Horses

Discovering a New Part of Me in My Own Story

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I’m celebrating this weeks, my P&P friends. The Cowboy’s Comeback, Book 2 in my Juniper Falls Ranch series released this past Thursday and wow, I’m just over the moon about how much readers are loving Cassie and Bo’s story.

This one was a little bit of a departure for me—I’ve never used the enemies-to-lovers trope before. Mostly, I think because I really hate confrontation. I mean seriously hate it. I’ll go out of my way to avoid a confrontation in my real life, so writing a story based on one was a little uncomfortable.

My heroine, Cassie Franklin, has no qualms about saying exactly how she feels. A journalist and World Champion barrel racer, she’s had to make her own way for most of her career. She faces life head on. When horse trainer Bo Kennedy’s accusations destroy their relationship and they go their separate ways, the embers of her anger continue to burn for five long years. All it takes is seeing him again to stoke those embers back into flames, and she’s furious with him all over again.

The muscle in Bo’s jaw worked as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, Cassie, it’s been five years. I’ve forgiven you. Can’t we put it all in the past and start new?”

“You forgive me?” It was the last straw after he’d practically wrenched the painful story of losing Pierre from her. “You … you …” she spluttered, too angry for words. She shoved the comb in her back pocket, clipped Storm’s lead under the mare’s chin, and unhooked the crossties. “Stick your forgiveness where the sun don’t shine, George!” She yanked on the lead and started to stalk out but stopped in a few feet, took a deep breath, and patted Storm’s neck. “Let’s walk, baby,” she said quietly. “Good girl. Let’s walk.”

As they try to work together to get her new horse ready for competition, Cassie is alternately cold as ice and yet so ticked off, she steams, so she gets really snippy to Bo. And that’s the part that I had to pull from a place inside me I didn’t know existed. Well, I knew it was down there somewhere because I can be really snippy in my head if provoked, but I can’t think of a time when I’ve brought that attitude to my real life. I’m always the peacemaker, even in an argument I win. I don’t hold a grudge and I’d almost rather cut my tongue out than say something that might make someone be mad at me. Cassie has not such compunction with Bo.

All this to say, Cassie comes at life (and Bo) with metaphorical guns a’blazin’. After a lot of years of being pretty passive, who knew I could write confrontation so convincingly? Go figure. We writers often discover new things about ourselves as we create characters, and sometimes, readers discover something new about themselves, too, when they read our stories. I like that, don’t you?

The Cowboy’s Comeback

It’s an enemies to lovers showdown between the cowboy who can’t trust and the cowgirl who won’t forgive.

Injured rodeo cowboy, Bo Kennedy, takes a job as a horse trainer at a Montana ranch. His skills training cutting horses are in high demand, but he’s holding out hope his days of competing aren’t over. Then his first client arrives, desperate for help with her mare. One problem, she’s his ex.

When World Champion barrel racer Cassie Franklin needs a new horse quickly, her last hope to rebuild her career is to switch to cutting competitions. She brings her new mare to Juniper Falls Ranch, hoping the highly hyped horse whisperer can help. She’s stunned to see Bo. They haven’t spoken in five years after he wrongly accused her of sabotaging his horse when he saw her flirting with his fiercest competitor.

Working together seems impossible, especially as the chemistry still sizzles. Will one of them finally lower their guard and admit they were wrong?

I’ve got a couple of e-books of The Cowboy’s Comeback to give away to two lucky commenters. Just tell me below if you’ve ever discovered something new about yourself that surprised you. 

Where the Horses Slept: Life Inside an 1890s Livery Stable

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. The heroine of my upcoming release, Ryland’s Promise, has an unusual occupation, at least for a female – she owns and operates a livery stable. So I thought I’d chat a little bit about that today.

When most folks picture the Old West, they think of cattle drives, dusty trails, and cowboys tipping their hats. But tucked into nearly every town—big or small—was a place just as essential to daily life: the livery stable.

These often-overlooked businesses were the heartbeat of a community’s transportation – for both people and cargo. Whether you were arriving in town, heading to church, or needing a rig for a supply run, the livery stable was where your journey started (and your horse got a break). They housed not just animals, but wagons, buggies, and the occasional bit of gossip, too.

And for the most part, they were run by men.

But not always.

Women Behind the Stalls?

Livery work was hard, dirty, and demanding—dawn to dark and then some. So when a woman stepped into that world, she had to be hardy, able, and commanding.

