Guest Author

How One Trip to Colorado Changed My Life by Tanya Agler

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Thank you so much to the fillies of Petticoat and Pistols for hosting me today during the month of my tenth Harlequin Heartwarming release, The Triplets’ Holiday Miracle.

Little did I know when I visited Denver for a writing conference in July 2018 how much that visit to Colorado would impact my life. Not only did I love walking around beautiful downtown Denver where I snapped that picture of the Paramount, a historic theater, but I also introduced myself to my editor, who requested my work in progress, which became my first published book. Now, I’m celebrating my latest release, which is set in the fictional town of Violet Ridge, Colorado, where a special production of The Santa Who Forgot Christmas is about to take place at the Holly Theater.

Colorado itself is home to quite a few historic theaters, many of which served as an inspiration for the Holly. The Boulder Theater in Boulder, CO, opened in 1906 as the Curran Opera House and is renowned for its Art Deco style. The Sands Theater in Brush, CO, has operated continuously since 1916. And the Egyptian Theater in Delta, CO, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are just a few of the amazing theaters in the state, many of which are now home to live performances and events.

Personally I love attending plays or watching classic movies in historic theaters. Near my home in Georgia, there is the historic Strand Theater where I have taken my twins and their friends to viewings of My Fair Lady, Singin’ in the Rain, and The Princess Bride. There’s something about walking inside a historic theater and seeing the architecture and artistic details in the crown molding and ceilings.

In my new release, Daisy Stanley is the mother of triplets, who have all received roles in the play set to take place on Christmas Eve. While Daisy wants to do her best to ensure her children have a memorable Christmas, she wasn’t expecting to have to spend so much time volunteering at the Holly Theater, let alone meet and spend time with former air force officer Ben Irwin. After the play’s director is called away on a family emergency, Ben and Daisy find themselves at the helm of the production. Working in such close proximity, they find themselves at odds about nearly everything. Yet they find their paths keep crossing and discover they may have more in common than they first thought, including families who own ranch land since Ben grew up on the Double I Ranch and Daisy’s family owns the Lazy River Dude Ranch.

Little did I know when I first visited Denver and passed the Paramount that I would be incorporating a historic Colorado theater into a future book, but I had so much fun writing The Triplets’ Holiday Miracle and mulling over the details of the Holly Theater. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

AMAZON

HARLEQUIN

BARNES & NOBLE

Have you ever visited a historic theater for a play, movie, or concert? Or even for a backstage tour? Please leave a comment and one randomly drawn respondent will receive a digital copy of The Triplets’ Holiday Miracle and a $5.00 Amazon gift card.

 

Award-winning author, Tanya Agler lives in Georgia with her husband, four children, and two dogs (including Linus the Beagle). Moving often in her childhood, she connected with stories with spunky heroines like Trixie Belden and Anne Shirley. Now she writes books that center around the themes of hope and redemption. She is a member of Georgia Romance Writers, Novelists, Inc., and FHL Christian Writers. When she’s not writing, chauffeuring her children, or folding laundry, Tanya loves classic movies (preferably anything with Cary Grant or Jimmy Stewart), waterfalls, and enjoying a cup of tea alongside a good book.

 

Charlene Raddon & Friction Matches

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We’re pleased to have Charlene Raddon join us today with some fascinating historical tidbits. Take it away, Charlene!

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Friction matches allowed people to light fires quickly and efficiently, changing domestic arrangements and reducing the hours spent trying to light fires using more primitive means. But they also created horrific suffering for match-makers: White phosphorus was one of the substances used in some of the first friction matches. Prolonged exposure to it gave many workers the dread “phossy jaw.”

Antique Russian Matchbox and Matches

A British pharmacist named John Walker invented the match by accident in 1826. He was working on an experimental paste to be used in guns. He had a breakthrough when he scraped the wooden instrument he was using to mix the substances in his paste, and it caught fire.

Walker then produced “a flammable paste made with antimony sulfide, potassium chlorate and gum arabic, into which he dipped cardboard strips coated with sulfur.” He started selling his “friction lights” to locals in April 1827, and they quickly took off.

