Inspirational Western Romance

Learning to Write Westerns When I Had No Clue

by

Please welcome special guest author Lisa Jordan to the Junction!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bonding with the Cowboy’s Daughter

She’s left her old life behind

…only to find a new love waiting

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

 

AMAZON LINK

Into the Sunset–coming in October–A Giveaway!!!

by

 

 

Into the Sunset is releasing in October!

Click Here to buy

 

 

It is ALMOST TIME for the exciting conclusion of the Western Light Series.

In book #1, Chasing the Horizon, my heroine Beth, helped her mother Ginny escape from an insane asylum and ran for safety in the wild west. Beth found love along the way.

In book #2 Toward the Dawn, my heroine Kat finds she can’t stand living cut off from the world in the Hidden Canyon where Ginny and her family have gone to hide. Kat escaped from the asylum with Ginny and danger awaits outside those claustrophobic canyon walls.

Now, in book #3, Ginny has to turn and face her tyrant of a husband. She’s been hiding for years now, but the time has come to face the threat with hopes of freeing the other woman locked away with her. She recruits Maeve O’Toole to help with child care…Beth has three children now. And Dakota Harlan comes along to add his strength to their numbers.

Maeve is going along at least in part to get away from trouble at home. And Dakota is embroiled in a family feud and needs to get away from his ranch while he tries to figure out how to stop the personal war that’s tormenting him.

Into the Sunset

Will the sun set on their chance at happiness before they can seize it?

To finally escape the clutches of her controlling husband and the threat of being recommitted to an asylum, Ginny Rutledge enlists the help of her friends, Maeve O’Toole and Dakota Harlan. Fleeing their own tumultuous pasts, the group embarks on a journey to prove Ginny’s sanity. However, as they confront the shadows they wish they could forget, danger looms from unexpected places.

Maeve grapples with her mother’s impending remarriage and seizes a rare chance to escape her homestead–but that means reuniting with Dakota, the man she holds responsible for her father’s death, who is caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful family. As the two of them navigate their shared history and a dangerous mission, Dakota is forced to confront his deepest fears and fight for the woman who has unwittingly captured his heart.

Leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for a signed copy of
Into the Sunset
Do you always read series in order? Do you wait until the whole series is out and read them together? Which part of a western romance do you prefer? The kissing or the shooting?

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

by

Welcome To Our Guest Blogger – Heidi McGill!

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

The Call of the Open Frontier

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

Heroes of Grit and Resilience

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

Conflict, Justice, and Redemption

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

The Landscape as a Character

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

Why We Keep Coming Back

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

Happy trails, fellow adventurers!

Where to Purchase Stitched on My Heart:

   Link for eBook
   Link for Paperback

 

Heidi’s Bio

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

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

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

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

Christian Fiction. Relatable Characters. Life

You can find Heidi online at:

Instagram
Goodreads
Bookbub
Facebook

Click here for a FREE eNovella

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

Communication, a New Book, and a Giveaway!

by

During Hurricane Beryl recently, a lot of people in Houston had no way of calling unless they could somehow keep their cell phones charged. My brother in Houston has had a time. But communication seems to have been a problem for decades.

Though it’s hard to believe now in this fast-paced world, the telegraph was once very modern technology. Samuel Morse began tinkering with the idea of communication through electric wires in 1832. But it wasn’t until 1844 that the first telegraph was successfully sent over a distance from Washington to Baltimore.

After a series of missteps and fighting others who sought to steal his ideas, Samuel’s telegraph company became the Western Union Telegraph Company in 1856. From there the telegraph grew by leaps and bounds.  In 1860 Congress passed the Pacific Telegraph Act to begin building an intercontinental telegraph system linking the East coast with the West.

Telegraph poles began springing up across the nation. In treeless areas they had to ship in poles. The cost and labor to construct such an elaborate system was enormous. Finally, workers completed the task in 1861. People on both coasts could communicate and that was a happy day.

