I’m excited to share with you my new Christmas books. It’s been a busy writing year. I’ve published 13 new books this year, as well as a few short stories, and I’ve loved writing each one of them!
Last December, Captain Cavedweller and I were able to cross one trip off our travel bucket list – seeing the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. That visit inspired me to write a new holiday series of books set in a beautiful home on the Columbia River in Oregon. The four books follow four generations of the Hudson family, beginning with Brant Hudson, who builds Hudson House, and the feisty woman who captures his heart.
He came to build the house of his dreams, but found a home for his heart.
After an extensive search for the ideal location to build a house he’s spent years designing, Brant Hudson knows he’s found the perfect site the moment he sets foot on the land near Silver Bluff, Oregon. However, frustrating delays leave him laboring alongside the very crew he hired to finish the house in time for Christmas. His work leads the woman who catches his eye to believe he’s a carpenter rather than the owner of the grand manor.
Holland Drake grew up on a farm, but she aspires to secure a position as a housemaid at Hudson House. While delivering lunch to her brother at the worksite, the door opens to a job when Holland encounters a strikingly handsome carpenter whose charm captivates her. Soon, Holland discovers the enchanting man is none other than the owner of the house and her new employer.
As the holiday season arrives amid a flurry of excitement and possibilities, Holland and Brant face choices that could change their lives forever. Will fear hold them back from stepping into the future together, or will their Christmas dreams of love come true?
A Christmas Dream is the first book in the Hudson House Holiday series of wholesome, heartwarming Christmas romances full of the joy of the season.
Will Christmas spark a romance that blooms into lasting love?
After losing his brother and part of himself on a French battlefield during the Great War, Kase Hudson seeks refuge from the haunting memories at his childhood home. He finds solace in carving wooden Santa figurines in his workshop in the stables that he sends to gift shops to sell. Kase distances himself from his family’s unwanted sympathy until his sister, Sarah, arrives for the holidays with her vibrant friend. He never expected beautiful Dori to breathe warmth and joy into the house right along with his heart.
With no family of her own, photographer Dori Stanford eagerly accepts Sarah Hudson’s invitation to join her for Christmas at her family’s home in Oregon. The two friends travel from their college in California to Silver Bluff, excited to spend the holidays at Hudson House. Once they arrive, Dori makes it her mission to connect with Sarah’s sullen brother, Kase, and draws him into the wonder of the season.
Will her persistence and encouragement be the spark Kase needs to step out of the past and into his future—possibly one that includes Dori?
A Christmas Spark is the second book in the Hudson House Holiday series of wholesome, heartwarming Christmas romances full of the joy of the season.
Will a Christmas romance lead two searching hearts to a lifetime love?
Bound to the Hudson House family estate, Vienna Hudson strives to uphold the legacy her grandparents established. When she’s not busy preserving her heritage or managing the family corporation, she steals away for horseback rides across the sprawling grounds—until a chance encounter with a handsome stranger turns her world upside down.
Surveyor Sam Bishop is tasked with plotting a new interstate through the Silver Bluff area. He faces a significant challenge when his calls to an elusive landowner go unanswered, prompting an impromptu visit to Hudson House. Excited to explore the beautiful acreage, nothing could prepare him for Vienna’s fiery welcome—armed with a pistol and a courageous spirit.
As holiday bells ring across the estate, Vienna and Sam work together to navigate the complexities of both the road project and the ever-evolving feelings dancing between them. Will the pair find a way to embrace their unexpected connection? Or will the pressures of responsibility and ambition tear them apart before they realize love is the most precious gift of the season?
A Christmas Love is the third book in the Hudson House Holiday series of wholesome, heartwarming Christmas romances full of the joy of the season.
A heartfelt holiday tale of a family’s legacy that leads two hearts to love.
Reeling from the recent death of his father, Alex Hudson returns to Silver Bluff to protect his family’s legacy. Upon reaching Hudson House, he discovers the once-vibrant estate all but abandoned. On top of that, his conniving aunts seem intent on seizing his inheritance. In search of support, Alex turns to a local attorney. There, he meets a woman who becomes an ally, friend, and the one person who can give him hope and a place to belong.
Nori Laroux enjoys working as a partner at her father’s law firm. However, when he entrusts an important client to her care, Nori finds herself grappling with her feelings for Alex Hudson from the moment they meet. Committed to protecting his inheritance, she is determined to help Alex preserve the legacy of Hudson House, even if it means risking her own heart in the process.