Occasionally, women inherited stables after the death of a father or husband. Others simply stepped into the role out of necessity. Either way, they had to earn respect in a world that didn’t expect—or always accept—a female behind the reins.

She’d need to:

  • Know horses better than most men
  • Manage equine boarders, livery staff, and finances
  • Maintain equipment and keep the books
  • And hold her chin up when folks questioned her place in the trade

It wasn’t for the faint of heart—but the right woman could not only survive, she could thrive.

Meet Josie Wylie

In my upcoming release, Ryland’s Promise, Josephine Wylie is one such woman. Practical, sharp, and steady as a trusted trail horse, she runs her family’s livery stable with grit and quiet pride. She’s spent years putting her family’s needs ahead of her own—until Ryland Everhart comes to town, passing through, determined to reach a friend in need, and with a way of unsettling her careful world.

Josie doesn’t go looking for romance—but sometimes, love comes calling, ready or not.

Livery Life by the Numbers

Want a peek into what life was really like behind those big barn doors? Here’s what you might find at a typical small-town Texas livery around 1892:

The Going Rate

  • Boarding a horse overnight: 25¢ to 50¢
  • Weekly boarding: $2–$3
  • Renting a saddle horse: 75¢ to $1.50/day
  • Buggy & horse combo: $1–$2/day
  • Buckboard or surrey rental: $2–$3/day
  • Extra feed or grooming care: 10¢–15¢

Rates could jump during holidays, fairs, or political rallies—when horses (and tempers) were in short supply.

Around the Clock
Most liveries were staffed 24/7. The owner or a hired stable hand usually slept in a tack room or up in the hayloft, ready to tend horses or meet late-night travelers arriving by stage or rail.

Where Did They Keep It All?

  • Horses were stalled inside the main barn, but overflow or short-term boarders were often kept in outdoor pens or corrals nearby.
  • Mules and draft teams might be housed separately or tied off outside under a lean-to.
  • Wagons, buggies, and buckboards were stored in sheds or under awnings, protected from the elements but easy to access.
  • Most stables had lofts for hay storage—and a place to sleep if you were the unlucky one on night duty.

Horse Sales, Too
Yes—many liveries bought and sold horses, either from their own stock or on consignment for locals. A trusted livery owner was often the town’s go-to for finding a sound riding horse or trading in a tired one.

And Let’s Be Honest…
Livery stables weren’t exactly fragrant. The scent of hay mixed with manure, horse sweat, and oil from the buggy wheels. But they were also places of quiet routine, skillful care, and—if you knew where to look—unexpected stories waiting to unfold.

What do you think? Did any of the above information surprise you? If so, what and why?

Or have you ever had a job—or read about one—that felt unusual for the time period or for the person doing it? Whether it’s a female blacksmith in a novel or your own unexpected career path, I’d love to hear about it!

Drop your thoughts in the comments and you’ll be automatically entered in a drawing for your choice of any of my backlist books.

RYLAND’S  PROMISE

A promise fulfilled. A heart awakened. A Christmas he’ll never forget.

When Texas rancher turned Philadelphia lawyer Ryland Everhart returns to Texas, he’s too late. Belle, the childhood friend he’d come to see, has passed away—leaving behind a young daughter and one final request. Though Ry was delayed by unexpected violence and never heard her ask it aloud, she named him guardian… and he’s determined to honor that trust.

Josephine Wylie has always put her family first, even if it means shelving her own hopes. She’s sure Ry is the perfect match—for her sister. Putting him in the role of head of the family, she believes, will finally free her to live out her dreams. But as Christmas draws near and Ry settles into their lives, Josie begins to see something more than obligation in his eyes—and something far more dangerous in her own heart.

Guided by the weight of a promise and the quiet pull of unexpected affection, Ry must decide whether doing right by Belle’s daughter means walking away—or daring to stay and claim a future he never imagined.

(NOTE: This book was previously published under the title The Christmas Journey)

Preorder Link

Sarah and World War I

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I have a new wholesome historical romance releasing tomorrow.

The research for the story, set during World War I, took me on several journeys into the past as I learned about everything from an infantry division known for their singing to the sad fact that one battalion was left with nothing but carrots to eat for three days.

One of the things that really dug into my heart was learning about the sheer number of horses and mules that died during the war.  The estimates are around eight million, but it’s hard to know for sure.

