Contemporary Western Romance

What Working at Summer Camp and Being Around Horses Taught Me and How I Use it in My Books

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What Working at Summer Camp and Being Around Horses Taught Me and How I Use it in My Books

By Michele Dunaway

Who wasn’t a horse girly? Besides reading about girls and their horses, there was nothing I loved more than summers when I went away to camp and got to ride. I did the wrangler week at Camp Cedarledge. Then there were my two weeks—two summers in a row—at Staghorn Ranch. I learned to ride, and I also canoed overnight on three rivers (the Courtois, Huzzah and Upper Meramec.) Those times in the Missouri Ozarks were precious.

Then came the two years after high school I worked at Camp Don Bosco, in Hillsboro, Missouri. I have so many memories of riding, including a ten-mile horseback ride with a group to move the horses from winter pastures to the camp. I can still remember that day—the heat coming off the gravel road, the sun on our faces, the creak of leather, and the way ten miles teaches your body exactly where every muscle lives. By the end I was dusty, saddle-sore, and grinning like a fool. Then there were my barrel racing lessons. I also competed in the Hillsboro (MO) Horse Show for Western style. Spoiler, I didn’t final, but our camp did place in the costume contest with the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters.

When my girls were little, I made sure they had riding lessons. My mom even bought my daughter a horse. This is Chase.

But life moves on, and Chase became more of a pasture pet, so we gave him to someone who would ride him more often. But that doesn’t mean I don’t try to pet horses any chance I get. Here’s my friend Liz and I on a Clydesdale tour (I’m on the left).

My background is one reason I was delighted to say yes to my editor when she asked me to write a western romances series. I set it in the fictional town of Legacy Canyon in homage to my friend Jodi Thomas, the bestselling author of the Ransom Canyon series (now also on Netflix) who once told me never to give up, and to leap and the net will appear. I’ve carried those words with me ever since. Saying yes to a western series felt like a leap, but it turned out the net was there, woven from every summer I’d spent at various camps, and from being in the stable with my girls.

Which brings me to Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy, Book 2 of the Legacy Canyon series. While each novel stands alone and has a guaranteed happily-ever-after, Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy picks up where Book 1, A Texas-Sized Fake Out, leaves off, with newly divorced Kristen Larrabee and her daughter attending her brother Wyatt’s wedding. I really leaned into the western themes. There’s a stable full of horses, there’s a rodeo, a foal is born, and you’ll meet one very sexy rodeo cowboy: Lucas Thomas. Throw in some matchmakers and forced proximity, this book features a literal match made in heaven between a vet and a cowboy as they discover their chance at true love.

 

You can find Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy in Walmart, in bookstores, and many online retailers, including Harlequin.com and Amazon.

 

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Giveaway

Since horses have shaped so much of my life—and now my writing—I’d love to hear about your experiences. So, tell me, were you a horse girl growing up, or did you have a different childhood passion you still carry with you, even if you no longer pursue it? Do tell! I’d love to chat with you.

 I’m also giving away a signed copy of Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy, plus two other books from my backlist to two additional commentors (US paperback mailing only/ebook international).

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 Thank you to Petticoats & Pistols for having me!

MICHELE

Michele Dunaway is a best-selling contemporary romance author who writes happily ever afters set in small towns with cookie stores and wine. With a career spanning more than 26 years, Michele writes “Hometown Sweet with a Hint of Spice” small town love stories featuring strong sexy heroes and feisty heroines who discover things about themselves as they travel the road to true love and self-fulfillment. Michele loves to travel, with the places she visits often inspiring her novels. Describing herself as a woman who does far too much and never wants to stop, Michele is a former English and journalism teacher who is serving as the 2026 NINC President Elect. A proud mom of two grown daughters, Michele shares her home with far too many rescued cats, who of course completely rule the roost. She loves to hear from readers at micheledunaway.com

A Day in Holiday

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One of the greatest compliments a reader can give me isn’t just that they loved the characters or enjoyed the story. It’s when they tell me they wish they could visit the place I created.

I happened upon a review of Declaration of Love recently that made me smile when the reviewer wrote, “If Holiday is ever commissioned as a city, I would move there.”

Oh, how I wish we could make that happen!

Since I can’t put Holiday, Oregon, on a real map, I thought it might be fun to take you on an imaginary visit to the little mountain town that has been the setting of several of my stories.

It all started with the Holiday Brides series, then the Holiday Express series, and Holiday Dreams. There were also single title books like Henley, Love on Target, Lucky Shot, and now Declaration of Love.

Today, we’ll pop by a few popular places in the mountain town.

You’ll want to arrive early because mornings in Holiday are too pretty to miss. Imagine sunlight spilling over the mountains, touching the peaks with gold before filtering through towering evergreens. The air is cool and fresh, flowers spill from hanging baskets along Main Street, and American flags flutter from lampposts and storefronts.