But problems plagued them. Weather, pesky outlaws who didn’t want to be captured cut the lines. Curious Native Americans, pioneers who sometimes used the poles as firewood, and the fact that the buffalo used the poles as backscratchers caused inconsistent availability of the line.

Still….it was better than nothing.

WHAT DID IT COST TO SEND A TELEGRAPH?

Initially…$1.00 per word  Later…..$7.00 for 10 words  Then ….$3.00 for 10 words after Congress regulated

Not everyone could afford it, seeing as how $1 in 1861 equals over $25.00 today. Typical wages at that time were around $1 a day. Out in the smaller towns, it was probably less than that.

In my new book, Love’s First Light, Rachel Malloy needs to telegraph the stage lines in Clarendon, Texas over stolen money she found only there are no telegraphs where she lives so she and rancher Heath Lassiter has to send a note with the traveling preacher. That took forever. But back in the 1800s all they had was time. Nothing got done in a hurry.

A bit about Love’s First Light….

Rachel Malloy is burying the last of her family who died of a fever when a sandstorm blows up and knocks her off her feet. She strikes her head on a rock and is found by a neighboring rancher who takes her to his place where his sister nurses her back to health. He feels God is answering his prayers for a wife and later gets a rare sighting of a white dove in Hawk’s Canyon. The bird seems to be God’s sign that she’s the one.

Only she refuses to marry him. She’s done some horrible things and can’t marry anyone. Rachel has been angry at God for a while but a lot more now. How could He take all of her family and leave her by herself? Was she not good enough?

Answers come as the story unfolds and there’s a fight at the end. Who will be left standing when the dust clears?

I’m giving away two copies of Love’s First Light. Just tell me if you’ve ever had trouble with your phone during or after a storm.

I was in a devastating tornado in 1979 that destroyed much of the city and had the worst time letting people know I was alive.

THE COWBOY’S MARRIAGE BARGAIN by Deborah Clack–AND A GIVEAWAY!

by

A big, hot-in-the-sun hello to everyone! I’m super excited to be here today with you. Thank you for having me.

Because I’m a native Texan, one might think I set my debut Love Inspired novel The Cowboy’s Marriage Bargain on the lovely plains of the Lone Star State. But my characters needed big skies, wide open spaces, and (sorry, Texas) my hero needed snow-capped mountains for his storyline. So we’re headed to the fictional town of Elk Run, Wyoming to meet the folks at Four Cross Ranch.

Nothing pairs better with the Great American West like strong family values. Years before the opening pages of the book, the four Cross siblings circled the wagons to take care of each other and the family ranch when their parents died. The Cowboy’s Marriage Bargain showcases the oldest of the three brothers and sister.

From the back cover: “To pull his ranch out of a downward spiral, widowed cowboy Chase Cross will do anything—even if it means making a deal with the woman he can’t stand. Because Lexi Gardner’s about to inherit a fortune…if she marries in thirty days. A marriage of convenience is the answer to both their problems. But when their bargain begins to feel real, will they put aside their differences for a future together?”

I had the most fun writing the banter between Chase and Lexi. Despite their disagreements, they both held deep respect for the other which created a wonderful internal conflict as they each drew closer.

But that banter wasn’t just for Chase and Lexi. Chase has a twin, Hunter. “The twins resembled two trucks of the same model, only wired differently under the hood. Both ruggedly handsome, they had brute mountain man appeal, six foot two inches of height and a daring look behind their hazel eyes, the weight of the family ranch on their shoulders. But Hunter believed everything would work out fine, whereas Chase wanted all the details nailed down and pursued accordingly.” While Chase grapples with whether or not to marry Lexi, he doesn’t always appreciate Hunter’s sage words.

And let’s not forget the two younger siblings. Sister Cora’s midwifery brilliance is sprinkled in this story, along with whispers of the wayward youngest bull-riding brother, Ryder.

And I’m so glad I set these stories in Wyoming because snow plays a huge part in the second book, which I’m about to send my editor for consideration. Not a lot of snow here in my home state, and when it does try to hit the ground, we scare it away almost immediately with our unskilled winter-driving and non-committal low temperatures.