Walker never patented his invention, in part because “the burning sulfur coating would sometimes drop from the stick, with a risk of damage to flooring or the user’s clothing.” His invention was quickly copied by Samuel Jones of London, who started selling “Lucifers” in 1829. Advances in matches continued over the 1830s and into the 1840s.

Early Matches

Match-making became a common trade across England in “hundreds of factories spread across the country. For 12 to 16 hours a day, workers dipped treated wood into a phosphorus concoction, then dried and cut the sticks into matches.

As was typical in the the factories of the nineteenth century, matchmakers were predominantly women and children, half of them kids who hadn’t reached their teens. Working long hours indoors in a cramped, dark factory put these children at risk of contracting tuberculosis and getting rickets, as well as phossy jaw, a gruesome and debilitating condition caused by inhaling white phosphorus fumes during those long hours. Around 11% of those exposed to phosphorus fumes developed ‘phossy jaw’ about five years after initial exposure.

Early French Silver Vesta Case Match Box Striker with Integrated Firesteel Flint

The condition causes the bone in the jaw to die and teeth to decay, resulting in extreme suffering and sometimes the loss of the jaw. Although phossy jaw was far from the only side-effect of prolonged white phosphorus exposure, it became a visible symbol of the suffering caused by industrial chemicals in match plants. By 1892, newspapers were investigating the plight of match workers.

Stirling match box

One Salvation Army match factory worker, Mrs. Fleet, contracted the disease after working five years at the company. After complaining of tooth and jaw ache, she was sent home, had four teeth extracted, lost part of her jaw bone, and suffered excruciating pain. The smell of the dying bone, which eventually literally came out through her cheek, was so bad that her family couldn’t abide it. She lost her job, and no other match company would hire her. Phossy jaw was often compared to leprosy because of the physical disfigurement and the condition’s social stigma.

Eventually, match makers stopped using white phosphorus in matches, and in 1910, it was outlawed in the United States.

Giveaway!

Charlene is giving away two copies of The Outlaw and the Bounty Hunter, Book 2 in her Outlaw Brides series drawn from those who leave comments.

Do you use matches around your home or when camping?

If not, what newer invention do you use to light fireplaces, stoves, or grills?

The Cowboy’s Forgotten Love from Guest Tina Radcliffe

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Helps us give Tina Radcliffe a big, warm welcome today!

Hello, Fillies and Friends!

I’m Tina Radcliffe and I’m delighted to be here today.

It’s a bittersweet finale for me as my Love Inspired Lazy M Ranch series comes to an end. I’m grateful for support of readers as they read, reviewed and shared The Baby Inheritance, The Cowboy Bargain, The Cowboy’s Secret Past and my newest release, The Cowboy’s Forgotten Love.

I’m honored to share that three of these releases hit the Publisher’s Weekly bestseller list for mass market paperbacks. And one, The Cowboy Bargain, finaled in the 2024 Carole Awards.

The Cowboy’s Forgotten Love is Luc Morgan’s story. He’s the last of the four Morgan brothers. While it delivers the same humor you can expect from my books, it also shares a message of gratitude and trust.

Book 4 is a Cinderella themed book with a twist.

Here’s a sneak peek into Luc Morgan’s predicament.

Sam started laughing.

Lucas tucked the phone in his pocket and glared at Sam.

“What’s so funny?”

“It just hit me that this is exactly like the prince searching for his princess, getting women to try on glass slippers.” His brother grinned. “You know. Cinderella.”

“You’re comparing my life to a fairy tale? That’s not funny at all.”

“Come on, Luc. You hit your head, lost your memory, found an engagement ring in your gym bag. You have no idea who your intended is, and you’re launching a business without your knowledge.” Sam nodded. “Oh yeah. It is kind of funny, and it could only happen to you.”

Lucas cringed at the words. His brother was right. It could only happen to him.

In addition to ending the series, The Cowboy’s Forgotten Love provides a long-awaited recipe link.

Housekeeper and cook, Bess Lowder has teased us for two years with her delicious cinnamon rolls. Here’s a “taste” from The Cowboy’s Forgotten Love.