Our first stop is Sunni Buns Bakery. The scent alone will draw you through the door. Fresh coffee, cinnamon, warm bread, and something sweet baking in the oven make it nearly impossible to leave empty-handed. Would you choose a cinnamon bun or a raspberry roll, one of her savory sandwiches, or go straight for dessert first?

There are a few fun shops in town, but most of the locals know they can visit Milton’s Feed & Seed to find everything from home décor and a new shirt to garden tools, gloves, boots, flowers and plants, plus so much more.

Holiday is the kind of place where people notice when someone new comes to town—and before long, they’ll probably know your name, where you’re from, and whether you’re single.

Which brings us to… a visit with Matilda and Ruth.

If you happen to see two older ladies sitting together outside Golden Skies, by all means stop and say hello. Just understand what you’re getting yourself into. Matilda, with her flamboyant sense of style, and sweet Ruth may look perfectly harmless sitting there enjoying the sunshine. Do not be fooled. They are wily matchmakers who keep their fingers on the pulse of what is happening in town.

By this time, you might have found a postcard to mail and stop by the Holiday Post Office. Kate Barton came to town as the temporary postmaster in June, only planning to stay for the summer. If you haven’t read Declaration of Love yet, I won’t give you any spoilers, but Grady Guthry might give her a reason or two to consider staying. While you’re at the post office, make sure your postcard gets a Holiday postmark. After all, how often do you get to send mail from a town where love seems to find people whether they’re looking for it or not?

Roll down the windows and take a drive on one of the country roads. You’ll pass green pastures, weathered fences, grazing cattle and horses, wildflowers dancing in the breeze, and mountains rising in the distance. You might see a gorgeous lake in the distance, or hear the whistle from the old steam engine Hope if it is taking tourists for a ride today.

After dinner at the café or, if you’re feeling fancy, the Italian restaurant, wander over to the gazebo in the park. Strings of lights begin to glow as dusk settles over Holiday. Neighbors gather. Children run across the grass. Someone laughs nearby. The mountains turn dusky blue against a sky streaked with the last traces of sunset.

Holiday may exist only in the pages of my books, but in my imagination, it feels wonderfully real and I hope this little tour made it feel like a place you’d love to visit.

Even though you can get in a car or take a plane there, you can travel to Holiday through the stories. If you haven’t yet, I hope you’ll begin with Declaration of Love, Book 8 in the Petticoats & Patriots series. Come visit Holiday and discover a wholesome romance filled with patriotism, community, family, freedom, and abiding love.

If you could pack your bags tomorrow

and spend one day in Holiday, Oregon,

where would you go first?

Also, if you haven’t yet, be sure to enter for a chance to win

my huge Declaration of Love prize pack.

But hurry! Time is almost up to enter!

THE COWBOY’S LAST RODEO (AND A GIVEAWAY!) — by Louise M. Gouge

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Thank you for inviting me back to Petticoats and Pistols. I was here last January to promote my Love Inspired book Feuding with the Cowboy. Today, I want to introduce you to my brand new sequel, The Cowboy’s Last Rodeo. This story continues my series about the Mattson family of New Mexico cattle ranchers. As always with Love Inspired, my heroine and hero work through their unique conflicts and adversities on the way to earning their happily-ever-after.

 

Before I get into the specifics about the book, I want to jump on the bandwagon with other on P&P writers in celebrating the United States’ 250 anniversary. Quick question you don’t have to answer: How much did you have to practice to say “Semi-Quincentennial”? In May, I gave a patriotic talk to a ladies’ meeting, and I sure did have to pause and think each time I said the word. LOL! Also, to celebrate this remarkable anniversary, I brought a colorful ornament, some cute juice glasses, two tee shirts, a welcome mat, a yard flag, and a brand new Stars and Stripes flag to fly by our front porch. There was so much more I wanted to buy, but I had to stop someplace. BTW, I took all of these pictures with my iPhone, so they’re mine.

 

I’ve always been very patriotic. When I was in high school in 1962, I was honored to be chosen as the soloist when my choir introduced a new song titled “I’m just a flag-waving American.” Back then, everybody in this country would have made that same proclamation. If you click on the link, you won’t see me singing because, sad to say, my performance wasn’t recorded. Instead, you’ll hear a wonderful high school group singing the song in a 1976 celebration of our Bicentennial. Now, as we are about to celebrate the Semi-Quincentennial, it’s so inspiring to listen to the words of this song. Let me know what you think.