Today, I brought a fun giveaway for readers. Due to postage costs, this giveaway is for continental US addresses only.

One reader will take home a signed print copy of The Cowboy’s Marriage Bargain along with two items taken straight from the pages of the book, a Four Cross Ranch coffee mug and a fun pair of socks.

To be entered, simply leave a comment letting me know about your family and siblings. Where are you in the birth order? Do you all banter like the Cross family? Are you an only child? I’d love to hear from you.

 

Thanks for spending the day with me! Head on over to my website at deborahclack.com and sign up for my newsletter to get updates on Hunter’s, Cora’s and Ryder’s stories. I also have a FREE novella to tide you over until our next visit to Wyoming.

You can find your copy of The Cowboy’s Marriage Bargain at your favorite retailer:

Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Marriage-Bargain-Uplifting-Inspirational/dp/1335597492/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZPDMEOYBY712&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3Xy5_-i5c8xiHH_dbKqyTg.chbBjjmqoQwfIbHcGAH7DVt3QeMQg3fsXcESurvhKNE&dib_tag=se&keywords=deborah+clack+the+cowboy%27s+marriage+bargain&qid=1713412887&sprefix=%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1&tag=pettpist-20

Harlequin https://bit.ly/3VDS2zE

Kobo https://bit.ly/4eh5AZb

The Cowboy’s Marriage Bargain is a standalone book.

 

Award-winning author Deborah Clack is a native Texan who believes in the power of fiction, the lost art of lip synching, and that chocolate should be eaten without nuts. A high school AP history teacher for 10 years, Deborah earned a Master’s Degree in Education and was awarded Teacher of the Year for Arts in Education. Now she creates stories of her own filled with endearing characters and a hard-fought romance.

 

New Release! Training the K-9 Companion {Giveaway!}

by
Meadow background, book cover Training the K-9 Companion by Jill Kemerer, text "New Release & Giveaway, Petticoats & Pistols"

The third book in my Wyoming Legacies series is in stores now! TRAINING THE K-9 COMPANION follows Cade Moulten, a rancher opening a high-end horse-boarding operation, and Mackenzie Howard, the new veterinarian in town, as they train little Tulip to be a therapy dog for his grandmother. This Love Inspired book takes place during the summer in fictional Jewel River, Wyoming.

I enjoyed learning how rural vets utilize mobile trailers to treat cattle and horses on ranches. I also love writing books with dogs in them. Talk about a win-win! Mackenzie’s trying to convince local ranchers to trust her with their cattle, but she’s terrified she’ll make a mistake and lose an animal. And Cade needs high-paying clients to offset the reduced rates he plans on charging the locals to board horses at his new stables. On top of that, Cade’s mother insists on training a therapy dog to comfort his beloved grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s. Poor Cade never knows what to expect when he visits Nana.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are terrible diseases. My father suffered from Parkinson’s and dementia, and I spent a lot of time at the nursing home with him before he passed away. I’m blessed with a supportive family who loves Jesus, and this story reflects it.

Don’t worry–the book isn’t all gloom and sadness! Cade’s mom is an unrelenting matchmaker. Add the warm, rowdy members of the Jewel River Legacy Club, and you won’t want to put the book down.

 

Book cover Training the K-9 Companion by Jill Kemerer. Mountain background, Pomeranian in meadow with daisies

Man’s best friend…
Could be the key to a second chance.

When rancher Cade Moulten decides to get a therapy dog for his ailing grandmother, he doesn’t expect a fluffy Pomeranian—or a pretty veterinarian trainer. But Cade will do anything to prove he’s a changed man, even train the small K-9 alongside Mackenzie Howard. Soon the weekly sessions with Mackenzie have Cade wishing for more. But will he risk revealing his shameful past for a chance at acceptance?

 

Purchase Training the K-9 Companion

***

Read an excerpt!

As usual, the restlessness snuck up on him, and, too late, Cade Moulten realized his mistake. Offering to help his mother train a therapy dog was just another attempt to atone for his past.