World War I required hundreds of thousands of horses and mules to pull and pack artillery, supplies, communications, medical supplies and ambulances, and engineering services, as well as to carry the cavalry. When the war began in 1914, Europe did not have enough equines to support massive armies. France, England, and Germany looked to other nations to shore up their numbers of horses, mules, and donkeys.

British and French purchasing agents and their staff came to North America in search of horses. They selected animals based on size, breed, and type from specific regions, shipping them mainly from Newport News, Virginia, and Montreal, Canada. Ships were modified with stalls and fodder storage. By the fall of 1917, more than half a million American horses and mules had been sent to Europe for service. By the summer of 1918, approximately 300 horses and mules were being shipped every day to France. Because there was such a desperate need for horses, agents even rounded up wild horses from southeastern Oregon, Nevada, and northeastern California to ship over.

One shipping port for the hoses was Newport News, Virginia. An account I read said that a Germany spy poisoned the water and they lost hundreds of animals before they figured out the cause.

Another thing Germans used to bring great harm to horses were an ancient weapon called a caltrop.  I’d never heard of them before I started the research for this story, but apparently, they were used in Roman times and found their way to America during the Civil War. The caltrop is a four-pronged metal spike used to impede enemy movement, particular those on horses.

During World War I, it was written in a soldier’s journal that the Germans would toss these small weapons “like a child’s jacks” in the mud as they retreated or moved to other areas, hoping to damage as many horses as possible. Their theory was “no foot, no horse.” Once a horse stepped on one of these sharp prongs, it penetrated into their hoof deeply enough it couldn’t be treated and the horse would have to be put down.

Horses also faced the same trials as the soldiers: pouring rain, baking heat, poisonous gas, mortar fire, whizzing bullets, lack of food, and so many other challenges.

In my book, Sarah, the hero, Brett, works under the direction of a veterinarian in France. He and his friend, Rory, help take care of the horses in their division. Brett bonds with a Kiger mustang named Keegan, and it was such a special thing to write that into the story.

She desires his heart.

He longs for her love.

Can they find common ground when he returns forever altered by the war.

In a world turned upside down by World War I, all Sarah Richards desires is to love Brett Rawlings and build a future together. After graduating high school a year early, she’s ready to dive into her dreams of college and a home filled with laughter and love. But one impulsive decision threatens all her aspirations—as well as her relationship with Brett.

As the war rages on and men head off to fight, sixteen-year-old Brett reluctantly follows his twin brother, Ben, sneaking off to France to join the American Expeditionary Forces. As the months pass, Ben thrives amidst the chaos of battle, while Brett finds himself haunted by the girl he left behind and the uncertainty of his own heart. When Ben reveals a life-altering secret, the bond between the brothers is shattered, forcing Brett to grapple with betrayal as he faces the brutal realities of war.

Brett returns home a changed man, burdened with memories too heavy to bear, yet yearning to mend the fractures of the past. Will Sarah still be waiting for him, or have time and truth forged an unbridgeable chasm between them?

Find out in this heartfelt historical romance that weaves a tale of hope, grace, forgiveness, and sweet, enduring love.

I’m giving away an autographed copy of Sarah and some fun goodies.

You can ENTER HERE,

then come back and share a comment about your favorite animal.

I’ve always loved horses and dogs. My favorite horse was a Palomino named Doc, and my favorite dog was our Border Collie because she was so super smart and sweet.

 

 

Run For the Roses – The Kentucky Derby

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Whether you’re a veteran racing fan or oblivious to the sport, odds are you know about the Kentucky Derby. Held annually on the first Saturday in May, it is the oldest continuous sporting event in the United States. 

From the extravagant hats and elegant ensembles to the copious amounts of betting, the Derby definitely has a brand of its own. That’s exactly what the race’s founder, Meriwether Lewis Clark, intended when he started the Derby in 1872.

Clark, the grandson of famous explorer William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame), was first inspired to bring a horse derby to America after a visit to Europe. While there, he attended the Earl of Derby’s Epsom Derby in England. Clark then set out to replicate a similar racing scene in the states as the leader of the Louisville Jockey Club. Clark’s uncles, John and Henry Churchill, helped him secure the funding to establish the club and to build a racetrack on property the Churchills owned just south of Louisville. Around 1883, the track earned the informal name of Churchill Downs, though it was not officially named until 1928.