Thinking of patriotic people, I’m always impressed by the patriotism of the cowboy and rodeo community. These hardworking, down-to-earth folks get it. This is the greatest country in the world, and they are thankful to be here where we’re free to be whoever God wants us to be. Knowing The Cowboy’s Last Rodeo would be released in July, I made sure to include a scene in which my hero and heroine attend a community Independence Day celebration, complete with patriotic music, hot dogs, and fireworks. Rodeo cowboys and cowgirls are especially faith-filled and patriotic folks. You can always count on hearing an opening prayer and singing the National Anthem before every rodeo. And if the event happens on Sunday, they always attend Cowboy Church right there in the rodeo arena.

Here’s the story:

He’s risking it all for one last ride…After a near-fatal fall, former bull rider Raeder Westfall is determined to prove he’s no quitter, especially to his five-year-old son, Peanut. But rodeo queen June Mattson knows the price of chasing glory, and as Peanut’s Sunday school teacher, she worries Raeder is risking too much. Yet when the Riverton Stampede loses its star, June surprises them both by tossing Raeder’s name into the ring. As they work to save the town’s biggest event, friendship turns to something deeper. Can they overcome fear and pride to build the family they both long for?

So, what did you do to celebrate our Semi-Quincentennial? I’m partial to barbecue pork, baked beans, coleslaw, and corn on the cob for my July Fourth menu. Leave comments to enter my drawing for one print copy of The Cowboy’s Last Rodeo to a U. S. resident.

 

 

South Carolina author Louise M. Gouge writes contemporary and historical romance fiction, winning the prestigious IRCA in 2006 and placing as a finalist in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2017. She was also a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Awards in 2005, 2007, and 2008, and placed in the Laurel Wreath contest in 2012. Most recently, she was a finalist in the 2023 and 2024 Selah Awards. A former college English and humanities professor, Louise is a 25 year member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers. Married for fifty-four happy years to her beloved husband, David, Louise is now widowed and spends her days researching and writing her next novel.

 

You can find her complete Booklist and more info about her writing at her website: https://louisemgougeauthor.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouiseMGougeAuthor

Follow me on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/louise-m-gouge

Roped Into Paradise

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Sometimes the idea for a story catches me completely by surprise.

Such was the case for my wholesome rom-com that releases next week.

Last February, I was sitting at my desk, looking outside at the cold, wintery day, and wondering why we don’t plan vacations to sunny locales during the coldest months of the year, when an email popped into my inbox from my dad’s cousin, J/J.

J/J loves to go on cruises. In fact, at the time, he was on a multi-week, back-to-back series of cruises in the Caribbean.

When I saw an email from him, I thought, “Oh, fun! More news from someplace where it is warm and sunny and you don’t have to put on wool socks just to go get the mail.”

The email read:

“Is there any chance in the future I might see a book about romance on the high seas where a cowboy takes a cruise to some exotic location?”

After reading that question, I couldn’t help myself. My imagination shifted into high gear and I began brainstorming story ideas.

What if there was a cowboy from someplace cold, going to spend time with his grandmother who lived someplace warm, and the grandma—being an eccentric ol’ gal—drags him onto a cruise without giving him any warning or opinions on the matter? From there, the ideas kept rolling.

I’ve never been on a cruise, but, thankfully, J/J was so kind to answer my many questions and share day-to-day cruising details with me. For a week, I almost felt like I was right there on the cruise ship. J/J was also kind enough to save a bunch of information he received on the cruise, like their daily planners, and mail them to me when he returned home. There was so much great information that he shared, and I tried to work in as much as I could into the story.

A cowboy, a cruise, and a meddling grandma—what could go wrong?

JJ McKade expected to spend two weeks with his grandmother at her condo in sunny Florida, celebrating her birthday. Instead, he got shanghaied by his mischievous grandma on a Caribbean cruise—complete with hot pink luggage, a gaggle of giggling octogenarians, and a humiliating childhood nickname haunting his every move.

Between meddling matchmakers, unexpected friendships, and the endless chaos of cruise life, JJ can’t help being drawn to Kinsley Kline, the ship’s enchanting horticulturist. There’s just one catch: crew fraternizing with passengers is strictly forbidden.

With only a few months left in her contract aboard The Affinity, Kinsley can’t let anything rock her boat or derail her plans. Then the arrival of a hunky cowboy on the ship makes her question if some rules are meant to be broken, and a little boat rocking is a good thing.

From sun-drenched beaches to moonlit strolls, JJ and Kinsley must decide if an onboard romance can last on land, and if love is worth risking their hearts.

Packed with laughter, longing, and a grandmother who refuses to play by the rules, Roped Into Paradise is a heartwarming and wholesome romantic comedy about family, hope, and finding love where you least expect it. Perfect for fans of witty banter, unexpected romance, and cruise ship escapades that sweep you off your feet.