Lucas examined the pastries and chose a plump roll thick with cream cheese frosting dripping down the sides over ribbons of buttery cinnamon filling. The Lazy M Ranch housekeeper had a secret recipe for cinnamon rolls that brought grown men to their knees. That included him.

Finally, in Book 4, readers are privy to that secret recipe and a few more. Find them here: Recipes from The Cowboy’s Forgotten Love

I’m a big fan of making the recipes found in novels. What about you? If you do end up trying these cinnamon rolls, drop me a line on social media and let me know.

In the meantime, I’ve brought some goodies to share.

One reader will take home this fun ‘Hay Girl, Hay’ pouch and a print copy of The Cowboy’s Forgotten Love (US).

A second reader will take home an e-copy of The Cowboy’s Forgotten Love (US or International).

Leave a comment and tell me your favorite morning pastry

and let me know if you’d like to be entered to take home these giveaways.

 

If you’d like to find out more about me and keep up with my book news, consider signing up for my newsletter at https://www.tinaradcliffe.com/

Oh, and you can pick up your copy of The Cowboy’s Forgotten Love on Amazon or at Harlequin.

Tina Radcliffe is a Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers Honor Roll member, and a five-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Her Harlequin novels have won the ACFW Carol Award, the Holt Medallion and appeared on the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list. A US Army Veteran, a former registered nurse, and library cataloger, Tina resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance and cozy mysteries.

The Line Shack with Guest Kaitlene Dee

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Let’s give a big, warm Filly welcome to Kaitlene Dee!

Hi everyone! I’m always glad to have time with you all.

I’ll jump right into today’s blog post. In my upcoming novel-length story, Augusta, (due out next summer) Augusta served time for a crime she didn’t commit but was framed for, and now discovers she’s in danger. Her presence also poses a danger to both her sister and to the newly found family of friends she’s made. The outlaw gang she briefly ran with is now hunting her down. She has no other choice but to leave the creature-comforts now familiar to her and hide while she bides time.

Her hiding place? A marriage of convenience to a man who is bent on defying his father while still working for him. His father sends him to work the winter in the shabby line shack the man built himself. He had cut corners when he built it, and now he’s the one having to live in the mess he created. Unknown to his father, he’s taken a wife, one who is an ex-con and who, strangely, wants to accompany him to the line shack for the winter.

A line shack was a temporary shelter located in a strategic remote place on the far boundaries of a ranch. Cowboys, or line riders, used the cabins when they were charged with patrolling the boundary lines of the ranch. They kept cattle from straying beyond the ranch property before ranches were fenced. The cowhand’s job was to bring the strays back to the ranch, no matter the weather. As barbed wire fencing started being used, the cowboy would ride the line to make fence repairs, as well as checking on any cattle grazing or stranded far from the rest of the herd, especially checking on them in severe weather. There was little time for rest or relaxation.

The shacks were simple, usually a single room. There were a few that were constructed of raised tents on wooden platforms, or of three-walled tents attached to a single wooden wall. Other types of line shacks were built into the side of a hill with a single wood framed wall, a door, and perhaps a window. You can see one similar to this on Pinterest by typing in the app’s search bar: Line Shack.

The shack had enough room for basic activities such as eating, sleeping, and storing horse gear, medical supplies, and water.

Some shacks were stocked just before winter with supplies for bread or biscuits, for dried meats, and for grains.

Sources of heat were a fireplace and/or a small wood pipe stove. While fireplaces could provide more lighting, they were not as efficient of a heat source as the flat top wood stoves one could cook on. In winter, one needed to have a good stockpile of split wood built up.

In Augusta, she and her husband of convenience need to learn to live together as she’s a no-nonsense gal; and he’s quite full of nonsense, that is, until danger comes knocking at their door. Then he, for the first time in his life, must weigh what’s really important to him.

I thought I would have Augusta done and ready for release by now, but this past year has been full of adventure with major life changes such as retiring, moving several times, buying a new home, and having some struggles with my mom’s health—she’s a feisty fighter, but thank you for keeping her in prayer.