He couldn’t back out now. He wouldn’t if he could. Cade had other reasons—good ones—for being here.

“It’s not much to look at, is it?” His mother, Christy Moulten, sat in the passenger seat of his truck and stared at the small industrial building with faded gray aluminum siding. Next to it, a matching structure roughly three times its size shared the parking lot. The early June sunshine began to fade as the day wound down.

Cade cut the engine, and his mom bent to pick up her purse. A few months shy of turning sixty-four, his mother hadn’t slowed a bit. Her stylish blond bob, subtle makeup and smile lines gave her the appearance of someone who enjoyed life, but she also had a stubborn streak wider than a country mile.

At thirty-five, he’d mellowed to the point of not minding driving her around town whenever her driver’s license was suspended—and that was often—nor did he mind living with her in the big house on the ranch. Kept her out of trouble.

Maybe they kept each other out of trouble.

He pocketed his keys. “What’s it supposed to look like? It’s a vet clinic, not a spa, Ma.”

Cade had personally taken a loss on this property by selling it to the new veterinarian and her father for pennies on the dollar. Anything to convince a vet to take a chance on moving to Jewel River. When Dr. Bill Banks, the only veterinarian within two hours of here, retired last fall, it had affected every rancher and pet owner in this swath of Wyoming.

Jewel River needed a veterinarian ASAP.

***

Want to read more? Purchase Training the K-9 Companion!

You can find Training the K-9 Companion in Walmart and all stores that carry Love Inspired books!

To celebrate, I’m giving away one copy of  Training the K-9 Companion (US winner will receive a signed paperback, International winner will receive an ebook, void where prohibited by law.). Simply leave a comment below, and I’ll select a winner via random number generator. Giveaway ends on July 3, 2024 at noon EST, and winner will be announced in the comments of this post and in a separate post!

Do you love books with dogs and cowboys? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you for celebrating my new release with me!

What’s on the Menu? by Penny Zeller

by

Howdy, y’all! I am so honored to be a guest again on Petticoats & Pistols. This time, I’m taking us on a culinary journey.

While writing Dreams on the Horizon, I discovered through research a recipe for shoo-fly cake that included cinnamon. Many of us have heard of shoo-fly pie, but what about the cake variety? After reading the ingredients and knowing that Landon, my hunky main male character, loved cinnamon and was fond of the shoo-fly pie, I knew I had to incorporate the cake into the story.

I also found a recipe for clear soup from President Benjamin Harrison’s wife, Caroline. It inspired me to mention it in the book as the recipe Mae and her younger sister, Ruby, are making for supper in a fun scene where Ruby tries her feeble attempts at matchmaking. One of the ingredients is mace.

Mace? Because we authors are known to do three hours of research to write one sentence, I discovered mace is a spice that enhances the flavor of soup.

Read on for a fun excerpt:

Mae stirred the clear soup while Ruby chopped the carrots and separated the yolks from the whites of four eggs.

“Are you fond of Landon?”

One could always rely on Ruby to unexpectedly raise a topic unrelated to the current task. “Why do you ask?”

Ruby positioned her round face directly in front of Mae’s. “Your face is infused with blush.”

“It’s the heat of the stove.”

“Hmm.”

“Besides, you and Timothy really need to mind your manners and refrain from being utter pests when we have a guest.”

Ruby shrugged and returned to the carrots and eggs. “It was necessary at the time.”

“To converge on Landon and me all the while attempting to hide behind a sheet? Really, Rube, we could see you. Your eyeball and the top of your head, anyway.”

“It’s good practice for when I write articles for The Horizon Herald. I’m sure Mr. O’Kane may occasionally send me on a secret mission.”

“Secret mission indeed. I doubt it. Horizon isn’t a big city, and you aren’t Nellie Bly.”

Ruby lifted the knife in midair. “I may not be Nellie Bly, but I am assiduous, dauntless, and stealthy. All important traits for a successful newspaper reporter.”