GARLAND OF ROSES
First established as part of the Derby celebration when they were presented to all the ladies attending a fashionable Louisville Derby party, the Garland of Roses was such a sensation, that the president of Churchill Downs, Col. Lewis Clark, adopted the rose as the race’s official flower. The rose garland, now synonymous with the Kentucky Derby, first appeared in the 1896 when winner Ben Brush received a floral arrangement of white and pink roses.
THE TWIN SPIRES
Throughout the world, the Twin Spires are a recognized landmark and have become visual symbols of Churchill Downs and its most famous race, the Kentucky Derby.

Constructed in 1895, the Twin Spires were the creation of a 24-year-old draftsman, Joseph Dominic Baldez, who was asked to draw the blueprints for Churchill Downs’ new grandstand. Originally the plans did not include the Twin Spires atop Churchill Downs’ roofline, but as the young Baldez continued work on his design, he felt the structure needed something to give it a striking appearance.
Described as towers in the original drawing, the hexagonal spires exemplify late 19th century architecture, in which symmetry and balance took precedence over function. Although Baldez designed many other structures in Louisville, the Twin Spires remain as an everlasting monument to his memory.

MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME                       

In the world of sports, there is not a more moving moment than when the horses step onto the track for the Kentucky Derby post parade and the band strikes up “My Old Kentucky Home.”
Although there is no definitive history on the playing of the Stephen Foster ballad as a Derby Day tradition, it is believed to have originated in 1921 for the 47th running of the classic. The Louisville Courier-Journal in its May 8, 1921, edition reported, “To the strains of ‘My Old Kentucky Home,’ Kentuckians gave vent their delight.  A report by the former Philadelphia Public Ledger provides evidence that 1930 may have been the first year the song was played as the horses were led to the post parade – “When the horses began to leave the paddock and the song ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ was coming from the radio, the cheering started.”

MINT JULEP

The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century. Early Times Kentucky Whisky has been privileged and honored to be a part of that tradition. n 1938, Churchill Downs noticed that patrons were taking decorated water glasses home. Rather than fight the trend, the track embraced it. The following year, the julep came in the first collector cups.

 

THE FASHIONS

The Kentucky Derby is more than a horse race. It is a mood, an excitement and an atmosphere that create a culture around the track. The events and clothing tied to that culture can be traced back to 1875. Many of the seasonal festivities historically kicked off with black-tie charity balls and a Derby Day hasn’t passed at the track without a celebration of festive hats.

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For a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card, leave a comment on the question below.

If you were invited to attend the Kentucky Derby, what type of outfit and hat would you wear?

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Coming this month!

An outlaw looking for a fresh start.
A schoolteacher who might hold the key to the entire town’s salvation.
Ash “Shotgun” McCrae can never make up for all the wrong he’s done. After leaving a notorious outlaw gang, he thought he’d discovered the peaceful existence he’d been looking for when he found work laying tracks for the railroad in Rivers Bend. Yet, when trouble shows up in town, he fears he may never free himself from the burden of his past.

Schoolteacher Kate Cummings stands as the one bright light in contrast to the curious looks and behind-the-glove whispers blowing through the town. The arrival of Padraic “Patch” Rooney and his gang challenges the small-town serenity she holds dear. Still, her steadfast trust in Ash awakens the strength of courage within them all, giving rise to the collective defiance against the approaching danger.

In a deadly game of dangerous outlaws and secret schemes, Kate and Ash must decide whether they are willing to risk everything for their love, including their lives.

Pre-Order Link

Choosing the Perfect Name for Your Horse

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I’ve owned horses most of my life, from the time I was a preteen until a few years ago (we won’t mention how many decades there are in between). The very first horse I called my own was a bay gelding named Mac. That was it. Just Mac. He wasn’t particularly beautiful, but he was gentle and well-behaved. By the time I turned fourteen, I was ready for a more advanced horse, and we acquired Torno – short for Tornado. Now, he was a beauty. A striking black, high-stepping Saddlebred who sailed over fences. In college, I switched from English riding to Western and Baldy was my horse of choice. She was pie-bald mare with an entirely white face and pale blue eyes.

