Guest Author

Why Western Romance Stories Feel Like Coming Home

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This week, we welcome back a dear friend–Robin Lee Hatcher! I hope you’ll make her welcome!

There’s a reason Western romance fiction continues to draw readers back, year after year. It isn’t only the sweeping landscapes or the promise of new beginnings. At its heart, Western romance is about people who arrive carrying the weight of the past—and discover that love, faith, and belonging can be found in the most unexpected places.
That truth is at the center of To Find Where She Belongs. When Keely arrives in Idaho, she isn’t chasing adventure or freedom for its own sake. She’s running—from fear, from shame, and from a life where she learned too early that safety was fragile and trust came at a cost. Like so many heroines in Western romance, Keely comes to the edge of the frontier hoping the wide-open land might offer something she has never truly known: peace.
William Overstreet, on the other hand, is already rooted. He belongs to the land, to his faith, and to a way of life shaped by responsibility and quiet perseverance.

He isn’t searching for change; he believes he’s exactly where God has placed him. Yet even in the midst of that certainty, he carries a loneliness he barely allows himself to name. Western romance often pairs a wandering heart with a steady one, and Keely and William embody that contrast.

The ranch at Eden’s Gate becomes more than a setting. It becomes a proving ground. In the West, there is little room for false appearances. Hard work reveals character. Consistency builds trust. And slowly, through shared days and ordinary moments, Keely begins to experience something unfamiliar: kindness without expectation. William doesn’t demand to know her past or rush her healing. He offers space, respect, and grace. Qualities that define the best Western heroes and the kind of love stories readers long for.

 

Keely’s journey mirrors that of many beloved Western romance heroines. She believes belonging must be earned through silence, obedience, or perfection. William, shaped by his faith, understands something she does not yet grasp: that grace is freely given, not bargained for. Their growing affection isn’t loud or dramatic. It’s steady, patient, and rooted in safety. In a genre known for rugged strength, their love story reminds us that gentleness can be just as powerful.

Western romance stories resonate because they echo a deeper longing: to be known, to be forgiven, and to be welcomed home. For Keely, home is not simply a place on the map. It’s found in a man who sees her worth even when she cannot, and in a God who has never lost sight of her, no matter how far she’s wandered.

That is why Western romance feels like coming home. And I hope you’ll find that is true when you read To Find Where She Belongs.

I’m delighted to give away an autographed paperback of To Find Where She Belongs to one US Petticoats and Pistols reader. Just let me know in the comments what is your favorite thing about Western romance fiction.

Back cover copy:
Guilt followed her across an ocean. Grace called her home.

Desperate to leave Hooke Manor, Keely Boyle does what she feels she must in order to flee England for America, hoping to make a new life with the help of a man who befriended her years before. But when she arrives at Eden’s Gate, a large cattle ranch in the shadows of the Tetons, it is William Overstreet who offers her a fresh start.

William—a steady, God-fearing man—doesn’t need the complications falling for the pretty Irish immigrant would bring. He has enough problems already: water on the range has been poisoned and cattle are dying. But even as danger stalks the ranch, William can’t stop himself from being drawn to Keely’s fiery spirit and winsome ways.

When Keely’s secret sin is exposed, her world—and the love she’s come to cherish—teeters on the edge of ruin. But through danger and redemption, both she and William will find that belonging isn’t a matter of where they stand, but Whose grace holds them fast.
Set against the rugged beauty of 1890s Idaho, To Find Where She Belongs is a tender story of redemption, love, and the God who can turn even our deepest shame into belonging.



Robin Lee Hatcher is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 95 novels and novellas with over five million copies in print. She’s known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of courage, faith, and love. In addition to many writing awards—including the Christy, Carol, and RITA Awards—she’s the recipient of prestigious lifetime achievement awards from both ACFW and RWA. She lives in the Boise area with a demanding papillon dog.

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCPHGG3P?tag=pettpist-20

An Unusual Groom and a Giveaway!

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It’s such a pleasure to be with you again today. In our literary world, I wear two hats: reader and author. The reader’s hat is the one I’ve worn the longest; I’m an avid book lover who read 385 books in 2025, even while writing eleven of my own. But every so often, I trade that reader’s hat for my author’s Stetson and step into this paddock to share what I’ve been working on.

 

 

As you might imagine, growing up as a half Native American and half white child in the Old West could present many problems. Many times, the children didn’t feel as if they were accepted in either world, especially when they were raised in a white culture. Neighbors often discriminated against them, and they might or might not be allowed to attend a school. If they were, they often met strong prejudice, harassment, and sometimes abuse. They had few, if any, friends, and as they grew older, there were no one to court. They were rarely able to find a job, apart from riding as a scout for the military, and no one wanted to sell them property. So many of the doors that others took for granted were closed to them. This is the backdrop to my new novel.