When Alex suggests the idea of reopening the historic home for a Christmas celebration, Nori and her family eagerly step in to help deck the halls and fill Hudson House with cheer.
Will the holiday season bring Alex and Nori to the discovery that hope is a special gift and that love is the most treasured of all?
A Christmas Hope is the fourth book in the Hudson House Holiday series of wholesome, heartwarming Christmas romances full of the joy of the season.
I also have a new book in my Rodeo Romance series.
It was so fun to write because the heroes are funny guys and Mending Christmas includes a few scenes of Billy (the hero) and Beth (the heroine) babysitting her best friend’s three lively youngsters. The book releases December 12!
When life throws them together, will love mend the broken pieces of their hearts?
Injuries are an inevitable part of the job for rodeo bullfighter Billy Clark. But when a feisty bull tosses him over the fence, Billy lands at the feet of a captivating woman. In that moment, he concludes the pain might be a small price to pay just to experience her gentle touch again. Having grown up as an orphan, Billy has struggled with loneliness his whole life. Yet, the way this woman gazes at him ignites a flicker of hope that he might one day find love.
After years of working in a bustling big city emergency room, Dr. Beth Moore desperately needs a break. She retreats to Twin Falls, Idaho, and settles into the house she recently inherited from her grandfather. When her best friend, Sierra, talks her into attending a local rodeo, Beth never expected to have an injured cowboy land at her feet much less to be so attracted to the charming man.
Concerned about Billy’s recovery, Beth travels with the rodeo stock company to keep an eye on him, while he unwittingly teaches her about the importance of embracing happiness. Will their budding friendship begin to mend the broken pieces of their hearts?
Mending Christmas is a wholesome holiday western filled with heartfelt moments, humor, and a tender romance.
I also wrote a brand new short story for this collection of historical Christian romances from a group of amazing authors, including our own Karen Witemeyer!
The best part – it’s free!
Beneath A Christmas Sky is my contribution. If you’ve read any of my Pendleton Petticoats stories, you’ll be thrilled to see old friends, like Riley and Bertie Walsh and Steve the Mule, make appearances in this heartwarming holiday romance.
Provide your best caption for the picture below – humorous, thoughtful or poignant – to be entered in the drawing.
All entries will be eligible for our oh-so-beautiful Grand Prize, too!
The Pink Pistol Sweet Western Romance Series was so successful, we wanted to do another, and we happily present to you our new Christmas series, Christmas Stocking Sweethearts!
Christmas stockings made by a devoted piano teacher for her beloved students connect each story in the series. A classic Christmas carol also adds a romantic layer to the stories, and of course, each piano student–all grown up!–finds his or her true love.
Be sure to join our Facebook Reader Group to stay informed on each Christmas Stocking Sweethearts release, prizes, and get to know the authors, too.
Howdy, everyone! Cathy McDavid here with an exciting announcement.
Lately, there have been a few changes in the corral here at Petticoats & Pistols. To celebrate our newest members and reacquaint you with familiar faces, we’ve put together a short video featuring all of the fillies. Take a peek at some of their awesome books and learn a little bit about them. Just click on the link below, and you’ll be taken to the video.
We hope you enjoy the video and will even share this post to help us spread the word. We really appreciate all our friends here at Petticoats and Pistols and love starting our days with you.
We’re always sad when a filly who’s been here for a long time moves on, but career changes happen. The Fillies had grown very attached to Julie Benson and hated to see her leave. But her new five-book contract with Tule Publishing is about Texas soldiers, not cowboys, so she felt it best not to stay. Please look for her romances as they come out. We’ll be sure to shout it to the rooftops. We’re so proud of her.
But that left one empty space in the corral and we’ve found an excellent author – Sarah Lamb – to fill it. Miss Sarah is quickly learning the ropes and we’re tickled to death to have her join us. She’s put her horse in the corral, and my Jasper has taken a shine to the mustang already.
Miss Sarah is the wife of an amazing teacher and mom to two boys who are growing up just a little too fast. Her day job is helping others to become writers, while she squeezes in each spare moment she can on her own books. She spends her days working and writing in the Blue Ridge Mountains and planning her next trip to Disney World. Miss Sarah has written a slew of bestselling romances, both historical and contemporary, thirty-four to be exact. We’re already finding her a wonderful Filly to complete our little family. Her first blog is April 3rd, and we’d love for you all to drop by and welcome her.