In all three cases, my horse came with an established name, and it seemed to fit them and their characteristics. Not that I would have changed it. As a youngster, I once read in book that changing a horse’s name was bad luck, and I believed it. Over the years, my husband and I came to own many dozens of horses and mules—some of them with silly or just plain awful names. Still, I wouldn’t change them. Instead, I’d come up with a tolerable, if not cute, nickname. A few of the more memorable ones were a pony named Tinkle and an older white swayback called Dumpy. I couldn’t bring myself to call them by those terrible monikers, so I dubbed them Tinker Bell and Dimples. I figured the nicknames were close enough to not rain any bad luck down on us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was also tasked with the job of naming the many babies we had and any nameless horse or mule that came to us. One of my favorites was a baby mule that we had after several years of trying and much money invested. The moment I saw him at a few hours old, I pronounced him Dollar, which made perfect sense. Eighteen months later, his full sister Penny was born. I mean, seriously, what else could I call her? A dun mare we fostered produced a handsome male foal that looked just like her, so I called him Son of a Dun, Sonny for short.

Not all the names I picked were humorous, although I admit I often leaned that way. Neither were all the names clever and original. We had our share of classics like Lady and Fancy and Patches. I named my favorite horse of all time Tiger because he was born in the year of the tiger. What mattered most is that somehow the names all came to fit the horse or mule.

Oh, and this doesn’t take into account all the names of fictional horses and bulls and even dogs that I had to come up with for books. I once had a fierce bucking bull called Orange Crush and most recently a diminutive mule I gave the name of Short Stack.

Just for fun, tell me, what would you name this silly fellow? Who knows? I just might use him and your suggestion in a future book ?

And don’t forget to check out our P&P reader group on Facebook!

Petticoats & Pistols FB Readers Group

Horses of the West and a Giveaway!

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Aren’t horses beautiful, majestic creatures? Horses and the West go hand in hand. Sure, there were horses all over North America, and in other countries too, but when most people think of “the West” they picture a cowboy on his trusty steed, Stetson on his head, coiled rope nearby, and perhaps a herd of cattle he’s watching over to driving back to his ranch. 

While the cowboy played an important role out West, in my opinion, the horse was maybe even more important! Someone who stole a horse was subject to a harsh public punishment such as a public whipping, jail time, or branding. That is, if they weren’t taken care of by vigilante justice. 

Horses were incredibly important on the frontier, as they were used for everything from transportation to work. They really were the essential workers of the day. With their great strength, horses were used in mills, pulled plows, wagons, and hauled freight, and can you imagine a cowboy trying to drive cattle without a horse? And…all those stagecoach robberies…it’s a lot easier to catch someone on foot with the loot if they didn’t have a horse! 

In fact, from 1850, to 1890, the number of horses grew from 4,336,719 to 15,266,244! They were as crucial to the West becoming settled as were the people who traveled there to call those wide lands home. 

 

Three of the most popular horse breeds in the West during the 1800s were the American Quarter horse, Morgans, and Mustangs. Each served a slightly different need, but all of them were important. 

The American Quarter horse was the most versatile for a western man’s needs. They were generally calm, muscular, and could pull wagons, work the cattle, and were fast horses. They were also a common horse, so easy to obtain. 

Morgans were used in gold mines, and also pulled stagecoaches and buggies. They were the favorite horses of the Pony Express riders because they were strong, fast, easily trained, and had good endurance. 

A Mustang was strong and sturdy. Mustangs were also feral, and hard to catch, with a temperament that was difficult. In the early 1900s, over two million Mustangs roamed the United States. They were almost wiped out, but with government regulation managed to survive.  

When my boys started doing horse lessons a few years ago, I had no idea that each lesson (which I sit in on) would start with an oral lesson. Over the last two years, we’ve learned about horse breeds and personalities, how much water they drink and what happens if they don’t have it, how long their intestines are, how much they eat, how many pounds of manure each day, and so much more. Because of this interest, I’ve worked horses in here and there in my books. I even wrote one about a wrangler, who was someone who worked with horses. 

In this book, Rose is as spirited as any unbroke filly, with no desire to settle down. And Levi, the wrangler, might be only one who understands. 

 

 

You can learn more by going here: 

https://www.amazon.com/Romancing-Wrangler-Second-Chance-Groom-ebook/dp/B0CFWJB2W4?tag=pettpist-20

But today, one of you will win your own copy. For your chance to win either an ebook or an audiobook code of Romancing the Wrangler, I’d just like to know: Have you ever ridden a horse? 

Barb Han With a Little Intrigue

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A big hello from North Texas, the place I call home with my hero-worthy husband and our rescue dog who is often referred to as a hot mess. I grew up around dogs and horses, so I’m right at home in the setting of my current Harlequin Intrigue release, RANCH AMBUSH.

