Behind the Book

Silver, Bells, and a Town Named Lovely

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About a year ago, I started kicking around the idea for a new holiday series. The notion of it having something to do with silver bells got stuck in my head.

So I asked my hubby, Captain Cavedweller, to brainstorm some ideas with me.

By the time we’d finished, I had pages of notes, a fictional town named Lovely (that was going to be anything but lovely, at least in the first book), and the plans for a four-book series that followed a family of silversmiths.

I didn’t know anything about silversmith work, but I sure enjoyed learning enough to write the stories.

I knew even less what someone would do in 1876 when they wanted to work with silver but were too poor to acquire any that was “clean.”

In the first book, A Joyful Ring, Gunder Burke leaves behind the big city of Pittsburgh after finding an advertisement for a silver mine in the new town of Lovely, Oregon. He sets on out a journey, determined to build a good life for himself. A life that will allow him to move his parents and sisters to Oregon as well.

Gunder arrives and Lovely is nothing like it was advertised. He gets a job at the silver mine, but is still determined to turn silver into something more. His father’s ancestors were bell makers and his mother’s family were known for making jewelry in their home country of Sweden.

It was fascinating to learn how Gunder could scrape up the tiny bits of silver from beneath the wagons that transported it, clean it, then melt it. In the story, Gunder struggles to figure out how to get the fire hot enough to melt the silver.

Here’s a little scene from the story.

Gunder watched her go, then returned to pumping the bellows until the fire burned so hot that he couldn’t stand to sit there any longer.

He stood and moved back, waiting as the blaze dropped below the rock rim of the pit he’d built. Assured it wouldn’t burst back to roaring flames and catch anything on fire, he returned his box to the hiding spot beneath his cot, washed up at the pump by the cookshack, and joined the other mine employees for Jed’s supper of ham, potatoes, and soggy green beans. For dessert, they had slabs of apple cake that were actually tasty, and not a crumb of it remained when the meal was finished.

Gunder hurried back to his tent, full and content. Although the sun had set, there was still enough light remaining in the sky for him to see. When he scooted the coals off the pot in his pit and lifted the lid, he saw that the silver had melted.

It had finally melted!

“Hurrah!” Gunder shouted and raised both hands to the sky in victory.

“What happened?” Risa asked, suddenly appearing at his side. Her presence was so welcome, he didn’t bother to wonder why she was there.

“It melted! My silver finally melted!” he said, swinging her into his arms and dancing her in a lively jig around the fire pit until she was laughing so much she could hardly stand upright. Her hair slipped from her pins, and the shawl she wore was askew, but he thought she looked utterly enticing. He’d never seen her hair down, not that it all was now, but the strands that had escaped looked like shimmering ribbons of silk. His hands itched to reach out and finger one of the waves.

“Congratulations, Gunder.” She gave him a hug and kissed his cheek, then stepped back and looked at the silver that was already beginning to harden back into a solid form. “You can melt it again, can’t you?”

“I certainly can. I’m going to need more oak wood, though.”

Four generations of Birke family silversmiths find joy and love during the holidays.

A Joyful Ring

A rugged freighter, a hopeful dreamer, and a Christmas they’ll never forget.

In 1876, Gunder Birke leaves the daily struggle of Pittsburgh behind, determined to build a better life in the rough-and-tumble mining town of Lovely, Oregon. Hired as a freighter to haul dangerous explosives for the local mine, Gunder faces ongoing danger—but nothing as treacherous as the risk to his heart when he meets the beautiful and spirited Risa Hoffman.

After losing her mother and siblings, Risa has spent most of her life on the move with her father, never knowing what it means to have a real home. When she convinces him to settle in Lovely, the remote, uninviting town is far from the idyllic refuge she imagined. Still, Risa pours her hopes into building a future, working at the boardinghouse while dreaming of a finding a husband who can offer stability and comfort.

But when Gunder’s steady kindness and quiet strength awaken feelings she never expected, Risa must choose between the security she’s always longed for and the love that rings true in her heart.

As snow begins to fall across the rugged Oregon landscape, two souls discover that sometimes the most beautiful gifts come wrapped in hope, faith, and the promise of love.

A Joyful Ring is the first book in the wholesome holiday Silver Bell Sweethearts series.

A Joyful Love (releasing tomorrow!)

One spark of hope. One act of courage. One joyful love.

Caleb Birke once believed adventure waited somewhere beyond the horizon. But after wandering the world, he discovers the one place his heart longs to be is right where he began—home in Lovely, Oregon. Now devoted to preserving his family’s legacy of fine silverwork, Caleb lovingly crafts everything from heirloom sleigh bells to western saddle silver, each piece carrying stories of the past and hope for the future.

A routine delivery trip to Baker City becomes anything but ordinary when he meets Laramee Scott—a lively, sharp-witted horse trainer who steals his breath and quickly claims his heart.

After fleeing a scandal in Texas, Laramee is grateful to find refuge with her aunt and uncle in Eastern Oregon. The land, the horses she loves, and the freedom to rebuild her life are exactly what she needs—until one unexpected encounter with Caleb makes her wonder if she wasn’t running from her past, but being led toward her future.

As Christmas draws near and snow begins to fall on the high desert, Caleb and Laramee discover that love—like silver—can be shaped, refined, and polished into something lasting. But only if they are willing to trust their hearts… and believe that sometimes the greatest gift of all is the courage to love.

A tender, heartfelt holiday romance, A Joyful Love is filled with family legacies, jingling sleigh bells, and the timeless hope Christmas brings.