She’s not what he expected…but could she be what he needs? What she thinks she wants, isn’t what she gained.
Whispering Pines, Minnesota 1865
The stipulation of her father’s will was to the point.
In order to retain ownership of Stewart Woodsmiths, Bronwyn Stewart must marry or forfeit the business to the highest bidder. With three half-siblings to raise, little money, and no place to go, she needs help not only with the business but with the children. Yet, when Ian Taggart lands on her doorstep, she sees just the opposite of what she advertised for…or what she needs.
Imprisoned during the War Between the States, Ian Taggart doesn’t see himself as a worthwhile candidate for anything…much less a husband. Yet, when he meets his soon-to-be-bride, he sees a woman wounded in spirit.
Forging ahead in faith, can Ian and Bronwyn find the courage to see beneath the surface and create a forever family?
Pam Crooks
99¢
(Only a Few More Days!)
After significant editing to fit the sweet romance market, I’m re-releasing WYOMING WILDFLOWER, one of my earlier titles. I’ve kept all the Old West grittiness, though, as well as the historical accuracies of the time. Cattle rustling, squatters, the infamous Cheyenne Club, the famous range detective, Tom Horn – what’s not to love?
Here’s a blurb:
One of her father’s daughters . . .
All Sonnie Mancuso wants is to be needed by her father. Unfortunately, he already has a daughter–six, to be exact–and all he needs is a son.
One of her father’s men . . .
Orphaned in the slums of New York, fifteen-year-old Lance Harmon needs a home. Sonnie’s father gives him one, on the cattle-rich Rocking M ranch. Through the years, Lance learns to love the land, the work . . . and Sonnie.
And their legacy . . .
But Vince Mancuso’s health is failing, and there’s trouble on the Wyoming range. Sonnie returns home to claim the legacy that’s rightfully hers . . . but learns Lance has already claimed it.
I got some great news recently. My upcoming release, If the Boot Fits, received a positive review in Publisher’s Weekly! This is one of the industry’s biggest review publications and for some reason, they haven’t chosen to review any of my books in years. The last book of mine they reviewed was A Worthy Pursuit.
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Here’s my favorite quote from the article:
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“With a plot full of masked cowboys, family intrigue, and ranch politics, there’s ample suspense to keep readers turning pages, and the romance between Asher and Samantha offers just enough sweetness to balance things out. Witemeyer’s fans will be on the edge of their seats all the way through to the satisfying conclusion.”
We have big changes at the corral again. First, we bid a sad farewell to Kari Trumbo who had exciting things happening in her life and you’ll see a lot of new releases from her soon. Man, we hated to see her go though. Kari had entrenched herself into our hearts and brought an extra measure of sweet smiles. We wish her the very best in all she does. Reach for the stars, Kari! They’re not that high.
But we’re really excited to welcome a lady that I know will become a great friend. I want to introduce you to Jill Kemerer. Jill writes modern-day cowboys who drive pickup trucks as easily as ride horses. Each inspirational Harlequin Love Inspired becomes a Publisher’s Weekly favorite and over half a million of her books are sold world wide. We’re absolutely tickled to death to have her put her horse in our corral. Her newest book – United by the Twins – comes out February 20, 2024. Jill’s first blog with us will be Tuesday, February 6th. Please stop by and make her welcome.
After a terrible tragedy, wild game hunter Rexanna Brennan returns home to her family’s ranch to heal. She never expects to learn her crazy aunt has left her a pink pistol with an even crazier legend. But more unsettling, a Hollywood cowboy has moved onto the ranch, stealing her family’s hearts and maybe her legacy, too.
False accusations throw Roan Bertoletti into scandal and yank him out of his movie star life. His reputation shredded, he grasps at the second chance the Brennan family gives him. With his roots firmly planted, he’s living his dream to be a cowboy again, and he has no plans to leave the ranch anytime soon.
But Rexanna’s grief pulls at him. So does her insistence she can’t stay. Can he convince the beautiful heiress to claim what has always been hers? Time is running out, and so are his options.
Gabe Dawson didn’t believe catastrophes came in threes. That is, until his grandfather died, a fire nearly destroyed his home, and his grandmother started showing signs of forgetfulness.
