Guest Author

Welcome Guest Jessica R. Patch and a Give Away!

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Welcome to Jessica R. Patch, who is joining us today to talk about her new Love Inspired Suspense release, A Killer in Texas.

When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted: Saddle Up for A Killer in Texas

There’s a reason Texas is famous for its legends. Some ride horses, some wear badges… and some stalk the shadows where good folks don’t dare wander.

When I sat down to write A Killer in Texas, I wanted to blend that classic Lone Star grit with pulse-pounding suspense and a touch of tender, hard-earned hope. And at the heart of this story is a woman who embodies all the spirit of a frontier heroine, only her battleground is modern Texas, and her weapon is her own fierce determination.

Libby Winters may be a bodyguard instead of a rancher or cowgirl, but she’s as courageous as any pioneer woman who ever squared her shoulders on the open range. For the past two months, she’s felt the cold eyes of a killer on her back—The Eye, a serial killer who watches his victims before striking. She’s guarding a person of interest connected to several homicides when The Eye finally makes his move, and suddenly the hunter becomes the prey.

And a Texas storm starts brewing.

Riding into that storm alongside her is protection specialist Axel Spears—her partner, her best friend, and a man with his own scars. Axel has a ranch and is a cowboy at heart, but he’s also a former FBI agent so he knows how to cross every desert and kick down every door if it means protecting her. I love a strong cowboy hero!

Together, they are thrust into a high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase across Texas—where dusty backroads hide secrets, danger lurks behind every bramble, and trust becomes their only lifeline which is tough because they both have trust issues.

Writing this book reminded me why Texas settings are so irresistible. Whether you’re facing down outlaws or modern-day killers, Texas breeds a special kind of courage, and a special kind of love story where the men are noble and fierce and the women are sassy and brave, or at least in my stories set in Texas.

What gets your pulse pounding? Have you ever felt eyes watching you? To celebrate the release of A Killer in Texas, I’m giving away two paperback copies to two U.S. winners! Consider this my way of tipping my hat to the readers who saddle up beside me with every new story.

 

New York Times and Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author, Jessica R. Patch has penned over 30 novels and is known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists. Jessica’s stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakable power of hope.

When she’s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, down the street at the Mexican restaurant, or collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook.

Sign up for her newsletter “Patched In” at http://www.jessicarpatch.com and receive a FREE short thriller.

Welcome Guest Louise M. Gouge

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Thank you for inviting me back to Pistols and Petticoats. It’s been a full year since I last visited to promote my second contemporary Love Inspired book, A Faithful Guardian, and I’m so happy to visit you again. I never tire of talking about our favorite genre: western romances. At the risk of repeating myself, I’ll just say I love to cheer for our heroes and heroines as they work through conflicts and adversities on their way to earning their happily-ever-after. Today I want to talk about my brand new release, Feuding with the Cowboy, the third book in my series about the Mattson family of New Mexico cattle ranchers.

True confession: Sometimes I fear I’m committing cultural appropriation when I write about cowboys. Like Nan Reinhardt wrote on this blog the other day (January 6, 2026), I don’t know any real, actual cowboys. It doesn’t count that many, many years ago, I went to high school with some cowboys and cowgirls in my southern Colorado high school. Or that my late sister owned a small ranch in New Mexico that served as my original inspiration for this series. Still, like Nan, I have watched countless cowboy movies and television shows and rodeos. And several years ago, my granddaughter was a rodeo queen, Junior Miss Silver Spurs, in Kissimmee, Florida, and is still a champion horsewoman in college. Those are my only cowboy credentials.

Still, the allure of the cowboy mystique is strong, and I can’t resist visiting my imaginary ranches and creating fictional versions of those real life hardworking, rugged individuals who helped build this amazing country I’m blessed to live in.