A Joyful Promise (November 27)

He crafts silver. She stitches dreams. Together, they discover a joyful promise that could last a lifetime.

Baylor Birke has always known where he belongs—at the silver bench in his family’s shop in Eastern Oregon, crafting Western heirlooms that honor a legacy that is generations strong. Spurs that jangle, bridles that shine, and saddle silver that elevates cowboys into kings makes his work feel both satisfying and meaningful as he labors in the place he loves. But when a shy, talented young woman arrives in Lovely, Baylor begins to wonder if life has more to offer than tradition… perhaps even a joyful promise he never expected.

Bonnie McClure has spent her life preparing to take over her family’s department store in Heppner, but the world of inventories and invoices has never stirred her passion. Her true calling is in the artistry of embroidery, turning simple cloth into something beautiful with every graceful stitch. Sent to Lovely to care for her injured aunt, Bonnie anticipates a quiet holiday season … until she crosses paths with the handsome cowboy who caught her eye in Pendleton at the rodeo.

As Christmas approaches and they are thrust into helping with the church program, Baylor and Bonnie find themselves caught between obligation and longing, expectations and dreams. The magic of the season whispers of possibility— but only if they dare to follow their hearts.

Will the holidays bring them a joyful promise of love and a future stitched together with hope?

Discover a wholesome holiday romance filled with small-town charm, heartfelt tradition, and the timeless magic of Christmas.

A Joyful Home (December 4)

A legacy rooted in silver. A future shaped by love. And two hearts searching for home.

Silver artist Bo Birke has crisscrossed the globe showcasing her award-winning work, but the only place that truly feels like hers is Lovely, Oregon—the quiet Eastern Oregon town where generations of Birkes have crafted heirloom treasures. Time with her beloved grandpa Baylor and her Birke cousins restores her spirit, while the call to protect her family’s legacy grows stronger every time she steps into her workshop. Bo thinks she knows exactly what her future holds… until a chance encounter introduces her to the one thing she didn’t realize she was missing.

Rafe Judson lives for the rhythm of working with horses. When his parents buy a ranch outside Lovely, they tempt him to move there with wide-open pastures and the freedom to train equines the way he prefers. He’s not convinced this small town is where he belongs—until he bumps into a gorgeous, spirited woman in the local convenience store. Suddenly, staying doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.

As the holiday season arrives, Bo and Rafe are drawn together by shared dreams, unexpected laughter, and a growing sense that home isn’t a place—it’s a person.

Will they discover that the joyful home they’ve both been searching for is waiting for them to take a leap of faith?

A wholesome, holiday romance filled with hope and Christmas-kissed nights, A Joyful Home is perfect for readers who love heartfelt family legacies, tender love stories, and happily-ever-afters wrapped in the sparkle of the season.

 

 

Be sure you enter the big The Bridge giveaway! 

Then come back here and share if you’ve started reading Christmas stories yet, and if not, when you crack open that first book full of holiday magic.

Magic Cake and a Giveaway

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Four years ago today, I released Romance at Rinehart’s Crossing. 

If you haven’t read the book yet, it is actually three stories all woven together about the King siblings.

The setting of the story is in the town closest to the farm where I grew up. Way back then, the town was sometimes called Rinehart’s or Rinehart’s Crossing, and was a stop on the Oregon Trail. A hot springs and the river made it a popular stop, especially after the pioneers walked across the dusty, sagebrush-covered hills from Idaho.

It could be the familiarity of the setting, or the fact that I just dearly loved the King siblings (especially Tenner) that made this story such a pleasure to write.

Tenner King is determined to make his own way in the world far from the overbearing presence of his father and the ranch where he was raised in Rinehart’s Crossing, Oregon. Reluctantly, he returns home after his father’s death to find the ranch on its way to ruin and his siblings antsy to leave. Prepared to do whatever is necessary to save the ranch, Tenner isn’t about to let a little thing like love get in his way.

? Austen – After spending her entire life ruled by her father, Austen Rose King certainly isn’t going to allow her bossy older brother to take on the job. Desperate to leave the hard work and solitude of the Diamond K Ranch, she decides a husband would be the fastest means of escape. If only she could find a man she could tolerate for more than five minutes.

? Claire – Two thousand miles of travel. Two thousand miles of listening to her parents bicker about the best place in Oregon to settle. Two thousand miles of dusty trails, bumpy wagons, and things that slither and creep into her bedding at night. Claire Clemons would happily set down roots that very minute if someone would let her. What she needs is her own Prince Charming to give her a place to call home. When a broken wagon wheel strands her family miles from civilization, she wonders if handsome Worth King, the freighter who rescues them, might just be the answer to her prayers.

? Kendall – Anxious to escape her mother’s meddling interference, Kendall Arrington leaves her society life behind, intent on experiencing a Wild West adventure. Hired as the school teacher in a growing town on the Oregon Trail, Kendall hopes to bring a degree of civility and a joy of learning to the children of Rinehart’s Crossing. However, the last thing she expects to find is a cowboy with shaggy hair, dusty boots, and incredible blue eyes among her eager students.

Will love find the three King siblings as Romance arrives in Rinehart’s Crossing?

~*~

When I was searching for recipe ideas to include in the story, I came across one for a magic vanilla custard cake. I don’t know how old it is, but it’s good! And it made me think of the “impossible” pies my mom used to make.

 

Magic Vanilla Custard Cake

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter-melted and slightly cooled

2 cups milk

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

4 eggs-separated

1 tablespoon water

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

powdered sugar for dusting

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325°F

Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish, set aside

Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form, set aside.