Here’s a little excerpt from the book:

JJ tugged on the only pair of clean jeans he’d packed in his bag and unrolled a green plaid western shirt, fastening the snaps with one hand while using the other to finger-comb his hair. In the adjoining bathroom, he splashed his face with cold water and brushed his teeth, then he moseyed into the kitchen, lured by the scent of coffee.

“Here,” Grams said, shoving a travel mug into his hand. “You can drink that on the way.”

“On the way to where?” he asked, taking a long, bracing sip of coffee so strong and black, he could feel it peeling away layers of tissue as it traveled down his throat.

“The store, JJ. Do try to keep up,” Grams said, snagging her car keys off a hook by the door that led into her garage. She gave him a look that clearly conveyed her thoughts that he was hopeless as he stumbled over the step into the garage. “I’ll drive.”

He thought about arguing, but refrained. Until the caffeine kicked in, he wasn’t sure he could find his way out to the end of the driveway.

Ten minutes later, Grams pulled into the nearly empty parking lot of a superstore that sold everything from fried chicken to pontoon boats. Hungry as he was, the fried chicken didn’t sound all that bad, even if it was a grease-soaked remnant from yesterday’s offerings.

Confused as to why they were at the store before most of the population was even awake, JJ took another long drink of coffee and then set the mug in the cupholder of the SUV.

“Why on earth are we here?” he asked as he got out of the vehicle and walked with his grandmother to the door.

“We can’t go on the boat ride until you are properly outfitted.”

“Boat ride? Outfitted?” JJ thought maybe he’d dreamed the part about Grams mentioning a boat ride last night. Did he really need new attire for a ride around the lake? Usually, they took a fishing charter cruise around the lake at some point during his visit. Cargo shorts, a T-shirt, and an old pair of sneakers would work just fine for that. “What are you talking about, Grams?”

“I told you I booked a boat ride, JJ. Aren’t you listening?” Grams asked as though he were five and incapable of paying attention.

He watched as his grandmother snagged a shopping cart from the row of them outside the door, set her purse inside, and grabbed his arm in one seemingly smooth motion as she marched inside the store.

“What kind of boat ride requires getting up this early in the morning to come shopping here, of all places, so I can be properly outfitted? Last I checked, you and Mom would both develop acute hives if you had to purchase your wardrobe here.”

Grams smiled at the greeter standing near the door and made a beeline for the men’s clothing. JJ hoped he could still move with as much agility as his grandmother had when he was her age. Then again, she attended a yoga class three times a week and took pride in walking at least a mile every day.

“It means, JJ, that we are boarding a cruise ship at half past ten this morning and setting sail for the Caribbean. You need clothes for an eleven-day trip. From the pathetic contents of your duffel bag, you’ll be forced to wash your undies in the bathroom sink every other day. You should have listened when your mother suggested you pack a suitcase with plenty of clothes, baby. Now, stop dawdling and get to shopping.” Grams pointed to a rack of cargo shorts.

Releasing January 29!

If you could snap your fingers and be on a dream vacation today, where would you go and what would you see?

Post your answer for a chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card!

The Bridge and a Farmer

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I have two new books out this month, and they are so different, yet both were so fun to write.

The first one (The Bridge) is a blend of high-stakes drama, found family, and a heartwarming holiday ending.

The second one (Favoring the Farmer) is a fun rom-com with a mop-wielding meet-cute, a meandering goat named Ethel, and a tiny community full of love.

The Bridge

 

Christmas Eve. One Man’s Choice. Five lives that will never be the same.

The fate of strangers intertwines when a man contemplating suicide commandeers a bridge on Christmas Eve, forcing everyone into an unexpected detour from their holiday plans.

Sergeant Archer Raines finds himself torn between duty and family as he negotiates with the distraught man.

Pregnant Rosalee goes into labor and navigates an expected trip to the hospital with the help of Nova, a compassionate nurse.

Carter, a seasoned tow truck operator with a romantic heart, winds up in the midst of the drama on the bridge.

Ian, a recent college graduate eager to pursue his career, finds love in the most unlikely of places.

Set against the backdrop of a busy holiday, this novel balances tension and warmth with the enduring strength of human connections.

It is entirely possible I got a little carried away with this book. There were definitely many firsts for me tied to it.

I decided the cover was too pretty not to put it into hardback, but I wanted the hardback to have a little something extra. So, it includes a bonus chapter not available in another of the other formats. Each chapter has a lovely illustration at the beginning, and there is an alternate  wintery cover beneath the dust jacket! You can watch an unboxing video here.

I also created a Book Club Kit. It’s free to download. If you have a book club, know someone who belongs to one, or just want to take a look, you can access it on my website.