With all that being said, I’m asking that you join me on my newsletter to find out when the first story in the series is re-released and goes on sale; and when this second story, Augusta, is on pre-order for a special price (I’m rewriting Josina, the first story right now). As a subscriber, you’ll get updates on all of the series pre-orders and releases for this Old West brides series (the Brides of Willow Creek).

Just for fun, please share your favorite Thanksgiving side dish.

Mine is my mom’s rustic cornbread dressing. Oh my, it is so tasty, it’ll knock your socks off! I’ll post the recipe in my newsletter next week (another reason to join!).

One of the side dish commenters for this blog post will be chosen to win a Thanksgiving platter from Amazon!

I’m not sharing a picture of a specific platter since this is the season when their in-stock items change so quickly.

 

Thank you all for joining me today! I always enjoy my time with Petticoats & Pistols readers. I’ve made my covered wagon story, Emma, free today and tomorrow. Please visit my historical pen name Kaitlene Dee’s Amazon page here to get Emma free for a limited time

Hello November from Guest LeAnne Bristow

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A big, warm welcome today to our guest LeAnne Bristow!

Hello and Happy November! November is my favorite month because it hosts two of my favorite things, Thanksgiving and Fall. Yes, I know that fall technically started at the end of September, and since my birthday is in October, that should be my favorite month. But I live in southeastern Arizona and it really doesn’t feel like fall into November. Sometimes not until mid-November.

If I get an overwhelming urge to see fall colors before then, we pack up the truck, hook onto the camp trailer and make the 4 hour drive to the “Alps of Arizona.” Alpine is a small town nestled in the White Mountains and is one of my favorite places in the world. At an elevation of over 8000, it provides an escape from the heat during the summer, a haven for hunters in the fall and spring and a place for desert rats to experience snowboarding and skiing in the winter.

Photo by Chris English

The series I write for Harlequin Heartwarming is inspired by Alpine. Coronado is a fictional town, but in it, you will see why I love Alpine and the White Mountains so much. The latest book in the series takes place in the fall. While I was hoping that the book release would be closer to Thanksgiving, I was still pretty excited to write anything fall related.

When Randon Farr returns to Coronado, in Her Hometown Soldier’s Return, all he wants to do is fix up his family cabin, sell it and get far away from the town that looked down on him and the woman he let down. Millie Gibson has loved her brother’s best friend since she was eight years old. When he joined the military, he promised he would come back for her. Now he’s back, but he’s too broken to keep that promise.

The nurturing instinct that makes Millie a great nurse won’t let her abandon Randon, whether he wants her to or not. She promises to help him learn to deal with his PTSD symptoms, even if it means enabling him to leave Coronado for good.

In true western hospitality, Randon is never left alone for too long, whether it’s Millie, or the Ladie’s Auxiliary who insists on making sure his refrigerator is always full, men from the local church who want to help him with the repairs on his cabin, or some troubled boys from the nearby trailer park who see Randon as their mentor.

There are so many things I loved in this story, but getting to add my favorite sights, sounds and smells of fall made this book extra special.

I would love to share this story with you.

AMAZON

I’m giving away a copy of Her Hometown Soldier’s Return to one lucky commenter.

To be entered, tell me your favorite things about fall!

LeAnne Bristow writes sweet and inspirational romance set in small towns. When she isn’t arguing with characters in her head, she enjoys hunting, camping and fishing with her family. Her day job is a reading specialist, but her most important job is teaching her grandkids how to catch lizards and love the Arizona desert as much as she does.

Visit Redemption Ridge with Guest Liwen Y. Ho

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A big welcome to Liwen Y. Ho today as she shares about a fictional town you’ll want to get to know!

You’re Cordially Invited to Visit Redemption Ridge… 

 

Hello! I’m so honored and thrilled to have a chance to chat with you today. And what is it that I’m excited to share with you about? It’s the beloved town of Redemption Ridge in Colorado! 

 

Established in 2023 in the hearts and minds of six Christian romance authors, me included, Redemption Ridge is the home to some lovely and strong heroines and their dashing and respectable heroes. Located in the heart of this small town is Redemption Ridge Ranch, a bustling tourist spot that offers riding lessons, equine therapy, as well as resort-style accommodations. Our stories are set around the Christmas season and take place on the ranch and around town.  

