Behind the Book

Wildflower Bride–Book Six Available Now–and a Giveaway

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ALL SIX BOOKS IN THE PETTICOATS AND COWBOYS SERIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Three more coming but after a short break!

Boy that happened fast.

Book six is:

Wildflower Bride

CLICK TO BUY

This is the one that, when I pitched it, way back (these six books are all re-releases) my editor said, “I don’t see you making that guy into a hero, but I trust you. Go for it.”

Wade Sawyer, the hero of Wildflower Bride, was the villain of Montana Rose. A man obsessed with Cassie Dawson and willing to kill her husband to get her.

Welp, Wade reformed. 

Yes he did, and Red Dawson and his wife, the sweet, gentle-hearted Cassie, helped to draw him away from the dark path he was headed down.

Now in Wildflower Bride we find Wade is needed to go home and save his pa’s ranch. His pa who has spent Wade’s whole life denigrating poor Wade. Wade has to find his backbone and who’s there to help him? The absolutely fearless, knife-wielding Abbie. Introduced in The Husband Tree as Glowing Sun. A white woman taken in as a child by a native tribe, she grew up to be a wild woman.

Maryconnealy.com

She loved her native family and has no use for the invading pioneers. But her native family is dead and she agrees to go along with Wade to his home because she honestly has no idea where else to go.

One of my favorite lines from this book is, “So, does Abbie pull a knife on every man she sees?”

Wade’s answer after some thought…….. “So far.”

But Wade’s tyrant father is no match for the fearless Abbie and from her boldness, Wade learns to stand up to his father and find the courage his young faith has given him.

Wildfire Bride, available now. One of my very favorite books ever. And though we have a few months break for a true NEW RELEASE–The Hearts Most Wanted, book #2 in the Rocky Mountain Marshals Series, coming in October, available for Pre-order now…then there are three more books coming in the Petticoats and Cowboys Series.

LEAVE A COMMENT TO GET YOUR NAME IN A DRAWING FOR AN EBOOK COPY OF WILDFLOWER BRIDE. 

SUMMER IS ENDING, KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT AUTUMN?

http://www.maryconnealy.com

Montana Rose–coming soon–and a giveaway

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We are on to book four in this NINE BOOK SERIES!

These books are formerly published and out of print, so I’m giving them a new life with the help of Wild Heart Books.

But only six covers so far. I can’t wait for the rest!!!

This month the book re-releasing is………..

Montana Rose

Montana Rose is one of the first books I ever wrote. Not first by any means but before any of the other five books that are included in that lineup.

To make it into a series I had to rewrite it, along with The Husband Tree…which I wrote a bit later…move Montana Rose to Montana…or did I move the Husband Tree to Montana? And I know it was The Husband Tree that I had to date a lot later to match up with the time of The Husband Tree and, if you’re reading Montana Rose, you’ll see that Belle Tanner, the heroine of The Husband Tree is in the book, as is Tom Linscott…neither of these people were originally in Montana Rose. There might have been a  passing mention of the name Tom Linscott as a cranky neighbor who would bid to buy the land that is being seized by the bank near the beginning of the book.

He never appears on the page. He never had a line of spoken dialogue and, in my imagination, he was an old codger. Now he’s a handsome young cranky neighbor bound of a love story of his own.

All of this changed when I threw my back (okay, my fingers!) into making these books a series. Adding in Wildflower Bride well, that was the first original book I wrote after I became published.

Montana Rose was written as my effort to re-create Love Comes Softly. If you’re familiar with it, it is the beginning of Christian Publishers buying and publishing fiction. It was all non-fiction before Love Comes Softly.  It’s a beautiful story, classic and widely known. Also at this point in my writing, I’d been creating female characters that were tough, feisty lady ranchers. I wanted to try and grow as an author, test my skills. Can I create a true damsel in distress…and in the truest, old fashioned sense of the word.