 

My final book in the Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides series released on February 10th. These four novels have been a joy to write, and with 68 titles and more still on the way, it’s clear readers have embraced this series as much as we authors have. I didn’t intend it, but I may have saved my most tender, heartfelt story for last. Gwendolyn’s Groom invites readers into the rugged beauty of the Old West, where love rarely comes easy, sacrifice may be demanded, and true courage sometimes means choosing the harder road.

Gwendolyn Corbett never imagined her father would secretly contact a matchmaker on her behalf, and she certainly didn’t expect her potential groom to come with a heritage that would shock her small Wyoming community. With her father’s heart failing and the doctor warning that any stress could hasten his decline, Gwendolyn faces an impossible choice: marry a stranger or risk losing the man she loves most.

 

River Donahue has spent his life on the margins. Since his grandmother’s death, he’s been left with a bitter grandfather and a lineage that makes landowners refuse to sell to him and employers unwilling to hire him. When the matchmaker his grandmother trusted sends him to a dying horse rancher, River is offered something he never dared hope for—a home, a future, and a family. All he must do is marry the rancher’s daughter. But promises can cast long shadows, and dreams often demand a price. Are River and Gwendolyn stepping into a blessing or a storm?
I’m thrilled to share this story with you. Gwendolyn’s Groom is available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, Audible, and in paperback. My Audible narrator offered such heartfelt praise for the story that I can’t wait to hear what readers think. I hope you’ll check it out. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLKB5Q2W?tag=pettpist-20

To win either a free Kindle or a free Audible copy of Gwendolyn’s Groom, answer the following question: Would you ever agree to a marriage of convenience if it meant prolonging the life of someone you loved deeply and trusted? Why or why not?

The Famous Jim Bridger and a Giveaway! by Charlene Raddon

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FORT BRIDGER, WYOMING: Everyone knows who Jim Bridger was, right—the famous, 19th-century frontiersman, fur trapper, and wilderness guide, who was among the first to visit the Yellowstone region and to explore the Great Salt Lake area, reaching it by bullboat in 1824. Jim left his mark on much of the American West.

My husband and I have done a lot of camping in the Uintahs and visited Fort Bridger a few times. And the mountains looking over Fort Bridger feature in some of my books, like Taming Jenna, Priscilla, Thalia, Cadence, and Ophelia. I especially enjoy attending the Mountain Man fair at Fort Bridger; lots of fascinating things to see and do, intriguing people in costume, demonstrations, and fabulous wares for sale.

Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez established Fort Bridger in 1843 on the Black’s Fork of the Green River to trade with the Native American tribes Jim had befriended over the years, and with westward-bound emigrants. The area, known as Bridger Valley, served as a crossroads for the Oregon/California Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Lincoln Highway.

Consisting of two, 40-foot-long, rude double-log houses, joined with a pen for horses, the first fort also boasted a blacksmith’s shop, which many emigrants welcomed after months on the trails. Some found the fort disappointing, poorly outfitted, and little more than a few rough-hewn log buildings.

On July 7, 1847, the Mormon Pioneer Company spent a day there but disliked the inflated prices. Still, a small group of them settled nearby, causing tensions between them and Bridger, who claimed he violated federal law by selling liquor and ammunition to the Indians. In response, Brigham Young, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a federal Indian agent, sent his Mormon militia to the fort in 1853. Knowing the militia’s reputation, Bridger fled. Later that year, the Mormons established Fort Supply, about 12 miles south of Fort Bridger, specifically to serve the Mormon emigrants.

Bridger complained to U. S. Senator Gen. B. F. Butler, claiming the Mormons robbed him of over $100,000 in goods and supplies and threatened to kill him. The following spring, Young sent a detachment of well-armed Mormons to take control of both Fort Bridger and the Green River ferries, both of which became integral parts of the Mormon settlement plans for the region. Alterations included a thick stone wall around the fort. In July 1855, Bridger returned and agreed to sell to the Mormons.

Jim spent the next decade as a guide and an army scout in the early Indian wars. By 1868, Bridger’s rheumatism and failing eyesight sent him home to retire at his Westport farm, where he cared for his apple trees. He died at the age of 77 on July 17, 1881. After his first wife, a Flathead Indian, died in childbirth, and his second wife, a Ute, also died in childbirth, he married the daughter of Shoshone Chief Washakie. These three wives, however, managed to give Jim five children who lived.