Crystal Remington, the heroine, works in law enforcement as a US Marshal but her family owns a paint horse ranch. The hero, Wade Brewer, medically boarded out of the Army six months ago, and hasn’t quite gained his footing in the civilian world as he turns state’s witness.

I loved writing this story because it combines two of my favorite things: a strong Texas heroine and an ex-military hero who is damaged physically and emotionally. Wade has had to overcome a lot in life to get to this point. He’s bitter. But Crystal sees beyond the angry façade. As they work together to bring a dangerous criminal to justice, Wade learns that he can trust Crystal to have his back. He’s even more guarded with his heart but Crystal is the one person who can penetrate the walls he’s constructed.

Here’s an excerpt that I hope you enjoy:

Brewer glanced down to where his left shin used to be. Underneath his cargo pants, it was impossible to see the prosthetic leg. He knew part of himself was missing now and would never be replaced no matter how many advances were made in medicine. No one would want to spend the rest of their life with a partial man.

“I’ve been going on and on about my family. I’m not usually this talkative. I apologize.” Crystal blushed, and it only served to make her more attractive.

“Don’t,” he said. “It’s making the time pass faster, and I’m interested in hearing more. Takes my mind off my current problems.”

“It’s just not what I do when I’m working. Better to keep a hard line between personal and professional. I hope you can understand.”

He leaned his head back. “Do I ever. The only way to survive in the military is to push all other thoughts other than survival out of your mind. Right before a mission, I used to take a few minutes to think about what I’d be doing once it was over. Plant the seed that I was confident no matter what I faced that day, I’d be back in a few hours, days, or weeks, playing a pickup game with one of the guys in my unit after chow time.”

“Sounds like a good strategy.”

“It kept me alive this long,” he mused. Even though he hadn’t exactly come home whole. “Other than Aunt Rosemary, I didn’t have anyone else to come home to like some of the men. They’d stare at a picture of their girlfriend or wife. Some had kids. They would memorize those smiling faces and take that into a combat zone with them. It was enough to assure they came out alive.”

“It’s good to have something or someone to look forward to.”

She had to have read in his file there was no one in his life. “What about you? Anyone special you’re going home to?”

He half expected her to remind him that her personal life was none of his business. Instead, she shocked him by saying, “Not in a long time.”

A beautiful, intelligent woman like her shouldn’t have to be alone. “Too busy?”

She opened her mouth to speak before clamping it shut again. He’d crossed a line he shouldn’t have.

“Sorry,” he said. “You don’t have to answer that. I get it. Your personal life is on a need-to-know basis, and I don’t need to know.”

“Something like that.”

* * * * * * *

How about a contest? Tell me what kind of animals you grew up around for a chance to win your pick of either my current release or anything from my backlist. Three winners will be selected!

A “Heart” Horse Influences Melinda Curtis’s Writing

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Hello, I’m Melinda Curtis and I write lighthearted sweet romance and romcoms. Today, I’m talking about my “heart” horse (a horse you love more than you might need) and how she influenced how I include horses in my western romances.

When I was a teenager, I owned a seven-year-old, red roan, appaloosa mare. Misty was gentle as a kitten when I was in the stall with her, in the pasture with her, grooming her, washing her, or saddling her up. But something happened when I got in the saddle. Misty wanted to run. And once Misty started to run, she didn’t want to stop.

The cowboys in the neighborhood told me I had soft hands and good legs—which meant I had a light touch on the reins and knew how to control a horse with my heels. They very politely never said anything about my seat—which refers to how much air goes between your booty and the western saddle when horses go faster than a walk. My seat wasn’t good (I got a lot of air).

So Misty and I tried compromise. I worked on my “seat” and exercised her more. We galloped up hills and in circles around the corral. I got a little better, but she never lost her need to run. Then one day, after she should have been winded from racing up a vineyard hill, she took the bit in her mouth and tossed her head. Her neck hit my nose. Blood spattered everywhere. She shook her head once and realized as I did (in horror!) that she’d broken the chin strap. The chin strap is what holds the bit in place. No chin strap means no bit pressure which means Misty could ignore the reins.

She whinnied. It was a happy sound. A carefree sound. If you were a horse, that is. To me, it sounded more like brouhahahaha! Misty spun and headed back downhill between the shiny green grapevines at a full gallop. I knew she was headed back home. But I also knew there was a barbed wire fence at the bottom of the hill and we’d have to make a hard left.