 

The characters from the story have become so dear to my heart, I wanted to share them with you, so I created character cards. The front of each card has a watercolor illustration of the character, and the back has a description. You can purchase them directly from Shutterfly.

Archer

Rosalee

Nova

Carter

Ian and Kate

I also have bookmarks, two different stickers, and these gorgeous, tote bags that you can buy direct from Amazon. (I’ve been really impressed with the quality.)

If you haven’t yet, I hope you’ll check out The Bridge! It’s available in ebook, audio, paperback, or special hardback formats

Amazon  |  B&N   |  Apple   |  Kobo   |  Smashwords |  Audible

 

Favoring the Farmer

He’s a weary farmer. She’s a city designer with a rebellious teen in tow. Summer Creek might just be the fresh start they need.

Farmer Dane Becker feels like life has left him behind. With his father gone and the woman he loved like a grandmother now laid to rest, Dane is exhausted, lonely, and convinced his best days are buried in the middle of his wheat field. Then one evening, he spots lights in the house next door. His investigation ends with a mop-wielding beauty mistaking him for a burglar—while unexpectedly stealing his heart.

Bellamy Larken is used to designing one-of-a-kind apparel for Hollywood’s elite, not wielding cleaning supplies against handsome strangers. But when her younger sister Elise’s rebellion spirals out of control, Bellamy—as her guardian—knows something has to change. Inheriting her late aunt’s home in Summer Creek, Oregon, feels like the perfect fresh start. Hastily packing without warning her sister, she drags Elise from the city to small-town life, hoping the quiet community will give them both a chance to heal.

But the house is stuck in a disco-era time warp, Bellamy feels overwhelmed, and the rugged farmer next door is equal parts frustrating and irresistible. Dane insists he doesn’t need anyone, yet Bellamy’s determined heart might be exactly what he can’t live without.

Filled with small-town charm, laugh-out-loud moments, and a tender romance that blossoms under beautiful Oregon skies, Favoring the Farmer is a sweet and hopeful love story about finding where you truly belong.

Coming October 30!

 

One of my favorite parts of The Bridge is how strangers become something more.
Have you ever met someone by chance who changed your life?
Share your story below—I’d love to hear it.

One commentor will win an autographed copy of The Bridge and some fun swag!

Harvesting Happiness: Corn Mazes, Farm Stands, and Everything Fall! By Guest Blogger Tanya Agler

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Thank you so much to the fillies of Petticoats and Pistols for having me back as a guest blogger, following the release of my latest Harlequin Heartwarming, A Family for the Cowboy Cop, set in Violet Ridge, Colorado. 

 

Autumn might be my favorite season. I love the cooler weather and the blaze of red, orange and gold on maple and oak trees. There’s something for everyone in fall as communities often come together at festivals, some of which celebrate harvesting like apple or pumpkin festivals, some center around arts and crafts while still others provide for an opportunity to take time to appreciate the natural beauty of the season ranging from hot air balloon festivals to farm tours. 

In A Family for the Cowboy Cop, Cassie O’Neal owns Thistle Brook Farm and is looking forward to her first year operating a corn maze, which are popular in many parts of the country, but especially so in the West. Colorado’s real-life longest running corn maze is located at Anderson Farms, a twenty-five acre attraction which offers three different adventures for families and groups visiting the maze. Other popular Western mazes include a thirteen-acre maze at the Lowe Family Farmstead in Idaho and a choice of two mazes at Cornbelly’s in Utah. 

 

Photo by Tom Fisk

Both farm stands and farmers markets are experiencing a boom in Colorado with over one hundred such sites popping up all over the state, allowing residents and tourists to experience the different offerings from fresh Rocky Ford melons to Pueblo Green chiles to Palisade peaches. Farmers markets have expanded over the years, and I was astounded this year over the variety and energetic environment when I attended two farmers markets in different states. There was music, artisan wares, pet treats, and so much more like sourdough bread and fresh vegetables. At one of the farmers markets, my daughter and I purchased earrings while my son and I ordered delicious churros. 

Photo by Erik Scheel

 

What I love about reading books set in the West, whether historical or contemporary, is the resilience and ingenuity of the heroines. I like to think Cassie follows in this tradition as she is thinking of ways to increase income at her family farm. In addition to her new corn maze, Cassie also runs a farm stand, selling fresh produce from her farm as well as her own special jam and hanging plants. This summer on my travels through seven states, my husband loved stopping at farm stands, and my family loved the juicy peaches and freshly picked corn that we purchased. There’s nothing like a peach fresh from the orchard.