Cassie is meek. She’s been mistreated by her first husband, a much older man who, after Cassie’s mother’s death, tended the vast wealth Cassie inherited. Well, he married her and took her west, spent her whole fortune, got her pregnant and died. Leaving her penniless, alone, used to taking orders and convinced she’s stupid and childish and someone needs to tell her every decision to make.

There, on the freshly turned grave of her husband….

…………..Here’s the thing. I like to think of Montana Rose as Love Comes Softly … Only with Mayhem and Gunfire.

I suggested to my publisher we call it that. Or maybe Love Comes Hardly. Or Love Comes Loudly.

I felt like that captured the spirit of the book. In their usual wisdom, they picked a title of their own.

Montana Rose, coming June 23. That’s next Tuesday. Available now for preorder, along with The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride.

Have you read Love Comes Softly? It was a movie on The Hallmark Channel…the author Janette Oke, absolutely beloved, has had many many books made into movies, six in the Love Comes Softly series alone. In some ways they really launched The Hallmark Channel and those movies run and rerun to this day.

So my humble attempt to capture that beautiful pregnant woman, grieving from her husband’s death on a wagon train, in terrible need, her forced marriage of convenience to a near stranger, and how those two learned to trust. And how Cassie learns to risk her heart again.

With me as the author, it fell into chaos of course, lots of shooting and such. But I love it just the same.

Have you read Love Comes Softly? Have you seen the movie? To get your name in the drawing for an ebook copy of Montana Rose, let me know in the comments. Then, if you dare!!! Risk the mayhem of Montana Rose.

Montana Rose

A poignant Western romance about second chances, redemption, and the healing power of faith—a moving tale of a heartbroken young widow, a compassionate rancher, and the love that helps them both find their way home.

When Cassie Griffin’s abusive husband dies, leaving her pregnant and destitute, she’s forced to marry a stranger to survive. Red Dawson, a hardworking rancher and part-time preacher, steps forward to save her from a worse fate. Though Red fears marrying a non-believer goes against his principles, he can’t stand by and watch Cassie be claimed by the ruthless Sawyer clan.

Living in Red’s rustic cave home is a far cry from Cassie’s former life of luxury. But as she learns to work alongside him, she discovers strength she never knew she possessed. Red’s gentle patience and unwavering faith begin to crack the protective shell she’s built around her heart. When a dangerous enemy threatens their newfound happiness, Cassie and Red must trust in God’s plan—and each other—to survive.

Can a marriage of convenience bloom into true love? And can a woman who’s known only submission find the courage to stand tall? A tender story of healing, hope and the transformative power of unconditional love.

http://www.maryconnealy.com

Patriotism, Parades, and Picnics: The Centennial of 1876

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. As many of you know, I’ve been hard at work on my upcoming historical romance, The Heart of Honor, my contribution to our Petticoats and Patriots series. The story is set in 1876, a year that held special significance for Americans because it marked the nation’s one hundredth birthday.

 

While doing research for the book, I found myself paying particular attention to how people actually celebrated the Centennial. We all know about fireworks and Fourth of July picnics, but what did the celebration look like for ordinary folks living in small towns and rural communities far from the nation’s largest cities?

The Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia was one of the most visible parts of the national celebration. It was the first official World’s Fair held in the United States and drew visitors from around the globe. New inventions, technological marvels, and exhibits showcasing America’s progress filled the fairgrounds. For many people, attending the exposition was the opportunity of a lifetime.

But not everyone could travel to Philadelphia.

Across the country, both large and small communities found their own ways to celebrate. Towns organized parades, patriotic speeches, church services, brass band concerts, community picnics, and readings of the Declaration of Independence. Buildings were decorated with flags and bunting, and local newspapers often devoted special coverage to the occasion.

What I found especially interesting was that the celebrations often reflected the region where they took place.