Now, my teenage brain was calculating the odds of me falling on that rusted barbed wire fence. They weren’t good odds. I’m not a daredevil. I don’t bungee jump. I don’t even cannonball into swimming pools. But that day, I leapt out of my saddle and tumbled about twenty feet in clay soil to the bottom of the hill. Took me a couple of minutes to catch my breath, wipe my bloody nose and my tears, and get to my feet.

And Misty? She was waiting for me back at the door to her stall, ears perked up and ready to be brushed and loved and cooed over by her adoring girl. Do goldfishes really have the shortest memories? That day, it seemed like horses did.

Have you ever had an animal that taught you a lot about life and/or yourself? I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment to let me know. One lucky commenter will win a digital copy of the first book in the series — A Cowgirl Never Forgets. The drawing from the commenters will be Sunday.

Fast forward to me writing cowboy romances/romcoms. I love drawing on my experiences with Misty when creating the perfect foil for my hero or heroine. My characters’ lives aren’t perfect and neither are their mounts. But they learn to deal with it and laugh along the way to their happily ever after.

Here’s a little about A Cowgirl Never Forgets:

Rodeo cowgirl Maggie Blackwell doesn’t need her estranged family. She’s got Clem Coogan—her best friend, rodeo buddy and absolute rock. But when a rodeo accident leaves Clem with a terrible concussion, he’s convinced they’re a romantic item…and proposes to her. Now until his memory comes back, Maggie’s playing along. But can she keep this headache from turning into heartache for both of them?

 

You can meet my latest western couple—Griff and Bess—in The Rodeo Star’s Reunion. In this second chance romance, Bess had a sweet spot for reckless cowboy Griff—until he ghosted her on prom night. No explanation was ever given, and Bess was too proud to ask for one. Now, years later, he’s suddenly offering to help with her ranch and with the high school rodeo team that she coaches, which rekindles a spark from long ago. But will their resurfacing feelings survive when Bess discovers the real secret that Griff’s been holding on to for all these years?

The Rodeo Star’s Reunion is Book 5 in the Cowboy Academy series. Each book features a hero that spent time as a foster child at the Done Roamin’ Ranch, a rodeo stock distributor and teen foster home. The books are all connected but all stand alone. You can grab your copy of The Rodeo Star’s Reunion on Harlequin HERE or Amazon HERE.

 

BIO:

USA Today Bestselling Author Melinda Curtis writes lighthearted sweet romances and romcoms, both independently and for Harlequin. Half her titles every year are western/cowboy romances. You can learn more about Melinda’s books, shop for deals and autographed print editions, or listen to her audio books for free at the following sites:

Website  /  Direct Store  / YouTube Channel

Gypsies in Western Novels by Janice Cole Hopkins

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I have traveled quite a bit, and I’ve noticed small bands of gypsies in many of the European countries. This sparked a special interest in their lifestyle, and it’s always been in the back of my mind to write a novel including them. My chance came when I became a part of the multiple-author collection, The Matchmaker & the Mother-In-Law. However, it wasn’t until I chose my book cover from the ones offered that I locked onto the idea. By the time I saw them to select mine, the only one I liked was a Spanish-looking woman. I remembered the gypsies I saw on my trips to Spain, and Carmen’s Wedding Dilemma was born.

 

The gypsies in Spain are called Cale (Kah.lay’). There, as in most places, gypsies have historically experienced prejudice and discrimination. They might be barred from entering certain establishments, and it was hard for them to find gainful employment if people learned of their backgrounds. All sorts of rumors followed them, saying they were thieves, kidnappers, dishonest, and disreputable as Carmen’s mother tries to explain to her when they first move to Utah:

 

“No, no, no,” Mother rushed into the room shaking her head. “Do not tell her about the gypsies. She doesn’t need to know about them. We all need to forget about that part of our lives.”

“Why, Mamá?” Carmen knew her parents didn’t want to talk about that time in their lives, and they didn’t want Carmen to know about any of it, but she’d never really understood.

“Other people don’t understand the gypsies,” her mother tried to explain again. “They accuse us of all types of criminal activities. A few of them are true for a few gypsies, but certainly not most of them. However, if others know you come from gypsy stock, they won’t like you or have anything to do with you. For your future, for all our futures, we must keep it a secret. Do you understand?”

Carmen nodded her head, and she did understand the words. She just didn’t understand why anyone would hate her because her grandparents and parents had been gypsies at one time. To her, the gypsies were fascinating, and she wanted to know all about them.