I’m not sure what it was about food for this book (maybe I was hungry while writing it), but another topic I researched was restaurant menus. These days, we take for granted when we visit a nice restaurant, a café, or even the fast-food drive-through, that we’ll have a plethora of choices from which to choose. While conducting research for food choices for Landon’s uppity and wealthy parents, I discovered that, according to fastingtable.com, “The first restaurant menus in the U.S. were offered at Delmonico’s in New York City. Historical evidence confirms their use in the iconic restaurant by the 1830s.”

Most of us remember dollar menus, but what about feeding a family of four for a dollar? An article in Women’s Chronicle dated July 26, 1890, informs readers that the magazine, Table Talk, includes a menu for feeding four people for one dollar (seen below). According to the magazine, “It tells how to make everything…and gives the price of each ingredient used.”

Thank you for joining me on this culinary journey. Dreams on the Horizon releases on June 25. Can love overcome all obstacles? Will Mae Shepherdson’s dream of a school for the deaf be for naught when the company Landon Bennick works for determines the location of the new railroad spur? When a nefarious character with vengeful intent threatens Mae, will Landon intervene before it’s too late and save the woman who has claimed his heart?

***GIVEAWAY***

I’m giving one lucky winner their choice of a paperback or ebook of Dreams on the Horizon. (Limited to U.S. residents only). To enter, please leave a comment about the most unique food you’ve ever eaten. Can’t wait to read your comments!

Go here to snag your copy of Dreams on the Horizon.

Thank you for joining me today. As a special gift, be sure to snag An Unexpected Arrival, a Wyoming Sunrise novelette, for free by going here.

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith-filled happily ever afters and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. Her books feature tender romance, steady doses of humor, and memorable characters that stay with you long after the last page. She is a multi-published author of over two dozen books and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. She is also a fitness instructor, loves the outdoors, and is a flower gardening addict. Penny resides with her husband and two daughters in small-town America and loves to connect with her readers at her website at http://www.pennyzeller.com,

 

Remember the Milkman?

by

I wonder how many consumers order groceries through an App and either have them delivered or drove to pick them up. I haven’t seen any statistics but I know a lot of busy people do this. It’s become very common. Before the 21st Century though, markets had some limited home delivery but the milkman was a staple.

The milkman emerged in the 1700s and continued into the mid-1900s as advancements in technology made it impossible for that system to continue. With the advent of cars families didn’t need to have groceries and milk brought to them.

The first milk was delivered to homes in horse-drawn wagons with the milk in large metal barrels. The milkman would ladle fresh milk into bottles, jugs, or whatever container was left outside. But, this wasn’t very sanitary. The milk was often contaminated by insects or debris that fell into it. Slowly things changed and glass containers were a definite improvement.

Compliments of Free Photos @FoxPhotos

The milkman really came into his own in the 19th Century. He’d drive up to a home in his horse-drawn wagon and deliver milk in glass bottles and either leave the milk on the doorstep or hand directly to the house’s occupant. Then ice boxes became a thing. Often it was arranged for the milkman to let himself into the home and place the milk into an “ice box.” Those were made of wood and lined with zinc or tin with large blocks of ice place in a compartment at the bottom. Can you imagine a delivery man coming into your home when you weren’t there? That would make me feel weird yet it was common place.

Image by Pixabay and photographer Ruslan Sikunov 11647343

You’ve all probably heard people say that one child or another was the product of a milkman. I do wonder about the statistics on that. My grandmother always accused my mom of having “relations” with the milkman because she never believed my father could bear children. You see, my dad contracted rheumatic fever as a child and doctors had told her he was impotent. Surprise, surprise. He and Mama had five. And no milkman.

Anyway, all that led up to modern refrigeration and the milkman died out. But delivery service didn’t. Grocery deliveries are common place as well as pickup.

I just wanted to give you a little history on that. I’ve wanted to write a book featuring a milkman. I can think of all kinds of funny situations. Maybe another time.

Are you old enough to remember a milkman? If not, I’m guessing you heard your family talk about that.