Now, about Feuding with the Cowboy and my Mattson family of cowboys and ranchers. In the historical novels I wrote about the beginnings of this family dynasty, I included a feud with another family, one of the staples of Old West stories. Just for fun, I brought that feud forward to the modern day, which of course meant I had to create a Romeo and Juliet story. I mean, if two families have been feuding for over a hundred and fifty years, how could it fail to happen that two young people from those opposing families would fall in love? Here’s the story:

He once defied his family for love. Can he risk it again?
Despite the generations-old vendetta between their families, Sam Mattson fell for Juliet Sizemore in high school—only to have his heart broken and his trust betrayed. And now, ten years later and a single mom, she reappears, asking for his help to gain custody of her troubled half brother. Sam knows he’s wading into dangerous territory, but he can’t bring himself to turn his back on Juliet. Yet old emotions don’t always fade, and Sam’s fractured cowboy heart is already feeling more than it should. Especially when Juliet’s hiding a secret that will transform their lives forever…

Learn more on Amazon or Harlequin.

I’m delighted to share one print copy of Feuding with the Cowboy to a U. S. resident. Please leave a comment below and answer one of these questions: Do you know any cowboys? If so, what’s your connection to them? If not, why do you love cowboys?

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.

Join Louise on Facebook

Follow Louise on BookBub.

Welcome Guest Tanya Agler + A Giveaway!

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The Inspiration Behind My Cowboy Historian Hero

Merry Christmas! I’m so excited to be back at Petticoat and Pistols, and thank you to the hosts for allowing me to be here today.

In my latest novel, The Cowboy’s Christmas Match, the hero, Crosby Virtue, is the town’s historian and works at the Miners’ Cottage, the oldest building in the fictional town of Violet Ridge, Colorado. This was such a fun book to write and part of the reason was the research that took me back to nineteenth-century Colorado.

Crosby is the driving force behind the restoration of the local train depot and the reopening of the Violet Ridge Express. It was so much fun researching similar real-life renovations. One such model was the Lyons Railroad Depot, which was built in 1885 but was closed in the 1940s due to declining popularity. Now, the site is part of the National Registry and has been turned into the Lyons Public Library. There are several other historic depots in Colorado that now operate as historic parks (the Silver Plume Depot) and as town halls (the La Jara Town Hall).

There is a renovated train depot close to my house, and I had a chance to take a tour of the Holly Springs Depot this past June. Here’s a picture of the interior of the depot.

In 2012, my family enjoyed a Christmas ride on a restored train in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia, and that was the inspiration for researching the rich history of Colorado’s rail system.

When Crosby isn’t overseeing the renovations, he is taking care of his pet iguana, Sundance, at the Miners’ Cottage, which doubles as the local history museum. There’s a mining town near me in Georgia, and I had the joy of being a chaperone on a field trip to two of the gold mines, one of which took us underground while the other showed off the loud mining equipment. For the book, it was fun stepping back in time and reading stories of the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and the impact that mining had on the region during that period.

In the book, Christmas Eve marks the reopening of the Violet Ridge Express. Trains played a vital role in Colorado’s growth, first connecting goods and people to the other parts of the country, followed by a way to connect the mining boom to cities. Narrow gauge railroads popped up in many areas, but by the 1940s many went out of business. Today, many historic towns, such as Durango and Georgetown, have renovated and offer scenic train rides around the countryside.

A blend of research with a touch of personal experiences, this book was so much fun, and I often went down the rabbit hole of reading stories of miners and trains as well as researching about the renovations that are taking place throughout Colorado to preserve their historical heritage.

Here is the blurb for The Cowboy’s Christmas Match:

Will his best friend…

Be his happily-ever-after? Accidentally agreeing to speak at the social event of Violet Ridge’s holiday season threatens to ruin quiet introvert and town historian Crosby Virtue’s whole December. His outgoing best friend, Sami Fleming, insists a makeover will cure his public-speaking fear—an extra-special Christmas gift as she’s leaving town to travel the world. Sami’s also sure her beautician skills will help Crosby meet the woman of his dreams. But Crosby already has—her. Now the clock is ticking… Can Crosby find the courage to tell Sami the words she suddenly, secretly, longs to hear?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Harlequin

Giveaway

Have you ever taken a ride on a historic train or visited a historic train depot?
If not, what’s a fun holiday tradition in your family?

One commenter will receive a $10.00 Amazon gift card and an e-book copy of the first book in the series, The Triplets’ Holiday Miracle (which is also set at Christmastime!).

Welcome Guest – Heidi Gray McGill + A Giveaway!