In New England, many communities highlighted their connections to the Revolutionary War and the nation’s earliest history. In the South, the Centennial arrived just eleven years after the end of the Civil War, so the celebrations often carried a different tone as communities continued rebuilding and healing. Meanwhile, in the growing western states and territories, festivities frequently blended patriotic observances with the practical realities and traditions of frontier life.

One detail that especially caught my attention was how the Centennial encouraged Americans to look back as well as forward. While much attention was given to the nation’s progress and future possibilities, there was also a renewed appreciation for the people and events that had shaped the country’s first hundred years. Some communities and families reflected on their own histories, sharing stories and preserving memories of earlier generations.

In fact, this aspect of the Centennial helped inspire a key part of my story. My heroine, Mercy Owens, serves on her town’s Centennial Planning Committee and is responsible for collecting the stories and artifacts of the people who helped build the community. Like me, she believes that family stories are often what bring history to life. Dates and events have their place, but it is the people behind those events—their sacrifices, dreams, struggles, and triumphs—that make the past meaningful.

As I continue working on The Heart of Honor, I find myself thinking about that balance between remembering where we’ve been and looking ahead to where we’re going. Perhaps that’s one reason the Centennial captured the imagination of so many Americans in 1876.

So now I’m curious: If your hometown were celebrating its 100th anniversary, what story, keepsake, or piece of family history would you contribute to a community display? Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of one of my books.

 

Fun news! The first issue of Petticoats & Patriots Magazine is here! Filled with Revolutionary War features, inspiring articles, patriotic recipes, reader activities, and stories celebrating the courage that built a nation, this special collector’s edition is the perfect way to begin celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Available now! Get your FREE digital copy HERE!

If you haven’t had a chance to check out our Petticoats and Patriots series yet, you can read about the first 5 books on our series page HERE.

And don’t forget, the first book in the series, Shanna’s For Liberty and Love. releases on June 16th and is available now for PREORDER!

 

 

5 Things I Learned About 1776

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Researching For Liberty and Love for our new Petticoats and Patriots Series transported me to the bustling streets of Philadelphia during the summer of 1776.

While I expected to uncover fascinating details about spies, patriots, and the fight for independence, I also stumbled across plenty of surprising little facts that brought that period of our history to life.

Here are five things that I learned while researching the story.

1. Many People Thought Tomatoes Were Poisonous

Can you imagine looking at a tomato and thinking, Absolutely not. That thing might kill me.

In 1776, many colonists avoided tomatoes because they believed them to be dangerous. Part of the fear came from wealthy Europeans who ate from pewter plates containing lead. The acid from tomatoes would leach lead from the plates, causing illness. Naturally, the tomatoes got blamed instead of the dishes.

So while modern kitchens are filled with tomato-based recipes, Lucy Carlson and Branch Barton (the main characters in my story) would likely never have a fresh sun-ripened tomato in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War.

2. Philadelphia in July Was Hot, Humid, and Miserable

When we picture the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it’s easy to imagine a grand and noble moment with patriotic music soaring in the background.

The reality? The summer of 1776 was oppressively hot.

Philadelphia streets were crowded, dusty, muddy, noisy, and filled with unpleasant smells from horses, refuse, and open gutters. The delegates meeting in the Pennsylvania State House endured the sticky July heat in layers of wool clothing, stockings, waistcoats, and coats.

John Adams, one of the delegates, frequently wrote to his wife, Abigail, complaining about Philadelphia’s “melting heats” and “fierce dog days.” He described the weather as exhausting and expressed profound dread over surviving the summer humidity while debating the Declaration of Independence.

“When the Weather is so extream, the Fatigue of even holding a Pen to write a Letter, is distressing,” Adams wrote.

As I wrote  For Liberty and Love, I could feel that oppressive heat and wrinkled my nose at the thoughts of the odors it would have created in America’s largest city.

3. The Bells Truly Rang on July 8, 1776

One of my favorite discoveries involved the public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Although Congress approved the Declaration on July 4, it wasn’t publicly read anywhere until July 8 in Philadelphia.

