surprisingly Little Information About Martha Washington During the Summer of 1776

Since Martha Washington plays a small but important role in  For Liberty and Love, I spent quite a bit of time researching her movements during that summer, wanting to be sure she would be in Philadelphia in July.

I was shocked to discover there really is little information about Martha’s whereabouts that summer, other than to say she was likely in Philadelphia from the end of June until some time in August. Also, I couldn’t believe how few images there were of her from her younger years. This image of a younger Martha is one I used for inspiration of her character in my story.

We know far more about George Washington’s military activities than Martha’s daily life, thoughts, or experiences. Women’s stories were often poorly documented during the Revolutionary era, even when those women played important roles behind the scenes.

It makes it even more important to me, as a writer,  to include in my stories courageous women whose contributions to history are sometimes overlooked . I’m pretty sure Lucy (and Martha!) would approve!

 

She never intended to become a spy … or fall for one.

Philadelphia, 1776

As whispers of revolution turn swell into a roar for freedom, Lucy Carlson is no longer content to simply watch from behind the counter of her father’s jewelry shop. When a mysterious woman—none other than Martha Washington—leaves behind a locket, Lucy discovers the piece is more than a pretty keepsake. The necklace is a secret vessel for the revolution that carries the promise of love.

Drawn into a dangerous spy ring, Lucy begins crafting coded messages concealed within the locket’s clever design, living a secret double life and risking everything she holds dear in a time of sacrifice and war.

Continental soldier Branch Barton is a man defined by duty. Tasked with rooting out traitors, he moves through the shadowed world of deception and divided loyalties. He’s trained to trust no one, yet he finds himself drawn into a slow-burning connection with the jeweler’s spirited daughter.

But when Lucy begins to suspect Branch may be a Redcoat in disguise, their fragile bond is tested by mistaken identity, growing mistrust, and the threat of betrayal.

In a war where even allies can become enemies, Lucy and Branch must navigate a world of hidden truths and guarded hearts. With the fate of the colonies—and their hearts—hanging in the balance as Lucy delivers a message in enemy territory, will they find the courage to trust each other and choose love?

Have you learned any interesting, odd, fun, or memorable facts recently?

Post your answer for a chance to win a mystery prize!

Fun Historical Facts and Giveaway

by

Howdy!  And welcome to another awesome Tuesday!

Recently, I decided to redo the cover for Book #1 in the Medicine Man Series.  I’d asked my cover artist if she might consider doing a cover with the image of the hairstyles of the American Iindians on the Plains in the 1830’s.  Book #1 is set in the 1830’s (SHE STEALS MY BREATH) and so I thought I’d ask because my cover artist is really an artist and she often draws things on my covers by hand (with online tools).

So let me first take you back to the 1830’s in an area of the country known as INDIAN TERRITORY.  George Catlin, as well as Karl Bodmer (accompanying  Prince Maxmilian onto the Plains) made trips into the interior of the north country, and they left a record of their travels.  What I had always noticed about these paintings was that the men often changed their hair styles, while the women generally wore their hair in braids.  This doesn’t necessarily hold true for the more southern tribes, but when I look at the northern tribes, these men pretty much wore their hair in a similar manner

Here are two men from the Nez Perce tribe who lived on the western side of the Blackbone-of-the-world Mountains (the Rockies).  Catlin met these two men when he was on a steamboat.  Interestingly, both men were on a mission for their tribe to see out the “Black Robe” and ask him about his religion and invite him to come to their tribe.

To the right here is an Assiniboine Indian (the Assiniboine were located farther east and a little more north of Crow Indians in what we now know as Montana.

In the center here is a Lakota man and below that is a Cheyenne chief.  The same hairstyle held true for most of the Northern tribes during this period: The Blackfeet, the Crow and the Cree.

And so, because my cover artist is a real artist and sometimes paints different images into a particular image she is working with, I asked her if she might be able to do a cover showing this particular men’s hairstyle.

Cat022

Below is the result:

This is the cover that my cover artist created for me and I absolutely love it.