Right now, I have LOVE’S FIRST LIGHT coming out July 1st. It’s a story of a woman who’s lost everything including her home and is forced to rely on a stranger for survival. Slowly she begins to set her world upright again. It’s a long way up from the bottom and impossible without faith.

If you like an ARC in exchange for a review, CLICK HERE. But only if you plan to review. Otherwise, the book releases July 1st. I’ll have several to give away next month on my blog.

Here’s the blurb:

After suffering a devastating accident, Rachel Malloy wakens with a stranger. He bears no resemblance to her perception of God, nor does he have a halo so she must not be dead. Regardless, after taking her entire family and leaving her, she and God are not exactly on speaking terms.

Rancher Heath Lassiter has prayed fervently and long for a wife. Is she the one? The appearance of a rare white dove shortly afterward seems to be a sign.

Despite Heath’s unwavering faith and kindness, Rachel refuses to marry him. Dark secrets haunt, secrets that blacken her name, making marriage to anyone impossible. Though disappointed, Heath rebuilds her burned-out home. There, her world again shifts with the discovery of a newborn near her family’s graves and a white dove perching nearby.
Love grows as Heath becomes a constant in her life. Yet Rachel lives in fear of losing this baby. When the infant becomes very ill, she desperately promises God she’ll return to her forsaken faith if He’ll heal the child. But first light brings uncertainty. Will the dove return as a symbol of divine mercy, or will Rachel’s fragile faith be shattered once more?

The Women Who Ran the Range and a Giveaway!

by

Howdy, y’all! Heather Blanton here. I’ve got a new box set out this week from my Burning Dress Ranch series. The Burning Dress is a ranch run by women for women. Some would think that’s a tall tale. A woman can’t run a ranch.

If you think that, you’ve never met Kittie Wilkins, Margaret Borland, or Ellen Watson, to name a few ranching pioneers.

From the late 1880s and into the 20th Century, Kittie Wilkins was quite literally the Horse Queen of Idaho. At one point she had a herd of over 10,000 fine animals. And fine was the name of her game. Kittie’s horses were spectacular.

 

Her father was a horse trader. She picked up the skill from him and ran with it. She had an uncanny eye for horse flesh, a strong work ethic, a quick mind, and–probably most importantly–the respect of her ranch hands. Kittie is credited with negotiating the largest horse trade in US history. In one deal, she sold 8000 horses to England for use in the Boer War. She was also a darling of the press because of her business acumen and feminine ways.

 

In 1873, Margaret Borland owned a good-sized spread in Texas, but cattle in Texas weren’t worth much. About $8 a head. Up the road in Kansas, though, beef was bringing $23 a head! Margaret, not being a dummy, defied convention and organized her own cattle drive. What’s more, she also served as the trail boss! But she arrived at this situation more out of necessity than desire.

Widowed three times, she had to step up repeatedly if she wanted to keep her ranch running and her children fed. Each tragic death solidified in her the fortitude to fight on, as well as offered the opportunity for her to learn the cattle business. Surviving these trials by fire, Margaret became the only female rancher to run a cattle drive up the Chisholm trail.

And then there’s Ellen Watson, a young woman who took advantage of the Wyoming Homestead Act and procured 160 acres for herself in 1887. With Jim Averell, most likely her secret husband, she filed for squatter’s rights on land adjacent to his and continued expanding her herd. Jim ran a restaurant and general store, but Ellen tended to the ranch with the help of a few reliable hands.

Ellen was becoming a successful rancher when she ran afoul of neighboring cattle baron Albert Bothwell. Bothwell coveted Ellen’s land and eventually, his greed led to her death. Ellen and Jim were lynched by Bothwell in July of 1889. To protect the wealthy cattlemen involved in the murders, the press dubbed Ellen “Cattle Kate” and declared her a cattle thief and prostitute.

They might have taken her ranch, her life, and her reputation, but they didn’t take away her accomplishments as a fine rancher.