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Saddle Up for Christmas Grace:
Finding a Place to Belong on the Western Frontier

When we picture Christmas in the Old West, we often think of snow-covered barns, handmade gifts, and sleigh rides over open prairie. But what strikes me most is how the season pressed people together—whether or not they wanted it. The frontier had a way of stripping life down to the essentials: warmth, food, shelter… and people. Even strangers could become kin if the wind blew hard enough.

In A Place to Belong, Josephine Blake arrives in Shumard Oak Bend with nothing but a suitcase, a secret, and a baby about to be born. She doesn’t come looking for family. She doesn’t come expecting grace. But both find her anyway.

“You’ve done plenty,” Josephine whispered, though she wasn’t sure she believed it. The townsfolk had offered soup and shelter. But offering something and meaning it were not the same.

Josephine’s journey isn’t about holiday cheer—it’s about the quiet miracle of being welcomed when you don’t feel worthy. And isn’t that, in a way, the most honest kind of Christmas story? One where belonging isn’t earned by lineage or land, but gifted by love?

In the West, people had to choose each other. There wasn’t always a blood relation nearby. Or a preacher. Or a proper house to call home. Community meant making room, even when your own hands were full. That’s the redemption that threads through Josephine’s story—not just salvation, but restoration through the kindness of others.

“Christmas has a way of finding the cracks,” Pastor Korhonen said. “And pouring in just enough light to remind us we were never alone.”

I’ve often thought about what it meant to be a woman on the frontier. There were expectations, sure. But also, survival left little space for gossip or pettiness. A baby’s cry or a fevered brow had a way of softening hard edges. Josephine doesn’t arrive in Shumard Oak Bend ready to be loved. She comes prepared to run. But grace is relentless. It catches up to her as townsfolk who meet her needs in practical ways.

It’s easy to romanticize the West, just like we do Christmas. But I hope A Place to Belong captures something real—the ache and beauty of finding a home not because you fit in, but because someone opened the door.

This season, if you long for a reminder that redemption doesn’t come wrapped in tidy packages—or if you’ve ever felt like an outsider looking in—I hope Josephine’s story speaks to you. She didn’t expect a place at the table. She just needed somewhere to sit.

And she found it.

Giveaway

I’m giving away a signed print copy of A Place to Belong to one person who leaves a comment on today’s post.

What does belonging mean to you this season?
Have you ever been surprised by grace in an unexpected place?

Come say hello in the comments below. I’ll be popping in throughout the day and would love to chat!

Bonus Goody

And if you’d like to sample my writing, I have a Christmas short story to share with you when you sign up for my newsletter. Before We Belong is a tender tale of grace, hope, and fresh beginnings—available exclusively to my Reader Family. It’s my gift to you this season, and I hope it brings a bit of warmth to your heart. You can sign up right here and start reading today.

Wishing you a warm fire, a full heart, and a Christmas that finds the cracks and pours in light.

The Most Fun You Can Have Doing Western Historical Research

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Hi! Nancy Fraser here! I’m so pleased to return to Petticoats & Pistols for another visit. Just last week, I uploaded my final book for 2025 and now I’m going to take a much needed few week’s off before I begin again working on 2026. Hard to believe we’ve almost reached another year-end, isn’t it?

Today, though, I want to talk about western research. There is a definite skill required to organize the information needed to accurately portray the wild west in the 1800s. So much we take for granted now, or assume is correct, wasn’t even heard of in the 1880s or before.

My favorite searches revolve around the following:

• When did my story’s location ceased to become a territory and attain statehood?
• When did my location first get a railroad? Iceboxes? Dare I say it… electricity?
• How far is my fictitious location from a larger city? (Of course that’s my decision, but I like to find a similar real location and pretend it’s my fake town for distance purposes.)
• What was the population of the territory in 1885?

All of the above are fun and often necessary searches. By far my favorites are these:

• What’s the old west slang word for “a handsome man”? (Answer: Belvidere)
• How would my crusty character say, “the end” or “closed”? (Answer: Eventuate)

I keep an ongoing list of western slang that I’ve sorted three ways: alphabetically, by subject, and by first-used date. Yes, I sometimes over-organize. At the moment, my list is over 150 words long.

I thought it might be fun to share thirty of my favorites in a Word Search. Go ahead and give it a try. Feel free to share your results in the comments below.