On that day, Colonel John Nixon stood in the yard (either on the steps or possibly a wooden platform) of the Pennsylvania State House and read the Declaration aloud to gathered crowds.

Bells began ringing to let people know to come to the State House. The reading was at noon. City and church bells “joyously tolled for most of the day and continued well into the night in celebration.”

I like to close my eyes and imagine hearing those bells echoing through the streets while realizing the colonies had officially declared independence from Britain. What a thrilling, terrifying, and unforgettable day that must have been.

4. Men’s Clothing Had Buttons Everywhere—Women’s Rarely Did

This detail fascinated me because it says so much about daily life in 1776.

Men’s clothing often featured rows and rows of buttons. Coats, waistcoats, breeches, and shirts all relied heavily on them—not just for function, but for fashion and status.

Women’s gowns, however, usually pinned closed or laced rather than buttoned. Buttons were expensive and time-consuming to make, and women’s clothing construction worked differently than men’s tailored garments.

I can’t imagine having to pin my clothes together every day. With my luck, I’d turn into a human pincushion!

5. There’s Surprisingly Little Information About Martha Washington During the Summer of 1776

Since Martha Washington plays a small but important role in  For Liberty and Love, I spent quite a bit of time researching her movements during that summer, wanting to be sure she would be in Philadelphia in July.

I was shocked to discover there really is little information about Martha’s whereabouts that summer, other than to say she was likely in Philadelphia from the end of June until some time in August. Also, I couldn’t believe how few images there were of her from her younger years. This image of a younger Martha is one I used for inspiration of her character in my story.

We know far more about George Washington’s military activities than Martha’s daily life, thoughts, or experiences. Women’s stories were often poorly documented during the Revolutionary era, even when those women played important roles behind the scenes.

It makes it even more important to me, as a writer,  to include in my stories courageous women whose contributions to history are sometimes overlooked . I’m pretty sure Lucy (and Martha!) would approve!

 

She never intended to become a spy … or fall for one.

Philadelphia, 1776

As whispers of revolution turn swell into a roar for freedom, Lucy Carlson is no longer content to simply watch from behind the counter of her father’s jewelry shop. When a mysterious woman—none other than Martha Washington—leaves behind a locket, Lucy discovers the piece is more than a pretty keepsake. The necklace is a secret vessel for the revolution that carries the promise of love.

Drawn into a dangerous spy ring, Lucy begins crafting coded messages concealed within the locket’s clever design, living a secret double life and risking everything she holds dear in a time of sacrifice and war.

Continental soldier Branch Barton is a man defined by duty. Tasked with rooting out traitors, he moves through the shadowed world of deception and divided loyalties. He’s trained to trust no one, yet he finds himself drawn into a slow-burning connection with the jeweler’s spirited daughter.

But when Lucy begins to suspect Branch may be a Redcoat in disguise, their fragile bond is tested by mistaken identity, growing mistrust, and the threat of betrayal.

In a war where even allies can become enemies, Lucy and Branch must navigate a world of hidden truths and guarded hearts. With the fate of the colonies—and their hearts—hanging in the balance as Lucy delivers a message in enemy territory, will they find the courage to trust each other and choose love?

Have you learned any interesting, odd, fun, or memorable facts recently?

Post your answer for a chance to win a mystery prize!

The Little Mermaid in 1886 Galveston

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Over the last several years, I’ve had a grand time retelling classic Disney fairy tales in western settings. Next month I’ll be releasing my latest in the Once Upon a Time in Texas series – Part of Your World.

The Little Mermaid holds a special place in my heart. It first came to theaters when my husband and I were dating, and when we were apart the summer before our wedding, my husband wrote me a letter with all the lyrics to Kiss the Girl. Now, this was pre-Internet, so he couldn’t just Google the lyrics. He had to find a cassette recording then rewind it over and over to get the words down. Yes, we’re that old. Ha!