Beat the egg yolks and powdered sugar until pale yellow.

Mix in melted butter and the tablespoon of water (for about 2 minutes) until evenly combined.

Mix in the flour until evenly incorporated.

Slowly beat in the milk and vanilla extract until well combined.

Gently stir in the egg whites (1/3 at a time, then repeat until all of the egg whites are folded in).

Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40-60 minutes (until the cake is barely jiggly in the center). Baking time might vary depending on your oven or pan you use, but start checking after 40 minutes. If the top browns too quickly before the minimum of 40 minutes, you can cover the cake with aluminum foil.

Cool the cake completely before dusting with powdered sugar.

Serve plain or with fresh berries or sliced peaches. You can also add a drizzle of caramel.

Cover and refrigerate any leftovers.

NOTE: Even after it has cooled, it will be slightly jiggly because it has custard layer in the center.

 

For a chance to win a copy of the

book AND a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate,

click on the button below and enter,

then come back here and share a memory of something you

enjoyed eating when you were a child.

My mom used to make impossible coconut pie that was so good!

The Power of a Satisfying Ending

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Hi, Winnie Griggs here. Today I thought I’d spend a little time talking about giving stories a truly satisfying ending and a time when I got it wrong.

First, let’s discuss what makes for a truly satisfying ending in a romance?

It’s not just about getting the hero and heroine over their story hurdles and to their happily-ever-after. It’s about making sure we believe they earned that happiness, that it will last and that we have the chance to savor that ending.

As romance readers, we want to close a book with a contented sigh, confident that the couple has faced the hard stuff, worked through it together, and come out stronger for it. That emotional payoff is what lingers long after the last page is turned.

So what goes into building that kind of ending? Here are a few key ingredients I’ve learned over the years, as both a reader and a writer:

  • Emotional Resolution – Conflicts and obstacles between the couple should be convincingly resolved, not glossed over. If there’s been hurt, we need to see true remorse and believable forgiveness. If there’s been doubt or misunderstanding, we should see clarity.
  • Evidence of Growth – It should be clear that the hero and heroine have changed in meaningful ways. By the end of the book, they shouldn’t view the world—or their place in it—the same way they did at the beginning. And we should recognize this not just because the author says it’s so but through the character’s actions. We know they won’t make the same mistakes again, because they’ve learned from the journey.
  • A Glimpse of the Future – Whether it’s through words, gestures, or symbolic moments, we get to see that their love has staying power. It feels solid, not fragile.
  • Space to Feel It – Perhaps most important of all, the ending should carry enough story weight and breathing room to allow us to bask in the emotions. This big emotional payoff scene should never be rushed or perfunctory. The couple (and the reader!) should have time to savor the joy of hard-won love.

When I first wrote Sadie’s Reluctant Groom fifteen years ago (It was titled The Perfect Wife back then), I didn’t quite get this last one right. At the time, I was writing for a publisher and had wordcount restrictions to work within. By the time I neared the end of the book, I had already breezed right past the upper limit, so I knew I was going to have to do some significant trimming and tightening. With that in the back of my mind, I decided to keep the ending very tight. Unfortunately, I made it tighter than it should have been.

The result? An ending that I came to realize later felt too abrupt, one with not enough room for readers to fully soak in Sadie and Eli’s happily-ever-after.

Fast-forward to today, and I’ve learned a lot since then. I now know the importance of giving those payoff moments the emotional weight they deserve. If cutting or summarizing is needed, I do it elsewhere.

So when I got the rights back to this series, I had the chance to revisit Sadie’s and Eli’s story. Without those wordcount restrictions, I was able to rework the ending and I made sure to expand it, to let it breathe, allowing readers truly feel the resolution of Sadie and Eli’s journey. Hopefully I got it right this time.

You can check it out for yourself when Sadie’s Reluctant Groom releases on Sept 16th
Available for preorder now HERE

 

 

And just for fun I thought I’d share an excerpt from early in the book:

Sadie stared up from her less-than-dignified position as Mr. Reynolds knelt beside her, waiting for the inevitable censure. Instead, he met her gaze with a concern that took her completely by surprise. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

She blinked, not quite certain how to react to this softer side of the man. “Yes, I mean, there’s no need—”

Why in the world was she stammering? She took a deep breath then offered a self-mocking smile. “The only thing smarting at the moment is my pride.”

He studied her a moment longer, then offered a hand. “In that case, here, let me help you up.”

She allowed him to take her elbow, liking the feel of his strong, protective grip. When he placed his other hand at her back to steady her, she decided, that yes, she liked this very much indeed.

“You’re bleeding!”

Penny, her complexion ashen, was pointing to Sadie’s hand.

Sadie stared at the thin ribbon of blood running from her palm as if it belonged to someone else. Then she turned back to Penny. “It’s all right, princess. I must have put my hand on a bit of crockery when I fell. But it doesn’t hurt. Truly.”

Mr. Reynolds intervened. “Just to be certain, let’s clean it up and have a look.”

“Oh, that’s not necess—”

He caught her gaze and tilted his head ever so slightly toward Penny. “I think everyone will feel better if I do.”

Penny nodded. “You don’t have to worry, Aunt Sadie. Eli’s real good at making boo-boos feel better.”

She saw his brow go up at Penny’s use of ‘Aunt Sadie’ but he let it pass without comment. Warmed by the thought that he took time to address his sister’s ‘boo-boos’, she allowed him to steer her towards the sink.

Even as she followed docilely along, though, Sadie again tried to make light of her injury. “Truly, it’s just a little cut.”