 You might be wondering, how does it work to have six authors write their own books in a shared town? Well, there’s a lot of teamwork and coordination involved! 

 All the important information of our stories is recorded in spreadsheets so we can refer to them when needed. And I do mean everything! From details about our characters’ hair and eye colors to their personality traits and their passions, we’re all aware of one another’s plots and characters. 

 We also chat online regularly about each other’s stories and how we can make them connect. Readers can expect to see characters from one book make guest appearances in other books. There are also mentions of the same restaurants and stores, as well as holiday events like the annual Christmas barn dance, so there’s plenty of continuity and familiarity throughout the series. 

 What about tropes?

I’m glad you asked! We already published six books in the Christmas in Redemption Ridge series last year and six more will be available before the year is over. Marriage of convenience, fake relationship, and autumn romance (later-in-life stories) are just a few of the tropes that are covered. One of the books that was released last month, Marrying the Billboard Cowboy, is a fun take on a modern mail-order bride romance. Another one releasing next week, Matchmaking the Cowboy, is a second chance romance with a matchmaking twist. 

 

My book coming out next month will be Doting on His Best Friend. As you can tell from the title, this story features two best friends who have a reverse age gap romance (she’s nine years older). The leading lady is a therapist who specializes in equine therapy. Even with a background in counseling (something I did before becoming an author), I didn’t know much about this kind of therapy, so I had a lot of fun researching it.  

 

One thing I learned is that therapy horses require a special type of temperament, specifically one that enjoys attention, is tolerant of the environment and riders, and has great ground manners. In Doting on His Best Friend, you’ll meet such a horse, an American Quarter Horse named Sully. He is a sweet horse known for his soulful, dark brown eyes and patience. 

 Speaking of horses, I’d love to hear about your experience with them.

Do you ride? Have you ever tried equine therapy?

Share your answer for a chance to win an autographed copy of Doting on His Best Friend when it releases next month!

(Please note: A print copy will be provided if the winner is a U.S. resident, and a digital copy will be provided to an international winner.) 

 Thank you so much for taking a trip to Redemption Ridge, Colorado with me today! 

USA Today bestselling author Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and chef by day (AKA a stay at home mom) and a writer by night. Her strength is in creating character-driven, deep POV romance infused with faith, humor, and happy ever afters.

In her pre-author life, she received a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary, and she loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind.

She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children (AKA munchkins).

Learning to Write Westerns When I Had No Clue

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Please welcome special guest author Lisa Jordan to the Junction!

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Several years ago, I had a wonderful conversation with my editor at Love Inspired, asking her input about what I could do to increase my readership.

She said, “Write Amish or cowboy stories. That’s what’s really selling right now.”

At that time, my husband and I had started watching Heartland, too, and I fell in love with the family dynamic as they worked through the trials and triumphs of ranching and all things horses. I appreciated her advice, took it to the Lord, and determined that it was time to move away from my fictional town in PA and head to CO—at least, fictitiously.

The only problem was I’ve only been to a hotel in Colorado for the 2009 ACFW conference. Oh, yeah, I’ve never been on a ranch. And come to think of it, I haven’t ridden a horse since middle school…and Queenie was the gentlest pony on the planet.

So creating a fictional family on a fictional ranch in a fictional town shouldn’t be too hard, right?

How was I going to create a four-book series and make it realistic?

When it came time to decide where my fictional town was going to be located, I pulled up Google Maps and determined my fictional town of Aspen Ridge was going to be set about forty-five minutes outside of Durando, Colorado.

I learned to lean on my friends, who were able to help with some geographical aspects of the terrain, the weather, and even little things like what brands of ice cream were popular—I needed that info to write one sentence in my book coming out in April 2025. Another friend, Dalyn Weller, lives on a ranch in Washington and shared information pertaining to care, feeding, and tacking horses.

I’ve purchased books and magazines to help with research…and the other articles inspired new ideas.