My heroine, Muriel Quinn is a long-distance swimmer who idolizes Agnes Beckwith. Agnes grew up the daughter of a swimming instructor and performer. She was performing in swimming shows across England from age four onward. As a teenager, she turned her attention to distance swimming. In 1875, at age 14, she made history by swimming five miles in the Thames from London Bridge to Greenwich. In 1878, she swam twenty miles. By 1885, she was appearing in the Royal Aquarium of Westminster billed as The Greatest Lady Swimmer of the World.

Agnes Beckwith, Age 14

I styled Muriel’s bathing costume after those that Agnes wore, since she couldn’t possibly swim long distances in the typical bathing costumes of the day.

1880s Swim Suits

Muriel swims along the coast of Galveston in the Gulf of Mexico. And as you might expect, her swimming skills come in handy when our hero, Zane Erickson, has a boating accident and finds himself in need of rescue.

Muriel and Zane come from vastly different worlds. She is the daughter of a man who works at the docks. He is the only son of a socially elite family and is training to be an architect under the great Nicholas Clayton, one of the most successful American architects of the Gilded Age, especially in the south.

Zane has no interest in the marriage his mother wishes to arrange—until the mysterious young woman who saved his life reappears as a potential match. However, their reunion is no coincidence. Caught in a dangerous web of blackmail and deceit, Zane and Muriel must risk everything to protect their growing love—and the lives of those they hold dear.

Preorder Part of Your World Here

This is my first official beach read! Not a common occurrence when one writes historical western fiction.

Are you a beach person?
Do you like frolicking in the waves or do you prefer staying on shore?

Jodie Wolfe – How Research Helps Define a Novel & a giveaway

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What reasons do you enjoy reading historical novels? Is it a certain time period? Perhaps you’re a big history buff. Or maybe you love the romance of bygone years, when things seemed simpler. Easier. Maybe less stressful. What is it that draws you to pick up a book? Many mention a great cover helps and back cover copy that tugs you into the story. For some, it’s the place, time, or story itself.

When I started out to write a series set in the town and surrounding area where I currently live, I didn’t know some of its vast history. The more I research, in fact, the more I realize of things not known. Honestly, I hadn’t planned on stepping away from penning books set in the Midwest until my husband suggested focusing a series closer to home.

During a recent tour of the original Brady Farm, a homestead dating back to the early 1700s near Newburg, Pennsylvania, I learned of Captain Samuel Brady. One article I read online likened him to Captain America because of his exploits. Some others considered him on the same level as Daniel Boone. Sam was the grandson of Hugh and Hannah Brady, who migrated from Ireland in 1738 and settled in south-central Pennsylvania. Sadly, the log cabin where Samuel was born in Shippensburg was torn down many years ago.

Known for his undertakings as a frontier scout and defender against Native Americans, he also fought in the American Revolutionary War. Samuel’s life and adventures are thought to have been the inspiration for James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans. I had never heard about this man until I took part in a private tour of his grandparent’s home.

While Samuel won’t likely be featured in any of the books I write, since it’s quite a bit earlier time period than I typically create, learning about the place the original Brady’s built fits into my current work in process. Especially one tidbit the guide mentioned about the trail from the farm to Middle Spring, which led to Shippensburg. I’d been trying to learn the path that locals would’ve taken from Newburg to Shippensburg. That one small comment during the tour helped me form a clear picture of the details I needed.

Sarah’s Search will be available early summer, Lord willing. This is book three in my Time to Come Home series. Each book has required more and more research as I learn more about the place where I live. It’s been such fun diving into history.

How about you? When’s the last time you learned something new about the place where you live? What’s the next history search you plan to undertake? Please share it with us. I can’t wait to hear about it.

Be sure to comment for a chance to win an ebook of Hannah’s Quest, book two in my current series.

 

 

 

 

JODIE WOLFE loves writing historical fiction after years as a homeschool mom. She enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, knitting, and walking. Jodie creates novels where hope and quirky meet. Visit her at http://www.jodiewolfe.com.