“Best to be safe.” He carefully extended her hand over the sink, filled a dipper with water, then looked up. “Ready?”

Seeing reassurance instead of disapproval in those cool gray eyes of his was a new experience for Sadie, one she found she rather enjoyed. Then she realized he was waiting for her response. “Ready,” she answered.

He gave her an approving smile, then slowly poured the water over the cut.

It was strange to feel him holding her hand like this. His own hand was smoother than those of the ranch hands she was used to, but not soft in a namby-pamby way. She sensed strength there and an unexpected protectiveness.

“Looks like there’s a sliver embedded in your palm.” He glanced up and met her gaze again. “This might hurt a bit. I’ll make it quick.”

She nodded. Staring at his bent head, she noticed the way his hair tended to curl around his ear, how his brow wrinkled slightly when he was concentrating. His expression shifted and she saw the flicker of concern as he caught hold of the offending sliver, then the small spurt of triumph mixed with relief as he pulled it free.

“Sorry.”

She blinked and it took her moment to realize he was apologizing for any discomfort his actions had caused her. “I hardly felt a thing.” Which was the absolute truth as far as the cut was concerned.

Penny held out a bit of cloth.

Sadie had been so riveted by Eli that she hadn’t noticed Penny had crossed the room.

“You can use this for a bandage,” she said to her brother.

“Of course.” He took the cloth from her and again his touch was gentle and sure as he wrapped her palm in the makeshift bandage.

“Thank you.” Was that soft voice hers?

He cradled her hand a moment longer as his gaze caught on hers.

And held.

For several long, breath-stealing moments.

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into Sadie’s Reluctant Groom. You can learn more or pre-order HERE

About the Book

He’s looking for a proper wife. She’s determined to just be herself.

When independent Sadie and by-the-book Eli are thrown together to prevent a scandal, neither expects affection to bloom. But as trust grows and walls begin to crumble, they discover that love can come when it’s least expected—and sometimes, exactly when you need it.

Sadie’s Reluctant Groom releases September 16. Available for preorder now!

So what do you think?
Do you agree with my list of what goes into a memorable, satisfying ending? Is there anything you would add? Join the conversation and leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for your choice of any book from my backlist.

Harvesting Happiness: Corn Mazes, Farm Stands, and Everything Fall! By Guest Blogger Tanya Agler

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Thank you so much to the fillies of Petticoats and Pistols for having me back as a guest blogger, following the release of my latest Harlequin Heartwarming, A Family for the Cowboy Cop, set in Violet Ridge, Colorado. 

 

Autumn might be my favorite season. I love the cooler weather and the blaze of red, orange and gold on maple and oak trees. There’s something for everyone in fall as communities often come together at festivals, some of which celebrate harvesting like apple or pumpkin festivals, some center around arts and crafts while still others provide for an opportunity to take time to appreciate the natural beauty of the season ranging from hot air balloon festivals to farm tours. 

In A Family for the Cowboy Cop, Cassie O’Neal owns Thistle Brook Farm and is looking forward to her first year operating a corn maze, which are popular in many parts of the country, but especially so in the West. Colorado’s real-life longest running corn maze is located at Anderson Farms, a twenty-five acre attraction which offers three different adventures for families and groups visiting the maze. Other popular Western mazes include a thirteen-acre maze at the Lowe Family Farmstead in Idaho and a choice of two mazes at Cornbelly’s in Utah. 

 

Photo by Tom Fisk

Both farm stands and farmers markets are experiencing a boom in Colorado with over one hundred such sites popping up all over the state, allowing residents and tourists to experience the different offerings from fresh Rocky Ford melons to Pueblo Green chiles to Palisade peaches. Farmers markets have expanded over the years, and I was astounded this year over the variety and energetic environment when I attended two farmers markets in different states. There was music, artisan wares, pet treats, and so much more like sourdough bread and fresh vegetables. At one of the farmers markets, my daughter and I purchased earrings while my son and I ordered delicious churros. 

Photo by Erik Scheel

 

What I love about reading books set in the West, whether historical or contemporary, is the resilience and ingenuity of the heroines. I like to think Cassie follows in this tradition as she is thinking of ways to increase income at her family farm. In addition to her new corn maze, Cassie also runs a farm stand, selling fresh produce from her farm as well as her own special jam and hanging plants. This summer on my travels through seven states, my husband loved stopping at farm stands, and my family loved the juicy peaches and freshly picked corn that we purchased. There’s nothing like a peach fresh from the orchard.

In the midst of trying to get her corn maze operational and open to the public, selling her seasonal jams and fresh produce at her farm stand, and taking care of her two children and the animals living at Thistle Brook Farm, Cassie O’Neal finds herself opening her home to Denver detective Jase Virtue, who grew up in Violet Ridge and whose brother is the manager of the local Lazy River Dude Ranch. Jase wants to capture the escaped robber, who happens to be Cassie’s half-brother, and return home to Denver. The longer he stays at Thistle Brook Farm, the more he questions his theory that Cassie is the robber’s accomplice. 

 

Have you visited a farm stand or farmers market lately? What was your favorite part of the experience? If you haven’t, I hope you’ll leave a comment about your favorite fall activity. One commenter will be chosen to receive an e-copy of A Family for the Cowboy Cop and a $10.00 Amazon gift card. 

Fictional Wyoming Town in His New Companion

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My new book released today! His New Companion is the final book in my Wyoming Legacies series, and it’s a Love Inspired K-9 Companions novel, too. I’ve written six books set in the fictional Wyoming town of Jewel River.