YouTube is one of the best sources of information. I searched for videos for that part of the state for visuals to build storyworld into my scenes. I watched videos about ranching, tacking horses, growing strawberries in that area. I also took visual tours of the San Juan Mountains that overlook my fictional town.

In my book series, my fictional family expands their ranch to include a guest ranch. Instead of building cabins, which can be quite costly, I decided the Stone family was going to put yurts on their property. For the past three years, my husband and I have camped in a yurt for a week in July. Since nothing is wasted in a writer’s life, it was the perfect inspiration for a novel.

My husband and I visited a local rodeo where I spent the afternoon and evening taking lots of pictures and video to create a realistic bull rider in my series. Additionally, we watched a wonderful (and painfully-looking) documentary about bull riders, bull riding, and all that goes into the sport.

I’ve visited online forums like Reddit to get a real, down-to-earth view about different aspects from people who live out their days running ranches, caring and riding horses, and trying to make a living for their families.

And finally, one of my favorite ways to research my newly-released book, Bonding with the Cowboy’s Daughter, was to visit a nearby horse rescue. My new friend Nola, who has a huge heart for saving the beautiful animals, took me on a tour of her small non-profit horse farm and walked me through what she’s done to start and grow her organization. A couple of times, I was moved to tears as she shared a few stories of heartbreak in trying to save the animals.

I’ve learned to not be limited by what I know when it comes to writing new stories. It’s become an adventure to learn something new and use that knowledge to inspire readers.

I will be giving away a signed copy of Bonding with the Cowboy’s Daughter. Post a comment below and tell me what you love most about reading westerns.

Bonding with the Cowboy’s Daughter

She’s left her old life behind

…only to find a new love waiting

After a broken engagement, Callie Morgan decides to move to Aspen Ridge, Colorado, to fix up her late grandmother’s gift shop. But the shop is in bad shape and Callie runs out of money faster than expected. Old childhood friend and single dad Wyatt Stone comes to the rescue, offering her a job at his family’s ranch, Stone River Ranch. While their friendship is rekindled, will Callie ever risk loving again…even as Wyatt’s little girl is already stealing her heart?

 

AMAZON LINK

Storytelling vs. Historical Authenticity?

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We’re pleased to welcome special guest author Misty Beller back to the junction!

I’m so excited to visit with y’all again! The Petticoats and Pistols family is one of my favorite places to hang out. 🙂

My latest releasing is Winning the Mountain Man’s Love, and I was excited to research a job I’d not studied much beyond what I’ve seen on a thousand old westerns. 🙂

Our heroine’s work in this story is as a gambler in the mining town of Missoula Mills. She had a sort of love/hate relationship with being a professional gambler, but that job plays a significant role in shaping her character and her journey.

But what was the reality of gambling in this time and place?

During the 1870s, the Montana Territory was a wild, untamed land, attracting adventurers, miners, and those seeking to make their fortune by profiting from the miners. With the influx of men and money, gambling became a prevalent pastime and a lucrative business. Saloons, gaming houses, and even street corners became hubs for various games of chance, including poker, faro, and dice.

For many, gambling offered a quick path to wealth, but it also led to addiction, debt, and desperation. The lack of regulation and high stakes often attracted unsavory characters, making the gambling scene a dangerous and unpredictable world.

Women like Patience, who found themselves caught up in this world, faced even greater challenges. They were often viewed as mere entertainers or worse, and their involvement in gambling was seen as a mark of moral failure. However, for some women, gambling provided a means of survival in a society that offered few opportunities for financial independence.

Despite the risks and the societal stigma, gambling continued to thrive in the Montana Territory throughout the 1870s. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that anti-gambling laws and reformers began to push back against the pervasive gaming culture.

Thankfully, Patience didn’t have to wait so long to leave the gambling world behind her, but that life certainly left its mark on her. I won’t share any spoilers, but I pray you enjoy Patience and Jonah’s story in Winning the Mountain Man’s Love! 🙂

I’m excited to give away a signed copy of this book! To be entered for the giveaway, I’d love to hear some of the interesting job’s you’ve seen women perform in historical fiction novels. Leave a comment below to share.  🙂

 

Winning the Mountain Man’s Love

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Jonah Coulter can’t stand to watch his former fiancée build a life with her one true love. That’s the way it always happens for him—second child of six, second choice for love. He’s relieved to escape his family’s ranch to search for the aunt of a lost child he rescued. At least little Anna needs him. She deserves to be reunited with her last living relative.