OLD WEST SLANG WORD SEARCH

Clothing styles are another fun search. The array of references out there is sometimes overwhelming (and not always accurate). Given I write mostly small-town settings with everyday characters, it’s hard to go wrong with a simple skirt and plain blouse, or a calico dress. Trousers (not jeans) for the men and a gray or off-white shirt. Jeans (specifically Levis) are okay if we’re into the mid to late 1870s. Even though plaid/flannel was created by the Welsh in the 17th century, the fabric didn’t become popular in the western U.S. until the late 19th century.

Because I also create a lot of my own covers, as well as covers for several multi-author series books, one of my biggest frustrations is finding the perfect outfit, but realizing the model is wearing far too much makeup for the time period. I’ve become an expert in removing telltale signs of red lipstick and eyeliner. Still, making that cover perfect is all part of what I consider research.

In this final quarter of the year, I’ve released two sweet, historical romances. Both books required extensive research, and both include a few of those colorful slang words or phrases. (What’s a long list if you don’t use it?”)

I’d love to give you a peek at both of my accomplished and feisty heroines, and the men who fall in love with them.

Addie: Mackinac Bride (National Park Brides Series)

Other than two years of college in Big Rapids, Adelaide (Addie) MacDonald has spent her entire life on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan. Just a child when President Grant designated Mackinac as a National Park in 1875, she and her family were at the dedication.

In the years since, many have left the island for bigger and better things, yet Addie stayed behind as one of the few civilian employees. It’s been her dream to someday leave the island and finish her degree in agriculture and one day own her own farm.

When Jonathan (Jon) Ferris first met Addie, she was only twelve, he was eighteen, and on his way to college. After graduation, his plan was to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the military. Now, ten years later, he’s returning to Mackinac to take over command of the fort and the park. When he first sees Addie again, he can’t believe his eyes. Gone are the freckles and bright red ponytail. In their place is a beautiful and confident young woman.

Will returning to the park be the permanence he wants for his career and for his life? Will verbally sparring with the opinionated Addie lead to something infinitely more interesting? More importantly, will Addie find a way to fulfil her dreams while keeping those she loves close?

You can find Addie and Jon’s story on #KindleUnlimited.



Dumplings by Daria (Old Timey Holiday Kitchen Series)

Doctor Daria Keller arrives in Whistler Falls Montana at the height of their first winter storm. With barely enough time to drop off her luggage, she finds herself whisked off to the clinic to help set broken arms and treat frostbite.

When Rancher Finn MacIsaac arrives at the clinic to claim his injured son, he mistakes Daria for a nurse and dismisses her instructions out of hand, preferring to wait for the doctor. When she informs him that she is a doctor, he still insists on waiting until he can speak to a man. Pegging him as a chauvinist, Daria rushes off to help other patients.

It’s inevitable that they’ll cross paths, especially when Daria and Finn’s housekeeper become fast friends. Daria settles into her new position as head of the town’s clinic and small hospital and earns the respect of all those around her. The only person she’s not become friends with is Finn.
As winter takes a firm hold on the area, Daria must make a house call north of town. A buggy accident causes her and Finn to be trapped in snowbound cabin with only their wits and Finn’s skill with an axe to keep them warm. They do their best to avoid one another until they realize they’re both hiding hurt from their past. Over a tin of beans, they finally open up and share their secrets.

Can two people who started off at odds make up for lost time? Or are they destined to be nothing more than friends?

Finn and Daria’s romance is also available on #KindleUnlimited.


With the holidays fast approaching, I’d love to know your go-to holiday side dish or your family’s favorite activity. I’m also giving away one eBook copy of each of my featured books. Just comment below for your chance to win.

Until next time, I wish you happiness, good health, time to read, and a joyous holiday season!

Nancy

NANCY FRASER is a bestselling and award-winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.

Her preferred genres are sweet western historical and sweet small-town contemporary. However, she has been known to dabble in the most unusual settings.