The first book, The Cowboy’s Christmas Compromise, sets up the premise of the series. Jewel River has seen better days. Erica Black moves to town and wants to revitalize it. She asks locals to get together to discuss what the town needs and how they can make it vibrant again. Thus begins the Jewel River Legacy Club. Monthly meetings are held in the community center, and each book in the series features at least one meeting. Some of the residents have kooky ideas, and others are hard-nosed and against change. One thing is for sure–the meetings are never boring!

In His New Companion, Ty Moulten has never been to a meeting. His mother, Christy, has been trying to get him to attend one for years, and he never has. He’s hidden himself away on his ranch for five years. He didn’t intend to, but after his fiancée died, he got depressed and couldn’t handle people’s well-meaning sympathy. When the story begins, he’s finally getting out of his shell. He volunteers to foster a service-dog-in-training on weekends, but he gets more than he bargained for. He’s introduced to Fritz, a mini-dachshund, and Ashlinn, the new girl in town with a service dog of her own. And needless to say, he finally attends a meeting.

And as he spends time with Ashlinn, Ty comes to appreciate Jewel River and the community he’s avoided. He sees how generous and supportive the people at his church and his mother’s friends can be. Plus, his mother shocks him with a surprise announcement regarding one of the characters I loved writing–Clem Buckley, a wiry, tells-it-like-it-is retired rancher.

I’m going to miss Jewel River, but I already have a new fictional Wyoming town to enjoy! My next series with Love Inspired is called Wyoming Inheritance, and the first book releases in late October.

Read an excerpt of His New Companion

He would not get attached to the dog. After all, this was a temporary gig.

Ty Moulten stood outside the entrance of Howard Service Dogs in Jewel River, Wyoming, after five on Friday and wondered again if fostering a dog on the weekends was wise. Maybe he should wait until next year when he’d have more time to get used to the idea. Or he could try in a few months when the temperature cooled. July had been a scorcher so far, and they were only midway through it.

Either the sun was melting him or he’d worked himself into an actual fever. Why was he so sweaty? Probably didn’t help that after he’d finished checking cattle, he’d opted to change into a fresh pair of jeans instead of shorts.

Life made more sense in jeans, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. And being comfortable would help him keep his head on straight. His heart had been broken once. Shattered, really. Fostering a dog was nothing compared to what he’d had with Zoey, but it didn’t change the fact there wasn’t enough of his heart left for him to squander the little that remained.

He didn’t do love—or people in general—anymore.

***

 

His New Companion by Jill Kemerer cover. Mountain background, golden retriever service dog sitting on wooden deck

Healing from heartbreak
Can start with a four-legged friend.

Six years after losing his fiancée, rancher Ty Moulten still struggles with grief. Organizing a fundraiser in her honor and fostering a service dog feel like a step forward, and lead to meeting Ashlinn Burnier, the service dog training center’s new administrative assistant. As Ashlinn helps Ty plan the fundraiser, he finds himself falling for Fritz, the tiny dachshund in his care, and for Ashlinn—who has a service dog of her own. But Ashlinn worries her health challenges make her a burden, and Ty wonders if he can open his heart again. Will two hardworking pups help them choose love over holding on to fear?

Purchase His New Companion!

Do you enjoy fictional towns, or do you prefer stories set in real ones?

Thanks for celebrating with me!

Recent Interview for She Belongs In My World & Giveaway

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Howdy!

Hope y’all are doin’ well on this lazy Thursday, the last one in the month of June this year.  Cathy has kindly given her blog spot to me today and I only hope I can fill her shoes.

The big news in my part of the world is that I have a new release this month, SHE BELONGS IN MY WORLD, an American Historical Romance/Native American.

Only a few days ago I was interviewed about the book by Written Word and I thought I’d post it here.

Interview Written Word with Karen Kay, author of the book, SHE BELONGS IN MY WORLD.

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

This is the fifth book in The Medicine Man Series, and two of the characters from book four in the series needed to have their story told.  

Often these characters come alive once they have been created and this was the case with these two characters.  

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be? 

It would be the country song by the late, great Jim Reeves, Welcome To My World.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write? 

Definitely Romance, whether historical or contemporary, paranormal or western, I love them all.  However, another genre is becoming a favorite and these are the true stories I read from James Willard Schultz about the Blackfeet Indians of long ago. 

What books are on your TBR pile right now? 

Many true adventure stories of Pitamakan and Thomas Fox;  true stories of Rising Wolf and Red Crow and his sister, Mink Woman and many other  true stories of the long ago.  For my other love, romance, I love the stories of Linda Broday, Pam Crooks, Shanna Hatfield and Cassie Edwards, Madeline Baker and many others. 

What scene in your book was your favorite to write? 

This would be a tossup, I think, between one scene where the hero first sees the heroine for the first time after a long four years apart; or it could be the scouts revenge scene where the villain is not killed, but is brought to his knees in order to pay for his injustice to the heroine; but perhaps the other favorite scene in the book is the snow scene where the hero and heroine have a snowball fight and where they learn more about themselves as individuals and as a couple.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? 

Perhaps.  I write to music.  I don’t edit to music, but I love having music that inspires me playing in the background when I’m newly writing a scene.  Also, with the acquisition of four new pets, I generally have quite a crew of the four leggeds around me nowadays when I write.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by? 

Help others as much as one can.  Be a willing ear to listen to another’s woes.  And be as kind as one can be.  There’s not enough kindness in the world today, I think.  There should be more. 

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be? 

I would like to take the reader on the journey along with the heroine and hero.  I’d like the reader to be able to experience the story as if she or he were there.  I’d like my readers to be able to forget their cares, if only for a little while. And if I can accomplish this, perhaps then all my study and research and doing my best to pour emotion into my stories will be worth the effort.