When Hope Brody discovers Nora Dawson wandering in a snowy field and learns of the family’s loss, she sets out to recreate the quilt that was destroyed in the fire. But in order to present it to her at the Annual Christmas Eve Quilt gathering, that meant she’d have to get to know the taciturn Gabe Dawson.
Despite thwarting her efforts at friendship, Gabe finally acknowledges that Hope’s visits are helping ease his grandmother’s anxieties. Soon, he finds himself falling for the lovely quilter. But with only a small farm and almost constant care of his ailing grandmother, he has nothing to offer and would never be a woman’s first choice.
As Christmas approaches, will Hope look beyond his obligations and see a future blossom from a special, once-in-a-lifetime friendship?
Shanna Hatfield
My latest sweet holiday romance, Tricking Christmas is now out! You’ll find it in paperback and eBook formats. It is also enrolled in Kindle Unlimited!
Will an innocent offer of help lead two obstinate hearts along the road to love?
Truitt Lucas is the guy who brings laughter wherever he goes and refuses to take life too seriously. Beneath his carefree exterior, though, he yearns for more adventure and excitement than he’ll find working on the family ranch alongside his cousin and grandmother. When the opportunity arises to assist a trick rider, Truitt eagerly lends a hand. However, he soon finds himself drawn to the perplexing woman who barely tolerates him.
Jolee Judson is living her dream as a trick rider on the rodeo circuit, using her lifelong passion for horses and gymnastics to wow the crowds. But when her partner unexpectedly abandons her, Jolee is just desperate enough to accept a good-natured cowboy’s offer to help. Fascinated and infuriated by Truitt and his shenanigans, Jolee struggles against her growing feelings for him. Falling for Truitt could spell disaster for her future and derail everything she’s worked for.
Can the two of them find common ground where trust is earned and love becomes a cherished gift?
A sweet holiday novel full of the magic of Christmas, Tricking Christmas brims with small-town humor, heartwarming moments, and wholesome romance.
Getyour copy today while it is on sale for just $2.99!
I am excited to share that Love on Target has been shortlisted in the annual Laramie Awards, hosted by Chanticleer International Book Awards. I’m honored the book has made it this far in the judging. It was so fun to be part of the Pink Sisterhood series. If you haven’t checked out this story yet, I hope you will!
Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season filled with love!
Karen Kay
NEW RELEASE — well it’s a new release of a 25th Year Anniversary book — completely re-edited with original map (drawn by my daughter) and poster added back into the book — and a new cover!
WAR CLOUD’S PASSION
New Release Today!
Here a blurb of the book:
A Dangerous Passion.
Legendary Warriors, Book 1
At twenty-three, Anna Wiley is lucky. The children aboard an orphan train headed west don’t care that their nurse is too tall, too homely to be loved. They need her, and she will not rest until each one is placed in a loving home, including the last twelve bedraggled, rejected urchins clinging to her skirts.
When their train is attacked by a band of warriors bent on rescuing a kidnapped Indian boy, she doesn’t think twice about protecting the children—all the children, including the boy. Except keeping her charges safe means she must trust the formidable warrior who led the attack.
War Cloud plans to get the strong-willed white woman and her gaggle of children off his hands as soon as possible. Yet as he guides them toward civilization, he realizes there is beauty beneath Anna’s ill-fitting clothes, a strong spirit behind her sparkling green eyes.
Even as passion grows, War Cloud prepares to put her from him, and not only because of the animosity that hangs between their cultures. A centuries-old curse hangs over his ancestral line. A spell that could take her from him forever—should he dare to fall in love.
This is the 25th Year Anniversary Edition of this book.
Warning: Contains a passion that could lead to soul-stirring love, if the whispering ancestors have their way.
May the Love and Warmth of Christmas be with you throughout the coming year.
Jeannie Watt
I have a couple of free books in December! The first is a Christmas book from my Men of the Marvell Ranch series. A Marvell Country Christmas will be free from December 18-26, so mark you calendars. 🙂
The second book is only available on Apple devices, but that said, I’m thrilled that The Cowboy’s Christmas is Apple Books Romance of the Week and is free until December 9. Again, you have to access it from an apple device, such as an iPad, iPhone or iMac.
Wishing everyone a great December and a Happy Holiday Season!
Welcome to Yee-Haw Day, the once-a-month day we’ve reserved to share our news with you – all sorts of fun news!
So check out the post below to get the details on the kinds of things that make us goYee-Haw!!
Linda Broday
Courting Miss Emma will release tomorrow!!