In the midst of trying to get her corn maze operational and open to the public, selling her seasonal jams and fresh produce at her farm stand, and taking care of her two children and the animals living at Thistle Brook Farm, Cassie O’Neal finds herself opening her home to Denver detective Jase Virtue, who grew up in Violet Ridge and whose brother is the manager of the local Lazy River Dude Ranch. Jase wants to capture the escaped robber, who happens to be Cassie’s half-brother, and return home to Denver. The longer he stays at Thistle Brook Farm, the more he questions his theory that Cassie is the robber’s accomplice. 

 

Have you visited a farm stand or farmers market lately? What was your favorite part of the experience? If you haven’t, I hope you’ll leave a comment about your favorite fall activity. One commenter will be chosen to receive an e-copy of A Family for the Cowboy Cop and a $10.00 Amazon gift card. 

Fictional Wyoming Town in His New Companion

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My new book released today! His New Companion is the final book in my Wyoming Legacies series, and it’s a Love Inspired K-9 Companions novel, too. I’ve written six books set in the fictional Wyoming town of Jewel River.

The first book, The Cowboy’s Christmas Compromise, sets up the premise of the series. Jewel River has seen better days. Erica Black moves to town and wants to revitalize it. She asks locals to get together to discuss what the town needs and how they can make it vibrant again. Thus begins the Jewel River Legacy Club. Monthly meetings are held in the community center, and each book in the series features at least one meeting. Some of the residents have kooky ideas, and others are hard-nosed and against change. One thing is for sure–the meetings are never boring!

In His New Companion, Ty Moulten has never been to a meeting. His mother, Christy, has been trying to get him to attend one for years, and he never has. He’s hidden himself away on his ranch for five years. He didn’t intend to, but after his fiancée died, he got depressed and couldn’t handle people’s well-meaning sympathy. When the story begins, he’s finally getting out of his shell. He volunteers to foster a service-dog-in-training on weekends, but he gets more than he bargained for. He’s introduced to Fritz, a mini-dachshund, and Ashlinn, the new girl in town with a service dog of her own. And needless to say, he finally attends a meeting.

And as he spends time with Ashlinn, Ty comes to appreciate Jewel River and the community he’s avoided. He sees how generous and supportive the people at his church and his mother’s friends can be. Plus, his mother shocks him with a surprise announcement regarding one of the characters I loved writing–Clem Buckley, a wiry, tells-it-like-it-is retired rancher.

I’m going to miss Jewel River, but I already have a new fictional Wyoming town to enjoy! My next series with Love Inspired is called Wyoming Inheritance, and the first book releases in late October.

Read an excerpt of His New Companion

He would not get attached to the dog. After all, this was a temporary gig.

Ty Moulten stood outside the entrance of Howard Service Dogs in Jewel River, Wyoming, after five on Friday and wondered again if fostering a dog on the weekends was wise. Maybe he should wait until next year when he’d have more time to get used to the idea. Or he could try in a few months when the temperature cooled. July had been a scorcher so far, and they were only midway through it.

Either the sun was melting him or he’d worked himself into an actual fever. Why was he so sweaty? Probably didn’t help that after he’d finished checking cattle, he’d opted to change into a fresh pair of jeans instead of shorts.

Life made more sense in jeans, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. And being comfortable would help him keep his head on straight. His heart had been broken once. Shattered, really. Fostering a dog was nothing compared to what he’d had with Zoey, but it didn’t change the fact there wasn’t enough of his heart left for him to squander the little that remained.

He didn’t do love—or people in general—anymore.

***

 

His New Companion by Jill Kemerer cover. Mountain background, golden retriever service dog sitting on wooden deck

Healing from heartbreak
Can start with a four-legged friend.

Six years after losing his fiancée, rancher Ty Moulten still struggles with grief. Organizing a fundraiser in her honor and fostering a service dog feel like a step forward, and lead to meeting Ashlinn Burnier, the service dog training center’s new administrative assistant. As Ashlinn helps Ty plan the fundraiser, he finds himself falling for Fritz, the tiny dachshund in his care, and for Ashlinn—who has a service dog of her own. But Ashlinn worries her health challenges make her a burden, and Ty wonders if he can open his heart again. Will two hardworking pups help them choose love over holding on to fear?

Purchase His New Companion!

Do you enjoy fictional towns, or do you prefer stories set in real ones?

Thanks for celebrating with me!

Jolene Navarro Has Found Heaven

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The Heart of Family is in the Texas Hill Country:

Why I’m Back on the Frio River

Writing has always been a way for me to make sense of the world around me. And there are two subjects that constantly tug at my heartstrings, begging to be explored. The beautiful chaos of big family dynamics and the serene, rugged charm of the Texas Hill Country along the Frio River. When these two worlds collide in my writing, it’s like magic for me.

My last few series have been along the Texas Coast. Who can resist a cowboy pirate. Not me.

But now I’ve started a new series in the fictional town of Rio Bella with the five De Leon siblings. They were raised by their grandfather.