Well, that’s all.  Hope you enjoyed the interview.

Questions?  Comments?  I’d love to hear them.  Come on in and leave a post.  I’ll be giving away two e-books today to one lucky blogger, SHE BRINGS BEAUTY TO ME and SHE BELONGS IN MY WORLD.

 

 

Happy Accidents That Turned Out

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Just about everyone on the planet has heard of John Steinbeck, the author of Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and Of Mice and Men. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 which laid to rest any doubts about his abilities. He based his books on events and characters of the time and readers snapped up new works.

But did you know his dog Toby ate the manuscript Of Mice and Men? Toby destroyed the only copy Steinbeck had, all that work of finding the right words to fill the pages gone. If only Steinbeck had a computer and thumb drives back then!!

The dog got swatted with the flyswatter and Steinbeck started over. Back then, a writer had to type everything or write in longhand. I’m not sure, but I think he had a typewriter.

Some writers might’ve thrown in the towel but not him. After writing his agent in May 1936, to inform him of the setback, he started over in new surroundings and inspiration flowed. He finished the book and submitted it a mere three months later in August. He didn’t have a lot of faith that the book would amount to anything. He called it mediocre. However, the book released in Feb. 1937 and was a wild success.

After that, he wrote While Travels With Charley and it gave the ailing author one last bestseller. So everything worked out.

I can relate to this. True story. I was writing a contracted book, The Cowboy Who Came Calling, and had completed the first half. I came home from work to find my husband had deleted the book from my computer. He’d been getting rid of files that were no longer needed and happened to get my story.

A huge lump formed in the pit of my stomach. All that work vanished, every single word, and I was writing under deadline like Steinbeck.

To give you an idea of the total devastation, I’d been losing vision and my doctor warned he might not be able to stop it. So this story was about a woman losing her sight after getting kicked in the head by an animal and I had become the character. I put myself in Glory Day’s shoes and wrote what I was experiencing. It was taking a lot out of me emotionally to say the least.

But, you know, when I began writing the book again, inspiration grew by leaps and bounds. The story turned out far better than it was to start with. I don’t know what it is that kicks in but it’s just amazing. My editor loved the story and it went on to win the National Readers Choice Award.

Sidenote: My neurologist did save most of my vision. And from then on, I saved everything in multiple places and on various devices. I did forgive my husband. He didn’t do it maliciously and felt so badly. He really went all out in showing his remorse.

I’ve recently published my 50th book with my newest western called Creek so that was a good lesson learned. I never lost anything else.

Have you ever lost something, doesn’t have to be on the computer, that held value for you? I’m giving away two copies of Creek so leave a comment.

For more fun and information, check out our Petticoats &Pistols Reader Group on Face Book HERE.

To Love a Beast Coming Soon!

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My next western fairy tale releases in less than a month. WooHoo! I can’t wait to share this one with you. Beauty & the Beast is my favorite fairy tale. How could it not be with a bookish heroine and a wounded hero? Add some forced proximity, a quirky supporting cast, and a vain villain seeking vengeance, and you know we’re going to have loads of fun!

 

 

Allow me to introduce you to our cast of characters.

Everett Griffin – Once known among New York’s elite as the American Adonis, he hides away in the wilds of Texas after being horribly disfigured by an outraged woman. Seeking to avoid public interactions, he embraces his beastly persona, frightening away anyone who steps on his land uninvited. (Everett means “wild boar” and Griffin is a mystical beast with a lion’s body and a bird’s head.

Callista Rosenfeld – Callista helps her father run a struggling book bindery. When her father injures his hand after taking on a large commission that would save their business, Callista takes the job upon herself, determined to complete the project no matter how many obstacles are thrown into her path. Including a beastly employer, his giant, man-eating dog, and a gloomy house that looks to be straight out of a gothic novel. Gargoyles included. (Callista means “most beautiful” and Rosenfeld pays homage to the rose that plays such a vital role in the fairy tale.)

 

Spartacus  – The giant Mastiff who roams Manticore Manor.

 

Mrs. Potter – The motherly housekeeper and collector of teacups. (Obviously a play on Mrs. Potts.)

Mr. Lightfoot – Mr. Griffin’s valet, man of business, and best friend. (“Light”foot pays homage to a certain dancing candelabra.)

Mr. Timens – The stuffy butler, local trivia expert, and a tinkerer of watches and clocks. (After all, “Time” is in his name.)

Yes, Disney’s Beauty & the Beast played a significant inspirational role in this story; however, the plot is completely new. Here’s a sneak peek at how the hero and heroine meet:

 

Courage, Callista. Just because you can’t see any evidence of his presence doesn’t mean that God isn’t with you. We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.

Even as that scriptural assurance moved through her mind, something unseen made its presence known. Something with a deep bass bark that rumbled over her like the thunder of an approaching storm.

Her head spun to the right. Her gaze scoured the shadows for the guard dog whose territory she’d invaded. She saw nothing.

Heart thumping, she rushed ahead, praying the manor would be around the next bend. But before she could reach the bend in question, the barking shifted direction, now coming from in front of her. She stumbled to a halt. Leaves rustled nearby. The low-pitched barks grew closer. Nearly upon her. She’d never be able to outrun the beast.

Callista squeezed her eyes shut, wrapped her arms around her middle, and prayed for a miracle.