Patience Whitman fled from her past and the man who killed her late husband. Now she’s reinvented herself in the untamed Montana Territory. Relying on her gambling skills to survive, she’s determined to earn enough to buy independence from the constant threat of men—she’s never met one who isn’t greedy, controlling, or violent. But when a stranger shows up and says his brothers have taken in her orphaned niece, Patience must go after Anna no matter the cost.

As Jonah and Patience navigate the treacherous landscape of their pasts and little Anna’s future, they must confront their deepest fears and learn to trust each other. But when danger catches up to them, they must risk everything to claim the happily ever after they both crave.

Purchase Link

Saddle Up for Adventure: Exploring the Timeless Allure of Western Tales

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Welcome To Our Guest Blogger – Heidi McGill!

There’s something undeniably captivating about the wild, untamed landscapes of the American West. The rugged mountains, endless plains, and dusty trails have long been the backdrop for stories of courage, adventure, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. In my novella, “Stitched on My Heart”, we find ourselves immersed in a story that perfectly embodies the spirit of the western genre—a tale of resilience, hope, and love forged in the face of adversity.

The Call of the Open Frontier

At the heart of every great Western story lies the spirit of exploration and the allure of the unknown. In Stitched on My Heart, Delphina, a woman born into slavery, embarks on a perilous journey to the Wild West in search of freedom and a fresh start. The open frontier offers her a chance to escape the chains of her past and envision a future filled with promise. Her journey is not just a physical one but also an emotional and spiritual quest for a life where she can live freely and serve others, despite the immense challenges she faces.

Heroes of Grit and Resilience

Western tales are renowned for their memorable protagonists—individuals defined by grit, resilience, and unwavering moral compass. Delphina embodies these qualities as she navigates the harsh realities of life in the West. Despite being left vulnerable and alone, her gentle strength and determination to provide for her daughter, Mary Ellen, make her a true Western heroine. Alongside her stands Moses, a freedman whose towering frame is matched only by the size of his heart. His unwavering support and love for Delphina demonstrate the resilience required to thrive in a world fraught with uncertainty.

Conflict, Justice, and Redemption

The Western genre masterfully explores themes of justice and redemption, and Stitched on My Heart is no exception. Delphina’s journey is one of finding her place in a society that often seeks to marginalize her. The novella delves into the complexities of a world where legal proof of freedom is as elusive as the justice Delphina and Moses seek. Yet, their story is also one of redemption—of finding hope, love, and a sense of belonging in a land that seems determined to keep them on the margins. Their struggle is a poignant reminder of the lengths one will go to secure a better life for themselves and their loved ones.

The Landscape as a Character

In western storytelling, the landscape is more than just a setting; it’s a character in its own right. In Stitched on My Heart, the vast, unforgiving terrains of the West shape Delphina’s journey, influencing her decisions and challenging her at every turn. The harsh beauty of the wilderness mirrors the struggles and triumphs of the characters, creating a backdrop that is both breathtaking and perilous. As Delphina and Moses navigate this landscape, they discover resilience and purpose in the most unexpected places, stitching comfort and hope into their lives.

Why We Keep Coming Back

The timeless appeal of Western narratives lies in their ability to weave adventure, drama, and profound human emotion into compelling stories. Stitched on My Heart is a prime example, offering readers a gripping tale of love, courage, and perseverance. Delphina and Moses’s story reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the human spirit can find a way to endure and flourish. This novella is not just a journey through the Wild West but a journey into the heart of what it means to be truly free.

Happy trails, fellow adventurers!

Where to Purchase Stitched on My Heart:

   Link for eBook
   Link for Paperback

 

Heidi’s Bio

Heidi Gray McGill is a celebrated author whose award-winning Christian fiction transports readers to the rugged landscapes of the past, where faith and fortitude reign supreme. With a talent for crafting historical and contemporary tales, Heidi has penned eight compelling books, each filled with resilient characters navigating the wilds of life with God’s love as their guide.