 

In the book, although Carmen was born in America, her parents and grandparents had been gypsies in Spain. Carmen’s father was falsely accused of a crime, so he and his family leave their gypsy camp in the middle of the night and sail to America. Carmen was born several months later.

 

Once in the new country, they decide it would be better to hide their gypsy heritage. After the Civil War begins, they move to Utah, her father starts a horse ranch, and he brings horses from Spain. When Carmen becomes a young woman, her parents decide that Mateo should be her matchmaker. After all, who has her best interest at heart more than a girl’s father.

 

Historically, Spain is known for their fine horses. The Andalusian, a famous Spanish breed known for its beauty and versatility, is one of the best-known breeds, but there are others as well as mixes.

The Hispano-Arabe is part Arabian and part Andalusian. Galician horses are an ancient breed believed to have come from the Celts. They are friendly horses who are people-oriented and very protective of their foals, so they make great mothers.

Paso Fina is a versatile breed. They come from several breeds that Christopher Columbus used when he was in the Dominican Republic, including, Barbs, Andalusians, and Spanish Jennets. These horses have a smooth gait, are extremely smart, easily trained, and like people. However, they can be spirited.

Merens are sturdy and strong and make a good all-around choice. They’re known for their endurance either riding or pulling vehicles.

The story continues with Holden Judd’s mother driving him crazy, trying to match him with a woman he has nothing in common with. When he goes to buy horses from Matteo for his livery business, he keeps returning, and it doesn’t take long for him to fall in love with Carmen. However, his mother is determined to break them up, even if she must be secretive about it. Carmen’s Wedding Dilemma is available for Kindle, KU, print, and Audible. Check it out – CLICK HERE.

Do you have a special interest in an ethnic or cultural group? Explain why or why not.

Leave a comment to enter the drawing for a Kindle copy of Carmen’s Wedding Dilemma.

 

A Cowboy with a Different Kind of Ride

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Good Morning (or whenever you choose to read this),

When we think of cowboys, we certainly have a prototype in mind, a clear picture of what a cowboy is. I would bet that cowboy is not in a wheelchair for most of you. Well, in the book I’m releasing the end of next week, the hero is a cowboy with all the heart, honesty, and beliefs of a cowboy, he lives on a ranch and works hard. In fact, he works very hard, and he’s also in a wheelchair.

You may be thinking, how can that be? If he has no legs or no ability to use his legs, how does he ride a horse? Those are good questions (and also questions people are sometimes afraid to ask for fear of legitimately hurting others). The answer is, in many cases, yes. Paraplegics can ride horses. Let’s chat about it.

This is Brendon Ruse, he is a former Army Ranger and suffered a debilitating spinal injury. After recovering, he becomes a clinical psychologist and offers counseling to victims of human trafficking at Wayside Ranch. While he’s not a wrangler as many of the men on the ranch are, he still enjoys riding.

Brendon has worked hard and enjoys his life on the ranch. He has an all-terrain wheelchair that helps him move around on the rougher terrain of a rural setting. His chair looks something like this one (this one is from Razor Blade Terrain).

  This chair with wider front wheels is light and maneuverable 
This is similar to what Brendon would use, except Sam made his and it’s a manual hoist that he uses himself. Image from lifelifts.com

 

 

 

With this chair, Brendon can go almost anywhere he wishes to. The only places really inaccessible are homes with stairs and no railing (he is capable of using a narrow railing and his arms, but he doesn’t prefer to do so).
With his riding mount assist, he can mount a horse without help, though it does perturb him that Connor requires a spotter for him in case the chain would slip from his grasp and he’d land on the floor, potentially injuring himself). All of this came through research. I knew paraplegics could ride from another story I wrote, but I never understood (because while I had mobility issues, I certainly felt disabled) that many people in wheelchairs actually don’t feel disabled. They don’t want to be treated differently. They just want to happily live their lives. And that’s kind of the revelation I wanted to pass on in Operation: Discovery.

Now, to be honest, there’s a lot more in the book than just Brendon’s grappling with one particular woman who he thinks treated him as incomplete when they dated in the past. It is a second-chance romance, but it also sheds light on a horrible situation in this world, human trafficking. The whole series does, but this one is sensitive because it’s about children. Fair warning if you preorder the book.

Bottom line, if a cowboy is made by the condition of his heart, character, and work ethic, Brendon is definitely a cowboy and he’ll ride off into the sunset to prove it.