In the fall of 1857, Jim’s old fort became embroiled in a new controversy when President Buchanan sent U.S. troops to Utah Territory to enforce federal authority and to install federally appointed territorial officers. This began what became known as the Utah War. To keep the fort from being seized, Mormon militia under “Wild Bill” Hickman and his brother burned both it and Fort Supply. Johnston’s army spent a miserable winter with little shelter and food.

Wikipedia says that in the winter of 1857, the army established temporary Camp Scott on the site. In the spring of 1858, tension between the Mormons and the U.S. military subsided. The army took over and rebuilt Fort Bridger as a base for troops whose later jobs included protecting laborers on the transcontinental railroad, gold miners at South Pass, and Shoshone Indians near the fort, and later, after the establishment of the reservation on Wind River.

When the Utah War ended, the U.S. government refused to honor either Bridger’s or the Mormons’ claim to the property. Instead, it turned the commercial parts of its operation over to William Alexander Carter, who had come west with Johnston’s army as a sutler. Along with his family, Carter lived at the fort, rebuilding and stocking it and eventually becoming Wyoming’s first millionaire.

Various volunteer units of the U.S. Army occupied the post during the Civil War. Regular army units manned the post from 1866 to 1878. It stood abandoned until the army occupied it from 1880 to 1890. At the end of the Indian Wars, the army closed it for good. Many buildings were sold and dismantled.

In 1993, the thirty-eight-acre site was named a Wyoming Historical Landmark and Museum. Parts of the 1850s Mormon stone wall have recently been the subject of archaeological explorations. Some restored buildings remain at the fort, along with a reconstructed trading post, an interpretive archaeological site, and a museum housing artifacts from the fort’s various periods of use. It is well worth visiting.

Have you been there? Tell me about it. I’m giving away  a $10 Amazon gift certificate to one commenter and a copy of one of the ebooks mentioned in this blog  to another commenter. 

Let’s stay in touch! 

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Welcome Misty M. Beller

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Hello Reader Friends!

I’m BEYOND excited to be back with my Petticoats and Pistols family again today!

And I get to share the brainstorming behind my new series, The Lords of the Rockies. This idea has been percolating in my mind for a couple of years now—a mash-up of two of my favorite historical romance worlds: Regency England and the rugged American West.

When we think about the American West, English dukes and titled gentlemen don’t usually come to mind. We picture cowboys, homesteaders, and folks chasing a fresh start under wide western skies—not men raised in manor houses an ocean away.

But here’s the fun historical truth: English aristocrats really did head west, especially younger sons who had little waiting for them back home.

In England, the system of primogeniture meant the eldest son inherited the title, the estate, and the future. Younger sons were expected to find respectable paths—often the military, the church, or law—but not everyone was suited to those roles. And not every family could afford to set each son up comfortably.

For many of those younger sons, the American West offered something England didn’t: opportunity without expectation.

Out West, no one cared who your father was. What mattered was whether you could work hard, hold your own, and pull your weight. Land could be earned. A man could reinvent himself. Titles meant little when cattle needed herding and fences needed mending.

British newspapers and letters home talked about open land, ranching opportunities, mining booms, and railroads pushing into new territory. English money was already flowing into western investments, so the idea of heading to America didn’t feel quite as far-fetched as we might think.

Some English gentlemen came west to manage land or investments. Others came for adventure—or escape. Quite a few stayed and put down real roots.

There are plenty of real-life examples of Englishmen trading tailored coats for dusty boots. Some learned quickly that ranch life was harder than it looked. Those who succeeded were the ones willing to set aside Old World habits and embrace western practicality.

For men raised with strict expectations they never chose, the West offered something powerful: a chance to be judged by who they were, not who they were born to be.

Of course, the past doesn’t always stay put. An unexpected death, a title suddenly in play, or family duty could call a man back across the Atlantic—sometimes just when he’d found the life that fit him best.

That tug-of-war between duty and freedom is one of the most fascinating parts of this little corner of history.

That blend of English tradition and western grit is what inspired my Lords of the Rockies series. In Book One, Mail-Order Duchess, English inheritance finally catches up with a life built in Montana. And in Book Two, Mail-Order Baroness—coming February 10th!—the ripple effects of those aristocratic ties continue to complicate lives that once felt safely distant from England.

Because when English aristocrats head to the American west, things are bound to get interesting.

I pray you love Mail-Order Duchess—and that you’ll be just as excited to return to Montana for Mail-Order Baroness very soon!

To celebrate, I’m excited to give away a signed copy of Mail-Order Duchess! To be entered for the giveaway, I’d love to hear what you think: If you could reinvent yourself in the American West, what would you do—and where would you go? Let me know in the comments!

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

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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

by

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.