Heather Blanton – the Vaquero Who Shaped the Cowboy & a Giveaway

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Telling the West Right: Honoring the Vaquero Who Shaped the Cowboy

By Heather Blanton

Long before the American cowboy was immortalized in dime novels and Hollywood, his story had already begun—written in the dust and discipline of the Hispanic vaquero. These skilled horsemen, shaped by Spanish tradition and forged in the rugged lands of Mexico and California, laid the groundwork for what would become one of America’s most enduring icons.

Even the word cowboy finds its roots in vaquero, from vaca, meaning cow. But this influence runs far deeper than language. Vaqueros were masters of horsemanship, introducing the techniques of roping, branding, and cattle handling that became essential to ranch life. Their gear—wide-brimmed hats, leather chaps, spurs, and expertly crafted saddles—was born of necessity and refined through experience. Anglo settlers moving west didn’t invent the cowboy’s way of life—they learned it.

And they learned more than skill. The vaquero lived by a code: quiet competence, resilience, respect for the land, and pride in honest work. This wasn’t the reckless gunfighter of legend, but a man whose survival depended on patience, discipline, and grit.

Yet somewhere along the way, that truth was overshadowed. The myth of the American cowboy grew larger than life, often leaving behind the very culture that shaped it. What we celebrate today is only part of the story.

That truth is exactly why I wrote Fernando’s Fortune. I’ve spent my career telling stories of the American West, but the deeper I went, the clearer it became—some of its strongest roots were being left out of the telling. The vaquero wasn’t a side note. He was the beginning.

Don Fernando Diego Garcia de la Vega begins as a man who seems to have everything—a family fortune, a storied California hacienda, and a life marked by charm and privilege. But one reckless, passionate mistake with the governor’s daughter costs him everything. Stripped of his inheritance and cast out from the only home he’s ever known, Fernando is forced into exile in the untamed American West.

He arrives determined to reclaim his fortune within a year, convinced he can conquer the frontier as easily as he once won admiration in Monterey. But the West has no patience for pride. It is a hard land, filled with danger, hardship, and people who cannot be swayed by charm alone—especially a strong-willed frontier woman who refuses to be bought, bullied, or wooed.

 

What follows is not just a fight for survival, but a reckoning. Fernando came chasing wealth. Instead, he is forced to confront who he truly is when everything else is stripped away. In the end, he may gain far more than he ever lost—or risk losing everything that truly matters.