Women like these inspired Burning Dress Ranch. Everything the women do in my stories, from wrangling cattle to shoeing horses to bending iron on an anvil is real, true history. Just like my historical heroes, my fictional heroines come away with a new vocation, a bright future, and their happily ever after!

So, what do you think? Are women every bit the rancher a man can be? Maybe with different expectations and parameters? Is the idea believable?

 

The Burning Dress Ranch Box Set of all five books is available now, but for your chance to win it, leave a comment and tell me what you think about these feisty, determined women.

I’m giving my box set away to 5 lucky commenters!

You can find the box set on Amazon

Lady Gold Rushers and a Giveaway!

by

Hello there! I’m Linda Shenton Machett, and I’m here to talk about Lady Goldrushers!

While visiting my dad, I was in the midst of deciding what to write for my next series. We were watching Gold Rush: Alaska, one of his favorite shows which got me to thinking about the early gold and silver rushes here in America. Research nerd that I am, I immediately pulled out my smart phone and started hunting for information. I stumbled on Joann Levy’s book They Saw the Elephant: Women in the California Gold Rush and was intrigued. Female gold rushers?

Hooked, my mind raced as I continued to research. The book’s title came from the forty-niners themselves who announced they were “going to see the elephant.” Those who turned back claimed they had seen “the elephant’s tracks” or the “elephant’s tail,” and that was enough for them. Filled with first person accounts, Ms. Levy’s book immersed me into a woman’s world of packing up their worldly goods and headed west on horseback or in wagons to seek their fortune. Some convinced their husbands, fathers, or brothers to go, but a large percentage of the women set out on their own. The reasons they went were as numerous as the women themselves.

The US has been home to lots of gold rushes (as well as silver and other precious metals and gems). Most people have heard of the California and Alaskan rushes, but the first rush of any size occurred in northern Georgia two decades before the California rush. In 1829, the tiny town of Dahlonega was overrun with men seeking their fortune after hearing about a find in the mountains. I decided that’s where my series would begin. The series continues with the Pikes Peak rush in 1859, followed by the 1899 Nome rush.

Guts, grit, and determination defined these women whose journals and diaries contained such entries as:

“One of the party shot him {a snake}; he measured nine feet, about as large as my arm a little above the wrist. In the course of the day, another came down the tree very near us, but a different species, not so large, which was very soon dispatched. The gentlemen took them to the village, to show what big things they had done.”

“We spent three days very pleasantly although all were nearly starved for want of wholesome food but you know my stomach is not lined with pink satin, the bristles on the pork, the weavels {sic} in the rice, and worms in the bread did not start me at all.”

But despite the hardships, the women continued to prospect:

“This morning the gold fever raged so high that I went again to dig with the rest but got very little gold…came home tired tonight. Still in good spirits.”

How many women participated in the gold rushes is not known. Most lived anonymously, and left little record behind. I hope in some small way, Gold Rush Hannah honors these stalwart women.

Question for readers: What would make you leave everything you know to travel a great distance to try your hand at prospecting for gold? Comment for your chance to win an ebook edition of Gold Rush Bride Hannah.


Here’s a little more about Gold Rush Bride Hannah:

A brand-new widow, she’s doesn’t need another man in her life. He’s not looking for a wife. But when danger thrusts them together, will they change their minds…and hearts?

Hannah Lauman’s husband has been murdered, but rather than grief, she feels…relief. She decides to remain in Georgia to work their gold claim, but a series of incidents makes it clear someone wants her gone…dead or alive. Is a chance at being a woman of means and independence worth risking her life?

Jess Vogel never breaks a promise, so when he receives a letter from a former platoon mate about being in danger, he drops everything to help his old friend. Unfortunately, he arrives just in time for the funeral. Can he convince the man’s widow he’s there for her protection not for her money?


Purchase Link 

Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily ever after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Linda has been scribbling stories since her parents gifted her a notebook in the third grade. She now resides in central New Hampshire where she works as a Human Resources professional and volunteers as a docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of World War II.

Social Media Links:
Website/Blog 
Newsletter sign up 
Facebook 
Pinterest
YouTube