 

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

 

You can follow Nancy here:

 

Amazon Author Page            

Bookbub

Bluesky Social

Goodreads

The Joy of Turning Christmas Pages Again and Again

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Hello! MK McClintock here. As the air turns crisp and the scents of spices and pine fill the house, I am drawn every year to one of my favorite traditions — pulling out my “A Home for Christmas” story collection. It’s become as much a part of my holiday season as decorating the tree or baking delicious treats — sometimes old favorites that remind me of the stories, or from newly discovered recipes that someone else has thoughtfully shared. But for me, it’s not just a collection of stories — the stories are a piece of my heart.

When I first began writing Christmas stories, I had no idea how deeply I would come to feel about them. I simply wanted to capture the feelings of the season — the quiet hush of a snowy evening, the golden glow of lights against a dark sky, the simple warmth of love and belonging. I lost myself in the characters’ stories, as authors do, often with a mug of something hot by my side, trying to translate that sense of comfort and wonder onto the page.

Now, every December (sometimes sooner), when I pull the collection from the shelf, it is like a homecoming. Each story carries with it a little echo of the time in which it was written — the mood I was in, the people I loved, the memories I wanted to hold on to.

There’s something so special about rereading my own words year after year. I can see the journey I’ve taken as a writer — the early stories that are simple and sincere, and the later ones that weave in more depth, more reflection. But above all, I can feel the same heartbeat running through them all: a deep affection for the season and what it represents.

Christmas has always had a way of slowing me down and reminding me what really matters, going so far as to trade in abundant gift-giving for simple presents only given to the children in the family, to better remember what the season means (stockings are still fair game). Writing these stories helped me put that feeling into something lasting — something I could share. And every time a reader tells me one of my books has become part of their own holiday tradition, I am truly touched.

When I pull out all the Christmas books – mine and those of other authors’ I’ve come to love to read – and set them out on shelves, tables, and by my bedside, surrounded by twinkling lights and soft music, I am overcome with gratitude for the stories themselves, for the people who read them, and for the way writing them has deepened my love for this beautiful season.

As I wait to decorate the house and trim the tree in the days after Thanksgiving, I’ll once again pour a cup of tea, settle by the fire, and open those familiar pages. And just like that, Christmas will have arrived — in both the world outside and in my heart, where these stories first began.

How do you read your favorite Christmas stories? By the fire? In your favorite reading nook? Any special hot drinks to go with your reading? Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider? I’m giving away one copy of A Home for Christmas (ebook or print) to one lucky commenter. 

 

America Newton – Successful Western Businesswoman and a Giveaway!

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This week, we’re so happy to welcome Tina Dee! She’s been here many times and her posts are always so interesting. Plus, we love her to death. 

In 1869, gold was discovered by an African American rancher and former slave, Fred Coleman in a creek on his property, which started Julian, California’s gold rush. The town became a tent city, practically overnight, with men and families moving in to stake their claims and strike it rich—or make money off those who hoped to. Quickly, this small gold mining town, located in the Cuyamaca mountains, rivaled the city of San Diego in number of residents. It also boasted up to eleven saloons, and only one small jail house featuring two small cells in the middle of town, no office, just the two cells, no frills.

During this rough and rowdy time, one woman, in particular, stood out. Her name was America Newton (1835 – 1917). An African American pioneer, she was one of the earliest Africa American settlers in the area and helped to found the former mining town of Julian. Formerly from Kansas, where she worked for James Cole, America came to California in 1872 with her daughter and ran a laundry service for miners and residents of Julian, though she could neither read nor write.

America, a former slave, operated her laundry business servicing Julian’s population during its gold rush days. She became of the first African American woman to operate a business in the area.

Water for the laundry was obtained by carrying buckets of water from a nearby creek. She heated her irons by the fireplace, which she kept burning by chopping and carrying her own wood. James Cole supplied her with a horse and buggy, which she drove around town to deliver the clean clothes to residents and gold miners. It’s said that she was right hospitable to those who picked up their laundry from her cabin, serving them a drink and a bit of local gossip, no extra charge. Folks enjoyed her friendly and talkative nature.

The Cole family helped America file to own a homestead of 80 acres outside of Julian. They also built her a cabin next to their home. America lived in Julian for 50 years. It’s said that she had a hearing problem and used an ear trumpet to hear.