Because the West is more than myth. It is a story shaped by many hands, many cultures, and many truths. And if we’re going to keep telling it, we ought to tell it right.

~~~

Comment, and you are entered to win a paperback of Fernando’s Fortune! Do you think the vaquero is a forgotten hero of the West?

 

He was a prince of California. One scandal made him an outcast.

Don Fernando Diego Garcia de la Vega had it all: a family fortune, a legendary hacienda, and a life of effortless charm. But a single, passionate mistake with the governor’s daughter leaves him stripped of his inheritance and banished from the only home he’s ever known.

Exiled to the untamed American West, Fernando vows to regain his fortune within a year. He expects to conquer the frontier as easily as he once charmed the ladies of Monterey. But the Wild West is a brutal teacher, filled with ruthless scoundrels, unforgiving land, and a feisty frontier woman who refuses to be bought, bullied, or wooed.

He came to find his fortune. He might just lose his heart—or his life—in the process.

 

 

 

 

The Convict’s Courtship–Kylee Woodley–and a giveaway

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Smuggled in a Miner’s Pocket: The Cornish Roots of the Tommy Knocker

“What a tall tale… Tommy Knockers are Cornish, not French.”

“Maybe the Cornish miners smuggled them in.”

— From The Convict’s Courtship by KyLee Woodley

With St. Patrick’s Day just behind us and this “outlaw-ish” clean romance now available, it seems appropriate to share a bit about the Leprechaun’s cousin: the Tommy Knocker. These creatures are a fascinating part of the history and setting of my latest book.

The Migration of the “Cousin Jacks”


(Underground in the Gould and Curry Mine 1867. Timothy O’Sullivan photo)

In the 19th century, highly skilled hard-rock miners emigrated from Cornwall, England, to mining towns across the globe. Many settled in the American West, including the famous Comstock Lode in Nevada—the very setting of The Convict’s Courtship—where work was plentiful for those who knew the earth.

These men were known as “Cousin Jacks,” a term coined because they always seemed to have a cousin back home in need of work. The migration of these Europeans was so vast that between the 1860s and 1870s, the Cornish population in Nevada went from nearly none to over 1,000 in the 1870 census.

But they brought more than just their expertise in drilling; they brought their superstitions. Tucked away in their pockets (metaphorically, of course) were stories of mystical little creatures, much like an elf or a gnome, that haunted the deep places of the world. In the West, these spirits became known as Tommy Knockers.

The Ritual of the Pasty


(The Cornish Pasty, Cornwall Vintage History & Recipe Postcard C56 | eBay UK)

Life underground was dangerous, and the Tommy Knockers were said to be the ones in control of a miner’s fate. To keep these “little minions” happy, miners practiced specific rituals, like leaving behind a portion of their lunch—usually a piece of a Cornish Pasty.

These meat pies were folded in half with the edges pinched together into a thick crust. This “miner’s handle” allowed them to eat with dirty hands and discard the soiled crust afterward. While Cornish immigrants were almost entirely men—unlike many other groups who arrived in family units—this ritual connected the lonely miner to his homeland and his ancestors.

Protectors or Pests?

What exactly were these creatures? While some modern theorists believe the “knocking” sounds were simply the results of rock crumbling or timbers cracking under the weight of a pending cave-in, the miners saw it differently.

According to the Exeter Institute of Cornish Studies, “initial phases of belief [show] knockers led worthy miners to valuable ore, warned of danger, and punished those who angered them.” Many believed they provided a life-saving service by knocking on the tunnel walls just before a collapse. Because of this, some viewed them as good luck, while others feared their power to cause the very cave-ins they warned against.

The Folklore Connection


(In the evening, the seven Dwarfs came back.

These illustrations came from: Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm. The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. Mrs. Edgar Lucas, translator. Arthur Rackham, illustrator. London: Constable & Company Ltd, 1909.)

There is even a link to the classic fairy tales we know today. While the Grimm tales are German and Tommy Knockers are Cornish, they share the same “Old World” root: the belief that the earth is alive and inhabited by subterranean spirits. In the 19th century, miners from across Europe (German, Welsh, and Cornish) shared stories in the bunkhouses, likely blending the “Knocker” with the German “Kobold” or “Dwarf.”

A Legacy in the Dark

Whether they were seen as dwarves—perhaps even distant relatives to the legendary Seven Dwarfs—or restless spirits lurking in the shadows, the Tommy Knocker became a staple of the immigrant West. For the man working a mile underground, the Tommy Knocker wasn’t just a story; it was a companion in the dark, a reminder of the roots he left behind, and a way to make sense of the dangers of the deep.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE FAIRY TALE GROWING UP?

LEAVE A COMMENT TO GET YOUR NAME IN A DRAWING FOR A COPY OF 