Many things I love about this cover, but outside of the image of the hero and the heroine, I love the sky and the mountains.  Montana is often called The Big Sky Country and so I love that this image also highlights the sky.

This first book is currently on sale for $.99 and my newest book (Just released) in the Medicine Man series is sale for $3.59 at Amazon.

Note the difference in hair style between the 1830’s and the 1879’s.  My newest book is set in the 1870’s and at this time we have a completely different hairstyle that the men are wearing…again, almost tribe to tribe a very similar hair style.  Some differences, but many things that are similar about them.   This fellow in the middle here is Blackfeet.  Note the braids and the hair is now almost straight up and parted on the side.

The Picture below is of a Crow man:  Note how similar the style is at this time period.

The same styles were seen in the Flathead and the Nez Perce tribes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And so I now would like  you to see how my cover artist showed this particular hair style on my newest cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think both of these covers (that are new to me) are so very well done and show the different hair styles at this time in history.

What do you think?  Hope found this little bit of history interesting.

Both of these books are on sale:

SHE STEALS MY BREATH:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TNDS67H?tag=pettpist-20 — This book is on sale for $.99.

IF SHE WERE MINE:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWY3P5KS?tag=pettpist-20 — This book is on sale at a 40% discount at $3.59.

Please come on in and leave a post.  I’ll be giving away a free copy of the book, SHE STEALS MY BREATH.

 

 

 

Evenings Before Electricity – How Families Passed the Time

by

Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. I hope everyone had as lovely a Mother’s Day weekend as I had.

My family has always been big on board games – really any kind of family game, including more than a few versions of card games and dominoes. But over the past several years, life has gotten in the way, and we haven’t been able to play together as a group.

That changed a couple of weeks ago when we decided to revive our monthly game night, and it was sooooo much fun. Eight of us gathered around the dining room table, and there were plenty of challenges, strategy, a fair bit of shifting alliances, and most of all, laughter.

Of course, families have been finding ways to gather and pass the time together for generations. Back in the late nineteenth century, before the internet, before television, before electricity, before all the distractions we take for granted today, those evenings looked a little different.

As daylight faded and the lamps were lit, families drew together, filling the evening with shared tasks, conversation, and quiet entertainment.

For most families, evenings began to settle in right after supper. Once the day’s work was done and the dishes cleared, the household would gather in whatever room offered the best light and warmth – often the kitchen or main living area. Illumination came from candles, oil lamps, or maybe a fireplace, which meant light was limited and precious.

But that didn’t mean evenings were dull – far from it.

Conversation was a central part of daily life. Families talked. They shared news, discussed the events of the day, and caught up on what neighbors might be doing. In small towns, where everyone’s lives were more closely intertwined, this kind of exchange helped keep the community connected.

There were also quiet tasks that filled the hours. Mending clothes, shelling peas, whittling, or other small handwork often took place in the evenings. These weren’t seen as chores so much as part of the natural rhythm of the day, something to be done while visiting and passing the time together.

And of course, there was entertainment.

Games have been around for centuries, and many of them would feel familiar even today. Card games, checkers, dominoes, and simple parlor games were popular ways to pass the time. Storytelling was another favorite – sometimes recounting family history, sometimes sharing humorous tales, and sometimes retelling stories that had been handed down through generations.

Reading aloud was also common, especially in households where books or newspapers were available. One person might read while the others listened, turning it into a shared experience rather than a solitary one.

Music often found its place in the evening as well. A fiddle, a harmonica, or a piano if one was available could turn an ordinary night into something special. Even singing together – be it hymns, folk songs, or favorite tunes – was a way of winding down the day.

 

What stands out to me is how intentional these evenings must have been. With limited light and no outside distractions, people turned naturally toward one another. Time wasn’t something to fill so much as something to share.

It makes our modern “game night” feel a little less like a novelty and a little more like a return to something that’s always been important – simply spending time together.

What about you – do you have a regular game night or another simple tradition that helps you slow down and connect with family or friends? Share here for a chance to be entered in the drawing for an autographed copy of one of my books.

Petticoats & Pistols