She had moved to a small, wild, western gold mining town in the mountains, so very far from where she had gained her freedom. As a former slave, widow, and single mother—and with a little help from her friends—she rose to become an entrepreneur in a time when being a woman, and one with black skin, made it hard to just exist. But not only had she existed, she thrived in the Wild West and was successful in her business venture. And, she made people feel good, not just in the fresh, clean clothes they wore, but because she could make them laugh while living a tough life under harsh conditions.

I think about America Newton often. She has the gumption a lot of my heroines are made of.

Just for fun: Please share about someone who has inspired you (family member, friend, or someone from your life, or from history). A winner will be chosen by one of the Petticoats & Pistols Fillies to receive a pretty coffee tumbler with lid (approximately $20 value).

Thank you all for joining me today! It’s always a treat to spend time with Petticoats & Pistols readers. I’ve made two stories free today and tomorrow. One from each of my pen names, each with a heroine I believe has that same gumption America Newton had:  

Kaitlene Dee: Falling for Tallulah

Tina Dee: Keeper of my Heart

Kaitlene Dee, aka Tina Dee, spends time daydreaming about western romances with spunky heroines who insist on having their own stories written, and the swoony cowboys who love them. She often rescues stray dogs and can’t wait to give a forever home to her next dog or two…or five. Kaitlene enjoys gardening, traveling, writing, watercolor painting, and hanging out with reader friends in her Facebook readers group or with her newsletter readers. She’s an avid coffee drinker—and don’t even think about getting between her and a bear claw pastry. Follow her for updates on upcoming releases on Amazon or for many upcoming freebies, giveaways, and fun on her newsletter, here: Join Kaitlene & Tina Dee’s Newsletter

Welcome Guest Author Penny Zeller

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Howdy, y’all!

Penny here.

I am so honored to be a guest again on Petticoats & Pistols. This time, I’m taking us on a “look” into the past regarding eyeglasses.

In my book Love on the Horizon, our hero, hunky farmer Timothy Shepherdson, discovers he needs spectacles—ones far better than those he purchased from a traveling peddler that only seem to blur things even more.

I researched spectacles in the late 1800s and discovered eyeglasses were not seen as a positive. Instead, for men, especially, they indicated one was elderly or frail. I expounded on that for Timothy, a handsome young farmer in his twenties who did all he could to avoid wearing his new Brazilian pebble spectacles.

Eyeglasses, just as today, were pricey. Today, we can expect to pay $200-$500 per pair. In the late 1800s, fourteen-karat gold eyeglasses ranged from $4.50 to $8 per pair. Timothy, as a poor farmer, could not afford such an extravagance. Thankfully, he was offered a pair of Brazilian pebble glasses for $2.50.

Lorgnette glasses were popular, especially for women. These include a handle to be held to the face with one hand. Because they were not “fixed” on your nose with handles wrapped around your ears, they could be discarded at any time. Would Timothy want such a pair?

Miss Tudor’s titter echoed in the small room. “Oh, Father, you know a man such as Timothy Shepherdson would not cotton to a pair of lorgnettes.”

Timothy had no idea what the doctor was talking about. “I’m afraid I’m unfamiliar with that type.”

Dr. Tudor, who had joined his daughter in her amusement, temporarily sobered. “You may be aware of opera glasses.”

“I’m afraid I’ve never been to an opera.”

“Lorgnette spectacles possess a handle, and you hold them up to your face.”

Timothy could do nothing to hide his shock. He tugged on his collar, wishing it were looser around his neck. “My apologies, sir, but that will never do. I work long hours on my farm, and I need both of my arms.”

I found an interesting article regarding proper etiquette at a horse show from 1897. It mentioned that lorgnettes were available with a special design for the show, a design that included a “long silver handle formed of a miniature whip”. According to the article, “This lorgnette will be all the vogue at the Horse Show.” It’s priced at $7.50.

Traveling opticians were popular in those days. However, through my research, it seemed that these doctors felt the need to clarify that they were not fly-by-night snake oil salesmen who would sell you an expensive pair of eyewear, then disappear the next day, never to be seen again. Timothy had already been down that route with the unscrupulous peddler.

I found it interesting in an advertisement from 1894 that it must have been important for potential patients to know the optician’s age, as it is referenced that Professor Arnold is 59.

I’m super excited about the release of Love on the Horizon on October 28.