Gruff barks echoed with a percussive depth so near, she could feel them like tremors in the earth. Instinct urged her to flee, but reason glued her feet to the ground. He hadn’t attacked yet. She’d not give him reason to think of her as prey. Perhaps if she imitated a tree long enough, he’d grow bored and search for entertainment elsewhere.

However, the barks grew increasingly insistent. Apparently, her tree act wasn’t as convincing as she’d hoped. Or perhaps she was too convincing, for the beast decided to fell her. He rammed his head into her ribcage and threw her backwards. Callista let out a startled yelp as she stumbled and landed on her backside. Eyes wide open now, she stared into the face of the massive beast who stood over her. Even her imagination could not have conjured a dog like this. On all fours, he towered over her, his fur the tawny gold of a lion, contrasting with the dark brown of his face and eyes.

He barked again, and she flinched, bringing up an arm to fend him off.

“Spartacus. Heel!”

The dog’s countenance cleared as he turned toward the voice. A heartbeat later, he loped off the path and into the mesquite.

Callista scrambled to her feet, dusted off her rump, and turned in the direction the dog had gone. “Thank you, sir.” She lifted her voice to be sure the man could hear her. She strained for a glimpse of him but saw nothing. “My name is—”

“I don’t care what your name is. You’re not welcome here.” The harshness of the man’s tone took her aback. “I want you off my property. Now!”

Callista fisted her hands. She had not come all this way to be bullied into leaving before she’d made it to the front door. “I have an appointment with Mr. Lightfoot.”

“Mr. Lightfoot takes his orders from me, and I want you gone. End of discussion.”

End of discussion? Not likely. This boorish excuse of a human being needed a lesson in manners.

Swallowing her mounting frustration, Callista called forth the conciliatory tone she used on the rare occasion she had to deal with a difficult client. “I’m sorry if there has been some miscommunication.” She stepped off the path and began wending her way through the mesquite, hoping to have a civilized discussion face-to-face instead of yelling at one another across the vegetation. “I’ve been hired—”

“Stop right there!”

Did she detect a note of fear beneath the dominating anger? She took another step.

“Come any closer and I’ll sic Spartacus on you.”

She didn’t believe him. He might be rude and overbearing, but he’d called off his dog earlier. Intuition told her he wasn’t the type to harm an innocent woman. Scare her, yes. But not harm her.

Callista dared another step. “Please, sir. If you’ll just listen to what I have to say. . .”

“I’m done listening. Be gone!”

Hurried footsteps echoed from within the brush, and a moment later Callista caught a glimpse of the back of a man clad in a reddish-brown greatcoat darting between the trees, a giant dog at his side.

He had fled from her. Interesting.

With the threat of the Mastiff no longer looming, renewed determination bolstered Callista’s courage. She returned to the path and marched forward with purpose. The master of Manticore Manor would soon learn that she did not surrender so easily.

Preorder To Love a Beast Here.

What do you like best about the Beauty & the Beast tale?

The Romance
The Redemption of the Hero
The Bookish Heroine
The Library
The Supporting Cast
Other?

Aussie Ways Versus American – Margaret Tanner

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I am Margaret Tanner, an award winning, bestselling, Australian author with nearly two hundred books published on Amazon. I now concentrate on writing sweet Western Historical Romance, although in the past I used to write Contemporary and Australian Historical Romance.

I like to think my stories will tug at your heartstrings and evoke strong emotions.

My heroes hide behind a rough exterior. They are tough men who are prepared to face danger and overwhelming odds for the women they love. My heroines are brave, resourceful women willing to endure hardship and danger in an untamed land, if it means they can win their heart’s desire.

I have had many jobs over the years including being an Army Reservist, an Army Major’s secretary and a Medical Audio typist. My most memorable job, for all the wrong reasons, was as a postal delivery person. Surprisingly, I am scared of dogs, and I have to say I was accosted many times by dogs who were/or were not, intent on doing me harm.

I sadly lost my husband at the end of Covid. I have three grown-up sons, and two lovely granddaughters.

Outside of my family and friends, writing is my passion.

FRONTIER LIFE – AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA

Life on the American and Australian frontiers have a strikingly similar history, so it was fairly easy for me to make the transition from writing Australian to American western historical stories.

For example, take the Australian Act of Selection.

America: The original Homestead Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on May 20th, 1862. It gave applicants freehold title to up to 160 acres of undeveloped federal land west of the Mississippi River. The law required only three steps from the applicant – filing an application, improving the land, then filing for a deed of title.

Anyone who had never taken up arms against the U.S. government, including freed slaves, could file a claim on the provisions that they were over the age of twenty-one and had lived on the land for five years.

The Homestead Act’s lenient terms proved to be ill-fated for many settlers. Claimants didn’t have to own farming implements or even to have had any farming experience. The allocated tracts of land may have been adequate in humid regions but were not large enough to support plains settlers where lack of water reduced yields.

Speculators often gained control of homestead land by hiring phony claimants or buying up abandoned farms.

Homesteaders could often build a log cabin in a matter of days, using only an axe and auger. No nails were required for the task.

The first step in construction was to build a stone or rock foundation, to keep the logs off the ground and prevent rot. Once the foundation was laid, settlers would cut down trees and square off the logs. These logs were then “notched” in the top and bottom of each end then stacked to form walls. The notched logs fitted snugly together at the corners of the cabin and held the walls in place. After the logs were stacked, gaps remained in the walls. Settlers had to jam sticks and wood chips into the gaps, then they filled in the remaining gaps with cement made from earth, sand, and water.

Fireplaces were built of stone and often had stick-and-mud chimneys.

Most cabins had dirt or gravel floors, which had to be raked daily to preserve their evenness.