There is something undeniably special about large families. The constant laughter, the occasional squabbles, the shared memories, and the deep bonds that tie everyone together. These dynamics are a rich tapestry of stories I love to write.

My goal is to capture the essence of those moments, big and small, that make family life so vibrant. Whether it’s a chaotic family gathering or a quiet moment shared between generations, I find endless inspiration in these relationships.

The Texas Hill Country, specifically along the Frio River, holds a piece of my soul. The rolling hills, the crystal-clear waters, the ancient cypress trees—it’s a place of breathtaking beauty and profound peace. When I write about this place, I’m transported back to lazy summer days spent swimming in the river, the smell of barbecue in the air, the sound of crickets chirping under a starry sky and chasing fireflies in my grandparents’ backyard. The Frio River isn’t just a location; it’s a character in its own right, shaping the stories I tell.

In THE TEXAN’S UNEXPECTED HOME, my hero doesn’t think he belongs in the small town of Rio Bella, but he might change his mind. I love this story of finding family and home where you didn’t expect it.

After losing everything in a devastating fire, racehorse trainer Kingston Zayas returns to his family’s ranch to claim his inheritance…and learns that he must first live there for a year. The only silver lining? Single mom Abigail DeLeon, the ranch’s event planner, and her energetic son, Leo. But Abigail’s family wants nothing to do with any Zayas. Forced to work together, they unravel a tangle of secrets that changes everything Kingston thought he knew about his family—and most important, where he belongs…

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

The Ranchers of Rio Bella

Book 1: The Texan’s Unexpected Home

Here are some reasons why I feel so compelled to write about these topics:

Connection: Writing allows me to connect with others who share similar experiences or dream about that type of life. I have the honor of writing my dreams and walking through the pages with me. It makes my dream real.

Preservation: Bits of truth and family stories are woven through my fictional pages. I want to capture stories and memories before they fade.

Exploration: Each story is an opportunity to explore the complexities of relationships and the magic of nature in a deeper way. How has God worked in my life? It can be very eye opening for me.

Joy: Ultimately, writing about these topics brings me immense joy. It’s a way to celebrate the things that matter most to me: family and the beauty of the natural world.

This photo is of my husband’s mother with her children (11 surviving) and grandchildren and great grandchildren. Yes, we had to go to the high school football field to get the picture. How Texas is that? Writing about big family dynamics in the setting of the Texas Hill Country along the Frio River feels like coming home. It’s where my heart is, and it’s what I feel compelled to share with the world. I’m currently writing the third book in the series and it just feels so natural.

I’ve shared my favorite place in the world with you and as much as I love my Hill country I also love traveling. So, give me a place to go. If you could go one place in the world, where would it be and what would you recommend, I do there? Leave a comment to put your name in the hat for one of three copies of The Texan’s Unexpected Home. 

So, inspire me. Give me some good places.

About Jolene:

Jolene, a seventh-generation Texan, knows, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heart breakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that dancing in the rain never gets old. Her life, much like her stories, is filled with faith, family, laughter, dirty dishes and all of life’s wonderful messiness. She uses her art degree to teach inner city kids about the world and they teach her about life.

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An Angel for an Enemy by Pam Crooks

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The Civil War was raging in 1862, but perhaps no one experienced that more than the Confederate and Union soldiers themselves on September 17, 1862, during the Battle of Antietam. Located in Washington County in Maryland, Antietam held the gruesome distinction of being the bloodiest battle in American history with 23,000 casualties.

Bela L. Burr wasn’t one of them, but he was severely injured in the right shin and left ankle and lay dying in the hot sun that day. Having been enlisted in the Union Army for only a month at the young age of 18, he’d laid there in the blood-soaked cornfield, surrounded by his fellow soldiers already dead and waited for his own death to come.

But even impending death didn’t keep him from crying out for water.

It seemed impossible anyone would hear, let alone help, but angels hovered over those scattered bodies, and one answered his call.

A Confederate soldier by the name of James M. Norton was marching near the cornfield. Moved to compassion, he left the march, well aware that sharpshooters were hidden in the trees with orders to aim at anything that moved. Dropping to his knees, defying the shots ringing out, he carefully shimmied over to Burr and offered him his canteen.

It would be an agonizing 48 hours before Burr was discovered and taken to medical treatment. Doctors determined his injuries were severe enough that he warranted a discharge for disability. Though the bullet couldn’t be removed from his ankle, Burr went on to marry, have a family, and become a successful newspaper editor.

In contrast, James Norton lived and fought through the entire war. Once the war ended, he returned home to marry, divorced his wife, then re-married her. They raised their children while he built himself a career as a builder.