When Magnolia Davenport finally sets foot in the small town filled with friendly people and a slightly aggravating, but kind and handsome man who needs spectacles, will she find the new beginning her heart craves? I invite you to take a trip to Horizon, Idaho, in this tender romance that reminds us that God is the Author of new beginnings.

Go here to snag your copy of Love on the Horizon.

I’m giving one lucky winner their choice of a paperback or ebook of Love on the Horizon. (Limited to U.S. residents only). In Love on the Horizon, Magnolia, whose dream it has always been to open her own bakery, realizes that dream when she moves to Horizon.

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment in answer to this question: if you were living in the 1800s, what would be your profession?

Thank you for joining me today.

As a special gift, be sure to snag An Unexpected Arrival, a Wyoming Sunrise novelette, for free by going here.

 

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith-filled happily ever afters. Her books feature tender romance, steady doses of humor, and memorable characters that stay with you long after the last page. She is a multi-published author of over three dozen books and is also a fitness instructor, loves the outdoors, and is a flower gardening addict. Penny resides with her husband and two daughters in small-town America and loves to connect with her readers at her website at http://www.pennyzeller.com

Welcome Guest Author Lacy Williams

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A Love Letter to the Several Movies That Made Me Swoon

Lacy Williams here today. Thanks for having me! I’ve always loved watching romantic movies. I’ve inherited this from my mom, who has always been a movie aficionado. The summers when I was fifteen and sixteen, we went to this movie theater close to our hour sooo many times. It was kinda our special thing.

I’ll never forget watching Titanic for the first time. When Jack looked at Rose and said “I see you,” something hit me hard inside. Here was this girl, trapped in a gilded cage, drowning in expectations—and this boy from steerage saw her. Really saw her. Not her family’s money or her position or the performance she put on for society. Just her.

Years later, on a date night with my newly-minted husband, that same bang! in my chest. When Mr. Darcy confessed in the rain that Elizabeth had “bewitched (him), body and soul,” despite their differences.

And not long after that, my mother-in-law introduced me to Maid in Manhattan. That moment when the senator sees Marisa in a fancy dress she wasn’t supposed to be wearing and the whole plot unravels… So good!

For me, these stories answered a question I think we all ask ourselves: What if someone saw past everything—my mistakes, my circumstances, my ordinariness—and chose me anyway?

That feeling is what I wanted to bring to HEART’S PERILOUS JOURNEY, my November release.

Imagine that same breathless feeling you had watching Jack and Rose, but set in the dust and danger of the Oregon Trail. I wanted to write a hero who would give up everything—his inheritance, his grandfather’s approval, his comfortable life—to follow the woman he loves across a continent. A hero who sees the maid, not the uniform. Who recognizes her worth when even her own brothers can’t.

Alice Spencer has spent her whole life being told she doesn’t matter, that her needs come last. But Rob Braddock? He sees her. And like Darcy pursuing Elizabeth or the Prince searching for Cinderella, he won’t give up—even when she pushes him away, even when her brothers threaten him, even when the trail itself tries to kill him.

This is book eight of nine in my Wagon Train Matches series and it was an adventure to write as I try to wrap up the Oregon Trail journey for all the characters that have a place in my heart. I can’t wait for you to read it.
If you’d like a sneak peek at Alice and Rob’s romance, you can read A TENDER DEVOTION, free at Amazon and on all major retailers. Then in November, come fall in love with Alice and Rob. You can pre-order HEART’S PERILOUS JOURNEY now and get ready to and experience that “I see you” magic all over again.

 HEART’S PERILOUS JOURNEY — Keeping secrets is nearly impossible on an Oregon-bound wagon train. But Alice Spencer has kept a whopper from her protective brothers for months: she once fancied herself in love with her wealthy boss’s grandson. Her brothers don’t know *she’s* the reason Rob Braddock came on this westward journey. Only that he’s part of the reason they had to leave their home and friends behind. Her brothers will never forgive Rob—and neither can she.
The company is still weeks away from the Willamette Valley when Rob injures himself saving the youngest Spencer brother’s life. Alice has no choice but to pay back the life-debt. She strikes a deal to help the injured Rob finish his journey to Oregon, at which point, they’ll go their separate ways. All she has to do is keep from falling in love with him. Again.