THE CONVICTS COURTSHIP

Outlaw Hearts book 3

Amazon | B&N | Apple | Kobo

A remote mining town, an aspiring journalist, and the reformed convict who saves her life.

When Clara Alexander returned from finishing school to Virginia City she had two goals: to become a reporter and make peace with the father who betrayed her mother. But even in the West, there is no room for her in the newsroom or in the family her father made when he married his mistress. Clara is forced to take desperate measures to prove her worth to an editor—including a reckless venture into a dangerous mine shaft.

Reformed convict Beau Vulpe lives a quiet life of obscurity in a remote mining town in Nevada. When he rescues a beautiful woman from a sweltering mine shaft, he’s welcomed into her home as a hero, only to discover that they are the same family he deeply wronged the summer before. Now, with winter’s grip choking the mountain town and rumors of mines going bust, he is forced to stay, praying Clara won’t discover the truth before the spring thaw.

As Clara pursues her dreams of writing for the renowned Territorial Enterprise, she continually crosses paths with the mysterious Frenchman who saved her life and is drawn to him a little more with each interaction. Beau finds himself not only falling for the lovely lady but befriending her family as well. Can he protect his freedom and atone for his wrongs without losing his heart in the process? And what about Clara—will her attraction toward Beau Vulpe lead to the disappointment her mother warned her about?

Author Bio: KyLee Woodley is a cheery romantic who loves to write about bygone days and heartwarming romance with a pinch of adventure. She teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas, where she lives with her husband of eighteen years and their three teenage children. On weekends, KyLee cohosts and produces the Historical Bookworm Show, a steadily growing author interview podcast for history lovers and readers of historical fiction.

In her spare time, she cares for a rescue dog named Lucky, a feisty feline named Hazel, and two adorable Boston Terrier puppies. She listens to contemporary Christian, country, and early?2000s rock, visits bookstores and coffee shops with her teens, and watches adventure movies with her husband, who might resemble Superman.

Author Links:

 https://www.facebook.com/WoodleyWrites 

https://twitter.com/KyLeeWoodley  

https://www.instagram.com/kylee.woodley.writes/ 

https://www.pinterest.com/kypins13/  

Podcast: https://historicalbookworm.com/?page_id=41  

Personal Website:  https://kyleewoodley.com/ 

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

Meet James & Noreen

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He’s a deputy tasked with keeping the peace. She’s the temperance reformer who’s been disturbing his peace for months. Yet despite their differences, these two rivals need each other more than they care to admit.

Taming Lady Temperance releases next Tuesday (woot!), and I can’t wait to introduce you to Deputy James Paxton and fiery Noreen O’Sullivan. I love a spunky heroine, and Noreen is as spunky as you can get. She’s determined to shut down the saloon and cares not a fig if the entire male populace of Albany, Texas considers her a menace. She’ll speak her mind to anyone who will listen and even to those who won’t. She’s a spinster and proud of it. No man to tell her what to do or to steal her freedom. After growing up with a drunkard father who was a little too free with his fists, she believes herself called by God to make a difference in her community and spare other families the trials she and her mother endured.
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James, on the other hand, is a middle child who has always been a peacemaker. I even gave him the surname of Paxton because it means peaceful settlement. He is a man of integrity, who uses his charisma to diffuse tense situations. He’s devoted to upholding the law and aspires to be sheriff one day. The town council tasks him with keeping the obnoxious temperance woman under control. Despite the fact that he admires her grit, he can’t afford to be seen as Noreen’s ally by the half of the town who can actually vote. Yet the more he interacts with her, the more he discovers that a kind and wounded heart beats beneath the militant exterior–a heart he’s coming to admire. Perhaps her passion for change is the spice his routine life needs. And maybe his penchant for calm can help her tame the destructive forces at war within her.


James and Noreen’s story is the first installment of my new Secret Society of Spinsters series. In addition to heartfelt romance, you’ll also uncover danger, a mystery villain, and a coded handkerchief exchange. 😉

Some of the tropes included in this story:

Rivals to Lovers
Opposites Attract
Duty vs. Desire
Spinster Heroine
Law Enforcement Hero
Found Family

Taming Lady Temperance is earning great reviews from early readers.


It’s not too late to grab the preorder deals. 40% off plus some great bonus goodies if you buy the print copy through Baker Books, and the preorder Kindle price is $9.99 until the 17th. Then it goes up to $12.99, so grab your copy today!

Preorder a print copy from Baker Book House here.

Preorder the ebook from Amazon here.

What are some of your favorite romance tropes to read?

Petticoats & Pistols