Rustic log cabins in a fall setting located at Grayson State Park in Virginia.

Australia:  The 1860 Land Act allowed free selection of crown land.  This included land already occupied by the squatters, (wealthy landowners) who had managed to circumvent the law for years and keep land that they did not legally own.

The Act allowed selectors access to the squatters’ land, and they could purchase between 40 and 320 acres of crown land, but after that, the authorities left them to fend for themselves. Not an easy task against the wealthy, often ruthless squatters who were incensed at what they thought was theft of their land.

The Act of Selection was intended to encourage closer settlement, based on intensive agriculture. Selectors often came into conflict with squatters, who already occupied land and were prepared to fight to keep it.

The bitterness ran deep for many years, sometimes erupting into violence.

The first permanent homesteads on the Australian frontier were constructed using posts and split timber slabs. The posts were set into the ground, about three feet apart, according to the desired layout. Slabs of timber were then dropped into the slots. A sapling or similar, straight piece of timber ran across the top of the posts, which allowed them to be tied together so they could support the roof.

Sunset above Craigs Hut, built as the the set for Man from Snowy River movie in the Victorian Alps, Australia

Clay was often plugged in between the joins and splits of the cladding to stop droughts. The internal walls were sometimes plastered with clay and straw, lined with hessian/calico, whitewashed or simply left as split timber.

Roofs were pitched using saplings straight from the bush and often clad with bark. Early settlers learnt from the aborigines that large sheets of bark could be cut and peeled off a variety of trees and used as sheets to clad the roof.

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I’m so proud of my Gun For Hire book – Dustin.

Please visit the series page HERE.

 

 

My latest release was on the 2nd of April – Callum’s Bride.

CALLUM’S BRIDE

Blurb:

Sebastian thought he was irredeemable. Will Carly’s love set him free?

Bounty hunter Sebastian Callum is ambushed and seriously wounded by the McSweeney gang.

He finds his way to Carly’s house and she and her young son give him sanctuary. But danger is an ever-present threat. And why does the littler boy think Sebastian is Jesus?

While nursing him back to health, Carly gives Sebastian her heart, even though he thinks he is an unworthy recipient. Will he accept this special gift from her?

If so, how far will a woman from his past go to keep them apart?

Readers can contact me via my FB author group. I would love to see you there. Or private message me on FB.

To find out more about my books please check out my Amazon link.

GIVEAWAY

One reader who leaves a comment, will win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Have you ever been inside a log cabin?
What do you think would be the biggest challenge of making a home on the frontier?

New Release Coming Soon!

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. As we begin this Holy Week, I want to pause and wish each of you a joyful and blessed Easter season. Whether your days are filled with sunrise services, egg-dyeing with grandchildren, or simply soaking up the signs of spring—new life, green buds, and muddy fields—I hope your heart is filled with peace and renewal.

On the book front I’m thrilled to announce that we are just a couple of weeks away from the April 29th release of An Amish Widow’s Promise, the 2nd book in my Sweetbrier Creek series.

I’ve always been drawn to the kind of heroes who earn their place quietly—not with grand gestures or dramatic declarations, but with a steady presence, practical kindness, and unwavering character. The kind who fixes what’s broken without being asked. Who listen before they speak. Who care for what matters to you—because it matters to you.

When I sat down to write this book, I knew I wanted a hero like that. A man who wouldn’t try to sweep the heroine off her feet, but who might… catch her anyway.

Daniel Beiler doesn’t come in with romantic speeches or daring rescue missions. Instead, he shows up every day—rain or shine—to tend the orchard. He teaches Miriam’s six-year-old son how to draw maps. Fixes a sagging fence without being asked. Brings a pie as a thank-you gift (well, technically it’s from his sister-in-law, but he remembered to deliver it—very important hero points).

But Daniel isn’t perfect. He makes mistakes—sometimes big ones. He assumes instead of asking. He pushes too hard or moves forward without looping Miriam in. But what makes him special isn’t that he gets everything right from the start—it’s that he listens when he gets it wrong. He owns his missteps. And then he does better. That quiet humility? That’s its own kind of strength.

Because what truly sets him apart is this: he sees through to the heart of both Miriam and Jonah.

He sees a little boy who’s lost his daed and is eager for connection. He sees a widow carrying the weight of a farm, a home, and a deadline she didn’t ask for. And even when they clash—over orchard methods, over parenting, over control—he never tries to silence her. He listens. He adapts. He keeps showing up.

And that, to me, is the mark of a true keeper.

So tell me—what makes a hero a keeper for you? Is it strength? Gentleness? Humor? That one scene that makes you melt?  Join the discussion for a chance to win a copy of this book or any other in my backlist you select.

AN AMISH WIDOW’S PROMISE

What if the man who understands your son… doesn’t understand you?

Widow Miriam Lapp has three months to find a husband. Not for love—but for security. For her son. For the orchard that’s been in the family for generations.

She’s not looking for romance or someone with big ideas and opinions. She’s looking for someone safe. Predictable. Willing to follow her lead when it comes to the orchard.

But Daniel Beiler isn’t any of those things.

And worse yet, he stirs up a whole mess of emotions Miriam thought she’d left behind for good.

He’s not one of the men her well-meaning would-be-matchmaker neighbor is lining up for her. But he’s the one Jonah is growing attached to. And maybe—just maybe—the one Miriam is starting to trust… even when she doesn’t want to.

If you love quiet heroes with strong hearts, precocious kids, and a love story that simmers before it sizzles, I think you’ll fall for this one.

To Preorder, you can use this LINK