Heidi’s writing is as bold and purposeful as the untamed West itself. She began her literary journey in March 2020. She quickly became a beacon of inspiration, weaving stories that echo the timeless themes of redemption, courage, and the transformative power of God’s love and forgiveness. Much like the pioneers of old, her characters face adversity head-on, offering readers a chance to journey alongside them, discovering healing and insight through God’s Word.

Living in a quaint town near Charlotte, NC, Heidi shares her life with her devoted husband of over three decades. When she’s not crafting stories of grit and grace, she treasures moments with her family, especially her grandsons, and finds joy in cooking, playing games, and exploring new worlds through books.

Join Heidi on her inspiring journey into the heart of the American frontier and beyond. Visit HeidiGrayMcGill.com to discover the transformative power of God’s love woven into her stories. Connect with her on social media and sign up for her newsletter to receive a free prequel to her bestselling series.

Christian Fiction. Relatable Characters. Life

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What part of the western novel do you find draws you most? Heidi will give away a paperback to one commenter (US only.)

Special Guest Kimberley Woodhouse!

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I’m so excited to be back with y’all today. It’s seriously one of my favorite places to be with some of the best readers around!

Here we are, with my 39th release – A HOPE UNBURIED – which releases on September 24! (Book number 40 releases in October and it’s the finale of my new Cyber suspense series so watch my social media for fun celebration of #40!)

A Hope Unburied is the third book in my Treasures of the Earth series where we’ve followed women in paleontology, explored faith and science, and experienced the cool piece of American History known as The Bone Wars.

Set in 1916 Utah, this story takes us to the beginnings of Dinosaur National Monument. One of the coolest places I’ve ever been. (Now, let me tell you, it’s in the middle of nowhere – but it’s AMAZING.)

If you haven’t read any of the series yet, I hope you get the chance because one of the coolest pieces of writing these books was the research I was able to do on Earl Douglass. His granddaughter Diane—now in her 80s—has become so dear to me. She gave me permission to use his quotes and poems in the books.

Earl was a fascinating man of faith who was passionate about paleontology. It was his discovery in 1909 and his tireless work for years after that brought us the amazing quarry at Dinosaur National Monument. His hope was for people to get to see the fossils not just as displays in museums, but actually still in the rock. And if you go to the Monument, that’s what you’ll get to see. There’s an entire WALL of fossils inside the welcome center where you can see and touch and read all about them.

Earl’s dream came true and generations to come will get to reap the benefits of his work.

Below is the blurb about A Hope Unburied and I hope you’ll join me in spreading the word about this next book! I’m so excited but I need all the help and love I can get.  If you’re excited too and are willing to share about it, please comment below. I’ll be giving away three copies.

Beyond the perilous landscape lies a love that defies extinction. . . .

In the bustling world of paleontology in 1916, Eliza Mills defies societal expectations to pursue her passion. Having published her early groundbreaking papers under a false name, she has finally earned her place at the Carnegie Museum and seizes the opportunity to work at Dinosaur National Monument with a renowned paleontologist. But things in Jensen, Utah, aren’t what they appear. When Eliza gets the chance to dig up bones at a ranch with a dark history, it sparks a chain of events that will rock the very fabric of her carefully constructed world.

Devin Schmitt, Eliza’s closest friend since childhood, harbors unspoken feelings for her but knows he will never be able to win her heart. Just as he vows to give her up for good, Eliza begs him to visit her in Utah for another grand adventure. He reluctantly agrees, and within a few days of his arrival, he and Eliza find themselves entangled in a web of danger where the stakes are much higher than they ever anticipated. Together, Devin and Eliza must hold on to God as their hope as they navigate a treacherous terrain of betrayal to unbury the truth and save Eliza from those who wish to see her fail.

As Kimberly mentioned, she’ll be giving away THREE print copies of  A Hope Unburied. Have you ever visited a place that made you think of something you hadn’t? Or have you been to a place that changed you? Leave a comment to be entered in this drawing!