*second chance romance
*he never stopped loving her
*different stations
*maid/wealthy

I’m so glad to be here to chat with you today.

Leave a comment and let me know what your favorite rags-to-riches movie or book is and be entered to win a paperback copy of A TRAIL SO LONESOME (Book 1) and a $20 Amazon gift card.

With multiple hits on the USA Today and Publishers’ Weekly bestseller lists and more than 1 million copies sold, Lacy Williams has won the hearts of readers worldwide with her heartwarming romances set in the rugged beauty of the American West. A proud Oklahoman, she balances writing with the joyful chaos of raising four children and snuggling her fur babies. Find bonus content athttps://www.lacywilliams.net

Welcome Guest Author Lynne Lanning

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It is said that “A picture paints a thousand words,” and it does. But pictures can’t capture the reality of seeing things for yourself, and I’m wondering how many words that’s worth!

Hello, everyone! I’m Lynne Lanning, and I am bursting at the seams to share my recent journey with you. My husband and I recently returned from a 39-day trip to the Western US. 8000 miles by car, and I have no idea how far on a cruise to Alaska. For my husband, (a history buff), it was fun and informative, but for me, it was all those things plus research.

I have at least 100 stories going around in my head right now, after all the amazing sights we saw. I brought home loads of pictures to remind me of the grandeur, and also stacks of books, brochures, and maps that will aid me in future stories.

Standing in the place where our ancestors stood gave me chills. I stood in wagon ruts on the Oregon Trail and Santa Fe Trail. I witnessed intimidating, rugged terrain they once called home. I stood in awe at sights of the sun setting behind majestic mountains that they once gazed upon.

It didn’t take me long to appreciate their sacrifices. As soon as I stepped out of my air-conditioned car, I appreciated them, and by the time I huffed and puffed my way up a slight incline, I knew they were my heroes! Those people were tough, strong, and determined. Even in my younger days, I’m not sure I would have made it past the first mountain chain, through the first desert, or crossing the first river.

I could go on for days telling you about it, but there is nothing like seeing it for yourself. This nation has more of God’s amazing creation than you could explore in a lifetime, and I am honored that I was able to see as much as I did. From painted mountains to waterfalls, deep canyons to majestic mountains, wildlife to prairies filled with wildflowers…all breathtaking. I just hope I can do it justice in my writing.

One of the interesting places I visited was Mesa Verde National Park – the only US National Park dedicated to a culture of people instead of a natural wonder. I have researched this park and its native people who disappeared for unknown reasons, leaving behind unbelievable archaeological treasures.

I recently wrote a novel, Muriel Mesa Verde Bride, that takes place at Mesa Verde, which will be released on October 31st. It was exhilarating to imagine my characters walking right along with me on those paths. The story is filled with suspense and gets a bit darker than my normal stories, but has such a sweet romance that blossomed under a dark, dangerous cloud. If you like Historical Romantic Suspense, I hope you will pre-order your copy today. Muriel, Mesa Verde Bride, in the National Park Bride Series.

In case you aren’t familiar with me, let me share that I also write lighthearted Historical Romance filled with grins and giggles. My best one yet was just released on October 6th, 2025 – Loving An Untamed Wonder – Western Whirlwinds – Mischief, Mayhem & Mishaps.

Enjoy a good chuckle when this Pinkerton Agent’s ‘assignment’ arrives, in a power packed parcel of sweet innocence wrapped in red hair and full of spirit – along with mischief, mayhem and mishaps. His life was about to change forever, if she didn’t end up being the death of them.

For a chance to win an ebook of this sweet story guaranteed to make you smile … perhaps even laugh, tell me about the most wonderful place you have ever visited.

If you’re like me, you probably have more than one.
Thanks for visiting with me today!

Lynne Lanning has such an effortless way of evoking emotion from her readers. Her characters are so realistic that the reader can feel their pain during trials and their joy during triumphs.  Each story tells of true bonds of love and loyalty, mixed with tough times and decisions, with a twist of humor and sometimes devastation…the same is true in life. With a blend of her own family members and heritage along with lots of fiction, it’s hard to tell where reality stops and fantasy begins.

Find out more about Lynn online here.