But Bela Burr never forgot James Norton, the angel who helped save his life by the simple act of sharing his canteen. Through the power of his newspaper, he printed numerous want ads in hopes of learning the Confederate soldier’s identity. Amazingly, a former Confederate officer familiar with the story helped Burr and Norton reconnect. The two soldiers began to correspond regularly, and Bela Burr invited James Norton to his home in Connecticut for a reunion, setting the day for the Spring of 1897.

I wish I could tell you the two soldiers had a happy reunion, but sadly, there is no record of it.  Perhaps James Norton became ill and was unable to travel, since he passed away two years later.  Who knows?  But if the reunion did, indeed, happen, as a newspaper man (and a writer myself), I’d like to think Bela Burr would have graciously and eloquently shared his story with newspapers nationwide.

And that bullet in his ankle he carried around for decades? It was finally surgically removed in the early 20th century. Bela Burr died a few years later on April 29, 1908.

But he kept that flattened piece of lead as well as the late 1890’s X-ray which revealed it was still there, and a small local museum housed the artifacts in his memory.

As I prepared for this blog, the author of one of the articles I read mentioned how he felt it was weird for someone to save a bullet like Bela Burr saved his, including the X-ray. He then included a link to a You Tube video of a young man who saved his. . . Well, I’ll let you decide if it was weird and quirky.

World’s Biggest – Toenail Collection

Did you ever have a quirky collection of something? 

Would you have saved your bullet and X-ray like Bela Burr?

What is the quirkiest collection you’ve ever heard or seen?

 

 

 

Don’t forget!  MY KIND OF COWBOY is FREE on your favorite platform for a limited time! 

THE FULL BLACKSTONE RANCH SERIES

 

 

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Grass Valley Cowboys Updated

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From time to time, authors give their books new covers. It might be to follow a trend, or it could be with the addition of a new book in the series. Or they could have grown tired of the cover and wanted something fresh.

A while back, I decided a few of the Grass Valley Cowboys series could use with an update.

First up was the first book in the series, The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan.  This book has had many covers since it first released.

The very first one was taken against the wall of my dad’s old shop on the farm where I grew up and the old spurs I borrowed from my brother.

 

And here is the updated version.

Sometimes the most unexpected circumstances lead to the best adventures…

Cadence Greer’s plans for a happy-ever-after derail when her fiancé runs off with his secretary a week before their wedding. Homeless, jobless, and jilted, she escapes to Grass Valley, Oregon, where she takes a job as a housekeeper and cook to seven cowboys on a sprawling ranch.

Trey Thompson is a well-respected pillar of the community, running a successful ranch with his brother. All he wanted was someone to cook meals and keep the house clean. When he hires Cadence Greer for the job, he gets more than he ever planned on, including a spunky orphan who quickly steals his heart.

 

The Cowboy’s Spring Romance, book two in the series was next up for the makeover.

 

This was version two of the book’s cover. I liked the cowboy and the daisies, but the cover felt a bit too busy.

The new cover is fun, and Trent Thompson has an enormous cowboy hat, which makes me grin every time I look at it. Right now, the eBook is on sale for just 99 cents!

One lonesome cowboy needs a few lessons in romance…
Trent Thompson doesn’t have many secrets, except for the torch he’s carried for the new schoolteacher since she moved to Grass Valley more than three years ago. Instead of asking her out, he’s dated every single female in a thirty-mile radius, giving her the impression he holds no interest in knowing her.

Lindsay Pierce moved to Grass Valley to teach and quickly fell in love with the small community as well as the delightful people who live there. Everyone welcomes her warmly except for one obnoxious cowboy who goes out of his way to ignore her.

Will Trent be able to maintain the pretense when he has to babysit his niece, who happens to be in Lindsay’s class?

Romance is in the air as spring fever hits the Triple T Ranch!

 

The fifth book in the series, The Cowboy’s New Heart, was the last one to get a new cover.

This was the last cover the book had. It was okay, but I felt the couple needed to be a little more … vibrant.

Maybe I just really love the red pickup!

The heart doesn’t care about age…

Former bull-rider Hart Hammond spent twenty years building a business empire while successfully avoiding love. He buried his heart the same day he made his last bull ride and has vowed to never make the mistake of loving a woman again. Then he meets the beautiful mother of the fun-loving Thompson tribe.

Years after her husband died, Denni Thompson can’t bear to think of giving her heart to anyone else. With three newly married sons, a grandchild on the way, and a busy life, Denni doesn’t entertain any notions of romance until she encounters the handsome new owner of Grass Valley’s gas station.

Can a broken-hearted widow and a heartless cowboy find love?

This time of year brings thoughts of freshening things up to mind and my to-do list.

Are you tackling any projects this spring?

Painting? New throw pillows? Remodeling projects? Planting flowers or a garden? 

Petticoats & Pistols