Book 2 Hangman’s Daughters series
“One day I intend to court you, lady. That’s a promise. Hangman’s daughter or not.”
Stone Lassiter and Emma clashed until people tried to take their land and they had to fight to keep what is theirs.
Karen Witemeyer
I’m tickled pink to share that my novel In Honor’s Defense won the Will Rogers Gold Medallion for Western Romance. Yee Haw! I’ll be sharing more details about my fun adventure in Fort Worth to accept this award later this week. What made the award even better, was that I got to share the limelight with a filly sister. Shanna Hatfield brought home the silver medallion for her novel – Henley. Shanna wasn’t able to attend in person, but I cheered her on with embarrassing gusto from my seat in the banquet hall.
My editor, Jessica Sharpe, came down to join me for the weekend, and we grabbed a picture together with our medallions after the banquet.
Cheryl Pierson
Hey everyone! I have a new release that just came out last month, A MARSHAL FOR CALLIE.
U.S. Deputy Marshal Jaxson McCall is hired by Dunstan Treadwell, a powerful government official, to track down his runaway stepdaughter, debutante Callie Buchanan.
When Jax realizes he’s been double-crossed by Callie’s stepfather, he doubles down to protect Callie from an evil nemesis from his own past who has been hired to kill them both.
The stakes have changed: Treadwell doesn’t want Callie back—he wants her dead. And the man coming after them is a master at murder.
Jax catches up to Callie in Fort Smith, and none too soon, for Wolf Blocker, the man Treadwell has hired to murder his stepdaughter and Jax, is one step ahead of them—and he’s got assassination on his mind. Jax and Callie set out on the stagecoach for Texas, neither of them able to be honest about their circumstances. With Blocker on their trail and Apaches ahead of them, the future is uncertain.
One thing Jaxson knows: he cannot take Callie back to Washington to face an attempted murder charge. Matters are further complicated when Jax and Callie are forced into marriage by worried Cavalry Captain Alan Tolbert to avoid the trouble he believes Treadwell could cause.
Through all the pretense, the hardships, and the deadly danger, one thing becomes obvious. Callie and Jaxson were meant to be together for this new beginning, for this new forever love that neither of them had ever hoped to find. Will they live long enough to see it through?
Welcome to Yee-Haw Day, the once-a-month day we’ve reserved to share our news with you – all sorts of fun news!
So check out the post below to get the details on the kinds of things that make us goYee-Haw!!
Karen Witemeyer
My first short story releases next week on October 10. Yee-Haw! I’m so excited to share this fun Texas twist on the classic twelve days of Christmas.
Anna King has pledged her heart to Simeon Shepherd, but her father refuses to grant her hand to the young farmer. Simeon determines to be patient and earn David King’s respect over time with hard work and evidence of his ability to provide. However, when a wealthy new suitor arrives in Bethlehem, Texas to woo Anna with her father’s support, patience is no longer an option. Simeon has twelve days before Christmas to best his rival and prove once and for all that he is Anna’s true love.
A fun, quirky read that is short enough to squeeze into even the busiest holiday schedule.
I’m pleased to announce the release of my latest sweet Christmas story, A Sweet Montana Christmas. This book was so much fun to write. I hope you’ll check it out!
From Christmas heartbreak…
To their happily-ever-after?
Bridal shop owner Maddie Kincaid used to believe in happy endings. After being jilted weeks before her wedding, she retreats to a friend’s guest ranch and runs into her old coworker, ex–bronc rider Sean Arteaga. While planning the ranch’s Christmas open house together, Maddie starts falling for him…until Sean’s attempt to protect her backfires. Can Maddie find a way to forgive him and finally get her own fairy-tale ending?
Shanna Hatfield
I’m humbled, honored, and super excited to share my book Henleyis the Women Writing the West 2023 WILLA Literary Award Romance Winner. I’ve been dreaming of winning a WILLA Literary Award for years so this is definitely a dream come true! You can read why this award means so much to me on this blog post.
I also recently found out two of my books were Gold Medal winners in the annual Readers’ Favorite Awards.
Lake Bride (which tells the story of one of Henley’s descendants) is the winner in the Christian Romance genre while Guiding the Grouch was the winner in the Fiction Holiday genre.
I truly am just so incredibly honored to receive these awards. Thank you to those involved in the judging and to my readers for your ongoing encouragement and support. It means so, so much!
Karen Witemeyer
Mary Connealy
